Public open space as the only urban space for walking: Sumatera Utara experience

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nasution, A. D.; Zahrah, W.; Ginting, Nurlisa

2018-03-01

One of successful public open space (POS) criteria is the proper pedestrian linkage. Furthermore, a good quality POS should pay attention to pedestrian activities. This will contribute to the physical and mental health of people and enhance their quality of life. The research means to investigate how POS accommodate the pedestrians. The study takes place in twenty small towns in Sumatra Utara province, Indonesia. The analysis is a descriptive, explorative study that collects data about physical elements of POS. The survey also uses a set of questionnaire to get information about the visitors walking tradition. The result of the study shows that most of the citizens approach and get to the POS by vehicle, both cars, and motorcycles. They use their private vehicles although the distance between their houses and the POS is less than one kilometer. There is no pedestrian linkage that connects the POS with the other part of urban space. However, the POS is active by various physical activities, such as walking, playing and exercising. These events occur both in pedestrian ways in the periphery, inside the POS, and in the other spots of the POS, such as grass field or multipurpose plaza. The visitors’ vehicle tradition relates to the whole urban space which is planned in a car-oriented way. Thus, the POS becomes the only space that people can walk and enjoy the environment.

Portable Oxygen Subsystem (POS). [for space shuttles

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1975-01-01

Concept selection, design, fabrication, and testing of a Portable Subsystem (POS) for use in space shuttle operations are described. Tradeoff analyses were conducted to determine the POS concept for fabrication and testing. The fabricated POS was subjected to unmanned and manned tests to verify compliance with statement of work requirements. The POS used in the development program described herein met requirements for the three operational modes -- prebreathing, contaminated cabin, and personnel rescue system operations.

The effect of retail cigarette pack displays on unplanned purchases: results from immediate postpurchase interviews.

PubMed

Carter, O B J; Mills, B W; Donovan, R J

2009-06-01

To assess the influence of point-of-sale (POS) cigarette displays on unplanned purchases. Intercept interviews were conducted with customers observed purchasing cigarettes from retail outlets featuring POS cigarette displays. Measures included intention to purchase cigarettes prior to entering the store, unprompted and prompted salience of POS tobacco displays, urge to buy cigarettes as a result of seeing the POS display, brand switching and support for a ban on POS cigarette displays. In total, 206 daily smokers aged 18-76 years (90 male, 116 female) were interviewed. Unplanned cigarette purchases were made by 22% of participants. POS displays influenced nearly four times as many unplanned purchases as planned purchases (47% vs 12%, p<0.01). Brand switching was reported among 5% of participants, half of whom were influenced by POS displays. Four times as many smokers were supportive of a ban on POS tobacco displays than unsupportive (49% vs 12%), and 28% agreed that such a ban would make it easier to quit. POS tobacco displays act as a form of advertising even in the absence of advertising materials. They stimulate unplanned cigarette purchases, play an important role in brand selection and tempt smokers trying to quit. This justifies removing POS tobacco displays from line of sight-something that very few smokers in our sample would object to.

Peripheral natural killer cytotoxicity and CD56(pos)CD16(pos) cells increase during early pregnancy in women with a history of recurrent spontaneous abortion.

PubMed

Emmer, P M; Nelen, W L; Steegers, E A; Hendriks, J C; Veerhoek, M; Joosten, I

2000-05-01

For diagnostic purposes we assessed peripheral natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxicity and NK and T cell numbers to assess their putative predictive value in recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA). A total of 43 women with subsequent pregnancy, 37 healthy controls and 39 women successfully partaking in an in-vitro fertilization (IVF) procedure, were included in the study. We show that before pregnancy, levels of NK cytotoxicity and numbers of both single CD56(pos) and double CD56(pos)CD16(pos) cells were similar between RSA women and controls. But notably, within the RSA group, NK cell numbers of <12% were strongly associated with a subsequent pregnancy carried to term. Supplementation of folic acid led to an increase of single CD56(pos) cells, but cytotoxic function appeared unaffected. The expression pattern of killer inhibitory receptors on CD56(pos) cells was not different between patients and controls. A longitudinal study revealed that, compared with controls, in RSA women higher numbers of double CD56(pos)CD16(pos) cells were present during early pregnancy, paralleled by an increase in cytotoxic NK cell reactivity. The single CD56(pos) population decreased in number. In conclusion, the analysis of peripheral NK cell characteristics appears a suitable diagnostic tool in RSA. Immunomodulation aimed at NK cell function appears a promising therapeutic measure.

The Poverty of the Mayan Stimulus

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pye, Clifton

2012-01-01

Poverty of the stimulus (POS) arguments have instigated considerable debate in the recent linguistics literature. This article uses the comparative method to challenge the logic of POS arguments. Rather than question the premises of POS arguments, the article demonstrates how POS arguments for individual languages lead to a "reductio ad absurdum"…

Simulation Trial Results for the Cooperative Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Demonstration (SA15)

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-05-01

acknowl- edges the location and then replies when it has found the target. Description Code Notes Hunt Target HHH pos where pos is the MGRS location of...the target to hunt Acknowledge AAA HHH pos where pos is the MGRS location of the target to hunt Found Target VVV 2.2.5 Meredith MMI (Singapore Control...phase, Reacquire, was initiated by the Meredith vehicle sending a Reacquire message with an MGRS coordinate to Mullaya (“ HHH ” pos). Mullaya would then

Environment-sensitive fluorophores with benzothiadiazole and benzoselenadiazole structures as candidate components of a fluorescent polymeric thermometer.

PubMed

Uchiyama, Seiichi; Kimura, Kohki; Gota, Chie; Okabe, Kohki; Kawamoto, Kyoko; Inada, Noriko; Yoshihara, Toshitada; Tobita, Seiji

2012-07-27

An environment-sensitive fluorophore can change its maximum emission wavelength (λ(em)), fluorescence quantum yield (Φ(f)), and fluorescence lifetime in response to the surrounding environment. We have developed two new intramolecular charge-transfer-type environment-sensitive fluorophores, DBThD-IA and DBSeD-IA, in which the oxygen atom of a well-established 2,1,3-benzoxadiazole environment-sensitive fluorophore, DBD-IA, has been replaced by a sulfur and selenium atom, respectively. DBThD-IA is highly fluorescent in n-hexane (Φ(f) =0.81, λ(em) =537 nm) with excitation at 449 nm, but is almost nonfluorescent in water (Φ(f) =0.037, λ(em) =616 nm), similarly to DBD-IA (Φ(f) =0.91, λ(em) =520 nm in n-hexane; Φ(f) =0.027, λ(em) =616 nm in water). A similar variation in fluorescence properties was also observed for DBSeD-IA (Φ(f) =0.24, λ(em) =591 nm in n-hexane; Φ(f) =0.0046, λ(em) =672 nm in water). An intensive study of the solvent effects on the fluorescence properties of these fluorophores revealed that both the polarity of the environment and hydrogen bonding with solvent molecules accelerate the nonradiative relaxation of the excited fluorophores. Time-resolved optoacoustic and phosphorescence measurements clarified that both intersystem crossing and internal conversion are involved in the nonradiative relaxation processes of DBThD-IA and DBSeD-IA. In addition, DBThD-IA exhibits a 10-fold higher photostability in aqueous solution than the original fluorophore DBD-IA, which allowed us to create a new robust molecular nanogel thermometer for intracellular thermometry. Copyright © 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Plasma opening switch

DOEpatents

Savage, Mark E.; Mendel, Jr., Clifford W.

2001-01-01

A command triggered plasma opening switch assembly using an amplification stage. The assembly surrounds a coaxial transmission line and has a main plasma opening switch (POS) close to the load and a trigger POS upstream from the main POS. The trigger POS establishes two different current pathways through the assembly depended on whether it has received a trigger current pulse. The initial pathway has both POS's with plasma between their anodes and cathodes to form a short across the transmission line and isolating the load. The final current pathway is formed when the trigger POS receives a trigger current pulse which energizes its fast coil to push the conductive plasma out from between its anode and cathode, allowing the main transmission line current to pass to the fast coil of the main POS, thus pushing its plasma out the way so as to establish a direct current pathway to the load.

Live Imaging of LysoTracker-Labelled Phagolysosomes Tracks Diurnal Phagocytosis of Photoreceptor Outer Segment Fragments in Rat RPE Tissue Ex Vivo.

PubMed

Mao, Yingyu; Finnemann, Silvia C

2016-01-01

Renewal of rod photoreceptor outer segments in the mammalian eye involves synchronized diurnal shedding after light onset of spent distal outer segment fragments (POS) linked to swift clearance of shed POS from the subretinal space by the adjacent retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Engulfed POS phagosomes in RPE cells mature to acidified phagolysosomes, which accomplish enzymatic degradation of POS macromolecules. Here, we used an acidophilic fluorophore LysoTracker to label acidic organelles in freshly dissected, live rat RPE tissue flat mounts. We observed that all RPE cells imaged contained numerous acidified POS phagolysosomes whose abundance per cell was dramatically increased 2 h after light onset as compared to either 1 h before or 4 h after light onset. Lack of organelles of similar diameter (of 1-2 μm) in phagocytosis-defective mutant RCS rat RPE confirmed that LysoTracker live imaging detected POS phagolysosomes. Lack of increase in lysosomal membrane protein LAMP-1 in RPE/choroid during the diurnal phagocytic burst suggests that formation of POS phagolysosomes in RPE in situ may not involve extra lysosome membrane biogenesis. Taken together, we report a new imaging approach that directly detects POS phagosome acidification and allows rapid tracking and quantification of POS phagocytosis by live RPE -tissue ex situ.

The relationship between job performance and perceived organizational support in faculty members at Chinese universities: a questionnaire survey.

PubMed

Guan, Xin; Sun, Tao; Hou, Yan; Zhao, Liang; Luan, Yi-Ze; Fan, Li-Hua

2014-03-13

Although several studies have been conducted to investigate the relationship between perceived organizational support (POS) and job performance (JP), it remains unclear whether this relationship is appropriate for faculty members at Chinese universities. The objectives of this study were to (a) examine the correlation between POS andJP; (b) identify the predictors of POS, including demographic and organizational characteristics among faculty members at a Chinese university; (c) investigate the influence of mediating factors between POS and JP; and (d) compare the findings of this study with related studies. A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was used in this study. The questionnaire was administered to 700 faculty members who were randomly selected from all faculty members at six universities. A total of 581 questionnaires were obtained. A statistical model for JP was developed based on the literature review. The analysis results indicated that the relationship between POS and JP was mediated by job satisfaction (JS), positive affectivity (PA), and affective commitment (AC). In addition, procedural and distributive justice contribute to POS. The study concludes that the relationship between POS and JP is mediated by JS, PA, and AC and is influenced by POS. These results can provide evidence for university administrators to improve POS and increase the JP of faculty members at universities.

Perceived Organizational Support Impacts on the Associations of Work-Family Conflict or Family-Work Conflict with Depressive Symptoms among Chinese Doctors.

PubMed

Hao, Junhui; Wang, Jiana; Liu, Li; Wu, Wei; Wu, Hui

2016-03-16

As a common mental disorder, depressive symptoms had been studied extensively all over the world. However, positive resources for combating depressive symptoms among Chinese doctors were rarely studied. Our study aimed to investigate the relationships between work-family conflict (WFC) and family-work conflict (FWC) with depressive symptoms among Chinese doctors. Meanwhile, the role of perceived organizational support (POS) in this association was explored at an organizational level. The investigation was conducted between March and April 2014. Questionnaires that measured WFC, FWC, depressive symptoms and POS were distributed to 1200 doctors in Shenyang, China. The final study subjects were 931 doctors (effective response rate: 77.6%). In all analyses, male and female doctors were analyzed separately because of possible gender differences. Hierarchical linear regression analyses were used to examine the moderating role of POS. Baron and Kenny's technique and asymptotic and resampling strategies were used to explore the mediating role of POS on the associations of WFC or FWC with depressive symptoms. WFC and FWC had positive relations with depressive symptoms among doctors. POS played a partial mediating role on the correlation of FWC with depressive symptoms among male doctors, and POS played a partial mediating role on the correlation of WFC with depressive symptoms among female doctors. POS had a positive moderating effect on the relationship between WFC and depressive symptoms among doctors. WFC and FWC could aggravate doctors' depressive symptoms, and POS, as an organizational resource, could fight against doctors' depressive symptoms. When POS functioned as a mediator, FWC had a negative effect on POS, which could increase male doctors' depressive symptoms, and WFC had a negative effect on POS, which could increase female doctors' depressive symptoms. In the meantime, POS, as a moderator, could enhance the effects of WFC on depressive symptoms.

Perceived Organizational Support Impacts on the Associations of Work-Family Conflict or Family-Work Conflict with Depressive Symptoms among Chinese Doctors

PubMed Central

Hao, Junhui; Wang, Jiana; Liu, Li; Wu, Wei; Wu, Hui

2016-01-01

As a common mental disorder, depressive symptoms had been studied extensively all over the world. However, positive resources for combating depressive symptoms among Chinese doctors were rarely studied. Our study aimed to investigate the relationships between work-family conflict (WFC) and family-work conflict (FWC) with depressive symptoms among Chinese doctors. Meanwhile, the role of perceived organizational support (POS) in this association was explored at an organizational level. The investigation was conducted between March and April 2014. Questionnaires that measured WFC, FWC, depressive symptoms and POS were distributed to 1200 doctors in Shenyang, China. The final study subjects were 931 doctors (effective response rate: 77.6%). In all analyses, male and female doctors were analyzed separately because of possible gender differences. Hierarchical linear regression analyses were used to examine the moderating role of POS. Baron and Kenny’s technique and asymptotic and resampling strategies were used to explore the mediating role of POS on the associations of WFC or FWC with depressive symptoms. WFC and FWC had positive relations with depressive symptoms among doctors. POS played a partial mediating role on the correlation of FWC with depressive symptoms among male doctors, and POS played a partial mediating role on the correlation of WFC with depressive symptoms among female doctors. POS had a positive moderating effect on the relationship between WFC and depressive symptoms among doctors. WFC and FWC could aggravate doctors’ depressive symptoms, and POS, as an organizational resource, could fight against doctors’ depressive symptoms. When POS functioned as a mediator, FWC had a negative effect on POS, which could increase male doctors’ depressive symptoms, and WFC had a negative effect on POS, which could increase female doctors’ depressive symptoms. In the meantime, POS, as a moderator, could enhance the effects of WFC on depressive symptoms. PMID:26999175

Social and Physical Environmental Factors Influencing Adolescents' Physical Activity in Urban Public Open Spaces: A Qualitative Study Using Walk-Along Interviews.

PubMed

Van Hecke, Linde; Deforche, Benedicte; Van Dyck, Delfien; De Bourdeaudhuij, Ilse; Veitch, Jenny; Van Cauwenberg, Jelle

2016-01-01

Most previous studies examining physical activity in Public Open Spaces (POS) focused solely on the physical environment. However, according to socio-ecological models the social environment is important as well. The aim of this study was to determine which social and physical environmental factors affect adolescents' visitation and physical activity in POS in low-income neighbourhoods. Since current knowledge on this topic is limited, especially in Europe, qualitative walk-along interviews were used to obtain detailed and context-specific information. Participants (n = 30, aged 12-16 years, 64% boys) were recruited in POS in low-income neighbourhoods in Brussels, Ghent and Antwerp (Belgium). Participants were interviewed while walking in the POS with the interviewer. Using this method, the interviewer could observe and ask questions while the participant was actually experiencing the environment. All audio-recorded interviews were transcribed and analysed using Nvivo 10 software and thematic analysis was used to derive categories and subcategories using a grounded theory approach. The most important subcategories that were supportive of visiting POS and performing physical activity in POS were; accessibility by foot/bicycle/public transport, located close to home/school, presence of (active) friends and family, cleanliness of the POS and features, availability of sport and play facilities, large open spaces and beautiful sceneries. The most important subcategories that were unsupportive of visiting POS and physical activity in POS were; presence of undesirable users (drug users, gangs and homeless people), the behaviour of other users and the cleanliness of the POS and features. Social factors appeared often more influential than physical factors, however, it was the combination of social and physical factors that affected adolescents' behaviour in POS. Easily accessible POS with high quality features in the proximity of adolescents' home or school may stimulate physical activity, if adolescents also experience a safe and familiar social environment.

Social and Physical Environmental Factors Influencing Adolescents’ Physical Activity in Urban Public Open Spaces: A Qualitative Study Using Walk-Along Interviews

PubMed Central

Van Hecke, Linde; Deforche, Benedicte; Van Dyck, Delfien; De Bourdeaudhuij, Ilse; Veitch, Jenny; Van Cauwenberg, Jelle

2016-01-01

Most previous studies examining physical activity in Public Open Spaces (POS) focused solely on the physical environment. However, according to socio-ecological models the social environment is important as well. The aim of this study was to determine which social and physical environmental factors affect adolescents’ visitation and physical activity in POS in low-income neighbourhoods. Since current knowledge on this topic is limited, especially in Europe, qualitative walk-along interviews were used to obtain detailed and context-specific information. Participants (n = 30, aged 12–16 years, 64% boys) were recruited in POS in low-income neighbourhoods in Brussels, Ghent and Antwerp (Belgium). Participants were interviewed while walking in the POS with the interviewer. Using this method, the interviewer could observe and ask questions while the participant was actually experiencing the environment. All audio-recorded interviews were transcribed and analysed using Nvivo 10 software and thematic analysis was used to derive categories and subcategories using a grounded theory approach. The most important subcategories that were supportive of visiting POS and performing physical activity in POS were; accessibility by foot/bicycle/public transport, located close to home/school, presence of (active) friends and family, cleanliness of the POS and features, availability of sport and play facilities, large open spaces and beautiful sceneries. The most important subcategories that were unsupportive of visiting POS and physical activity in POS were; presence of undesirable users (drug users, gangs and homeless people), the behaviour of other users and the cleanliness of the POS and features. Social factors appeared often more influential than physical factors, however, it was the combination of social and physical factors that affected adolescents’ behaviour in POS. Easily accessible POS with high quality features in the proximity of adolescents’ home or school may stimulate physical activity, if adolescents also experience a safe and familiar social environment. PMID:27214385

IP over fiber technologies: ATM/POS/SDL

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jin, Depeng; Zeng, Lieguang

2001-10-01

The explosive growth of Internet traffic has created the need to transport IP over high-speed links such as fiber. Three main IP over fiber technologies have been developed: ATM, POS and SDL. As ATM has been widely researched and developed, this paper mainly discusses the POS and SDL. POS is a traditional mapping method of packets, and this paper presents the realization state machine of POS and analyzes the Probability of Packet Loss. SDL is a new framing protocol for variable/fixed length of packet, which extends the HEC-liking framing mechanism used in ATM. This paper analyzes this new protocol and gives the performance results such as MTTF and PFP. Finally, the comparison of POS and SDL is provided.

The relationship between job performance and perceived organizational support in faculty members at Chinese universities: a questionnaire survey

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background Although several studies have been conducted to investigate the relationship between perceived organizational support (POS) and job performance (JP), it remains unclear whether this relationship is appropriate for faculty members at Chinese universities. The objectives of this study were to (a) examine the correlation between POS andJP; (b) identify the predictors of POS, including demographic and organizational characteristics among faculty members at a Chinese university; (c) investigate the influence of mediating factors between POS and JP; and (d) compare the findings of this study with related studies. Methods A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was used in this study. The questionnaire was administered to 700 faculty members who were randomly selected from all faculty members at six universities. A total of 581 questionnaires were obtained. A statistical model for JP was developed based on the literature review. Results The analysis results indicated that the relationship between POS and JP was mediated by job satisfaction (JS), positive affectivity (PA), and affective commitment (AC). In addition, procedural and distributive justice contribute to POS. Conclusions The study concludes that the relationship between POS and JP is mediated by JS, PA, and AC and is influenced by POS. These results can provide evidence for university administrators to improve POS and increase the JP of faculty members at universities. PMID:24624932

Pectic oligosaccharides from agricultural by-products: production, characterization and health benefits.

PubMed

Babbar, Neha; Dejonghe, Winnie; Gatti, Monica; Sforza, Stefano; Elst, Kathy

2016-08-01

Pectin containing agricultural by-products are potential sources of a new class of prebiotics known as pectic oligosaccharides (POS). In general, pectin is made up of homogalacturonan (HG, α-1,4-linked galacturonic acid monomers) and rhamnogalacturonan (RG, alternate galacturonic acid and rhamnose backbone with neutral side chains). Controlled hydrolysis of pectin containing agricultural by-products like sugar beet, apple, olive and citrus by chemical, enzymatic and hydrothermal can be used to produce oligo-galacturonides (GalpOS), galacto-oligosaccharides (GalOS), rhamnogalacturonan-oligosaccharides (RGOS), etc. However, extensive research is needed to establish the role of POS, both as a prebiotic as well as therapeutic agent. This review comprehensively covers different facets of POS, including the nature and chemistry of pectin and POS, potential agricultural residual sources of pectin, pre-treatment methods for facilitating selective extraction of pectin, identification and characterization of POS, health benefits and important applications of POS in food and feed. This review has been compiled to establish a platform for future research in the purification and characterization of POS and for in vivo and in vitro studies of important POS, so that they could be commercially exploited.

Study on fluorescence spectra of thiamine, riboflavin and pyridoxine

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Hui; Xiao, Xue; Zhao, Xuesong; Hu, Lan; Lv, Caofang; Yin, Zhangkun

2016-01-01

This paper presents the intrinsic fluorescence characteristics of vitamin B1, B2 and B6 measured with 3D fluorescence Spectrophotometer. Three strong fluorescence areas of vitamin B2 locate at λex/λem=270/525nm, 370/525nm and 450/525nm, one fluorescence areas of vitamin B1 locates at λex/λem=370/460nm, two fluorescence areas of vitamin B6 locate at λex/λem=250/370nm and 325/370nm were found. The influence of pH of solution to the fluorescence profile was also discussed. Using the PARAFAC algorithm, 10 vitamin B1, B2 and B6 mixed solutions were successfully decomposed, and the emission profiles, excitation profiles, central wavelengths and the concentration of the three components were retrieved precisely through about 5 iteration times.

Timothy Remo | NREL

Science.gov Websites

Analysis Center. Areas of Expertise Photovoltaic and semiconductor manufacturing cost analysis Process , Norcross, GA (2011-2015) Production Engineer, Emcore Photovoltaic Corp, Albuquerque, NM (2008-2010

White spot lesion remineralization by sugar-free chewing gum containing bio-available calcium and fluoride: A double-blind randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Sugiura, Miho; Kitasako, Yuichi; Sadr, Alireza; Shimada, Yasushi; Sumi, Yasunori; Tagami, Junji

2016-11-01

To assess the effect of chewing gum containing phosphoryl oligosaccharides of calcium (POs-Ca) and fluoride on white spot lesion (WSL) remineralization in comparison with POs-Ca or placebo (control) chewing gums, in double- blind, randomized, controlled trial. Thirty-seven healthy subjects, who had at least one WSL, with an ICDAS score of 2 or 1, were recruited for this study. The subjects were randomly divided into three groups (control, POs-Ca, POs-Ca+F) and chewed two slabs of each gum three times every day for 3 months. WSLs were assessed using ICDAS criteria and optical boundary depth (BD) by optical coherence tomography (OCT) system at a monthly recall. Data were analyzed by Wilcoxon rank-sum test and Wilcoxon signed rank test with Bonferroni corrections at 0.05 significance level. Visual score changes from ICDAS score 2 to score 1 over the course of the study were observed; control (30%), POs-Ca (48%) and POs-Ca+F (45%). Unlike the control gum, chewing POs-Ca and POs-Ca+F gums resulted in significant changes in the mean value of BD over the 3 months course of the study (p<0.05). There was a significant difference in mean value of BD after first month between POs-Ca+F and control groups (p<0.05). This study highlighted the importance of calcium and fluoride ion bioavailability in the reinforcement of demineralized enamel lesions by chewing gums. Furthermore, adding fluoride to POs-Ca might speed up the remineralization progress on natural WSL. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Cohort study investigating the effects of first stage of the English tobacco point-of-sale display ban on awareness, susceptibility and smoking uptake among adolescents

PubMed Central

Bogdanovica, Ilze; McNeill, Ann; Britton, John

2017-01-01

Objective A prospective evaluation of the effect of 2012 point-of-sale (PoS) display ban in supermarkets in England on perceived exposure to PoS displays, and on changes in susceptibility and smoking uptake among young people. Design Cohort study. Settings Seven schools in Nottinghamshire, England. Participants 1035 11–16-year-old school children. Primary and secondary outcome measures Changes in reported exposure to PoS displays before and after prohibition, and the association between exposure to and awareness of PoS displays and change in susceptibility to smoking and smoking status between 2011 and 2012 (before the ban) and 2012 and 2013 (after the ban). Results The proportion of children noticing tobacco PoS displays in supermarkets most or every time they visited a shop changed little between 2011 and 2012 (59.6% (95% CI 56.6% to 62.6%) and 58.8% (95% CI 55.8% to 61.8%), respectively); but decreased by about 13 percentage points to 45.7% (95% CI 42.7% to 48.7%) in 2013, after the ban. However, after adjusting for confounders, implementation of the first stage of the PoS ban in 2012 did not result in significant changes in the relation between susceptibility to smoking and smoking status and exposure to and awareness of PoS displays. Conclusions Prohibition of PoS in large supermarkets resulted in a decline in the proportion of young people noticing PoS displays in large shops, but little or no change in smoking uptake or susceptibility. It remains to be seen whether extension of the PoS ban to all shops in 2015 has a more marked effect. PMID:28115330

Prohibiting physicians' dual practice in Iran: Policy options for implementation.

PubMed

Bazyar, Mohammad; Rashidian, Arash; Jahanmehr, Nader; Behzadi, Faranak; Moghri, Javad; Doshmangir, Leila

2018-04-23

In Iran, based on the recent national policy documents, physician dual practice (PDP) has been prohibited. This study aimed to develop policy options (POs) to implement physicians' dual practice prohibition law in Iran. International evidence published in English and local documents published in Persian about PDP analyzed and results (advantages, disadvantages, challenges and requirements to ban PDP, and applied policies to limit the dual practice) were extracted. Results discussed among the research team in 5 rounds of meetings. In each meeting, any possible PO to limit PDP in Iran was proposed based on brainstorming technique and 12 POs were developed. These 12 POs and their advantages and disadvantages were discussed in a focus group discussion attended by 14 informed policy makers, and 3 additional POs were added. Fifteen POs were developed. Each PO has its own advantages and disadvantages. It is worth to highlight that not only are the proposed POs not mutually exclusive but they are also mutually reinforcing; that is, each of these POs can be applied alone or they can be implemented alongside each other simultaneously. No single optimal PO exists for dealing with the dual practice in Iranian health system. Implementing a mix of POs could reduce possible complications of each PO and increase the chance of successful implementation of the law. It is advisable to follow a conservative and incremental approach and start with POs that will cause less resistance and political challenges. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Intrinsic fluorescence spectra characteristics of vitamin B1, B2, and B6

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Hui; Xiao, Xue; Zhao, Xuesong; Hu, Lan; Lv, Caofang; Yin, Zhangkun

2015-11-01

This paper presents the intrinsic fluorescence characteristics of vitamin B1, B2 and B6 measured with 3D fluorescence Spectrophotometer. Three strong fluorescence areas of vitamin B2 locate at λex/λem=270/525nm, 370/525nm and 450/525nm, one fluorescence areas of vitamin B1 locates at λex/λem=370/460nm, two fluorescence areas of vitamin B6 locates at λex/λem=250/370nm and 325/370nm were found. The influence of pH of solution to the fluorescence profile was also discussed. Using the PARAFAC algorithm, 10 vitamin B1, B2 and B6 mixed solutions were successfully decomposed, and the emission profiles, excitation profiles, central wavelengths and the concentration of the three components were retrieved precisely through about 5 iteration times.

TIA Caused by Contrast Echocardiography in Patient with Platypnea-Orthodeoxia.

PubMed

Loncar, Goran; Payot, Laurent; Dubois, Mathieu

2015-10-01

Platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome (POS) is a rare clinical disorder characterized by dyspnea caused by the upright position and relieved at recumbent position. Few cases of POS and stroke were reported in literature, and the association between stroke and POS with evidence of patent foramen ovale (PFO) is rare. Stroke may occur in patients with cardiac shunt who undergo contrast echocardiography. We present a patient with POS who experienced transitory ischemic attack (TIA) most likely caused by injection of agitated saline microbubbles during screen for PFO. No case report of TIA/stroke during contrast echocardiography in patients with POS has previously been published. © 2015, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Sandia National Laboratories: Contact Us

Science.gov Websites

Technology Partnerships Business, Industry, & Non-Profits Government Universities Center for Development Agreement (CRADA) Strategic Partnership Projects, Non-Federal Entity (SPP/NFE) Agreements New )* Non-mail deliveries: 1515 Eubank SE Albuquerque, NM 87123 Sandia National Laboratories, California P.O

Prescription Opioid Use, Misuse, and Diversion among Street Drug Users in New York City

PubMed Central

Rees Davis, W.; Johnson, Bruce D.

2008-01-01

Objective The use of heroin, cocaine, and other drugs is well researched in New York City, but prescription opioids (POs) have been overlooked. This study documents patterns of PO use, misuse, and diversion among street drug users, and begins to indicate how drug culture practices interact with the legitimate therapeutic goals of PO prescriptions (e.g. pain management). Methods Staff completed interviews inquiring about the reasons for use of POs and illicit drugs with 586 street drug users. Ethnographers wrote extensive field notes about subjects’ complex patterns of PO use. Results Methadone was used (71.9%) and sold (64.7%) at a higher level than OxyContin, Vicodin, and Percocet, used by between 34% and 38% of the users and sold by between 28% and 41% of the sellers. Recent PO use is associated with the recency of using heroin and cocaine (p<.001). Half of the heroin/cocaine sellers sold POs, and one quarter of the PO sellers only sold POs. Subjects were classified into four groups by whether they diverted POs or used POs to relieve pain or withdrawal rather than for euphoria. This classification was associated with frequency of PO use, whether POs were obtained from doctors/pharmacies or from drug dealers and family members, and those mostly likely to use POs for pain and withdrawal. Conclusions POs are an important component of street drug users’ drug-taking regimes, especially those who are Physically III Chemical Abusers (PICA). Future research is needed to model PO use, misuse, and diversion among this population. PMID:17913395

Prescription opioid use, misuse, and diversion among street drug users in New York City.

PubMed

Davis, W Rees; Johnson, Bruce D

2008-01-01

The use of heroin, cocaine, and other drugs is well researched in New York City, but prescription opioids (POs) have been overlooked. This study documents patterns of PO use, misuse, and diversion among street drug users, and begins to indicate how drug culture practices interact with the legitimate therapeutic goals of PO prescriptions (e.g. pain management). Staff completed interviews inquiring about the reasons for use of POs and illicit drugs with 586 street drug users. Ethnographers wrote extensive field notes about subjects' complex patterns of PO use. Methadone was used (71.9%) and sold (64.7%) at a higher level than OxyContin, Vicodin, and Percocet, used by between 34% and 38% of the users and sold by between 28% and 41% of the sellers. Recent PO use is associated with the recency of using heroin and cocaine (p<.001). Half of the heroin/cocaine sellers sold POs, and one quarter of the PO sellers only sold POs. Subjects were classified into four groups by whether they diverted POs or used POs to relieve pain or withdrawal rather than for euphoria. This classification was associated with frequency of PO use, whether POs were obtained from doctors/pharmacies or from drug dealers and family members, and those mostly likely to use POs for pain and withdrawal. POs are an important component of street drug users' drug-taking regimes, especially those who are Physically Ill Chemical Abusers (PICA). Future research is needed to model PO use, misuse, and diversion among this population.

Impact of point-of-sale tobacco display bans: findings from the International Tobacco Control Four Country Survey

PubMed Central

Li, Lin; Borland, Ron; Fong, Geoffrey T.; Thrasher, James F.; Hammond, David; Cummings, Kenneth M.

2013-01-01

This study examined the impact of point-of-sale (POS) tobacco marketing restrictions in Australia and Canada, in relation to the United Kingdom and the United States where there were no such restrictions during the study period (2006–10). The data came from the International Tobacco Control Four Country Survey, a prospective multi-country cohort survey of adult smokers. In jurisdictions where POS display bans were implemented, smokers’ reported exposure to tobacco marketing declined markedly. From 2006 to 2010, in Canada, the percentages noticing POS tobacco displays declined from 74.1 to 6.1% [adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 0.26, P < 0.001]; and reported exposure to POS tobacco advertising decreased from 40.3 to 14.1% (adjusted OR = 0.61, P < 0.001). Similarly, in Australia, noticing of POS displays decreased from 73.9 to 42.9%. In contrast, exposure to POS marketing in the United States and United Kingdom remained high during this period. In parallel, there were declines in reported exposures to other forms of advertising/promotion in Canada and Australia, but again, not in the United States or United Kingdom. Impulse purchasing of cigarettes was lower in places that enacted POS display bans. These findings indicate that implementing POS tobacco display bans does result in lower exposure to tobacco marketing and less frequent impulse purchasing of cigarettes. PMID:23640986

Global Evidence on the Association between POS Advertising Bans and Youth Smoking Participation.

PubMed

Shang, Ce; Huang, Jidong; Cheng, Kai-Wen; Li, Qing; Chaloupka, Frank J

2016-03-09

Point-of-sale (POS) tobacco advertising has been linked to youth smoking susceptibility and experimental smoking. However, there is limited evidence of the association between POS advertising bans and youth smoking participation. This study aims to examine how such bans are associated with current smoking, daily smoking, and regular smoking (≥ 1 cigarettes per day) participation among youth. one to two waves (primarily one wave) of the Global Youth Tobacco Survey were conducted in 130 countries between 2007 and 2011. These surveys were linked to the WHO "MPOWER" data using country and year identifiers to analyze the association between POS advertising bans (a dichotomous measure of the existence of such bans) and smoking participation in the past month. Weighted logistic regressions were employed to analyze this association while controlling for age, gender, parents' smoking status, 6 MPOWER policy scores, and GDP per capita. We find that in countries with POS advertising bans, current smoking (OR = 0.73, p ≤ 0.1), daily smoking (OR = 0.70, p ≤ 0.1), and regular smoking (OR = 0.75, p ≤ 0.05) participation in the past month is significantly lower, suggesting that POS promotion bans can potentially reduce youth smoking. This study provides evidence to support the implementation of POS promotion regulations by the US FDA and implementation of the WHO FCTC guidelines regarding restrictions on tobacco POS promotion.

A Systematic Review on the Impact of Point-of-Sale Tobacco Promotion on Smoking

PubMed Central

McGee, Rob; Marsh, Louise; Hoek, Janet

2015-01-01

Introduction: The tobacco retail environment is a crucial marketing medium for the industry. A 2009 review found evidence of a positive association between exposure to point-of-sale (POS) tobacco promotion and increased smoking and smoking susceptibility, though limitations in the evidence base were identified. Aim and Methods: We reviewed and critically appraised recent evidence documenting the influence of POS tobacco promotion, and POS tobacco display bans, on smoking-related behavior and cognitions. We reviewed original quantitative and qualitative research that examined the relationship between POS tobacco promotion and smoking prevalence, individual-level smoking and quitting and tobacco purchasing behavior, smoking susceptibility, and smoking-related cognitions. Results: Twenty peer-reviewed studies (18 quantitative and 2 qualitative) met the inclusion criteria; each study reported findings consistent with a positive association between exposure to POS tobacco promotion and smoking or smoking susceptibility. Several studies met key criteria for causality: 4 indicated a dose–response association, 2 prospective studies were identified, and evidence from intervention studies supported the reversibility of the association. Findings were consistent across different study designs, settings, and measures. Conclusions: The existing evidence supports a positive association between exposure to POS tobacco promotion and smoking. This review provides evidence to support the continuation of POS tobacco display bans in those jurisdictions where such legislation has been introduced and strengthens the evidence encouraging similar policies in jurisdictions without a POS display ban. PMID:25173775

Impact of point-of-sale tobacco display bans: findings from the International Tobacco Control Four Country Survey.

PubMed

Li, Lin; Borland, Ron; Fong, Geoffrey T; Thrasher, James F; Hammond, David; Cummings, Kenneth M

2013-10-01

This study examined the impact of point-of-sale (POS) tobacco marketing restrictions in Australia and Canada, in relation to the United Kingdom and the United States where there were no such restrictions during the study period (2006-10). The data came from the International Tobacco Control Four Country Survey, a prospective multi-country cohort survey of adult smokers. In jurisdictions where POS display bans were implemented, smokers' reported exposure to tobacco marketing declined markedly. From 2006 to 2010, in Canada, the percentages noticing POS tobacco displays declined from 74.1 to 6.1% [adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 0.26, P < 0.001]; and reported exposure to POS tobacco advertising decreased from 40.3 to 14.1% (adjusted OR = 0.61, P < 0.001). Similarly, in Australia, noticing of POS displays decreased from 73.9 to 42.9%. In contrast, exposure to POS marketing in the United States and United Kingdom remained high during this period. In parallel, there were declines in reported exposures to other forms of advertising/promotion in Canada and Australia, but again, not in the United States or United Kingdom. Impulse purchasing of cigarettes was lower in places that enacted POS display bans. These findings indicate that implementing POS tobacco display bans does result in lower exposure to tobacco marketing and less frequent impulse purchasing of cigarettes.

A Part-Of-Speech term weighting scheme for biomedical information retrieval.

PubMed

Wang, Yanshan; Wu, Stephen; Li, Dingcheng; Mehrabi, Saeed; Liu, Hongfang

2016-10-01

In the era of digitalization, information retrieval (IR), which retrieves and ranks documents from large collections according to users' search queries, has been popularly applied in the biomedical domain. Building patient cohorts using electronic health records (EHRs) and searching literature for topics of interest are some IR use cases. Meanwhile, natural language processing (NLP), such as tokenization or Part-Of-Speech (POS) tagging, has been developed for processing clinical documents or biomedical literature. We hypothesize that NLP can be incorporated into IR to strengthen the conventional IR models. In this study, we propose two NLP-empowered IR models, POS-BoW and POS-MRF, which incorporate automatic POS-based term weighting schemes into bag-of-word (BoW) and Markov Random Field (MRF) IR models, respectively. In the proposed models, the POS-based term weights are iteratively calculated by utilizing a cyclic coordinate method where golden section line search algorithm is applied along each coordinate to optimize the objective function defined by mean average precision (MAP). In the empirical experiments, we used the data sets from the Medical Records track in Text REtrieval Conference (TREC) 2011 and 2012 and the Genomics track in TREC 2004. The evaluation on TREC 2011 and 2012 Medical Records tracks shows that, for the POS-BoW models, the mean improvement rates for IR evaluation metrics, MAP, bpref, and P@10, are 10.88%, 4.54%, and 3.82%, compared to the BoW models; and for the POS-MRF models, these rates are 13.59%, 8.20%, and 8.78%, compared to the MRF models. Additionally, we experimentally verify that the proposed weighting approach is superior to the simple heuristic and frequency based weighting approaches, and validate our POS category selection. Using the optimal weights calculated in this experiment, we tested the proposed models on the TREC 2004 Genomics track and obtained average of 8.63% and 10.04% improvement rates for POS-BoW and POS-MRF, respectively. These significant improvements verify the effectiveness of leveraging POS tagging for biomedical IR tasks. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The Role of the Y-Chromosome in the Establishment of Murine Hybrid Dysgenesis and in the Analysis of the Nucleotide Sequence Organization, Genetic Transmission and Evolution of Repeated Sequences.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nallaseth, Ferez Soli

The Y-chromosome presents a unique cytogenetic framework for the evolution of nucleotide sequences. Alignment of nine Y-chromosomal fragments in their increasing Y-specific/non Y-specific (male/female) sequence divergence ratios was directly and inversely related to their interspersion on these two respective genomic fractions. Sequence analysis confirmed a direct relationship between divergence ratios and the Alu, LINE-1, Satellite and their derivative oligonucleotide contents. Thus their relocation on the Y-chromosome is followed by sequence divergence rather than the well documented concerted evolution of these non-coding progenitor repeated sequences. Five of the nine Y-chromosomal fragments are non-pseudoautosomal and transcribed into heterogeneous PolyA^+ RNA and thus can be retrotransposed. Evolutionary and computer analysis identified homologous oligonucleotide tracts in several human loci suggesting common and random mechanistic origins. Dysgenic genomes represent the accelerated evolution driving sequence divergence (McClintock, 1984). Sex reversal and sterility characterizing dysgenesis occurs in C57BL/6JY ^{rm Pos} but not in 129/SvY^{rm Pos} derivative strains. High frequency, random, multi-locus deletion products of the feral Y^{ rm Pos}-chromosome are generated in the germlines of F1(C57BL/6J X 129/SvY^{ rm Pos})(male) and C57BL/6JY ^{rm Pos}(male) but not in 129/SvY^{rm Pos}(male). Equal, 10^{-1}, 10^ {-2}, and 0 copies (relative to males) of Y^{rm Pos}-specific deletion products respectively characterize C57BL/6JY ^{rm Pos} (HC), (LC), (T) and (F) females. The testes determining loci of inactive Y^{rm Pos}-chromosomes in C57BL/6JY^{rm Pos} HC females are the preferentially deleted/rearranged Y ^{rm Pos}-sequences. Disruption of regulation of plasma testosterone and hepatic MUP-A mRNA levels, TRD of a 4.7 Kbp EcoR1 fragment suggest disruption of autosomal/X-chromosomal sequences. These data and the highly repeated progenitor (Alu, GATA, LINE-1) sequence content of deletion products confirmed the previously unidentified loss of genetic control of mammalian chromosome biology and hybrid dysgenesis.

Molecular identification of tuliposide B-converting enzyme: a lactone-forming carboxylesterase from the pollen of tulip.

PubMed

Nomura, Taiji; Murase, Tatsunori; Ogita, Shinjiro; Kato, Yasuo

2015-07-01

6-Tuliposides A (PosA) and B (PosB), which are the major secondary metabolites in tulip (Tulipa gesneriana), are enzymatically converted to the antimicrobial lactonized aglycons, tulipalins A (PaA) and B (PaB), respectively. We recently identified a PosA-converting enzyme (TCEA) as the first reported member of the lactone-forming carboxylesterases. Herein, we describe the identification of another lactone-forming carboxylesterase, PosB-converting enzyme (TCEB), which preferentially reacts with PosB to give PaB. This enzyme was isolated from tulip pollen, which showed high PosB-converting activity. Purified TCEB exhibited greater activity towards PosB than PosA, which was contrary to that of the TCEA. Novel cDNA (TgTCEB1) encoding the TCEB was isolated from tulip pollen. TgTCEB1 belonged to the carboxylesterase family and was approximately 50% identical to the TgTCEA polypeptides. Functional characterization of the recombinant enzyme verified that TgTCEB1 catalyzed the conversion of PosB to PaB with an activity comparable with the native TCEB. RT-qPCR analysis of each part of plant revealed that TgTCEB1 transcripts were limited almost exclusively to the pollen. Furthermore, the immunostaining of the anther cross-section using anti-TgTCEB1 polyclonal antibody verified that TgTCEB1 was specifically expressed in the pollen grains, but not in the anther cells. N-terminal transit peptide of TgTCEB1 was shown to function as plastid-targeted signal. Taken together, these results indicate that mature TgTCEB1 is specifically localized in plastids of pollen grains. Interestingly, PosB, the substrate of TgTCEB1, accumulated on the pollen surface, but not in the intracellular spaces of pollen grains. © 2015 The Authors The Plant Journal © 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Cohort study investigating the effects of first stage of the English tobacco point-of-sale display ban on awareness, susceptibility and smoking uptake among adolescents.

PubMed

Bogdanovica, Ilze; McNeill, Ann; Britton, John

2017-01-23

A prospective evaluation of the effect of 2012 point-of-sale (PoS) display ban in supermarkets in England on perceived exposure to PoS displays, and on changes in susceptibility and smoking uptake among young people. Cohort study. Seven schools in Nottinghamshire, England. 1035 11-16-year-old school children. Changes in reported exposure to PoS displays before and after prohibition, and the association between exposure to and awareness of PoS displays and change in susceptibility to smoking and smoking status between 2011 and 2012 (before the ban) and 2012 and 2013 (after the ban). The proportion of children noticing tobacco PoS displays in supermarkets most or every time they visited a shop changed little between 2011 and 2012 (59.6% (95% CI 56.6% to 62.6%) and 58.8% (95% CI 55.8% to 61.8%), respectively); but decreased by about 13 percentage points to 45.7% (95% CI 42.7% to 48.7%) in 2013, after the ban. However, after adjusting for confounders, implementation of the first stage of the PoS ban in 2012 did not result in significant changes in the relation between susceptibility to smoking and smoking status and exposure to and awareness of PoS displays. Prohibition of PoS in large supermarkets resulted in a decline in the proportion of young people noticing PoS displays in large shops, but little or no change in smoking uptake or susceptibility. It remains to be seen whether extension of the PoS ban to all shops in 2015 has a more marked effect. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/.

Economic evaluation of audio based resilience training for depression in primary care.

PubMed

Koeser, Leonardo; Dobbin, Alastair; Ross, Sheila; McCrone, Paul

2013-07-01

Although there is some evidence on the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of computerised cognitive behavioural therapy (CCBT) for treating anxiety and depression in primary care, alternative low-cost psychosocial interventions have not been investigated. The cost-effectiveness of an audio based resilience training (Positive Mental Training, PosMT) was examined using a decision model. Patient level cost and effectiveness data from a trial comparing a CCBT treatment and usual care and effectiveness data from a study on PosMT were used to inform this. Net benefits of CCBT and PosMT were approximately equal in individuals with 'moderate' depression at baseline and markedly in favour of PosMT for the 'severe' depression subgroup. With only four observations in the 'mild' depression category for PosMT, the existing evidence base remains unaltered. Efficacy data for the PosMT arm was derived from a study using a partially randomised preference design and the model structure contains simplifications due to lack of data availability. PosMT may represent good value for money in treatment of depression for certain groups of patients. More research in this area may be warranted. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Pla a 2 and Pla a 3 reactivities identify plane tree-allergic patients with respiratory symptoms or food allergy.

PubMed

Scala, E; Cecchi, L; Abeni, D; Guerra, E C; Pirrotta, L; Locanto, M; Giani, M; Asero, R

2017-04-01

Nine hundred and thirty-nine rPla a 1, nPla a 2, and rPla a 3 ImmunoCAP ISAC reactors were studied. nPla a 2 pos MUXF3 pos but Pla a 1/2 neg subjects were excluded from the study because they were cross-reactive carbohydrate determinant reactors. Among the 764 remaining participants, 71.9% were Pla a 3 pos , 54.1% Pla a 2 pos , and 10.9% Pla a 1 pos . Among Pla a 3 reactors, 89.6% were Pru p 3 pos and 86.8% Jug 3 pos , but the strongest IgE recognition relationship was observed between Pla a 3 and Jug r 3. Distinctive clinical subsets could be documented among plane tree-allergic patients. Pla a 3 reactors had both local and systemic food-induced reactions, but lower past respiratory symptoms occurrence. Pla a 2 reactivity was associated with respiratory symptoms but inversely related to systemic reactions to food. Cosensitization to Pla a 2 and Pla a 3 was associated with a lower past incidence of severe food-induced reactions. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

CXRO - The Center for X-ray Optics

Science.gov Websites

advanced experimental systems to address national needs, support research in material, life, and provides a stepping stone for realizing stable and highly scalable (10 nm and below) non-volatile memory

NREL: News - 15 Home Builders Earn Energyvalue Awards

Science.gov Websites

builders who voluntarily integrate energy and resource efficiency into the design, construction and successful approaches to resource-efficient construction. The 2002 EVHA winners are: Tierra Concrete Homes , Sioux City, IA Artistic Homes, Albuquerque, NM Chuck Miller Construction, Hidden Springs ID Enviro

Perceived organizational support and extra-role performance: which leads to which?

PubMed

Chen, Zhixia; Eisenberger, Robert; Johnson, Kelly M; Sucharski, Ivan L; Aselage, Justin

2009-02-01

L. Rhoades and R. Eisenberger (2002) reported the meta-analytic finding of a highly statistically significant relation between perceived organizational support (POS) and performance but concluded that the reviewed studies' methodology allowed no conclusion concerning the direction of the association. To investigate this issue, the authors assessed POS and extra-role performance 2 times, separated by a 3-year interval, among 199 employees of an electronic and appliance sales organization. Using a cross-lagged panel design, the authors found that POS was positively associated with a temporal change in extra-role performance. In contrast, the relation between extra-role performance and temporal change in POS was not statistically significant. These findings provide evidence that POS leads to extra-role performance.

Evaluating Point of Sale Tobacco Marketing Using Behavioral Laboratory Methods

PubMed Central

Robinson, Jason D.; Drobes, David J.; Brandon, Thomas H.; Wetter, David W.; Cinciripini, Paul M.

2018-01-01

With passage of the 2009 Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, the FDA has authority to regulate tobacco advertising. As bans on traditional advertising venues and promotion of tobacco products have grown, a greater emphasis has been placed on brand exposure and price promotion in displays of products at the point-of-sale (POS). POS marketing seeks to influence attitudes and behavior towards tobacco products using a variety of explicit and implicit messaging approaches. Behavioral laboratory methods have the potential to provide the FDA with a strong scientific base for regulatory actions and a model for testing future manipulations of POS advertisements. We review aspects of POS marketing that potentially influence smoking behavior, including branding, price promotions, health claims, the marketing of emerging tobacco products, and tobacco counter-advertising. We conceptualize how POS marketing potentially influence individual attention, memory, implicit attitudes, and smoking behavior. Finally, we describe specific behavioral laboratory methods that can be adapted to measure the impact of POS marketing on these domains.

Goodman High Throughput Spectrograph | SOAR

Science.gov Websites

SPARTAN Near-IR Camera Ohio State Infrared Imager/Spectrograph (OSIRIS) - NO LONGER AVAILABLE SOAR 320-850 nm wavelength range. The paper describing the instrument is Clemens et al. (2004) Applying for IRAF. Publishing results based on Goodman data?: ADS link to 2004 SPIE Goodman Spectrograph paper

Global Evidence on the Association between POS Advertising Bans and Youth Smoking Participation

PubMed Central

Shang, Ce; Huang, Jidong; Cheng, Kai-Wen; Li, Qing; Chaloupka, Frank J.

2016-01-01

Background: Point-of-sale (POS) tobacco advertising has been linked to youth smoking susceptibility and experimental smoking. However, there is limited evidence of the association between POS advertising bans and youth smoking participation. This study aims to examine how such bans are associated with current smoking, daily smoking, and regular smoking (≥1 cigarettes per day) participation among youth. Methods: one to two waves (primarily one wave) of the Global Youth Tobacco Survey were conducted in 130 countries between 2007 and 2011. These surveys were linked to the WHO “MPOWER” data using country and year identifiers to analyze the association between POS advertising bans (a dichotomous measure of the existence of such bans) and smoking participation in the past month. Weighted logistic regressions were employed to analyze this association while controlling for age, gender, parents’ smoking status, 6 MPOWER policy scores, and GDP per capita. Results and Conclusions: We find that in countries with POS advertising bans, current smoking (OR = 0.73, p ≤ 0.1), daily smoking (OR = 0.70, p ≤ 0.1), and regular smoking (OR = 0.75, p ≤ 0.05) participation in the past month is significantly lower, suggesting that POS promotion bans can potentially reduce youth smoking. This study provides evidence to support the implementation of POS promotion regulations by the US FDA and implementation of the WHO FCTC guidelines regarding restrictions on tobacco POS promotion. PMID:27005651

“It Looks Like an Adult Sweetie Shop”: Point-of-Sale Tobacco Display Exposure and Brand Awareness in Scottish Secondary School Students

PubMed Central

van der Sluijs, Winfried; Miller, Martine; MacGregor, Andy; Sharp, Clare; Amos, Amanda; Best, Catherine; Stead, Martine; Eadie, Douglas; Pearce, Jamie; Frank, John; Haw, Sally

2016-01-01

Introduction: As further restrictions have been placed on tobacco advertising and promotions, point-of-sale (PoS) displays of cigarettes in shops have become an increasingly important source of young people’s exposure to tobacco products. This study explored the relationship between PoS displays of cigarettes and brand awareness among secondary school students in Scotland. Methods: Cross-sectional school surveys (n = 1406) and focus groups (n = 86) were conducted with S2 (13–14 years) and S4 (15–16 years) students in four schools of differing socioeconomic status in 2013, prior to the PoS display ban in large shops. Adjusted negative binomial regression analysis examined associations between brand awareness and exposure variables (visiting tobacco retailers, noticing displays of tobacco products). Results: Students visiting small shops more frequently (relative rate ratio [RRR] 1.19, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01–1.41) and those who noticed cigarette displays in small shops (RRR 1.24, 95% CI 1.03–1.51) and large supermarkets (RRR 1.15, 95% CI 1.01–1.30) had higher brand awareness. The focus groups supported these findings. Participants described PoS tobacco displays as being eye-catching, colorful and potentially attractive to young people. Conclusions: This mixed-methods study showed that higher cigarette brand awareness was significantly associated with regularly visiting small shops and noticing PoS displays in small and large shops, even when students’ smoking status, smoking in their social networks, leisure activities, and demographics were included as confounding variables. This highlights the importance of PoS displays of tobacco products in increasing brand awareness, which is known to increase youth smoking susceptibility, and thus the importance of implementing PoS display bans in all shops. Implications: As increasing restrictions have been placed on tobacco promotion in many countries, PoS displays of cigarettes in shops have become an important source of young people’s exposure to tobacco products and marketing. This mixed-methods study showed that prior to the PoS display ban in Scotland, and controlling for other factors, 13- and 15-year olds who regularly visited small shops and those who noticed PoS displays in small and large shops, had a higher awareness of cigarette brands. This highlights the importance of PoS displays in increasing youth brand awareness, which increases smoking susceptibility, and thus the need for comprehensive bans on PoS displays which cover all shops. PMID:26883750

"It Looks Like an Adult Sweetie Shop": Point-of-Sale Tobacco Display Exposure and Brand Awareness in Scottish Secondary School Students.

PubMed

van der Sluijs, Winfried; Haseen, Farhana; Miller, Martine; MacGregor, Andy; Sharp, Clare; Amos, Amanda; Best, Catherine; Stead, Martine; Eadie, Douglas; Pearce, Jamie; Frank, John; Haw, Sally

2016-10-01

As further restrictions have been placed on tobacco advertising and promotions, point-of-sale (PoS) displays of cigarettes in shops have become an increasingly important source of young people's exposure to tobacco products. This study explored the relationship between PoS displays of cigarettes and brand awareness among secondary school students in Scotland. Cross-sectional school surveys (n = 1406) and focus groups (n = 86) were conducted with S2 (13-14 years) and S4 (15-16 years) students in four schools of differing socioeconomic status in 2013, prior to the PoS display ban in large shops. Adjusted negative binomial regression analysis examined associations between brand awareness and exposure variables (visiting tobacco retailers, noticing displays of tobacco products). Students visiting small shops more frequently (relative rate ratio [RRR] 1.19, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01-1.41) and those who noticed cigarette displays in small shops (RRR 1.24, 95% CI 1.03-1.51) and large supermarkets (RRR 1.15, 95% CI 1.01-1.30) had higher brand awareness. The focus groups supported these findings. Participants described PoS tobacco displays as being eye-catching, colorful and potentially attractive to young people. This mixed-methods study showed that higher cigarette brand awareness was significantly associated with regularly visiting small shops and noticing PoS displays in small and large shops, even when students' smoking status, smoking in their social networks, leisure activities, and demographics were included as confounding variables. This highlights the importance of PoS displays of tobacco products in increasing brand awareness, which is known to increase youth smoking susceptibility, and thus the importance of implementing PoS display bans in all shops. As increasing restrictions have been placed on tobacco promotion in many countries, PoS displays of cigarettes in shops have become an important source of young people's exposure to tobacco products and marketing. This mixed-methods study showed that prior to the PoS display ban in Scotland, and controlling for other factors, 13- and 15-year olds who regularly visited small shops and those who noticed PoS displays in small and large shops, had a higher awareness of cigarette brands. This highlights the importance of PoS displays in increasing youth brand awareness, which increases smoking susceptibility, and thus the need for comprehensive bans on PoS displays which cover all shops. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco.

Preparation and evaluation of posaconazole-loaded enteric microparticles in rats.

PubMed

Yang, Min; Dong, Zhonghua; Zhang, Yongchun; Zhang, Fang; Wang, Yongjie; Zhao, Zhongxi

2017-04-01

Posaconazole (POS) is an antifungal compound which has a low oral bioavailability. The aim of this study was to prepare POS enteric microparticles to enhance its oral bioavailability. POS enteric microparticles were prepared with hypromellose acetate succinate (HPMCAS) via the spray drying method. The solvent mixtures of acetone and ethanol used in the preparation of the microparticles were optimized to produce the ideal POS enteric microparticles. Multivariate data analysis using a principal component analysis (PCA) was used to find the relationship among the HPMCAS molecular characteristics, particle properties and drug release kinetics from the spray dried microparticles. The optimal spray solvent mixtures were critical to produce the POS microparticles with the defined polymer entanglement index, drug surface enrichment, particle size and drug loading. The HPMCAS molecular characteristics affected the microscopic connectivity and diffusivity of polymer matrix and eventually influenced the drug release behavior, and enhanced the bioavailability of POS. These studies suggested that the selection of suitable solvent mixtures of acetone and ethanol used in the spray drying of the microparticles was quite important to produce the entangled polymer structures with preferred polymer molecular properties of polymer coiling, overlap concentration and entanglement index. Additional studies on particle size and surface drug enrichment eventually produced HPMCAS-based enteric microparticles to enhance the oral bioavailability of POS.

A dual brain-targeting curcumin-loaded polymersomes ameliorated cognitive dysfunction in intrahippocampal amyloid-β1-42-injected mice.

PubMed

Jia, Tingting; Sun, Zhiguo; Lu, Ying; Gao, Jie; Zou, Hao; Xie, Fangyuan; Zhang, Guoqing; Xu, Hao; Sun, Duxin; Yu, Yuan; Zhong, Yanqiang

2016-01-01

Due to the impermeability of the blood-brain barrier and the nonselective distribution of drugs in the brain, the therapeutic access to intractable neurological disorders is challenging. In this study, dual brain-targeting polymersomes (POs) functionalized by transferrin and Tet-1 peptide (Tf/Tet-1-POs) promoted the transportation of curcumin into the brain and provided neuroprotection. The modification of the ligands that bind to the surface of POs was revealed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis. The cell uptake of a coculture model of mouse brain capillary endothelial cells with neurons showed that the Tf/Tet-1-POs had significant transportation properties and possessed affinity for neurons. The pharmacokinetic analysis showed that the blood-brain barrier permeability-surface efficiency of the Tf/Tet-1-POs was 0.28 mL/h/g and that the brain tissue uptake rate (% ID/g) was 0.08, which were significant compared with the controls (P<0.05). The curcumin-encapsulated Tf/Tet-1-POs provided neuroprotection and ameliorated cognitive dysfunction in intrahippocampal amyloid-β1-42-injected mice. These results suggest that the dual brain-targeting POs are more capable of drug delivery to the brain that can be exploited as a multiple noninvasive vehicle for targeting therapeutics.

The Association of Point-of-Sale E-cigarette Advertising with Socio-Demographic Characteristics of Neighborhoods.

PubMed

Wan, Neng; Siahpush, Mohammad; Shaikh, Raees A; McCarthy, Molly; Ramos, Athena; Correa, Antonia

2018-06-01

Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) marketing expenditure is skyrocketing in the United States. However, little is understood about the geographic and socio-demographic patterns of e-cigarette advertising. We examined the associations between point-of-sale (POS) e-cigarette advertising and neighborhood socio-demographic characteristics in the Omaha Metropolitan Area of Nebraska. In 2014, fieldworkers collected comprehensive POS e-cigarette advertising data from all stores that sell tobacco (n = 463) in the Omaha Metropolitan Area. We used Geographic Information Systems to map POS e-cigarette advertisement density for the entire study area. Linear regression was used to examine the association between socio-demographic factors and POS e-cigarette advertising density. E-cigarette advertising density exhibited an obviously uneven geographic pattern in Omaha. Higher level of POS e-cigarette advertising was significantly related to lower median household income, higher percentage of Hispanics, and higher percentage of young adults. However, after adjusting for covariates, only median household income remained significantly associated with POS e-cigarette advertising. We found geographic, socioeconomic, and racial and ethnic disparities in exposure to POS e-cigarette advertising in Omaha, Nebraska. Future studies are needed to understand how these disparities influence e-cigarette adoption by different social groups and how to use such information to inform e-cigarette prevention strategies.

Transparent and durable superhydrophobic coatings for anti-bioadhesion.

PubMed

Zhao, Xia; Yu, Bo; Zhang, Junping

2017-09-01

Although thousands of superhydrophobic coatings have been reported, transparent ones with high durability are rare. Here, transparent and durable superhydrophobic coatings were prepared by using multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as the templates. The superhydrophobic coatings were prepared by spray-coating the homogeneous suspension of polysiloxane-modified MWCNTs (MWCNTs@POS) in toluene onto glass slides, calcination in air at 500°C to form the silica nanotubes (SNTs), and then chemical vapor deposition of polydimethylsiloxane at 200°C onto the surface of the SNTs coatings. The MWCNTs@POS suspension was prepared by hydrolytic condensation of hexadecyltrimethoxysilane and tetraethoxysilane on the surface of MWCNTs. The coatings showed excellent superhydrophobicity (water contact angle=166.6°, sliding angle=1°) and high transparency (83.1% at 600nm). In addition, the transparent superhydrophobic coatings featured high mechanical, chemical and thermal durability. The coatings retained the excellent superhydrophobicity after intensive water jetting at 100kPa for 60min, immersion in various corrosive liquids for 24h, or kept at 390°C for 1h. Moreover, the transparent and durable superhydrophobic coatings exhibited very good anti-bioadhesive properties. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Gold reflective metallic gratings with high absorption efficiency

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Zhaojian; Liang, Linmei; Yang, Junbo

2017-10-01

Electromagnetic (EM) wave absorbers are devices in which the incident radiation at the operating wavelengths can be efficiently absorbed and then transformed into ohmic heat or other forms of energy. Especially, EM absorbers based on metallic structures have distinct advantages in comparison with the traditional counterparts. Thus, they have different potential applications at different frequency ranges such as absorbing devices in solar energy harvesting systems. The reflective metallic grating is a kind of metallic EM absorbers and has the fascinating property of efficiently absorbing the incident light due to the excitation of surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs), consequently drawing more and more attention. In this paper, the absorption effect of a reflective metallic grating made of gold is studied by changing grating parameters such as the period, polarization direction of the incident light and so on. We use finite difference time-domain (FDTD) method to design the grating, and simulate the process and detect the absorption spectrum. In our design, the grating has rectangular shaped grooves and has the absorption efficiency 99% for the vertically incident transverse magnetic (TM) light at the wavelength of 818nm with the period of 800 nm, the width of 365 nm and the height of 34 nm. And then we find that the absorption spectrum is blue-shifted about 87 nm with decreasing period from 800 nm to700 nm and red-shifted about 14 nm with increasing the width of the block from 305 nm to 405 nm. The absorption becomes gradually weaker from 98% to almost zero with the polarization angle from 0° to 90°. Finally, we make a theoretical explanation to these phenomena in details. It is believed that the results may provide useful guidance for the design of EM wave absorbers with high absorption efficiency.

University of Maryland MRSEC - Facilities: SEM/STM/AFM

Science.gov Websites

MRSEC Templates Opportunities Search Home » Facilities » SEM/STM/AFM Shared Experimental Facilities conducting and non conducting samples. The sample stage permits electronic device imaging under operational Specifications: Image Modes - STM, STS, MFM, EFM, SKPM, contact- and non-contact AFM Three Sample Contacts 0.1 nm

Gold nanoparticle dimer plasmonics: finite element method calculations of the electromagnetic enhancement to surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy.

PubMed

McMahon, Jeffrey M; Henry, Anne-Isabelle; Wustholz, Kristin L; Natan, Michael J; Freeman, R Griffith; Van Duyne, Richard P; Schatz, George C

2009-08-01

Finite element method calculations were carried out to determine extinction spectra and the electromagnetic (EM) contributions to surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) for 90-nm Au nanoparticle dimers modeled after experimental nanotags. The calculations revealed that the EM properties depend significantly on the junction region, specifically the distance between the nanoparticles for spacings of less than 1 nm. For extinction spectra, spacings below 1 nm lead to maxima that are strongly red-shifted from the 600-nm plasmon maximum associated with an isolated nanoparticle. This result agrees qualitatively well with experimental transmission electron microscopy images and localized surface plasmon resonance spectra that are also presented. The calculations further revealed that spacings below 0.5 nm, and especially a slight fusing of the nanoparticles to give tiny crevices, leads to EM enhancements of 10(10) or greater. Assuming a uniform coating of SERS molecules around both nanoparticles, we determined that regardless of the separation, the highest EM fields always dominate the SERS signal. In addition, we determined that for small separations less than 3% of the molecules always contribute to greater than 90% of the signal.

A systematic review on the impact of point-of-sale tobacco promotion on smoking.

PubMed

Robertson, Lindsay; McGee, Rob; Marsh, Louise; Hoek, Janet

2015-01-01

The tobacco retail environment is a crucial marketing medium for the industry. A 2009 review found evidence of a positive association between exposure to point-of-sale (POS) tobacco promotion and increased smoking and smoking susceptibility, though limitations in the evidence base were identified. We reviewed and critically appraised recent evidence documenting the influence of POS tobacco promotion, and POS tobacco display bans, on smoking-related behavior and cognitions. We reviewed original quantitative and qualitative research that examined the relationship between POS tobacco promotion and smoking prevalence, individual-level smoking and quitting and tobacco purchasing behavior, smoking susceptibility, and smoking-related cognitions. Twenty peer-reviewed studies (18 quantitative and 2 qualitative) met the inclusion criteria; each study reported findings consistent with a positive association between exposure to POS tobacco promotion and smoking or smoking susceptibility. Several studies met key criteria for causality: 4 indicated a dose-response association, 2 prospective studies were identified, and evidence from intervention studies supported the reversibility of the association. Findings were consistent across different study designs, settings, and measures. The existing evidence supports a positive association between exposure to POS tobacco promotion and smoking. This review provides evidence to support the continuation of POS tobacco display bans in those jurisdictions where such legislation has been introduced and strengthens the evidence encouraging similar policies in jurisdictions without a POS display ban. © The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

The Association of Exposure to Point-of-Sale Tobacco Marketing with Quit Attempt and Quit Success: Results from a Prospective Study of Smokers in the United States

PubMed Central

Siahpush, Mohammad; Shaikh, Raees A.; Smith, Danielle; Hyland, Andrew; Cummings, K. Michael; Sikora Kessler, Asia; Dodd, Michael D.; Carlson, Les; Meza, Jane; Wakefield, Melanie

2016-01-01

The aim was to assess the association of exposure to point-of-sale (POS) tobacco marketing with quit attempt and quit success in a prospective study of smokers in the United States. Data were collected via telephone-interview on exposure to POS tobacco marketing, sociodemographic and smoking-related variables from 999 smokers in Omaha, Nebraska, in the United States. Exposure to POS tobacco marketing was measured by asking respondents three questions about noticing pack displays, advertisements, and promotions in their respective neighborhoods stores. These three variables were combined into a scale of exposure to POS tobacco marketing. About 68% of the respondents participated in a six-month follow-up phone interview and provided data on quit attempts and smoking cessation. At the six-month follow-up, 39.9% of respondents reported to have made a quit attempt, and 21.8% of those who made a quit attempt succeeded in quitting. Exposure to POS marketing at baseline was not associated with the probability of having made a quit attempt as reported at the six-month follow-up (p = 0.129). However, higher exposure to POS marketing was associated with a lower probability of quit success among smokers who reported to have attempted to quit smoking at six-month follow-up (p = 0.006). Exposure to POS tobacco marketing is associated with lower chances of successfully quitting smoking. Policies that reduce the amount of exposure to POS marketing might result in higher smoking cessation rates. PMID:26861379

The impact of tobacco promotion at the point of sale: a systematic review.

PubMed

Paynter, Janine; Edwards, Richard

2009-01-01

Tobacco promotion increases the likelihood that adolescents will start smoking. Much of the tobacco industry's promotional budget is spent on point of sale (PoS) promotion in many jurisdictions. Consequently, tobacco is an eye-catching feature at the PoS in many places. We reviewed the evidence that PoS tobacco promotion influences key smoking-related behaviors and beliefs, increases susceptibility to smoking in youth, undermines smokers' quit attempts, and promotes relapse among ex-smokers. We found 12 peer-reviewed studies, 10 of which were focused on children. Seven of 8 observational studies found statistically significant associations between exposure to tobacco promotion at the PoS and smoking initiation or susceptibility to smoking. Two experimental studies of children found statistically significant associations between exposure to PoS tobacco promotions and beliefs about ease of getting tobacco and smoking prevalence among their peers. An experimental study with adults found that a picture of collected tobacco pack elicited cravings for cigarettes among smokers. A cross-sectional study found that 25% of adult smokers reported impulse purchasing and a third of recent ex-smokers reported urges to start smoking after seeing tobacco displayed. More prospective studies are needed to clarify the temporal relationship between exposure to PoS tobacco and outcome. However, given the addictiveness of tobacco, the severity of the health hazards posed by smoking, the evidence that tobacco promotion encourages children to start smoking, and the consistency of the evidence that PoS promotion influences children's smoking, we believe that ample justification exists for banning PoS advertising and displays of smoked tobacco products.

The Association of Exposure to Point-of-Sale Tobacco Marketing with Quit Attempt and Quit Success: Results from a Prospective Study of Smokers in the United States.

PubMed

Siahpush, Mohammad; Shaikh, Raees A; Smith, Danielle; Hyland, Andrew; Cummings, K Michael; Kessler, Asia Sikora; Dodd, Michael D; Carlson, Les; Meza, Jane; Wakefield, Melanie

2016-02-06

The aim was to assess the association of exposure to point-of-sale (POS) tobacco marketing with quit attempt and quit success in a prospective study of smokers in the United States. Data were collected via telephone-interview on exposure to POS tobacco marketing, sociodemographic and smoking-related variables from 999 smokers in Omaha, Nebraska, in the United States. Exposure to POS tobacco marketing was measured by asking respondents three questions about noticing pack displays, advertisements, and promotions in their respective neighborhoods stores. These three variables were combined into a scale of exposure to POS tobacco marketing. About 68% of the respondents participated in a six-month follow-up phone interview and provided data on quit attempts and smoking cessation. At the six-month follow-up, 39.9% of respondents reported to have made a quit attempt, and 21.8% of those who made a quit attempt succeeded in quitting. Exposure to POS marketing at baseline was not associated with the probability of having made a quit attempt as reported at the six-month follow-up (p = 0.129). However, higher exposure to POS marketing was associated with a lower probability of quit success among smokers who reported to have attempted to quit smoking at six-month follow-up (p = 0.006). Exposure to POS tobacco marketing is associated with lower chances of successfully quitting smoking. Policies that reduce the amount of exposure to POS marketing might result in higher smoking cessation rates.

The Role of School Culture in Improving Student Achievement in POS

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sundell, Kirsten; Castellano, Marisa; Overman, Laura T.; Aliaga, Oscar A.

2012-01-01

Over the past five years, the National Research Center for Career and Technical Education (NRCCTE) has sponsored five research studies of Programs of Study (POS)--including three ongoing longitudinal projects--with the goal of informing the field about how and under what conditions POS impact student engagement, achievement, and transition to…

Testing the effort-reward imbalance model among Finnish managers: the role of perceived organizational support.

PubMed

Kinnunen, Ulla; Feldt, Taru; Mäkikangas, Anne

2008-04-01

The present study is aimed at examining the combined effects of effort-reward imbalance (ERI), overcommitment (OVC), and perceived organizational support (POS) on turnover intentions and work engagement, among Finnish managers (n = 1,301). Consequently, the study contributes to the research literature by examining how the ERI-outcomes relationship was dependent simultaneously on OVC and POS. The results showed that ERI x OVC x POS interaction was significant only for turnover intentions. The ERI-turnover intentions relationship was strongest under conditions of high OVC and low POS. In addition, the relationship between ERI and decreased work engagement, especially dedication, was strengthened among overcommitted managers, compared to their less committed counterparts. Altogether, the results indicate that interventions aimed at reducing turnover intentions and increasing work engagement by increasing ERI should consider OVC and POS.

Sandia Corporate Ombuds Office

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(925) 294-2065 (925) 294-2072 Fax (800) 472-6342 ext. 4-2065 Toll-Free PO Box 969, MS 9911 Livermore -9763 (505) 845-0608 FAX (866) 236-9874 Toll-Free PO Box 5800, MS0918 Albuquerque, NM, 87185-0918 Sandia

Epistemic injustice in dementia and autism patient organizations: An empirical analysis.

PubMed

Jongsma, Karin; Spaeth, Elisabeth; Schicktanz, Silke

2017-01-01

Patient organizations (POs) represent patient collectives in health care policy. The inclusion of people with a 'neuro-psychiatric' condition poses a particular challenge for the organizational processes and political representation of such collectives. In recent years, new POs (POs of) have been established in the field of autism spectrum disorder and dementia that advocate a different agenda and have a different organizational structure than traditional POs (POs for). The divide between these two types of POs indicates a different standpoint with regard to who should be included on an organizational level, which voices are accepted and who should represent these voices on the political level. The inclusion and exclusion of voices needs to be normatively justified in order to be regarded legitimate representation of such a collective. With the help of Miranda Fricker's theory of epistemic injustice, we scrutinize whether and, if so, which types of epistemic injustices (wrongdoings to a person as a knower) can be found within POs' practices and the political field in which they operate, by analyzing 37 interviews with PO representatives, their members and policy makers. Our in-depth analysis indicates that persistent stereotypes hamper the inclusion of affected members both within POs and on the health political level. Being affected causes distrust in having the 'capacity to know' in a two-fold way; it is assumed that those who can represent themselves are "not affected enough" to present valuable insights into the condition and those who have difficulties to express themselves due to their condition are excluded because of their affectedness. We conclude that our analysis of the epistemic practices of POs serves as a good starting point to address these shortcomings from a theoretical and practical perspective and offers a valuable starting point for bioethics to understand unjust structures in the health political context.

Optimization of calcium concentration of saliva with phosphoryl oligosaccharides of calcium (POs-Ca) for enamel remineralization in vitro.

PubMed

Tanaka, Tomoko; Kobayashi, Takatsugu; Takii, Hiroshi; Kamasaka, Hiroshi; Ohta, Noboru; Matsuo, Tatsuhito; Yagi, Naoto; Kuriki, Takashi

2013-02-01

Phosphoryl oligosaccharides of calcium (POs-Ca) are highly soluble calcium source made from potato starch. The aim of this study was to investigate the optimal concentrations of POs-Ca for the remineralization of subsurface enamel lesions in vitro. Demineralized bovine enamel slabs (n=5) were remineralized in vitro for 24h at 37°C with artificial saliva (AS) containing 0-0.74% POs-Ca to adjust the Ca/P ratio to 0.4-3.0, then sectioned and analysed by transversal microradiography (TMR). The data were analysed by Scheffe's post hoc test. The Ca/P ratio with most remineralization was used to investigate the effect of calcium on enamel remineralization (n=11). The demineralized slabs were treated with AS with calcium-chloride- (CaCl2-) or POs-Ca with an identical calcium content, and sectioned for TMR and wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXRD) analyses to evaluate the local changes in hydroxyapatite (HAp) crystal content. The data were analysed using the Mann-Whitney U-test. The highest mineral recovery rate resulted from addition of POs-Ca to adjust the Ca/P to 1.67. At this ratio, the mineral recovery rate for AS containing POs-Ca (24.2±7.4%) was significantly higher than that for AS containing CaCl2 (12.5±11.3%) (mean±SD, p<0.05). The recovery rate of HAp crystallites for AS containing POs-Ca (35.7±10.9%) was also significantly higher than that for AS containing CaCl2 (23.1±13.5%) (p<0.05). The restored crystallites were oriented in the same directions as in sound enamel. POs-Ca effectively enhances enamel remineralization with ordered HAp at a Ca/P ratio of 1.67. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A fluidics comparison of Alcon Infiniti, Bausch & Lomb Stellaris, and Advanced Medical Optics Signature phacoemulsification machines.

PubMed

Georgescu, Dan; Kuo, Annie F; Kinard, Krista I; Olson, Randall J

2008-06-01

To compare three phacoemulsification machines for measurement accuracy and postocclusion surge (POS) in human cadaver eyes. In vitro comparisons of machine accuracy and POS. Tip vacuum and flow were compared with machine indicated vacuum and flow. All machines were placed in two human cadaver eyes and POS was determined. Vacuum (% of actual) was 101.9% +/- 1.7% for Infiniti (Alcon, Fort Worth, Texas, USA), 93.2% +/- 3.9% for Stellaris (Bausch & Lomb, Rochester, New York, USA), and 107.8% +/- 4.6% for Signature (Advanced Medical Optics, Santa, Ana, California, USA; P < .0001). At 60 ml/minute flow, actual flow and unoccluded flow vacuum (UFV) was 55.8 +/- 0.4 ml/minute and 197.7 +/- 0.7 mm Hg for Infiniti, 53.5 +/- 0.0 ml/minute and 179.8 +/- 0.9 mm Hg for Stellaris, and 58.5 +/- 0.0 ml/minute and 115.1 +/- 2.3 mm Hg for Signature (P < .0001). POS in an 32-year-old eye was 0.33 +/- 0.05 mm for Infiniti, 0.16 +/- 0.06 mm for Stellaris, and 0.13 +/- 0.04 mm for Signature at 550 mm Hg, 60 cm bottle height, 45 ml/minute flow with 19-gauge tips (P < .0001 for Infiniti vs Stellaris and Signature). POS in an 81-year-old eye was 1.51 +/- 0.22 mm for Infiniti, 0.83 +/- 0.06 mm for Stellaris, 0.67 +/- 0.01 mm for Signature at 400 mm Hg vacuum, 70 cm bottle height, 40 ml/minute flow with 19-gauge tips (P < .0001). Machine-indicated accuracy, POS, and UFV were statistically significantly different. Signature had the lowest POS and vacuum to maintain flow. Regarding POS, Stellaris was close to Signature; regarding vacuum to maintain flow, Infiniti and Stellaris were similar. Minimizing POS and vacuum to maintain flow potentially are important in avoiding ocular damage and surgical complications.

Public open space characteristics influencing adolescents' use and physical activity: A systematic literature review of qualitative and quantitative studies.

PubMed

Van Hecke, Linde; Ghekiere, Ariane; Veitch, Jenny; Van Dyck, Delfien; Van Cauwenberg, Jelle; Clarys, Peter; Deforche, Benedicte

2018-04-06

The objective of this systematic review was to provide insight into the specific characteristics of public open spaces (POS) associated with adolescents' POS visitation and physical activity (PA). Qualitative research suggests many characteristics to be associated with POS visitation and PA. Quantitative evidence confirmed a positive association between presence of trails, playgrounds and specific types of sports fields (e.g. basketball) with POS visitation and PA, whereas safety and aesthetics seemed subordinate. Suggestions for future research, as well as some methodological recommendations are provided. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A token centric part-of-speech tagger for biomedical text.

PubMed

Barrett, Neil; Weber-Jahnke, Jens

2014-05-01

Difficulties with part-of-speech (POS) tagging of biomedical text is accessing and annotating appropriate training corpora. These difficulties may result in POS taggers trained on corpora that differ from the tagger's target biomedical text (cross-domain tagging). In such cases where training and target corpora differ tagging accuracy decreases. This paper presents a POS tagger for cross-domain tagging called TcT. TcT estimates a tag's likelihood for a given token by combining token collocation probabilities and the token's tag probabilities calculated using a Naive Bayes classifier. We compared TcT to three POS taggers used in the biomedical domain (mxpost, Brill and TnT). We trained each tagger on a non-biomedical corpus and evaluated it on biomedical corpora. TcT was more accurate in cross-domain tagging than mxpost, Brill and TnT (respective averages 83.9, 81.0, 79.5 and 78.8). Our analysis of tagger performance suggests that lexical differences between corpora have more effect on tagging accuracy than originally considered by previous research work. Biomedical POS tagging algorithms may be modified to improve their cross-domain tagging accuracy without requiring extra training or large training data sets. Future work should reexamine POS tagging methods for biomedical text. This differs from the work to date that has focused on retraining existing POS taggers. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Progressive disability and prefrontal shrinkage in schizophrenia patients with poor outcome: A 3-year longitudinal study.

PubMed

Dusi, N; Bellani, M; Perlini, C; Squarcina, L; Marinelli, V; Finos, L; Altamura, C A; Ruggeri, M; Brambilla, P

2017-01-01

Schizophrenia is a severe disabling disorder with heterogeneous illness courses. In this longitudinal study we characterized schizophrenia patients with poor and good outcome (POS, GOS), using functional and imaging metrics. Patients were defined in accordance to Keefe's criteria (i.e. Kraepelinian and non-Kraepelinian patients). 35 POS patients, 35 GOS patients and 76 healthy controls (H) underwent clinical, functioning and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) assessments twice over three years of follow-up. Information on psychopathology, treatment, disability (using the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Scale II, WHO-DAS-2) and prefrontal morphology was collected. Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) were manually traced. At baseline, subjects with POS showed significantly decreased right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) white matter volumes (WM) compared to healthy controls and GOS patients (POS VS HC, p<0.001; POS vs GOS, p=0.03), with shrinkage of left DLPFC WM volumes at follow up (t=2.66, p=0.01). Also, POS patients had higher disability in respect to GOS subjects both at baseline and after 3years at the WHO-DAS-2 (p<0.05). Our study supports the hypothesis that POS is characterized by progressive deficits in brain structure and in "real-life" functioning. These are particularly notable in the DLPFC. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Sandia Corporate Ombuds Office

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maramos@sandia.gov (925) 294-2065 (925) 294-2072 Fax (800) 472-6342 ext. 4-2065 Toll-Free PO Box 969, MS or (505) 844-9763 (505) 845-0608 FAX (866) 236-9874 Toll-Free PO Box 5800, MS0918 Albuquerque, NM

Unraveling Probation Officers' Practices with Youths with Histories of Trauma and Stressful Life Events

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Maschi, Tina; Schwalbe, Craig S.

2012-01-01

This study examines how probation officers' (POs) knowledge of juveniles' trauma influences probation practices. The study was conducted with POs who responded to a Web-based survey ("n" = 308). The POs were directed to randomly select one juvenile from their caseload and to complete the Probation Practices Assessment Survey to assess their…

His Ideas Are in My Head: Peer-to-Peer Teacher Observations as Professional Development

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hamilton, Erica R.

2013-01-01

This study examines an embedded professional development practice for secondary teachers, namely peer-to-peer observations (P2POs). P2POs involve teachers identifying goals and watching colleagues teach in order to expand their knowledge, practice and pedagogy. The research questions addressed are: what are teachers' experiences with P2POs, and…

Fermilab Ed Office - High School Tour Request Form

Science.gov Websites

DC DE FL GA HI IA ID IL IN KS KY LA MA MD ME MI MN MO MS MT NC ND NE NH NJ NM NV NY OH OK OR PA RI SC -Kenilworth SD 38-Kenilworth Cook-Kirby SD 140-Tinley Park Cook-Komarek SD 94-North Riverside Cook-La Grange SD 102-La Grange Park Cook-La Grange SD 105 South-La Grange Cook-LaGrange Highlands SD 106-La Grange

Antecedents of organizational engagement: exploring vision, mood and perceived organizational support with emotional intelligence as a moderator

PubMed Central

Mahon, Edward G.; Taylor, Scott N.; Boyatzis, Richard E.

2014-01-01

As organizational leaders worry about the appalling low percentage of people who feel engaged in their work, academics are trying to understand what causes an increase in engagement. We collected survey data from 231 team members from two organizations. We examined the impact of team members’ emotional intelligence (EI) and their perception of shared personal vision, shared positive mood, and perceived organizational support (POS) on the members’ degree of organizational engagement. We found shared vision, shared mood, and POS have a direct, positive association with engagement. In addition, shared vision and POS interact with EI to positively influence engagement. Besides highlighting the importance of shared personal vision, positive mood, and POS, our study contributes to the emergent understanding of EI by revealing EI’s amplifying effect on shared vision and POS in relation to engagement. We conclude by discussing the research and practical implications of this study. PMID:25477845

Nicholas Thornburg | NREL

Science.gov Websites

;Consequences of Confinement for Alkene Epoxidation with Hydrogen Peroxide on Highly Dispersed Group 4 and 5 Size in the center and has one clockwise arc arrow moving from left to right connecting 5.4 nm M-SiO2 oxide and cyclohexane diol (using one H2O2 molecule), which is shown in the upper right and labeled

DefenseLink Special: Blum Visits 'Operation Jump Start' Troops

Science.gov Websites

DEMING, N.M., Dec. 1, 2006 - The National Guard Bureau chief got a look this week at how the forward , 2006 - The National Guard Bureau chief assured members of the Army and Air National Guard during a Guard troops serving here along the southwestern U.S. border. Story Guard Chief, Border Patrol Praise

A direct and simultaneous detection of zinc protoporphyrin IX, free protoporphyrin IX, and fluorescent heme degradation product in red blood cell hemolysates.

PubMed

Chen, Qiuying; Hirsch, Rhoda Elison

2006-03-01

Fluorescence emission of free protoporphyrin IX (PPIX, em. approximately 626 nm), zinc protoporphyrin IX (ZPP, em. approximately 594 nm) and fluorescent heme degradation product (FHDP, em. approximately 466 nm) are identified and simultaneously detected in mouse and human red cell hemolysates, when excited at 365 nm. A novel method is established for comparing relative FHDP, PPIX and ZPP levels in hemolysates without performing red cell porphyrin extractions. The ZPP fluorescence directly measured in hemolysates (F(365/594)) correlates with the ZPP fluorescence obtained from acetone/water extraction (R(2) = 0.9515, P < 0.0001). The relative total porphyrin (ZPP and PPIX) fluorescence obtained from direct hemolysate fluorescence measurements also correlates with red blood cell total porphyrins determined by ethyl acetate extraction (Piomelli extraction, R(2) = 0.88, P < 0.0001). These fluorescent species serves as biomarkers for alterations in Hb synthesis and Hb stability.

Institutional property rights structure, common pool resource (CPR), tragedy of the urban commons: A Review

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ling, G.; Ho, C. S.; Ali, H. M.

2014-02-01

There have been a plethora of researches on the significance of public open space (POS) in contributing to societies' sustainability. However, by virtue of identified maladaptive policy-based-property rights structure, such a shared good becomes vulnerable to tragedy of the urban commons (overexploitation) that subsequently leads to burgeoning number of mismanaged POS e.g., degraded and unkempt urban public spaces. By scrutinising the literatures within property rights domain and commons resources, an objective is highlighted in this paper which is to insightfully discourse institutional property rights structure pertaining to the mechanism, roles and interrelationship between property-rights regimes, bundle of property rights and resource domains; types of goods on how they act upon and tie in the POS with the social quandary. In summary, urban POS tragedy can potentially be triggered by the institutional structure especially if the ownership is left under open-access resource regime and ill-defined property rights which both successively constitute the natures of Common Pool Resource (CPR) within the commons, POS. Therefore, this paper sparks an idea to policy makers that property rights structure is a determinant in sustainably governing the POS in which adaptive assignment of property regimes and property rights are impelled.

Blending of palm oil, palm stearin and palm kernel oil in the preparation of table and pastry margarine.

PubMed

Norlida, H M; Md Ali, A R; Muhadhir, I

1996-01-01

Palm oil (PO ; iodin value = 52), palm stearin (POs1; i.v. = 32 and POs2; i.v. = 40) and palm kernel oil (PKO; i.v. = 17) were blended in ternary systems. The blends were then studied for their physical properties such as melting point (m.p.), solid fat content (SFC), and cooling curve. Results showed that palm stearin increased the blends melting point while palm kernel oil reduced it. To produce table margarine with melting point (m.p.) below 40 degrees C, the POs1 should be added at level of < or = 16%, while POs2 at level of < or = 20%. At 10 degrees C, eutectic interaction occur between PO and PKO which reach their maximum at about 60:40 blending ratio. Within the eutectic region, to maintain the SFC at 10 degrees C to be < or = 50%, POs1 may be added at level of < or = 7%, while POs2 at level of < or = 12%. The addition of palm stearin increased the blends solidification Tmin and Tmax values, while PKO reduced them. Blends which contained high amount of palm stearin showed melting point and cooling curves quite similar to that of pastry margarine.

Validity, reliability and responsiveness to change of the Italian palliative care outcome scale: a multicenter study of advanced cancer patients.

PubMed

Costantini, Massimo; Rabitti, Elisa; Beccaro, Monica; Fusco, Flavio; Peruselli, Carlo; La Ciura, Pietro; Valle, Alessandro; Suriani, Cinzia; Berardi, Maria Alejandra; Valenti, Danila; Mosso, Felicita; Morino, Piero; Zaninetta, Giovanni; Tubere, Giorgio; Piazza, Massimo; Sofia, Michele; Di Leo, Silvia; Higginson, Irene J

2016-02-26

There is an increasing requirement to assess outcomes, but few measures have been tested for advanced medical illness. We aimed to test the validity, reliability and responsiveness of the Palliative care Outcome Scale (POS), and to analyse predictors of change after the transition to palliative care. Phase 1: multicentre, mixed method study comprising cognitive and qualitative interviews with patients and staff, cultural refinement and adaption. Phase 2: consecutive cancer patients on admission to 8 inpatient hospices and 7 home-based teams were asked to complete the POS, the EORTC QLQ-C15-PAL and the FACIT-Sp (T0), to assess internal consistency, convergent and divergent validity. After 6 days (T1) patients and staff completed the POS to assess responsiveness to change (T1-T0), and agreement between self-assessed POS and POS completed by the staff. Finally, we asked hospices an assessment 24-48 h after T1 to assess its reliability (test re-test analysis). Phase I: 209 completed POS questionnaires and 29 cognitive interviews were assessed, revisions made and one item substituted. Phase II: 295 consecutive patients admitted to 15 PCTs were approached, 175 (59.3 %) were eligible, and 150 (85.7 %) consented. Consent was limited by the severity of illness in 40 % patients. We found good convergent validity, with strong and moderate correlations (r ranged 0.5-0.8) between similar items from the POS, the QLQ-C15-PAL and the FACIT-Sp. As hypothesised, the physical function subscale of QLQ-C15-PAL was not correlated with any POS item (r ranged -0.16-0.02). We found acceptable to good test re-test reliability in both versions for 6 items. We found significant clinical improvements during the first week of palliative care in 7/10 items assessed-pain, other symptoms, patient and family anxiety, information, feeling at peace and wasted time. Both the patient self-assessed and professional POS versions are valid and with an acceptable internal consistency. POS detected significant clinical improvements during palliative care, at a time when patients are usually expected to deteriorate. These results suggest that there is room for substantial improvement in the management of patients with advanced disease, across all key domains-symptoms, psychological, information, social and spiritual.

Labelled drug-related public expenditure in relation to gross domestic product (gdp) in Europe: A luxury good?

PubMed Central

2010-01-01

"Labelled drug-related public expenditure" is the direct expenditure explicitly labelled as related to illicit drugs by the general government of the state. As part of the reporting exercise corresponding to 2005, the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction's network of national focal points set up in the 27 European Union (EU) Member States, Norway, and the candidates countries to the EU, were requested to identify labelled drug-related public expenditure, at the country level. This was reported by 10 countries categorised according to the functions of government, amounting to a total of EUR 2.17 billion. Overall, the highest proportion of this total came within the government functions of Health (66%), and Public Order and Safety (POS) (20%). By country, the average share of GDP was 0.023% for Health, and 0.013% for POS. However, these shares varied considerably across countries, ranging from 0.00033% in Slovakia, up to 0.053% of GDP in Ireland in the case of Health, and from 0.003% in Portugal, to 0.02% in the UK, in the case of POS; almost a 161-fold difference between the highest and the lowest countries for Health, and a 6-fold difference for POS. Why do Ireland and the UK spend so much in Health and POS, or Slovakia and Portugal so little, in GDP terms? To respond to this question and to make a comprehensive assessment of drug-related public expenditure across countries, this study compared Health and POS spending and GDP in the 10 reporting countries. Results found suggest GDP to be a major determinant of the Health and POS drug-related public expenditures of a country. Labelled drug-related public expenditure showed a positive association with the GDP across the countries considered: r = 0.81 in the case of Health, and r = 0.91 for POS. The percentage change in Health and POS expenditures due to a one percent increase in GDP (the income elasticity of demand) was estimated to be 1.78% and 1.23% respectively. Being highly income elastic, Health and POS expenditures can be considered luxury goods; as a nation becomes wealthier it openly spends proportionately more on drug-related health and public order and safety interventions. PMID:20478069

Labelled drug-related public expenditure in relation to gross domestic product (GDP) in Europe: a luxury good?

PubMed

Prieto, Luis

2010-05-17

"Labelled drug-related public expenditure" is the direct expenditure explicitly labelled as related to illicit drugs by the general government of the state. As part of the reporting exercise corresponding to 2005, the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction's network of national focal points set up in the 27 European Union (EU) Member States, Norway, and the candidates countries to the EU, were requested to identify labelled drug-related public expenditure, at the country level. This was reported by 10 countries categorised according to the functions of government, amounting to a total of EUR 2.17 billion. Overall, the highest proportion of this total came within the government functions of Health (66%), and Public Order and Safety (POS) (20%). By country, the average share of GDP was 0.023% for Health, and 0.013% for POS. However, these shares varied considerably across countries, ranging from 0.00033% in Slovakia, up to 0.053% of GDP in Ireland in the case of Health, and from 0.003% in Portugal, to 0.02% in the UK, in the case of POS; almost a 161-fold difference between the highest and the lowest countries for Health, and a 6-fold difference for POS. Why do Ireland and the UK spend so much in Health and POS, or Slovakia and Portugal so little, in GDP terms? To respond to this question and to make a comprehensive assessment of drug-related public expenditure across countries, this study compared Health and POS spending and GDP in the 10 reporting countries. Results found suggest GDP to be a major determinant of the Health and POS drug-related public expenditures of a country. Labelled drug-related public expenditure showed a positive association with the GDP across the countries considered: r = 0.81 in the case of Health, and r = 0.91 for POS. The percentage change in Health and POS expenditures due to a one percent increase in GDP (the income elasticity of demand) was estimated to be 1.78% and 1.23% respectively. Being highly income elastic, Health and POS expenditures can be considered luxury goods; as a nation becomes wealthier it openly spends proportionately more on drug-related health and public order and safety interventions.

The Association between Point-of-Sale Advertising Bans and Youth Experimental Smoking: Findings from the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS).

PubMed

Shang, Ce; Huang, Jidong; Li, Qing; Chaloupka, Frank J

while existing research has demonstrated a positive association between exposure to point-of-sale (POS) tobacco advertising and youth smoking, there is limited evidence on the relationship between POS advertising restrictions and experimental smoking among youth. This study aims to fill this research gap by analyzing the association between POS advertising bans and youths' experimental smoking. Global Youth Tobacco Surveys from 130 countries during 2007-2011 were linked to the WHO "MPOWER" tobacco control policy measures to analyze the association between POS advertising bans (a dichotomous measure of the existence of such bans) and experimental smoking using weighted logistic regressions. All analyses were clustered at the country level and controlled for age, parents' smoking status, GDP per capita, and country-level tobacco control scores in monitoring tobacco use, protecting people from smoke, offering help to quit, warning about the dangers of tobacco, enforcing promotion/advertising bans, and raising taxes on tobacco. The results suggest that a POS advertising ban is significantly associated with reduced experimental smoking among youth (OR = 0.63, p < 0.01), and that this association is seen for both genders (boys OR = 0.74, p < 0.1; girls OR = 0.52, p < 0.001). POS advertising bans are significantly associated with reduced experimental smoking among youth. Adopting POS advertising bans has the potential to reduce tobacco use among their youth in countries currently without such bans.

An efficient algorithm for global periodic orbits generation near irregular-shaped asteroids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shang, Haibin; Wu, Xiaoyu; Ren, Yuan; Shan, Jinjun

2017-07-01

Periodic orbits (POs) play an important role in understanding dynamical behaviors around natural celestial bodies. In this study, an efficient algorithm was presented to generate the global POs around irregular-shaped uniformly rotating asteroids. The algorithm was performed in three steps, namely global search, local refinement, and model continuation. First, a mascon model with a low number of particles and optimized mass distribution was constructed to remodel the exterior gravitational potential of the asteroid. Using this model, a multi-start differential evolution enhanced with a deflection strategy with strong global exploration and bypassing abilities was adopted. This algorithm can be regarded as a search engine to find multiple globally optimal regions in which potential POs were located. This was followed by applying a differential correction to locally refine global search solutions and generate the accurate POs in the mascon model in which an analytical Jacobian matrix was derived to improve convergence. Finally, the concept of numerical model continuation was introduced and used to convert the POs from the mascon model into a high-fidelity polyhedron model by sequentially correcting the initial states. The efficiency of the proposed algorithm was substantiated by computing the global POs around an elongated shoe-shaped asteroid 433 Eros. Various global POs with different topological structures in the configuration space were successfully located. Specifically, the proposed algorithm was generic and could be conveniently extended to explore periodic motions in other gravitational systems.

The Association between Point-of-Sale Advertising Bans and Youth Experimental Smoking: Findings from the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS)

PubMed Central

Shang, Ce; Huang, Jidong; Li, Qing; Chaloupka, Frank J.

2015-01-01

Background and Objectives: while existing research has demonstrated a positive association between exposure to point-of-sale (POS) tobacco advertising and youth smoking, there is limited evidence on the relationship between POS advertising restrictions and experimental smoking among youth. This study aims to fill this research gap by analyzing the association between POS advertising bans and youths' experimental smoking. Methods: Global Youth Tobacco Surveys from 130 countries during 2007–2011 were linked to the WHO “MPOWER” tobacco control policy measures to analyze the association between POS advertising bans (a dichotomous measure of the existence of such bans) and experimental smoking using weighted logistic regressions. All analyses were clustered at the country level and controlled for age, parents' smoking status, GDP per capita, and country-level tobacco control scores in monitoring tobacco use, protecting people from smoke, offering help to quit, warning about the dangers of tobacco, enforcing promotion/advertising bans, and raising taxes on tobacco. Results: The results suggest that a POS advertising ban is significantly associated with reduced experimental smoking among youth (OR = 0.63, p < 0.01), and that this association is seen for both genders (boys OR = 0.74, p < 0.1; girls OR = 0.52, p < 0.001). Conclusions: POS advertising bans are significantly associated with reduced experimental smoking among youth. Adopting POS advertising bans has the potential to reduce tobacco use among their youth in countries currently without such bans. PMID:27294172

Efficacy of the prophylactic administration of tramadol against postoperative shivering: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

PubMed

Li, Shuying; Li, Ping; Lin, Xuemei

2017-01-01

Postoperative shivering (POS) is a common complication that occurs after regional and general anesthesia. Thus far, numerous studies have reported on the effectiveness of tramadol in preventing or treating POS. Here, we performed a meta-analysis to assess the efficacy of tramadol in the prevention of POS. We systematically searched PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library to identify studies of the efficacy of tramadol in the prevention of POS. The results are expressed as relative ratios (RRs) and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Seventeen studies with a total of 1438 patients were included. Seven hundred seventy-seven of these patients received tramadol, and 661 received placebo. Compared with placebo, the patients who received tramadol exhibited a significant reduction in the incidence of POS based on subgroup analyses according to anesthesia (RR: 0.27; 95% CI: 0.19-0.37; P<0.00001), different doses of tramadol (RR: 0.26; 95% CI: 0.19-0.35; P<0.00001), the rescue drug used (RR: 0.19; 95% CI: 0.10-0.35; P<0.00001) and the number of patients who experienced severe POS (RR: 0.17; 95% CI: 0.12-0.23; P<0.00001). Moreover, the administration of tramadol did not increase the risks of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), hemodynamic turbulence, respiratory depression or deep sedation. This meta-analysis revealed that prophylactic tramadol effectively prevents POS and reduces rescue medication use without significant adverse effects.

Laser-induced fluorescence microscopic system using an optical parametric oscillator for tunable detection in microchip analysis.

PubMed

Kumemura, Momoko; Odake, Tamao; Korenaga, Takashi

2005-06-01

A laser-induced fluorescence microscopic system based on optical parametric oscillation has been constructed as a tunable detector for microchip analysis. The detection limit of sulforhodamine B (Ex. 520 nm, Em. 570 nm) was 0.2 mumol, which was approximately eight orders of magnitude better than with a conventional fluorophotometer. The system was applied to the determination of fluorescence-labeled DNA (Ex. 494 nm, Em. 519 nm) in a microchannel and the detection limit reached a single molecule. These results showed the feasibility of this system as a highly sensitive and tunable fluorescence detector for microchip analysis.

Alzheimer's disease evaluation using label-free, stainless, fluorescence to measure tryptophan metabolism along the kynurenine pathway

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sordillo, Laura A.; Zhang, Lin; Shi, Lingyan; Sriramoju, Vidyasagar; Sordillo, Peter P.; Alfano, Robert R.

2018-02-01

Under stress conditions, pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1 beta, interleukin 6 and interferon gamma are released. It is known that these cytokines stimulate indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) and tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase (TDO), which increase tryptophan metabolism through the kynurenine pathway, and that this can cause increased production of neurotoxic compounds. Brain tissues from Alzheimer's disease patients and agematched controls were investigated using label-free fluorescence spectroscopy. Tryptophan (exc. 280/ em. 340 nm) and its metabolites (N-formyl-L-kynurenine (exc. 325/em. 434 nm), kynurenine (exc. 365/em. 480 nm) and kynurenic acid (exc. 330/em. 390 nm)) have distinct spectral profiles. Preliminary results show a difference in the optical signatures in three important areas of the brain (hippocampus, BA 9, BA 17) between patients with Alzheimer's disease and agedmatched controls (normal), and a marked relative increase in tryptophan in the Alzheimer's patients. Thus determinations of tryptophan to tryptophan metabolite ratios could potentially be used to measure IDO and TDO activity and the degree of inflammation in the brain. This label-free optical technique may be useful in the study of Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases.

Active diffusion and microtubule-based transport oppose myosin forces to position organelles in cells

PubMed Central

Lin, Congping; Schuster, Martin; Guimaraes, Sofia Cunha; Ashwin, Peter; Schrader, Michael; Metz, Jeremy; Hacker, Christian; Gurr, Sarah Jane; Steinberg, Gero

2016-01-01

Even distribution of peroxisomes (POs) and lipid droplets (LDs) is critical to their role in lipid and reactive oxygen species homeostasis. How even distribution is achieved remains elusive, but diffusive motion and directed motility may play a role. Here we show that in the fungus Ustilago maydis ∼95% of POs and LDs undergo diffusive motions. These movements require ATP and involve bidirectional early endosome motility, indicating that microtubule-associated membrane trafficking enhances diffusion of organelles. When early endosome transport is abolished, POs and LDs drift slowly towards the growing cell end. This pole-ward drift is facilitated by anterograde delivery of secretory cargo to the cell tip by myosin-5. Modelling reveals that microtubule-based directed transport and active diffusion support distribution, mobility and mixing of POs. In mammalian COS-7 cells, microtubules and F-actin also counteract each other to distribute POs. This highlights the importance of opposing cytoskeletal forces in organelle positioning in eukaryotes. PMID:27251117

Experiments Aimed at the ``Baikal'' Program

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kingsep, Alexander; Bakshaev, Yuri; Bartov, Alexander; Blinov, Petr; Chernenko, Andrey; Danko, Sergey; Dolgachev, Georgy; Kalinin, Yuri; Kovalenko, Igor; Lobanov, Alexey; Maslennikov, Dmitri; Mizhiritsky, Valery; Shashkov, Andrey; Smirnov, Valentin

2002-12-01

On the S-300 pulsed power generator (4.5 MA, 70 ns, 0.15 Ohm), within the frames of ICF program based on fast high-current Z-pinches, experiments are being carried out studying promising schemes of output units. In particular, a nanosecond-range plasma flow switch is being investigated aimed at sharpening the pulse. As a result, the switching rate as high as 2.5 MA / 2.5 ns has been achieved. The numerical simulation of such a device has been carried out. The results of experiments on the extrinsic magnetic field influence on high-impedance plasma opening switch (POS) operation are reported. It has been demonstrated that the POS output voltage could be increased by the factor of 1.5 compared to the POS free of an extrinsic field. Also the possibility of the expansion of POS conduction phase duration up to 40 μs has been presented. The development of more new laser and nuclear diagnostic methods will definitely contribute to attain new data which could help in understanding the POS operation physics.

NPSNET: Dynamic Terrain and Cultured Feature Depiction

DTIC Science & Technology

1992-09-01

defaults. bridge(terrain *ptr, vertex pos, bridge mattype bmat ); This constructor takes only the pointer to the underlying terrain, a placement, and a...material to use for construction. bridge(terrain *ptr, vertex pos, bridge-mattype bmat , float dir); This constructor takes a terrain pointer, a...placement position, a material to use, and a direction to run. bridge(terrain *ptr, vertex pos, bridge-mattype bmat , float dir, float width, float height

NucPosPred: Predicting species-specific genomic nucleosome positioning via four different modes of general PseKNC.

PubMed

Jia, Cangzhi; Yang, Qing; Zou, Quan

2018-04-18

The nucleosome is the basic structure of chromatin in eukaryotic cells, with essential roles in the regulation of many biological processes, such as DNA transcription, replication and repair, and RNA splicing. Because of the importance of nucleosomes, the factors that determine their positioning within genomes should be investigated. High-resolution nucleosome-positioning maps are now available for organisms including Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Drosophila melanogaster and Caenorhabditis elegans, enabling the identification of nucleosome positioning by application of computational tools. Here, we describe a novel predictor called NucPosPred, which was specifically designed for large-scale identification of nucleosome positioning in C. elegans and D. melanogaster genomes. NucPosPred was separately optimized for each species for four types of DNA sequence feature extraction, with consideration of two classification algorithms (gradient-boosting decision tree and support vector machine). The overall accuracy obtained with NucPosPred was 92.29% for C. elegans and 88.26% for D. melanogaster, outperforming previous methods and demonstrating the potential for species-specific prediction of nucleosome positioning. For the convenience of most experimental scientists, a web-server for the predictor NucPosPred is available at http://121.42.167.206/NucPosPred/index.jsp. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Non Digestible Oligosaccharides Modulate the Gut Microbiota to Control the Development of Leukemia and Associated Cachexia in Mice.

PubMed

Bindels, Laure B; Neyrinck, Audrey M; Salazar, Nuria; Taminiau, Bernard; Druart, Céline; Muccioli, Giulio G; François, Emmanuelle; Blecker, Christophe; Richel, Aurore; Daube, Georges; Mahillon, Jacques; de los Reyes-Gavilán, Clara G; Cani, Patrice D; Delzenne, Nathalie M

2015-01-01

We tested the hypothesis that changing the gut microbiota using pectic oligosaccharides (POS) or inulin (INU) differently modulates the progression of leukemia and related metabolic disorders. Mice were transplanted with Bcr-Abl-transfected proB lymphocytes mimicking leukemia and received either POS or INU in their diet (5%) for 2 weeks. Combination of pyrosequencing, PCR-DGGE and qPCR analyses of the 16S rRNA gene revealed that POS decreased microbial diversity and richness of caecal microbiota whereas it increased Bifidobacterium spp., Roseburia spp. and Bacteroides spp. (affecting specifically B. dorei) to a higher extent than INU. INU supplementation increased the portal SCFA propionate and butyrate, and decreased cancer cell invasion in the liver. POS treatment did not affect hepatic cancer cell invasion, but was more efficient than INU to decrease the metabolic alterations. Indeed, POS better than INU delayed anorexia linked to cancer progression. In addition, POS treatment increased acetate in the caecal content, changed the fatty acid profile inside adipose tissue and counteracted the induction of markers controlling β-oxidation, thereby hampering fat mass loss. Non digestible carbohydrates with prebiotic properties may constitute a new nutritional strategy to modulate gut microbiota with positive consequences on cancer progression and associated cachexia.

[The Influence of Flurbiprofen on the Frequency of Postoperative Shivering].

PubMed

Urabe, Tomoaki; Nakanuno, Ryuichi; Hayase, Kazuma; Takata, Nanako; Senami, Masaki

2015-10-01

Many methods to prevent postoperative shivering (POS) has been reported. However, there are few reports demonstrating the effect of flurbiprofen on POS which affects the set point in the thermocenter of the hypothalamus. One hundred and forty six patients undergoing lung lobectomy or segmentectomy under video-assisted thoracic surgery were divided into a flurbiprofen-treated group (Group F) and a non-treated group (Group N). We retrospectively investigated the incidence of POS associated with total intravenous anesthesia with epidural anesthesia compared with or without flurbiprofen. We weighed the incidence of POS against age, body mass index, the effective site concentration of fentanyl on extubation, the mean dose of remifentanil, the minimum rectal temperature, the surgical duration and total hemorrhage volume based on the anesthetic chart Chi-square and Student t-test were used for statistical analysis. Although the surgical duration in Group F was shorter than that in Group N (223±83 vs. 165±80 (min), P<0.01), the incidence of POS in Group F was higher than that in Group N (1/32 vs. 28/114, P<0.01). There were no significant differences in another items between the two groups. The results of the study indicates that flurbiprofen has a possible beneficial effect in preventing POS.

NDBC - National Weather Service Marine Forecast FZUS51 KGYX

Science.gov Websites

Coastal Waters Forecast National Weather Service Gray ME 1218 PM EDT Sun May 27 2018 COASTAL WATERS FROM STONINGTON ME TO MERRIMACK RIVER MA OUT TO 25 NM ANZ100-280630- 1218 PM EDT Sun May 27 2018 Synopsis for - 1218 PM EDT Sun May 27 2018 SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM EDT THIS EVENING REST OF TODAY E

Is pediatric ophthalmology a popular subspecialty in India: Present scenario and future remedies

PubMed Central

Parija, Sucheta; Mahajan, Preetam

2017-01-01

Purpose: The aim of the study was to assess the attitude and perceptions of residents regarding Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (POS) subspecialty training. We also explored the possible barriers and solutions to promoting POS in India. Methods: A questionnaire consisting of 20 items, with a 5-point Likert scale, was provided to all postgraduate residents of Ophthalmology in the year 2013–2014. Semistructured interview of a selected panel of experts was carried out to understand the challenges, barriers, and opportunities for developing POS subspecialty in India. The data collected were coded and statistically analyzed using standard methods for quantitative and qualitative data. Results: Out of 81 residents, 69 responded (85.2%). The mean age of the respondents was 27.5 ± 1.23 years. Forty eight (69.0%) residents reported that there was no structured surgical teaching and systematic periodic posting in this subspecialty during their residency program. Residents who stated difficulty to understand the subject were 59%. Pursuing POS as a career choice was indicated by 21.0%. Major attracting attributes of POS fellowship were intellectual stimulation (69.7%) and independent operative skills (57.5%). Dissuading factors were difficulty to handle children (54.5%) and stress factor (48.4%). Expert views were grouped under four domains, such as doctor–patient ratio, infrastructure, training opportunities, utilization, and accessibility to POS services. Conclusion: The study has provided useful insights into the preferential behavior among trainee resident doctors and reasons for not choosing POS as a possible choice of future fellowships. PMID:29133649

Adoptive cell therapy for lymphoma with CD4 T cells depleted of CD137-expressing regulatory T cells.

PubMed

Goldstein, Matthew J; Kohrt, Holbrook E; Houot, Roch; Varghese, Bindu; Lin, Jack T; Swanson, Erica; Levy, Ronald

2012-03-01

Adoptive immunotherapy with antitumor T cells is a promising novel approach for the treatment of cancer. However, T-cell therapy may be limited by the cotransfer of regulatory T cells (T(reg)). Here, we explored this hypothesis by using 2 cell surface markers, CD44 and CD137, to isolate antitumor CD4 T cells while excluding T(regs). In a murine model of B-cell lymphoma, only CD137(neg)CD44(hi) CD4 T cells infiltrated tumor sites and provided protection. Conversely, the population of CD137(pos)CD44hi CD4 T cells consisted primarily of activated T(regs). Notably, this CD137(pos) T(reg) population persisted following adoptive transfer and maintained expression of FoxP3 as well as CD137. Moreover, in vitro these CD137(pos) cells suppressed the proliferation of effector cells in a contact-dependent manner, and in vivo adding the CD137(pos)CD44(hi) CD4 cells to CD137(neg)CD44(hi) CD4 cells suppressed the antitumor immune response. Thus, CD137 expression on CD4 T cells defined a population of activated T(regs) that greatly limited antitumor immune responses. Consistent with observations in the murine model, human lymphoma biopsies also contained a population of CD137(pos) CD4 T cells that were predominantly CD25(pos)FoxP3(pos) T(regs). In conclusion, our findings identify 2 surface markers that can be used to facilitate the enrichment of antitumor CD4 T cells while depleting an inhibitory T(reg) population.

Fast and Selective Two-Stage Ratiometric Fluorescent Probes for Imaging of Glutathione in Living Cells.

PubMed

Gong, Deyan; Han, Shi-Chong; Iqbal, Anam; Qian, Jing; Cao, Ting; Liu, Wei; Liu, Weisheng; Qin, Wenwu; Guo, Huichen

2017-12-19

Two fluorescent, m-nitrophenol-substituted difluoroboron dipyrromethene dyes have been designed by nucleophilic substitution reaction of 3,5-dichloro-4,4-difluoro-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene (BODIPY). Nonsymmetric and symmetric probes, that is. BODIPY 1 (with one nitrophenol group at the position 3) and BODIPY 2 (with two nitrophenol groups at the positions 3 and 5) were applied to ratiometric fluorescent glutathione detection. The detection is based on the two-step nucleophilic aromatic substitution of the nitrophenol groups of the probes by glutathione in buffer solution containing CTAB. In the first stage, probe 1 showed ratiometric fluorescent color change from green (λ em = 530 nm) to yellow (λ em = 561 nm) because of monosubstitution with glutathione (I 561nm /I 530nm ). Addition of excess glutathione caused the second stage of ratiometric fluorescent color change from yellow to reddish orange (λ em = 596 nm, I 596nm /I 561nm ) due to disubstitution with glutathione. Therefore, different concentration ranges of glutathione (from less to excess) could be rapidly detected by the two-stage ratiometric fluorescent probe 1 in 5 min. While, probe 2 shows single-stage ratiometric fluorescent detection to GSH (from green to reddish orange, I 596nm /I 535nm ). Probes 1 and 2 exhibit excellent properties with sensitive, specific colorimetric response and ratiometric fluorescent response to glutathione over other sulfur nucleophiles. Application to cellular ratiometric fluorescence imaging indicated that the probes were highly responsive to intracellular glutathione.

Time Series Neural Network Model for Part-of-Speech Tagging Indonesian Language

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tanadi, Theo

2018-03-01

Part-of-speech tagging (POS tagging) is an important part in natural language processing. Many methods have been used to do this task, including neural network. This paper models a neural network that attempts to do POS tagging. A time series neural network is modelled to solve the problems that a basic neural network faces when attempting to do POS tagging. In order to enable the neural network to have text data input, the text data will get clustered first using Brown Clustering, resulting a binary dictionary that the neural network can use. To further the accuracy of the neural network, other features such as the POS tag, suffix, and affix of previous words would also be fed to the neural network.

Musculoskeletal pain and related risks in skydivers: a population-based survey.

PubMed

Nilsson, Jenny; Fridén, Cecilia; Burén, Viktoria; Westman, Anton; Lindholm, Peter; Ang, Björn O

2013-10-01

Sport parachuting from aircraft (skydiving) is a major aerial activity in which parachutists are subject to decelerating forces during parachute opening shock (POS), possibly as much as 3-5 G. While traumatic incidents related to POS have been reported, epidemiological data on musculoskeletal pain among skydivers is absent in the literature. The aim was therefore to examine the prevalence of self-rated musculoskeletal pain related to POS in a skydiver population and elicit related risk factors. There were 658 Swedish sport skydivers who completed a structured web-based questionnaire (70% response rate; email invitation) validated for use in skydivers. The questionnaire concerned individual and skydiving-related risk indicators, and musculoskeletal pain experiences. Multiple regression analysis was used to estimate the relationship between risk indicators and musculoskeletal pain related to POS. The 12-mo prevalence of musculoskeletal pain related to POS was highest for the neck region, 25% (95% CI = 21.4-28.2). Other upper-body regions were as follows: shoulder 16% thoracic spine 10%, and lower back 18%. A high number of parachute jumps in the last 12 mo, i.e., 30-90 jumps (RR = 1.7, 95% CI = 1.1-2.7), > 90 jumps (RR = 2.1, 95% CI = 1.3-3.4), and a high main parachute wing-loading, i.e., > 1.4 lb/ft2 (RR = 1.7, 95% CI = 1.1-2.6) were independent risk factors. Neck pain related to POS was common among skydivers. A high number of parachute jumps the last 12 mo and high wing-loading emerged as risk factors, suggesting that highly active skydivers using small canopies may be at risk. Studies on biomechanics under POS are suggested.

Youth Advocates' Perceptions of Tobacco Industry Marketing Influences on Adolescent Smoking: Can They See the Signs?

PubMed

Douglas, Malinda; Chan, Andie; Sampilo, Marilyn

2016-01-01

Point-of-sale (POS) advertising at retail stores is one of the key marketing avenues used by the tobacco industry. The United States Surgeon General urges actions to eliminate POS tobacco advertisements because of their influence on youth smoking. Many youth empowerment programs are implemented to address tobacco industry marketing influences, including POS tobacco advertisements. While youth are asked to take on such collective action, little is known regarding their perceptions and understanding of tobacco industry marketing influences and related advocacy activities. This mixed methods study examined Oklahoma's tobacco control youth empowerment program members' perceptions of tobacco industry marketing influences. Four focus groups were held with active program members from rural and urban areas. Overall, the focus group participants viewed the program as purposeful, as an avenue to help others, and as a way to make a difference. Specifically, the older participants (median age = 18 years) identified tobacco industry marketing influences such as POS, movies, and magazine advertisements and reported participating in activities that counter POS tobacco advertisements at retail stores. Likewise younger participants (median age = 16 years), identified similar tobacco industry marketing influences, but also included tobacco use by friends and family as tobacco industry marketing influences. Moreover, the younger participants did not report engaging in activities that addressed POS tobacco advertisements. The study results suggest that the empowerment program should tailor its programming, training, materials, and activities with input from youth of various ages. Thoughtfully developed messages and specific activities can truly empower youth and maximize their contribution as change agents who address POS or other initiatives at the retail environments to prevent chronic diseases.

Youth Advocates' Perceptions of Tobacco Industry Marketing Influences on Adolescent Smoking: Can They See the Signs?

PubMed Central

Douglas, Malinda; Chan, Andie; Sampilo, Marilyn

2016-01-01

Point-of-sale (POS) advertising at retail stores is one of the key marketing avenues used by the tobacco industry. The United States Surgeon General urges actions to eliminate POS tobacco advertisements because of their influence on youth smoking. Many youth empowerment programs are implemented to address tobacco industry marketing influences, including POS tobacco advertisements. While youth are asked to take on such collective action, little is known regarding their perceptions and understanding of tobacco industry marketing influences and related advocacy activities. This mixed methods study examined Oklahoma's tobacco control youth empowerment program members' perceptions of tobacco industry marketing influences. Four focus groups were held with active program members from rural and urban areas. Overall, the focus group participants viewed the program as purposeful, as an avenue to help others, and as a way to make a difference. Specifically, the older participants (median age = 18 years) identified tobacco industry marketing influences such as POS, movies, and magazine advertisements and reported participating in activities that counter POS tobacco advertisements at retail stores. Likewise younger participants (median age = 16 years), identified similar tobacco industry marketing influences, but also included tobacco use by friends and family as tobacco industry marketing influences. Moreover, the younger participants did not report engaging in activities that addressed POS tobacco advertisements. The study results suggest that the empowerment program should tailor its programming, training, materials, and activities with input from youth of various ages. Thoughtfully developed messages and specific activities can truly empower youth and maximize their contribution as change agents who address POS or other initiatives at the retail environments to prevent chronic diseases. PMID:29546148

Dynamic Trust Management (DTM)

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-11-04

as the DoD/IC GIG, Navy FORCEnet and Clouds – The ability to define policies for scalable decentralized defense against emergent cyber-threats by... the service you wanted 6. (B) uses (S) Reputation DB 2. How has (B) behaved in the past? (S->B) - Pos: 9 Neg: 1 (S->A) - Pos: 5 Neg: 0 (A->B) - Pos...to create a novel method for trust evaluation The QuanTM Architecture Trust Dependency Graph (TDG), encoding PTM relationships useful for RTM

Associations of Occupational Stressors, Perceived Organizational Support, and Psychological Capital with Work Engagement among Chinese Female Nurses.

PubMed

Wang, Xiaoxi; Liu, Li; Zou, Futing; Hao, Junhui; Wu, Hui

2017-01-01

This study aimed to explore the associations of occupational stressors (extrinsic effort, reward, and overcommitment), perceived organizational support (POS), and psychological capital (PsyCap) and its components (self-efficacy, hope, resilience, and optimism) with work engagement and the mediating roles of PsyCap and its components among Chinese female nurses within the framework of the job demands-resources (JD-R) model. A cross-sectional sample (1,330) completed the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale, Effort-Reward Imbalance Scale, Survey of POS, and PsyCap Questionnaire, and effective respondents were 1,016 (76.4%). Hierarchical regression analysis and Preacher and Hayes' asymptotic and resampling strategies were used. Extrinsic effort was negatively associated with vigor, dedication, and absorption, while POS, PsyCap, and hope were positively associated with them. Reward and overcommitment were positively associated with dedication and absorption. Optimism was positively associated with vigor and dedication. Optimism mediated the associations of extrinsic effort, reward, and POS with vigor and dedication. PsyCap and hope mediated the associations of POS with vigor, dedication, and absorption. There is a low level of work engagement among Chinese female nurses. Extrinsic effort could reduce work engagement, while reward, overcommitment, POS, PsyCap, hope, and optimism could enhance work engagement. Hospital managers should develop the PsyCap of female nurses through controlling occupational stressors and establishing supportive organizational climate to enhance their work engagement.

Associations of Occupational Stressors, Perceived Organizational Support, and Psychological Capital with Work Engagement among Chinese Female Nurses

PubMed Central

Wang, Xiaoxi; Zou, Futing; Hao, Junhui

2017-01-01

This study aimed to explore the associations of occupational stressors (extrinsic effort, reward, and overcommitment), perceived organizational support (POS), and psychological capital (PsyCap) and its components (self-efficacy, hope, resilience, and optimism) with work engagement and the mediating roles of PsyCap and its components among Chinese female nurses within the framework of the job demands-resources (JD-R) model. A cross-sectional sample (1,330) completed the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale, Effort-Reward Imbalance Scale, Survey of POS, and PsyCap Questionnaire, and effective respondents were 1,016 (76.4%). Hierarchical regression analysis and Preacher and Hayes' asymptotic and resampling strategies were used. Extrinsic effort was negatively associated with vigor, dedication, and absorption, while POS, PsyCap, and hope were positively associated with them. Reward and overcommitment were positively associated with dedication and absorption. Optimism was positively associated with vigor and dedication. Optimism mediated the associations of extrinsic effort, reward, and POS with vigor and dedication. PsyCap and hope mediated the associations of POS with vigor, dedication, and absorption. There is a low level of work engagement among Chinese female nurses. Extrinsic effort could reduce work engagement, while reward, overcommitment, POS, PsyCap, hope, and optimism could enhance work engagement. Hospital managers should develop the PsyCap of female nurses through controlling occupational stressors and establishing supportive organizational climate to enhance their work engagement. PMID:28168198

PosMed-plus: an intelligent search engine that inferentially integrates cross-species information resources for molecular breeding of plants.

PubMed

Makita, Yuko; Kobayashi, Norio; Mochizuki, Yoshiki; Yoshida, Yuko; Asano, Satomi; Heida, Naohiko; Deshpande, Mrinalini; Bhatia, Rinki; Matsushima, Akihiro; Ishii, Manabu; Kawaguchi, Shuji; Iida, Kei; Hanada, Kosuke; Kuromori, Takashi; Seki, Motoaki; Shinozaki, Kazuo; Toyoda, Tetsuro

2009-07-01

Molecular breeding of crops is an efficient way to upgrade plant functions useful to mankind. A key step is forward genetics or positional cloning to identify the genes that confer useful functions. In order to accelerate the whole research process, we have developed an integrated database system powered by an intelligent data-retrieval engine termed PosMed-plus (Positional Medline for plant upgrading science), allowing us to prioritize highly promising candidate genes in a given chromosomal interval(s) of Arabidopsis thaliana and rice, Oryza sativa. By inferentially integrating cross-species information resources including genomes, transcriptomes, proteomes, localizomes, phenomes and literature, the system compares a user's query, such as phenotypic or functional keywords, with the literature associated with the relevant genes located within the interval. By utilizing orthologous and paralogous correspondences, PosMed-plus efficiently integrates cross-species information to facilitate the ranking of rice candidate genes based on evidence from other model species such as Arabidopsis. PosMed-plus is a plant science version of the PosMed system widely used by mammalian researchers, and provides both a powerful integrative search function and a rich integrative display of the integrated databases. PosMed-plus is the first cross-species integrated database that inferentially prioritizes candidate genes for forward genetics approaches in plant science, and will be expanded for wider use in plant upgrading in many species.

[Validation of the Spanish version of the Palliative Care Outcome Scale].

PubMed

Serra-Prat, Mateu; Nabal, Maria; Santacruz, Víctor; Picaza, Josep M; Trelis, Jordi

2004-10-02

The objective of this study was to translate the Palliative Care Outcome Scale (POS) into Spanish and to validate it. The translation and adaptation was based on the conceptual equivalence of the terms used. In order to study the psychometric properties, 200 patients receiving palliative care were asked to fill out the POS questionnaire, the European Organization for Research on Cancer Treatment Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORCT QLQ C-30), the Barthel Index and the Karnofsky Index on their first visit. The Spanish version of the POS questionnaire was given to the patients again, a week later, to measure the intra-observer reliability. There were no major problems with the translation and adaptation process. The Spanish POS adapted very well for both the staff and the patients versions. Inter- and intra-observer reliability was good, with intraclass correlation coefficients of between 0.61 and 0.93 according to the item. Internal consistency analysis showed a Cronbach's alpha of 0.62 for the staff version and 0.64 for the patients version. Most of the Spanish POS correlated with the EORTC QLQ C-30 emotional function scale and quality of life scale. The Spanish POS is a valid and reliable instrument for measuring the quality of life of patients receiving palliative care. It is useful in research as well as in everyday clinical practice.

Osmotic Water Permeability of Isolated Protoplasts. Modifications during Development1

PubMed Central

Ramahaleo, Tiana; Morillon, Raphaël; Alexandre, Joël; Lassalles, Jean-Paul

1999-01-01

A transference chamber was developed to measure the osmotic water permeability coefficient (Pos) in protoplasts 40 to 120 μm in diameter. The protoplast was held by a micropipette and submitted to a steep osmotic gradient created in the transference chamber. Pos was derived from the changes in protoplast dimensions, as measured using a light microscope. Permeabilities were in the range 1 to 1000 μm s−1 for the various types of protoplasts tested. The precision for Pos was ≤40%, and within this limit, no asymmetry in the water fluxes was observed. Measurements on protoplasts isolated from 2- to 5-d-old roots revealed a dramatic increase in Pos during root development. A shift in Pos from 10 to 500 μm s−1 occurred within less than 48 h. This phenomenon was found in maize (Zea mays), wheat (Triticum aestivum), and rape (Brassica napus) roots. These results show that early developmental processes modify water-transport properties of the plasma membrane, and that the transference chamber is adapted to the study of water-transport mechanisms in native membranes. PMID:10069827

Peroxisomes, lipid droplets, and endoplasmic reticulum “hitchhike” on motile early endosomes

PubMed Central

Guimaraes, Sofia C.; Schuster, Martin; Bielska, Ewa; Dagdas, Gulay; Kilaru, Sreedhar; Meadows, Ben R.A.; Schrader, Michael

2015-01-01

Intracellular transport is mediated by molecular motors that bind cargo to be transported along the cytoskeleton. Here, we report, for the first time, that peroxisomes (POs), lipid droplets (LDs), and the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) rely on early endosomes (EEs) for intracellular movement in a fungal model system. We show that POs undergo kinesin-3– and dynein-dependent transport along microtubules. Surprisingly, kinesin-3 does not colocalize with POs. Instead, the motor moves EEs that drag the POs through the cell. PO motility is abolished when EE motility is blocked in various mutants. Most LD and ER motility also depends on EE motility, whereas mitochondria move independently of EEs. Covisualization studies show that EE-mediated ER motility is not required for PO or LD movement, suggesting that the organelles interact with EEs independently. In the absence of EE motility, POs and LDs cluster at the growing tip, whereas ER is partially retracted to subapical regions. Collectively, our results show that moving EEs interact transiently with other organelles, thereby mediating their directed transport and distribution in the cell. PMID:26620910

Targeted detection of murine colonic dysplasia in vivo with flexible multispectral scanning fiber endoscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Joshi, Bishnu P.; Miller, Sharon J.; Lee, Cameron; Gustad, Adam; Seibel, Eric J.; Wang, Thomas D.

2012-02-01

We demonstrate a multi-spectral scanning fiber endoscope (SFE) that collects fluorescence images in vivo from three target peptides that bind specifically to murine colonic adenomas. This ultrathin endoscope was demonstrated in a genetically engineered mouse model of spontaneous colorectal adenomas based on somatic Apc (adenomatous polyposis coli) gene inactivation. The SFE delivers excitation at 440, 532, 635 nm with <2 mW per channel. The target 7-mer peptides were conjugated to visible organic dyes, including 7-Diethylaminocoumarin-3-carboxylic acid (DEAC) (λex=432 nm, λem=472 nm), 5-Carboxytetramethylrhodamine (5-TAMRA) (λex=535 nm, λem=568 nm), and CF-633 (λex=633 nm, λem=650 nm). Target peptides were first validated using techniques of pfu counting, flow cytometry and previously established methods of fluorescence endoscopy. Peptides were applied individually or in combination and detected with fluorescence imaging. The ability to image multiple channels of fluorescence concurrently was successful for all three channels in vitro, while two channels were resolved simultaneously in vivo. Selective binding of the peptide was evident to adenomas and not to adjacent normal-appearing mucosa. Multispectral wide-field fluorescence detection using the SFE is achievable, and this technology has potential to advance early cancer detection and image-guided therapy in human patients by simultaneously visualizing multiple over expressed molecular targets unique to dysplasia.

Structural Rearrangement of Energetic Materials under an External Electric Field: A Case Study of Nitromethane.

PubMed

Liu, Yingzhe; Ma, Yiding; Yu, Tao; Lai, Weipeng; Guo, Wangjun; Ge, Zhongxue; Ma, Zhinan

2018-03-01

As a significant stimulus, the external electric field (EEF) can change the decomposition mechanism and energy release of energetic materials (EMs). Hence, understanding the response of EMs to an EEF is greatly meaningful for their safe usage. Herein, the structural arrangement, a crucial factor in the impact sensitivity and detonation performance of EMs, under the EEF ranging from 0.0 to 0.5 V/Å was investigated via molecular dynamics simulation. Nitromethane (NM) was taken as a case study due to the simple structure. The simulation results show that there exists a critical EEF strength between 0.2 and 0.3 V/Å, which can induce the transition of NM molecules from relatively disordered distribution to solidlike ordered and compacted arrangement with a large density. In this ordered structure, NM dipoles are aligned in a head-to-tail pattern parallel to the EEF direction because of the favored dipole-dipole interactions and weak C-H···O hydrogen bonds. As the EEF strength is enhanced, the potential energy and cohesive energy density of the NM system gradually decrease and increase, respectively, indicative of high thermodynamics stability of ordered arrangement. The results reported here also shed light on the potential of the EEF to induce the nucleation and crystallization to explore new polymorphs of EMs.

Mutualism Persistence and Abandonment during the Evolution of the Mycorrhizal Symbiosis.

PubMed

Maherali, Hafiz; Oberle, Brad; Stevens, Peter F; Cornwell, William K; McGlinn, Daniel J

2016-11-01

Mutualistic symbioses with mycorrhizal fungi are widespread in plants. The majority of plant species associate with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi. By contrast, the minority associate with ectomycorrhizal (EM) fungi, have abandoned the symbiosis and are nonmycorrhizal (NM), or engage in an intermediate, weakly AM symbiosis (AMNM). To understand the processes that maintain the mycorrhizal symbiosis or cause its loss, we reconstructed its evolution using a ∼3,000-species seed plant phylogeny integrated with mycorrhizal state information. Reconstruction indicated that the common ancestor of seed plants most likely associated with AM fungi and that the EM, NM, and AMNM states descended from the AM state. Direct transitions from the AM state to the EM and NM states were infrequent and generally irreversible, implying that natural selection or genetic constraint could promote stasis once a particular state evolved. However, the evolution of the NM state was more frequent via an indirect pathway through the AMNM state, suggesting that weakening of the AM symbiosis is a necessary precursor to mutualism abandonment. Nevertheless, reversions from the AMNM state back to the AM state were an order of magnitude more likely than transitions to the NM state, suggesting that natural selection favors the AM symbiosis over mutualism abandonment.

6-7 Mev Characteristic Gamma-Ray Source Using A Plasma Opening Switch And A Marx Bank

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-06-01

of Hawk, including the POS, is shown in Fig. 2a. The POS consists of 12 plasma guns made from coaxial cables that inject ionized plasma radially...inward between two coaxial conductors prior to firing the generator. The POS plasma conducts the generator current as a short circuit for about 700...vacuum gap in the plasma . High-energy electron- and ion-beams form in the plasma -filled coaxial region, with ions from the plasma and the polyethylene

Maximizing Immune Response to Carbohydrate Antigens on Breast Tumors

DTIC Science & Technology

2004-08-01

selectin binding. In vitro phenotyping of the tumor cells suggests that both KM93-Neg and Pos cells grow at the same rate; however, KM-93Neg cells are...and Figure 2. ABL ( Agaricus bisporus, mushroom, lectin) and ACA (Amaranthus caudatus, lectin) do not react with either the KM93-Pos or KM93-Neg...is different (Figure 6B). The KM93-Pos variant, which is similar to the original 4T1, tends to grow in clusters with high densities. While clusters are

Fluorescence spectroscopy for rapid detection and classification of bacterial pathogens.

PubMed

Sohn, Miryeong; Himmelsbach, David S; Barton, Franklin E; Fedorka-Cray, Paula J

2009-11-01

This study deals with the rapid detection and differentiation of Escherichia coli, Salmonella, and Campylobacter, which are the most commonly identified commensal and pathogenic bacteria in foods, using fluorescence spectroscopy and multivariate analysis. Each bacterial sample cultured under controlled conditions was diluted in physiologic saline for analysis. Fluorescence spectra were collected over a range of 200-700 nm with 0.5 nm intervals on the PerkinElmer Fluorescence Spectrometer. The synchronous scan technique was employed to find the optimum excitation (lambda(ex)) and emission (lambda(em)) wavelengths for individual bacteria with the wavelength interval (Deltalambda) being varied from 10 to 200 nm. The synchronous spectra and two-dimensional plots showed two maximum lambda(ex) values at 225 nm and 280 nm and one maximum lambda(em) at 335-345 nm (lambda(em) = lambda(ex) + Deltalambda), which correspond to the lambda(ex) = 225 nm, Deltalambda = 110-120 nm, and lambda(ex) = 280 nm, Deltalambda = 60-65 nm. For all three bacterial genera, the same synchronous scan results were obtained. The emission spectra from the three bacteria groups were very similar, creating difficulty in classification. However, the application of principal component analysis (PCA) to the fluorescence spectra resulted in successful classification of the bacteria by their genus as well as determining their concentration. The detection limit was approximately 10(3)-10(4) cells/mL for each bacterial sample. These results demonstrated that fluorescence spectroscopy, when coupled with PCA processing, has the potential to detect and to classify bacterial pathogens in liquids. The methodology is rapid (>10 min), inexpensive, and requires minimal sample preparation compared to standard analytical methods for bacterial detection.

Health Insurance: Understanding Your Health Plan's Rules

MedlinePlus

... Point of service (POS) plan Preferred provider organization (PPO) Rules for selecting doctors and hospitals Managed care ... If you have a POS plan or a PPO, the insurance company will probably pay for you ...

Defensive efficacy interim design: Dynamic benefit/risk ratio view using probability of success.

PubMed

Tang, Zhongwen

2017-01-01

Traditional efficacy interim design is based on alpha spending which does not have intuitive interpretation and hence is difficult to communicate with non-statistician colleagues. The alpha-spending approach is based on efficacy alone and hence does not have the flexibility to incorporate newly emerged safety signal. Newly emerged safety signal may nullify the originally set efficacy boundary. In contrast, the probability of success (POS) concept has intuitive interpretation and hence can facilitate our communication with non-statistician colleagues and help to obtain health authority (HA) buying. The success criteria of POS are not restricted to statistical significance. Hence, POS has the capability to incorporate both efficacy and safety information. We propose to use POS and its credible interval to design efficacy interim. In the proposed method, the efficacy boundary is adjustable to offset newly emerged safety signal.

Prospectively assessing risk for premature ovarian senescence in young females: a new paradigm.

PubMed

Gleicher, Norbert; Kushnir, Vitaly A; Barad, David H

2015-04-18

Approximately 10% of women suffer from premature ovarian senescence (POS), ca. 9% as occult primary ovarian insufficiency (OPOI, also called premature ovarian aging, POA) and ca. 1% as primary ovarian insufficiency (POI, also called premature ovarian failure, POF). In a large majority of cases POS is currently only diagnosed at advanced clinical stages when women present with clinical infertility. We here, based on published evidence, suggest a new diagnostic paradigm, which is based on identifying young women at increased risk for POS at much earlier stages. Risk factors for POS are known from the literature, and can be used to identify a sub-group of young women at increased risk, who then are followed sequentially with serial assessments of functional ovarian reserve (FOR) until a diagnosis of POS is either reached or refuted. At approximately 25% prevalence in general U.S. populations (and somewhat different prevalence rates in more homogenous Asian and African populations), so-called low (CGGn<26) mutations of the fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR1) gene, likely, represents the most common known risk factor, including history-based risk factors from medical, genetic and family histories. Women so affirmatively diagnosed with POS at relative young ages, then have the opportunity to reconsider their reproductive planning and/or choose fertility preservation via oocyte or ovarian tissue cryopreservation at ages when such procedures are clinically much more effective and, therefore, also more cost-effective. Appropriate validation studies will have to precede widespread utilization of this paradigm.

MAGNETIC FIELD OF THE VELA C MOLECULAR CLOUD

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kusune, Takayoshi; Sugitani, Koji; Nakamura, Fumitaka

We have performed extensive near-infrared ( JHK {sub s}) imaging polarimetry toward the Vela C molecular cloud, which covers the five high-density sub-regions (North, Centre-Ridge, Centre-Nest, South-Ridge, and South-Nest) with distinct morphological characteristics. The obtained polarization vector map shows that three of these sub-regions have distinct plane-of-the-sky (POS) magnetic-field characteristics according to the morphological characteristics. (1) In the Centre-Ridge sub-region, a dominating ridge, the POS magnetic field is mostly perpendicular to the ridge. (2) In the Centre-Nest sub-region, a structure having a slightly extended nest of filaments, the POS magnetic field is nearly parallel to its global elongation. (3) Inmore » the South-Nest sub-region, which has a network of small filaments, the POS magnetic field appears to be chaotic. By applying the Chandrasekhar–Fermi method, we derived the POS magnetic field strength as ∼70–310 μ G in the Centre-Ridge, Centre-Nest, and South-Ridge sub-regions. In the South-Nest sub-region, the dispersion of polarization angles is too large to apply the C-F method. Because the velocity dispersion in this sub-region is not greater than those in the other sub-regions, we suggest that the magnetic field in this sub-region is weaker than those in other sub-regions. We also discuss the relationship between the POS magnetic field (configuration and strength) and the cloud structure of each sub-region.« less

Point-of-sale cigarette marketing and smoking-induced deprivation in smokers: results from a population-based survey.

PubMed

Siahpush, Mohammad; Shaikh, Raees A; Robbins, Regina; Tibbits, Melissa; Kessler, Asia Sikora; Soliman, Ghada; McCarthy, Molly; Singh, Gopal K

2016-04-28

Strict restrictions on outdoor cigarette marketing have resulted in increasing concentration of cigarette marketing at the point-of-sale (POS). The association between POS cigarette marketing and smoking-induced deprivation (SID) has never been studied. The aim of this study was to examine this association and how it is mediated by cravings to smoke, urges to buy cigarettes, and unplanned purchases of cigarettes. Data from a telephone survey of 939 smokers were collected in Omaha, Nebraska. POS cigarette marketing was measured by asking respondents three questions about noticing pack displays, advertisements, and promotions such as cigarette price discounts within their respective neighborhoods. SID was measured with the following question: "In the last six months, has there been a time when the money you spent on cigarettes resulted in not having enough money for household essentials such as food? [yes/no]" We used structural equation modeling to examine the study aim. There was overwhelming evidence for an association between higher levels of POS cigarette marketing and a higher probability of SID (p < 0.001). This association was partly mediated by cravings to smoke, urges to buy cigarettes, and unplanned purchases of cigarettes during a visit to a neighborhood store (p < 0.001). Given that POS cigarette marketing is associated with a higher probability of experiencing SID, policies that ban POS cigarette marketing might help some smokers afford essentials household items such as food more easily and thus have better standards of living.

Concordance in the Assessment of Effectiveness of Palliative Care between Patients and Palliative Care Nurses in Malaysia: A Study with the Palliative Care Outcome Scale

PubMed Central

Koh, Kwee Choy; Gupta, Esha Das; Poovaneswaran, Sangeetha; Then, Siaw Ling; Teo, Michelle Jia Jui; Gan, Teik Yiap; Thing, Joanne Hwei Yean

2017-01-01

Context: The Palliative Care Outcome Scale (POS) is an easy-to-use assessment tool to evaluate the effectiveness of palliative care. There is no published literature on the use of POS as an assessment tool in Malaysia. Aim: To define the concordance in the assessment of quality of life between patients with advanced cancers and their palliative care nurses using a Malay version of the POS. Settings and Design: This study was conducted in the palliative care unit of the Hospital Tuanku Ja'afar Seremban, Malaysia, from February 2014 to June 2014. Subjects and Methods: We adapted and validated the English version of the 3-day recall POS into Malay and used it to define the concordance in the assessment of quality of life between patients and palliative care nurses. Forty patients with advanced stage cancers and forty palliative care nurses completed the Malay POS questionnaire. Statistical Analysis Used: The kappa statistical test was used to assess the agreement between patients and their palliative care nurses. Results: Slight to fair concordance was found in all items, except for one item (family anxiety) where there was no agreement. Conclusions: The Malay version of the POS was well accepted and reliable as an assessment tool for evaluation of the effectiveness of palliative care in Malaysia. Slight to fair concordance was shown between the patients and their palliative care nurses, suggesting the needs for more training of the nurses. PMID:28216862

Oklahoma Retailers' Perspectives on Mutual Benefit Exchange to Limit Point-of-Sale Tobacco Advertisements.

PubMed

Chan, Andie; Douglas, Malinda Reddish; Ling, Pamela M

2015-09-01

Businesses changing their practices in ways that support tobacco control efforts recently have gained interest, as demonstrated by CVS Health's voluntary policy to end tobacco sales. Point-of-sale (POS) advertisements are associated with youth smoking initiation, increased tobacco consumption, and reduced quit attempts among smokers. There is interest in encouraging retailers to limit tobacco POS advertisements voluntarily. This qualitative exploratory study describes Oklahoma tobacco retailers' perspectives on a mutual benefit exchange approach, and preferred message and messenger qualities that would entice them to take voluntary action to limit tobacco POS advertisements. This study found that mutual benefit exchange could be a viable option along with education and law as strategies to create behavior change among tobacco retailers. Many retailers stated that they would be willing to remove noncontractual POS advertisements for a 6-month commitment period when presented with mutual exchange benefit, tailored message, and appropriate messenger. Mutual benefit exchange, as a behavior change strategy to encourage voluntary removal of POS tobacco advertisements, was acceptable to retailers, could enhance local tobacco control in states with preemption, and may contribute to setting the foundation for broader legislative efforts. © 2015 Society for Public Health Education.

Oklahoma Retailers’ Perspectives on Mutual Benefit Exchange to Limit Point-of-Sale Tobacco Advertisements

PubMed Central

Chan, Andie; Douglas, Malinda Reddish; Ling, Pamela M.

2015-01-01

Businesses changing their practices in ways that support tobacco control efforts recently have gained interest, as demonstrated by CVS Health’s voluntary policy to end tobacco sales. Point of sale (POS) advertisements are associated with youth smoking initiation, increased tobacco consumption, and reduced quit attempts among smokers. There is interest in encouraging retailers to limit tobacco POS advertisements voluntarily. This qualitative exploratory study describes Oklahoma tobacco retailers’ perspectives on a mutual benefit exchange approach, and preferred message and messenger qualities that would entice them to take voluntary action to limit tobacco POS advertisements. This study found mutual benefit exchange could be a viable option along with education and law as strategies to create behavior change among tobacco retailers. Many retailers stated that they would be willing to remove non-contractual POS advertisements for a six-month commitment period when presented with mutual exchange benefit, tailored message, and appropriate messenger. Mutual benefit exchange, as a behavior change strategy to encourage voluntary removal of POS tobacco advertisements, was acceptable to retailers, could enhance local tobacco control in states with preemption, and may contribute to setting the foundation for broader legislative efforts. PMID:25767197

Social Disparities in Exposure to Point-of-Sale Cigarette Marketing.

PubMed

Siahpush, Mohammad; Farazi, Paraskevi A; Kim, Jungyoon; Michaud, Tzeyu L; Yoder, Aaron M; Soliman, Ghada; Tibbits, Melissa K; Nguyen, Minh N; Shaikh, Raees A

2016-12-21

While most ecological studies have shown that higher levels of point-of-sale (POS) cigarette marketing are associated with larger proportions of residents from lower socioeconomic and minority backgrounds in neighborhoods, there are no studies that examine individual-level social disparities in exposure to POS cigarette marketing among smokers in the United States. Our aim was to examine these disparities in a Midwestern metropolitan area in the United States. We conducted a telephone survey to collect data on 999 smokers. Cigarette marketing was measured by asking respondents three questions about noticing advertisements, promotions, and displays of cigarettes within their respective neighborhoods. The questions were combined to create a summated scale. We estimated ordered logistic regression models to examine the association of sociodemographic variables with exposure to POS cigarette marketing. Adjusted results showed that having a lower income ( p < 0.003) and belonging to a race/ethnicity other than "non-Hispanic White" ( p = 0.011) were associated with higher levels of exposure to POS cigarette marketing. The results highlight social disparities in exposure to POS cigarette marketing in the United States, which can potentially be eliminated by banning all forms of cigarette marketing.

Social Disparities in Exposure to Point-of-Sale Cigarette Marketing

PubMed Central

Siahpush, Mohammad; Farazi, Paraskevi A.; Kim, Jungyoon; Michaud, Tzeyu L.; Yoder, Aaron M.; Soliman, Ghada; Tibbits, Melissa K.; Nguyen, Minh N.; Shaikh, Raees A.

2016-01-01

While most ecological studies have shown that higher levels of point-of-sale (POS) cigarette marketing are associated with larger proportions of residents from lower socioeconomic and minority backgrounds in neighborhoods, there are no studies that examine individual-level social disparities in exposure to POS cigarette marketing among smokers in the United States. Our aim was to examine these disparities in a Midwestern metropolitan area in the United States. We conducted a telephone survey to collect data on 999 smokers. Cigarette marketing was measured by asking respondents three questions about noticing advertisements, promotions, and displays of cigarettes within their respective neighborhoods. The questions were combined to create a summated scale. We estimated ordered logistic regression models to examine the association of sociodemographic variables with exposure to POS cigarette marketing. Adjusted results showed that having a lower income (p < 0.003) and belonging to a race/ethnicity other than “non-Hispanic White” (p = 0.011) were associated with higher levels of exposure to POS cigarette marketing. The results highlight social disparities in exposure to POS cigarette marketing in the United States, which can potentially be eliminated by banning all forms of cigarette marketing. PMID:28009807

The relevance of different trust models for representation in patient organizations: conceptual considerations.

PubMed

Gerhards, Helene; Jongsma, Karin; Schicktanz, Silke

2017-07-11

Trust within organizations is important for ensuring members' acceptance of the organization's activities and to expand their scope of action. Remarkably, Patient Organizations (POs) that often both function as a forum for self-help and represent patients on the health-political level, have been understudied in this respect. This paper analyzes the relation between trust and representation in POs. We distinguish between two models of representation originating from political theory: the trustee and delegate model and between two types of trust: horizontal and vertical trust. Our theoretical approach is illustrated with an analysis of 13 interviews with representatives of German POs. We have found that the delegate model requires horizontal trust and the trustee model vertical trust. Both models: horizontal/delegate and vertical/trustee exist within single POs. The representation process within POs demands a balancing act between inclusion of affected persons and strategically aggregating a clear-cut political claim. Trust plays in that process of coming from individual wishes to collective and political standpoints a major role both in terms of horizontal as well as vertical trust. Horizontal trust serves the communication between affected members, and vertical trust allows representatives to be decisive.

Bifunctional [2’,6’-Dimethyl-l-tyrosine1]Endomorphin-2 Analogues Substituted at Position 3 with Alkylated Phenylalanine Derivatives Yield Potent Mixed μ-Agonist/δ-Antagonist and Dual μ-/δ-Agonist Opioid Ligands

PubMed Central

Li, Tingyou; Shiotani, Kimitaka; Miyazaki, Anna; Tsuda, Yuko; Ambo, Akihiro; Sasaki, Yusuke; Jinsmaa, Yunden; Marczak, Ewa; Bryant, Sharon D.; Lazarus, Lawrence H.; Okada, Yoshio

2009-01-01

Endomorphin-2 (H-Tyr-Pro-Phe-Phe-NH2) and [Dmt1]EM-2 (Dmt = 2’,6’-dimethyl-l-tyrosine) analogues were synthesized containing alkylated Phe3 derivatives, 2’-monomethyl (2, 2’), 3’,5’- and 2’,6’-dimethyl (3, 3’, and 4’, respectively), 2’,4’,6’-trimethyl (6, 6’), 2’-ethyl-6’-methyl (7, 7’) and 2’-isopropyl-6’-methyl (8, 8’) groups or Dmt (5, 5’). They had the following characteristics: (i) [Xaa3]EM-2 analogues improved μ- and δ-opioid receptor affinities, the latter were inconsequential (Kiδ= 491–3,451 nM); (ii) [Dmt1,Xaa3]EM-2 analogues enhanced μ- and δ-opioid receptor affinities (Kiμ = 0.069–0.32 nM; Kiδ = 1.83–99.8 nM) and lacked interaction with κ-opioid receptors, and (iii) elevated μ-bioactivity (IC50 = 0.12–14.4 nM) and abolished δ-agonism (IC50 > 10 µM; 2’, 3’, 4’, 5’, 6’); however, 4’ and 6’ exhibited mixed μ-agonism/δ-antagonism (4’: IC50μ = 0.12, pA2 = 8.15; 6’: IC50μ = 0.21 nM, pA2 = 9.05), and 7’ was a dual μ-/δ -agonist (IC50μ = 0.17 nM; IC50δ = 0.51 nM). Alteration of EM-2 activity by Dmt1 and alkylated Phe3 residues retained μ-receptor bioactivity and formed dual μ-/δ -agonists and mixed μ-agonists/δ-antagonists. PMID:17497839

"String theory" of c-kit(pos) cardiac cells: a new paradigm regarding the nature of these cells that may reconcile apparently discrepant results.

PubMed

Keith, Matthew C L; Bolli, Roberto

2015-03-27

Although numerous preclinical investigations have consistently demonstrated salubrious effects of c-kit(pos) cardiac cells administered after myocardial infarction, the mechanism of action remains highly controversial. We and others have found little or no evidence that these cells differentiate into mature functional cardiomyocytes, suggesting paracrine effects. In this review, we propose a new paradigm predicated on a comprehensive analysis of the literature, including studies of cardiac development; we have (facetiously) dubbed this conceptual construct "string theory" of c-kit(pos) cardiac cells because it reconciles multifarious and sometimes apparently discrepant results. There is strong evidence that, during development, the c-kit receptor is expressed in different pools of cardiac progenitors (some capable of robust cardiomyogenesis and others with little or no contribution to myocytes). Accordingly, c-kit positivity, in itself, does not define the embryonic origins, lineage capabilities, or differentiation capacities of specific cardiac progenitors. C-kit(pos) cells derived from the first heart field exhibit cardiomyogenic potential during development, but these cells are likely depleted shortly before or after birth. The residual c-kit(pos) cells found in the adult heart are probably of proepicardial origin, possess a mesenchymal phenotype (resembling bone marrow mesenchymal stem/stromal cells), and are capable of contributing significantly only to nonmyocytic lineages (fibroblasts, smooth muscle cells, and endothelial cells). If these 2 populations (first heart field and proepicardium) express different levels of c-kit, the cardiomyogenic potential of first heart field progenitors might be reconciled with recent results of c-kit(pos) cell lineage tracing studies. The concept that c-kit expression in the adult heart identifies epicardium-derived, noncardiomyogenic precursors with a mesenchymal phenotype helps to explain the beneficial effects of c-kit(pos) cell administration to ischemically damaged hearts despite the observed paucity of cardiomyogenic differentiation of these cells. © 2015 American Heart Association, Inc.

Do physician organizations located in lower socioeconomic status areas score lower on pay-for-performance measures?

PubMed

Chien, Alyna T; Wroblewski, Kristen; Damberg, Cheryl; Williams, Thomas R; Yanagihara, Dolores; Yakunina, Yelena; Casalino, Lawrence P

2012-05-01

Physician organizations (POs)--independent practice associations and medical groups--located in lower socioeconomic status (SES) areas may score poorly in pay-for-performance (P4P) programs. To examine the association between PO location and P4P performance. Cross-sectional study; Integrated Healthcare Association's (IHA's) P4P Program, the largest non-governmental, multi-payer program for POs in the U.S. 160 POs participating in 2009. We measured PO SES using established methods that involved geo-coding 11,718 practice sites within 160 POs to their respective census tracts and weighting tract-specific SES according to the number of primary care physicians at each site. P4P performance was defined by IHA's program and was a composite mainly representing clinical quality, but also including measures of patient experience, information technology and registry use. The area-based PO SES measure ranged from -11 to +11 (mean 0, SD 5), and the IHA P4P performance score ranged from 23 to 86 (mean 69, SD 15). In bivariate analysis, there was a significant positive relationship between PO SES and P4P performance (p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, a one standard deviation increase in PO SES was associated with a 44% increase (relative risk 1.44, 95%CI, 1.22-1.71) in the likelihood of a PO being ranked in the top two quintiles of performance (p < 0.001). Physician organizations' performance scores in a major P4P program vary by the SES of the areas in which their practice sites are located. P4P programs that do not account for this are likely to pay higher bonuses to POs in higher SES areas, thus increasing the resource gap between these POs and POs in lower SES areas, which may increase disparities in the care they provide.

The mitochondrial cytochrome c peroxidase Ccp1 of Saccharomyces cerevisiae is involved in conveying an oxidative stress signal to the transcription factor Pos9 (Skn7).

PubMed

Charizanis, C; Juhnke, H; Krems, B; Entian, K D

1999-10-01

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae two transcription factors, Pos9 (Skn7) and Yap1, are involved in the response to oxidative stress. Fusion of the Pos9 response-regulator domain to the Gal4 DNA-binding domain results in a transcription factor which renders the expression of a GAL1-lacZ reporter gene dependent on oxidative stress. To identify genes which are involved in the oxygen-dependent activation of the Gal4-Pos9 hybrid protein we screened for mutants that failed to induce the heterologous test system upon oxidative stress (fap mutants for factors activating Pos9). We isolated several respiration-deficient and some respiration-competent mutants by this means. We selected for further characterization only those mutants which also displayed an oxidative-stress-sensitive phenotype. One of the respiration-deficient mutants (complementation groupfap6) could be complemented by the ISM1 gene, which encodes mitochondrial isoleucyl tRNA synthetase, suggesting that respiration competence was important for signalling of oxidative stress. In accordance with this notion a rho0 strain and a wild-type strain in which respiration had been blocked (by treatment with antimycin A or with cyanide) also failed to activate Gal4-Pos9 upon imposition of oxidative stress. Another mutant, fap24, which was respiration-competent, could be complemented by CCP1, which encodes the mitochondrial cytochrome c peroxidase. Mitochondrial cytochrome c peroxidase degrades reactive oxygen species within the mitochondria. This suggested a possible sensor function for the enzyme in the oxidative stress response. To test this we used the previously described point mutant ccp1 W191F, which is characterized by a 10(4)-fold decrease in electron flux between cytochrome c and cytochrome c peroxidase. The Ccp1W191F mutant was still capable of activating the Pos9 transcriptional activation domain, suggesting that the signalling function of Ccp1 is independent of electron flux rates.

Exchange relationships: examining psychological contracts and perceived organizational support.

PubMed

Coyle-Shapiro, Jacqueline A-M; Conway, Neil

2005-07-01

The authors surveyed 347 public sector employees on 4 measurement occasions to investigate the conceptual distinctiveness of the psychological contract and perceived organizational support (POS) and how they are associated over time. Results support the distinctiveness of the 2 concepts. In terms of their interrelationships over time, by drawing on psychological contract theory the authors found little support for a reciprocal relationship between POS and psychological contract fulfillment. Under an alternative set of hypotheses, by drawing on organizational support theory and by separating psychological contract fulfillment into its 2 components (perceived employer obligations and inducements), the authors found that perceived employer inducements were positively related to POS, which, in turn, was negatively related to perceived employer obligations. The results suggest that POS and the components of psychological contract fulfillment are more important in predicting organizational citizenship behavior than psychological contract fulfillment. Copyright 2005 APA, all rights reserved.

Engineering of mCherry variants with long Stokes shift, red-shifted fluorescence, and low cytotoxicity

PubMed Central

Shen, Yi; Chen, Yingche; Wu, Jiahui; Shaner, Nathan C.; Campbell, Robert E.

2017-01-01

MCherry, the Discosoma sp. mushroom coral-derived monomeric red fluorescent protein (RFP), is a commonly used genetically encoded fluorophore for live cell fluorescence imaging. We have used a combination of protein design and directed evolution to develop mCherry variants with low cytotoxicity to Escherichia coli and altered excitation and emission profiles. These efforts ultimately led to a long Stokes shift (LSS)-mCherry variant (λex = 460 nm and λem = 610 nm) and a red-shifted (RDS)-mCherry variant (λex = 600 nm and λem = 630 nm). These new RFPs provide insight into the influence of the chromophore environment on mCherry’s fluorescence properties, and may serve as templates for the future development of fluorescent probes for live cell imaging. PMID:28241009

Experiences of working from a freestanding position as a case manager when supporting clients in the Swedish welfare system.

PubMed

Klockmo, Carolina; Marnetoft, Sven-Uno

2016-06-01

The Swedish state uses a case management function known as Personligt Ombud (PO). The role as PO differs from the traditional professional roles. It has a freestanding position in the welfare system. The aim of this study was to investigate POs' experiences of working from a freestanding position when supporting clients. Telephone interviews were conducted with 22 POs across Sweden. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed by latent qualitative content analysis. The findings were reflected in three categories - freedom-promoted flexibility, surfing through a complex welfare system, and working for legitimacy. POs developed a holistic view to both the client as well as to the welfare system. POs experienced solely representing the client, which is a positive feature because part of the POs' role is advocating for the clients rights. The PO service differs from the PO service from other existing case management models and may need to develop strategies for decision-making and support in their own role. For example, they may use group supervision teams or 'reflective teams'. The freestanding position may also entail problems in terms of lack of legitimacy. It is important for POs to develop good platforms with the surrounding actors among others things to improve the co-ordination process. It could be interesting if the PO model would be tested in other countries that have a fragmented welfare system. The PO model may also be useful to other 'target groups' who are in need of co-ordinated rehabilitation services.

Important components to create personal working alliances with clients in the mental health sector to support the recovery process.

PubMed

Klockmo, Carolina; Marnetoft, Sven-Uno; Selander, John; Nordenmark, Mikael

2014-03-01

Personligt ombud (PO) is a Swedish version of case management that aims to support individuals with psychiatric disabilities. Guidelines to the PO service emphasize the different role that the PO plays with respect to the relationship with clients. The aim of this study was to investigate the components that POs found to be important in the relationship with clients. Telephone interviews with 22 POs across Sweden were carried out. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using qualitative content analysis. The relationship with each client was described as the foundation of the POs' work; it was the only 'tool' they had. The findings were reflected in a main theme, which showed the importance of creating personal working alliances with each client where POs put the client at the center of the work and adjusted their support according to the client's needs at the time. Important components were that the PO and the client trusted each other, that the power between the PO and the client was balanced, and to be a personal support. Many of the components that POs found to be important are shown as essential in recovery-oriented services. POs followed the client in the process and remained as long as necessary and this is one way of bringing hope to the client's recovery process. However, the personal tone can be fraught with difficulties and to maintain professionalism, it is necessary to reflect, through discussions with colleagues, with the leader and in supervision.

Recruitment and manpower in pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus.

PubMed

Simon, John W; Bradfield, Yasmin; Smith, Janine; Ahn, Eric; France, Thomas D

2007-08-01

Many have observed what appears to be declining interest on the part of ophthalmology graduates in pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus (PO&S) as a career. Four questions might address this concern: (1) Has there been a decline in the number of fellowship positions filled in the period 2000 to 2005? (2) Why do graduates choose other career paths? (3) Assuming there has been a decrease in interest in PO&S, does it reflect dissatisfaction on the part of pediatric ophthalmologists in their field? (4) What can be done to enhance the appeal of the subspecialty? Data from the San Francisco Matching Programs covering the years 2000 through 2005 included the numbers of ophthalmology graduates, their subspecialty choices, the number of applicants to PO&S and other subspecialty fellowships, and the number of fellowship positions offered. Supplemental surveys assessed positions filled outside the match and international fellows. Factors influencing residents' career choices and the job satisfaction of pediatric ophthalmologists were analyzed in separate surveys. The number of fellowship positions in PO&S increased from 41 to 50 between 2000 and 2004. The number of graduates participating in the match has varied but remained the same (38) in 2005 as in 2000. Graduates were discouraged from PO&S by inadequate mentoring, by aversion to children, and by higher compensation in other fields. Pediatric ophthalmologists generally are highly satisfied in their careers, although financial compensation is a concern for many. Pediatric ophthalmologists should remain optimistic about recruitment but could enhance the appeal of PO&S by teaching more effectively and by promoting the field.

The association of point-of-sale cigarette marketing with cravings to smoke: results from a cross-sectional population-based study

PubMed Central

Siahpush, Mohammad; Shaikh, Raees A; Cummings, K Michael; Hyland, Andrew; Dodd, Michael; Carlson, Les; Kessler, Asia Sikora; Meza, Jane; Wan, Neng; Wakefield, Melanie

2015-01-01

Objective To examine the association between recalled exposure to point-of-sale (POS) cigarette marketing (ie, pack displays, advertisements and promotions such as discounts) and reported cravings to smoke while visiting a store. Methods Data were collected using a telephone survey of a cross-sectional sample of 999 adult smokers in Omaha, Nebraska. Recalled exposure to POS cigarette marketing was measured by asking respondents about noticing (a) pack displays, (b) advertisements and (c) promotions in store in their neighbourhood. A 3-item scale indicating the frequency of experiencing cravings to smoke in locations where cigarettes are sold was created by asking respondents: (1) “feel a craving for a cigarette?” (2) “feel like nothing would be better than smoking a cigarette?” and (3) “feel like all you want is a cigarette?” The association between recalled exposure to POS cigarette marketing and cravings was estimated using ordinary least squares linear regression models, controlling for nicotine dependence, gender, age, race/ethnicity, income, education, frequency of visiting stores in one’s neighbourhood and method of recruitment into the study. Results Recalled exposure to POS cigarette displays (p<0.001) and advertisements (p=0.002), but not promotions (p=0.06), was associated with more frequent cravings to smoke. Conclusions Recalled exposure to POS cigarette marketing is associated with cravings to smoke as predicted by laboratory studies on the effects of smoking cues on cigarette craving. Policies that reduce or eliminate POS cigarette marketing could reduce cigarette cravings and might attenuate impulse buying of cigarettes. PMID:26024797

Absorption and Fluorescence Properties of Chromophoric Dissolved Organic Matter Produced by Algae.

PubMed

Peng, Tong; Lu, Xiao-lan; Su, Rong-guo; Zhang, Dong-mei

2015-09-01

Four kinds of diatom (Chaetoceros curvisetus, Phaeodactylum tricornutum, Nitzschia closterium f. minutissima and Navicula halophile) and two kinds of dinoflagellates (Prorocentrum donghaiense and Gymnodinium) were cultured under laboratory conditions. Variations of optical properties of chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) were studied with absorption and fluorescence excitation-emission matrix spectroscopy(EEM) during growth of marine microalgae in incubation experiment. Absorption spectrum revealed absorption coefficient a(355) (CDOM absorption coefficients at 355 nm) of 6 kinds of marine microalgae above increased by 64.8%, 242.3%, 535.1%, 903.2%, 836% and 196.4%, respectively. Simultaneously, the absorption spectral slope (Sg), determined between 270 and 350 nm, representing the size of molecular weight of CDOM and humic-like composition, decreased by 8.7%, 34.6%, 39.4%, 53.1%, 46.7%, and 35.7%, respectively. Applying parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC) together with EEM got four components of CDOM: C1(Ex/Em=350(260) nm/450 nm), C2 (Ex/Em=260(430) nm/525 nm), C3 (Ex/Em=325 nm/400 nm) and C4(Ex/Em=275 nm/325 nm), which were relative to three humic-like and one protein-like fluorescent components of Nitzschia closterium f. minutissima and Navicula halophile. In incubation experiment, fluorescence intensity of these four components during growth of Nitzschia closterium f. minutissima increased by, respectively, 8.68, 24.9, 7.19 and 39.8 times, and those of Navicula halophile increased by 2.64, 0.07, 4.39 and 12.4 times, respectively. Significant relationships were found between the fluorescence intensity of four components of CDOM, a(355) and Sg. All results demonstrated that both content and molecular weight of CDOM produced by diatom and dinoflagellate studied in incubation experiment increased, but these two parameters changed more obviously of the diatom than those of dinoflagellate; the proportion of humic-like components in the composition of CDOM also increased clearly with the growth of marine microalgae, but protein-like fluorescent component had only a slow growth. Furthermore, the absorption spectrum of CDOM produced by different species of algae changed obviously and the relative composition fluorescence intensity of CDOM produced by different microalgae were found to vary among different composition from EEM, which suggested CDOM produced by different microalgae make quite different contributions to CDOM in natural seawater.

Tunable dielectric properties of mesoporous carbon hollow microspheres via textural properties.

PubMed

Xu, Hailong; Yin, Xiaowei; Li, Zhaochen; Liu, Chenglong; Wang, Zeyu; Li, Minghang; Zhang, Litong; Cheng, Laifei

2018-05-04

In this study, mesoporous carbon hollow microspheres (PCHMs) with tunable textural properties have been prepared through a facile hard template etching method. The PCHMs were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, Raman spectra, and nitrogen adsorption and desorption systems. Uniform PCHMs with shell thickness ranging from 23 nm to 55 nm are realized. PCHMs with different textural properties can regulate dielectric and electromagnetic (EM) wave absorption effectively. The composite of paraffin wax mixed with 10 wt% PCHMs (the shell thickness of PCHMs is 35 nm) exhibits a minimum coefficient value of -53.8 dB at 8.8 GHz, with a thickness of 3.4 mm. Besides, it is remarkable that the effective absorption bandwidth covers all the X band with as low as a 10 wt% filler ratio, compared with other spherical EM wave absorbers. The excellent EM wave absorption capability of PCHMs can be ascribed to the better impendence matching and strong EM wave attenuation constant based on tunable textural properties. Our results provide a facile strategy to tune dielectric properties of spherical carbon absorbers based on textural properties, and can be extended to other spherical absorbers.

Tunable dielectric properties of mesoporous carbon hollow microspheres via textural properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Hailong; Yin, Xiaowei; Li, Zhaochen; Liu, Chenglong; Wang, Zeyu; Li, Minghang; Zhang, Litong; Cheng, Laifei

2018-05-01

In this study, mesoporous carbon hollow microspheres (PCHMs) with tunable textural properties have been prepared through a facile hard template etching method. The PCHMs were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, Raman spectra, and nitrogen adsorption and desorption systems. Uniform PCHMs with shell thickness ranging from 23 nm to 55 nm are realized. PCHMs with different textural properties can regulate dielectric and electromagnetic (EM) wave absorption effectively. The composite of paraffin wax mixed with 10 wt% PCHMs (the shell thickness of PCHMs is 35 nm) exhibits a minimum coefficient value of -53.8 dB at 8.8 GHz, with a thickness of 3.4 mm. Besides, it is remarkable that the effective absorption bandwidth covers all the X band with as low as a 10 wt% filler ratio, compared with other spherical EM wave absorbers. The excellent EM wave absorption capability of PCHMs can be ascribed to the better impendence matching and strong EM wave attenuation constant based on tunable textural properties. Our results provide a facile strategy to tune dielectric properties of spherical carbon absorbers based on textural properties, and can be extended to other spherical absorbers.

Impact of Point-of-Sale Tobacco Display Bans in Thailand: Findings from the International Tobacco Control (ITC) Southeast Asia Survey.

PubMed

Li, Lin; Borland, Ron; Yong, Hua-Hie; Sirirassamee, Buppha; Hamann, Stephen; Omar, Maizurah; Quah, Anne C K

2015-08-13

In September 2005 Thailand became the first Asian country to implement a complete ban on the display of cigarettes and other tobacco products at point-of-sale (POS). This paper examined the impact of the POS tobacco display ban in Thailand, with Malaysia (which did not impose bans) serving as a comparison. The data came from the International Tobacco Control Southeast Asia Survey (2005-2011), a prospective cohort survey designed to evaluate the psychosocial and behavioral impacts of tobacco control policies. Main measures included smokers' reported awareness of tobacco displays and advertising at POS. At the first post-ban survey wave over 90% of smokers in Thailand were aware of the display ban policy and supported it, and about three quarters thought the ban was effective. Noticing tobacco displays in stores was lowest (16.9%) at the first post-ban survey wave, but increased at later survey waves; however, the levels were consistently lower than those in Malaysia. Similarly, exposure to POS tobacco advertising was lower in Thailand. The display ban has reduced exposure to tobacco marketing at POS. The trend toward increased noticing is likely at least in part due to some increase in violations of the display bans and/or strategies to circumvent them.

Impact of Point-of-Sale Tobacco Display Bans in Thailand: Findings from the International Tobacco Control (ITC) Southeast Asia Survey

PubMed Central

Li, Lin; Borland, Ron; Yong, Hua-Hie; Sirirassamee, Buppha; Hamann, Stephen; Omar, Maizurah; Quah, Anne C.K.

2015-01-01

In September 2005 Thailand became the first Asian country to implement a complete ban on the display of cigarettes and other tobacco products at point-of-sale (POS). This paper examined the impact of the POS tobacco display ban in Thailand, with Malaysia (which did not impose bans) serving as a comparison. The data came from the International Tobacco Control Southeast Asia Survey (2005–2011), a prospective cohort survey designed to evaluate the psychosocial and behavioral impacts of tobacco control policies. Main measures included smokers’ reported awareness of tobacco displays and advertising at POS. At the first post-ban survey wave over 90% of smokers in Thailand were aware of the display ban policy and supported it, and about three quarters thought the ban was effective. Noticing tobacco displays in stores was lowest (16.9%) at the first post-ban survey wave, but increased at later survey waves; however, the levels were consistently lower than those in Malaysia. Similarly, exposure to POS tobacco advertising was lower in Thailand. The display ban has reduced exposure to tobacco marketing at POS. The trend toward increased noticing is likely at least in part due to some increase in violations of the display bans and/or strategies to circumvent them. PMID:26287219

Aminoquinolines as fluorescent labels for hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography of oligosaccharides.

PubMed

Struwe, Weston B; Rudd, Pauline M

2012-08-01

In this study, we investigated the potential of four different aminoquinoline (AQ) compounds as fluorescent labels for glycan analysis using hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) and fluorescence detection (FLD). We confirmed the optimal excitation and emission wavelengths of 3-AQ and 6-AQ conjugated to glycan standards using three-dimensional fluorescent spectral scanning. The optimal excitation and emission wavelengths for 6-AQ were confirmed at λ(ex)=355 nm and λ(em)=440 nm. We concluded that the optimal wavelengths for 3-AQ were λ(ex)=355 nm and λ(em)=420 nm, which differed considerably from the wavelengths applied in previous reports. HILIC-FLD chromatograms using experimentally determined wavelengths were similar to 2-aminobenzamide controls, but the peak capacity and resolution differed significantly when published 3-AQ λ(ex/em) values were applied. Furthermore, we found that 5-AQ and 8-AQ labeled maltohexaose did not display any fluorescent properties when used as a carbohydrate tag for HPLC analysis. Finally, we applied experimentally determined wavelengths to 3-AQ labeled N-glycans released from human IgG to illustrate changes in retention time as well as to demonstrate that AQ labeling is applicable to complex sample analysis via exoglycosidase sequencing.

Retinal pigment epithelial cell multinucleation in the aging eye - a mechanism to repair damage and maintain homoeostasis.

PubMed

Chen, Mei; Rajapakse, Dinusha; Fraczek, Monika; Luo, Chang; Forrester, John V; Xu, Heping

2016-06-01

Retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells are central to retinal health and homoeostasis. Dysfunction or death of RPE cells underlies many age-related retinal degenerative disorders particularly age-related macular degeneration. During aging RPE cells decline in number, suggesting an age-dependent cell loss. RPE cells are considered to be postmitotic, and how they repair damage during aging remains poorly defined. We show that RPE cells increase in size and become multinucleate during aging in C57BL/6J mice. Multinucleation appeared not to be due to cell fusion, but to incomplete cell division, that is failure of cytokinesis. Interestingly, the phagocytic activity of multinucleate RPE cells was not different from that of mononuclear RPE cells. Furthermore, exposure of RPE cells in vitro to photoreceptor outer segment (POS), particularly oxidized POS, dose-dependently promoted multinucleation and suppressed cell proliferation. Both failure of cytokinesis and suppression of proliferation required contact with POS. Exposure to POS also induced reactive oxygen species and DNA oxidation in RPE cells. We propose that RPE cells have the potential to proliferate in vivo and to repair defects in the monolayer. We further propose that the conventionally accepted 'postmitotic' status of RPE cells is due to a modified form of contact inhibition mediated by POS and that RPE cells are released from this state when contact with POS is lost. This is seen in long-standing rhegmatogenous retinal detachment as overtly proliferating RPE cells (proliferative vitreoretinopathy) and more subtly as multinucleation during normal aging. Age-related oxidative stress may promote failure of cytokinesis and multinucleation in RPE cells. © 2016 The Authors. Aging Cell published by the Anatomical Society and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Point-of-sale tobacco promotion and youth smoking: a meta-analysis.

PubMed

Robertson, Lindsay; Cameron, Claire; McGee, Rob; Marsh, Louise; Hoek, Janet

2016-12-01

Previous systematic reviews have found consistent evidence of a positive association between exposure to point-of-sale (POS) tobacco promotion and increased smoking and smoking susceptibility among children and adolescents. No meta-analysis has been conducted on these studies to date. Systematic literature searches were carried out to identify all quantitative observational studies that examined the relationship between POS tobacco promotion and individual-level smoking and smoking-related cognitions among children and adolescents, published between January 1990 and June 2014. Random-effects meta-analyses were used. Subgroup analyses were conducted according to extent of tobacco POS advertising environment in the study environment. Sensitivity analyses were performed according to study size and quality. 13 studies met the inclusion criteria; 11 reported data for behavioural outcomes, 6 for cognitive outcomes (each of these assessed smoking susceptibility). The studies were cross-sectional, with the exception of 2 cohort studies. For the behavioural outcomes, the pooled OR was 1.61 (95% CI 1.33 to 1.96) and for smoking susceptibility the pooled OR was 1.32 (95% CI 1.09 to 1.61). Children and adolescents more frequently exposed to POS tobacco promotion have around 1.6 times higher odds of having tried smoking and around 1.3 times higher odds of being susceptible to future smoking, compared with those less frequently exposed. Together with the available evaluations of POS display bans, the results strongly indicate that legislation banning tobacco POS promotion will effectively reduce smoking among young people. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/.

Platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome in the elderly treated by percutaneous patent foramen ovale closure: a case series and literature review.

PubMed

Blanche, Coralie; Noble, Stéphane; Roffi, Marco; Testuz, Ariane; Müller, Hajo; Meyer, Philippe; Bonvini, John M; Bonvini, Robert F

2013-12-01

Platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome (POS) is a rare clinical phenomenon, associating normal oxygen saturation in a supine position and arterial hypoxemia in an upright position. This pathology can be secondary to an intracardiac shunt, a pulmonary vascular shunt or a ventilation-perfusion mismatch. Cardiac POS occurs in the presence of a right-to-left cardiac shunt, most commonly through a patent foramen ovale (PFO). From our single-center prospective database of percutaneous PFO closure we identified five patients (4 females, mean age: 77 ± 11 years) out of 224 (2.2%) patients with a PFO who presented with a POS of cardiac origin. Transthoracic and transoesophageal echocardiographic examinations revealed the underlying mechanisms of POS and the diagnosis was confirmed by right-and-left cardiac catheterization (RLC) and by measuring serial blood oxygen saturation in the pulmonary veins and left atrium in supine and upright positions. PFO was associated with atrial septal aneurysm and a persistent prominent Eustachian valve in 3 patients. All patients underwent a successful percutaneous PFO closure without any immediate or subsequent complications (mean follow-up of 24 ± 18 months). Immediately after the procedure, mean arterial oxygen saturation improved from 83% ± 3 to 93% ± 2 in an upright position and symptoms disappeared. POS is a rare and under-diagnosed pathology that must be actively investigated in the presence of position-dependent hypoxemia. The diagnostic work-up must exclude other causes of hypoxemia and confirm the intracardiac shunt using either contrast echocardiography or RLC. For cardiac POS, percutaneous PFO closure is a safe and effective technique that immediately relieves orthodeoxia and patient symptoms. © 2013.

Compliance with point-of-sale tobacco control policies and student tobacco use in Mumbai, India.

PubMed

Mistry, Ritesh; Pednekar, Mangesh S; McCarthy, William J; Resnicow, Ken; Pimple, Sharmila A; Hsieh, Hsing-Fang; Mishra, Gauravi A; Gupta, Prakash C

2018-05-09

We measured how student tobacco use and psychological risk factors (intention to use and perceived ease of access to tobacco products) were associated with tobacco vendor compliance with India's Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act provisions regulating the point-of-sale (POS) environment. We conducted a population-based cross-sectional survey of high school students (n=1373) and tobacco vendors (n=436) in school-adjacent communities (n=26) in Mumbai, India. We used in-class self-administered questionnaires of high school students, face-to-face interviews with tobacco vendors and compliance checks of tobacco POS environments. Logistic regression models with adjustments for clustering were used to measure associations between student tobacco use, psychological risk factors and tobacco POS compliance. Compliance with POS laws was low overall and was associated with lower risk of student current tobacco use (OR 0.48, 95% CI 0.26 to 0.91) and current smokeless tobacco use (OR 0.40, 95% CI 0.21 to 0.77), when controlling for student-level and community-level tobacco use risk factors. Compliance was not associated with student intention to use tobacco (OR 0.50; 95% CI 0.21 to 1.18) and perceived ease of access to tobacco (OR 0.73; 95% CI 0.53 to 1.00). Improving vendor compliance with tobacco POS laws may reduce student tobacco use. Future studies should test strategies to improve compliance with tobacco POS laws, particularly in low-income and middle-income country settings like urban India. © Article author(s) (or their employer(s) unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2018. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.

Differentiation "in vitro" of primary and immortalized porcine mesenchymal stem cells into cardiomyocytes for cell transplantation.

PubMed

Moscoso, I; Centeno, A; López, E; Rodriguez-Barbosa, J I; Santamarina, I; Filgueira, P; Sánchez, M J; Domínguez-Perles, R; Peñuelas-Rivas, G; Domenech, N

2005-01-01

Cell transplantation to regenerate injured tissues is a promising new treatment for patients suffering several diseases. Bone marrow contains a population of progenitor cells known as mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which have the capability to colonize different tissues, replicate, and differentiate into multilineage cells. Our goal was the isolation, characterization, and immortalization of porcine MSCs (pMSCs) to study their potential differentiation "in vitro" into cardiomyocytes. pMSCs were obtained from the aspirated bone marrow of Large-White pigs. After 4 weeks in culture, adherent cells were phenotypically characterized by flow cytometry and immunochemistry by using monoclonal antibodies. Primary pMSCs were transfected with the plasmid pRNS-1 to obtain continuous growing cloned cell lines. Fresh pMSCs and immortalized cells were treated with 5-azacytidine to differentiate them into cardiomyocytes. Flow cytometry analysis of isolated pMSCs demonstrated the following phenotype, CD90(pos), CD29(pos), CD44(pos), SLA-I(pos), CD106(pos), CD46(pos) and CD45(neg), CD14(neg), CD31(neg), and CD11b(neg), similar to that described for human MSC. We derived several stable immortalized MSC cell lines. One of these, called pBMC-2, was chosen for further characterization. After "in vitro" stimulation of both primary or immortalized cells with 5-azacytidine, we obtained different percentages (30%-50%) of cells with cardiomyocyte characteristics, namely, positive for alpha-Actin and T-Troponin. Thus, primary or immortalized pMSCs derived from bone marrow and cultured were able to differentiate "ex vivo" into cardiac-like muscle cells. These elements may be potentials tools to improve cardiac function in a swine myocardial infarct model.

Effects of acute exercise on monocyte subpopulations in metabolic syndrome patients.

PubMed

Wonner, Ralph; Wallner, Stefan; Orsó, Evelyn; Schmitz, Gerd

2016-06-10

Acute exercise induces numerous changes in peripheral blood, e.g. counts of leukocytes. CD16 pos monocytes, which play a role in the pathogenesis of arteriosclerosis and the metabolic syndrome (MetS), are among the blood cells with the highest fold increase through exercise. So far no studies have investigated the effect of exercise on the blood cell composition of patients with MetS. Blood cell counts, a wide panel of laboratory tests, as well as lipid and protein content of monocytes and granulocytes were determined in healthy subjects, persons with metabolic risk and MetS patients before and after one minute of exercise at 400 W. Leukocyte counts increased significantly in all groups with CD14 pos CD16 pos monocytes showing the highest fold-change. In MetS patients the fold increase was smaller. They had a higher resting level of CD14 pos CD16 pos monocytes and a lower basal ratio of CD16 neg /CD16 pos monocytes. A similar ratio of these cells was induced in control and risk subjects after exercise. However, absolute counts of mobilized pro-inflammatory monocytes did not differ significantly. Furthermore, we detected a decrease in protein content of monocytes in controls, but not in MetS patients. As strenuous exercise is able to mobilize the same amount of pro-inflammatory monocytes in MetS patients as in healthy persons, the elevated basal level of these cells in MetS patients is likely to be caused by enhanced maturation rather than chronic mobilization. The removal of these monocytes from the endothelium might be part of the beneficial effect of exercise on vascular disease. © 2016 International Clinical Cytometry Society. © 2016 International Clinical Cytometry Society.

Carboxyhemoglobin levels as a predictor of risk for significant hyperbilirubinemia in African-American DAT(+) infants.

PubMed

Schutzman, D L; Gatien, E; Ajayi, S; Wong, R J

2016-05-01

To compare the degree of hemolysis in a group of direct antiglobulin test (DAT) positive (pos) African-American (AA) infants as measured by carboxyhemoglobin corrected (COHbc) for carbon monoxide in ambient air to a similar group of DAT negative (neg) ABO incompatible infants and a group without blood group incompatibility. To determine if COHbc is a better predictor of significant hyperbilirubinemia than DAT status. A prospective study of 180 AA infants from the Well-Baby Nursery of an inner city community hospital, all of whose mothers were type O pos. Infants (60) were ABO incompatible DAT pos, 60 were ABO incompatible DAT neg and 60 were type O(+). Blood for COHbc was drawn at the time of the infants' initial bilirubin and the infants' precise percentile on the Bhutani nomogram was calculated. Mean COHbc of type O(+) infants was 0.76±0.21 and 0.78±0.24% for ABO incompatible DAT neg infants (P=0.63). Mean CoHbc for the ABO incompatible DAT pos infants was 1.03±0.41% (P<0.0001 compared with both type O and DAT neg infants). Optimal cutoff on the receiver operating characteristic curve for COHbc to determine the risk for being in the Bhutani curve high risk zone was COHbc >0.90% (area under the curve(AUC) 0.8113). This was similar to the AUC of the receiver operating characteristic curve using any titer strength of DAT pos as a cutoff (0.7960). Although not greatly superior to the titer strength of DAT pos, COHbc is useful in determining if the etiology of severe hyperbilirubinemia is a hemolytic process.

The association of point-of-sale cigarette marketing with cravings to smoke: results from a cross-sectional population-based study.

PubMed

Siahpush, Mohammad; Shaikh, Raees A; Cummings, K Michael; Hyland, Andrew; Dodd, Michael; Carlson, Les; Kessler, Asia Sikora; Meza, Jane; Wan, Neng; Wakefield, Melanie

2016-07-01

To examine the association between recalled exposure to point-of-sale (POS) cigarette marketing (ie, pack displays, advertisements and promotions such as discounts) and reported cravings to smoke while visiting a store. Data were collected using a telephone survey of a cross-sectional sample of 999 adult smokers in Omaha, Nebraska. Recalled exposure to POS cigarette marketing was measured by asking respondents about noticing (a) pack displays, (b) advertisements and (c) promotions in store in their neighbourhood. A 3-item scale indicating the frequency of experiencing cravings to smoke in locations where cigarettes are sold was created by asking respondents: (1) "feel a craving for a cigarette?" (2) "feel like nothing would be better than smoking a cigarette?" and (3) "feel like all you want is a cigarette?" The association between recalled exposure to POS cigarette marketing and cravings was estimated using ordinary least squares linear regression models, controlling for nicotine dependence, gender, age, race/ethnicity, income, education, frequency of visiting stores in one's neighbourhood and method of recruitment into the study. Recalled exposure to POS cigarette displays (p<0.001) and advertisements (p=0.002), but not promotions (p=0.06), was associated with more frequent cravings to smoke. Recalled exposure to POS cigarette marketing is associated with cravings to smoke as predicted by laboratory studies on the effects of smoking cues on cigarette craving. Policies that reduce or eliminate POS cigarette marketing could reduce cigarette cravings and might attenuate impulse buying of cigarettes. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/

Unplanned cigarette purchases and tobacco point of sale advertising: a potential barrier to smoking cessation.

PubMed

Clattenburg, Eben J; Elf, Jessica L; Apelberg, Benjamin J

2013-11-01

In the USA, tobacco marketing expenditure is increasingly concentrated at the point of sale (POS). Previous studies have demonstrated an association between exposure to tobacco POS advertising and increased smoking initiation, but limited evidence is available on adult smokers' decisions and behaviours. An immediate post-cigarette purchase survey was administered to 301 cigarette purchasers outside of two grocery stores in Vermont to assess the prevalence of unplanned purchases and opinions about POS tobacco advertising and displays. In total, 11.3% of purchases were reported as unplanned. Certain groups were more likely to make unplanned purchases including: 18-24-year-olds (OR: 2.1, 95% CI 1.0 to 4.4), less than daily smokers (OR: 5.6, 95% CI 1.9 to 16.9), smokers who made 3+ quit attempts in the previous year (OR: 2.4, 95% CI 0.9 to 6.0), those who plan to quit in the next month (OR: 3.7, 95% CI 1.6 to 9.0), and those who agreed that tobacco POS advertising makes quitting smoking harder (OR: 2.3, 95% CI 1.1 to 4.8). Overall, 31.2% of participants agreed that tobacco POS advertising makes quitting smoking harder. Individuals who intended to quit within the next month, made 3+ quit attempts in the last year, or made an unplanned cigarette purchase were the most likely to agree. Young adults and individuals making multiple quit attempts or planning to quit in the next month are more likely to make unplanned cigarette purchases. Reducing unplanned purchases prompted by tobacco POS advertising could improve the likelihood of successful cessation among smokers.

Feasibility of Integrated Menu Recommendation and Self-Order System for Small-Scale Restaurants

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kashima, Tomoko; Matsumoto, Shimpei; Ishii, Hiroaki

2010-10-01

In recent years, point of sales (POS) systems with order function have been developed for restaurants. Since expensive apparatus and system are required for installing POS systems, usually only large-scale restaurant chains can afford to introduce them. In this research, we consider the POS management in a restaurant, which cooperates with an automatic order function by using a personal digital device aiming at the safety of the food, pursuit of service, and further operational efficiency improvements, such as foods management, accounting treatment, and ordering work. In traditional POS systems, information recommendation technology is not taken into consideration. We realize the recommendation of a menu according to the user's preference using rough sets and menu planning based on stock status by applying information recommendation technology. Therefore, we believe that this system can be used in comfort with regard to freshness of foods, allergy, diabetes, etc. Furthermore, due to the reduction of the personnel expenses by an operational efficiency improvement such technology becomes even feasible for small-scale stores.

ProtPOS: a python package for the prediction of protein preferred orientation on a surface.

PubMed

Ngai, Jimmy C F; Mak, Pui-In; Siu, Shirley W I

2016-08-15

Atomistic molecular dynamics simulation is a promising technique to investigate the energetics and dynamics in the protein-surface adsorption process which is of high relevance to modern biotechnological applications. To increase the chance of success in simulating the adsorption process, favorable orientations of the protein at the surface must be determined. Here, we present ProtPOS which is a lightweight and easy-to-use python package that can predict low-energy protein orientations on a surface of interest. It combines a fast conformational sampling algorithm with the energy calculation of GROMACS. The advantage of ProtPOS is it allows users to select any force fields suitable for the system at hand and provide structural output readily available for further simulation studies. ProtPOS is freely available for academic and non-profit uses at http://cbbio.cis.umac.mo/software/protpos Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online. shirleysiu@umac.mo. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press.

ProtPOS: a python package for the prediction of protein preferred orientation on a surface

PubMed Central

Ngai, Jimmy C. F.; Mak, Pui-In; Siu, Shirley W. I.

2016-01-01

Summary: Atomistic molecular dynamics simulation is a promising technique to investigate the energetics and dynamics in the protein–surface adsorption process which is of high relevance to modern biotechnological applications. To increase the chance of success in simulating the adsorption process, favorable orientations of the protein at the surface must be determined. Here, we present ProtPOS which is a lightweight and easy-to-use python package that can predict low-energy protein orientations on a surface of interest. It combines a fast conformational sampling algorithm with the energy calculation of GROMACS. The advantage of ProtPOS is it allows users to select any force fields suitable for the system at hand and provide structural output readily available for further simulation studies. Availability and Implementation: ProtPOS is freely available for academic and non-profit uses at http://cbbio.cis.umac.mo/software/protpos Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online. Contact: shirleysiu@umac.mo PMID:27153619

Public Health Effects of Restricting Retail Tobacco Product Displays and Ads

PubMed Central

Levy, David T.; Lindblom, Eric N.; Fleischer, Nancy L.; Thrasher, James; Mohlman, Mary Kate; Zhang, Yian; Monshouwer, Karin; Nagelhout, Gera E.

2015-01-01

Objectives To estimate the public health impact from restricting US retail point-of-sale (POS) tobacco product displays and advertising. Methods Based on existing research, this paper estimates the effects on initiation and cessation rates from restricting POS tobacco product displays and ads in the US and uses the SimSmoke simulation model to project related smoking declines and health benefits. Results New comprehensive POS restrictions are projected to reduce smoking prevalence by approximately 16% [range=3%–31%] relative to the status quo by 2065, preventing about 630,000 smoking-attributable deaths [range=108,000–1,225,000], 215,000 low birth weight births [range=33,000–421,000], 140,000 preterm births [range=22,000–271,000], and 1900 infant deaths from SIDSs [range=300–3800]. Conclusions Federal, state, or local action to restrict POS tobacco product displays and ads would contribute to a substantial reduction in smoking-attributed death and disease. PMID:26191538

Adding part-of-speech information to the SUBTLEX-US word frequencies.

PubMed

Brysbaert, Marc; New, Boris; Keuleers, Emmanuel

2012-12-01

The SUBTLEX-US corpus has been parsed with the CLAWS tagger, so that researchers have information about the possible word classes (parts-of-speech, or PoSs) of the entries. Five new columns have been added to the SUBTLEX-US word frequency list: the dominant (most frequent) PoS for the entry, the frequency of the dominant PoS, the frequency of the dominant PoS relative to the entry's total frequency, all PoSs observed for the entry, and the respective frequencies of these PoSs. Because the current definition of lemma frequency does not seem to provide word recognition researchers with useful information (as illustrated by a comparison of the lemma frequencies and the word form frequencies from the Corpus of Contemporary American English), we have not provided a column with this variable. Instead, we hope that the full list of PoS frequencies will help researchers to collectively determine which combination of frequencies is the most informative.

High hepatitis C incidence in relation to prescription opioid injection and poly-drug use: Assessing barriers to hepatitis C prevention.

PubMed

Puzhko, Svetlana; Roy, Élise; Jutras-Aswad, Didier; Artenie, Andreea Adelina; Fortier, Emmanuel; Zang, Geng; Bruneau, Julie

2017-09-01

Prescription opioid (PO) injection and poly-drug use have been associated with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among people who inject drugs (PWID). Poly-drug use is often a barrier to key HCV preventive programmes including opioid agonist treatment. The contribution of specific drug combinations to high HCV incidence in poly-drug users has not been assessed previously. Addressing this knowledge gap could enhance HCV treatment and prevention efforts. We examined the association between specific drugs and number of drugs used in addition to injected POs, and HCV seroconversion. PWID participating in a cohort study in Montréal (HEPCO), HCV-seronegative at baseline and followed between 2004 and 2013, were included. Data were collected by interview-administered questionnaires. Blood samples were tested for HCV new infections at each 3-6 month follow-up visit. Time-varying Cox regression models were utilized. Of 356 participants (81.5% males; mean age: 34.7 years), 123 (34.6%) reported injected POs in the past month at baseline. In univariate analyses, recent use of the following drugs was associated with HCV seroconversion: injected POs, injected cocaine, injected heroin, non-injected tranquilisers, and smoked crack/cocaine. The relative excess risk of HCV seroconversion due to interaction (RER1 HR ) was the highest for co-use of injected POs with the following substances: injected cocaine (RER1 HR =3.44), smoked crack/cocaine (RER1 HR =1.27), and non-injected tranquilisers (RER1 HR =0.8). In addition, a significant linear trend (p<0.001) towards higher risk was observed with increasing the number of these three drugs used in combination with injected POs. Specific drugs and number of drugs used in addition to injected POs play a modulating role in the risk of HCV primary infection. Poly-drug use among people who inject POs has to be addressed in order to improve harm reduction programmes and reduce HCV transmission in this high-risk population. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Part-of-speech tagging for clinical text: wall or bridge between institutions?

PubMed Central

Fan, Jung-wei; Prasad, Rashmi; Yabut, Rommel M.; Loomis, Richard M.; Zisook, Daniel S.; Mattison, John E.; Huang, Yang

2011-01-01

Part-of-speech (POS) tagging is a fundamental step required by various NLP systems. The training of a POS tagger relies on sufficient quality annotations. However, the annotation process is both knowledge-intensive and time-consuming in the clinical domain. A promising solution appears to be for institutions to share their annotation efforts, and yet there is little research on associated issues. We performed experiments to understand how POS tagging performance would be affected by using a pre-trained tagger versus raw training data across different institutions. We manually annotated a set of clinical notes at Kaiser Permanente Southern California (KPSC) and a set from the University of Pittsburg Medical Center (UPMC), and trained/tested POS taggers with intra- and inter-institution settings. The cTAKES POS tagger was also included in the comparison to represent a tagger partially trained from the notes of a third institution, Mayo Clinic at Rochester. Intra-institution 5-fold cross-validation estimated an accuracy of 0.953 and 0.945 on the KPSC and UPMC notes respectively. Trained purely on KPSC notes, the accuracy was 0.897 when tested on UPMC notes. Trained purely on UPMC notes, the accuracy was 0.904 when tested on KPSC notes. Applying the cTAKES tagger pre-trained with Mayo Clinic’s notes, the accuracy was 0.881 on KPSC notes and 0.883 on UPMC notes. After adding UPMC annotations to KPSC training data, the average accuracy on tested KPSC notes increased to 0.965. After adding KPSC annotations to UPMC training data, the average accuracy on tested UPMC notes increased to 0.953. The results indicated: first, the performance of pre-trained POS taggers dropped about 5% when applied directly across the institutions; second, mixing annotations from another institution following the same guideline increased tagging accuracy for about 1%. Our findings suggest that institutions can benefit more from sharing raw annotations but less from sharing pre-trained models for the POS tagging task. We believe the study could also provide general insights on cross-institution data sharing for other types of NLP tasks. PMID:22195091

Part-of-speech tagging for clinical text: wall or bridge between institutions?

PubMed

Fan, Jung-wei; Prasad, Rashmi; Yabut, Rommel M; Loomis, Richard M; Zisook, Daniel S; Mattison, John E; Huang, Yang

2011-01-01

Part-of-speech (POS) tagging is a fundamental step required by various NLP systems. The training of a POS tagger relies on sufficient quality annotations. However, the annotation process is both knowledge-intensive and time-consuming in the clinical domain. A promising solution appears to be for institutions to share their annotation efforts, and yet there is little research on associated issues. We performed experiments to understand how POS tagging performance would be affected by using a pre-trained tagger versus raw training data across different institutions. We manually annotated a set of clinical notes at Kaiser Permanente Southern California (KPSC) and a set from the University of Pittsburg Medical Center (UPMC), and trained/tested POS taggers with intra- and inter-institution settings. The cTAKES POS tagger was also included in the comparison to represent a tagger partially trained from the notes of a third institution, Mayo Clinic at Rochester. Intra-institution 5-fold cross-validation estimated an accuracy of 0.953 and 0.945 on the KPSC and UPMC notes respectively. Trained purely on KPSC notes, the accuracy was 0.897 when tested on UPMC notes. Trained purely on UPMC notes, the accuracy was 0.904 when tested on KPSC notes. Applying the cTAKES tagger pre-trained with Mayo Clinic's notes, the accuracy was 0.881 on KPSC notes and 0.883 on UPMC notes. After adding UPMC annotations to KPSC training data, the average accuracy on tested KPSC notes increased to 0.965. After adding KPSC annotations to UPMC training data, the average accuracy on tested UPMC notes increased to 0.953. The results indicated: first, the performance of pre-trained POS taggers dropped about 5% when applied directly across the institutions; second, mixing annotations from another institution following the same guideline increased tagging accuracy for about 1%. Our findings suggest that institutions can benefit more from sharing raw annotations but less from sharing pre-trained models for the POS tagging task. We believe the study could also provide general insights on cross-institution data sharing for other types of NLP tasks.

POS-Tagging for informal language (study in Indonesian tweets)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Suryawati, Endang; Munandar, Devi; Riswantini, Dianadewi; Fatchuttamam Abka, Achmad; Arisal, Andria

2018-03-01

This paper evaluates Part-of-Speech Tagging for the formal Indonesian language can be used for the tagging process of Indonesian tweets. In this study, we add five additional tags which reflect to social media attributes to the existing original tagset. Automatic POS tagging process is done by stratified training process with 1000, 1600, and 1800 of annotated tweets. It shows that the process can achieve up to 66.36% accuracy. The experiment with original tagset gives slightly better accuracy (67.39%) than the experiment with five additional tags, but will lose important informations which given by the five additional tagset.POS-Tagging for Informal Language (Study in Indonesian Tweets).

The importance of social exchange to nurses and nurse assistants: impact on retention factors.

PubMed

Trybou, Jeroen; De Pourcq, Kaat; Paeshuyse, Michel; Gemmel, Paul

2014-07-01

The purpose of this study was to test the norm of reciprocity by examining relationships between perceived organisational support (POS), the quality of leader-member exchange (LMX) and psychological contract breach (PCB) and important nurse retention factors identified in the literature. A major cause of turnover among nurses is related to unsatisfying workplaces. Previous research, mainly outside the nursing setting, found that social exchange affects employees' work-related attitudes. A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 217 nurses and nursing assistants to test and refine a model linking POS, LMX, PCB with job satisfaction, trust and turnover intentions. Hierarchical multiple linear regression revealed that POS, PCB and LMX explained significant variance in all three retention factors: job satisfaction (adjusted R² = 0.502), trust (adjusted R² = 0.462) and turnover intentions (adjusted R² = 0.196). POS and PCB predicted most strongly job satisfaction (P < 0.001) and trust (P < 0.001 and P < 0.01, respectively). LMX predicted most strongly intention to leave (P < 0.01). In our study, POS, the quality of LMX and PCB were strongly related to job satisfaction, trust and turnover intentions. Nursing managers and leaders should recognize the importance of social exchange within their organisation to build trust, satisfy and retain scarce nurses and nursing assistants. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Low-energy inelastic response in the superconducting phases of PrOs4Sb12

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Setty, Chandan; Wang, Yuxuan; Phillips, Philip W.

2017-08-01

Recent ac susceptibility and polar Kerr effect measurements in the skutterudite superconductor PrOs4Sb12 (POS) (E. M. Levenson-Falk, E. R. Schemm, M. B. Maple, and A. Kapitulnik, arXiv:1609.07535) uncovered the nature of the superconducting double transition from a high-temperature, high-field, time-reversal symmetric phase (or the A phase) to a low-temperature, low-field, time-reversal symmetry-broken phase (or the B phase). Starting from a microscopic model, we derive a Ginzburg-Landau expansion relevant to POS that describes this entrance into the time-reversal symmetry-broken phase along the temperature axis. We also provide a study of the low-energy inelastic (Raman) response in both the A and B phases of POS, and seek additional signatures which could help reveal the exact form of the gap functions previously proposed in these phases. By appropriately manipulating the incoming and scattered light geometries, along with additional subtraction procedures and suitable assumptions, we show that one can access the various irreducible representations contained in the point group describing POS. We demonstrate how to use this technique on example order parameters proposed in POS. Depending on whether there exist nodes along the c axis, we find additional low-energy spectral weight within the superconducting gap in the Eg geometry, a feature that could pinpoint the location of nodes on the Fermi surface.

Neighbourhood exposure to point-of-sale price promotions for cigarettes is associated with financial stress among smokers: results from a population-based study

PubMed Central

Siahpush, Mohammad; Tibbits, Melissa; Soliman, Ghada A; Grimm, Brandon; Shaikh, Raees A; McCarthy, Molly; Wan, Neng; Ramos, Athena K; Correa, Antonia

2017-01-01

Aim To examine the association between neighbourhood exposure to point-of-sale (POS) cigarette price promotions and financial stress among smokers in a Midwestern metropolitan area in the USA. Methods Survey data from 888 smokers provided information on sociodemographic and smoking related variables. Financial stress was measured with the question: ‘In the last six months, because of lack of money, was there a time when you were unable to buy food or pay any important bills on time, such as electricity, telephone, credit card, rent or your mortgage? [Yes/No].’ Using audit data from 504 tobacco retailers, we estimated a score of POS price promotions for each respondent by summing the different types of promotion in each store in their neighbourhood, as defined by a 1-km roadway buffer. Results Adjusted results provided strong support for an association between higher scores of neighbourhood POS cigarette price promotions and a higher probability of financial stress (p=0.007). Conclusion Exposure to POS cigarette price promotions is associated with financial stress. This finding, coupled with previous reports that smokers with financial stress are less likely to attempt to quit or succeed in quitting smoking, suggests that POS cigarette price promotions may act as an impediment to smoking cessation. PMID:28119499

Properties of novel bone hemostat prepared using sugar-modified hydroxyapatite, phosphoryl oligosaccharides of calcium and thermoplastic resin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mimira, Tokio; Umeda, Tomohiro; Musha, Yoshiro; Itatani, Kiyoshi

2013-12-01

A novel hemostatic agent was prepared using phosphoryl oligosaccharides of calcium (POs-Ca), hydroxyapatite (Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2; HAp) obtained by the hydrolysis of POs-Ca or sugar-containing HAp (s-HAp; 60.3 mass% calcium-deficient HAp and 39.5 mass% organic materials, Ca/P ratio = 1.56) and thermoplastic resin (the mixture of random copolymer of ethylene oxide/propylene oxide (EPO) and polyethylene oxide (EO); EPO : EO : water = 25 : 15 : 60 (mass ratio); 25EPO-15EO). The gel formed by mixing 25EPO-15EO with water (25EPO-15EO/water mass ratio: 0.20) was flash frozen at -80°C, freeze-dried at -50°C for 15 h and then ground using mixer. The consistency conditions of hemostats mixed with POs-Ca or s-HAp were optimized for the practical uses. The mean stanching times of hemostats were: s-HAp/25EPO-15EO (8.2 h; s-HAp/25EPO-15EO = 0.20) > 25EPO-15EO (5.3 h) > POs-Ca/25EPO-15EO (4.7 h; POs-Ca/25EPO-15EO = 0.20). The gentamicin, a typical antibiotic agent, loaded s-HAp/25EPO-15EO composite hemostat showed the steady state releasing in phosphate buffered saline till 10 h immersion at 37.0°C.

Training in positivity for stroke? A qualitative study of acceptability of use of Positive Mental Training (PosMT) as a tool to assist stroke survivors with post-stroke psychological problems and in coping with rehabilitation.

PubMed

Mavaddat, Nahal; Ross, Sheila; Dobbin, Alastair; Williams, Kate; Graffy, Jonathan; Mant, Jonathan

2017-01-01

Post-stroke psychological problems predict poor recovery, while positive affect enables patients to focus on rehabilitation and may improve functional outcomes. Positive Mental Training (PosMT), a guided self-help audio shows promise as a tool in promoting positivity, optimism and resilience. To assess acceptability of training in positivity with PosMT for prevention and management of post-stroke psychological problems and to help with coping with rehabilitation. A modified PosMT tool consisted of 12 audio tracks each lasting 18 minutes, one listened to every day for a week. Survivors and carers were asked to listen for 4 weeks, but could volunteer to listen for more. Interviews took place about experiences of the tool after 4 and 12 weeks. 10 stroke survivors and 5 carers from Stroke Support Groups in the UK. Three stroke survivors did not engage with the tool. The remainder reported positive physical and psychological benefits including improved relaxation, better sleep and reduced anxiety after four weeks. Survivors who completed the programme gained a positive outlook on the future, increased motivation, confidence and ability to cope with rehabilitation. No adverse effects were reported. The PosMT shows potential as a tool for coping with rehabilitation and overcoming post-stroke psychological problems including anxiety and depression.

Injectable trace minerals (selenium, copper, zinc, and manganese) alleviates inflammation and oxidative stress during an aflatoxin challenge in lactating multiparous Holstein cows.

PubMed

Pate, R T; Cardoso, F C

2018-06-20

Trace minerals are vital in the antioxidant response during oxidative stress; however, limited research is available on the effects of trace mineral supplementation during an aflatoxin (AF) challenge. The objective of the study was to determine the effects of 2 subcutaneous injections of 15 mg/mL of Cu, 5 mg/mL of Se, 60 mg/mL of Zn, and 10 mg/mL of Mn (Multimin 90, Multimin North America, Fort Collins, CO) given at 1 mL/90.7 kg of average body weight in response to an AF challenge. Fifty-eight Holstein cows [body weight (mean ± SD) = 734 ± 6 0kg; days in milk = 191 ± 93] were assigned to 1 of 3 treatments in a randomized complete block design. The experimental period (63 d) was divided into an adaptation phase (d 1-56) and a measurement phase (d 57-63). From d 57 to 59, cows received an AF challenge that consisted of 100 μg of aflatoxin B 1 /kg of dietary dry matter intake (DMI) administered orally via balling gun. Treatments were saline injection and no AF challenge (NEG), saline injection and AF challenge (POS), and trace mineral injection and AF challenge (MM). Injections were performed subcutaneously on d 1 and 29. Milk was sampled 3 times daily from d 56 to 63, blood was sampled on d 0, 56, 60, and 63, and liver samples were taken on d 0 and 60. Two treatment orthogonal contrasts [CONT1 (NEG vs. POS) and CONT2 (POS vs. MM)] were made. Cows in NEG had lower AF excretion in milk and greater 3.5% fat-corrected milk (32.1 ± 1.37 kg/d) compared with cows in POS (28.6 ± 1.43 kg/d). Feed efficiencies (3.5% fat-corrected milk/DMI, energy-corrected milk/DMI, and milk/DMI) were greater for cows in NEG (1.42 ± 0.07, 1.46 ± 0.07, and 1.45 ± 0.07, respectively) than cows in POS (1.16 ± 0.08, 1.18 ± 0.08, and 1.22 ± 0.07, respectively). Cows in POS had greater milk urea nitrogen and blood urea nitrogen than cows in MM. Liver concentrations of Se and Fe were greater for cows in MM compared with cows in POS. Cows in MM tended to have greater plasma glutathione peroxidase activity compared with cows in POS. An upregulation of liver GPX1 was observed for cows in POS compared with cows in MM. In conclusion, subcutaneous injection of trace minerals maintained an adequate antioxidant response when an AF challenge was present. Copyright © 2018 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

A comparison of screw insertion torque and pullout strength.

PubMed

Ricci, William M; Tornetta, Paul; Petteys, Timothy; Gerlach, Darin; Cartner, Jacob; Walker, Zakiyyah; Russell, Thomas A

2010-06-01

Pullout strength of screws is a parameter used to evaluate plate screw fixation strength. However, screw fixation strength may be more closely related to its ability to generate sufficient insertion because stable nonlocked plate-screw fracture fixation requires sufficient compression between plate and bone such that no motion occurs between the plate and bone under physiological loads. Compression is generated by tightening of screws. In osteoporotic cancellous bone, sufficient screw insertion torque may not be generated before screw stripping. The effect of screw thread pitch on generation of maximum insertion torque (MIT) and pullout strength (POS) was investigated in an osteoporotic cancellous bone model and the relationship between MIT and POS was analyzed. Stainless steel screws with constant major (5.0 mm) and minor (2.7 mm) diameters but with varying thread pitches (1, 1.2, 1.5, 1.6, and 1.75 mm) were tested for MIT and POS in a validated osteoporotic surrogate for cancellous bone (density of 160 kg/m(3) [10 lbs/ft(3)]). MIT was measured with a torque-measuring hex driver for screws inserted through a one-third tubular plate. POS was measured after insertion of screws to a depth of 20 mm based on the Standard Specification and Test Methods for Metallic Medical Bone Screws (ASTM F 543-07). Five screws were tested for each failure mode and screw design. The relationship between MIT and compressive force between the plate and bone surrogate was evaluated using pressure-sensitive film. There was a significant difference in mean MIT based on screw pitch (P < 0.0001), whereas POS did not show statistically significant differences among the different screw pitches (P = 0.052). Small screw pitches (1.0 mm and 1.2 mm) had lower MIT and were distinguished from large pitches (1.5 mm, 1.6 mm, and the 1.75 mm) with higher MIT. For POS, only the 1-mm and 1.6-mm pitch screws were found to be different from each other. Linear regression analysis of MIT revealed a moderate correlation to the screw pitch (R(2) = 0.67, P < 0.0001), whereas the analysis of POS suggested no correlation to the screw pitch (R(2) = 0.28, P = 0.006). Pearson correlation analysis indicated no correlation between MIT and POS (P = 0.069, r = -0.37). A linear relationship of increased compression between the plate and bone surrogate was found for increasing screw torque (R(2) = 0.97). These results indicate that the ability of different screw designs to generate high screw insertion torque in a model of osteoporotic cancellous bone is unrelated to their pullout strength. Therefore, extrapolation of results for POS to identify optimal screw design for osteoporotic bone may not be valid. Screw designs that optimize MIT should be sought for fixation in osteoporotic bone.

Airborne multidimensional integrated remote sensing system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Weiming; Wang, Jianyu; Shu, Rong; He, Zhiping; Ma, Yanhua

2006-12-01

In this paper, we present a kind of airborne multidimensional integrated remote sensing system that consists of an imaging spectrometer, a three-line scanner, a laser ranger, a position & orientation subsystem and a stabilizer PAV30. The imaging spectrometer is composed of two sets of identical push-broom high spectral imager with a field of view of 22°, which provides a field of view of 42°. The spectral range of the imaging spectrometer is from 420nm to 900nm, and its spectral resolution is 5nm. The three-line scanner is composed of two pieces of panchromatic CCD and a RGB CCD with 20° stereo angle and 10cm GSD(Ground Sample Distance) with 1000m flying height. The laser ranger can provide height data of three points every other four scanning lines of the spectral imager and those three points are calibrated to match the corresponding pixels of the spectral imager. The post-processing attitude accuracy of POS/AV 510 used as the position & orientation subsystem, which is the aerial special exterior parameters measuring product of Canadian Applanix Corporation, is 0.005° combined with base station data. The airborne multidimensional integrated remote sensing system was implemented successfully, performed the first flying experiment on April, 2005, and obtained satisfying data.

Developing POS via a Statewide Career-Focused Reform Policy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mobley, Catherine; Hammond, Cathy; Withington, Cairen; Stringfield, Sam; Stipanovic, Natalie; Sharp, Julia L.; Drew, Sam

2012-01-01

Career-focused education offered through programs of study (POS), career pathways, and career and technical education (CTE) can provide students with opportunities to engage in career exploration and development, to establish career goals, to increase academic knowledge and skills, to test career preferences in applied settings, and to make links…

Perceived Organizational Support as a Mediator between Relational Exchange and Organizational Identification

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sluss, David M.; Klimchak, Malayka; Holmes, Jeanne J.

2008-01-01

Using cross-level data from 364 supervisor-subordinate dyads, we examined how relational exchange quality, perceived organizational support (POS), and organizational identification interrelate. We found subordinate POS mediates the relationship between leader-member exchange (i.e., LMX) and organizational identification. We also found the…

Insight into the heterogeneous adsorption of humic acid fluorescent components on multi-walled carbon nanotubes by excitation-emission matrix and parallel factor analysis.

PubMed

Yang, Chenghu; Liu, Yangzhi; Cen, Qiulin; Zhu, Yaxian; Zhang, Yong

2018-02-01

The heterogeneous adsorption behavior of commercial humic acid (HA) on pristine and functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) was investigated by fluorescence excitation-emission matrix and parallel factor (EEM- PARAFAC) analysis. The kinetics, isotherms, thermodynamics and mechanisms of adsorption of HA fluorescent components onto MWCNTs were the focus of the present study. Three humic-like fluorescent components were distinguished, including one carboxylic-like fluorophore C1 (λ ex /λ em = (250, 310) nm/428nm), and two phenolic-like fluorophores, C2 (λ ex /λ em = (300, 460) nm/552nm) and C3 (λ ex /λ em = (270, 375) nm/520nm). The Lagergren pseudo-second-order model can be used to describe the adsorption kinetics of the HA fluorescent components. In addition, both the Freundlich and Langmuir models can be suitably employed to describe the adsorption of the HA fluorescent components onto MWCNTs with significantly high correlation coefficients (R 2 > 0.94, P< 0.05). The dissimilarity in the adsorption affinity (K d ) and nonlinear adsorption degree from the HA fluorescent components to MWCNTs was clearly observed. The adsorption mechanism suggested that the π-π electron donor-acceptor (EDA) interaction played an important role in the interaction between HA fluorescent components and the three MWCNTs. Furthermore, the values of the thermodynamic parameters, including the Gibbs free energy change (ΔG°), enthalpy change (ΔH°) and entropy change (ΔS°), showed that the adsorption of the HA fluorescent components on MWCNTs was spontaneous and exothermic. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Nucléation et croissance de films YBa_{2Cu3O_{7 - δ}} déposés par ablation laser sur substrat de MgO(001)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Keller, D.; Gervais, A.; Chambonnet, D.; Belouet, C.; Audry, C.

1995-02-01

In the field of superconducting devices devoted to microwave applications, the crystalline texture of high quality thin films based on YBa{2}Cu{3}O{7 - δ} is of primary importance. This study presents the formation of this texture on MgO substrates with the nucleation and growth steps up to a film thickness of 300 nm as observed by means of AFM, HRTEM and XRD. The influence of deposition temperature on the growth mode is shown and a nucleation/growth model is discussed. The minimum roughness of c_{bot 0}{(^1)} textured films, 300 nm thick and 20 × 20 mm2 in size is as slow as 2 nm. Dans le cadre de la réalisation de composants supraconducteurs de haute qualité à base du composé YBa{2}Cu{3}O{7 - δ} destinés aux applications en hyperfréquences, le contrôle de la texture cristalline des films est de première importance. La formation de celle-ci sur substrat MgO est étudiée depuis la nucléation jusqu'à une épaisseur de 300 nm au moyen de la microscopie à force atomique, de la microscopie électronique en transmission à haute résolution et de la diffraction des rayons X. L'influence de la température de dépôt sur le mode de croissance est abordée et un modèle de nucléation/croissance est discuté. La rugosité minimale des films d'épaisseur 300 nm et de dimensions 20 × 20 mm2 de texture c_{bot 0}{(^1)} est voisine de 2 nm.

Gold nanoparticle uptake in whole cells in liquid examined by environmental scanning electron microscopy.

PubMed

Peckys, Diana B; de Jonge, Niels

2014-02-01

The size of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) can influence various aspects of their cellular uptake. Light microscopy is not capable of resolving most AuNPs, while electron microscopy (EM) is not practically capable of acquiring the necessary statistical data from many cells and the results may suffer from various artifacts. Here, we demonstrate the use of a fast EM method for obtaining high-resolution data from a much larger population of cells than is usually feasible with conventional EM. A549 (human lung carcinoma) cells were subjected to uptake protocols with 10, 15, or 30 nm diameter AuNPs with adsorbed serum proteins. After 20 min, 24 h, or 45 h, the cells were fixed and imaged in whole in a thin layer of liquid water with environmental scanning electron microscopy equipped with a scanning transmission electron microscopy detector. The fast preparation and imaging of 145 whole cells in liquid allowed collection of nanoscale data within an exceptionally small amount of time of ~80 h. Analysis of 1,041 AuNP-filled vesicles showed that the long-term AuNP storing lysosomes increased their average size by 80 nm when AuNPs with 30 nm diameter were uptaken, compared to lysosomes of cells incubated with AuNPs of 10 and 15 nm diameter.

Development of a ratiometric fluorescent urea biosensor based on the urease immobilized onto the oxazine 170 perchlorate-ethyl cellulose membrane.

PubMed

Dinh Duong, Hong; Il Rhee, Jong

2015-03-01

In this work, the oxazine 170 perchlorate (O17)-ethyl cellulose (EC) membrane was successfully applied in the fabrication of a urea-sensing membrane. The urea-sensing membrane was a double layer consisting of the O17-EC membrane and a layer of the enzyme urease entrapped into EC matrix. The sensing principle of urea was based on the hydrolysis reaction of urea under the catalysis of the urease to produce ammonia in water and also on the binding of ammonia with the dye O17 to create the shift in the emission wavelength from λ(em)=630 nm to λ(em)=565 nm. The data collected from the ratio of the fluorescence intensities at λ(em)=630 nm and λ(em)=565 nm was proportional to urea concentration. The urea-sensing membrane with the ratiometric method was used to measure the concentrations of urea in the range of 0.01-0.1 M with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.027 mM and 0.1-1.0 M with LOD of 0.224 mM. It showed fast response time, high reversibility and long-term stability in this concentration range. The recovery percentage of urea concentrations of the urea-sensing membrane for two kinds of biological urine solutions (BU1, BU2) was around 85-118%. The measured results were in good agreement with standard urea concentrations in the range of 0.06 M to 1.0 M. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A Confirmatory Factor Analysis of the Professional Opinion Scale

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Greeno, Elizabeth J.; Hughes, Anne K.; Hayward, R. Anna; Parker, Karen L.

2007-01-01

The Professional Opinion Scale (POS) was developed to measure social work values orientation. Objective: A confirmatory factor analysis was performed on the POS. Method: This cross-sectional study used a mailed survey design with a national random (simple) sample of members of the National Association of Social Workers. Results: The study…

A Glimpse into a State Technical College System's POS Pathways

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Frazier, Stephanie D.; Swygert, N. Maria

2012-01-01

The South Carolina Technical College System (SCTCS) has embraced POS, providing students across the state with pathways into careers ranging from nuclear systems technology to health care to industrial technology. The SCTCS has strived, over the last 50 years, to foster a bridge between business and education. The colleges coordinate and…

Rigorous Tests of Student Outcomes in CTE Programs of Study: Final Report

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Castellano, Marisa; Sundell, Kirsten E.; Overman, Laura T.; Richardson, George B.; Stone, James R., III

2014-01-01

This study was designed to investigate the relationship between participation in federally mandated college and career-preparatory programs--known as programs of study (POS)--and high school achievement outcomes. POS are an organized approach to college and career readiness that offer an aligned sequence of courses spanning secondary and…

Visual Cues for an Adaptive Expert System.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Miller, Helen B.

NCR (National Cash Register) Corporation is pursuing opportunities to make their point of sale (POS) terminals easy to use and easy to learn. To approach the goal of making the technology invisible to the user, NCR has developed an adaptive expert prototype system for a department store POS operation. The structure for the adaptive system, the…

Medical needs of cystic fibrosis patients and policies for fair co-operation between small and middle-sized companies and patient organizations.

PubMed

Schlangen, Miriam; Reimann, Andreas L G

2011-06-01

Workpackage 4 of EuroCareCF brought together a group of small and middle-size companies (SMEs) with strong interest in drug development for cystic fibrosis (CF). The common interest of SMEs and patient organizations (PO) in mutually beneficial cooperation was assessed. This was achieved by identifying critical unmet medical needs of CF patients and by analyzing fields of cooperation between SMEs and POs. Over and above all, finding a cure for the disease is considered the most important unmet medical need by POs. However, preventing or slowing down any further deterioration of health and the alleviation of symptoms are also considered valuable objectives. Areas of co-operation with SMEs include the preparation and conduct of clinical trials and co-operation in the post-marketing authorization period. If a policy of transparency and respect for the independence of POs is applied, SMEs and POs can develop mutually beneficial and sustainable co-operation. Copyright © 2011 European Cystic Fibrosis Society. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Origins and activation of prophenoloxidases in the digestive tract of the cricket, Gryllus bimaculatus.

PubMed

Joseph, Woodring

2014-10-01

The function of Phenoloxidases (POs) in sclerotization and defense in insects is well understood, but little is known concerning their occurrence, origins, and function in the digestive tract. In Gyrllus bimaculatus gut all of the PO activity is found in the lumen of the digestive tract, and no detectible activity is found in homogenates of the gut epithelium or secretions from incubated epithelial tissues. Prophenoloxidases (PPOs) are synthesized in the hemocytes of  Bombyx mori and are transported into the cuticle. It is suggested that the PPOs in the caecal lumen of G. bimaculatus likewise are synthesized in hemocytes and are transported by unknown means into the caecal lumen, where they are activated to POs by trypsin. Peristalsis transports the POs both forward into the crop and posterior within the peritrophic membrane into the hind gut. The PPOs in the hemolymph consist of a trimer (270-280 kDa) and a tetramer (340-370 kDa). The active POs in the gut lumen consist of a monomer (85-95 kDa) in addition to an activated trimer and tetramer. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Quality of Public Open Spaces and Recreational Walking

PubMed Central

Gunn, Lucy D.; Christian, Hayley; Francis, Jacinta; Foster, Sarah; Hooper, Paula; Owen, Neville; Giles-Corti, Billie

2015-01-01

Objectives. We examined associations between specific public open space (POS) attributes and recreational walking to local POS. Methods. Between October 2004 and December 2006, 1465 adults of the RESIDential Environments Project, conducted in Perth, Australia, reported whether they walk to a POS for recreation. For each participant, we identified all open spaces larger than 0.8 hectares within 1.6 kilometers from home. On the basis of field audit data, we created 3 scores (presence, count, size-weighted presence) for 19 specific open space attributes. Results. With logistic regression analyses, we found that walking to a POS was associated with the presence of gardens, grassed areas, walking paths, water features, wildlife, amenities, dog-related facilities, and off-leash areas for dogs. It was also associated with the highest number of these attributes in a single open space, but not with the total number of attributes in all POSs within 1.6 kilometers of home. Conclusions. Building 1 high-quality local park may be more effective in promoting recreational walking than is providing many average-quality parks. PMID:26469676

Binding of dicamba to soluble and bound extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) from aerobic activated sludge: a fluorescence quenching study.

PubMed

Pan, Xiangliang; Liu, Jing; Zhang, Daoyong; Chen, Xi; Song, Wenjuan; Wu, Fengchang

2010-05-15

Binding of dicamba to soluble EPS (SEPS) and bound EPS (BEPS) from aerobic activated sludge was investigated using fluorescence spectroscopy. Two protein-like fluorescence peaks (peak A with Ex/Em=225 nm/342-344 nm and peak B with Ex/Em=275/340-344 nm) were identified in SEPS and BEPS. Humic-like fluorescence peak C (Ex/Em=270-275 nm/450-460 nm) was only found in BEPS. Fluorescence of the peaks A and B for SEPS and peak A for BEPS were markedly quenched by dicamba at all temperatures whereas fluorescence of peaks B and C for BEPS was quenched only at 298 K. A dynamic process dominated the fluorescence quenching of peak A of both SEPS and BEPS. Fluorescence quenching of peak B and C was governed a static process. The effective quenching constants (logK(a)) were 4.725-5.293 for protein-like fluorophores of SEPS and 4.23-5.190 for protein-like fluorophores of BEPS, respectively. LogK(a) for humic-like substances was 3.85. Generally, SEPS had greater binding capacity for dicamba than BEPS, and protein-like substances bound dicamba more strongly than humic-like substances. Binding of dicamba to SEPS and BEPS was spontaneous and exothermic. Electrostatic force and hydrophobic interaction forces play a crucial role in binding of dicamba to EPS. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Effects of 6-Weeks High-Intensity Interval Training in Schoolchildren with Insulin Resistance: Influence of Biological Maturation on Metabolic, Body Composition, Cardiovascular and Performance Non-responses

PubMed Central

Alvarez, Cristian; Ramírez-Campillo, Rodrigo; Ramírez-Vélez, Robinson; Izquierdo, Mikel

2017-01-01

Background: Previous studies have observed significant heterogeneity in the magnitude of change in measures of metabolic response to exercise training. There are a lack of studies examining the prevalence of non-responders (NRs) in children while considering other potential environmental factors involved such as biological maturation. Aim: To compare the effects and prevalence of NRs to improve the insulin resistance level (by HOMA-IR), as well as to other anthropometric, cardiovascular, and performance co-variables, between early (EM) and normal maturation (NM) in insulin-resistance schoolchildren after 6-weeks of HIIT. Methods: Sedentary children (age 11.4 ± 1.7 years) were randomized to either HIIT-EM group (n = 12) or HIIT-NM group (n = 17). Fasting glucose (FGL), fasting insulin (FINS) and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistant (HOMA-IR) were assessed as the main outcomes, as well as the body composition [body mass, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and tricipital (TSF), suprailiac (SSF) and abdominal skinfold (AbdSF)], cardiovascular systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and muscular performance [one-repetition maximum strength leg-extension (1RMLE) and upper row (1RMUR) tests] co-variables were assessed before and after intervention. Responders or NRs to training were defined as a change in the typical error method from baseline to follow-up for the main outcomes and co-variables. Results: There were no significant differences between groups in the prevalence of NRs based on FGL, FINS, and HOMA-IR. There were significant differences in NRs prevalence to decrease co-variables body mass (HIIT-EM 66.6% vs. HIIT-NM 35.2%) and SBP (HIIT-EM 41.6% vs. HIIT-NM 70.5%). A high risk [based on odds ratios (OR)] of NRs cases was detected for FGL, OR = 3.2 (0.2 to 5.6), and HOMA-IR, OR = 3.2 (0.2 to 6.0). Additionally, both HIIT-EM and HIIT-NM groups showed significant decreases (P < 0.05) in TSF, SSF, and AbdSF skinfold, and similar decreases in fasting insulin and HOMA-IR. The HIIT-EM group showed significant decreases in SBP. The HIIT-NM group showed significant increases in 1RMLE and 1RMUR. A large effect size was observed for pre-post changes in TSF in both groups, as well as in SSF in the HIIT-NM group. Conclusion: Although there were no differences in the prevalence of NRs to metabolic variables between groups of insulin resistance schoolchildren of different maturation starting, other NRs differences were found to body mass and systolic BP, suggesting that anthropometric and cardiovascular parameters can be playing a role in the NRs prevalence after HIIT. These results were displayed with several metabolic, body composition, blood pressure, and performance improvements independent of an early/normal maturation or the prevalence of NRs. PMID:28706490

Effects of 6-Weeks High-Intensity Interval Training in Schoolchildren with Insulin Resistance: Influence of Biological Maturation on Metabolic, Body Composition, Cardiovascular and Performance Non-responses.

PubMed

Alvarez, Cristian; Ramírez-Campillo, Rodrigo; Ramírez-Vélez, Robinson; Izquierdo, Mikel

2017-01-01

Background: Previous studies have observed significant heterogeneity in the magnitude of change in measures of metabolic response to exercise training. There are a lack of studies examining the prevalence of non-responders (NRs) in children while considering other potential environmental factors involved such as biological maturation. Aim: To compare the effects and prevalence of NRs to improve the insulin resistance level (by HOMA-IR), as well as to other anthropometric, cardiovascular, and performance co-variables, between early (EM) and normal maturation (NM) in insulin-resistance schoolchildren after 6-weeks of HIIT. Methods: Sedentary children (age 11.4 ± 1.7 years) were randomized to either HIIT-EM group ( n = 12) or HIIT-NM group ( n = 17). Fasting glucose (FGL), fasting insulin (FINS) and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistant (HOMA-IR) were assessed as the main outcomes, as well as the body composition [body mass, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and tricipital (TSF), suprailiac (SSF) and abdominal skinfold (AbdSF)], cardiovascular systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and muscular performance [one-repetition maximum strength leg-extension (1RM LE ) and upper row (1RM UR ) tests] co-variables were assessed before and after intervention. Responders or NRs to training were defined as a change in the typical error method from baseline to follow-up for the main outcomes and co-variables. Results: There were no significant differences between groups in the prevalence of NRs based on FGL, FINS, and HOMA-IR. There were significant differences in NRs prevalence to decrease co-variables body mass (HIIT-EM 66.6% vs. HIIT-NM 35.2%) and SBP (HIIT-EM 41.6% vs. HIIT-NM 70.5%). A high risk [based on odds ratios (OR)] of NRs cases was detected for FGL, OR = 3.2 (0.2 to 5.6), and HOMA-IR, OR = 3.2 (0.2 to 6.0). Additionally, both HIIT-EM and HIIT-NM groups showed significant decreases ( P < 0.05) in TSF, SSF, and AbdSF skinfold, and similar decreases in fasting insulin and HOMA-IR. The HIIT-EM group showed significant decreases in SBP. The HIIT-NM group showed significant increases in 1RM LE and 1RM UR . A large effect size was observed for pre-post changes in TSF in both groups, as well as in SSF in the HIIT-NM group. Conclusion: Although there were no differences in the prevalence of NRs to metabolic variables between groups of insulin resistance schoolchildren of different maturation starting, other NRs differences were found to body mass and systolic BP, suggesting that anthropometric and cardiovascular parameters can be playing a role in the NRs prevalence after HIIT. These results were displayed with several metabolic, body composition, blood pressure, and performance improvements independent of an early/normal maturation or the prevalence of NRs.

Modeling peripheral vision for moving target search and detection.

PubMed

Yang, Ji Hyun; Huston, Jesse; Day, Michael; Balogh, Imre

2012-06-01

Most target search and detection models focus on foveal vision. In reality, peripheral vision plays a significant role, especially in detecting moving objects. There were 23 subjects who participated in experiments simulating target detection tasks in urban and rural environments while their gaze parameters were tracked. Button responses associated with foveal object and peripheral object (PO) detection and recognition were recorded. In an urban scenario, pedestrians appearing in the periphery holding guns were threats and pedestrians with empty hands were non-threats. In a rural scenario, non-U.S. unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were considered threats and U.S. UAVs non-threats. On average, subjects missed detecting 2.48 POs among 50 POs in the urban scenario and 5.39 POs in the rural scenario. Both saccade reaction time and button reaction time can be predicted by peripheral angle and entrance speed of POs. Fast moving objects were detected faster than slower objects and POs appearing at wider angles took longer to detect than those closer to the gaze center. A second-order mixed-effect model was applied to provide each subject's prediction model for peripheral target detection performance as a function of eccentricity angle and speed. About half the subjects used active search patterns while the other half used passive search patterns. An interactive 3-D visualization tool was developed to provide a representation of macro-scale head and gaze movement in the search and target detection task. An experimentally validated stochastic model of peripheral vision in realistic target detection scenarios was developed.

Pharmacokinetics and Tolerability of Letermovir Coadministered With Azole Antifungals (Posaconazole or Voriconazole) in Healthy Subjects.

PubMed

Marshall, William L; McCrea, Jacqueline B; Macha, Sreeraj; Menzel, Karsten; Liu, Fang; van Schanke, Arne; de Haes, Joanna I Udo; Hussaini, Azra; Jordan, Heather R; Drexel, Melissa; Kantesaria, Bhavna S; Tsai, Christine; Cho, Carolyn R; Hulskotte, Ellen G J; Butterton, Joan R; Iwamoto, Marian

2018-03-26

Letermovir is a human cytomegalovirus terminase inhibitor for cytomegalovirus infection prophylaxis in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients. Posaconazole (POS), a substrate of glucuronosyltransferase and P-glycoprotein, and voriconazole (VRC), a substrate of CYP2C9/19, are commonly administered to transplant recipients. Because coadministration of these azoles with letermovir is expected, the effect of letermovir on exposure to these antifungals was investigated. Two trials were conducted in healthy female subjects 18 to 55 years of age. In trial 1, single-dose POS 300 mg was administered alone, followed by a 7-day washout; then letermovir 480 mg once daily was given for 14 days with POS 300 mg coadministered on day 14. In trial 2, on day 1 VRC 400 mg was given every 12 hours; on days 2 and 3, VRC 200 mg was given every 12 hours, and on day 4 VRC 200 mg. On days 5 to 8, letermovir 480 mg was given once daily. Days 9 to 12 repeated days 1 to 4 coadministered with letermovir 480 mg once daily. In both trials, blood samples were collected for the assessment of the pharmacokinetic profiles of the antifungals, and safety was assessed. The geometric mean ratios (90%CIs) for POS+letermovir/POS area under the curve and peak concentration were 0.98 (0.83, 1.17) and 1.11 (0.95, 1.29), respectively. Voriconazole+letermovir/VRC area under the curve and peak concentration geometric mean ratios were 0.56 (0.51, 0.62) and 0.61 (0.53, 0.71), respectively. All treatments were generally well tolerated. Letermovir did not affect POS pharmacokinetics to a clinically meaningful extent but decreased VRC exposure. These results suggest that letermovir may be a perpetrator of CYP2C9/19-mediated drug-drug interactions. © 2018, The American College of Clinical Pharmacology.

Transplantation and tracking of human-induced pluripotent stem cells in a pig model of myocardial infarction: assessment of cell survival, engraftment, and distribution by hybrid single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography of sodium iodide symporter transgene expression.

PubMed

Templin, Christian; Zweigerdt, Robert; Schwanke, Kristin; Olmer, Ruth; Ghadri, Jelena-Rima; Emmert, Maximilian Y; Müller, Ennio; Küest, Silke M; Cohrs, Susan; Schibli, Roger; Kronen, Peter; Hilbe, Monika; Reinisch, Andreas; Strunk, Dirk; Haverich, Axel; Hoerstrup, Simon; Lüscher, Thomas F; Kaufmann, Philipp A; Landmesser, Ulf; Martin, Ulrich

2012-07-24

Evaluation of novel cellular therapies in large-animal models and patients is currently hampered by the lack of imaging approaches that allow for long-term monitoring of viable transplanted cells. In this study, sodium iodide symporter (NIS) transgene imaging was evaluated as an approach to follow in vivo survival, engraftment, and distribution of human-induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) derivatives in a pig model of myocardial infarction. Transgenic hiPSC lines stably expressing a fluorescent reporter and NIS (NIS(pos)-hiPSCs) were established. Iodide uptake, efflux, and viability of NIS(pos)-hiPSCs were assessed in vitro. Ten (±2) days after induction of myocardial infarction by transient occlusion of the left anterior descending artery, catheter-based intramyocardial injection of NIS(pos)-hiPSCs guided by 3-dimensional NOGA mapping was performed. Dual-isotope single photon emission computed tomographic/computed tomographic imaging was applied with the use of (123)I to follow donor cell survival and distribution and with the use of (99m)TC-tetrofosmin for perfusion imaging. In vitro, iodide uptake in NIS(pos)-hiPSCs was increased 100-fold above that of nontransgenic controls. In vivo, viable NIS(pos)-hiPSCs could be visualized for up to 15 weeks. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated that hiPSC-derived endothelial cells contributed to vascularization. Up to 12 to 15 weeks after transplantation, no teratomas were detected. This study describes for the first time the feasibility of repeated long-term in vivo imaging of viability and tissue distribution of cellular grafts in large animals. Moreover, this is the first report demonstrating vascular differentiation and long-term engraftment of hiPSCs in a large-animal model of myocardial infarction. NIS(pos)-hiPSCs represent a valuable tool to monitor and improve current cellular treatment strategies in clinically relevant animal models.

Malformations associated with congenital diaphragmatic hernia: Impact on survival.

PubMed

Bojanić, Katarina; Pritišanac, Ena; Luetić, Tomislav; Vuković, Jurica; Sprung, Juraj; Weingarten, Toby N; Schroeder, Darrell R; Grizelj, Ruža

2015-11-01

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is associated with high mortality. Survival is influenced by the extent of pulmonary hypoplasia and additional congenital defects. The purpose of this study was to assess the association of congenital anomalies and admission capillary carbon dioxide levels (PcCO2), as a measure of extent of pulmonary hypoplasia, on survival in neonates with CDH. This is a retrospective review of neonates with CDH admitted to a tertiary neonatal intensive care unit between 1990 and 2014. Logistic regression was used to assess whether hospital survival was associated with admission PcCO2 or associated anomalies (isolated CDH, CDH with cardiovascular anomalies, and CDH with noncardiac anomalies). The probabilities of survival (POS) score, based on birth weight and 5-min Apgar as defined by the Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Study Group were included as a covariate. Of 97 patients, 55 had additional malformations (cardiovascular n=12, noncardiac anomalies n=43). POS was lower in CDH with other anomalies compared to isolated CDH. Survival rate was 61.9%, 53.5% and 41.7% in isolated CDH, CDH with noncardiac anomalies and CDH with cardiovascular anomalies, respectively. After adjusting for POS score the likelihood of survival in CDH groups with additional anomalies was similar to isolated CDH (OR 0.95, 95% CI 0.22-4.15, and 1.10, 0.39-3.08, for CDH with and without cardiovascular anomalies, respectively). After adjusting for POS score, lower PcCO2 levels (OR=1.25 per 5mmHg decrease, P=0.003) were associated with better survival. Neonates with CDH have a high prevalence of congenital malformations. However, after adjusting for POS score the presence of additional anomalies was not associated with survival. The POS score and admission PcCO2 were important prognosticating factors for survival. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Habitat use of bonobos (Pan paniscus) at Wamba: Selection of vegetation types for ranging, feeding, and night-sleeping.

PubMed

Terada, Saeko; Nackoney, Janet; Sakamaki, Tetsuya; Mulavwa, Mbangi Norbert; Yumoto, Takakazu; Furuichi, Takeshi

2015-06-01

Understanding the habitat requirements of great apes is essential for effective conservation strategies. We examined annual habitat use of a bonobo group in the Wamba field site within the Luo Scientific Reserve, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Using satellite imagery, we categorized the group's ranging area into three forest types: (1) primary and old secondary forest (P/OS), (2) young secondary forest and agriculture (YS/Ag), and (3) swamp forest (Sw). We tracked the group for 1 year (2007-2008) and compared usage of the three forest types for ranging, feeding, and night-sleeping. We also recorded what the bonobos ate and monitored monthly fruit availability in each forest type. The group ranged and fed more often in P/OS and less often in YS/Ag and Sw than expected based on habitat availability. Also, the group slept mostly in P/OS (94% of nights monitored), but also in YS/Ag (1%), and Sw (5%). Fruit availability in P/OS had no significant effect on habitat selection, but the group fed in YS/Ag most often during the two months when fruits in P/OS were least abundant. In June, when fruit of Uapaca spp. (selectively eaten by bonobos) was generally abundant in Sw, the group mostly ranged and slept there. The bonobos fed most often on herbaceous plants in all three forest types. In Sw, the bonobos frequently ate mushrooms. Our results show that semi-open forest with abundant herbaceous plants such as YS/Ag could be an important feeding habitat and may provide fallback food for bonobos when fruits are scarce. Furthermore, Sw can serve seasonally as a main habitat to complement P/OS if adequate food resources and tree nesting opportunities are available. We conclude that bonobos use diverse habitats depending on their needs and we highlight the importance of minor-use habitats for sustaining populations of target species in conservation planning. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Changes in tobacco industry advertising around high schools in Greece following an outdoor advertising ban: a follow-up study.

PubMed

Vardavas, Constantine I; Girvalaki, Charis; Lazuras, Lambros; Triantafylli, Danai; Lionis, Christos; Connolly, Gregory N; Behrakis, Panagiotis

2013-09-01

As tobacco advertising bans are enacted in accordance with the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, it is essential to assess enforcement and how the industry may circumvent such measures. During this longitudinal study, we compared the characteristics of points-of-sale (POS) advertising within 300 m of all high schools in Heraklion, Greece before (n=101 POS and 44 billboards in 2007) and after (n=106 POS in 2011) an outdoor advertising ban was implemented in 2009. Cigarette advertisements in all retailers near all high schools were assessed. Following the ban, tobacco industry billboards around schools were eradicated (from 44 to 0). The proportion of POS that had external advertisements dropped from 98% to 66% (p<0.001), more so in regulated convenience stores (from 97% to 35%, p<0.001) than in kiosks (98% to 92%, p=0.192), which were exempt from the ban. The proportion of convenience stores that had advertisements on the door (79.5% to 20.4%, p<0.001), ads that could be seen from the street (92.3% to 22.4%, p<0.001) or illuminated exterior ads (46.2% to 10.2%, p<0.001) was also significantly reduced. Overall, the average number of exterior advertisements per POS fell from 7.4 to 3.9 (p<0.05). This reduction was noted in regulated convenience stores (4.8±3.0 vs 0.9±2.1, p<0.001) and in unregulated kiosks (9.0±6.7 vs 6.5±4.5, p=0.019). The outdoor advertising restriction in Greece has led to a reduced number of tobacco advertisements per POS, and the eradication of billboard advertising. Nevertheless, there is a need to regulate kiosks, which were identified as a key vector for tobacco advertising, and to increase compliance among regulated convenience stores.

Vitamin E and selenium levels are within normal range in pigs diagnosed with mulberry heart disease and evidence for viral involvement in the syndrome is lacking.

PubMed

Shen, H; Thomas, P R; Ensley, S M; Kim, W-I; Loynachan, A T; Halbur, P G; Opriessnig, T

2011-12-01

Mulberry heart disease (MHD) in pigs is characterized by lesions of acute haemorrhagic myocarditis and myocardial necrosis. The objectives of this study were to determine the levels of vitamin E and selenium and 13 other trace minerals in heart and liver tissues and to determine the prevalence of certain viral infections in heart tissues from MHD-affected and MHD-unaffected pigs and the vitamin E and selenium concentration in feed samples from selected farms with MHD. Based on the pathological examination, 114 pigs were separated into MHD lesion-negative (L-NEG) (n = 57) and MHD lesion-positive (L-POS) (n = 57) groups. Seventy-three samples (40 L-NEG and 33 L-POS) were subjected to chemical analysis, and 66 (32 L-NEG and 34 L-POS) were subjected to PCR detection for viral pathogens. Lower (P < 0.05) levels of myocardial copper, lower (P < 0.05) levels of hepatic magnesium and higher (P < 0.05) levels of myocardial and hepatic sodium were detected in the L-POS cases. Although lower (P < 0.05) levels of hepatic selenium were detected in L-POS group, all were within the normal range. Analysis of feed samples (n = 22) revealed that selenium levels in all the samples were above the legal limit (0.3 ppm) for pigs. Vitamin E levels in all feed samples were above 20 IU/kg. Among the 66 pigs subjected to PCR detection, there were 19, 4, 13, 8, 2 and 1 animals positive for porcine circovirus type 2, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus, pan-herpes virus, porcine enterovirus, pan-pestivirus and porcine parvovirus, respectively. Clear evidence of viral association with L-POS was lacking. © 2011 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.

Seasonal characterization of CDOM for lakes in semi-arid regions of Northeast China using excitation-emission matrices fluorescence and parallel factor analysis (EEM-PARAFAC)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Y.; Song, K.; Wen, Z.; Li, L.; Zang, S.; Shao, T.; Li, S.; Du, J.

2015-04-01

The seasonal characteristics of fluorescence components in CDOM for lakes in the semi-arid region of Northeast China were examined by excitation-emission matrices fluorescence and parallel factor analysis (EEM-PARAFAC). Two humic-like peaks C1 (Ex/Em = 230, 300/425 nm) and C2 (Ex/Em = 255, 350/460 nm) and two protein-like B (Ex/Em = 220, 275/320 nm) and T (Ex/Em = 225, 290/360 nm) peaks were identified using PARAFAC. The average fluorescence intensity of the four components differed with seasonal variation from June and August 2013 to February and April 2014. The total fluorescence intensity significantly varied from 2.54 ± 0.68 nm-1 in June to the mean value 1.93 ± 0.70 nm-1 in August 2013, and then increased to 2.34 ± 0.92 nm-1 in February and reduced to the lowest 1.57 ± 0.55 nm-1 in April 2014. In general, the fluorescence intensity was dominated by peak C1, indicating that most part of CDOM for inland waters being investigated in this study was originated from phytoplankton degradation. The lowest C2 represents only a small portion of CDOM from terrestrial imported organic matter to water bodies through rainwash and soil leaching. The two protein-like intensities (B and T) formed in situ through microbial activity have almost the same intensity. Especially, in August 2013 and February 2014, the two protein-like peaks showed obviously difference from other seasons and the highest C1 (1.02 nm-1) was present in February 2014. Components 1 and 2 exhibited strong linear correlation (R2 = 0.633). There were significantly positive linear relationships between CDOM absorption coefficients a(254) (R2 = 0.72, 0.46, p < 0.01), a(280) (R2 = 0.77, 0.47, p < 0.01), a(350) (R2 = 0.76, 0.78, p < 0.01) and Fmax for two humic-like components (C1 and C2), respectively. A close relationship (R2 = 0.931) was found between salinity and DOC. However, almost no obvious correlation was found between salinity and EEM-PARAFAC extracted components except for C3 (R2 = 0.469). Results from this investigation demonstrate that the EEM-PARAFAC technique can be used to evaluate the seasonal dynamics of CDOM fluorescence components for inland waters in semi-arid regions of Northeast China.

Highly Emissive Whole Rainbow Fluorophores Consisting of 1,4-Bis(2-phenylethynyl)benzene Core Skeleton: Design, Synthesis, and Light-Emitting Characteristics.

PubMed

Yamaguchi, Yoshihiro; Ochi, Takanori; Matsubara, Yoshio; Yoshida, Zen-ichi

2015-08-13

To create the whole-rainbow-fluorophores (WRF) having the small Δλem (the difference of λem between a given fluorophore and nearest neighboring fluorophore having the same core skeleton) values (<20 nm) in full visible region (λem: 400-650 nm), the high log ε (>4.5), and the high Φf (>0.6), we investigated molecular design, synthesis, and light-emitting characteristics of the π-conjugated molecules (D/A-BPBs) consisting of 1,4-bis(phenylethynyl)benzene (BPB) modified by donor groups (OMe, SMe, NMe2, and NPh2) and an acceptor group (CN). As a result, synthesized 20 D/A-BPBs (1a-5d) were found to be the desired WRF. To get the intense red fluorophore (Φf > 0.7, λem > 610 nm), we synthesized new compounds (5e-5i) and elucidated their photophysical properties in CHCl3 solution. As a result, 5h, in which a 4-cyanophenyl group is introduced to the para-position of two benzene rings in the terminal NPh2 group of 5d, was found to be the desired intense red fluorophore (log ε = 4.56, Φf = 0.76, λem = 611 nm). The intramolecular charge-transfer nature of the S1 state of WRF (1a-5d) was elucidated by the positive linear relationship between optical transition energy (νem) from the S1 state to the S0 state and HOMO(D)-LUMO(A) difference, and the molecular orbitals calculated with the DFT method. It is demonstrated that our concept (Φf = 1/(exp(-Aπ) + 1)) connected with the relationship between Φf and magnitude (Aπ) of π conjugation length in the S1 state can be applied to WRF (1a-5d). It is suggested that the prediction of Φf from a structural model can be achieved by the equation Φf = 1/(exp(-((ν̃a - ν̃f)(1/2) × a(3/2)) + 1), where ν̃a and ν̃f are the wavenumber (cm(-1)) of absorption and fluorescence peaks, respectively, and a is the calculated molecular radius. From the viewpoint of application of WRF to various functional materials, the light-emitting characteristics of 1a-5i in doped polymer films were examined. It was demonstrated that 1a-5i dispersed in two kinds of polymer film (PST and PMMA) emit light at the whole visible region and have the small Δλem values (<20 nm) and the high Φf values (>0.6). Therefore, the present D/A-BPBs can be said to be the desired WRF even in the doped polymer film.

Characterizing the release of different composition of dissolved organic matter in soil under acid rain leaching using three-dimensional excitation-emission matrix spectroscopy.

PubMed

Liu, Li; Song, Cunyi; Yan, Zengguang; Li, Fasheng

2009-09-01

Although excitation-emission matrix spectroscopy (EEMS) has been widely used to characterize dissolved organic matter (DOM), there has no report that EEMS has been used to study the effects of acid rain on DOM and its composition in soil. In this work, we employed three-dimensional EEMS to characterize the compositions of DOM leached by simulated acid rain from red soil. The red soil was subjected to leaching of simulated acid rain of different acidity, and the leached DOM presented five main peaks in its EEMS: peak-A, related to humic acid-like (HA-like) material, at Ex/Em of 310-330/395-420nm; peak-B, related to UV fulvic acid-like (FA-like) material, at Ex/Em of 230-280/400-435nm; peak-C and peak-D, both related to microbial byproduct-like material, at Ex/Em of 250-280/335-355nm and 260-280/290-320nm, respectively; and peak-E, related to simple aromatic proteins, at Ex/Em of 210-240/290-340nm. EEMS analysis results indicated that most DOM could be lost from red soil in the early phase of acid rain leaching. In addition to the effects of the pH of acid rain, the loss of DOM also depended on the properties of its compositions and the solubility of their complexes with aluminum. HA-like and microbial byproduct-like materials could be more easily released from red soil by acid rain at both higher pH (4.5 and 5.6) and lower pH (2.5 and 3) than that at middle pH (3.5). On the contrary, FA-like material lost in a similar manner under the action of different acid rains with pH ranging from 2.5 to 5.6.

Six Stories about Six States: Programs of Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shumer, Rob; Digby, Cynthia

2011-01-01

The purpose of this investigation is to tell the story of how six states are developing Programs of Study (POS) as mandated by the Perkins IV federal legislation. The authors' effort focuses on how states' technical assistance systems evolved and what successes and challenges existed for states developing POS. There was no intent to compare one…

Understanding and Implementing Programs of Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hyslop, Alisha

2012-01-01

Since Programs of Study (POS) were introduced in 2006, implementation has been uneven around the country. POS were one of the landmark features of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act (Perkins Act), and have been one of the biggest areas of focus during its implementation. In 2009, the U.S. Department of Education's Office of…

75 FR 81967 - Porcelain-on-Steel Cooking Ware From Taiwan: Final Results of Sunset Review and Revocation of...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-12-29

... DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE International Trade Administration [A-583-508] Porcelain-on-Steel Cooking... duty order on porcelain-on-steel cooking ware (POS cooking ware) from Taiwan pursuant to section 751(c... the antidumping duty order on POS cooking ware from Taiwan. DATES: Effective Date: November 22, 2010...

75 FR 8926 - Procurement List; Additions

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-02-26

...-Sided, DeCA Marketing POS Kit NSN: 9905-00-NIB-0142--Banner, DeCA Marketing Signage Kit, 3' x 10', Each NSN: 9905-00-NIB-0143--Buttons, DeCA Marketing Signage Kit, 3'', Each NSN: 9905-00-NIB-0144--Dangler, Round, Double-Sided, DeCA POS Signage NSN: 9905-00-NIB-0145--Poster, DeCA Marketing Signage Kit, 20'' x...

Nutrition Information at the Point of Selection in High Schools Does Not Affect Purchases

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rainville, Alice Jo; Choi, Kyunghee; Ragg, Mark; King, Amber; Carr, Deborah H.

2010-01-01

Purpose/Objectives: Nutrition information can be an important component of local wellness policies. There are very few studies regarding nutrition information at the point of selection (POS) in high schools. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of posting entree nutrition information at the POS in high schools nationwide.…

Hairpin DNA-Templated Silver Nanoclusters as Novel Beacons in Strand Displacement Amplification for MicroRNA Detection.

PubMed

Zhang, Jingpu; Li, Chao; Zhi, Xiao; Ramón, Gabriel Alfranca; Liu, Yanlei; Zhang, Chunlei; Pan, Fei; Cui, Daxiang

2016-01-19

MicroRNA (miRNA) biomarkers display great potential for cancer diagnosis and prognosis. The development of rapid and specific methods for miRNA detection has become a hotspot. Herein, hairpin DNA-templated silver nanoclusters (AgNCs/HpDNA) were prepared and integrated into strand-displacement amplification (SDA) as a novel beacon for miRNA detection. The light-up platform was established based on guanine (G)-rich fluorescence enhancement that essentially converted the excitation/emission pair of AgNCs/HpDNAs from a shorter wavelength to a longer wavelength, and then achieved fluorescent enhancement at longer wavelength. On the basis of the validation of the method, the single and duplex detection were conducted in two plasma biomarkers (miR-16-5p and miR-19b-3p) for the diagnosis of gastric cancer. The probe (AgNCs/RED 16(7s)C) utilized for miR-16-5p detection adopted a better conformation with high specificity to recognize single-base mismatches by producing dramatically opposite signals (increase or decrease at 580 nm ex/640 nm em) while the probe (AgNCs/GRE 19b(5s)C) for miR-19b-3p generated dual signals (increase at 490 nm ex/570 nm em and decrease at 430 nm ex/530 nm em) with bright fluorescence in one reaction during the amplification, but unexpectedly was partially digested. This is for the first time to allow the generation of enhanced fluorescent AgNCs and the target recognition integrated into a single process, which offers great opportunity for specific miRNA detection in an easy and rapid way.

Airborne emission measurements of SO2 , NOx and particles from individual ships using a sniffer technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Beecken, J.; Mellqvist, J.; Salo, K.; Ekholm, J.; Jalkanen, J.-P.

2014-07-01

A dedicated system for airborne ship emission measurements of SO2, NOx and particles has been developed and used from several small aircraft. The system has been adapted for fast response measurements at 1 Hz, and the use of several of the instruments is unique. The uncertainty of the given data is about 20% for SO2 and 24% for NOx emission factors. The mean values with one standard deviation for multiple measurements of 158 ships measured from the air on the Baltic and North Sea during 2011 and 2012 show emission factors of 18.8 ± 6.5 g kg-1 fuel , 66.6 ± 23.4 g kg-1 fuel and 1.8 ± 1.3 1016 particles kg-1 fuel for SO2, NOx and particle number, respectively. The particle size distributions were measured for particle diameters between 15 and 560 nm. The mean sizes of the particles are between 45 and 54 nm dependent on the distance to the source, and the number size distribution is monomodal. Concerning the sulfur fuel content, around 85% of the monitored ships comply with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) limits. The reduction of the sulfur emission control area (SECA) limit from 1.5 to 1% in 2010 appears to have contributed to reduction of sulfur emissions that were measured in earlier studies from 2007 to 2009. The presented method can be implemented for regular ship compliance monitoring.

Relationship between soluble microbial products (SMP) and effluent organic matter (EfOM): characterized by fluorescence excitation emission matrix coupled with parallel factor analysis.

PubMed

Yu, Huarong; Qu, Fangshu; Sun, Lianpeng; Liang, Heng; Han, Zhengshuang; Chang, Haiqing; Shao, Senlin; Li, Guibai

2015-02-01

Effluent organic matter (EfOM) originating from wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) is of significant concern, as it not only influences the discharge quality of WWTP but also exerts a significant effect on the efficiency of the downstream advanced treatment facilities. Soluble microbial products (SMP) is a major part of EfOM. In order to further understand the relationship between soluble microbial products (SMP) and EfOM, and in turn, to propose measures for EfOM control, the formation of SMP and EfOM in identical activated sludge sequencing batch reactors (SBR) with different feed water was investigated using fluorescence excitation and emission spectroscopy matrix coupled with parallel factor analysis (EEM-PARAFAC) as well as other organic matter quantification tools. Results showed that EfOM contained not only SMP but also a considerable amount of allochthonous organic matter that derived not merely from natural organic matter (NOM). Four components in EfOM/SMP were identified by EEM-PARAFAC. Tyrosine-like substances in EfOM (Component 3, λex/em=270/316 nm) were mainly originated from utilization associated products (UAP) of SMP. Tryptophan-like substances (Component 2, λex/em=280/336 nm) as well as fulvic-like and humic-like substances in EfOM (Component 1, λex/em=240(290)/392 nm and Component 4, λex/em=260(365)/444 nm) were majorly derived from the refractory substances introduced along with the influent, among which Component 2 was stemmed from sources other than NOM. As solid retention time (SRT) increased, Component 2 and polysaccharides in SMP/EfOM decreased, while Component 4 in SMP increased. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

CD25 expression status improves prognostic risk classification in AML independent of established biomarkers: ECOG phase 3 trial, E1900

PubMed Central

Gönen, Mithat; Sun, Zhuoxin; Figueroa, Maria E.; Patel, Jay P.; Abdel-Wahab, Omar; Racevskis, Janis; Ketterling, Rhett P.; Fernandez, Hugo; Rowe, Jacob M.; Tallman, Martin S.; Melnick, Ari; Levine, Ross L.

2012-01-01

We determined the prognostic relevance of CD25 (IL-2 receptor-α) expression in 657 patients (≤ 60 years) with de novo acute myeloid leukemia (AML) treated in the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group trial, E1900. We identified CD25POS myeloblasts in 87 patients (13%), of whom 92% had intermediate-risk cytogenetics. CD25 expression correlated with expression of stem cell antigen CD123. In multivariate analysis, controlled for prognostic baseline characteristics and daunorubicin dose, CD25POS patients had inferior complete remission rates (P = .0005) and overall survival (P < .0001) compared with CD25NEG cases. In a subset of 396 patients, we integrated CD25 expression with somatic mutation status to determine whether CD25 impacted outcome independent of prognostic mutations. CD25 was positively correlated with internal tandem duplications in FLT3 (FLT3-ITD), DNMT3A, and NPM1 mutations. The adverse prognostic impact of FLT3-ITDPOS AML was restricted to CD25POS patients. CD25 expression improved AML prognostication independent of integrated, cytogenetic and mutational data, such that it reallocated 11% of patients with intermediate-risk disease to the unfavorable-risk group. Gene expression analysis revealed that CD25POS status correlated with the expression of previously reported leukemia stem cell signatures. We conclude that CD25POS status provides prognostic relevance in AML independent of known biomarkers and is correlated with stem cell gene-expression signatures associated with adverse outcome in AML. PMID:22855599

Point-of-Sale E-cigarette Advertising Among Tobacco Stores.

PubMed

Wan, Neng; Siahpush, Mohammad; Shaikh, Raees A; McCarthy, Molly; Ramos, Athena; Correa, Antonia

2017-12-01

The marketing expenditure and sale of e-cigarettes increased sharply in the United States in recent years. However, little is known about neighborhood characteristics of point-of-sale (POS) e-cigarette advertising among tobacco stores. The purpose of this study was to examine socio-demographic characteristics of POS e-cigarette advertising among tobacco stores in the Omaha metropolitan area of Nebraska, USA. Between April and June 2014, trained fieldworkers completed marketing audits of all stores that sell tobacco (n = 463) in the Omaha metropolitan area and collected comprehensive e-cigarette advertising data of these stores. Based on the auditing information, we categorized tobacco stores based on e-cigarette advertising status. Logistic regression was used to examine the association between neighborhood socio-demographic factors and e-cigarette advertising among tobacco stores. 251 (54.2%) of the 463 tobacco stores had e-cigarette advertisements. We found that neighborhoods of stores with POS e-cigarette advertising had higher per capita income (p < 0.05), higher percentage of non-hispanic whites (p < 0.005), and higher percentage of individuals with high school education (p < 0.005) than neighborhoods of stores without POS e-cigarette advertising. There were negative associations between e-cigarette advertising and number of adolescents or number of middle/high school students. After adjusting for covariates, only percentage of non-Hispanic Whites remained a significant factor for e-cigarette advertising. POS e-cigarette advertising among tobacco stores is related with neighborhood socioeconomic and demographic characteristics. Future studies are needed to understand how these characteristics are related with e-cigarette purchasing and e-cigarette prevalence among social groups.

Out of sight, out of mind? Removal of point-of-sale tobacco displays in Norway.

PubMed

Scheffels, Janne; Lavik, Randi

2013-05-01

To evaluate retailer's compliance and consumer's perceptions of and experiences with the point-of-sale (POS) tobacco display ban in Norway, implemented 1 January 2010. Retailer compliance was measured using audit surveys. Consumer's perceptions of the ban were assessed in three web surveys: one conducted before and two after implementation of the ban. The sample for each of these consisted of about 900 people aged 15-54 years and an extra sample of smokers and snus users. 10 focus group interviews with male and female daily, occasional and former smokers aged 16-50 years (N=62) were also conducted, before and after implementation of the ban. Immediately following implementation of the POS display ban, compliance was 97% for cigarettes and rolling tobacco and 98% for snus. Preimplementation, young people were tempted by tobacco products when seeing them in the shop more often than older people. Postimplementation, young people also more often found it difficult to choose brand. The POS tobacco display ban was supported by a majority of the population, and by one out of three daily smokers. The removal of POS tobacco displays was perceived as a barrier for young people's access to tobacco products, as affecting attachment to cigarette brands and as contributing to tobacco denormalisation. Retailer's compliance with the POS display ban in Norway was high, and the ban was well supported in the population. Consumers believed that the ban could contribute to preventing smoking initiation among young people and to some extent also support cessation efforts.

Relations among EEG-alpha asymmetry and positivity personality trait.

PubMed

Alessandri, Guido; Caprara, Gian Vittorio; De Pascalis, Vilfredo

2015-07-01

The present study investigates cortical structures associated with personality dimension of positivity (POS) by using a standardized low-resolution brain electromagnetic tomography (sLORETA), which provides EEG localization measures that are independent of the recording reference. Resting EEG and self-report measures of positivity, self-esteem, life satisfaction, and optimism were collected from 51 female undergraduates. EEG was recorded across 29 scalp sites. Anterior and posterior source alpha asymmetries of cortical activation were obtained by using sLORETA. Based on previous research findings, 10 frontal and 6 parietal regions of interest (ROI) were derived. Alpha asymmetry in the posterior cingulate (i.e., BA23 and BA31) was uniquely associated with both POS scores. These areas are, hypothetically, part of a complex default-mode neural network (DMN). The activity in the DMN usually increases during tasks that invoke self-referential processing, such as responding to statements describing one's personality, attitudes, or preferences. Importantly, the cortical structures associated with POS were different from those associated with indicators. Indeed, measures of "optimism" failed to maintain a significant correlation with any of the previously significant ROI, but "self-esteem" and "life satisfaction" revealed robust associations with alpha asymmetry at the precuneus (i.e., BA7), after controlling for POS residual scores. Present findings support the assumption that POS is a basic disposition that reflects the concerted activity of brain structures that are essential for integrating self-referential thought and autobiographical memories and for assigning a positive valence to one's experience and attitude toward the future. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Decelerations of Parachute Opening Shock in Skydivers.

PubMed

Gladh, Kristofer; Lo Martire, Riccardo; Äng, Björn O; Lindholm, Peter; Nilsson, Jenny; Westman, Anton

2017-02-01

High prevalence of neck pain among skydivers is related to parachute opening shock (POS) exposure, but few investigations of POS deceleration have been made. Existing data incorporate equipment movements, limiting its representability of skydiver deceleration. This study aims to describe POS decelerations and compare human- with equipment-attached data. Wearing two triaxial accelerometers placed on the skydiver (neck-sensor) and equipment (rig-sensor), 20 participants made 2 skydives each. Due to technical issues, data from 35 skydives made by 19 participants were collected. Missing data were replaced using data substitution techniques. Acceleration axes were defined as posterior to anterior (+ax), lateral right (+ay), and caudal to cranial (+az). Deceleration magnitude [amax (G)] and jerks (G · s-1) during POS were analyzed. Two distinct phases related to skydiver positioning and acceleration direction were observed: 1) the x-phase (characterized by -ax, rotating the skydiver); and 2) the z-phase (characterized by +az, skydiver vertically oriented). Compared to the rig-sensor, the neck-sensor yielded lower amax (3.16 G vs. 6.96 G) and jerk (56.3 G · s-1 vs. 149.0 G · s-1) during the x-phase, and lower jerk (27.7 G · s-1 vs. 54.5 G · s-1) during the z-phase. The identified phases during POS should be considered in future neck pain preventive strategies. Accelerometer data differed, suggesting human-placed accelerometry to be more valid for measuring human acceleration.Gladh K, Lo Martire R, Äng BO, Lindholm P, Nilsson J, Westman A. Decelerations of parachute opening shock in skydivers. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2017; 88(2):121-127.

Improving performance of natural language processing part-of-speech tagging on clinical narratives through domain adaptation.

PubMed

Ferraro, Jeffrey P; Daumé, Hal; Duvall, Scott L; Chapman, Wendy W; Harkema, Henk; Haug, Peter J

2013-01-01

Natural language processing (NLP) tasks are commonly decomposed into subtasks, chained together to form processing pipelines. The residual error produced in these subtasks propagates, adversely affecting the end objectives. Limited availability of annotated clinical data remains a barrier to reaching state-of-the-art operating characteristics using statistically based NLP tools in the clinical domain. Here we explore the unique linguistic constructions of clinical texts and demonstrate the loss in operating characteristics when out-of-the-box part-of-speech (POS) tagging tools are applied to the clinical domain. We test a domain adaptation approach integrating a novel lexical-generation probability rule used in a transformation-based learner to boost POS performance on clinical narratives. Two target corpora from independent healthcare institutions were constructed from high frequency clinical narratives. Four leading POS taggers with their out-of-the-box models trained from general English and biomedical abstracts were evaluated against these clinical corpora. A high performing domain adaptation method, Easy Adapt, was compared to our newly proposed method ClinAdapt. The evaluated POS taggers drop in accuracy by 8.5-15% when tested on clinical narratives. The highest performing tagger reports an accuracy of 88.6%. Domain adaptation with Easy Adapt reports accuracies of 88.3-91.0% on clinical texts. ClinAdapt reports 93.2-93.9%. ClinAdapt successfully boosts POS tagging performance through domain adaptation requiring a modest amount of annotated clinical data. Improving the performance of critical NLP subtasks is expected to reduce pipeline error propagation leading to better overall results on complex processing tasks.

Out of sight, out of mind? Removal of point-of-sale tobacco displays in Norway

PubMed Central

Lavik, Randi

2013-01-01

Aim To evaluate retailer's compliance and consumer's perceptions of and experiences with the point-of-sale (POS) tobacco display ban in Norway, implemented 1 January 2010. Methods Retailer compliance was measured using audit surveys. Consumer's perceptions of the ban were assessed in three web surveys: one conducted before and two after implementation of the ban. The sample for each of these consisted of about 900 people aged 15–54 years and an extra sample of smokers and snus users. 10 focus group interviews with male and female daily, occasional and former smokers aged 16–50 years (N=62) were also conducted, before and after implementation of the ban. Results Immediately following implementation of the POS display ban, compliance was 97% for cigarettes and rolling tobacco and 98% for snus. Preimplementation, young people were tempted by tobacco products when seeing them in the shop more often than older people. Postimplementation, young people also more often found it difficult to choose brand. The POS tobacco display ban was supported by a majority of the population, and by one out of three daily smokers. The removal of POS tobacco displays was perceived as a barrier for young people's access to tobacco products, as affecting attachment to cigarette brands and as contributing to tobacco denormalisation. Conclusions Retailer's compliance with the POS display ban in Norway was high, and the ban was well supported in the population. Consumers believed that the ban could contribute to preventing smoking initiation among young people and to some extent also support cessation efforts. PMID:22678299

Mobile Robot Pose Tracking for Performance Analysis

DTIC Science & Technology

2002-08-01

of Applanix POS LV 420 Intertial Navigation Unit (HMMWV Test Vehicle). GPS Outage Duration (minutes)POS LV 420-RT (using DGPS) 0 min 1 min 3 min 5...0.02 0.02 0.02 True Heading (deg) 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.10 0.20 Table 3: Performance of Applanix LV 420 with post-processing (HMMWV Test Vehicle

Controlled-Release Personal Use Arthropod Repellent Formulation. Phase 2

DTIC Science & Technology

1986-09-15

damage, pitting M - Hypopyon N - Corneal neovascularization P - Pannus R - Unable to visualize due to severe opacity S - Granulation scar tissue POS...M - Hypopyon N - Corneal neovascularization P - Pannus R - Unable to visualize due to severe opacity S - Granulation scar tissue POS -Positive...Corneal epithelial damage, piling L - Corneal epithelial damage, pitting M - Hypopyon N - Corneal neovascularization P - Pannus R - Unable to

[Exposure to point-of-sale tobacco displays in Argentina: evidence from the 2013 National Risk Factor Survey].

PubMed

Morello, Paola; Ondarsuhu, Dolores; Galante, Mariana; O'Donnell, Victoria; Konfino, Jonatan

2017-01-01

To describe the population that reports to have visited tobacco points of sale (POS) in Argentina and their perception of tobacco advertising. We used data from the 2013 National Risk Factor Survey. We included 31 167 respondents (96% of the total) who attended a store that sells cigarettes in the previous 30 days. Overall, 54.1% (67.3% of current smokers, 55.1% of former smokers and 49% of non smokers) referred having seen tobacco advertising at the POS. Males (OR=1.2) and current smokers (OR=1.9 vs. non smokers) were more likely to report having seen tobacco advertising at the POS. Those who were exposed to second hand smoke in bars and restaurants (OR=1.2) were also more likely to have seen advertising. We found that younger people (age 18 - 24) were more likely to be exposed (OR=2.8 vs older than 65). Among smokers, those who referred to have seen the advertising were more likely to have tried to quit smoking during the previous year. It is important to regulate advertising at the POS to limit exposure, particularly among young people.

Molecular diversity of tuliposide B-converting enzyme in tulip (Tulipa gesneriana): identification of the third isozyme with a distinct expression profile.

PubMed

Nomura, Taiji; Kuchida, Ryo; Kitaoka, Naoki; Kato, Yasuo

2018-02-23

6-Tuliposide B (PosB), a major secondary metabolite that accumulates in tulip (Tulipa gesneriana), is converted to the antibacterial lactone, tulipalin B (PaB), by PosB-converting enzyme (TCEB). TgTCEB1 and TgTCEB-R, which encode TCEB, are specifically expressed in tulip pollen and roots, respectively, but are hardly expressed in other tissues (e.g. leaves) despite the presence of substantial PosB-converting activity, suggesting the existence of another TCEB isozyme. Here, we describe the identification of TgTCEB-L ("L" for leaf), a paralog of TgTCEB1 and TgTCEB-R, from leaves via native enzyme purification. The enzymatic characters of TgTCEB-L, including catalytic activity and subcellular localization, were substantially the same as those of TgTCEB1 and TgTCEB-R. However, TgTCEB-L did not exhibit tissue-specific expression. Identification of TgTCEB-L explains the PosB-converting activity detected in tissues where TgTCEB1 and TgTCEB-R transcripts could not be detected, indicating that tulip subtilizes the three TgTCEB isozymes depending on the tissue.

Plasma density evolution in plasma opening switch obtained by a time-resolved sensitive He-Ne interferometer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Lin; Ren, Jing; Guo, Fan; Zhou, LiangJi; Li, Ye; He, An; Jiang, Wei

2014-03-01

To understand the formation process of vacuum gap in coaxial microsecond conduction time plasma opening switch (POS), we have made measurements of the line-integrated plasma density during switch operation using a time-resolved sensitive He-Ne interferometer. The conduction current and conduction time in experiments are about 120 kA and 1 μs, respectively. As a result, more than 85% of conduction current has been transferred to an inductive load with rise time of 130 ns. The radial dependence of the density is measured by changing the radial location of the line-of-sight for shots with the same nominal POS parameters. During the conduction phase, the line-integrated plasma density in POS increases at all radial locations over the gun-only case by further ionization of material injected from the guns. The current conduction is observed to cause a radial redistribution of the switch plasma. A vacuum gap forms rapidly in the plasma at 5.5 mm from the center conductor, which is consistent with the location where magnetic pressure is the largest, allowing current to be transferred from the POS to the load.

The project ownership survey: measuring differences in scientific inquiry experiences.

PubMed

Hanauer, David I; Dolan, Erin L

2014-01-01

A growing body of research documents the positive outcomes of research experiences for undergraduates, including increased persistence in science. Study of undergraduate lab learning experiences has demonstrated that the design of the experience influences the extent to which students report ownership of the project and that project ownership is one of the psychosocial factors involved in student retention in the sciences. To date, methods for measuring project ownership have not been suitable for the collection of larger data sets. The current study aims to rectify this by developing, presenting, and evaluating a new instrument for measuring project ownership. Eighteen scaled items were generated based on prior research and theory related to project ownership and combined with 30 items shown to measure respondents' emotions about an experience, resulting in the Project Ownership survey (POS). The POS was analyzed to determine its dimensionality, reliability, and validity. The POS had a coefficient alpha of 0.92 and thus has high internal consistency. Known-groups validity was analyzed through the ability of the instrument to differentiate between students who studied in traditional versus research-based laboratory courses. The POS scales as differentiated between the groups and findings paralleled previous results in relation to the characteristics of project ownership.

Hall-MHD and PIC Modeling of the Conduction-to-Opening Transition in a Plasma Opening Switch

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schumer, J. W.; SwanekampDdagger, S. B.; Ottinger, P. F.; Commisso, R. J.; Weber, B. V.

1998-11-01

Utilizing the fast opening characteristics of a plasma opening switch (POS), inductive energy storage devices can generate short-duration high-power pulses (<0.1 μ s, >1 TW) with current rise-times on the order of 10 ns. Plasma redistribution and thinning during the POS conduction phase can be modeled adequately with MHD methods. By including the Hall term in Ohm's Law, MHD methods can simulate plasmas with density gradient scale lengths between c/ω_pe < Ln < c/ω_pi. However, the neglect of electron inertia (c/ω_pe) and space-charge separation (λ_De) by single-fluid theory eventually becomes invalid in small gap regions that form during POS opening. PIC methods are well-suited for low-density plasmas, but are numerically taxed by high-density POS regions. An interface converts MHD (Mach2) output into PIC (Magic) input suitable for validating various transition criteria through comparison of current and density distributions from both methods. We will discuss recent progress in interfacing Hall-MHD and PIC simulations. Work supported by Defense Special Weapons Agency. ^ NRL-NRC Research Associate. hspace0.25in ^ JAYCOR, Vienna, VA 22102.

Effects of clay after an aflatoxin challenge on aflatoxin clearance, milk production, and metabolism of Holstein cows.

PubMed

Sulzberger, S A; Melnichenko, S; Cardoso, F C

2017-03-01

Oral supplementation of clay to dairy cattle has been reported to reduce toxicity of aflatoxin (AF) in contaminated feed. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of 3 concentrations of dietary clay supplementation in response to an AF challenge. Ten multiparous rumen-cannulated Holstein cows [body weight (mean ± SD) = 669 ± 20 kg and 146 ± 69 d in milk], were assigned to 1 of 5 treatments in a randomized replicated 5 × 5 Latin square design balanced to measure carryover effects. Periods (21 d) were divided in an adaptation phase (d 1 to 14) and a measurement phase (d 15 to 21). From d 15 to 17, cows received an AF challenge. The challenge consisted of 100 μg of aflatoxin B 1 (AFB 1 )/kg of dietary dry matter intake (DMI). The material was fitted into 10-mL gelatin capsules and administered into the rumen through a rumen-cannula based on the average DMI obtained on d 12 to 14. Treatments were no clay plus an AF challenge (POS); 3 different concentrations of clay (0.5, 1, or 2% of dietary DMI) plus an AF challenge; and a control consisting of no clay and no AF challenge (C). Statistical analysis was performed using the MIXED procedure of SAS (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC). Two contrasts, CONT1 (POS vs. C) and CONT2 (POS vs. the average of 0.5, 1, and 2% clay), were compared along with the linear and quadratic treatment effects (POS, 0.5%, 1%, 2%). Cows supplemented with clay had lower AF excretion in milk as aflatoxin M 1 (AFM 1 ; 0.5% = 20.83 μg/d, 1% = 22.82 μg/d, and 2% = 16.51 μg/d) and AF transfer from rumen fluid to milk (AFM 1; 0.5% = 1.01%, 1% = 0.98%, and 2% = 0.74%) compared with cows in POS (AFM 1 = 27.81 μg/d and AF transfer = 1.37%, CONT2). Similarly, concentrations of AFM 1 in milk (0.5% = 0.35 μg/kg, 1% = 0.30 μg/kg, 2% = 0.25 μg/kg), AFB 1 in feces (0.5% = 1.79 μg/g, 1% = 1.52 μg/kg, 2% = 1.48 μg/kg), and AFB 1 in rumen fluid (0.5% = 0.05 μg/kg, 1% = 0.02 μg/kg, 2% = 0.02 μg/kg) were reduced in cows fed clay compared with POS (0.43 μg/kg, 2.78 μg/kg, and 0.10 μg/kg, respectively, CONT2). Cows supplemented with clay tended to have lower 3.5% fat-corrected milk [0.5% = 38.2 kg, 1% = 39.3 kg, 2% = 38.4 kg, standard error of the mean (SEM) = 1.8] than cows in POS (41.3 kg; SEM = 1.8; CONT2). Plasma superoxide dismutase (SOD) concentration tended to be lower for cows fed clay in the diet (0.5% = 2.16 U/mL, 1% = 1.90 U/mL, 2% = 2.3 U/mL; SEM = 0.3) than for cows in POS (2.72 U/mL; CONT2). Additionally, when cows were exposed to AF without clay in the diet, plasma concentrations of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) decreased from 84.23 (C) to 79.17 (POS) and glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH) decreased from 91.02 (C) to 75.81 (POS). In conclusion, oral supplementation of clay reduced the transfer of AF from the rumen to milk and feces. Copyright © 2017 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Electromigration and morphological changes in Ag nanostructures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chatterjee, A.; Bai, T.; Edler, F.; Tegenkamp, C.; Weide-Zaage, K.; Pfnür, H.

2018-02-01

Electromigration (EM) as a structuring tool was investigated in Ag nanowires (width 300 nm, thickness 25 nm) and partly in notched and bow-tie Ag structures on a Si(1 0 0) substrate in ultra-high vacuum using a four-tip scanning tunneling microscope in combination with a scanning electron microscope. From simulations of Ag nanowires we got estimates of temperature profiles, current density profiles, EM and thermal migration (TM) mass flux distributions within the nanowire induced by critical current densities of 108 A cm-2. At room temperature, the electron wind force at these current densities by far dominates over thermal diffusion, and is responsible for formation of voids at the cathode and hillocks at the anode side. For current densities that exceed the critical current densities necessary for EM, a new type of wire-like structure formation was found both at room temperature and at 100 K for notched and bow-tie structures. This suggests that the simultaneous action of EM and TM is structure forming, but with a very small influence of TM at low temperature.

Cultural Psychology of Differences and EMS; a New Theoretical Framework for Understanding and Reconstructing Culture.

PubMed

Yamamoto, Toshiya

2017-09-01

In this paper I introduce the outlines of our new type of theoretical framework named 'Cultural psychology of Differences' for understanding cultural others and dialogically reconstructing interactions among cultural others. In order to understand cultural others, it is necessary for us to reconstruct a new concept which enables us to analyze dynamic generation processes of culture. We propose the concept of Expanded Mediational Structure, EMS, as an elementary unit for understanding human social interactions. EMS is composed of subjects who interacts each other using objects of some kind as mediators, and a normative mediator, NM, which mediates their interactions. It is necessary to generate, share and adjust a NM to keep social interactions stable, and culture will appear when interaction malfunction is attributed to a gaps of NMs. The concept of EMS helps us to understand how culture is functionally substantialized in the plane of collective (or communal) intersubjectivity and how cultural conflicts develop and intensify. Focusing on the generation process of culture through interactions provides us with another option to understand cultural others through dialogical interactions with them.

Transport of water in proximal kidney tubules from whole tubules to single channels: length and section of the selectivity filter of aquaporin-1.

PubMed

Whittembury, G; González, E; Hernández, C S; Gutiérrez, A M; Echevarría, M

1997-06-27

Proximal straight tubule (PST) were dissected from rabbit kidneys, held with crimping pipettes in a chamber bathed in a buffered mannitol isosmotic solution (MBS, 295 mOsm/kg). Tubule cell volume changes with time (dV/Adt) after steps in MBS osmolality (delta Cs) were monitored on line with an inverted microscope, a TV camera and an image processor. Reflection coefficients sigma and osmotic permeability coefficients, Pos, for several solutes were measured using two methods. Method 1: sigma was calculated from the delta Csiso of impermeant and permeant solutes at which (dV/Adt)t-->0 = 0 (i.e., by a null point method). It is denoted as sigma 1. sigma 1 = 1.00 for mannitol (M), raffinose (R), sucrose (S), glycerol (G), acetamide (A) and urea (U). With formamide (F), sigma 1, Formamide = 0.62 +/- 0.05. These findings confirm our previous value of dp = 4.5 A for the diameter of the selectivity filter of the basolateral PST cell membrane water channel AQP1. Method 2: PST were exposed for 20 s to MBS made hyperosmotic by addition of a delta Cs of 35 mOsm/kg of R, S, M, G, A and U. Cells shrunk within 500 ms of t = 0 to their osmometric volume and remained shrunk for the 20 s of the osmotic challenge. Pos was measured from the shrinking curves. P(os) = 3000 +/- 25 microns/s with R, S, M, G, A and U. Method 2 also allowed to calculate sigma, denoted as sigma 2. sigma 2 = 1.00 for R, S, M, G, A and U. By contrast, the shrinking curve produced by a delta Cs of 35 mOsm/kg F was 1/5th to 1/6th slower and smaller (i.e., subosmometric) than that produced by a delta Cs of 35 mOsm/kg R, S, M, G, A and U. Furthermore, with F cells did not remain shrunk but recovered their original volume within 3 s. P(os) (measured with F) is denoted as P(os)*, P(os)* = 480 +/- 30 microns/s. sigma 2, Formamide = 0.16 +/- 0.01. Use of sigma 1, sigma 2 and P(os)* values in Hill's equations for the bimodal theory of osmosis leads to n = 2-9. Where n is the number of water molecules single filling within the channel selectivity filter, whose length must lie within 6 to 27 A, a value significantly lower than our previous value calculated from the P(os)/Pd* ratio.

Autofluorescence spectroscopy of oral mucosa

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Majumdar, S. K.; Uppal, A.; Gupta, P. K.

1998-06-01

We report the results of an in-vitro study on autofluorescence from pathologically characterized normal and malignant squamous tissues from the oral cavity. The study involved biopsy samples from 47 patients with oral cancer of which 11 patients had cancer of tongue, 17 of buccal mucosa and 19 of alveolus. The results of excitation and emission spectroscopy at several wavelengths (280 nm less than or equal to (lambda) exless than or equal to 460 nm; 340 nm less than or equal to (lambda) em less than or equal to 520 nm) showed that at (lambda) ex equals 337 nm and 400 nm the mean value for the spectrally integrated fluorescence intensity [(Sigma) (lambda ) IF((lambda) )] from the normal tissue sites was about a factor of 2 larger than that from the malignant tissue sites. At other excitation wavelengths the difference in (Sigma) (lambda ) IF((lambda) ) was not statistically significant. Similarly, for (lambda) em equals 390 nm and 460 nm, the intensity of the 340 nm band of the excitation spectra from normal tissues was observed to be a factor of 2 larger than that from malignant tissues. Analysis of these results suggests that NADH concentration is higher in normal oral tissues compared to the malignant. This contrasts with our earlier observation of an reduced NADH concentration in normal sites of breast tissues vis a vis malignant sites. For the 337 nm excited emission spectra a 10-variable MVLR score (using (Sigma) (lambda ) IF((lambda) ) and normalized intensities at nine wavelengths as input parameters) provided a sensitivity and specificity of 95.7% and 93.1% over the sample size investigated.

Student and Faculty Views on Process of Science Skills at a Large, Research-Intensive University

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Addis, Elizabeth A.; Powell-Coffman, Jo Anne

2018-01-01

The Association of American Colleges and Universities ranks multiple process of science (POS) skills among the top-10 skills employers seek in college graduates. As part of an effort to explore and align the emphasis on POS skills in our science departments, we sought three things: (a) to determine if faculty and students felt enough time was…

Efficacy and safety of adjunctive lacosamide for the treatment of partial-onset seizures in Chinese and Japanese adults: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

PubMed

Hong, Zhen; Inoue, Yushi; Liao, Weiping; Meng, Hongmei; Wang, Xuefeng; Wang, Wenmin; Zhou, Liemin; Zhang, Liming; Du, Xinlu; Tennigkeit, Frank

2016-11-01

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of adjunctive lacosamide treatment in Chinese and Japanese adults with uncontrolled focal (partial-onset) seizures (POS), with or without secondary generalization. A 24-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study (EP0008; NCT01710657) was conducted in patients (aged 16-70 years) with uncontrolled POS and taking 1-3 concomitant antiepileptic drugs from 72 sites across China and Japan. Following an 8-week Baseline period, randomized patients received lacosamide 200mg/day (100mg twice daily), 400mg/day (200mg twice daily), or placebo for 4-week Titration and 12-week Maintenance periods. The primary efficacy variable was the change in POS frequency per 28days from Baseline to Maintenance. Overall, 692 patients were screened; 548 were randomized to placebo (n=184), lacosamide 200mg/day (n=183), or lacosamide 400mg/day (n=181); 485 (88.5%) completed the study. The median change (range) in POS frequency per 28days from Baseline to Maintenance was -3.33 (-754.3 to 165.2), -4.50 (-97.5 to 28.2), and -1.22 (-93.0 to 39.8) in the lacosamide 200mg/day, 400mg/day, and placebo groups, respectively. Significant percentage reductions in POS frequency over placebo per 28days from Baseline to Maintenance were observed for lacosamide 200mg/day (29.4% [95% CI 18.7-38.7%], p<0.001) and 400mg/day (39.6% [30.5-47.6%], p<0.001). Higher ≥50% and ≥75% responder and seizure freedom rates were observed in lacosamide-treated patients vs placebo. Treatment-emergent adverse events reported by ≥10% of all lacosamide-treated patients occurring at ≥2% difference compared with placebo were dizziness (25.9% vs 9.2%) and somnolence (10.2% vs 3.8%). Dose-proportional pharmacokinetics were consistent with earlier global pivotal trials. Adjunctive lacosamide (200 and 400mg/day) was efficacious in reducing POS frequency in Chinese and Japanese patients with a safety and tolerability profile consistent with the three global pivotal studies. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Out of Sight and Out of Mind? Evaluating the Impact of Point-of-Sale Tobacco Display Bans on Smoking-Related Beliefs and Behaviors in a Sample of Australian Adolescents and Young Adults.

PubMed

Dunlop, Sally; Kite, James; Grunseit, Anne C; Rissel, Chris; Perez, Donna A; Dessaix, Anita; Cotter, Trish; Bauman, Adrian; Young, Jane; Currow, David

2015-07-01

The Australian states of New South Wales (NSW) and Queensland implemented bans on tobacco pack displays at point-of-sale (PoS) in July 2010 and November 2011, respectively. This study evaluated the medium-term impact of the bans on youth. Data were drawn from the Tobacco Promotion Impact Study, a repeated cross-sectional survey of youth (12-24 years) in NSW and Queensland conducted yearly 2010-2012 (n = 6,014). Regression analyses examined differences in youth's recall of PoS tobacco displays, smoking-related beliefs, and smoking behaviors in relation to the timing of the PoS display bans. Recall of PoS tobacco displays was significantly less likely for youth interviewed after the bans versus before (OR = 0.45, 95% CI = 0.39, 0.52, p < .01). They were also less likely to report tobacco brand awareness (OR = 0.76, 95% CI = 0.62, 0.92, p < .01), to over-estimate peer smoking (OR = 0.84, 95% CI = 0.74, 0.96, p < .01), or be current smokers (OR = 0.73, 95% CI = 0.55, 0.96, p < .05). Stratified analyses showed that these differences were primarily apparent in the group of youth most likely to be affected by tobacco PoS displays: those who visit tobacco retailers most frequently. After the bans, smokers were less likely to report that they think about smoking as a result of seeing PoS tobacco displays (OR = 0.60, 95% CI = 0.37, 0.97, p < .039). Our findings suggest an immediate impact of display bans on youth's exposure to tobacco pack displays, and likely impacts on smoking-related outcomes. These results suggest that removing tobacco displays from retail environments can positively contribute to the denormalization of smoking among youth. © The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Resultados de médio e longo prazo do tratamento endovenoso de varizes com laser de diodo em 1940 nm: análise crítica e considerações técnicas

PubMed Central

Viarengo, Luiz Marcelo Aiello; Viarengo, Gabriel; Martins, Aline Meira; Mancini, Marília Wechellian; Lopes, Luciana Almeida

2017-01-01

Resumo Contexto Desde a introdução do laser endovenoso para tratamento das varizes, há uma busca pelo comprimento de onda ideal, capaz de produzir o maior dano seletivo possível com maior segurança e menor incidência de efeitos adversos. Objetivos Avaliar os resultados de médio e longo prazo do laser de diodo de 1940 nm no tratamento de varizes, correlacionando os parâmetros utilizados com a durabilidade do desfecho anatômico. Métodos Revisão retrospectiva de pacientes diagnosticados com insuficiência venosa crônica em estágio clínico baseado em clínica, etiologia, anatomia e patofisiologia (CEAP) C2 a C6, submetidos ao tratamento termoablativo endovenoso de varizes tronculares, com laser com comprimento de onda em 1940 nm com fibra óptica de emissão radial, no período de abril de 2012 a julho de 2015. Uma revisão sistemática dos registros médicos eletrônicos foi realizada para obter dados demográficos e dados clínicos, incluindo dados de ultrassom dúplex, durante o período de seguimento pós-operatório. Resultados A média de idade dos pacientes foi de 53,3 anos; 37 eram mulheres (90,2%). O tempo médio de seguimento foi de 803 dias. O calibre médio das veias tratadas foi de 7,8 mm. A taxa de sucesso imediato foi de 100%, com densidade de energia endovenosa linear (linear endovenous energy density, LEED) média de 45,3 J/cm. A taxa de sucesso tardio foi de 95,1%, com duas recanalizações por volta de 12 meses pós-ablação. Não houve nenhuma recanalização nas veias tratadas com LEED superior a 30 J/cm. Conclusões O laser 1940 nm mostrou-se seguro e efetivo, em médio e longo prazo, para os parâmetros propostos, em segmentos venosos com até 10 mm de diâmetro. PMID:29930619

Comparison of clinician-predicted to measured low vision outcomes.

PubMed

Chan, Tiffany L; Goldstein, Judith E; Massof, Robert W

2013-08-01

To compare low-vision rehabilitation (LVR) clinicians' predictions of the probability of success of LVR with patients' self-reported outcomes after provision of usual outpatient LVR services and to determine if patients' traits influence clinician ratings. The Activity Inventory (AI), a self-report visual function questionnaire, was administered pre-and post-LVR to 316 low-vision patients served by 28 LVR centers that participated in a collaborative observational study. The physical component of the Short Form-36, Geriatric Depression Scale, and Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status were also administered pre-LVR to measure physical capability, depression, and cognitive status. After patient evaluation, 38 LVR clinicians estimated the probability of outcome success (POS) using their own criteria. The POS ratings and change in functional ability were used to assess the effects of patients' baseline traits on predicted outcomes. A regression analysis with a hierarchical random-effects model showed no relationship between LVR physician POS estimates and AI-based outcomes. In another analysis, kappa statistics were calculated to determine the probability of agreement between POS and AI-based outcomes for different outcome criteria. Across all comparisons, none of the kappa values were significantly different from 0, which indicates that the rate of agreement is equivalent to chance. In an exploratory analysis, hierarchical mixed-effects regression models show that POS ratings are associated with information about the patient's cognitive functioning and the combination of visual acuity and functional ability, as opposed to visual acuity or functional ability alone. Clinicians' predictions of LVR outcomes seem to be influenced by knowledge of patients' cognitive functioning and the combination of visual acuity and functional ability-information clinicians acquire from the patient's history and examination. However, clinicians' predictions do not agree with observed changes in functional ability from the patient's perspective; they are no better than chance.

Role of antigenemia assay in the early diagnosis and treatment of CMV infection in renal transplant patients.

PubMed

Chiaramonte, S; Pellizzer, G; Rassu, M; Dissegna, D; Bragantiini, L; Zuccarotto, D; La Greca, G

2000-04-01

CMV antigenemia by direct pp65 antigen detection and quantification was monitored on a weekly basis during the first 3 months after kidney transplantation. Preemptive therapy with ganciclovir was started according to the following criteria: any positive antigemia in CMV-NEG subjects, a single determination > or = 30 cell or a two fold increase of positive cells in two consecutive specimens in CMV-POS and continued until pp65 was cleared. Overall, 109 patients were monitored. Among the 24 CMV-NEG patients, 13 (54%) developed a pp65 positive assay without symptoms and were treated. Ten patients remained CMV-infection free and one patient developed late onset (7 months) CMV disease (hepatitis). Among the 85 POS patients 15 (17%) developed a pp65 positive assay and were treated. Two of them developed CMV disease within 7 days of the onset of positive antigenemia and 13 were asymptomatic. The other 70 patients remained CMV-infection free. The interval between transplant and the onset of CMV infection was 39 +/- 13 days in the CMV-NEG group and 64 +/- 20 days in the CMV-POS group (p < 0.001). The peak antigenemia level was 193 +/- 175 cells in the CMV-NEG group and 55+/- 78 cells in the CMV-POS group (p < 0.001). The duration of treatment did not differ in the two groups (22 +/- 7days). A second course of therapy, due to a relapse of asymptomatic infection was performed in 11/13 (85%) treated CMV-NEG patients and in 2/15 (13%) treated CMV-POS patients. Among the total 28 treated patients, we observed only 6 episodes of mild creatinine increase and 9 episodes of mild neutropenia. In the overall population, we observed 8 systemic infections not related to CMV.

The association between exposure to point-of-sale anti-smoking warnings and smokers’ interest in quitting and quit attempts: Findings from the International Tobacco Control Four Country Survey

PubMed Central

Li, Lin; Borland, Ron; Yong, Hua-Hie; Hitchman, Sara C.; Wakefield, Melanie A.; Kasza, Karin A.; Fong, Geoffrey T.

2011-01-01

Aims This study aimed to examine the associations between reported exposure to anti-smoking warnings at the point-of-sale (POS) and smokers’ interest in quitting and their subsequent quit attempts by comparing reactions in Australia where warnings are prominent to smokers in other countries. Design A prospective multi-country cohort design was employed. Setting Australia, Canada, the UK and the US. Participants 21,613 adult smokers who completed at least one of the seven waves (2002-2008) of the International Tobacco Control Four Country Survey were included in the analysis. Measurements Reported exposure to POS anti-smoking warnings and smokers’ interest in quitting at the same wave and quit attempts over the following year. Findings Compared to smokers in Canada, the UK and the US, Australian smokers reported higher levels of awareness of POS anti-smoking warnings, and this difference was consistent over the study period. Over waves in Australia (but not in the other three countries) there was a significantly positive association between reported exposure to POS anti-smoking warnings and interest in quitting (adjusted odds ratio = 1.139, 95% CI 1.039~1.249, p<0.01) and prospective quit attempts (adjusted odds ratio = 1.216, 95% CI 1.114~1.327, p<0.001) when controlling for demographics, smoking characteristics, overall salience of anti-smoking information, and awareness of anti-smoking material from channels other than POS. Conclusions Point-of-sale health warnings about tobacco are more prominent in Australia than US, UK or Canada and appear to act as a prompt to quitting. PMID:21954921

Diverging biological roles among human monocyte subsets in the context of tuberculosis infection.

PubMed

Balboa, Luciana; Barrios-Payan, Jorge; González-Domínguez, Erika; Lastrucci, Claire; Lugo-Villarino, Geanncarlo; Mata-Espinoza, Dulce; Schierloh, Pablo; Kviatcovsky, Denise; Neyrolles, Olivier; Maridonneau-Parini, Isabelle; Sánchez-Torres, Carmen; Sasiain, María del Carmen; Hernández-Pando, Rogelio

2015-08-01

Circulating monocytes (Mo) play an essential role in the host immune response to chronic infections. We previously demonstrated that CD16(pos) Mo were expanded in TB (tuberculosis) patients, correlated with disease severity and were refractory to dendritic cell differentiation. In the present study, we investigated whether human Mo subsets (CD16(neg) and CD16(pos)) differed in their ability to influence the early inflammatory response against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. We first evaluated the capacity of the Mo subsets to migrate and engage a microbicidal response in vitro. Accordingly, CD16(neg) Mo were more prone to migrate in response to different mycobacteria-derived gradients, were more resistant to M. tuberculosis intracellular growth and produced higher reactive oxygen species than their CD16(pos) counterpart. To assess further the functional dichotomy among the human Mo subsets, we carried out an in vivo analysis by adapting a hybrid mouse model (SCID/Beige, where SCID is severe combined immunodeficient) to transfer each Mo subset, track their migratory fate during M. tuberculosis infection, and determine their impact on the host immune response. In M. tuberculosis-infected mice, the adoptively transferred CD16(neg) Mo displayed a higher lung migration index, induced a stronger pulmonary infiltration of murine leucocytes expressing pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, and significantly decreased the bacterial burden, in comparison with CD16(pos) Mo. Collectively, our results indicate that human Mo subsets display divergent biological roles in the context of M. tuberculosis infection, a scenario in which CD16(neg) Mo may contribute to the anti-mycobacterial immune response, whereas CD16(pos) Mo might promote microbial resilience, shedding light on a key aspect of the physiopathology of TB disease.

Tobacco display and brand communication at the point of sale: implications for adolescent smoking behaviour.

PubMed

Spanopoulos, Dionysis; Britton, John; McNeill, Ann; Ratschen, Elena; Szatkowski, Lisa

2014-01-01

In England, point-of-sale (PoS) displays in larger shops were prohibited in April 2012, with an exemption for smaller retailers until 2015. The aim of this study was to examine the association between tobacco displays and brand communication at the PoS and adolescent smoking behaviour, and to assess the potential benefits likely to accrue from this legislation. Self-completion questionnaire survey in students aged 11-15 years in March 2011. The odds of ever-smoking doubled for those visiting shops almost daily relative to less than once a week (OR 2.23, 95% CI 1.40 to 3.55), and susceptibility increased by around 60% (OR 1.62, 95% CI 1.25 to 2.10). Noticing tobacco on display every time during store visits increased the odds of susceptibility more than threefold compared with never noticing tobacco (OR 3.15, 95% CI 1.52 to 6.54). For each additional tobacco brand recognised at the PoS, the adjusted odds of being an ever-smoker increased by 5% (OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.06) and of susceptibility by 4% (OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.05). The association between frequency of visiting stores and susceptibility was predominantly due to exposure in small shops. Exposure to and awareness of PoS displays and brands in displays were associated with smoking susceptibility. The association between PoS display exposure and smoking susceptibility was predominantly due to exposure in small shops. These findings suggest that a one-off, comprehensive tobacco display ban is the recommended approach for countries considering a display ban.

The Association of Fat and Lean Tissue With Whole Body and Spine Bone Mineral Density Is Modified by HIV Status and Sex in Children and Youth.

PubMed

Jacobson, Denise L; Lindsey, Jane C; Coull, Brent A; Mulligan, Kathleen; Bhagwat, Priya; Aldrovandi, Grace M

2018-01-01

HIV-infected (HIV-pos) male children/youth showed lower bone mineral density at sexual maturity than HIV-uninfected (HIV-neg) females. It is not known whether complications of HIV disease, including abnormal body fat distribution, contribute to lower bone accrual in male HIV-pos adolescents. In a cross-sectional study, we evaluated the relationship between body composition (fat and lean mass) and bone mass in HIV-pos and HIV-neg children/youth and determined if it is modified by HIV status and sex. We used generalized estimating equations to simultaneously model the effect of fat/lean mass on multiple bone outcomes, including total body bone mineral density and bone mineral content and spine bone mineral density. We evaluated effect modification by HIV and sex. The analysis cohort consisted of 143 HIV-neg and 236 HIV-pos, of whom 55% were black non-Hispanic and 53% were male. Ages ranged from 7 to < 25 years. Half of the children/youth were at Tanner stage 1 and 20% at Tanner 5. Fat mass was more strongly positively correlated with bone mass in HIV-neg than HIV-pos children/youth and these relationships were more evident for total body bone than spine outcomes. Within HIV strata, fat mass and bone were more correlated in female than male children/youth. The relationship between lean mass and bone varied by sex, but not by HIV status. HIV disease diminishes the positive relationship of greater fat mass on bone mass in children/youth. Disruptions in body fat distribution, which are common in HIV disease, may have an impact on bone accretion during pubertal development.

Inducible knockdown of pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A gene expression in adult female mice extends life span.

PubMed

Bale, Laurie K; West, Sally A; Conover, Cheryl A

2017-08-01

Pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) knockout (KO) mice, generated through homologous recombination in embryonic stem cells, have a significantly increased lifespan compared to wild-type littermates. However, it is unknown whether this longevity advantage would pertain to PAPP-A gene deletion in adult animals. In the present study, we used tamoxifen (Tam)-inducible Cre recombinase-mediated excision of the floxed PAPP-A (fPAPP-A) gene in mice at 5 months of age. fPAPP-A mice, which were either positive (pos) or negative (neg) for Tam-Cre, received Tam treatment with quarterly boosters. Only female mice could be used with this experimental design. fPAPP-A/neg and fPAPP-A/pos mice had similar weights at the start of the experiment and showed equivalent weight gain. We found that fPAPP-A/pos mice had a significant extension of life span (P = 0.005). The median life span was increased by 21% for fPAPP-A/pos compared to fPAPP-A/neg mice. Analysis of mortality in life span quartiles indicated that the proportion of deaths of fPAPP-A/pos mice were lower than fPAPP-A/neg mice at young adult ages (P = 0.002 for 601-800 days) and higher than fPAPP-A/neg mice at older ages (P = 0.004 for >1000 days). Thus, survival curves and age-specific mortality indicate that female mice with knockdown of PAPP-A gene expression as adults have an extended healthy life span. © 2017 The Authors. Aging Cell published by the Anatomical Society and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Radioprotective activity of glutathione on cognitive ability in X-ray radiated tumor-bearing mice.

PubMed

Lu, Lina; Li, Zongli; Zuo, Yanhua; Zhao, Libo; Liu, Bin

2018-05-30

The use of X-ray for therapeutics always raises the problem of radiation hazards to living beings. In this research, we explored the radioprotective activity of glutathione (GSH) on cognitive ability of X-ray radiated tumor-bearing mice. Forty C57BL/6 mice were chosen to establish the GL261 glioma model and randomly divided into four groups: Model group, X-ray group, Pre-GSH group and Pos-GSH group. Morris water maze test was used to test cognitive ability. Moreover, histopathological observation of hippocampus was observed by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. The protein expression of choline acetyl transferase (ChAT) was measured by western blot, simultaneously the contents of acetylcholinesterase (Ach), superoxide dismutase (SOD), methane dicarboxylic aldehyde (MDA),TNF-α and IL-6 were detected by the respective kit. There was a significant difference in X-ray group of the escape latency from the Model group (P<0.05). Besides, HE staining revealed that nucleus in hippocampus cells were pyknotic, glial cells were hyperplastic and the nerve cells were swelling in X-ray group. In X-ray group the expression of ChAT and Ache were decreased versus Model group. Finally, the cognitive ability in Pre-GSH and Pos-GSH group was enhanced than X-ray group, in which the cognitive ability of Pos-GSH group was higher than the Pre-GSH group. X-ray impaired the brain tissues and cognitive ability of tumor-bearing mice. The damages of brain tissues were alleviated by Pre-GSH and Pos-GSH protection and the efficacy of Pos-GSH protection was superior to Pre-GSH protection. Abbreviation Ach: Acetylcholinesterase; GSH: Glutathione; HE: Hematoxylin and eosin; MDA: methane dicarboxylic aldehyde; SOD: Superoxide dismutase; TV: Tumor volume; TW: Tumor weight.

Tobacco display and brand communication at the point of sale: implications for adolescent smoking behaviour

PubMed Central

Spanopoulos, Dionysis; Britton, John; McNeill, Ann; Ratschen, Elena; Szatkowski, Lisa

2014-01-01

Background In England, point-of-sale (PoS) displays in larger shops were prohibited in April 2012, with an exemption for smaller retailers until 2015. The aim of this study was to examine the association between tobacco displays and brand communication at the PoS and adolescent smoking behaviour, and to assess the potential benefits likely to accrue from this legislation. Methods Self-completion questionnaire survey in students aged 11–15 years in March 2011. Results The odds of ever-smoking doubled for those visiting shops almost daily relative to less than once a week (OR 2.23, 95% CI 1.40 to 3.55), and susceptibility increased by around 60% (OR 1.62, 95% CI 1.25 to 2.10). Noticing tobacco on display every time during store visits increased the odds of susceptibility more than threefold compared with never noticing tobacco (OR 3.15, 95% CI 1.52 to 6.54). For each additional tobacco brand recognised at the PoS, the adjusted odds of being an ever-smoker increased by 5% (OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.06) and of susceptibility by 4% (OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.05). The association between frequency of visiting stores and susceptibility was predominantly due to exposure in small shops. Conclusions Exposure to and awareness of PoS displays and brands in displays were associated with smoking susceptibility. The association between PoS display exposure and smoking susceptibility was predominantly due to exposure in small shops. These findings suggest that a one-off, comprehensive tobacco display ban is the recommended approach for countries considering a display ban. PMID:23449398

Investigation of nurses' intention to leave: a study of a sample of UK nurses.

PubMed

Robson, Andrew; Robson, Fiona

2016-01-01

The purpose of this paper is to provide an evaluation of the key antecedents of leave intention demonstrated by nurses employed in UK National Health Service (NHS). Survey assessment of a sample of 433 nurses employed within the NHS was undertaken, potential relationships relating to both affective commitment and leave intention and work-place experiences assessed through leader-member exchange (LMX) and perceived organisational support (POS) have been evaluated quantitatively, using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equations modelling (SEM). The study indicates that both LMX and POS act as direct antecedents to nurses' leave intention. Additionally, both LMX and POS in combination, significantly effect employees' affective commitment, the latter further impacting on employee leave intention. This would suggest that both LMX and POS have a significant role to play in employee leave intention that is partially mediated by affective commitment, further analysis confirming this to be the case. Research limitations/implications - The sample of nurses is large in absolute terms, permitting the CFA/SEM analysis undertaken, although the data represented only two NHS trusts, hence generalisation across the NHS should be done so cautiously. Various other drivers of leave intention, personal and organisational, have not been assessed here. The implications of these results are that to safeguard nurse retention, appropriate line manager engagement is crucial, but this requires organisational support that is recognised by the employees, especially to enhance their levels of affective commitment. This is given by providing NHS-based assessment of the role of both POS and LMX in the realisation of both affective commitment and desire to remain with their current organisations amongst members of the UK nursing profession.

Social anxiety and discomfort with friendly giving.

PubMed

Fernandez, Katya C; Rodebaugh, Thomas L

2011-04-01

Individuals higher in social anxiety report more impaired friendship quality, which past research suggests may stem from constrained warmth. We examined three motivations for constrained warmth in friendships and determined how these motivations related to social anxiety and friendship impairment. To do so, we assessed the psychometric properties of the Favor Scale (FS), which measures an individual's response to friendly giving. Results indicated that the FS has three subscales: negative reactions to favors (NEG), positive reactions to favors (POS), and expectation of tit-for-tat behavior (E-TFT). Structural equation modeling demonstrated that social anxiety related directly to NEG, and indirectly to POS and E-TFT through NEG. POS related directly to friendship quality, indicating that friendships may be impaired in social anxiety disorder due to the cumulative effects of responding negatively to friendly behavior. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Wide Area Assessment Demonstration of LiDAR and Orthophotography at Borrego Maneuver Area, Phase II Innovative Multi-Sensor Airborne Wide Area Assessment of UXO Sites, Version 2.0

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-12-03

and reference datums, in addition to other field positioning tasks. 3.5.3. Navigation Systems An Applanix 510 A/V POS system was co-mounted with...Cal and POS EO from Applanix Corp. lmageStation Suite from Z/1 Imaging Images: Camera and Data Recorder · I SAT Aerial Triangulation Software

Bootstrapping a Multilingual Part-of-speech Tagger in One Person-day

DTIC Science & Technology

2002-01-01

dictionary , (2) a basic library reference grammar, and (3) access to an existing monolingual text corpus in the language. The al- gorithm begins by...inducing initial lexical POS dis- tributions from English translations in a bilingual dictionary without POS tags. It handles irregular, regular and semi...many booksellers and websites offer a foundation of linguistic wisdom in reference grammars and dictionaries . Thus starting from this baseline, what

Antismoking Ads at the Point of Sale: The Influence of Ad Type and Context on Ad Reactions.

PubMed

Kim, Annice; Nonnemaker, James; Guillory, Jamie; Shafer, Paul; Parvanta, Sarah; Holloway, John; Farrelly, Matthew

2017-06-01

Efforts are underway to educate consumers about the dangers of smoking at the point of sale (POS). Research is limited about the efficacy of POS antismoking ads to guide campaign development. This study experimentally tests whether the type of antismoking ad and the context in which ads are viewed influence people's reactions to the ads. A national convenience sample of 7,812 adult current smokers and recent quitters was randomized to 1 of 39 conditions. Participants viewed one of the four types of antismoking ads (negative health consequences-graphic, negative social consequences-intended emotive, benefits of quitting-informational, benefits of quitting-graphic) in one of the three contexts (alone, next to a cigarette ad, POS tobacco display). We assessed participants' reactions to the ads, including perceived effectiveness, negative emotion, affective dissonance, and motivational reaction. Graphic ads elicited more negative emotion and affective dissonance than benefits of quitting ads. Graphic ads elicited higher perceived effectiveness and more affective dissonance than intended emotive ads. Antismoking ads fared best when viewed alone, and graphic ads were least influenced by the context in which they were viewed. These results suggest that in developing POS campaigns, it is important to consider the competitive pro-tobacco context in which antismoking ads will be viewed.

Protection orders protect against assault and injury: a longitudinal study of police-involved women victims of intimate partner violence.

PubMed

Kothari, Catherine L; Rhodes, Karin V; Wiley, James A; Fink, Jeffrey; Overholt, Scott; Dichter, Melissa E; Marcus, Steven C; Cerulli, Catherine

2012-09-01

The objective of this study was to measure the efficacy of protection orders (POs) in reducing assault and injury-related outcomes using a matched comparison group and tracking outcomes over time. This study was a retrospective review of police, emergency department, family court, and prosecutor administrative records for a cohort of police-involved female IPV victims; all events over a 4-year study period were abstracted. Victims who obtained POs were compared with a propensity-score-based match group without POs over three time periods: Before, During, and After the issuance of a PO. Having a PO in place was associated with significantly more calls to police for nonassaultive incidents and more police charging requests that were of multiple-count and felony-level. Comparing outcomes, PO victims had police incident rates that were more than double the matched group prior to the PO but dropped to the level of the matched group during and after the order. ED visits dropped over time for both groups. This study confirmed the protective effect of POs, which are associated with reduced police incidents and emergency department visits both during and after the order and reduced police incidents compared with a matched comparison group.

Protection Orders Protect Against Assault and Injury: A Longitudinal Study of Police-Involved Women Victims of Intimate Partner Violence

PubMed Central

Kothari, Catherine L.; Rhodes, Karin V.; Wiley, James A.; Fink, Jeffrey; Overholt, Scott; Dichter, Melissa E.; Marcus, Steven C.; Cerulli, Catherine

2014-01-01

Objective To measure the efficacy of protection orders (POs) in reducing assault and injury-related outcomes using a matched comparison group and tracking outcomes over time. Methods This study was a retrospective review of police, emergency department, family court and prosecutor administrative records for a cohort of police-involved female IPV victims; all events over a four-year study period were abstracted. Victims who obtained protection orders (POs) were compared to a propensity-score-based match group without POs over three time periods: Before, during, and after the issuance of a PO. Results Having a PO in place was associated with significantly more calls to police for non-assaultive incidents, and more police charging requests that were multiple-count and felony-level. Comparing outcomes, PO victims had police incident rates that were more than double the matched group prior to the PO, but dropped to the level of the matched group during and after the order. ED visits dropped over time for both groups. Conclusion This study confirmed the protective effect of POs, which are associated with reduced police incidents and emergency department visits both during and after the order, and reduced police incidents compared to a matched comparison group. PMID:22491224

Purification, characterization, and prebiotic properties of pectic oligosaccharides from orange peel wastes.

PubMed

Gómez, Belén; Gullón, Beatriz; Remoroza, Connie; Schols, Henk A; Parajó, Juan C; Alonso, José L

2014-10-08

Pectic oligosaccharides (POS) were obtained by hydrothermal treatment of orange peel wastes (OPW) and purified by membrane filtration to yield a refined product containing 90 wt % of the target products. AraOS (DP 3-21), GalOS (DP 5-12), and OGalA (DP 2-12, with variable DM) were identified in POS mixtures, but long-chain products were also present. The prebiotic potential of the concentrate was assessed by in vitro fermentation using human fecal inocula. For comparative purposes, similar experiments were performed using orange pectin and commercial fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) as substrates for fermentation. The dynamics of selected microbial populations was assessed by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). Gas generation, pH, and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production were also measured. Under the tested conditions, all of the considered substrates were utilized by the microbiota, and fermentation resulted in increased numbers of all the bacterial groups, but the final profile of the microbial population depended on the considered carbon source. POS boosted particularly the numbers of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli, so that the ratio between the joint counts of both genera and the total cell number increased from 17% in the inocula to 27% upon fermentation. SCFA generation from POS fermentation was similar to that observed with FOS, but pectin fermentation resulted in reduced butyrate generation.

Enhanced wound healing activity of Ag-ZnO composite NPs in Wistar Albino rats.

PubMed

Kantipudi, Sravani; Sunkara, Jhansi Rani; Rallabhandi, Muralikrishna; Thonangi, Chandi Vishala; Cholla, Raga Deepthi; Kollu, Pratap; Parvathaneni, Madhu Kiran; Pammi, Sri Venkata Narayana

2018-06-01

In the present study, silver (Ag) and Ag-zinc oxide (ZnO) composite nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesised and studied their wound-healing efficacy on rat model. Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy of AgNPs displayed an intense surface plasmon (SP) resonance absorption at 450 nm. After the addition of aqueous Zn acetate solution, SP resonance band has shown at 413.2 nm indicating a distinct blue shift of about 37 nm. X-ray diffraction analysis Ag-ZnO composite NPs displayed existence of two mixed sets of diffraction peaks, i.e. both Ag and ZnO, whereas AgNPs exhibited face-centred cubic structures of metallic Ag. Scanning electron microscope (EM) and transmission EM analyses of Ag-ZnO composite NPs revealed the morphology to be monodispersed hexagonal and quasi-hexagonal NPs with distribution of particle size of 20-40 nm. Furthermore, the authors investigated the wound-healing properties of Ag-ZnO composite NPs in an animal model and found that rapid healing within 10 days when compared with pure AgNPs and standard drug dermazin.

A probabilistic multi-criteria decision making technique for conceptual and preliminary aerospace systems design

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bandte, Oliver

It has always been the intention of systems engineering to invent or produce the best product possible. Many design techniques have been introduced over the course of decades that try to fulfill this intention. Unfortunately, no technique has succeeded in combining multi-criteria decision making with probabilistic design. The design technique developed in this thesis, the Joint Probabilistic Decision Making (JPDM) technique, successfully overcomes this deficiency by generating a multivariate probability distribution that serves in conjunction with a criterion value range of interest as a universally applicable objective function for multi-criteria optimization and product selection. This new objective function constitutes a meaningful Xnetric, called Probability of Success (POS), that allows the customer or designer to make a decision based on the chance of satisfying the customer's goals. In order to incorporate a joint probabilistic formulation into the systems design process, two algorithms are created that allow for an easy implementation into a numerical design framework: the (multivariate) Empirical Distribution Function and the Joint Probability Model. The Empirical Distribution Function estimates the probability that an event occurred by counting how many times it occurred in a given sample. The Joint Probability Model on the other hand is an analytical parametric model for the multivariate joint probability. It is comprised of the product of the univariate criterion distributions, generated by the traditional probabilistic design process, multiplied with a correlation function that is based on available correlation information between pairs of random variables. JPDM is an excellent tool for multi-objective optimization and product selection, because of its ability to transform disparate objectives into a single figure of merit, the likelihood of successfully meeting all goals or POS. The advantage of JPDM over other multi-criteria decision making techniques is that POS constitutes a single optimizable function or metric that enables a comparison of all alternative solutions on an equal basis. Hence, POS allows for the use of any standard single-objective optimization technique available and simplifies a complex multi-criteria selection problem into a simple ordering problem, where the solution with the highest POS is best. By distinguishing between controllable and uncontrollable variables in the design process, JPDM can account for the uncertain values of the uncontrollable variables that are inherent to the design problem, while facilitating an easy adjustment of the controllable ones to achieve the highest possible POS. Finally, JPDM's superiority over current multi-criteria decision making techniques is demonstrated with an optimization of a supersonic transport concept and ten contrived equations as well as a product selection example, determining an airline's best choice among Boeing's B-747, B-777, Airbus' A340, and a Supersonic Transport. The optimization examples demonstrate JPDM's ability to produce a better solution with a higher POS than an Overall Evaluation Criterion or Goal Programming approach. Similarly, the product selection example demonstrates JPDM's ability to produce a better solution with a higher POS and different ranking than the Overall Evaluation Criterion or Technique for Order Preferences by Similarity to the Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) approach.

[Simultaneous determination of tryptophan and its metabolites in plasma by high performance liquid chromatography with on-column derivatization].

PubMed

Feng, Chengya; Gao, Jieying; Zhen, Qianna; Fan, Zimian; Zhu, Mingsong; Yang, Xiangchun; Ding, Min

2013-06-01

A high performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet/fluorescence detection (HPLC-UV/FLD) with on-column derivatization was established to simultaneously determine tryptophan (Trp), kynurenine (Kyn), 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid (5-Hiaa) and kynurenic acid (Kyna). A Hypersil C-18 column (250 mm x 4.0 mm, 5 microm) was used for the analysis at 30 degrees C. The separation was carried out with the mobile phase consisting of 250 mmol/L zinc acetate (pH 5.5) and acetonitrile (95: 5, v/v) at a flow rate of 0.8 mL/min using 3-nitrotyrosine as internal standard (IS). The excitation (Ex) and emission (Em) wavelengths were set at 278 nm (lambda(ex))/343 nm (lambda(em)) for 5-Hiaa and 244 nm (lambda(ex))/400 nm (lambda(em)) for Kyna, while the wavelengths of ultraviolet detection were set at 360 nm for Kyn and IS, 302 nm for Trp. The recoveries were in the range of 91.62% to 114.17%. The linearities were from 2.50 micromol/L to 320.00 micromol/L for Trp, 0.32 micromol/L to 15.36 micromol/L for Kyn, 3.27 nmol/L to 104.60 nmol/L for 5-Hiaa, and 14.00 nmol/L to 464.80 nmol/L for Kyna. The detection limits were 0.078 micromol/L, 0.056 micromol/L, 0.690 nmol/L and 1.290 nmol/L for Trp, Kyn, 5-Hiaa, and Kyna, respectively. Thirty plasma samples of normal pregnant women and 28 plasma samples of healthy controls were tested, and the results exhibited that the concentrations of Trp, Kyn and Kyna in the plasma of the normal pregnant women were significantly different from those of the control group (all P < 0.01). The method is simple and sensitive with good reproducibility, and it is suitable for clinical measurements.

4-Pyridoxic Acid in the Spent Dialysate: Contribution to Fluorescence and Optical Monitoring

PubMed Central

Kalle, Sigrid; Tanner, Risto; Arund, Jürgen; Tomson, Ruth; Luman, Merike; Fridolin, Ivo

2016-01-01

Aim In this work we estimated the contribution of the fluorescence of 4-pyridoxic acid (4-PA) to the total fluorescence of spent dialysate with the aim of evaluating the on-line monitoring of removal of this vitamin B-6 metabolite from the blood of patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Methods Spectrofluorometric analysis of spent dialysate, collected from hemodialysis and hemodiafiltration sessions of 10 patients receiving regularly pyridoxine injections after dialysis treatment, was performed in the range of Ex/Em 220–500 nm. 4-PA in dialysate samples was identified and quantified using HPLC with fluorescent and MS/MS detection. Results Averaged HPLC chromatogram of spent dialysate had many peaks in the wavelength region of Ex320/Em430 nm where 4-PA was the highest peak with contribution of 42.2±17.0% at the beginning and 47.7±18.0% in the end of the dialysis. High correlation (R = 0.88–0.95) between 4-PA concentration and fluorescence intensity of spent dialysate was found in the region of Ex310-330/Em415-500 nm, respectively. Conclusion 4-PA elimination from the blood of ESRD patients can be potentially followed using monitoring of the fluorescence of the spent dialysate during dialysis treatments. PMID:27598005

4-Pyridoxic Acid in the Spent Dialysate: Contribution to Fluorescence and Optical Monitoring.

PubMed

Kalle, Sigrid; Tanner, Risto; Arund, Jürgen; Tomson, Ruth; Luman, Merike; Fridolin, Ivo

2016-01-01

In this work we estimated the contribution of the fluorescence of 4-pyridoxic acid (4-PA) to the total fluorescence of spent dialysate with the aim of evaluating the on-line monitoring of removal of this vitamin B-6 metabolite from the blood of patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Spectrofluorometric analysis of spent dialysate, collected from hemodialysis and hemodiafiltration sessions of 10 patients receiving regularly pyridoxine injections after dialysis treatment, was performed in the range of Ex/Em 220-500 nm. 4-PA in dialysate samples was identified and quantified using HPLC with fluorescent and MS/MS detection. Averaged HPLC chromatogram of spent dialysate had many peaks in the wavelength region of Ex320/Em430 nm where 4-PA was the highest peak with contribution of 42.2±17.0% at the beginning and 47.7±18.0% in the end of the dialysis. High correlation (R = 0.88-0.95) between 4-PA concentration and fluorescence intensity of spent dialysate was found in the region of Ex310-330/Em415-500 nm, respectively. 4-PA elimination from the blood of ESRD patients can be potentially followed using monitoring of the fluorescence of the spent dialysate during dialysis treatments.

Wide Area Assessment (WAA) for Marine Munitions and Explosives of Concern

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-08-01

from an integrated inertial system ( Applanix POS MV 320). This high performance system measured vessel pitch, roll, and heave, which was used by...measurement unit (IMU) of the Applanix POS MV 320 (Table 5-1). These offsets are used by the HYPACK®/HYSWEEP® acquisition software to combine and...calibration test (the “patch test” [refer to Section 5.5.3]), and whenever necessary as automatically determined by the Applanix software (POSView), an

Altitude Chamber Testing of the Passenger Oxygen System (POS)

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-08-01

4 5.0 Schedule 4 6.0 Method for Unmanned Testing 4 7.0 Unmanned Testing Results 6 8.0 Methods for Manned...manned testing. 30 Mar 09: Subjects received orientation and training briefings. 31 Mar-03 Apr 09: POS manned testing conducted. 6.0 Method ...8.0 Methods for Manned Testing: The system was tested in five manned modes. The details of each mode are described in Appendix B (ICD for

Combinatorial Markov Random Fields and Their Applications to Information Organization

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-02-01

titles, part-of- speech tags; • Image processing: images, colors, texture, blobs, interest points, caption words; • Video processing: video signal, audio...McGurk and MacDonald published their pioneering work [80] that revealed the multi-modal nature of speech perception: sound and moving lips compose one... Speech (POS) n-grams (that correspond to the syntactic structure of text). POS n-grams are extracted from sentences in an incremental manner: the first n

Why does interactional justice promote organizational loyalty, job performance, and prevent mental impairment? The role of social support and social stressors.

PubMed

Otto, Kathleen; Mamatoglu, Nihal

2015-01-01

Using social exchange theory as a conceptual framework, we investigated the relationship between interactional justice and the outcomes organizational loyalty (affective commitment, turnover intentions), perceived job performance (self-rated performance, personal accomplishment), and mental impairment (cognitive irritation, emotional exhaustion) in an online survey of 218 employees working in the field of computer technology. Specifically, we predicted that interactional justice would heighten the quality of social exchange relationships and therefore expected perceived social support (POS) and bullying to mediate the proposed relationships. We tested our hypotheses applying a latent structural equation model. Our findings revealed that POS mediated the relationship between interactional justice and organizational loyalty, whereas bullying mediated the relationship between interactional justice and mental impairment. Practical implications are discussed concerning how to foster interactional justice and POS and how to weaken bullying behavior.

Poverty of the stimulus revisited.

PubMed

Berwick, Robert C; Pietroski, Paul; Yankama, Beracah; Chomsky, Noam

2011-01-01

A central goal of modern generative grammar has been to discover invariant properties of human languages that reflect "the innate schematism of mind that is applied to the data of experience" and that "might reasonably be attributed to the organism itself as its contribution to the task of the acquisition of knowledge" (Chomsky, 1971). Candidates for such invariances include the structure dependence of grammatical rules, and in particular, certain constraints on question formation. Various "poverty of stimulus" (POS) arguments suggest that these invariances reflect an innate human endowment, as opposed to common experience: Such experience warrants selection of the grammars acquired only if humans assume, a priori, that selectable grammars respect substantive constraints. Recently, several researchers have tried to rebut these POS arguments. In response, we illustrate why POS arguments remain an important source of support for appeal to a priori structure-dependent constraints on the grammars that humans naturally acquire. Copyright © 2011 Cognitive Science Society, Inc.

Assessing regulatory emotional self-efficacy in three countries.

PubMed

Caprara, Gian Vittorio; Di Giunta, Laura; Eisenberg, Nancy; Gerbino, Maria; Pastorelli, Concetta; Tramontano, Carlo

2008-09-01

The Regulatory Emotional Self-Efficacy (RESE) scale was developed to assess perceived self-efficacy in managing negative (NEG) and in expressing positive (POS) affect (G. V. Caprara & M. Gerbino, 2001). In this study of young adults, the factorial structure of the RESE scale was found to be similar in Italy, the United States, and Bolivia. In addition to a factor for POS, NEG was represented by a second-order factor of 2 different negative affects: despondency-distress (DES) and anger-irritation (ANG). Overall, there was partial invariance at both metric and scalar levels across gender and countries. Discriminant and convergent validity of the RESE scale was further examined in the Italian sample. Stronger patterns of association of POS with prosocial behavior, of ANG with low aggressive behavior problems and irritability, and of DES with low anxiety/depressive problems and shyness and high self-esteem were found. (c) 2008 APA, all rights reserved.

Point-of-Sale Tobacco Advertising and Display Bans: Policy Evaluation Study in Five Russian Cities.

PubMed

Kennedy, Ryan David; Grant, Ashley; Spires, Mark; Cohen, Joanna E

2017-08-15

The tobacco industry uses point-of-sale (POS) advertising, promotion, and product display to increase consumption of its products among current users, to attract new consumers, and to encourage former customers to resume tobacco use. As part of a comprehensive tobacco control effort, Russia-having one of the highest tobacco use prevalence rates in the world-enacted legislation that banned tobacco POS advertising, effective November 15, 2013, and banned the display of tobacco and the sale of cigarettes in kiosks, effective June 1, 2014. The objective of the study was to evaluate the implementation of the national law by assessing the state of POS advertising, promotion, and product display, and sales in kiosks across Russia. Two waves of observations were conducted to measure compliance with the POS restrictions: wave 1 took place in April-May 2014 after the advertising ban was in effect and again in August-September 2014 after the display ban and elimination of tobacco sales in kiosks came into effect. Observations were conducted by local trained staff that traveled to 5 populous cities in different regions of Russia (Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kazan, Ekaterinburg, and Novosibirsk). Staff followed a published POS evaluation protocol and used mobile phones to collect data. Observations were conducted in a roughly equal number of supermarket chains, convenience stores, and kiosks. Observed items included advertising at POS, product displays, and cigarette sales in kiosks. Observations were made in 780 venues in wave 1 and in 779 revisited venues in wave 2. In wave 1, approximately a third of supermarkets and convenience stores (34.2%, 184/538) were advertising cigarettes using light boxes, and over half of observed venues (54.3%, 292/538) had signage such as banners or shelf liners that used colors or images related to cigarette brands. Product displays were common in wave 1. In wave 2, compliance with advertising restrictions was very good: there were virtually no light boxes (1.0%, 5/489); banners or shelf liners were observed in 30.5% (149/489) of supermarkets/convenience stores; approximately 7.4% (36/489) of venues were still displaying products in a powerwall. In wave 2, 41.3% (100/242) of kiosks continued to sell tobacco. Russia's compliance with POS bans was excellent. Remaining compliance issues are largely with the use of cigarette brand colors or images used in banners or shelf liners; this type of infraction is more difficult to enforce as inspectors need to be deeply familiar with tobacco industry products and marketing practices. A sizable proportion of kiosks continue to sell tobacco post restrictions. ©Ryan David Kennedy, Ashley Grant, Mark Spires, Joanna E Cohen. Originally published in JMIR Public Health and Surveillance (http://publichealth.jmir.org), 15.08.2017.

Point-of-Sale Tobacco Advertising and Display Bans: Policy Evaluation Study in Five Russian Cities

PubMed Central

Grant, Ashley; Spires, Mark; Cohen, Joanna E

2017-01-01

Background The tobacco industry uses point-of-sale (POS) advertising, promotion, and product display to increase consumption of its products among current users, to attract new consumers, and to encourage former customers to resume tobacco use. As part of a comprehensive tobacco control effort, Russia—having one of the highest tobacco use prevalence rates in the world—enacted legislation that banned tobacco POS advertising, effective November 15, 2013, and banned the display of tobacco and the sale of cigarettes in kiosks, effective June 1, 2014. Objective The objective of the study was to evaluate the implementation of the national law by assessing the state of POS advertising, promotion, and product display, and sales in kiosks across Russia. Methods Two waves of observations were conducted to measure compliance with the POS restrictions: wave 1 took place in April-May 2014 after the advertising ban was in effect and again in August-September 2014 after the display ban and elimination of tobacco sales in kiosks came into effect. Observations were conducted by local trained staff that traveled to 5 populous cities in different regions of Russia (Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kazan, Ekaterinburg, and Novosibirsk). Staff followed a published POS evaluation protocol and used mobile phones to collect data. Observations were conducted in a roughly equal number of supermarket chains, convenience stores, and kiosks. Observed items included advertising at POS, product displays, and cigarette sales in kiosks. Results Observations were made in 780 venues in wave 1 and in 779 revisited venues in wave 2. In wave 1, approximately a third of supermarkets and convenience stores (34.2%, 184/538) were advertising cigarettes using light boxes, and over half of observed venues (54.3%, 292/538) had signage such as banners or shelf liners that used colors or images related to cigarette brands. Product displays were common in wave 1. In wave 2, compliance with advertising restrictions was very good: there were virtually no light boxes (1.0%, 5/489); banners or shelf liners were observed in 30.5% (149/489) of supermarkets/convenience stores; approximately 7.4% (36/489) of venues were still displaying products in a powerwall. In wave 2, 41.3% (100/242) of kiosks continued to sell tobacco. Conclusions Russia’s compliance with POS bans was excellent. Remaining compliance issues are largely with the use of cigarette brand colors or images used in banners or shelf liners; this type of infraction is more difficult to enforce as inspectors need to be deeply familiar with tobacco industry products and marketing practices. A sizable proportion of kiosks continue to sell tobacco post restrictions. PMID:28811269

Observations of Temperature Finestructure in the Gulf of California. XBT Data Report, November 1984 - March 1985,

DTIC Science & Technology

1985-03-01

99.9 Wapd : 8.8 CTD i: 3 CAPl-16 REREAD ON NH 7 MAR 85 BWW 22 JAN 86 ANC CH:LTMINLGMIN.CW. POS:CRAD PR TE SA SGTH PR TE SA SGTH 2.0 16.60 35.079...7.6 60 16.3 250 10.4 441 7.5 .70 15.9 264 10.3 450 7.4 89 15.5 271 10.2 460 7.4 " 99 15.1 280 9.7 469 7.3 10 14.7 28g 9.4 480 7.2- 110 14.2 366 9.3 4T A...38.5W 9 MAR 85 0828 MST Temperature 2.0 4.9 5.9 8.0 10.9 12.0 14.9 16.9 13.0 29.9 22.9 24.9 26.9 28.9 ISO. 3W0 459 % 1 XBT DROP 264 T-7 RADAR: SE 8.8nm

Two different spectrofluorimetric methods for simultaneous determination of gemfibrozil and rosiglitazone in human plasma.

PubMed

El-Din, Mohie M K Sharaf; Attia, Khalid A M; Nassar, Mohamed W I; Kaddah, Mohamed M Y

2010-10-15

Two accurate, reliable, and highly sensitive spectrofluorimetric methods were developed for simultaneous determination of binary mixture gemfibrozil and rosiglitazone in human plasma without prior separation steps. The first method is based on synchronous fluorescence spectrometry using double scans. At Δλ=27nm, gemfibrozil yields detectable signal that is independent of the presence of rosiglitazone. Similarly, at Δλ=120nm the signal of rosiglitazone is not influenced by the presence of gemfibrozil. Signals at two wavelengths, 301 (Δλ=27nm) and 368nm (Δλ=120nm) vary linearly with gemfibrozil and rosiglitazone concentrations over the range 100-700ngmL(-1) (for gemfibrozil) and 20-140ngmL(-1) (for rosiglitazone), respectively. The limits of detection (LOD) were 2.3 and 2.72ngmL(-1) for gemfibrozil and rosiglitazone, respectively. The second method is based on the technique of simultaneous equations (Vierodt's method), in which 258nm was selected as the excitation wavelength. Two equations are constructed based on the fact that at ( λ(EM)₂=302 nm of gemfibrozil) and (λ(EM)₂=369 nm of rosiglitazone) the fluorescence of the mixture is the sum of the individual fluorescence of gemfibrozil and rosiglitazone. The limits of detection (LOD) were 28.1 and 23.63ngmL(-1) for gemfibrozil and rosiglitazone, respectively. The proposed methods were successfully applied for the determination of the two compounds in synthetic mixtures and in human plasma with a good recovery. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Positive resources for combating depressive symptoms among Chinese male correctional officers: perceived organizational support and psychological capital.

PubMed

Liu, Li; Hu, Shu; Wang, Lie; Sui, Guoyuan; Ma, Lei

2013-03-19

Although correctional officers (COs) clearly suffer from depression, positive resources for combating depression have been rarely studied in this population. The purpose of the study was to examine the associations of perceived organizational support (POS) and psychological capital (PsyCap) with depressive symptoms among Chinese COs. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in a province of northeast China during March-April 2011. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to 1900 male COs from four male prisons. Depressive symptoms, POS, and PsyCap (self efficacy, hope, resilience, and optimism) were measured anonymously. A total of 1428 effective respondents with 953 frontline COs (FL-COs) and 475 non-frontline COs (NFL-COs) became our final sample. Hierarchical linear regression was performed to explore the factors associated with depressive symptoms. Asymptotic and resampling strategies were used to examine the mediating roles of PsyCap and its four components. The level of depressive symptoms of FL-COs was significantly higher than that of NFL-COs (t = 2.28, p = 0.023). There were significant negative associations of POS, PsyCap, hope, resilience, and optimism with depressive symptoms among FL-COs. In NFL-COs, POS, PsyCap, and optimism were negatively associated with depressive symptoms. POS was positively associated with PsyCap and its four components among both FL-COs and NFL-COs. For FL-COs, PsyCap (a*b = -0.143, BCa 95% CI: -0.186, -0.103, p < 0.05), resilience (a*b = -0.052, BCa 95% CI: -0.090, -0.017, p < 0.05), and optimism (a*b = -0.053, BCa 95% CI: -0.090, -0.016, p < 0.05) significantly mediated the association between POS and depressive symptoms. For NFL-COs, PsyCap (a*b = -0.126, BCa 95% CI: -0.186, -0.065, p < 0.05) and optimism (a*b = -0.066, BCa 95% CI: -0.116, -0.008, p < 0.05) significantly mediated the association. Perceived organizational support and psychological capital could be positive resources for combating depressive symptoms in Chinese male COs. Psychological capital and its components (resilience and optimism) partially mediate the association between perceived organizational support and depressive symptoms. Therefore, organizational support and psychological capital investment (especially resilience and optimism) should be included in depression preventions and treatments targeting Chinese male COs.

Point-of-Sale Cigarette Marketing, Urge to Buy Cigarettes, and Impulse Purchases of Cigarettes: Results From a Population-Based Survey.

PubMed

Siahpush, Mohammad; Shaikh, Raees A; Hyland, Andrew; Smith, Danielle; Sikora Kessler, Asia; Meza, Jane; Wan, Neng; Wakefield, Melanie

2016-05-01

Our aim was to examine the association of exposure to point-of-sale (POS) cigarette marketing for one's regular brand, as well as any brand of cigarettes, with the urge to buy cigarettes and frequency of impulse purchases of cigarettes. Nine hundred ninety-nine smokers in Omaha, Nebraska were interviewed via telephone. Cigarette marketing was measured by asking respondents questions about noticing pack displays, advertisements, and promotions such as discounts for their regular brand as well as any brand of cigarettes in their neighborhoods stores. We measured urge to buy cigarettes with the question "When you are in a store in your neighborhood that sells tobacco products, how often do you get an urge to buy cigarettes?" We measured frequency of impulse purchases of cigarettes with the question "When you are shopping in a store in your neighborhood for something other than cigarettes, how often do you decide to buy cigarettes?" We estimated ordinary least squares linear regression models to address the study aim. Higher levels of POS marketing for one's regular brand and any brands of cigarettes were associated with more frequent urges to buy (P < .001 and P < .001, respectively) and impulse purchases of cigarettes (P = .01 and P = .013, respectively), after adjusting for covariates. Exposure to POS marketing for one's own brand of cigarette as well as any brand is associated with urges to buy and impulse purchases of cigarettes. Existing studies on the association of POS cigarette marketing with urge to buy and an impulse purchase of cigarettes only focus on cigarette pack displays, not on advertisements and promotions. Also, these studies make no distinction between marketing for the smokers' regular brand and any brand of cigarettes. This study found that Exposure to POS marketing for one's own brand of cigarette as well as any brand is associated with urges to buy and impulse purchases of cigarettes. Our findings can provide part of the evidence-base needed by the Food and Drug Administration or local authorities to regulate POS marketing. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Effects of clay after a grain challenge on milk composition and on ruminal, blood, and fecal pH in Holstein cows.

PubMed

Sulzberger, S A; Kalebich, C C; Melnichenko, S; Cardoso, F C

2016-10-01

Oral supplementation of clay has been reported to function as buffer in dairy cows. However, its effects on rumen, blood, and fecal pH have varied among studies. Our objective was to determine the effects of 3 concentrations of dietary clay supplementation after a grain challenge. Ten multiparous rumen-cannulated Holstein cows [body weight (mean ± standard deviation)=648±12kg] with 142±130 (60 to 502) days in milk were assigned to 1 of 5 treatments in a replicated 5×5 Latin square design balanced to measure carryover effects. Periods (21d) were divided into an adaptation phase (d 1 to 18, with regular total mixed ration fed ad libitum) and a measurement phase (d 19 to 21). Feed was restricted on d 18 to 75% of the average of the total mixed ration fed from d 15 to 17 (dry matter basis), and on d 19 cows received a grain challenge. The challenge consisted of 20% finely ground wheat administered into the rumen via a rumen cannula, based on the average dry matter intake obtained on d 15 to 17. Treatments were POS (no clay plus a grain challenge), 3different concentrations of clay (0.5, 1, or 2% of dietary dry matter intake), and control (C; no clay and no grain challenge). Statistical analysis was performed using the MIXED procedure of SAS (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC). Contrasts 1 (POS vs. C) and 2 (POS vs. the average of 0.5, 1, or 2%) were compared, along with linear and quadratic treatment effects. Rumen, fecal, and blood pH, along with blood metabolites, were measured at 0, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 36, and 48h relative to the grain challenge. Cows fed POS had lower rumen pH [(mean ± standard error) 6.03±0.06] than cows fed C (6.20±0.06). Cow fed POS had lower fecal pH (6.14±0.04) than cows fed C (6.38±0.04). We observed a linear treatment effect for rumen pH and fecal pH. Fecal pH (6.22±0.04) was higher for cows fed clay (contrast 2) then for cows fed POS (6.14±0.04). We also observed a treatment difference (contrast 2) for negative incremental area under the curve, pH below 5.6 × h/d, (0.5% clay=7.93±0.83, 1% clay=8.56±0.83, and 2% clay=7.79±0.83) compared with POS (11.0±0.83). Cows fed clay tended to have higher milk yield (0.5% clay=28.8±3.4kg, 1% clay=30.2±3.4kg, and 2% clay=29.1±3.4kg, contrast 2), and had higher 3.5% fat-corrected milk (0.5% clay=29.9±3.5kg, 1% clay=34.1±3.5kg, and 2% clay=33.1±3.4kg), and higher energy-corrected milk (0.5% clay=29.1±3.3kg, 1% clay=32.8±3.4kg, and 2% clay=31.6±3.3kg) than cows fed POS (27.7±3.4kg, 28.0±3.4kg, 27.7±3.3kg, respectively). In conclusion, cows fed clay had higher rumen pH, energy-corrected milk, fat-corrected milk, and a trend for milk yield than cows fed POS. Copyright © 2016 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Weighted Key Player Problem for Social Network Analysis

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-03-01

the degree of the actor, the number of adjacent neighbors, to de - termine its centrality value. Introduced in its current form by Freeman, a node’s...identifying individuals who are key in a number of contexts. This chapter developed the WKPP-Pos measure that allows for the inclusion of actor and...Techniques were de - 44 veloped for using the p-median to find optimal solutions to the WKPP-Pos measure and for using hierarchical clustering as a

High-Resolution Mapping of Mines and Ripples at the Martha’s Vineyard Coastal Observatory

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-01-01

time positioning and vessel motion were tracked using a POS-MV v.3 ( Applanix Corp., Richmond Hill, ON, Canada) inertial mo- tion sensor with two...outfitted with a hull-mounted Reson 8125, an Applanix POS-MV attitude sensor and positioning system, and a Brooke Ocean Technology, Dartmouth, NS...reported are referenced to mean low lower water (MLLW). For the October 2003 survey, positioning data were postpro- cessed by Applanix for kinematic

Point-of-sale alcohol promotions in the Perth and Sydney metropolitan areas.

PubMed

Jones, Sandra C; Barrie, Lance; Robinson, Laura; Allsop, Steve; Chikritzhs, Tanya

2012-09-01

Point-of-sale (POS) is increasingly being used as a marketing tool for alcohol products, and there is a growing body of evidence suggesting that these materials are positively associated with drinking and contribute to creating a pro-alcohol environment. The purpose of the present study was to document the nature and extent of POS alcohol promotions in bottle shops in two Australian capital cities. A purposive sample of 24 hotel bottle shops and liquor stores was selected across Sydney (New South Wales) and Perth (Western Australia) and audited for the presence and nature of POS marketing. Point-of-sale promotions were found to be ubiquitous, with an average of 33 promotions per outlet. Just over half were classified as 'non-price' promotions (e.g. giveaways and competitions). Spirits were the most commonly promoted type of alcohol. The average number of standard drinks required to participate in the promotions ranged from 12 for ready to drinks to 22 for beer. Alcohol outlets that were part of supermarket chains had a higher number of promotions, more price-based promotions, and required a greater quantity of alcohol to be purchased to participate in the promotion. The data collected in this study provides a starting point for our understanding of POS promotions in Australia, and poses important questions for future research in this area. © 2012 Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and other Drugs.

Physician organization care management capabilities associated with effective inpatient utilization management: a fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis.

PubMed

Sheehy, Thomas J; Thygeson, N Marcus

2014-12-03

We studied the relationship between physician organization (PO) care management capabilities and inpatient utilization in order to identify PO characteristics or capabilities associated with low inpatient bed-days per thousand. We used fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) to conduct an exploratory comparative case series study. Data about PO capabilities were collected using structured interviews with medical directors at fourteen California POs that are delegated to provide inpatient utilization management (UM) for HMO members of a California health plan. Health plan acute hospital claims from 2011 were extracted from a reporting data warehouse and used to calculate inpatient utilization statistics. Supplementary analyses were conducted using Fisher's Exact Test and Student's T-test. POs with low inpatient bed-days per thousand minimized length of stay and surgical admissions by actively engaging in concurrent review, discharge planning, and surgical prior authorization, and by contracting directly with hospitalists to provide UM-related services. Disease and case management were associated with lower medical admissions and readmissions, respectively, but not lower bed-days per thousand. Care management methods focused on managing length of stay and elective surgical admissions are associated with low bed-days per thousand in high-risk California POs delegated for inpatient UM. Reducing medical admissions alone is insufficient to achieve low bed-days per thousand. California POs with high bed-days per thousand are not applying care management best practices.

Factors for C-Kit Expression in Cardiac Outgrowth Cells and Human Heart Tissue.

PubMed

Matsushita, Satoshi; Minematsu, Kazuo; Yamamoto, Taira; Inaba, Hirotaka; Kuwaki, Kenji; Shimada, Akie; Yokoyama, Yasutaka; Amano, Atsushi

2017-12-12

We determined the factors associated with the expression of c-kit in the heart and the proliferation of c-kit-positive (c-kit pos ) cardiac stem cells among the outgrowth cells cultured from human cardiac explants.Samples of the right atrium (RA), left atrium (LA), and left ventricle obtained from patients during open-heart surgery were processed for cell culture of outgrowth cells and tissue analysis. The total number of growing cells and the population of c-kit pos cells were measured and compared with c-kit expression in native tissues and characteristics of the patients according to the region of the heart.We analyzed 452 samples from 334 patients. Atrial fibrillation (AF) in the patients reduced the number of outgrowth cells from the RA and LA, and aging was a co-factor for the LA. The c-kit pos population from the RA was associated with serum brain natriuretic peptide (BNP). C-kit expression in native tissue was also associated with BNP expression. However, we observed no relationship in expression between outgrowth cells and native tissue. In addition, the RA tissue provided the highest number of c-kit pos cells, and the left ventricle provided the lowest.C-kit was weakly expressed in response to damage. In addition, no correlation between outgrowth cells and native tissue was found for c-kit expression.

Retailer opinions about and compliance with family smoking prevention and tobacco control act point of sale provisions: a survey of tobacco retailers.

PubMed

Rose, Shyanika W; Emery, Sherry L; Ennett, Susan; Reyes, Heathe Luz McNaughton; Scott, John C; Ribisl, Kurt M

2015-09-11

The objectives of this study were to document retailer opinions about tobacco control policy at the point of sale (POS) and link these opinions with store level compliance with sales and marketing provisions of the Tobacco Control Act. This study conducted interviews of 252 tobacco retailers in three counties in North Carolina and linked their opinions with in-person observational audit data of their stores' compliance with POS policies. We conducted analyses examining retailer factors associated with noncompliance using Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) controlling for individual, store, neighborhood, and county factors. Over 90 % of retailers support minors' access provisions and a large minority (over 40 %) support graphic warnings and promotion bans. Low levels of support were found for a potential ban on menthol cigarettes (17 %). Store noncompliance with tobacco control policies was associated with both more reported retailer barriers to compliance and less support for POS policies. Awareness of and source of information about tobacco control regulations were not associated with compliance when accounting for neighborhood and county characteristics. Retailers expressed some support for a wide range of POS policies. Advocates and government agencies tasked with enforcement can work with retailers as stakeholders to enhance support, mitigate barriers, and promote compliance with tobacco control efforts at the point of sale.

The DC-SIGN-CD56 interaction inhibits the anti-dendritic cell cytotoxicity of CD56 expressing cells.

PubMed

Nabatov, Alexey A; Raginov, Ivan S

2015-01-01

This study aimed to clarify interactions of the pattern-recognition receptor DC-SIGN with cells from the HIV-infected peripheral blood lymphocyte cultures. Cells from control and HIV-infected peripheral blood lymphocyte cultures were tested for the surface expression of DC-SIGN ligands. The DC-SIGN ligand expressing cells were analyzed for the role of DC-SIGN-ligand interaction in their functionality. In the vast majority of experiments HIV-infected lymphocytes did not express detectable DC-SIGN ligands on their cell surfaces. In contrast, non-infected cells, carrying NK-specific marker CD56, expressed cell surface DC-SIGN ligands. The weakly polysialylated CD56 was identified as a novel DC-SIGN ligand. The treatment of DC-SIGN expressing dendritic cells with anti-DC-SIGN antibodies increased the anti-dendritic cell cytotoxicity of CD56(pos) cells. The treatment of CD56(pos) cells with a peptide, blocking the weakly polysialylated CD56-specifc trans-homophilic interactions, inhibited their anti-dendritic cells cytotoxicity. The interaction between DC-SIGN and CD56 inhibits homotypic intercellular interactions of CD56(pos) cells and protects DC-SIGN expressing dendritic cells against CD56(pos) cell-mediated cytotoxicity. This finding can have an impact on the development of approaches to HIV infection and cancer therapy as well as in transplantation medicine.

Prevention of bloodstream infections by photodynamic inactivation of multiresistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa in burn wounds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hashimoto, M. C. E.; Prates, R. A.; Toffoli, D. J.; Courrol, L. C.; Ribeiro, M. S.

2010-02-01

Bloodstream infections are potentially life-threatening diseases. They can cause serious secondary infections, and may result in endocarditis, severe sepsis or toxic-shock syndrome. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen and one of the most important etiological factors responsible for nosocomial infections, mainly in immuno-compromissed hosts, characteristic of patients with severe burns. Its multiresistance to antibiotics produces many therapeutic problems, and for this reason, the development of an alternative method to antibiotic therapy is needed. Photodynamic inactivation (PDI) may be an effective and alternative therapeutic option to prevent bloodstream infections in patients with severe burns. In this study we report the use of PDI to prevent bloodstream infections in mice with third-degree burns. Burns were produced on the back of the animals and they were infected with 109 cfu/mL of multi-resistant (MR) P. aeruginosa. Fifteen animals were divided into 3 groups: control, PDT blue and PDT red. PDT was performed thirty minutes after bacterial inoculation using 10μM HB:La+3 and a light-emitting diode (LED) emitting at λ=460nm+/-20nm and a LED emitting at λ=645 nm+/-10nm for 120s. Blood of mice were colected at 7h, 10h, 15h, 18h and 22h pos-infection (p.i.) for bacterial counting. Control group presented 1×104 cfu/mL in bloodstream at 7h p.i. increasing to 1×106 at 22h, while mice PDT-treated did not present any bacteria at 7h; only at 22h p.i. they presented 1×104cfu/mL. These results suggest that HB:La+3 associated to blue LED or red LED is effective to delay and diminish MR P.aeruginosa bloodstream invasion in third-degree-burned mice.

Redox homeostasis in stomach medium by foods: The Postprandial Oxidative Stress Index (POSI) for balancing nutrition and human health.

PubMed

Kanner, Joseph; Selhub, Jacob; Shpaizer, Adi; Rabkin, Boris; Shacham, Inbal; Tirosh, Oren

2017-08-01

Red-meat lipid peroxidation in the stomach results in postprandial oxidative stress (POS) which is characterized by the generation of a variety of reactive cytotoxic aldehydes including malondialdehyde (MDA). MDA is absorbed in the blood system reacts with cell proteins to form adducts resulting in advanced lipid peroxidation end products (ALEs), producing dysfunctional proteins and cellular responses. The pathological consequences of ALEs tissue damage include inflammation and increased risk for many chronic diseases that are associated with a Western-type diet. In earlier studies we used the simulated gastric fluid (SGF) condition to show that the in vitro generation of MDA from red meat closely resembles that in human blood after consumption the same amount of meat. In vivo and in vitro MDA generations were similarly suppressed by polyphenol-rich beverages (red wine and coffee) consumed with the meal. The present study uses the in vitro SGF to assess the capacity of more than 50 foods of plant origin to suppress red meat peroxidation and formation of MDA. The results were calculated as reducing POS index (rPOSI) which represents the capacity in percent of 100g of the food used to inhibit lipid peroxidation of 200g red-meat a POSI enhancer (ePOSI). The index permitted to extrapolate the need of rPOSI from a food alone or in ensemble such Greek salad, to neutralize an ePOSI in stomach medium, (ePOS-rPOSI=0). The correlation between the rPOSI and polyphenols in the tested foods was R 2 =0.75. The Index was validated by comparison of the predicted rPOSI for a portion of Greek salad or red-wine to real inhibition of POS enhancers. The POS Index permit to better balancing nutrition for human health. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.

The impact of professional and organizational identification on the relationship between hospital-physician exchange and customer-oriented behaviour of physicians.

PubMed

Trybou, Jeroen; De Caluwé, Gaelle; Verleye, Katrien; Gemmel, Paul; Annemans, Lieven

2015-02-17

Hospitals face increasingly competitive market conditions. In this challenging environment, hospitals have been struggling to build high-quality hospital-physician relationships. In the literature, two types of managerial strategies for optimizing relationships have been identified. The first focuses on optimizing the economic relationship; the second focuses on the noneconomic dimension and emphasizes the cooperative structure and collaborative nature of the hospital-physician relationship. We investigate potential spillover effects between the perceptions of physicians of organizational exchange and their customer-oriented behaviors. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 130 self-employed physicians practicing at six Belgian hospitals. Economic exchange was measured using the concept of distributive justice (DJ); noneconomic exchange was measured by the concept of perceived organizational support (POS). Our outcomes consist of three types of customer-oriented behaviours: internal influence (II), external representation (ER), and service delivery (SD). Our results show a positive relationship between DJ and II (adjusted R(2) = 0.038, t = 2.35; p = 0.028) and ER (adjusted R(2) = 0.15, t = 4.59; p < 0.001) and a positive relationship between POS and II (adjusted R(2) = 0.032, t = 2.26; p = 0.026) and ER (adjusted R(2) = 0.22, t = 5.81; p < 0.001). No relationship was present between DJ (p = 0.54) or POS (p = 0.57) and SD. Organizational identification positively moderates the relationship between POS and ER (p = 0.045) and between DJ and ER (p = 0.056). The relationships between POS and II (p = 0.54) and between DJ and II (p = 0.99) were not moderated by OI. Professional identification did not moderate the studied relationships. Our results demonstrate that both perceptions of economic and noneconomic exchange are important to self-employed physicians' customer-oriented behaviours. Fostering organizational identification could enhance this reciprocity dynamic.

Setting the agenda for a healthy retail environment: content analysis of US newspaper coverage of tobacco control policies affecting the point of sale, 2007-2014.

PubMed

Myers, Allison E; Southwell, Brian G; Ribisl, Kurt M; Moreland-Russell, Sarah; Lytle, Leslie A

2017-07-01

Tobacco control policies affecting the point of sale (POS) are an emerging intervention, yet POS-related news media content has not been studied. We describe news coverage of POS tobacco control efforts and assess relationships between article characteristics, including policy domains, frames, sources, localisation and evidence present, and slant towards tobacco control efforts. High circulation state (n=268) and national (n=5) newspapers comprised the sampling frame. We retrieved 917 relevant POS-focused articles in newspapers from 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2014. 5 raters screened and coded articles, 10% of articles were double coded, and mean inter-rater reliability (IRR) was 0.74. POS coverage emphasised tobacco retailer licensing (49.1% of articles) and the most common frame present was regulation (71.3%). Government officials (52.3%), followed by tobacco retailers (39.6%), were the most frequent sources. Half of articles (51.3%) had a mixed, neutral or antitobacco control slant. Articles presenting a health frame, a greater number of protobacco control sources, and statistical evidence were significantly more likely to also have a protobacco control slant. Articles presenting a political/rights or regulation frame, a greater number of antitobacco control sources, or government, tobacco industry, tobacco retailers, or tobacco users as sources were significantly less likely to also have a protobacco control slant. Stories that feature procontrol sources, research evidence and a health frame also tend to support tobacco control objectives. Future research should investigate how to use data, stories and localisation to encourage a protobacco control slant, and should test relationships between content characteristics and policy progression. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/.

Comparison of Physician-Predicted to Measured Low Vision Outcomes

PubMed Central

Chan, Tiffany L.; Goldstein, Judith E.; Massof, Robert W.

2013-01-01

Purpose To compare low vision rehabilitation (LVR) physicians’ predictions of the probability of success of LVR to patients’ self-reported outcomes after provision of usual outpatient LVR services; and to determine if patients’ traits influence physician ratings. Methods The Activity Inventory (AI), a self-report visual function questionnaire, was administered pre and post-LVR to 316 low vision patients served by 28 LVR centers that participated in a collaborative observational study. The physical component of the Short Form-36, Geriatric Depression Scale, and Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status were also administered pre-LVR to measure physical capability, depression and cognitive status. Following patient evaluation, 38 LVR physicians estimated the probability of outcome success (POS), using their own criteria. The POS ratings and change in functional ability were used to assess the effects of patients’ baseline traits on predicted outcomes. Results A regression analysis with a hierarchical random effects model showed no relationship between LVR physician POS estimates and AI-based outcomes. In another analysis, Kappa statistics were calculated to determine the probability of agreement between POS and AI-based outcomes for different outcome criteria. Across all comparisons, none of the kappa values were significantly different from 0, which indicates the rate of agreement is equivalent to chance. In an exploratory analysis, hierarchical mixed effects regression models show that POS ratings are associated with information about the patient’s cognitive functioning and the combination of visual acuity and functional ability, as opposed to visual acuity or functional ability alone. Conclusions Physicians’ predictions of LVR outcomes appear to be influenced by knowledge of patients’ cognitive functioning and the combination of visual acuity and functional ability - information physicians acquire from the patient’s history and examination. However, physicians’ predictions do not agree with observed changes in functional ability from the patient’s perspective; they are no better than chance. PMID:23873036

Screening for depression in advanced disease: psychometric properties, sensitivity, and specificity of two items of the Palliative Care Outcome Scale (POS).

PubMed

Antunes, Bárbara; Murtagh, Fliss; Bausewein, Claudia; Harding, Richard; Higginson, Irene J

2015-02-01

Depression is common among patients with advanced disease but often difficult to detect. To assess the Palliative care Outcome Scale (POS) (10 items) against the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS)-10 total score and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)-Depression subscale total score and determine if the POS has appropriate items to screen for depression among people with advanced disease. This was a secondary analysis performed on five studies. Four psychometric properties were assessed: data quality, scaling assumptions, acceptability, and internal consistency (reliability). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to determine the area under the curve. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, false positive and negative rates, and positive and negative likelihood ratios were computed. The overall sample had 416 patients from Germany and England: 144 had cancer and 267 had nonmalignant conditions. Prevalence of depression across the sample was 17.5%. Floor and ceiling effects were rare. Cronbach's alpha coefficients for POS items 7 and 8 summed, GDS-10 and HADS-Depression items varied: 0.61 (heart failure) and 0.80 (cancer). Two items combined (Item 7-feeling depressed and Item 8-feeling good about yourself) consistently presented the highest area under the ROC curve, ranging from 0.76 (95% CI 0.60, 0.93) (Germany, lung cancer) to 0.97 (95% CI 0.91, 1.0) (heart failure), highest negative predictive value, and lowest false negative rate. For the overall sample, the cutoff 2/3 presented a negative predictive value of 89.4% (95% CI 84.7, 92.8) and false negative rate of 10.6 (95% CI 7.2, 15.3). POS items 7 and 8 summed are potentially useful to screen for depression in advanced disease populations. Copyright © 2015 American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Does using the interRAI Palliative Care instrument reduce the needs and symptoms of nursing home residents receiving palliative care?

PubMed

Hermans, Kirsten; De Almeida Mello, Johanna; Spruytte, Nele; Cohen, Joachim; Van Audenhove, Chantal; Declercq, Anja

2018-02-01

This study aimed to evaluate whether using the interRAI Palliative Care instrument (the interRAI PC) in nursing homes is associated with reduced needs and symptoms in residents nearing the end of their lives. A quasi-experimental pretest-posttest study using the Palliative care Outcome Scale (POS) was conducted to compare the needs and symptoms of residents nearing the end of their lives in the control and intervention nursing homes. Care professionals at the intervention nursing homes filled out the interRAI PC over the course of a year for all residents aged 65 years and older who were nearing the end of their lives. This intervention was not implemented in the control nursing homes. At baseline, POS scores in the intervention nursing homes were lower (more favorable) than in the control nursing homes on the items "pain", "other symptoms", "family anxiety", and the total POS score. Posttest POS scores for "wasted time" were higher (less favorable) than pretest scores in the intervention nursing homes. In the intervention nursing homes where care professionals did not have prior experience with the interRAI Long-Term Care Facilities (LTCF) assessment instrument (n = 8/15), total POS scores were lower (more favorable) at posttest. One year after introducing the interRAI PC, no reduction in residents' needs and symptoms were detected in the intervention nursing homes. However, reductions in needs and symptoms were found in the subgroup of intervention nursing homes without prior experience with the interRAI LTCF instrument. This may suggest that the use of an interRAI instrument other than the interRAI PC specifically can improve care. Future research should aim at replicating this research with a long-term design in order to evaluate the effect of integrating the use of the interRAI PC in the day-to-day practices at nursing homes.

Increasing supplemental nutrition assistance program/electronic benefits transfer sales at farmers' markets with vendor-operated wireless point-of-sale terminals.

PubMed

Buttenheim, Alison M; Havassy, Joshua; Fang, Michelle; Glyn, Jonathan; Karpyn, Allison E

2012-05-01

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (formerly Food Stamp Program) participants can use their benefits at many farmers' markets. However, most markets have only one market-operated wireless point-of-sale (POS) card swipe terminal for electronic benefits transfer (EBT) transactions. It is not known whether providing each farmer/vendor with individual wireless POS terminals and subsidizing EBT fees will increase SNAP/EBT purchases at farmers' markets. To evaluate the effects of multiple vendor-operated wireless POS terminals (vs a single market-operated terminal) on use of SNAP benefits at an urban farmers' market. Time-series analyses of SNAP/EBT sales. The Clark Park farmers' market in West Philadelphia, PA, which accounts for one quarter of all SNAP/EBT sales at farmers' markets in Pennsylvania. Vendors were provided with individual wireless POS terminals for 9 months (June 2008-February 2009.) The pilot program covered all equipment and wireless service costs and transaction fees associated with SNAP/EBT, credit, and debit sales. Monthly SNAP/EBT sales at the Clark Park farmers' market. SNAP/EBT sales data were collected for 48 months (January 2007-December 2010). Time-series regression analysis was used to estimate the effect of the intervention period (June 2008-February 2009) on SNAP/EBT sales, controlling for seasonal effects and total SNAP benefits issued in Philadelphia. The intervention was associated with a 38% increase in monthly SNAP/EBT sales. Effects were greatest during the busy fall market seasons. SNAP/EBT sales did not remain significantly higher after the intervention period. Providing individual wireless POS terminals to farmers' market vendors leads to increased sales. However, market vendors indicated that subsidies for equipment costs and fees would be needed to break even. Currently, SNAP provides some support for these services for supermarket and other SNAP retailers with landline access, but not for farmers' markets. Copyright © 2012 Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Pletneva, Nadya V.; Pletnev, Vladimir Z.; Shemiakina, Irina I.

The wild type red fluorescent protein eqFP578 (from sea anemone Entacmaea quadricolor, {lambda}{sub ex} = 552 nm, {lambda}{sub em} = 578 nm) and its bright far-red fluorescent variant Katushka ({lambda}{sub ex} = 588 nm, {lambda}{sub em} = 635 nm) are characterized by the pronounced pH dependence of their fluorescence. The crystal structures of eqFP578f (eqFP578 with two point mutations improving the protein folding) and Katushka have been determined at the resolution ranging from 1.15 to 1.85 {angstrom} at two pH values, corresponding to low and high level of fluorescence. The observed extinguishing of fluorescence upon reducing pH in eqFP578f andmore » Katushka has been shown to be accompanied by the opposite trans-cis and cis-trans chromophore isomerization, respectively. Asn143, Ser158, His197 and Ser143, Leu174, and Arg197 have been shown to stabilize the respective trans and cis fluorescent states of the chromophores in eqFP578f and Katushka at higher pH. The cis state has been suggested as being primarily responsible for the observed far-red shift of the emission maximum of Katushka relative to that of eqFP578f.« less

Cooperative Estimation of Targets by Multiple Aircraft

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-06-01

would be necessary first to modify the filter according to the third approach given in recommendation number one. 92 Bibliography 1. Aden , Timmy C...Description 1. QF(9) Q l.xlO 7 pos., vel . Disturbance noise 256. acc. strength assumed in filter, see 2., below 2. TQ* 0. sec Time at which to reset...pos., vel . QF to zero. 3. RR RR 900. Range measurementvariance. (30 ft, 10) 4. RE RVR 16.xlO 6 Elevation measurement variance. (4 mr, la) 5. RT RUR

Global War on Terrorism: Analyzing the Strategic Threat

DTIC Science & Technology

2004-11-01

lous Muslim country, the jihadists have developed an anti-Semitic streak. Abu Bakar Ba’asyir, a leading Indonesian jihadist, was arrested following...The Public Teachings of Abu Bakar Ba’asyir,” Ambon PosKo Zwolle, online ed., in English, 26 May 2003, URL: <https://datawarehouse10.dia.ic.gov/fcgi-bin...Teachings of Abu Bakar Ba’asyir.” Ambon PosKo Zwolle, on- line ed., in English, 26 May 2003. URL: <https://datawarehouse10.dia.ic.gov/fcgi- bin

Proceedings of the International Conference on High-Power Particle Beams (12th) Held in Haifa, Israel on June 7-12, 1998. Volume 1

DTIC Science & Technology

1998-06-12

Bucharest, Romania 257 TO THE THEORY OF A PLASMA FILLED ION DIODE L.I. Rudakov, RRC Kurchatov Institute, Moscow, Russia, A.S. Chuvatin, Ecole...B. Moosman, S.J. Stephanakis, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington DC, USA 306 -XVII- PLASMA EVOLUTION OF A POS: COMPARISON OF THEORY AND...POSs. INTRODUCTION The POS is a critical component of the multi-module DECADE generator.’ At present, maximum bremsstrahlung is produced on DECADE Module

Targeting Androgen Receptor by Lysosomal Degradation in Prostate Cancer

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-11-01

transport of TFEB, Autophagy 8 (2012) 903-914. [7] J. Brugarolas, K. Lei , R.L. Hurley, B.D. Manning, J.H. Reiling, E. Hafen, L.A. Witters, L.W. Ellisen...chromatography ~ anti-FLAG immunoprecipitation B D EWS pos~t~on mass pept~ de 416-429 1449 .66 GDATVSYEDPPTAK 571-594 2289.08 GGPGGMRGGRGGLMDRGGPGGMFR...vector 1 2 3 -- FLAG-His EWS-Fii-1 4 5 6 - FLAG tubulin c RNA helicase A pos~t~on mass pept~ de 121-141 2161 .97 AENNSEVGASGYGVPGPTWDR 200-209

Development of miniaturized submersible fluorometers for the detection of aromatic hydrocarbons in marine waters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tedetti, Marc; Bachet, Caroline; Joffre, Pascal; Ferretto, Nicolas; Guigue, Catherine; Goutx, Madeleine

2014-05-01

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are among the most widespread organic contaminants in aquatic environments. Due to their physico-chemical properties, PAHs are persistent and mobile, can strongly bioaccumulate in food chains and are harmful to living organisms. They are thus recognized by various international organizations as priority contaminants and are included in the list of 45 priority regulated substances by the European Union. Because of their aromatic structure, PAHs are "optically active" and have inherent fluorescence properties in the ultraviolet (UV) spectral domain (200-400 nm). Therefore, UV fluorescence spectroscopy has been successfully used to develop PAH sensors (i.e. UV fluorometers). Currently, five UV submersible fluorometers are commercially available for in situ measurements of PAHs: EnviroFlu-HC (TriOS Optical Sensors, Germany), Hydrocarbon Fluorometer (Sea & Sun Technology, Germany), HydroC ™ / PAH (CONTROS, Germany), UviLux AquaTracka (Chelsea Technology Group, UK) and Cyclops-7 (Turner Designs, US). These UV fluorometers are all dedicated to the measurement of phenanthrene (λEx /λEm: 255/360 nm), one of the most abundant and fluorescent PAHs found in the aquatic environment. In this study, we developed original, miniaturized submersible fluorometers based on deep UV light-emitting diodes (LEDs) for simultaneous measurements of two PAHs of interest: the MiniFluo-UV 1 for the detection of phenanthrene (PHE, at λEx /λEm: 255/360 nm) and naphthalene (NAP, at λEx /λEm: 270/340 nm), and the MiniFluo-UV 2 for the detection of fluorene (FLU, at λEx /λEm: 255/315 nm) and pyrene (PYR, at λEx /λEm: 270/380 nm). The MiniFluo-UV sensors have several features: measurements of two PAHs at the same time, small size (puck format, 80 x 60 mm), very low energy consumption (500 mW at 12V), LED monitoring, analog and numerical communication modes. The two MiniFluo-UV sensors were first tested in the laboratory: 1) on standard solutions of PHE, NAP, FLU and PYR in the range 0.1-100 µg l-1 and 2) on a water soluble fraction (WSF) of crude oil diluted in 0.2 µm filtered seawater (0 to 50% of WSF in seawater). Then, the MiniFluo-UV sensors were mounted onto a conductivity temperature depth (CTD) vertical profiler and tested at sea. Several profiles were performed in the Bay of Marseilles, in different harbours and hydrocarbon-impacted sites. The MiniFluo-UV measurements performed in the laboratory and in the field were associated with spectrofluorometric (EEM/PARAFAC) and/or chromatographic (GC-MS) analyses. The result obtained show that the MiniFluo-UV are pertinent and efficient tool for monitoring hydrocarbon pollutions in the marine environment. This work is a contribution of three projects labelled by the Competitivity Cluster Mer PACA: FUI SEA EXPLORER, DGCIS - Eco industries VASQUE (PI: ACSA-ALCEN, Meyreuil, France) and ANR - ECOTECH IBISCUS (PI: M. Goutx, MIO, Marseille, France).

Telocytes and stem cells in limbus and uvea of mouse eye

PubMed Central

Luesma, María José; Gherghiceanu, Mihaela; Popescu, Laurenţiu M

2013-01-01

The potential of stem cell (SC) therapies for eye diseases is well-recognized. However, the results remain only encouraging as little is known about the mechanisms responsible for eye renewal, regeneration and/or repair. Therefore, it is critical to gain knowledge about the specific tissue environment (niches) where the stem/progenitor cells reside in eye. A new type of interstitial cell–telocyte (TC) (http://www.telocytes.com) was recently identified by electron microscopy (EM). TCs have very long (tens of micrometres) and thin (below 200 nm) prolongations named telopodes (Tp) that form heterocellular networks in which SCs are embedded. We found TCs by EM and electron tomography in sclera, limbus and uvea of the mouse eye. Furthermore, EM showed that SCs were present in the anterior layer of the iris and limbus. Adhaerens and gap junctions were found to connect TCs within a network in uvea and sclera. Nanocontacts (electron-dense structures) were observed between TCs and other cells: SCs, melanocytes, nerve endings and macrophages. These intercellular ‘feet’ bridged the intercellular clefts (about 10 nm wide). Moreover, exosomes (extracellular vesicles with a diameter up to 100 nm) were delivered by TCs to other cells of the iris stroma. The ultrastructural nanocontacts of TCs with SCs and the TCs paracrine influence via exosomes in the epithelial and stromal SC niches suggest an important participation of TCs in eye regeneration. PMID:23991685

Spectral luminescence analysis of amniotic fluid

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Slobozhanina, Ekaterina I.; Kozlova, Nataly M.; Kasko, Leonid P.; Mamontova, Marina V.; Chernitsky, Eugene A.

1997-12-01

It is shown that the amniotic fluid has intensive ultra-violet luminescence caused by proteins. Along with it amniotic fluid radiated in the field of 380 - 650 nm with maxima at 430 - 450 nm and 520 - 560 nm. The first peak of luminescence ((lambda) exc equals 350 nm; (lambda) em equals 430 - 440 nm) is caused (most probably) by the presence in amniotic fluid of some hormones, NADH2 and NADPH2. A more long-wave component ((lambda) exc equals 460 nm; (lambda) em equals 520 - 560 nm) is most likely connected with the presence in amniotic fluid pigments (bilirubin connected with protein and other). It is shown that intensity and maximum of ultra-violet luminescence spectra of amniotic fluid in normality and at pathology are identical. However both emission spectra and excitation spectra of long-wave ((lambda) greater than 450 nm) luminescence of amniotic fluid from pregnant women with such prenatal abnormal developments of a fetus as anencephaly and spina bifida are too long-wave region in comparison with the norm. Results of research testify that spectral luminescent analysis of amniotic fluid can be used for screening of malformations of the neural tube. It is very difficult for a practical obstetrician to reveal pregnant women with a high risk of congenital malformations of the fetus. Apart from ultrasonic examination, cytogenetic examination of amniotic fluid and defumination of concentrations of alpha-fetoprotein and acetylcholin-esterases in the amniotic fluid and blood plasma are the most widely used diagnostic approaches. However, biochemical and cytogenetic diagnostic methods are time-consuming. In the present work spectral luminescence properties of the amniotic fluid are investigated to determine spectral parameters that can be used to reveal pregnant women with a high risk of congenital malformations of their offsprings.

Molecular diversity of tuliposide B-converting enzyme in tulip (Tulipa gesneriana): identification of the root-specific isozyme.

PubMed

Nomura, Taiji; Ueno, Ayaka; Ogita, Shinjiro; Kato, Yasuo

2017-06-01

6-Tuliposide B (PosB) is a glucose ester accumulated in tulip (Tulipa gesneriana) as a major secondary metabolite. PosB serves as the precursor of the antimicrobial lactone tulipalin B (PaB), which is formed by PosB-converting enzyme (TCEB). The gene TgTCEB1, encoding a TCEB, is transcribed in tulip pollen but scarcely transcribed in other tissues (e.g. roots) even though those tissues show high TCEB activity. This led to the prediction of the presence of a TCEB isozyme with distinct tissue specificity. Herein, we describe the identification of the TgTCEB-R gene from roots via native enzyme purification; this gene is a paralog of TgTCEB1. Recombinant enzyme characterization verified that TgTCEB-R encodes a TCEB. Moreover, TgTCEB-R was localized in tulip plastids, as found for pollen TgTCEB1. TgTCEB-R is transcribed almost exclusively in roots, indicating a tissue preference for the transcription of TCEB isozyme genes.

Paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria phenotype cells and leucocyte subset telomere length in childhood acquired aplastic anaemia.

PubMed

Tutelman, Perri R; Aubert, Geraldine; Milner, Ruth A; Dalal, Bakul I; Schultz, Kirk R; Deyell, Rebecca J

2014-03-01

The significance of paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH(pos) ) cells and leucocyte subset telomere lengths in paediatric aplastic anaemia (AA) is unknown. Among 22 children receiving immunosuppressive therapy (IST) for AA, 73% (16/22) were PNH(pos) , of whom 94% achieved at least a partial response (PR) to IST; 11/16 (69%) achieved complete response (CR). Only 2/6 (33%) PNH(neg) patients achieved PR. PNH(pos) patients were less likely to fail IST compared to PNH(neg) patients (odds ratio 0·033; 95% confidence interval 0·002-0·468; P = 0·012). Children with AA had short granulocyte (P = 7·8 × 10(-9) ), natural killer cell (P = 6·0 × 10(-4) ), naïve T lymphocyte (P = 0·002) and B lymphocyte (P = 0·005) telomeres compared to age-matched normative data. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Potential rainfall-intensity and pH-driven shifts in the apparent fluorescent composition of dissolved organic matter in rainwater.

PubMed

Zhou, Yongqiang; Yao, Xiaolong; Zhang, Yibo; Shi, Kun; Zhang, Yunlin; Jeppesen, Erik; Gao, Guang; Zhu, Guangwei; Qin, Boqiang

2017-05-01

Perturbations of rainwater chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) fluorescence induced by changes in rainfall intensity and pH were investigated by field observations and laboratory pH titrations. Microbial humic-like fluorophores dominated the rainwater CDOM pool, followed by tryptophan-like and tyrosine-like substances. Increased rainfall intensity had notable dilution effects on all six fluorescent components (C1-C6) identified using parallel factor (PARAFAC) analysis, the effect being especially pronounced for the microbial humic-like C1, tryptophan-like C3, and tyrosine-like C5. The results also indicated that increasing pH from 7 to 9 led to decreased fluorescence intensity (F max ) of all the six components, while a pH increase from 5 to 7, resulted in increasing F max of terrestrial humic-like C2, tyrosine-like C5, and tryptophan-like C6 and decreasing microbial humic-like C1, tryptophan-like C3, and fulvic-like C4. Two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy (2D-COS) demonstrated that synchronous fluorescence responded first to pH modifications at fulvic-like wavelength (λ Ex /λ Em  = ∼316/416 nm), followed by tyrosine-like wavelength (λ Ex /λ Em  = ∼204/304 nm), tryptophan-like wavelength (λ Ex /λ Em  = ∼226/326 nm), microbial humic-like wavelength (∼295/395 nm), and finally terrestrial humic-like wavelength (∼360/460 nm). Our results suggest that a decrease in areas affected by acid rain in South China occurring at present may possibly result in apparent compositional changes of CDOM fluorescence. The decreased rainfall in South-West China and increased rainfall in North-West China during the past five decades may possibly accordingly result in increased and decreased F max of all the six components identified in South-West and North-West China, respectively. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

How compliant are tobacco vendors to india's tobacco control legislation on Ban of advertisments at point of sale? A three jurisdictions review.

PubMed

Goel, Sonu; Kumar, Ravinder; Lal, Pranay; Tripathi, Jp; Singh, Rana J; Rathinam, Arul; Christian, Anant

2014-01-01

Section 5 of India's tobacco control legislation "Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003"comprehensively prohibits all kinds of tobacco advertisement, promotion and sponsorship (TAPS), but permits advertisments at the point-of-sale (POS) under certain conditions. This provision has been exploited by the tobacco companies to promote their products. To measure compliance with the provisions of Section 5 of Indian tobacco control legislation (COTPA, 2003) at point of sale. A cross-sectional survey using an observation checklist was conducted in 1860 POS across three jurisdictions (Chennai city, District Vadodara and District Mohali) in India. The most common mode of advertisement of tobacco products was product showcasing (51.1%), followed by dangles (49.6%), stickers (33.8%) and boards (27.1%). More than one fourth of POS were found violating legal provisions for displaying advertisement boards in one or other forms (oversized, extended to full body lenth of POS, displayed brandname/ packshot and promotional messages). Advertisement boards (16.3%) without health warnings were also found and wherever found, more than 90% health warning were not as per the specification in respect to size, font and background color. Point of sale advertising is aggressively used by the tobacco industry to promote their products. There is an urgent need of effective implementation of a comprehensive ban on tobacco product advertisement, promotion and sponsorship at point of sale.

Once-daily USL255 as adjunctive treatment of partial-onset seizures: Randomized phase III study

PubMed Central

Chung, Steve S; Fakhoury, Toufic A; Hogan, R Edward; Nagaraddi, Venkatesh N; Blatt, Ilan; Lawson, Balduin; Arnold, Stephan; Anders, Bob; Clark, Annie M; Laine, Dawn; Meadows, R Shawn; Halvorsen, Mark B

2014-01-01

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of USL255, Qudexy™ XR (topiramate) extended-release capsules, as an adjunctive treatment for refractory partial-onset seizures (POS) in adults taking one to three concomitant antiepileptic drugs. Methods In this global phase III study (PREVAIL; NCT01142193), 249 adults with POS were randomized 1:1 to once-daily USL255 (200 mg/day) or placebo. The primary and key secondary efficacy endpoints were median percent reduction in weekly POS frequency and responder rate (proportion of patients with ≥50% reduction in seizure frequency). Seizure freedom was also assessed. Safety (adverse events, clinical and laboratory findings), as well as treatment effects on quality of life (QOLIE-31-P) and clinical global impression of change (CGI-C), were evaluated. Results Across the entire 11-week treatment phase, USL255 significantly reduced the median percent seizure frequency and significantly improved responder rate compared with placebo. Efficacy over placebo was observed early in treatment, in patients with highly refractory POS, and in those with the most debilitating seizure types (i.e., complex partial, partial secondarily generalized). USL255 was safe and generally well tolerated with a low incidence of neurocognitive adverse events. USL255 was associated with significant clinical improvement without adversely affecting quality of life. Significance The PREVAIL phase III clinical study demonstrated that once-daily USL255 (200 mg/day) significantly improved seizure control and was safe and generally well tolerated with few neurocognitive side effects. PMID:24902983

Antifungal Susceptibility Patterns of Opportunistic Fungi in the Genera Verruconis and Ochroconis

PubMed Central

Samerpitak, K.; Rijs, A. J. M. M.; Melchers, W. J. G.; Mouton, J. W.; Verweij, P. E.; de Hoog, G. S.

2014-01-01

Species of Verruconis and species of Ochroconis are dematiaceous fungi generally found in the environment but having the ability to infect humans, dogs, cats, poultry, and fish. This study presents the antifungal susceptibility patterns of these fungi at the species level. Forty strains originating from clinical and environmental sources were phylogenetically identified at the species level by using sequences of the ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer (rDNA ITS). In vitro antifungal susceptibility testing was performed against eight antifungals, using the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) broth microdilution method. The geometric mean MICs for amphotericin B (AMB), flucytosine (5FC), fluconazole (FLC), itraconazole (ITC), voriconazole (VRC), and posaconazole (POS) and minimum effective concentrations (MECs) for caspofungin (CAS) and anidulafungin (AFG) across the Ochroconis and Verruconis species were as follows, in increasing order. For Verruconis species, the values (μg/ml) were as follows: AFG, 0.04; POS, 0.25; ITC, 0.37; AMB, 0.50; CAS, 0.65; VRC, 0.96; 5FC, 10.45; and FLC, 47.25. For Ochroconis species, the values (μg/ml) were as follows: AFG, 0.06; POS, 0.11; CAS, 0.67; VRC, 2.76; ITC, 3.94; AMB, 5.68; 5FC, 34.48; and FLC, 61.33. Antifungal susceptibility of Ochroconis and Verruconis was linked with phylogenetic distance and thermotolerance. Echinocandins and POS showed the greatest in vitro activity, providing possible treatment options for Ochroconis and Verruconis infections. PMID:24687495

Comparative anatomy of the prosubiculum, subiculum, presubiculum, postsubiculum, and parasubiculum in human, monkey, and rodent.

PubMed

Ding, Song-Lin

2013-12-15

The subicular complex, including the prosubiculum (ProS), subiculum (Sub), presubiculum, postsubiculum (PoS), and parasubiculum (PaS), plays important roles in the medial temporal memory system and is heavily involved in many neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and epilepsy. In the literature, the ProS (in primate) and PoS (in rodent) are inconstantly identified, making data comparison difficult across species. This review is an attempt to discuss equivalencies and extent of the five subicular components in human, monkey, and rodent based on available information on their cytoarchitecture, chemoarchitecture, molecular signature, and neural connectivity. All five subicular cortices exist in human, monkey, and rodent. In human and monkey, the ProS and Sub extend into the uncal region anteriorly, and the PoS and PaS reach the cingulate isthmus posteriorly. In rodent, most of the typical subicular cortices are located in the dorsal and caudal portions of the hippocampal formation, and the modified version of the ventral ProS and Sub corresponds to the modified description of the uncal ProS and Sub in monkey and human. An interesting triangular region in rodent located at the juncture of the PoS, PaS, retrosplenial cortex, and visual cortex appears to be the equivalent of the monkey area prostriata. Major connections of the five subicular cortices are also summarized based on unified criteria discussed in this review, with distinct connections revealed between the ProS and the Sub. Copyright © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Analysis of time series for postal shipments in Regional VII East Java Indonesia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kusrini, DE; Ulama, B. S. S.; Aridinanti, L.

2018-03-01

The change of number delivery goods through PT. Pos Regional VII East Java Indonesia indicates that the trend of increasing and decreasing the delivery of documents and non-documents in PT. Pos Regional VII East Java Indonesia is strongly influenced by conditions outside of PT. Pos Regional VII East Java Indonesia so that the prediction the number of document and non-documents requires a model that can accommodate it. Based on the time series plot monthly data fluctuations occur from 2013-2016 then the model is done using ARIMA or seasonal ARIMA and selected the best model based on the smallest AIC value. The results of data analysis about the number of shipments on each product sent through the Sub-Regional Postal Office VII East Java indicates that there are 5 post offices of 26 post offices entering the territory. The largest number of shipments is available on the PPB (Paket Pos Biasa is regular package shipment/non-document ) and SKH (Surat Kilat Khusus is Special Express Mail/document) products. The time series model generated is largely a Random walk model meaning that the number of shipment in the future is influenced by random effects that are difficult to predict. Some are AR and MA models, except for Express shipment products with Malang post office destination which has seasonal ARIMA model on lag 6 and 12. This means that the number of items in the following month is affected by the number of items in the previous 6 months.

Laboratory-Induced Cue Reactivity among Individuals with Prescription Opioid Dependence

PubMed Central

Back, Sudie E.; Gros, Daniel F.; McCauley, Jenna; Flanagan, Julianne; Cox, Elizabeth; Barth, Kelly; Brady, Kathleen T.

2014-01-01

Prescription opioid (PO) dependence is a critical health problem. Although examination of drug cue reactivity paradigms has advanced the understanding of risk factors for relapse for a variety of substances (e.g., cocaine, alcohol, nicotine), no PO specific drug cue paradigm has been developed. The current study addressed this gap in the literature and evaluated the ability of a newly developed PO drug cue paradigm to elicit subjective, physiological, and neuroendocrine changes among PO-dependent participants (n = 20) as compared to controls (n = 17). The drug cue paradigm included an induction script, viewing and handling paraphernalia (e.g., bottle of oxycontin pills, pill crusher) and watching a video depicting people using POs as well as places related to POs (e.g., pharmacies). Consistent with hypotheses, the PO group demonstrated significant pre- to post-cue increases on subjective ratings of craving, difficulty resisting POs, stress, and anger. The control group did not demonstrate significant changes on any of the subjective measures. Both the PO group and the control group evidenced significant pre- to post-cue increases in physiological responses (e.g., blood pressure, skin conductance), as expected given the arousing nature of the drug cue stimuli. The PO group, but not the control group, evidenced a significant pre- to post-cue increase in heart rate and salivary cortisol levels. The development and validation of a drug cue paradigm for POs may help inform future research and treatment development efforts for patients with PO dependence. PMID:24813546

Variations of Surveillance Practice for Patients with Bone Sarcoma: A Survey of Australian Sarcoma Clinicians

PubMed Central

Thompson, Kate; Bae, Susie; Desai, Jayesh; Strong, Robyn; Caruso, Denise; Howell, Deborah; Herschtal, Alan; Sullivan, Michael; Orme, Lisa

2017-01-01

Introduction. After treatment, bone sarcoma patients carry a high chance of relapse and late effects from multimodal therapy. We hypothesize that significant variation in surveillance practice exists between pediatric medical oncology (PO) and nonpediatric medical oncology (NP) sarcoma disciplines. Methods. Australian sarcoma clinicians were approached to do a web based survey that assessed radiologic surveillance (RS) strategies, late toxicity assessment, and posttreatment psychosocial interventions. Results. In total, 51 clinicians responded. No differences were identified in local disease RS. In metastatic disease response assessment, 100% of POs (23/23) and 93% of NPs (24/26) conducted CT chest. However, this was more likely to occur for NPs in the context of a CT chest/abdomen/pelvis (NP: 10/26; PO: 1/23; p = 0.006). POs were more likely to use CXR for RS (p = 0.006). POs showed more prescriptive intensity in assessment of heart function (p = 0.001), hearing (p < 0.001), and fertility (p = 0.02). POs were more likely to deliver written information for health maintenance/treatment summary (p = 0.04). The majority of respondents described enquiring about psychosocial aspects of health (n = 33/37, 89%), but a routine formal psychosocial screen was only used by 23% (n = 6/26). Conclusion. There is high variability in bone sarcoma surveillance between PO and NP clinicians. Efforts to harmonize approaches would allow early and late effects recognition/intervention and facilitate improved patient care/transition and research. PMID:28348507

Human Tau Isoforms Assemble into Ribbon-like Fibrils That Display Polymorphic Structure and Stability*

PubMed Central

Wegmann, Susanne; Jung, Yu Jin; Chinnathambi, Subashchandrabose; Mandelkow, Eva-Maria; Mandelkow, Eckhard; Muller, Daniel J.

2010-01-01

Fibrous aggregates of Tau protein are characteristic features of Alzheimer disease. We applied high resolution atomic force and EM microscopy to study fibrils assembled from different human Tau isoforms and domains. All fibrils reveal structural polymorphism; the “thin twisted” and “thin smooth” fibrils resemble flat ribbons (cross-section ∼10 × 15 nm) with diverse twist periodicities. “Thick fibrils” show periodicities of ∼65–70 nm and thicknesses of ∼9–18 nm such as routinely reported for “paired helical filaments” but structurally resemble heavily twisted ribbons. Therefore, thin and thick fibrils assembled from different human Tau isoforms challenge current structural models of paired helical filaments. Furthermore, all Tau fibrils reveal axial subperiodicities of ∼17–19 nm and, upon exposure to mechanical stress or hydrophobic surfaces, disassemble into uniform fragments that remain connected by thin thread-like structures (∼2 nm). This hydrophobically induced disassembly is inhibited at enhanced electrolyte concentrations, indicating that the fragments resemble structural building blocks and the fibril integrity depends largely on hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions. Because full-length Tau and repeat domain constructs assemble into fibrils of similar thickness, the “fuzzy coat” of Tau protein termini surrounding the fibril axis is nearly invisible for atomic force microscopy and EM, presumably because of its high flexibility. PMID:20566652

Spectral enhancement of leucocrystal violet treated footwear impression evidence in blood.

PubMed

Spence, Lindsay; Asmussen, Gary

2003-03-27

The results presented demonstrate the capacity for spectral enhancement to substantially improve the forensic examination of footwear impressions in blood treated with leucocrystal violet (LCV). The UV-Vis absorption spectra were generated of (i) an aqueous solution of leucocrystal violet, (ii) leucocrystal violet in 3% H(2)O(2), (iii) LCV working solution and (iv) whole blood added to LCV working solution. The resultant fluorescence emission spectra were subsequently generated (lambda(ex)=630nm, lambda(em)=661-900nm). The results indicate that the UV-Vis absorption spectra of an unbuffered solution of whole blood with LCV working solution produces a strong absorbance curve with a maxima at 630nm. Subsequent excitation at this wavelength and generation of the emission spectrum in the fluorescence mode indicates that a solution of whole blood added to LCV working solution is an extremely weak fluorophore. Therefore, to enable an adequate and timely enhancement of blood impression evidence treated with LCV utilising either visible fluorescence or infrared luminescence requires (i) selection of the most appropriate excitation wavelength (lambda(ex)) and emission wavelength (lambda(em)) with extremely narrow band pass filters, which in the absence of substrate matrix interference is excitation at 630nm producing the emission maxima at 665nm and (ii) a visual enhancement system such as a CCD colour IR video camera with image integration.

Net Production and Consumption of Fluorescent Colored Dissolved Organic Matter by Natural Bacterial Assemblages Growing on Marine Phytoplankton Exudates▿

PubMed Central

Romera-Castillo, Cristina; Sarmento, Hugo; Álvarez-Salgado, Xosé Antón; Gasol, Josep M.; Marrasé, Celia

2011-01-01

An understanding of the distribution of colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM) in the oceans and its role in the global carbon cycle requires a better knowledge of the colored materials produced and consumed by marine phytoplankton and bacteria. In this work, we examined the net uptake and release of CDOM by a natural bacterial community growing on DOM derived from four phytoplankton species cultured under axenic conditions. Fluorescent humic-like substances exuded by phytoplankton (excitation/emission [Ex/Em] wavelength, 310 nm/392 nm; Coble's peak M) were utilized by bacteria in different proportions depending on the phytoplankton species of origin. Furthermore, bacteria produced humic-like substances that fluoresce at an Ex/Em wavelength of 340 nm/440 nm (Coble's peak C). Differences were also observed in the Ex/Em wavelengths of the protein-like materials (Coble's peak T) produced by phytoplankton and bacteria. The induced fluorescent emission of CDOM produced by prokaryotes was an order of magnitude higher than that of CDOM produced by eukaryotes. We have also examined the final compositions of the bacterial communities growing on the exudates, which differed markedly depending on the phytoplankton species of origin. Alteromonas and Roseobacter were dominant during all the incubations on Chaetoceros sp. and Prorocentrum minimum exudates, respectively. Alteromonas was the dominant group growing on Skeletonema costatum exudates during the exponential growth phase, but it was replaced by Roseobacter afterwards. On Micromonas pusilla exudates, Roseobacter was replaced by Bacteroidetes after the exponential growth phase. Our work shows that fluorescence excitation-emission matrices of CDOM can be a helpful tool for the identification of microbial sources of DOM in the marine environment, but further studies are necessary to explore the association of particular bacterial groups with specific fluorophores. PMID:21742918

Preparation of Different Substitued Polypyridine Ligands, Ruthenium(II)-Bridged Complexes and Spectoscopıc Studies.

PubMed

Obali, Aslihan Yilmaz; Ucan, Halil Ismet

2016-09-01

Novel different substitued polypyridine ligands 4-((4-(1H-imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline-2-yl)phenoxy)methyl)benzaldehyde (BA-PPY), (E)-N-(4-((4-(1H-imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline-2-yl)phenoxy)methyl)benzylidene)-pyrene-4-amine (PR-PPY), (E)-N-(4-((4-(1H-imidazo[4,5-f][1,10] phenanthroline-2-yl)phenoxy)methyl)benzylidene)-1,10-phenanthroline-5amine (FN-PPY), 2-(4-(bromomethyl)phenyl)-1H-imidazo[4,5-f][1,10] phenanthroline (BR-PPY), 2-(4-(azidomethyl)phenyl)-1H-imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline (N3-PPY) and triazole containing polypyridine ligand 3,4-bis[(4-(metoxy)-1,2,3-triazole)1-methylphenyl)-1H-imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline)] benzaldehyde (BA-DIPPY) and Ruthenium(II) complexes were synthesized and characterized. Their photopysical properties were investigated. The complexes RuP(PR-PPY), RuB(PR-PPY, RuP(FN-PPY) and RuB(FN-PPY) exhibited a broad absorption bands at 485, 475, 476, and 453 nm, respectively, assignable to the spin-allowed MLCT (dπ-π*) transition. The emission maxima of the pyrene-appended polypyridine ligand PR-PPY was observed at λems = 616 nm and the phenanthroline-appended polypyridine ligand FN-PPY was observed at λems = 668 nm. And the emission maxima of the complexes RuP(PR-PPY), RuB(PR-PPY), RuP(FN-PPY) and RuB(FN-PPY) were observed at λems = 646, 646, 685 and 685 nm, respectively. As seen in fluorescence spectra, the fluorescence intensities of the ligands are higher than their metal complexes. This is because of quenching effect of Ruthenium(II) metal on chromophore groups.

An Operational Configuration of the ARPS Data Analysis System to Initialize WRF in the NM'S Environmental Modeling System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Case, Jonathan; Blottman, Pete; Hoeth, Brian; Oram, Timothy

2006-01-01

The Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model is the next generation community mesoscale model designed to enhance collaboration between the research and operational sectors. The NM'S as a whole has begun a transition toward WRF as the mesoscale model of choice to use as a tool in making local forecasts. Currently, both the National Weather Service in Melbourne, FL (NWS MLB) and the Spaceflight Meteorology Group (SMG) are running the Advanced Regional Prediction System (AIRPS) Data Analysis System (ADAS) every 15 minutes over the Florida peninsula to produce high-resolution diagnostics supporting their daily operations. In addition, the NWS MLB and SMG have used ADAS to provide initial conditions for short-range forecasts from the ARPS numerical weather prediction (NWP) model. Both NM'S MLB and SMG have derived great benefit from the maturity of ADAS, and would like to use ADAS for providing initial conditions to WRF. In order to assist in this WRF transition effort, the Applied Meteorology Unit (AMU) was tasked to configure and implement an operational version of WRF that uses output from ADAS for the model initial conditions. Both agencies asked the AMU to develop a framework that allows the ADAS initial conditions to be incorporated into the WRF Environmental Modeling System (EMS) software. Developed by the NM'S Science Operations Officer (S00) Science and Training Resource Center (STRC), the EMS is a complete, full physics, NWP package that incorporates dynamical cores from both the National Center for Atmospheric Research's Advanced Research WRF (ARW) and the National Centers for Environmental Prediction's Non-Hydrostatic Mesoscale Model (NMM) into a single end-to-end forecasting system. The EMS performs nearly all pre- and postprocessing and can be run automatically to obtain external grid data for WRF boundary conditions, run the model, and convert the data into a format that can be readily viewed within the Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System. The EMS has also incorporated the WRF Standard Initialization (SI) graphical user interface (GUT), which allows the user to set up the domain, dynamical core, resolution, etc., with ease. In addition to the SI GUT, the EMS contains a number of configuration files with extensive documentation to help the user select the appropriate input parameters for model physics schemes, integration timesteps, etc. Therefore, because of its streamlined capability, it is quite advantageous to configure ADAS to provide initial condition data to the EMS software. One of the biggest potential benefits of configuring ADAS for ingest into the EMS is that the analyses could be used to initialize either the ARW or NMM. Currently, the ARPS/ADAS software has a conversion routine only for the ARW dynamical core. However, since the NIvIM runs about 2.5 times faster than the ARW, it is quite advantageous to be able to run an ADAS/NMM configuration operationally due to the increased efficiency.

Exploration of Biological Markers of Feed Efficiency in Young Bulls.

PubMed

Meale, Sarah J; Morgavi, Diego P; Cassar-Malek, Isabelle; Andueza, Donato; Ortigues-Marty, Isabelle; Robins, Richard J; Schiphorst, Anne-Marie; Laverroux, Sophie; Graulet, Benoit; Boudra, Hamid; Cantalapiedra-Hijar, Gonzalo

2017-11-15

The efficiency with which ruminants convert feed to desirable products is difficult to measure under normal commercial settings. We explored the use of potential biological markers from easily obtainable samples, that is, blood, hair, and feces, to characterize potential causes of divergent efficiency when considered as residual feed intake (RFI) or feed conversion efficiency (FCE). A total of 54 Charolais bulls, 20 in period 1 and 34 in period 2, were examined for individual dry matter intake (DMI) and growth. Bulls were offered a diet of 70:30 wrapped grass silage to concentrate for 99 d. At the conclusion of the test period, blood samples were collected for the determination of vitamins B 2 and B 6 , and plasma used for the determination of metabolites, natural isotopic 15 N abundance ( 15 N NIA, expressed as δ 15 N ‰) and fractionation (Δ 15 N plasma proteins-diet and Δ 13 C plasma proteins-diet ) and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Feces were analyzed by NIRS. Bulls were slaughtered at 15-17 months of age and carcass characteristics determined. Bulls were ranked according to RFI with extremes (SD ± 0.5; n = 31) classified as either efficient (Neg-RFI) or inefficient (Pos-RFI). Extreme bulls were then classified for FCE (high vs low FCE), changing the groups. Pos-RFI bulls consumed 14% more feed than Neg-RFI bulls for the same level of weight gain. Low FCE bulls tended to eat more, but had lower weight gains than high FCE bulls. No differences were detected in carcass conformation, fat scores, hot carcass weight, or dressing percentage. Yet, heart and bladder weights were heavier in Pos-RFI, and rumen weight tended to be heavier in Pos-RFI bulls. RFI did not affect bulk 15 N or 13 C fractionation. A negative correlation was observed between FCE and Δ 15 N plasma proteins-diet . Inefficient bulls (Pos-RFI) had higher δ 15 N in glycine compared to Neg-RFI bulls. Similarly, metabolomic analysis showed a tendency for concentrations of glycine and sarcosine to be elevated in Pos-RFI bulls, whereas aspartic acid and carnosine tended to be elevated, and serine tended to be lower in High FCE. Among vitamins, only flavin adenine dinucleotide concentration was higher in the blood of bulls with High FCE. These results suggest that the two feed efficiency metrics differ in the underlying mechanisms of metabolism, where RFI is driven by differences in the energetic requirements of visceral organs and the extent of AA catabolism.

A cost and resource utilization analysis of micafungin bridging for hemato-oncological high-risk patients undergoing allogeneic stem cell transplantation.

PubMed

Heimann, Sebastian M; Vehreschild, Maria J G T; Cornely, Oliver A; Franke, Bernd; von Bergwelt-Baildon, Michael; Wisplinghoff, Hilmar; Kron, Florian; Scheid, Christoph; Vehreschild, Jörg J

2015-06-01

Intravenous bridging strategies increase exposure of antifungal prophylaxis in high-risk hematological patients. The cost-effectiveness of such strategies has not been analyzed. A recent study compared the impact of oral posaconazole (POS) and oral posaconazole with intravenous micafungin bridging (POS-MIC) as prophylactic antifungal regimens in patients undergoing allogeneic stem cell transplantation (aSCT). Based on data from the Cologne Cohort of Neutropenic Patients (CoCoNut), a health economic evaluation of direct treatment costs was performed to analyze the economic impact of micafungin bridging. Analysis was undertaken based on current guidelines for the German societal perspective with an annual discount rate of 5%, whereby indirect costs were disregarded due to the severity of the underlying disease. Sensitivity analysis of cost calculation with different discount rates was performed to improve robustness of our health economic evaluation. A retrospective case-control analysis of patients undergoing aSCT between 05/2006 and 07/2011 was performed; 106 patients each in the POS and POS-MIC group were included. In the POS and POS-MIC group, mean costs per patient for the treatment on bone marrow transplant ward were €27,228 (95% CI: €24,932-€29,525) vs. €27,894 (95% CI: €26,414-€29,375; P = 0.629), for diagnostic measures €2124 (95% CI: €1823-€2425) vs. €1269 (95% CI: €1168-€1370; P ≤ 0.001), for laboratory findings €10,612 (95% CI: €9681-€11,544) vs. €8836 (95% CI: €8198-€9475; P = 0.002), and for overall antifungal treatment €6105 (95% CI: €4703-€7508) vs. €6943 (95% CI: €5393-€8493; P = 0.428), resulting in mean overall costs per patient of €60,304 (95% CI: €53,969-€66,639) vs. €58,089 (95% CI: €51,736-64,442; P = 0.625). Our health economic evaluation shows micafungin bridging in aSCT patients did not result in excess cost. Higher acquisition costs of antifungal prophylaxis were balanced by a reduced incidence of possible IFD and lower costs for empirical, preemptive, and targeted antifungal therapy as well as lower costs for diagnostic measures and laboratory tests in the micafungin bridging group. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

DustEM: Dust extinction and emission modelling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Compiègne, M.; Verstraete, L.; Jones, A.; Bernard, J.-P.; Boulanger, F.; Flagey, N.; Le Bourlot, J.; Paradis, D.; Ysard, N.

2013-07-01

DustEM computes the extinction and the emission of interstellar dust grains heated by photons. It is written in Fortran 95 and is jointly developed by IAS and CESR. The dust emission is calculated in the optically thin limit (no radiative transfer) and the default spectral range is 40 to 108 nm. The code is designed so dust properties can easily be changed and mixed and to allow for the inclusion of new grain physics.

Progress Report on Explosives Machining Study

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-08-01

430 ... -7 Pos 0.02 102 74 ... 0.1 0.. ... -1 PBXN -3 Neg 0.02 146 62 0.05 ... ...... -2 Pos 0.01 88 106 ...... ... ,.. -2 HBX-l Neg 0.01 63 63...phys- ical properties. To date, machining experiments have been completed for five explosives TNT, HBX-1, PBXN -3, PBXN -104, and PBXN -105. Equations...This is shown by the range of thermocouple 4t’s, from a low of 10C for TNT, to three times that for PBXN -104. Estimated chip temperatures would be

Fluorescence Studies of Protein Crystal Nucleation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pusey, Marc L.; Sumida, John

2000-01-01

One of the most powerful and versatile methods for studying molecules in solution is fluorescence. Crystallization typically takes place in a concentrated solution environment, whereas fluorescence typically has an upper concentration limit of approximately 1 x 10(exp -5)M, thus intrinsic fluorescence cannot be employed, but a fluorescent probe must be added to a sub population of the molecules. However the fluorescent species cannot interfere with the self-assembly process. This can be achieved with macromolecules, where fluorescent probes can be covalently attached to a sub population of molecules that are subsequently used to track the system as a whole. We are using fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) to study the initial solution phase self-assembly process of tetragonal lysozyme crystal nucleation, using covalent fluorescent derivatives which crystallize in the characteristic P432121 space group. FRET studies are being carried out between cascade blue (CB-lys, donor, Ex 376 nm, Em 420 nm) and lucifer yellow (LY-lys, acceptor, Ex 425 nm, Em 520 nm) asp101 derivatives. The estimated R0 for this probe pair, the distance where 50% of the donor energy is transferred to the acceptor, is approximately 1.2 nm, compared to 2.2 nm between the side chain carboxyls of adjacent asp101's in the crystalline 43 helix. The short CB-lys lifetime (approximately 5 ns), coupled with the large average distances between the molecules ((sup 3) 50 nm) in solution, ensure that any energy transfer observed is not due to random diffusive interactions. Addition of LY-lys to CB-lys results in the appearance of a second, shorter lifetime (approximately 0.2 ns). Results from these and other ongoing studies will be discussed in conjunction with a model for how tetragonal lysozyme crystals nucleate and grow, and the relevance of that model to microgravity protein crystal growth

Analytical method development and validation of spectrofluorimetric and spectrophotometric determination of some antimicrobial drugs in their pharmaceuticals.

PubMed

Ibrahim, F; Wahba, M E K; Magdy, G

2018-01-05

In this study, three novel, sensitive, simple and validated spectrophotometric and spectrofluorimetric methods have been proposed for estimation of some important antimicrobial drugs. The first two methods have been proposed for estimation of two important third-generation cephalosporin antibiotics namely, cefixime and cefdinir. Both methods were based on condensation of the primary amino group of the studied drugs with acetyl acetone and formaldehyde in acidic medium. The resulting products were measured by spectrophotometric (Method I) and spectrofluorimetric (Method II) tools. Regarding method I, the absorbance was measured at 315nm and 403nm with linearity ranges of 5.0-140.0 and 10.0-100.0μg/mL for cefixime and cefdinir, respectively. Meanwhile in method II, the produced fluorophore was measured at λ em 488nm or 491nm after excitation at λ ex 410nm with linearity ranges of 0.20-10.0 and 0.20-36.0μg/mL for cefixime and cefdinir, respectively. On the other hand, method III was devoted to estimate nifuroxazide spectrofluorimetrically depending on formation of highly fluorescent product upon reduction of the studied drug with Zinc powder in acidic medium. Measurement of the fluorescent product was carried out at λ em 335nm following excitation at λ ex 255nm with linearity range of 0.05 to 1.6μg/mL. The developed methods were subjected to detailed validation procedure, moreover they were used for the estimation of the concerned drugs in their pharmaceuticals. It was found that there is a good agreement between the obtained results and those obtained by the reported methods. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Analytical method development and validation of spectrofluorimetric and spectrophotometric determination of some antimicrobial drugs in their pharmaceuticals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ibrahim, F.; Wahba, M. E. K.; Magdy, G.

2018-01-01

In this study, three novel, sensitive, simple and validated spectrophotometric and spectrofluorimetric methods have been proposed for estimation of some important antimicrobial drugs. The first two methods have been proposed for estimation of two important third-generation cephalosporin antibiotics namely, cefixime and cefdinir. Both methods were based on condensation of the primary amino group of the studied drugs with acetyl acetone and formaldehyde in acidic medium. The resulting products were measured by spectrophotometric (Method I) and spectrofluorimetric (Method II) tools. Regarding method I, the absorbance was measured at 315 nm and 403 nm with linearity ranges of 5.0-140.0 and 10.0-100.0 μg/mL for cefixime and cefdinir, respectively. Meanwhile in method II, the produced fluorophore was measured at λem 488 nm or 491 nm after excitation at λex 410 nm with linearity ranges of 0.20-10.0 and 0.20-36.0 μg/mL for cefixime and cefdinir, respectively. On the other hand, method III was devoted to estimate nifuroxazide spectrofluorimetrically depending on formation of highly fluorescent product upon reduction of the studied drug with Zinc powder in acidic medium. Measurement of the fluorescent product was carried out at λem 335 nm following excitation at λex 255 nm with linearity range of 0.05 to 1.6 μg/mL. The developed methods were subjected to detailed validation procedure, moreover they were used for the estimation of the concerned drugs in their pharmaceuticals. It was found that there is a good agreement between the obtained results and those obtained by the reported methods.

Electron microscopic analysis of rotavirus assembly-replication intermediates

PubMed Central

Boudreaux, Crystal E.; Kelly, Deborah F.; McDonald, Sarah M.

2015-01-01

Rotaviruses (RVs) replicate their segmented, double-stranded RNA genomes in tandem with early virion assembly. In this study, we sought to gain insight into the ultrastructure of RV assembly-replication intermediates (RIs) using transmission electron microscopy (EM). Specifically, we examined a replicase-competent, subcellular fraction that contains all known RV RIs. Three never-before-seen complexes were visualized in this fraction. Using in vitro reconstitution, we showed that ~15-nm doughnut-shaped proteins in strings were nonstructural protein 2 (NSP2) bound to viral RNA transcripts. Moreover, using immunoaffinity-capture EM, we revealed that ~20-nm pebble-shaped complexes contain the viral RNA polymerase (VP1) and RNA capping enzyme (VP3). Finally, using a gel purification method, we demonstrated that ~30–70-nm electron-dense, particle-shaped complexes represent replicase-competent core RIs, containing VP1, VP3, and NSP2 as well as capsid proteins VP2 and VP6. The results of this study raise new questions about the interactions among viral proteins and RNA during the concerted assembly-replicase process. PMID:25635339

Spectrofluorimetric methods of stability-indicating assay of certain drugs affecting the cardiovascular system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moussa, B. A.; Mohamed, M. F.; Youssef, N. F.

2011-01-01

Two stability-indicating spectrofluorimetric methods have been developed for the determination of ezetimibe and olmesartan medoxomil, drugs affecting the cardiovascular system, and validated in the presence of their degradation products. The first method, for ezetimibe, is based on an oxidative coupling reaction of ezetimibe with 3-methylbenzothiazolin-2-one hydrazone hydrochloride in the presence of cerium (IV) ammonium sulfate in an acidic medium. The quenching effect of ezetimibe on the fluorescence of excess cerous ions is measured at the emission wavelength, λem, of 345 nm with the excitation wavelength, λex, of 296 nm. Factors affecting the reaction were carefully studied and optimized. The second method, for olmesartan medoxomil, is based on measuring the native fluorescence intensity of olmesartan medoxomil in methanol at λem = 360 nm with λex = 286 nm. Regression plots revealed good linear relationships in the assay limits of 10-120 and 8-112 g/ml for ezetimibe and olmesartan medoxomil, respectively. The validity of the methods was assessed according to the United States Pharmacopeya guidelines. Statistical analysis of the results exposed good Student's t-test and F-ratio values. The introduced methods were successfully applied to the analysis of ezetimibe and olmesartan medoxomil in drug substances and drug products as well as in the presence of their degradation products.

Determining the impact of smoking point of sale legislation among youth (Display) study: a protocol for an evaluation of public health policy.

PubMed

Haw, Sally; Amos, Amanda; Eadie, Douglas; Frank, John; MacDonald, Laura; MacKintosh, Anne Marie; MacGregor, Andy; Miller, Martine; Pearce, Jamie; Sharp, Clare; Stead, Martine; Tisch, Catherine; van der Sluijs, Winfried

2014-03-14

Tobacco advertising and product promotions have been largely banned in the UK but point of sale (POS) tobacco advertising is one of the few places where tobacco products may be legitimately advertised. POS displays have been shown to increase susceptibility to smoking, experimentation and initiation into smoking. These displays may also influence perceived prevalence of smoking and the perception that tobacco products are easily obtained and are a 'normal' product. A ban of POS tobacco advertising was introduced in Scotland in large tobacco retail outlets of over 280 m2 internal sales floor areas (mainly supermarkets) in April 2013 and will be extended to include smaller tobacco retail outlets in April 2015. However, the impact of POS bans on smoking attitudes, behaviours and prevalence has yet to be determined. This study has a multi-modal before and after design and uses mixed methods to collect data, at baseline and then with longitudinal follow-up for 4 years, in four purposively selected communities. For the purposes of the study, community is defined as the catchment areas of the secondary schools selected for study. There are four main components to the on-going study. In each of the four communities, at baseline and in follow-up years, there will be: mapping and spatial analyses of tobacco retail outlets; tobacco advertising and marketing audits of tobacco retail outlets most used by young people; cross-sectional school surveys of secondary school pupils; and focus group interviews with purposive samples of secondary school pupils. The tobacco audit is supplemented by interviews and observations conducted with a panel of tobacco retailers recruited from four matched communities. This study examines the impact of the implementation of both a partial and comprehensive ban on point of sale (POS) tobacco advertising on attitudes to smoking, brand awareness, perceived ease of access to tobacco products and youth smoking prevalence. The results will be of considerable interest to policy makers both from the UK and other jurisdictions where they are considering the development and implementation of similar legislation.

Efficacy and safety of brivaracetam for partial-onset seizures in 3 pooled clinical studies

PubMed Central

Mameniškienė, Rūta; Quarato, Pier Paolo; Klein, Pavel; Gamage, Jessica; Schiemann, Jimmy; Johnson, Martin E.; Whitesides, John; McDonough, Belinda; Eckhardt, Klaus

2016-01-01

Objective: To assess the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of adjunctive brivaracetam (BRV), a selective, high-affinity ligand for SV2A, for treatment of partial-onset (focal) seizures (POS) in adults. Methods: Data were pooled from patients (aged 16–80 years) with POS uncontrolled by 1 to 2 antiepileptic drugs receiving BRV 50, 100, or 200 mg/d or placebo, without titration, in 3 phase III studies of BRV (NCT00490035, NCT00464269, and NCT01261325, ClinicalTrials.gov, funded by UCB Pharma). The studies had an 8-week baseline and a 12-week treatment period. Patients receiving concomitant levetiracetam were excluded from the efficacy pool. Results: In the efficacy population (n = 1,160), reduction over placebo (95% confidence interval) in baseline-adjusted POS frequency/28 days was 19.5% (8.0%–29.6%) for 50 mg/d (p = 0.0015), 24.4% (16.8%–31.2%) for 100 mg/d (p < 0.00001), and 24.0% (15.3%–31.8%) for 200 mg/d (p < 0.00001). The ≥50% responder rate was 34.2% (50 mg/d, p = 0.0015), 39.5% (100 mg/d, p < 0.00001), and 37.8% (200 mg/d, p = 0.00003) vs 20.3% for placebo (p < 0.01). Across the safety population groups (n = 1,262), 90.0% to 93.9% completed the studies. Treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were reported by 68.0% BRV overall (n = 803) and 62.1% placebo (n = 459). Serious TEAEs were reported by 3.0% (BRV) and 2.8% (placebo); 3 patients receiving BRV and one patient receiving placebo died. TEAEs in ≥5% patients taking BRV (vs placebo) were somnolence (15.2% vs 8.5%), dizziness (11.2% vs 7.2%), headache (9.6% vs 10.2%), and fatigue (8.7% vs 3.7%). Conclusions: Adjunctive BRV was effective and generally well tolerated in adults with POS. Classification of evidence: This analysis provides Class I evidence that adjunctive BRV is effective in reducing POS frequency in adults with epilepsy and uncontrolled seizures. PMID:27335114

Determining the impact of smoking point of sale legislation among youth (Display) study: a protocol for an evaluation of public health policy

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background Tobacco advertising and product promotions have been largely banned in the UK but point of sale (POS) tobacco advertising is one of the few places where tobacco products may be legitimately advertised. POS displays have been shown to increase susceptibility to smoking, experimentation and initiation into smoking. These displays may also influence perceived prevalence of smoking and the perception that tobacco products are easily obtained and are a ‘normal’ product. A ban of POS tobacco advertising was introduced in Scotland in large tobacco retail outlets of over 280m2 internal sales floor areas (mainly supermarkets) in April 2013 and will be extended to include smaller tobacco retail outlets in April 2015. However, the impact of POS bans on smoking attitudes, behaviours and prevalence has yet to be determined. Methods/design This study has a multi-modal before and after design and uses mixed methods to collect data, at baseline and then with longitudinal follow-up for 4 years, in four purposively selected communities. For the purposes of the study, community is defined as the catchment areas of the secondary schools selected for study. There are four main components to the on-going study. In each of the four communities, at baseline and in follow-up years, there will be: mapping and spatial analyses of tobacco retail outlets; tobacco advertising and marketing audits of tobacco retail outlets most used by young people; cross-sectional school surveys of secondary school pupils; and focus group interviews with purposive samples of secondary school pupils. The tobacco audit is supplemented by interviews and observations conducted with a panel of tobacco retailers recruited from four matched communities. Discussion This study examines the impact of the implementation of both a partial and comprehensive ban on point of sale (POS) tobacco advertising on attitudes to smoking, brand awareness, perceived ease of access to tobacco products and youth smoking prevalence. The results will be of considerable interest to policy makers both from the UK and other jurisdictions where they are considering the development and implementation of similar legislation. PMID:24628879

Young people's exposure to point-of-sale tobacco products and promotions.

PubMed

Stead, M; Eadie, D; MacKintosh, A M; Best, C; Miller, M; Haseen, F; Pearce, J R; Tisch, C; Macdonald, L; MacGregor, A; Amos, A; van der Sluijs, W; Frank, J W; Haw, S

2016-07-01

Point of sale (POS) displays are one of the most important forms of tobacco marketing still permitted in many countries. Reliable methods for measuring exposure to such displays are needed in order to assess their potential impact, particularly on smoking attitudes and uptake among young people. In this study we use a novel method for evaluating POS exposure based on young people's use of retail outlets and recall of tobacco displays and observational data on the characteristics of displays. Observational audit of retail outlets (n = 96) and school-based pupil survey (n = 1482) in four Scottish communities reflecting different levels of social deprivation and urbanisation, conducted in 2013 before legislation to remove POS displays was implemented in supermarkets. Measures were taken of: visibility and placement of tobacco displays; internal and external advertising; display unit size, branding and design; visibility of pack warnings; proximity of tobacco products to products of potential interest to children and young people; pupils' self-reported frequency of visiting retail outlets; and pupils' recall of tobacco displays. Variation in POS exposure across social and demographic groups was assessed. Displays were highly visible within outlets and, in over half the stores, from the public footway outside. Tobacco products were displayed in close proximity to products of interest to children (e.g. confectionery, in 70% of stores). Eighty percent of pupils recalled seeing tobacco displays, with those from deprived areas more likely to recall displays in small shops. When confectioners, tobacconists and newsagents (CTNs) and grocery/convenience stores (two of the outlet types most often visited by young people) were examined separately, average tobacco display unit sizes were significantly larger in those outlets in more deprived areas. POS displays remain a key vector in most countries for advertising tobacco products, and it is important to develop robust measures of exposure. The data reported in this paper provide a baseline measure for evaluating the efficacy of legislation prohibiting such displays. Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Telocytes and stem cells in limbus and uvea of mouse eye.

PubMed

Luesma, María José; Gherghiceanu, Mihaela; Popescu, Laurenţiu M

2013-08-01

The potential of stem cell (SC) therapies for eye diseases is well-recognized. However, the results remain only encouraging as little is known about the mechanisms responsible for eye renewal, regeneration and/or repair. Therefore, it is critical to gain knowledge about the specific tissue environment (niches) where the stem/progenitor cells reside in eye. A new type of interstitial cell-telocyte (TC) (www.telocytes.com) was recently identified by electron microscopy (EM). TCs have very long (tens of micrometres) and thin (below 200 nm) prolongations named telopodes (Tp) that form heterocellular networks in which SCs are embedded. We found TCs by EM and electron tomography in sclera, limbus and uvea of the mouse eye. Furthermore, EM showed that SCs were present in the anterior layer of the iris and limbus. Adhaerens and gap junctions were found to connect TCs within a network in uvea and sclera. Nanocontacts (electron-dense structures) were observed between TCs and other cells: SCs, melanocytes, nerve endings and macrophages. These intercellular 'feet' bridged the intercellular clefts (about 10 nm wide). Moreover, exosomes (extracellular vesicles with a diameter up to 100 nm) were delivered by TCs to other cells of the iris stroma. The ultrastructural nanocontacts of TCs with SCs and the TCs paracrine influence via exosomes in the epithelial and stromal SC niches suggest an important participation of TCs in eye regeneration. © 2013 The Authors. Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine Published by Foundation for Cellular and Molecular Medicine/Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Insights into nurses' work: Exploring relationships among work attitudes and work-related behaviors.

PubMed

Perreira, Tyrone; Berta, Whitney; Ginsburg, Liane; Barnsley, Jan; Herbert, Monique

2017-01-25

Work attitudes have been associated with work productivity. In health care, poor work attitudes have been linked to poor performance, decreased patient safety, and quality care. Hence, the importance, ascribed in the literature, of work that clearly identifies the relationships between and among work attitudes and work behaviors linked to performance. The purpose of this study is to better understand the relationships between work attitudes-perceived organizational justice, perceived organizational support (POS), affective commitment-consistently associated with a key type of performance outcome among nurses' organizational citizenship behaviors (OCBs). A survey was developed and administered to frontline nurses working in the province of Ontario, Canada. Data analysis used path analytic techniques. Direct associations were identified between interpersonal justice and POS, procedural justice and POS, and POS and affective commitment to both one's supervisor and one's co-workers. Affective commitment to patients and career was directly associated with OCBs. Affective commitment to one's co-worker was directly associated with OCBs directed toward individuals, as affective commitment to one's organization was with OCBs directed toward the organization. Finally, OCBIs and OCBs were directly associated. Examining the relationships of these constructs in a single model is novel and provides new information regarding their complexity. Findings suggest that prior approaches to studying these relationships may have been undernuanced, and conceptualizations may have led to somewhat inaccurate conclusions regarding their associations. With limited resources, knowledge of nurse work attitudes can inform human resource practices and operational policies involving training programs in employee communication, transparency, interaction, support, and performance evaluation.

Pathogenic outcome following experimental infection of sheep with Chlamydia abortus variant strains LLG and POS.

PubMed

Livingstone, Morag; Wheelhouse, Nicholas; Ensor, Hannah; Rocchi, Mara; Maley, Stephen; Aitchison, Kevin; Wattegedera, Sean; Wilson, Kim; Sait, Michelle; Siarkou, Victoria; Vretou, Evangelia; Entrican, Gary; Dagleish, Mark; Longbottom, David

2017-01-01

This study investigated the pathogenesis of two variant strains (LLG and POS) of Chlamydia abortus, in comparison to a typical wild-type strain (S26/3) which is known to be responsible for late term abortion in small ruminants. Challenge with the three strains at mid-gestation resulted in similar pregnancy outcomes, with abortion occurring in approximately 50-60% of ewes with the mean gestational lengths also being similar. However, differences were observed in the severity of placental pathology, with infection appearing milder for strain LLG, which was reflected in the lower number of organisms shed in vaginal swabs post-partum and less gross pathology and organisms present in placental smears. Results for strain POS were somewhat different than LLG with a more focal restriction of infection observed. Post-abortion antibody responses revealed prominent differences in seropositivity to the major outer membrane protein (MOMP) present in elementary body (EB) preparations under denaturing conditions, most notably with anti-LLG and anti-POS convalescent sera where there was no or reduced detection of MOMP present in EBs derived from the three strains. These results and additional analysis of whole EB and chlamydial outer membrane complex preparations suggest that there are conformational differences in MOMP for the three strains. Overall, the results suggest that gross placental pathology and clinical outcome is not indicative of bacterial colonization and the severity of infection. The results also highlight potential conformational differences in MOMP epitopes that perhaps impact on disease diagnosis and the development of new vaccines.

State-Level Point-of-Sale Tobacco News Coverage and Policy Progression Over a 2-Year Period.

PubMed

Myers, Allison E; Southwell, Brian G; Ribisl, Kurt M; Moreland-Russell, Sarah; Bowling, J Michael; Lytle, Leslie A

2018-01-01

Mass media content may play an important role in policy change. However, the empirical relationship between media advocacy efforts and tobacco control policy success has rarely been studied. We examined the extent to which newspaper content characteristics (volume, slant, frame, source, use of evidence, and degree of localization) that have been identified as important in past descriptive studies were associated with policy progression over a 2-year period in the context of point-of-sale (POS) tobacco control. We used regression analyses to test the relationships between newspaper content and policy progression from 2012 to 2014. The dependent variable was the level of implementation of state-level POS tobacco control policies at Time 2. Independent variables were newspaper article characteristics (volume, slant, frame, source, use of evidence, and degree of localization) and were collected via content analysis of the articles. State-level policy environment contextual variables were examined as confounders. Positive, significant bivariate relationships exist between characteristics of news content (e.g., high overall volume, public health source present, local quote and local angle present, and pro-tobacco control slant present) and Time 2 POS score. However, in a multivariate model controlling for other factors, significant relationships did not hold. Newspaper coverage can be a marker of POS policy progression. Whether media can influence policy implementation remains an important question. Future work should continue to tease out and confirm the unique characteristics of media content that are most associated with subsequent policy progression, in order to inform media advocacy efforts.

Stem-like tumor-initiating cells isolated from IL13Rα2 expressing gliomas are targeted and killed by IL13-zetakine-redirected T Cells.

PubMed

Brown, Christine E; Starr, Renate; Aguilar, Brenda; Shami, Andrew F; Martinez, Catalina; D'Apuzzo, Massimo; Barish, Michael E; Forman, Stephen J; Jensen, Michael C

2012-04-15

To evaluate IL13Rα2 as an immunotherapeutic target for eliminating glioma stem-like cancer initiating cells (GSC) of high-grade gliomas, with particular focus on the potential of genetically engineered IL13Rα2-specific primary human CD8(+) CTLs (IL13-zetakine(+) CTL) to target this therapeutically resistant glioma subpopulation. A panel of low-passage GSC tumor sphere (TS) and serum-differentiated glioma lines were expanded from patient glioblastoma specimens. These glioblastoma lines were evaluated for expression of IL13Rα2 and for susceptibility to IL13-zetakine(+) CTL-mediated killing in vitro and in vivo. We observed that although glioma IL13Rα2 expression varies between patients, for IL13Rα2(pos) cases this antigen was detected on both GSCs and more differentiated tumor cell populations. IL13-zetakine(+) CTL were capable of efficient recognition and killing of both IL13Rα2(pos) GSCs and IL13Rα2(pos) differentiated cells in vitro, as well as eliminating glioma-initiating activity in an orthotopic mouse tumor model. Furthermore, intracranial administration of IL13-zetakine(+) CTL displayed robust antitumor activity against established IL13Rα2(pos) GSC TS-initiated orthotopic tumors in mice. Within IL13Rα2 expressing high-grade gliomas, this receptor is expressed by GSCs and differentiated tumor populations, rendering both targetable by IL13-zetakine(+) CTLs. Thus, our results support the potential usefullness of IL13Rα2-directed immunotherapeutic approaches for eradicating therapeutically resistant GSC populations. ©2012 AACR.

Progranulin increases phagocytosis by retinal pigment epithelial cells in culture.

PubMed

Murase, Hiromi; Tsuruma, Kazuhiro; Kuse, Yoshiki; Shimazawa, Masamitsu; Hara, Hideaki

2017-12-01

Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells take part in retinal preservation, such as phagocytizing the shed photoreceptor outer segments (POS), every day. The incomplete phagocytic function accelerates RPE degeneration and formation of the toxic by-product lipofuscin. Excessive lipofuscin accumulation is characteristic of various blinding diseases in the human eye. Progranulin is a cysteine-rich protein that has multiple biological activities, and it has a high presence in the retina. Progranulin has been recognized to be involved in macrophage phagocytosis in the brain. The purpose of this study is to determine whether progranulin influences phagocytosis by RPE cells. All experiments were performed on primary human RPE (hRPE) cells in culture. pHrodo was used to label the isolated porcine POS, and quantification of pHrodo fluorescence was used to determine the degree of phagocytosis. Western blotting and immunohistochemistry of key proteins involved in phagocytosis were used to clarify the mechanism of progranulin. Progranulin increased RPE phagocytosis in hydrogen peroxide-treated and nontreated RPE cells. The phosphorylated form of Mer tyrosine kinase, which is important for POS internalization, was significantly increased in the progranulin-exposed cells. This increase was attenuated by SU11274, an inhibitor of hepatic growth factor receptor. Under the oxidative stress condition, exposure to progranulin led to an approximately twofold increase in integrin alpha-v, which is associated with the first step in recognition of POS by RPE cells. These results suggest that progranulin could be an effective stimulator for RPE phagocytosis and could repair RPE function. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Placing Antismoking Graphic Warning Posters at Retail Point-of-Sale Locations Increases Some Adolescents' Susceptibility to Future Smoking.

PubMed

Shadel, William G; Martino, Steven C; Setodji, Claude; Dunbar, Michael; Kusuke, Daniela; Lanna, Serafina; Meyer, Amanda

2017-12-13

This experiment tested whether introducing graphic antitobacco posters at point-of-sale (POS) had any effect on adolescents' susceptibility to future cigarette smoking and whether these effects were moderated by adolescents' baseline risk of cigarette smoking. The study was conducted in the RAND StoreLab, a life-sized replica of a convenience store that was developed to experimentally evaluate how changing aspects of tobacco advertising displays in retail POS environments influence tobacco use risk and behavior during simulated shopping experiences. In this study, 441 adolescents were randomized to one of the four conditions in a 2 (graphic antismoking poster placed near the tobacco power wall: no, yes) × 2 (graphic antismoking poster placed near the cash register: no, yes) experimental design. The outcome of interest was susceptibility to future cigarette smoking. The addition of antismoking posters at POS led to a significant increase in future smoking susceptibility among those adolescents who already were at high risk for smoking in the future (p < .045). The introduction of graphic antismoking posters had no impact on committed never smokers, regardless of poster location; never smokers' susceptibility to future smoking was uniformly low across experimental conditions. Introducing graphic antismoking posters at POS may have the unintended effect of further increasing cigarette smoking susceptibility among adolescents already at risk. © The Author(s) 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Environmentally benign process for the preparation of antimicrobial α-methylene-β-hydroxy-γ-butyrolactone (tulipalin B) from tulip biomass.

PubMed

Nomura, Taiji; Hayashi, Emiko; Kawakami, Shohei; Ogita, Shinjiro; Kato, Yasuo

2015-01-01

Tulipalin B (α-methylene-β-hydroxy-γ-butyrolactone, PaB) is an antimicrobial natural product occurring in tulip (Tulipa gesneriana). PaB is directly formed from the precursor glucose ester 6-tuliposide B (PosB) by endogenous Pos-converting enzyme (TCE). Despite the potential usefulness of antibacterial PaB in various industrial applications, lack of facile synthetic schemes hampers its practical use. Herein, we describe an environmentally benign and facile process for the preparation of PaB using tulip biomass materials based on one-step enzyme reaction catalyzed by TCE without the use of petroleum-derived solvents. By screening 115 tulip cultivars, we found three elite cultivars, which accumulated PosB almost exclusively in flower tissues. The flower extracts with aqueous ethanol were partially purified with activated charcoal and subjected to the enzyme reaction with reusable immobilized TCE prepared from bulb crude extracts. The reaction was completed in a few hours at room temperature, and PaB was purified with activated charcoal and ethanol in a batch-wise manner.

The effect of physician and health plan market concentration on prices in commercial health insurance markets.

PubMed

Schneider, John E; Li, Pengxiang; Klepser, Donald G; Peterson, N Andrew; Brown, Timothy T; Scheffler, Richard M

2008-03-01

The objective of this paper is to describe the market structure of health plans (HPs) and physician organizations (POs) in California, a state with high levels of managed care penetration and selective contracting. First we calculate Herfindahl-Hirschman (HHI) concentration indices for HPs and POs in 42 California counties. We then estimate a multivariable regression model to examine the relationship between concentration measures and the prices paid by HPs to POs. Price data is from Medstat MarketScan databases. The findings show that any California counties exhibit what the Department of Justice would consider high HHI concentration measures, in excess of 1,800. More than three quarters of California counties exhibit HP concentration indices over 1,800, and 83% of counties have PO concentration levels in excess of 1,800. Half of the study counties exhibited PO concentration levels in excess of 3,600, compared to only 24% for plans. Multivariate price models suggest that PO concentration is associated with higher physician prices (p < or = 0.05), whereas HP concentration does not appear to be significantly associated with higher outpatient commercial payer prices.

Exploring the positions of German and Israeli patient organizations in the bioethical context of end-of-life policies.

PubMed

Raz, Aviad; Jordan, Isabella; Schicktanz, Silke

2014-06-01

Patient organizations are increasingly involved in national and international bioethical debates and health policy deliberations. In order to examine how and to what extent cultural factors and organizational contexts influence the positions of patient organizations, this study compares the positions of German and Israeli patient organizations (POs) on issues related to end-of-life medical care. We draw on a qualitative pilot study of thirteen POs, using as a unit of analysis pairs comprised of one German PO and one Israeli PO that were matched on the basis of organizational category. Bioethical positions that emanated from the interviews concerned advance directives--general views, recent legal framework, and formalization; as well as active and passive euthanasia, withholding and withdrawing of treatment, and physician-assisted suicide. In addition to the unifying, within-country impact of cultural factors, we found that constituency-based organizations and partner organizations in both countries often share common views, whereas disease-based support organizations have very heterogeneous positions. We conclude by discussing how organizational contexts provide a source of uniformity as well as diversity in the positions of POs.

Development of lacosamide for the treatment of partial-onset seizures

PubMed Central

Doty, Pamela; Hebert, David; Mathy, Francois-Xavier; Byrnes, William; Zackheim, James; Simontacchi, Kelly

2013-01-01

Lacosamide is an antiepileptic drug (AED) available in multiple formulations that was first approved in 2008 as adjunctive therapy for partial-onset seizures (POS) in adults. Unlike traditional sodium channel blockers affecting fast inactivation, lacosamide selectively enhances sodium channel slow inactivation. This mechanism of action results in stabilization of hyperexcitable neuronal membranes, inhibition of neuronal firing, and reduction in long-term channel availability without affecting physiological function. Lacosamide has a well-characterized and favorable pharmacokinetic profile, including a fast absorption rate, minimal or no interaction with cytochrome P-450 izoenzymes, and a low potential for drug–drug interactions. Lacosamide clinical development included three placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized trials conducted in more than 1300 patients, each demonstrating safety and efficacy of lacosamide compared to placebo as adjunctive therapy for adults with POS. The clinical use of lacosamide may broaden, pending results of trials evaluating its use as monotherapy for POS in adults, as treatment for epilepsy in pediatric subjects, and as adjunctive treatment for uncontrolled primary generalized tonic–clonic seizures in those with idiopathic generalized epilepsy. PMID:23859801

Ultrastructural comparison of the perisympathetic organs in three Coleoptera: Chrysocarabus auronitens F., Oryctes rhinoceros L. and Tenebrio molitor L.

PubMed

Provansal-Baudez, A; Baudry-Partiaoglou, N

1983-03-01

Ultrastructural comparison of different types of perisympathetic organs (POs) in three species of Coleoptera (Chrysocarabus auronitens, Oryctes rhinoceros, and Tenebrio molitor) showed that the structure of these organs was not related to their morphological types but to their topography. Two kinds of PO structure may be distinguished: compact median and diffuse lateral. They were similar in that both were surrounded by thin neural lamellae and exhibited numerous glial cells originating in the perineurium (type I perineurial cells) as well as abundant neurosecretory endings. They were different in as much as in median POs, the neurosecretory endings were generally surrounded by perineurial processes but in transverse POs, these endings were sheathless. Only one type of neurosecretory axon was distinguished in the median organs but three or four in the transverse. The nature of the processes by which neurosecretory granules are released may depend on the type of neurosecretory axon. For instance, exocytosis always occurred for dense spherical granules, and granule fragmentation was visualized for granules of smaller size.

Scintillation properties of phosphate-borate-fluoride glass doped with Tb3+/Pr3+

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Valiev, D.; Stepanov, S.; Polisadova, E.; Yao, G.

2018-06-01

Scintillation glass doped with Tb3+ and Pr3+ ions with different concentrations were prepared by the melt-quenching method. Optical, photoluminescence and decay kinetic characteristics of the pulse cathodoluminescence (PCL) were investigated. It was shown that the absorption coefficient of the induced absorption in the visible range of the spectrum decreases significantly with the increase of the Pr2O3 content starting from 0.2 to 1 wt%. There was the difference in the luminescence spectra of the glass at a selective and non-selective type of excitation. The "green" emission (λem= 542 nm, 5D4→7F5 radiative transition of Tb3+ ions) was excited an electron beam. The "red" emission (λem= 600 nm, 3P0→3H6 radiative transition of Pr3+ ion) was observed under selective excitation action (λexc= 450 nm). It was demonstrated that decreasing of intensity the main bands of Tb3+ ions at 487, 544, 622 nm connected with increases of concentration Pr3+ ions. The luminescence decay time of terbium ions at 487, 544, 622 nm emission bands depend on Pr3+ concentration. The tendency of reducing the luminescence decay time in the main luminescence bands of Tb3+ ions at increasing the Pr3+ concentration was presented. The results showed that Tb3+/ Pr3+ co-doped phosphate-borate-fluoride glasses are promising non-crystalline scintillation materials.

Execution Time of Symmetric Eigensolvers

DTIC Science & Technology

1997-01-01

322 , 398,405 nP n0=1;nb (2n 0 nb pr +dlog2(pr)em nbpc +3 +2m nb 2 2 pc 3+2 vnbn0 nb pr 3 +2nn 0 nb p 3) n2 pr + nm pc dlog2(pr)e + n nb 3+ nm...Sci. Comput., pages 1331{1348, 1994. http://www.nws.e-technik. tu-muenchen.de/~ jugo /pub/SIAMjac.ps.Z. [86] A. Greenbaum and J. Dongarra. Experiments

DynaGuard: Armoring Canary-Based Protections against Brute-Force Attacks

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-12-11

public domain. Non-exclusive copying or redistribution is...sje ng 462 .lib qua ntu m 464 .h2 64r ef 471 .om net pp 473 .as tar 483 .xa lan cbm k Apa che Ng inx Pos tgre SQ L SQ Lite My SQ L Sl ow do w n (n...k 456 .hm me r 458 .sje ng 462 .lib qua ntu m 464 .h2 64r ef 471 .om net pp 473 .as tar 483 .xa lan cbm k Apa che Ng inx Pos tgre SQ L SQ Lite My

Synthesis of Diketopiperizine Peptide Derivatives by Cross-Metathesis

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-05-01

3079, 2914, 1656, 1487, 1441, 1415, 1336, 1294, 1193, 1142, 1074, 1011 cm’ ; HRMS (EI pos) for CjoH14N20 2 [M]+: calcd 194.1055, found 194.1047. Anal...3088, 2971, 1705, 1509, 1455, 1368, 1169, 1053; HRMS (CI pos) for C 17 H 2 4NO4 [M+H]+: calcd 306.1705, found 306.1703. Anal. calcd 12 for C 17H 23NO4...28.47, 18.81; IR (neat) 3368, 2980, 2937, 1716, 1650, 1518, 1455, 1367, 1251, 1167, 1069; HRMS (ESI-FTICR) for [M+Na]+, calcd 252.1206, found 252.1227

Autoimmune hepatitis-specific antibodies against soluble liver antigen and liver cytosol type 1 in patients with chronic viral hepatitis.

PubMed

Rigopoulou, Eirini I; Mytilinaiou, Maria; Romanidou, Ourania; Liaskos, Christos; Dalekos, George N

2007-02-04

Non-organ specific autoantibodies are highly prevalent in patients with chronic hepatitis C (HCV). Among them, anti-liver kidney microsomal type 1 (LKM1) antibody--the serological marker of type 2 autoimmune hepatitis (AIH-2)--is detected in up to 11% of the HCV-infected subjects. On the other hand, anti-liver cytosol type 1 antibodies (anti-LC1)--either in association with anti-LKM1, or in isolation--and anti-soluble liver antigen antibodies (anti-SLA) have been considered as useful and specific diagnostic markers for AIH. However, their specificity for AIH has been questioned by some recent studies, which have shown the detection of anti-LC1 and anti-SLA by immunoprecipitation assays in HCV patients irrespective of their anti-LKM1 status. The aim of the present study was to test the anti-LC1 and anti-SLA presence by specific enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), in a large group of Greek HCV-infected patients with or without anti-LKM1 reactivity as firstly, immunoprecipitation assays are limited to few specialized laboratories worldwide and cannot be used routinely and secondly, to assess whether application of such tests has any relevance in the context of patients with viral hepatitis since antibody detection based on such ELISAs has not been described in detail in large groups of HCV patients. One hundred and thirty eight consecutive HCV patients (120 anti-LKM1 negative and 18 anti-LKM1 positive) were investigated for the presence of anti-LC1 and anti-SLA by commercial ELISAs. A similar number (120) of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infected patients seronegative for anti-LKM1 was also tested as pathological controls. Six out of 18 (33%) anti-LKM(pos)/HCV(pos) patients tested positive for anti-LC1 compared to 1/120 (0.83%) anti-LKM(neg)/HCV(pos) patients and 0/120 (0%) of the anti-LKM1(neg)/HBV(pos) patients (p < 0.001 for both comparisons). Anti-SLA antibodies were not present in any of the HCV (with or without anti-LKM1) or HBV-infected patients. We showed that anti-LC1 and anti-SLA autoantibodies are not detected by conventional assays in a large group of anti-LKM1 negative patients with chronic hepatitis B and C infections. Based on these results we cannot find any justification for the application of anti-LC1 and anti-SLA tests in the routine laboratory testing of viral hepatitis-related autoantibody serology with the only potential exception being the anti-LC1 screening in anti-LKM1(pos)/HCV(pos) patients.

Educational nutrition messaging at breakfast reduces snack intake and influences snack preferences in adult men and women.

PubMed

Baum, Jamie I; Gaines, Brianna L; Kubas, Gabrielle C; Mitchell, Charlayne F; Russell, Sarah L

2017-10-01

Breakfast skipping is associated with increased risk of weight gain and obesity in young adults, possibly due to increased snacking later in the day. Recent research suggests that providing and animal versus a plant source of protein at breakfast can reduce snack intake later in the day. In addition, providing nutrition information via a nutrition label, front-of-pack information, or via text messaging has been shown to help individuals make healthier food choices. The objective of this study was to determine if educational nutrition messaging and protein source influenced snack intake 2 h following the breakfast meal. Participants (n = 33) were randomly assigned to one of two groups: educational nutrition messaging (EM; n = 16) or no messaging (NM; n = 17) group. The study was conducted using a randomized, cross-over design in which each participant received each of two breakfast beverages, whey protein- (WP) and pea protein (PP)- based. Appetite was assessed at 0, 15, 30, 60, 90, and 120 min after each test breakfast using visual analog scales. Participants were then provided with a selection of healthy and unhealthy snacks for 60 min. There was no effect of protein source on appetite or snack intake. However, participants presented with EM had reduced snack intake over the snacking period compared to NM (P = 0.058) and, of the snacks consumed, the EM group consumed a higher percentage of healthy versus unhealthy snacks compared to NM (P < 0.0001), resulting in lower calorie intake. Taken together these data suggest that protein source, as part of a higher protein breakfast, does not affect appetite response or snack intake, but EM may help play a role in reducing snack intake between meals. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Strong interaction between dye molecule and electromagnetic field localized around 1 Nm3 at gaps of nanoparticle dimers by plasmon resonance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Itoh, Tamitake; Yamamoto, Yuko S.

2017-11-01

Electronic transition rates of a molecule located at a crevasse or a gap of a plasmonic nanoparticle (NP) dimer are largely enhanced up to the factor of around 106 due to electromagnetic (EM) coupling between plasmonic and molecular electronic resonances. The coupling rate is determined by mode density of the EM fields at the crevasse and the oscillator strength of the local electronic resonance of a molecule. The enhancement by EM coupling at a gap of plasmonic NP dimer enables us single molecule (SM) Raman spectroscopy. Recently, this type of research has entered a new regime wherein EM enhancement effects cannot be treated by conventional theorems, namely EM mechanism. Thus, such theorems used for the EM enhancement effect should be re-examined. We here firstly summarize EM mechanism by using surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), which is common in EM enhancement phenomena. Secondly, we focus on recent two our studies on probing SM fluctuation by SERS within the spatial resolution of sub-nanometer scales. Finally, we discuss the necessity of re-examining the EM mechanism with respect to two-fold breakdowns of the weak coupling assumption: the breakdown of Kasha's rule induced by the ultra-fast plasmonic de-excitation and the breakdown of the weak coupling by EM coupling rates exceeding both the plasmonic and molecular excitonic dephasing rates.

Determination of alkaline phosphatase based on affinity adsorption solid-substrate room temperature phosphorimetry using rhodamine 6G-dibromoluciferin luminescent nanoparticle to label lectin and prediction of diseases.

PubMed

Liu, Jia-Ming; Liu, Zhen-Bo; Hu, Li-Xiang; He, Hang-Xia; Yang, Min-Lan; Zhou, Ping; Chen, Xin-Hua; Zheng, Min-Min; Zeng, Xiao-Yi; Xu, Yue-Long

2006-10-15

In the presence of heavy atom perturber LiAc, the silicon dioxide nanoparticle containing rhodamine 6G (R) and dibromoluciferin (D) (R-D-SiO(2)) can emit strong and stable solid-substrate room temperature phosphorescence signal of R (lambda(ex)/lambda(em)=481/648 nm) and D (lambda(ex)/lambda(em)=457/622 nm) on the surface of acetyl cellulose membrane (ACM). R-D-SiO(2) is used to label triticum vulgare lectin (WGA). Then two types of affinity adsorption reactions, R-D-SiO(2)-WGA- alkaline phosphatase (ALP) (direct method) and WGA-ALP-WGA-R-D-SiO(2) (sandwich method), are carried out on ACM. The conditions and the analytical characteristics for the determination of ALP using affinity adsorption solid-substrate room temperature phosphorimetry (AA-SS-RTP) were studied. For a 0.40-microl drop of sample, results show that the detection limits of the sandwich method are 0.16 ag spot(-1)(457/622 nm) and 0.17 ag spot(-1)(481/648 nm), and the detection limits of the direct method are 0.41 ag spot(-1) (457/622 nm) and 0.44 ag spot(-1) (481/648 nm). The contents of ALP in human serum correlated well with those obtained by enzyme-linked immunoassay. This study shows that AA-SS-RTP whether by the sandwich method or the direct method, can combine very well the characteristics of both high sensitivity of SS-RTP and specificity of the immunoreaction. Simultaneously, whether the phosphorescence excitation/emission wavelength of either R or D in R-D-SiO(2) is chosen to determine ALP, this can promote the agility and widen the adaptability of AA-SS-RTP.

Protective Cytomegalovirus (CMV)-Specific T-Cell Immunity Is Frequent in Kidney Transplant Patients without Serum Anti-CMV Antibodies.

PubMed

Litjens, Nicolle H R; Huang, Ling; Dedeoglu, Burç; Meijers, Ruud W J; Kwekkeboom, Jaap; Betjes, Michiel G H

2017-01-01

The absence of anti-cytomegalovirus (CMV) immunoglobulin G (IgG) is used to classify pretransplant patients as naïve for CMV infection (CMV neg patients). This study assessed whether pretransplant CMV-specific T-cell immunity exists in CMV neg patients and whether it protects against CMV infection after kidney transplantation. The results show that CMV-specific CD137 + IFNγ + CD4 + and CD137 + IFNγ + CD8 + memory T cells were present in 46 and 39% of CMV neg patients ( n  = 28) although at much lower frequencies compared to CMV pos patients (median 0.01 versus 0.58% for CD4 + and 0.05 versus 0.64% for CD8 + T cells) with a less differentiated CD28-expressing phenotype. In line with these data, CMV-specific proliferative CD4 + and CD8 + T cells were observed in CMV neg patients, which significantly correlated with the frequency of CMV-specific T cells. CMV-specific IgG antibody-secreting cells (ASC) could be detected at low frequency in 36% of CMV neg patients (1 versus 45 ASC/10 5 cells in CMV pos patients). CMV neg patients with pretransplant CMV-specific CD137 + IFNγ + CD4 + T cells had a lower risk to develop CMV viremia after transplantation with a CMV pos donor kidney (relative risk: 0.43, P  = 0.03). In conclusion, a solitary CMV-specific T-cell response without detectable anti-CMV antibodies is frequent and clinically relevant as it is associated with protection to CMV infection following transplantation with a kidney from a CMV pos donor.

Perampanel: A Review in Drug-Resistant Epilepsy.

PubMed

Frampton, James E

2015-09-01

Perampanel (Fycompa®), an orally-active, selective, noncompetitive α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptor antagonist, is a first-in-class antiepileptic drug (AED) offering the convenience of once-daily administration. In the EU and US, perampanel is approved in patients with epilepsy aged ≥12 years for the adjunctive treatment of primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures (GTCS) and partial-onset seizures (POS; with or without secondary generalization). In phase III trials of 17 or 19 weeks' duration, add-on perampanel ≤12 mg/day significantly improved seizure control in patients aged ≥12 years who were experiencing either primary GTCS or POS (with or without secondary generalization), despite ongoing treatment with stable dosages of one to three AEDs. Improvements in seizure control were maintained for up to 2 years in extensions of these core studies. Perampanel also provided sustained seizure control for up to ≈4 years in an extension of two phase II studies in patients aged ≥18 years with drug-resistant POS. Adjunctive perampanel therapy was generally well tolerated. Treatment-emergent adverse events were most commonly CNS-related (e.g. dizziness, somnolence, fatigue and irritability) and dose-related; however, most were of mild to moderate intensity. Clinical experience with perampanel is accumulating, although comparative studies and pharmacoeconomic data that could assist in positioning it relative to other AEDS that are approved and/or recommended as adjunctive therapy are lacking. Nonetheless, on the basis of its overall clinical profile and unique mechanism of action, perampanel is a useful additional adjunctive treatment option for patients with drug-resistant POS, with or without secondary generalization, and primary GTCS.

The proton permeability of self-assembled polymersomes and their neuroprotection by enhancing a neuroprotective peptide across the blood-brain barrier after modification with lactoferrin.

PubMed

Yu, Yuan; Jiang, Xinguo; Gong, Shuyu; Feng, Liang; Zhong, Yanqiang; Pang, Zhiqing

2014-03-21

Biotherapeutics such as peptides possess strong potential for the treatment of intractable neurological disorders. However, because of their low stability and the impermeability of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), biotherapeutics are difficult to transport into brain parenchyma via intravenous injection. Herein, we present a novel poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(d,l-lactic-co-glycolic acid) polymersome-based nanomedicine with self-assembled bilayers, which was functionalized with lactoferrin (Lf-POS) to facilitate the transport of a neuroprotective peptide into the brain. The apparent diffusion coefficient (D*) of H(+) through the polymersome membrane was 5.659 × 10(-26) cm(2) s(-1), while that of liposomes was 1.017 × 10(-24) cm(2) s(-1). The stability of the polymersome membrane was much higher than that of liposomes. The uptake of polymersomes by mouse brain capillary endothelial cells proved that the optimal density of lactoferrin was 101 molecules per polymersome. Fluorescence imaging indicated that Lf101-POS was effectively transferred into the brain. In pharmacokinetics, compared with transferrin-modified polymersomes and cationic bovine serum albumin-modified polymersomes, Lf-POS obtained the greatest BBB permeability surface area and percentage of injected dose per gram (%ID per g). Furthermore, Lf-POS holding S14G-humanin protected against learning and memory impairment induced by amyloid-β25-35 in rats. Western blotting revealed that the nanomedicine provided neuroprotection against over-expression of apoptotic proteins exhibiting neurofibrillary tangle pathology in neurons. The results indicated that polymersomes can be exploited as a promising non-invasive nanomedicine capable of mediating peptide therapeutic delivery and controlling the release of drugs to the central nervous system.

Retrospective natural history of thymidine kinase 2 deficiency.

PubMed

Garone, Caterina; Taylor, Robert W; Nascimento, Andrés; Poulton, Joanna; Fratter, Carl; Domínguez-González, Cristina; Evans, Julie C; Loos, Mariana; Isohanni, Pirjo; Suomalainen, Anu; Ram, Dipak; Hughes, M Imelda; McFarland, Robert; Barca, Emanuele; Lopez Gomez, Carlos; Jayawant, Sandeep; Thomas, Neil D; Manzur, Adnan Y; Kleinsteuber, Karin; Martin, Miguel A; Kerr, Timothy; Gorman, Grainne S; Sommerville, Ewen W; Chinnery, Patrick F; Hofer, Monika; Karch, Christoph; Ralph, Jeffrey; Cámara, Yolanda; Madruga-Garrido, Marcos; Domínguez-Carral, Jana; Ortez, Carlos; Emperador, Sonia; Montoya, Julio; Chakrapani, Anupam; Kriger, Joshua F; Schoenaker, Robert; Levin, Bruce; Thompson, John L P; Long, Yuelin; Rahman, Shamima; Donati, Maria Alice; DiMauro, Salvatore; Hirano, Michio

2018-03-30

Thymine kinase 2 (TK2) is a mitochondrial matrix protein encoded in nuclear DNA and phosphorylates the pyrimidine nucleosides: thymidine and deoxycytidine. Autosomal recessive TK2 mutations cause a spectrum of disease from infantile onset to adult onset manifesting primarily as myopathy. To perform a retrospective natural history study of a large cohort of patients with TK2 deficiency. The study was conducted by 42 investigators across 31 academic medical centres. We identified 92 patients with genetically confirmed diagnoses of TK2 deficiency: 67 from literature review and 25 unreported cases. Based on clinical and molecular genetics findings, we recognised three phenotypes with divergent survival: (1) infantile-onset myopathy (42.4%) with severe mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) depletion, frequent neurological involvement and rapid progression to early mortality (median post-onset survival (POS) 1.00, CI 0.58 to 2.33 years); (2) childhood-onset myopathy (40.2%) with mtDNA depletion, moderate-to-severe progression of generalised weakness and median POS at least 13 years; and (3) late-onset myopathy (17.4%) with mild limb weakness at onset and slow progression to respiratory insufficiency with median POS of 23 years. Ophthalmoparesis and facial weakness are frequent in adults. Muscle biopsies show multiple mtDNA deletions often with mtDNA depletion. In TK2 deficiency, age at onset, rate of weakness progression and POS are important variables that define three clinical subtypes. Nervous system involvement often complicates the clinical course of the infantile-onset form while extraocular muscle and facial involvement are characteristic of the late-onset form. Our observations provide essential information for planning future clinical trials in this disorder. © Article author(s) (or their employer(s) unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2018. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.

Predictive validity of the tobacco marketing receptivity index among non-smoking youth.

PubMed

Braun, Sandra; Abad-Vivero, Erika Nayeli; Mejía, Raúl; Barrientos, Inti; Sargent, James D; Thrasher, James F

2018-05-01

In a previous cross-sectional study of early adolescents, we developed a marketing receptivity index (MRI) that integrates point-of-sale (PoS) marketing exposures, brand recall, and ownership of branded merchandise. The MRI had independent, positive associations with smoking susceptibility among never smokers and with current smoking behavior. The current longitudinal study assessed the MRI's predictive validity among adolescents who have never smoked cigarettes METHODS: Data come from a longitudinal, school-based survey of 33 secondary schools in Argentina. Students who had never smoked at baseline were followed up approximately 17months later (n=1700). Questions assessed: PoS marketing exposure by querying frequency of going to stores where tobacco is commonly sold; cued recall of brand names for 3 cigarette packages from dominant brands but with the brand name removed; and ownership of branded merchandise. A four-level MRI was derived: 1.low PoS marketing exposure only; 2. high PoS exposure or recall of 1 brand; 3. recall of 2 or more brands; and 4. ownership of branded merchandise. Logistic regression models regressed smoking initiation by follow up survey on the MRI, each of its components, and students' willingness to try a brand, adjusting for sociodemographics, social network smoking, and sensation seeking. The MRI had an independent positive association with smoking initiation. When analyzed separately, each MRI component was associated with outcomes except branded merchandise ownership. The MRI and its components were associated with smoking initiation, except for branded merchandise ownership, which may better predict smoking progression than initiation. The MRI appears valid and useful for future studies. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The proton permeability of self-assembled polymersomes and their neuroprotection by enhancing a neuroprotective peptide across the blood-brain barrier after modification with lactoferrin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, Yuan; Jiang, Xinguo; Gong, Shuyu; Feng, Liang; Zhong, Yanqiang; Pang, Zhiqing

2014-02-01

Biotherapeutics such as peptides possess strong potential for the treatment of intractable neurological disorders. However, because of their low stability and the impermeability of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), biotherapeutics are difficult to transport into brain parenchyma via intravenous injection. Herein, we present a novel poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(d,l-lactic-co-glycolic acid) polymersome-based nanomedicine with self-assembled bilayers, which was functionalized with lactoferrin (Lf-POS) to facilitate the transport of a neuroprotective peptide into the brain. The apparent diffusion coefficient (D*) of H+ through the polymersome membrane was 5.659 × 10-26 cm2 s-1, while that of liposomes was 1.017 × 10-24 cm2 s-1. The stability of the polymersome membrane was much higher than that of liposomes. The uptake of polymersomes by mouse brain capillary endothelial cells proved that the optimal density of lactoferrin was 101 molecules per polymersome. Fluorescence imaging indicated that Lf101-POS was effectively transferred into the brain. In pharmacokinetics, compared with transferrin-modified polymersomes and cationic bovine serum albumin-modified polymersomes, Lf-POS obtained the greatest BBB permeability surface area and percentage of injected dose per gram (%ID per g). Furthermore, Lf-POS holding S14G-humanin protected against learning and memory impairment induced by amyloid-β25-35 in rats. Western blotting revealed that the nanomedicine provided neuroprotection against over-expression of apoptotic proteins exhibiting neurofibrillary tangle pathology in neurons. The results indicated that polymersomes can be exploited as a promising non-invasive nanomedicine capable of mediating peptide therapeutic delivery and controlling the release of drugs to the central nervous system.

Uterine-derived progenitor cells are immunoprivileged and effectively improve cardiac regeneration when used for cell therapy.

PubMed

Ludke, Ana; Wu, Jun; Nazari, Mansoreh; Hatta, Kota; Shao, Zhengbo; Li, Shu-Hong; Song, Huifang; Ni, Nathan C; Weisel, Richard D; Li, Ren-Ke

2015-07-01

Cell therapy to prevent cardiac dysfunction after myocardial infarction (MI) is less effective in aged patients because aged cells have decreased regenerative capacity. Allogeneic transplanted stem cells (SCs) from young donors are usually rejected. Maintaining transplanted SC immunoprivilege may dramatically improve regenerative outcomes. The uterus has distinct immune characteristics, and we showed that reparative uterine SCs home to the myocardium post-MI. Here, we identify immunoprivileged uterine SCs and assess their effects on cardiac regeneration after allogeneic transplantation. We found more than 20% of cells in the mouse uterus have undetectable MHC I expression by flow cytometry. Uterine MHC I((neg)) and MHC I((pos)) cells were separated by magnetic cell sorting. The MHC I((neg)) population expressed the SC markers CD34, Sca-1 and CD90, but did not express MHC II or c-kit. In vitro, MHC I((neg)) and ((pos)) SCs show colony formation and endothelial differentiation capacity. In mixed leukocyte co-culture, MHC I((neg)) cells showed reduced cell death and leukocyte proliferation compared to MHC I((pos)) cells. MHC I((neg)) and ((pos)) cells had significantly greater angiogenic capacity than mesenchymal stem cells. The benefits of intramyocardial injection of allogeneic MHC I((neg)) cells after MI were comparable to syngeneic bone marrow cell transplantation, with engraftment in cardiac tissue and limited recruitment of CD4 and CD8 cells up to 21 days post-MI. MHC I((neg)) cells preserved cardiac function, decreased infarct size and improved regeneration post-MI. This new source of immunoprivileged cells can induce neovascularization and could be used as allogeneic cell therapy for regenerative medicine. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Toxoplasma gondii impairs memory in infected seniors.

PubMed

Gajewski, Patrick D; Falkenstein, Michael; Hengstler, Jan G; Golka, Klaus

2014-02-01

Almost 30% of humans present a Toxoplasma gondii positive antibody status and its prevalence increases with age. The central nervous system is the main target. However, little is known about the influence of asymptomatic i.e. latent Toxoplasmosis on cognitive functions in humans. To investigate neurocognitive dysfunctions in asymptomatic older adults with T. gondii positive antibody status a double-blinded neuropsychological study was conducted. The participants were classified from a population-based sample (N=131) of healthy participants with an age of 65 years and older into two groups with 42 individuals each: Toxoplasmosis positive (T-pos; IgG>50 IU/ml) and Toxoplasmosis negative (T-neg; IgG=0 IU/ml). The outcome measures were a computer-based working-memory test (2-back) and several standardized psychometric tests of memory and executive cognitive functions. T-pos seniors showed an impairment of different aspects of memory. The rate of correctly detected target symbols in a 2-back task was decreased by nearly 9% (P=0.020), corresponding to a performance reduction of about 35% in working memory relative to the T-neg group. Moreover, T-pos seniors had a lower performance in a verbal memory test, both regarding immediate recall (10% reduction; P=0.022), delayed recognition (6%; P=0.037) and recall from long-term memory assessed by the word fluency tests (12%; P=0.029). In contrast, executive functions were not affected. The effects remained mostly unchanged after controlling for medication. The impairment of memory functions in T-pos seniors was accompanied by a decreased self-reported quality of life. Because of the high prevalence of asymptomatic Toxoplasmosis and an increasing population of older adults this finding is of high relevance for public health. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Non-anaplastic peripheral T cell lymphoma in children and adolescents-an international review of 143 cases.

PubMed

Mellgren, K; Attarbaschi, A; Abla, O; Alexander, S; Bomken, S; Bubanska, E; Chiang, A; Csóka, M; Fedorova, A; Kabickova, E; Kapuscinska-Kemblowska, L; Kobayashi, R; Krenova, Z; Meyer-Wentrup, F; Miakova, N; Pillon, M; Plat, G; Uyttebroeck, A; Williams, D; Wróbel, G; Kontny, U

2016-08-01

Peripheral T cell lymphomas (PTCL) are rare in children and adolescents, and data about outcome and treatment results are scarce. The present study is a joint, international, retrospective analysis of 143 reported cases of non-anaplastic PTCL in patients <19 years of age, with a focus on treatment and outcome features. One hundred forty-three patients, between 0.3 and 18.7 years old, diagnosed between 2000 and 2015 were included in the study. PTCL not otherwise specified was the largest subgroup, followed by extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma, hepatosplenic T cell lymphoma (HS TCL), and subcutaneous panniculitis-like T cell lymphoma (SP TCL). Probability of overall survival (pOS) at 5 years for the whole group was 0.56 ± 0.05, and probability of event-free survival was (pEFS) 0.45 ± 0.05. Patients with SP TCL had a good outcome with 5-year pOS of 0.78 ± 0.1 while patients with HS TCL were reported with 5-year pOS of only 0.13 ± 0.12. Twenty-five percent of the patients were reported to have a pre-existing condition, and this group had a dismal outcome with 5-year pOS of 0.29 ± 0.09. The distribution of non-anaplastic PTCL subtypes in pediatric and adolescent patients differs from what is reported in adult patients. Overall outcome depends on the subtype with some doing better than others. Pre-existing conditions are frequent and associated with poor outcomes. There is a clear need for subtype-based treatment recommendations for children and adolescents with PTCL.

Evaluation of potential severe accidents during low power and shutdown operations at Surry, Unit 1. Volume 5: Analysis of core damage frequency from seismic events during mid-loop operations

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Budnitz, R.J.; Davis, P.R.; Ravindra, M.K.

1994-08-01

In 1989 the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) initiated an extensive program to examine carefully the potential risks during low-power and shutdown operations. The program included two parallel projects, one at Brookhaven National Laboratory studying a pressurized water reactor (Surry Unit 1) and the other at Sandia National Laboratories studying a boiling water reactor (Grand Gulf). Both the Brookhaven and Sandia projects have examined only accidents initiated by internal plant faults--so-called ``internal initiators.`` This project, which has explored the likelihood of seismic-initiated core damage accidents during refueling shutdown conditions, is complementary to the internal-initiator analyses at Brookhaven and Sandia. Thismore » report covers the seismic analysis at Surry Unit 1. All of the many systems modeling assumptions, component non-seismic failure rates, and human error rates that were used in the internal-initiator study at Surry have been adopted here, so that the results of the two studies can be as comparable as possible. Both the Brookhaven study and this study examine only two shutdown plant operating states (POSs) during refueling outages at Surry, called POS 6 and POS 10, which represent mid-loop operation before and after refueling, respectively. This analysis has been limited to work analogous to a level-1 seismic PRA, in which estimates have been developed for the core-damage frequency from seismic events during POSs 6 and 10. The results of the analysis are that the core-damage frequency of earthquake-initiated accidents during refueling outages in POS 6 and POS 10 is found to be low in absolute terms, less than 10{sup {minus}6}/year.« less

Internal and External Factors Related to Burnout among Iron and Steel Workers: A Cross-Sectional Study in Anshan, China.

PubMed

Guo, Haiqiang; Guo, Huifang; Yang, Yilong; Sun, Baozhi

2015-01-01

Burnout is a syndrome of emotional exhaustion, cynicism and reduced professional efficacy, which can result from long-term work stress. Although the burnout level is high among iron and steel workers, little is known concerning burnout among iron and steel worker. This study aimed to evaluate the burnout and to explore its associated internal and external factors in iron and steel workers. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in iron and steel workers at the Anshan iron-steel complex in Anshan, northeast China. Self-administered questionnaires were distributed to 1,600 workers, and finally 1,300 questionnaires were returned. Burnout was measured using the Chinese version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey (MBI-GS). Effort-reward imbalance (ERI), perceived organizational support (POS), and psychological capital (PsyCap) were measured anonymously. A hierarchical regression model was applied to explore the internal and external factors associated with burnout. Mean MBI-GS scores were 13.11±8.06 for emotional exhaustion, 6.64±6.44 for cynicism, and 28.96±10.39 for professional efficacy. Hierarchical linear regression analysis showed that ERI and POS were the most powerful predictors for emotional exhaustion and cynicism, and PsyCap was the most robust predictor for high professional efficacy. Chinese iron and steel workers have a high level of burnout. Burnout might be associated with internal and external factors, including ERI, POS, and PsyCap. Further studies are recommended to develop an integrated model including both internal and external factors, to reduce the level of ERI, and improve POS and workers' PsyCap, thereby alleviating the level of burnout among iron and steel workers.

Internal and External Factors Related to Burnout among Iron and Steel Workers: A Cross-Sectional Study in Anshan, China

PubMed Central

Guo, Haiqiang; Guo, Huifang; Yang, Yilong; Sun, Baozhi

2015-01-01

Background Burnout is a syndrome of emotional exhaustion, cynicism and reduced professional efficacy, which can result from long-term work stress. Although the burnout level is high among iron and steel workers, little is known concerning burnout among iron and steel worker. This study aimed to evaluate the burnout and to explore its associated internal and external factors in iron and steel workers. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted in iron and steel workers at the Anshan iron-steel complex in Anshan, northeast China. Self-administered questionnaires were distributed to 1,600 workers, and finally 1,300 questionnaires were returned. Burnout was measured using the Chinese version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey (MBI-GS). Effort-reward imbalance (ERI), perceived organizational support (POS), and psychological capital (PsyCap) were measured anonymously. A hierarchical regression model was applied to explore the internal and external factors associated with burnout. Results Mean MBI-GS scores were 13.11±8.06 for emotional exhaustion, 6.64±6.44 for cynicism, and 28.96±10.39 for professional efficacy. Hierarchical linear regression analysis showed that ERI and POS were the most powerful predictors for emotional exhaustion and cynicism, and PsyCap was the most robust predictor for high professional efficacy. Conclusions Chinese iron and steel workers have a high level of burnout. Burnout might be associated with internal and external factors, including ERI, POS, and PsyCap. Further studies are recommended to develop an integrated model including both internal and external factors, to reduce the level of ERI, and improve POS and workers’ PsyCap, thereby alleviating the level of burnout among iron and steel workers. PMID:26575031

Standardized Ki67 Diagnostics Using Automated Scoring--Clinical Validation in the GeparTrio Breast Cancer Study.

PubMed

Klauschen, Frederick; Wienert, Stephan; Schmitt, Wolfgang D; Loibl, Sibylle; Gerber, Bernd; Blohmer, Jens-Uwe; Huober, Jens; Rüdiger, Thomas; Erbstößer, Erhard; Mehta, Keyur; Lederer, Bianca; Dietel, Manfred; Denkert, Carsten; von Minckwitz, Gunter

2015-08-15

Scoring proliferation through Ki67 immunohistochemistry is an important component in predicting therapy response to chemotherapy in patients with breast cancer. However, recent studies have cast doubt on the reliability of "visual" Ki67 scoring in the multicenter setting, particularly in the lower, yet clinically important, proliferation range. Therefore, an accurate and standardized Ki67 scoring is pivotal both in routine diagnostics and larger multicenter studies. We validated a novel fully automated Ki67 scoring approach that relies on only minimal a priori knowledge on cell properties and requires no training data for calibration. We applied our approach to 1,082 breast cancer samples from the neoadjuvant GeparTrio trial and compared the performance of automated and manual Ki67 scoring. The three groups of autoKi67 as defined by low (≤ 15%), medium (15.1%-35%), and high (>35%) automated scores showed pCR rates of 5.8%, 16.9%, and 29.5%, respectively. AutoKi67 was significantly linked to prognosis with overall and progression-free survival P values P(OS) < 0.0001 and P(PFS) < 0.0002, compared with P(OS) < 0.0005 and P(PFS) < 0.0001 for manual Ki67 scoring. Moreover, automated Ki67 scoring was an independent prognosticator in the multivariate analysis with P(OS) = 0.002, P(PFS) = 0.009 (autoKi67) versus P(OS) = 0.007, PPFS = 0.004 (manual Ki67). The computer-assisted Ki67 scoring approach presented here offers a standardized means of tumor cell proliferation assessment in breast cancer that correlated with clinical endpoints and is deployable in routine diagnostics. It may thus help to solve recently reported reliability concerns in Ki67 diagnostics. ©2014 American Association for Cancer Research.

Elements in the transcriptional regulatory region flanking herpes simplex virus type 1 oriS stimulate origin function.

PubMed

Wong, S W; Schaffer, P A

1991-05-01

Like other DNA-containing viruses, the three origins of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) DNA replication are flanked by sequences containing transcriptional regulatory elements. In a transient plasmid replication assay, deletion of sequences comprising the transcriptional regulatory elements of ICP4 and ICP22/47, which flank oriS, resulted in a greater than 80-fold decrease in origin function compared with a plasmid, pOS-822, which retains these sequences. In an effort to identify specific cis-acting elements responsible for this effect, we conducted systematic deletion analysis of the flanking region with plasmid pOS-822 and tested the resulting mutant plasmids for origin function. Stimulation by cis-acting elements was shown to be both distance and orientation dependent, as changes in either parameter resulted in a decrease in oriS function. Additional evidence for the stimulatory effect of flanking sequences on origin function was demonstrated by replacement of these sequences with the cytomegalovirus immediate-early promoter, resulting in nearly wild-type levels of oriS function. In competition experiments, cotransfection of cells with the test plasmid, pOS-822, and increasing molar concentrations of a competitor plasmid which contained the ICP4 and ICP22/47 transcriptional regulatory regions but lacked core origin sequences resulted in a significant reduction in the replication efficiency of pOS-822, demonstrating that factors which bind specifically to the oriS-flanking sequences are likely involved as auxiliary proteins in oriS function. Together, these studies demonstrate that trans-acting factors and the sites to which they bind play a critical role in the efficiency of HSV-1 DNA replication from oriS in transient-replication assays.

Evaluation of potential severe accidents during low power and shutdown operations at Grand Gulf, Unit 1. Volume 5: Analysis of core damage frequency from seismic events for plant operational state 5 during a refueling outage

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Budnitz, R.J.; Davis, P.R.; Ravindra, M.K.

In 1989 the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) initiated an extensive program to examine carefully the potential risks during low-power and shutdown operations. The program included two parallel projects, one at Sandia National Laboratories studying a boiling water reactor (Grand Gulf), and the other at Brookhaven National Laboratory studying a pressurized water reactor (Surry Unit 1). Both the Sandia and Brookhaven projects have examined only accidents initiated by internal plant faults---so-called ``internal initiators.`` This project, which has explored the likelihood of seismic-initiated core damage accidents during refueling outage conditions, is complementary to the internal-initiator analyses at Brookhaven and Sandia. Thismore » report covers the seismic analysis at Grand Gulf. All of the many systems modeling assumptions, component non-seismic failure rates, and human effort rates that were used in the internal-initiator study at Grand Gulf have been adopted here, so that the results of the study can be as comparable as possible. Both the Sandia study and this study examine only one shutdown plant operating state (POS) at Grand Gulf, namely POS 5 representing cold shutdown during a refueling outage. This analysis has been limited to work analogous to a level-1 seismic PRA, in which estimates have been developed for the core-damage frequency from seismic events during POS 5. The results of the analysis are that the core-damage frequency for earthquake-initiated accidents during refueling outages in POS 5 is found to be quite low in absolute terms, less than 10{sup {minus}7}/year.« less

Brain stem sites mediating specific and non-specific temperature effects on thermoregulation in the pekin duck.

PubMed Central

Martin, R; Simon, E; Simon-Oppermann, C

1981-01-01

1. Thermodes were chronically implanted into various levels of the brain stem of sixteen Pekin ducks. The effects of local thermal stimulation on metabolic heat production, core temperature, peripheral skin temperature and respiratory frequency were investigated. 2. Four areas of thermode positions were determined according to the responses observed and were histologically identified at the end of the investigation. 3. Thermal stimulation of the lower mid-brain/upper pontine brain stem (Pos. III) elicited an increase in metabolic heat production, cutaneous vasoconstriction and rises in core temperature in response to cooling at thermoneutral and cold ambient conditions and, further, inhibition of panting by cooling and activation of panting by heating at warm ambient conditions. The metabolic response to cooling this brain stem section amounted to -0.1 W/kg. degrees C as compared with -7 W/kg. degrees C in response to total body cooling. 4. Cooling of the anterior and middle hypothalamus (Pos. II) caused vasodilatation in the skin and did not elicit shivering. The resulting drop in core temperature at a given degree of cooling was greater than the rise in core temperature in response to equivalent cooling of the lower mid-brain/upper pontine brain stem. 5. Cooling of the preoptic forebrain (Pos. I) and of the myelencephalon (Pos. IV) did not elicit thermoregulatory reactions. 6. It is concluded that the duck's brain stem contains thermoreceptive structures in the lower mid-brain/upper pontine section. However, the brain stem as a whole appears to contribute little to cold defence during general hypothermia because of the inhibitory effects originating in the anterior and middle hypothalamus. Cold defence in the duck, which is comparable in strength to that in mammals, has to rely on extracerebral thermosensory structures. PMID:7310688

Are Perceived and Objective Distances to Fresh Food and Physical Activity Resources Associated with Cardiometabolic Risk?

PubMed

Baldock, Katherine L; Paquet, Catherine; Howard, Natasha J; Coffee, Neil T; Taylor, Anne W; Daniel, Mark

2018-01-29

Perceived and objective measures of neighbourhood features have shown limited correspondence. Few studies have examined whether discordance between objective measures and individual perceptions of neighbourhood environments relates to individual health. Individuals with mismatched perceptions may benefit from initiatives to improve understandings of resource availability. This study utilised data from n = 1491 adult participants in a biomedical cohort to evaluate cross-sectional associations between measures of access (perceived, objective, and perceived-objective mismatch) to fruit and vegetable retailers (FVR) and public open space (POS), and clinically-measured metabolic syndrome and its component risk factors: central obesity, dyslipidaemia, hypertension and pre-diabetes/diabetes. Access measures included perceived distances from home to the nearest FVR and POS, corresponding objectively-assessed road network distances, and the discordance between perceived and objective distances (overestimated (i.e., mismatched) distances versus matched perceived-objective distances). Individual and neighbourhood measures were spatially joined using a geographic information system. Associations were evaluated using multilevel logistic regression, accounting for individual and area-level covariates. Hypertension was positively associated with perceived distances to FVR (odds ratio (OR) = 1.14, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.02, 1.28) and POS (OR = 1.19, 95% CI = 1.05, 1.34), after accounting for covariates and objective distances. Hypertension was positively associated with overestimating distances to FVR (OR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.02, 1.80). Overestimating distances to POS was positively associated with both hypertension (OR = 1.42, 95% CI = 1.11, 1.83) and dyslipidaemia (OR = 1.25, 95% CI = 1.00, 1.57). Results provide new evidence for specific associations between perceived and overestimated distances from home to nearby resources and cardiometabolic risk factors.

Comparative study of angiostatic and anti-invasive gene expressions as prognostic factors in gastric cancer.

PubMed

Lee, J H; Koh, J T; Shin, B A; Ahn, K Y; Roh, J H; Kim, Y J; Kim, K K

2001-02-01

Genes involving angiogenesis and metastasis play an important role in the progression and infiltration of cancer. We examined the expressions of various angiostatic and potential invasion/metastasis suppressor genes through RT-PCR analyses in 32 gastric cancer specimens with or without distant metastasis. The expressions of the invasion/metastasis suppressor, nm23 and E-cadherin increased much more in the cancer tissue (CT) and metastatic lymph node (MLN) than in the extraneoplastic mucosa (EM) and non-metastatic lymph node (NLN), respectively. The expressions of the angiostatic factor, angiopoietin 2 and thrombospondin 2 increased in the CT and MLN as compared with the EM and NLN, respectively. The newly cloned angiostatic factor, brain-specific angiogenesis inhibitor 1 (BAI1) decreased much more in the CT and MLN than the EM and NLN, respectively. However, BAI1 increased in the CT compared with the EM among the patients with poor prognosis and distant metastasis, such as liver or peritoneum. The expressions of the invasive factor, matrix metalloproteinase-2 and its suppressor, tissue inhibitor metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) increased in the CM as compared with the EM, but the increased expression pattern of these genes in the CT became blunted among the patients with good prognosis. Our results indicate that BAI1 and TIMP-2 expressions in the extraneoplastic mucosa and non-metastatic lymph nodes were not suppressed in the patients with good prognosis, but increased expressions of angiopoietin 2, thrombospondin 2, TIMP-2, nm23 and E-cadherin in the tumor tissue did not lead to a long survival after operation. It is suggested that the extent of BAI1 and TIMP-2 expression in the gastric mucosa may be an important prognostic factor for predicting survival in gastric cancer.

Identification of Neopterin as a Potential Indicator of Infection in Burned Patients,

DTIC Science & Technology

1992-01-01

Patients (43361) DAVID G. BURLESON,’ AVERY JOHNSON, MARVIN SALIN, ARTHUR D. MASON, JR., AND BASIL A. PRUITT, JR. U.S. Army Institute of Surgical...precipitated whole blood or plasma from burned patients . Perchloric acid supematants of sera from infected, but not uninfected, burned rats contained a...fluorescent substance with maximum emission at 420 nm at 355-nm excitation (355 ex/420 em). In this study Mm of serum from burned human patients , several

Clinical Evaluation of Hair Removal Using an 810 nm Diode Laser With a Novel Scanning Device.

PubMed

Courtney, Erin; Goldberg, David J

2016-11-01

Diode lasers are often considered as the gold standard preference for hair removal due to the deep penetration and ef- fective targeting of the hair follicle. A wide variety of diode lasers are available, which can differ in terms of their parameters (such as fluence, pulse duration, repetition rate, scanner, and cooling). The objective of the study was to evaluate the safety and ef cacy of hair removal with an 810 nm novel scanning diode laser, up to six months after last treatment. A scanning 810 nm diode laser was used for axillary hair removal of 14 female patients who received 3 treatments, 4-6 weeks apart. Follow-up on hair count was conducted 3 and 6 months after last treatment and compared to baseline hair count. No unexpected or signi cant adverse events were recorded. An average hair count reduction of 72.8% after 3 months and 67.6% 6 months after the last treatment is demonstrated. The examined 810 nm diode laser was proven to be safe and effective for hair removal. Results were sustained for 6 months after last treatment. Longer follow-up data are followed for further substantiation of the clinical effect. Scanning technology can provide for potentially faster and safer treatments. J Drugs Dermatol. 2016;15(11):1330-1333..

A FRET-facilitated photoswitching using an orange fluorescent protein with the fast photoconversion kinetics.

PubMed

Subach, Oksana M; Entenberg, David; Condeelis, John S; Verkhusha, Vladislav V

2012-09-12

Fluorescent proteins photoswitchable with noncytotoxic light irradiation and spectrally distinct from multiple available photoconvertible green-to-red probes are in high demand. We have developed a monomeric fluorescent protein, called PSmOrange2, which is photoswitchable with blue light from an orange (ex./em. at 546 nm/561 nm) to a far-red (ex./em. at 619 nm/651 nm) form. Compared to another orange-to-far-red photoconvertable variant, PSmOrange2 has blue-shifted photoswitching action spectrum, 9-fold higher photoconversion contrast, and up to 10-fold faster photoswitching kinetics. This results in the 4-fold more PSmOrange2 molecules being photoconverted in mammalian cells. Compared to common orange fluorescent proteins, such as mOrange, the orange form of PSmOrange has substantially higher photostability allowing its use in multicolor imaging applications to track dynamics of multiple populations of intracellular objects. The PSmOrange2 photochemical properties allow its efficient photoswitching with common two-photon lasers and, moreover, via Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) from green fluorescent donors. We have termed the latter effect a FRET-facilitated photoswitching and demonstrated it using several sets of interacting proteins. The enhanced photoswitching properties of PSmOrange2 make it a superior photoconvertable protein tag for flow cytometry, conventional microscopy, and two-photon imaging of live cells.

Perylenetetracarboxylic anhydride as a precursor of fluorescent carbon nanoonion rings.

PubMed

Baldoví, Herme G; Herance, José Raul; Manuel Víctor, Víctor; Alvaro, Mercedes; Garcia, Hermenegildo

2015-08-07

Thermal annealing at 400 °C of perylenetetracarboxylic anhydride in low molecular mass PEG gives rise to the formation of well defined nanoobjects of 2.5 nm height and size distribution from 10 to 65 nm (average 40 nm) after purification of the raw mixture with silicagel chromatography. TEM reveals that the flat nanoobjects are constituted of concentric graphenic rings (0.34 nm interlayer distance). The morphology of the nanoparticles resembles onion rings of nanometric dimensions (nanoonion rings C-NOR). C-NOR particles have an excitation dependent emission with λem from 430 to 570 nm and a maximum emission quantum yield of 0.49. C-NOR particles can be internalized into Hep3B human hepatoma cells as determined by confocal fluorescence microscopy and are remarkably biocompatible affecting slightly cell viability according to the MTT test.

Use of fluorescence EEM to monitor the removal of emerging contaminants in full scale wastewater treatment plants.

PubMed

Sgroi, Massimiliano; Roccaro, Paolo; Korshin, Gregory V; Greco, Valentina; Sciuto, Sebastiano; Anumol, Tarun; Snyder, Shane A; Vagliasindi, Federico G A

2017-02-05

This study investigated the applicability of different techniques for fluorescence excitation/emission matrices data interpretations, including peak-picking method, fluorescence regional integration and PARAFAC modelling, to act as surrogates in predicting emerging trace organic compounds (ETOrCs) removal during conventional wastewater treatments that usually comprise primary and secondary treatments. Results showed that fluorescence indexes developed using alternative methodologies but indicative of a same dissolved organic matter component resulted in similar predictions of the removal of the target compounds. The peak index defined by the excitation/emission wavelength positions (λ ex/ λ em ) 225/290nm and related to aromatic proteins and tyrosine-like fluorescence was determined to be a particularly suitable surrogate for monitoring ETOrCs that had very high removal rates (average removal >70%) (i.e., triclosan, caffeine and ibuprofen). The peak index defined by λ ex/ λ em =245/440nm and the PARAFAC component with wavelength of the maxima λ ex/ λ em =245, 350/450, both identified as humic-like fluorescence, were found remarkably well correlated with ETOrCs such as atenolol, naproxen and gemfibrozil that were moderately removed (51-70% average removal). Finally, the PARAFAC component with wavelength of the maxima λ ex/ λ em =<240, 315/380 identified as microbial humic-like fluorescence was the only index correlated with the removal of the antibiotic trimethoprim (average removal 68%). Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Serial Section Scanning Electron Microscopy (S3EM) on Silicon Wafers for Ultra-Structural Volume Imaging of Cells and Tissues

PubMed Central

Horstmann, Heinz; Körber, Christoph; Sätzler, Kurt; Aydin, Daniel; Kuner, Thomas

2012-01-01

High resolution, three-dimensional (3D) representations of cellular ultrastructure are essential for structure function studies in all areas of cell biology. While limited subcellular volumes have been routinely examined using serial section transmission electron microscopy (ssTEM), complete ultrastructural reconstructions of large volumes, entire cells or even tissue are difficult to achieve using ssTEM. Here, we introduce a novel approach combining serial sectioning of tissue with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) using a conductive silicon wafer as a support. Ribbons containing hundreds of 35 nm thick sections can be generated and imaged on the wafer at a lateral pixel resolution of 3.7 nm by recording the backscattered electrons with the in-lens detector of the SEM. The resulting electron micrographs are qualitatively comparable to those obtained by conventional TEM. S3EM images of the same region of interest in consecutive sections can be used for 3D reconstructions of large structures. We demonstrate the potential of this approach by reconstructing a 31.7 µm3 volume of a calyx of Held presynaptic terminal. The approach introduced here, Serial Section SEM (S3EM), for the first time provides the possibility to obtain 3D ultrastructure of large volumes with high resolution and to selectively and repetitively home in on structures of interest. S3EM accelerates process duration, is amenable to full automation and can be implemented with standard instrumentation. PMID:22523574

Serial section scanning electron microscopy (S3EM) on silicon wafers for ultra-structural volume imaging of cells and tissues.

PubMed

Horstmann, Heinz; Körber, Christoph; Sätzler, Kurt; Aydin, Daniel; Kuner, Thomas

2012-01-01

High resolution, three-dimensional (3D) representations of cellular ultrastructure are essential for structure function studies in all areas of cell biology. While limited subcellular volumes have been routinely examined using serial section transmission electron microscopy (ssTEM), complete ultrastructural reconstructions of large volumes, entire cells or even tissue are difficult to achieve using ssTEM. Here, we introduce a novel approach combining serial sectioning of tissue with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) using a conductive silicon wafer as a support. Ribbons containing hundreds of 35 nm thick sections can be generated and imaged on the wafer at a lateral pixel resolution of 3.7 nm by recording the backscattered electrons with the in-lens detector of the SEM. The resulting electron micrographs are qualitatively comparable to those obtained by conventional TEM. S(3)EM images of the same region of interest in consecutive sections can be used for 3D reconstructions of large structures. We demonstrate the potential of this approach by reconstructing a 31.7 µm(3) volume of a calyx of Held presynaptic terminal. The approach introduced here, Serial Section SEM (S(3)EM), for the first time provides the possibility to obtain 3D ultrastructure of large volumes with high resolution and to selectively and repetitively home in on structures of interest. S(3)EM accelerates process duration, is amenable to full automation and can be implemented with standard instrumentation.

Fluorescence evolution of leachates during treatment processes from two contrasting landfills.

PubMed

Sun, W L; Liu, T T; Cui, F; Ni, J R

2008-10-01

Landfill leachates are composed of a complex mixture of organic matter, including a wide range of potentially fluorescent organic compounds. The fluorescence excitation-emission matrix (FEEM) of leachates during treatment processes is investigated. Particular attention is paid to the fluorescence evolution of leachates during treatment processes. Two typical types of landfill, landfill A (a direct municipal solid waste (MSW) landfill) and landfill B (disposal of bottom ashes from MSW incinerators), in a city in Southern China were selected. The results show that two characteristic and intense excitation-emission peaks located at Ex/Em = 310-330 nm/395-410 nm (peak alpha) and Ex/Em = 250-260 nm/450-460 nm (peak alpha') are observed. As the aromatic chemicals, capable of emitting fluorescence, are more recalcitrant to biodegradation than aliphatic chemicals, enhancement of the dissolved organic carbon normalized fluorescence intensities is demonstrated during treatment processes of leachate A and leachate B. This is confirmed by the variation of ultraviolet absorptivity of leachates at 254 nm. Peak alpha' and peak alpha are attributed to a mixture of xenobiotic organic compounds with low molecular weight and relatively stable aromatic fulvic-like matters with high molecular weight, respectively. Humic substances are more resistant to biodegradation than xenobiotic organic compounds, so a significant reduction in the Ialpha'/Ialpha values (fluorescence intensity ratios of peak alpha' and peak a) of leachate A was observed during treatment processes. However, no evident variation for the Ialpha/Ialpha values of leachate B was found during treatment processes owing to the low concentrations of xenobiotic organic compounds in leachate B after incineration.

Properties of the Propagating Oscillatory Shock Wave in the Accretion Flows around Few Transient Black Hole Candidates during Their Outbursts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Debnath, Dipak; Chakrabarti, Sandip. K.

2015-01-01

In our study of the timing properties of few Galactic black hole candidates evolutions of the low and intermediate frequency quasi-periodic oscillations (LIFQPOs) are observed. In 2005, for explaining evolution of QPO frequency during rising phase of 2005 GRO J1655-40 outburst, Chakrabarti and his students introduced a new model, namely propagating oscillatory shock (POS) model. Here we present the results obtained from the same POS model fitted QPO evolutions during both the rising and declining phases of the outbursts of 2005 GRO J165540, 2010-11 GX 339-4, and 2010 & 2011 H 1743-322.

Geological probability calculation of new gas discoveries in wider area of Ivana and Ika Gas Fields, Northern Adriatic, Croatia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tomislav, Malvić; Josipa, Velić; Režić, Mate

2016-09-01

There are eleven reservoirs in Ivana Gas Field and they are composed of Pleistocene sands, silt sands and siltstones, developed in dominant clays and marls depositional sequences. Ika Gas Field is the only field in Adriatic with gas accumulated in carbonate rocks, which are the deepest reservoir of the total four reservoirs. A carbonate reservoir is defined with tectonical and erosional unconformity, which is placed between Mesozoic and Pliocene rocks. The three younger Ika reservoirs are composed of Pleistocene sands, silt sands and siltstones that are laminated into clays and marls. The goal of our study was to assess the `Probability Of Success' (POS) of finding new gas accumulations within the marginal area of those two fields, either in the form of Mesozoic rocks or Pleistocene deposits. The assessment was successfully completed using the Microsoft Excel POS table for the analyzed areas in the Croatian part of the Po Depression, namely, Northern Adriatic. The methodology was derived and adapted from a similar POS calculation, which was originally used to calculate the geological probability of hydrocarbon discoveries in the Croatian part of the Pannonian Basin System (CPBS).

A trust-based sensor allocation algorithm in cooperative space search problems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shen, Dan; Chen, Genshe; Pham, Khanh; Blasch, Erik

2011-06-01

Sensor allocation is an important and challenging problem within the field of multi-agent systems. The sensor allocation problem involves deciding how to assign a number of targets or cells to a set of agents according to some allocation protocol. Generally, in order to make efficient allocations, we need to design mechanisms that consider both the task performers' costs for the service and the associated probability of success (POS). In our problem, the costs are the used sensor resource, and the POS is the target tracking performance. Usually, POS may be perceived differently by different agents because they typically have different standards or means of evaluating the performance of their counterparts (other sensors in the search and tracking problem). Given this, we turn to the notion of trust to capture such subjective perceptions. In our approach, we develop a trust model to construct a novel mechanism that motivates sensor agents to limit their greediness or selfishness. Then we model the sensor allocation optimization problem with trust-in-loop negotiation game and solve it using a sub-game perfect equilibrium. Numerical simulations are performed to demonstrate the trust-based sensor allocation algorithm in cooperative space situation awareness (SSA) search problems.

Scanning-time evaluation of Digimarc Barcode

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gerlach, Rebecca; Pinard, Dan; Weaver, Matt; Alattar, Adnan

2015-03-01

This paper presents a speed comparison between the use of Digimarc® Barcodes and the Universal Product Code (UPC) for customer checkout at point of sale (POS). The recently introduced Digimarc Barcode promises to increase the speed of scanning packaged goods at POS. When this increase is exploited by workforce optimization systems, the retail industry could potentially save billions of dollars. The Digimarc Barcode is based on Digimarc's watermarking technology, and it is imperceptible, very robust, and does not require any special ink, material, or printing processes. Using an image-based scanner, a checker can quickly scan consumer packaged goods (CPG) embedded with the Digimarc Barcode without the need to reorient the packages with respect to the scanner. Faster scanning of packages saves money and enhances customer satisfaction. It reduces the length of the queues at checkout, reduces the cost of cashier labor, and makes self-checkout more convenient. This paper quantifies the increase in POS scanning rates resulting from the use of the Digimarc Barcode versus the traditional UPC. It explains the testing methodology, describes the experimental setup, and analyzes the obtained results. It concludes that the Digimarc Barcode increases number of items per minute (IPM) scanned at least 50% over traditional UPC.

Public Support for Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act Point-of-Sale Provisions: Results of a National Study.

PubMed

Rose, Shyanika W; Emery, Sherry L; Ennett, Susan; McNaughton Reyes, Heath Luz; Scott, John C; Ribisl, Kurt M

2015-10-01

We assessed public and smoker support for enacted and potential point-of-sale (POS) tobacco-control policies under the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act. We surveyed a US nationally representative sample of 17, 507 respondents (6595 smokers) in January through February 2013, and used linear regression to calculate weighted point estimates and identify factors associated with support for POS policies among adults and smokers. Overall, nonsmokers were more supportive than were smokers. Regardless of smoking status, African Americans, Hispanics, women, and those of older ages were more supportive than White, male, and younger respondents, respectively. Policy support varied by provision. More than 80% of respondents supported minors' access restrictions and more than 45% supported graphic warnings. Support was lowest for plain packaging (23%), black-and-white advertising (26%), and a ban on menthol cigarettes (36%). Public support for marketing and POS provisions is low relative to other areas of tobacco control. Tobacco-control advocates and the Food and Drug Administration should build on existing levels of public support to promote and maintain evidence-based, but controversial, policy changes in the retail environment.

Development of lacosamide for the treatment of partial-onset seizures.

PubMed

Doty, Pamela; Hebert, David; Mathy, Francois-Xavier; Byrnes, William; Zackheim, James; Simontacchi, Kelly

2013-07-01

Lacosamide is an antiepileptic drug (AED) available in multiple formulations that was first approved in 2008 as adjunctive therapy for partial-onset seizures (POS) in adults. Unlike traditional sodium channel blockers affecting fast inactivation, lacosamide selectively enhances sodium channel slow inactivation. This mechanism of action results in stabilization of hyperexcitable neuronal membranes, inhibition of neuronal firing, and reduction in long-term channel availability without affecting physiological function. Lacosamide has a well-characterized and favorable pharmacokinetic profile, including a fast absorption rate, minimal or no interaction with cytochrome P-450 izoenzymes, and a low potential for drug-drug interactions. Lacosamide clinical development included three placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized trials conducted in more than 1300 patients, each demonstrating safety and efficacy of lacosamide compared to placebo as adjunctive therapy for adults with POS. The clinical use of lacosamide may broaden, pending results of trials evaluating its use as monotherapy for POS in adults, as treatment for epilepsy in pediatric subjects, and as adjunctive treatment for uncontrolled primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures in those with idiopathic generalized epilepsy. © 2013 The Authors. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences published by Wiley Periodicals Inc. on behalf of The New York Academy of Sciences.

Point-of-Sale Tobacco Advertising Remains Prominent in Mumbai, India.

PubMed

Khariwala, Samir S; Garg, Apurva; Stepanov, Irina; Gupta, Prakash C; Ahluwalia, Jasjit S; Gota, Vikram; Chaturvedi, Pankaj

2016-07-01

In India, a 2003 law ("COPTA") banned tobacco advertising with the exception of "point of sale" and "on-pack" advertising. Given substantial evidence regarding the impact of point of sale advertising (PoS), we analyzed the prevalence of encountering such advertising in Mumbai, India. A survey was conducted of 199 current and recent former tobacco users recruited at the Tata Memorial Hospital (Mumbai). Enrollees were queried regarding their exposure to tobacco advertising in the last 30 days through multiple media sources. Descriptive epidemiologic techniques were used to characterize the data. Overall, 95% of participants were men and 5% were women (mean age=49 years). All were current tobacco users or quit using all forms of tobacco in the last 60 days. Participants' responses revealed that PoS tobacco advertising had been encountered in the last 30 days for cigarettes (61%), bidis (54%), and smokeless tobacco (59%). Other forms of tobacco advertising were virtually non-existent. PoS tobacco advertising remains prominent and highly visible to consumers in Mumbai, India, indicating corporate exploitation of a loophole in the COPTA legislation. Given the observed compliance with the currently imposed bans, revisions of COPTA to include all forms of tobacco promotion and advertising would be impactful.

Adsorption of trimethyltin, arsenic and zinc by palm oil mill sludge biochar prepared by microwave

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lam, Goh Ching; Sum, Klinsmann Ng Weng; Bashir, M. J. K.; Sethupathi, Sumathi

2017-04-01

Palm oil mill sludge (POS) is a type of solid left over after anaerobic digestion of palm oil mill effluent. At present, not much work has been reported in the literature on the feasibility of reutilizing this waste. In this study, biochar was prepared from POS. POS was pyrolyzed using microwave technique. Several types of palm oil mill sludge biochar (POSB) was produced by varying the microwave heating power from 100 W to 500 W and the pyrolysis holding time from 5 min to 25 min. The efficiency of the produced POSB was tested for Trimethyltin (TMT), arsenate (As), and zinc (Zn) adsorption capacity. The results of this study highlighted that POSB is able to adsorb Zn by the functional groups. The adsorption capacity of Zn was recorded as 44.5 mg/g. However, for TMT and As, the adsorption was very minimum i.e. about 3.3 mg/g and 5.6 mg/g respectively. It was suggested that poor performance of POSB was due to the anionic nature of TMT and As. It was concluded that microwave pyrolysis was not suitable for POSB preparation.

Bundle Block Adjustment of Airborne Three-Line Array Imagery Based on Rotation Angles

PubMed Central

Zhang, Yongjun; Zheng, Maoteng; Huang, Xu; Xiong, Jinxin

2014-01-01

In the midst of the rapid developments in electronic instruments and remote sensing technologies, airborne three-line array sensors and their applications are being widely promoted and plentiful research related to data processing and high precision geo-referencing technologies is under way. The exterior orientation parameters (EOPs), which are measured by the integrated positioning and orientation system (POS) of airborne three-line sensors, however, have inevitable systematic errors, so the level of precision of direct geo-referencing is not sufficiently accurate for surveying and mapping applications. Consequently, a few ground control points are necessary to refine the exterior orientation parameters, and this paper will discuss bundle block adjustment models based on the systematic error compensation and the orientation image, considering the principle of an image sensor and the characteristics of the integrated POS. Unlike the models available in the literature, which mainly use a quaternion to represent the rotation matrix of exterior orientation, three rotation angles are directly used in order to effectively model and eliminate the systematic errors of the POS observations. Very good experimental results have been achieved with several real datasets that verify the correctness and effectiveness of the proposed adjustment models. PMID:24811075

Bundle block adjustment of airborne three-line array imagery based on rotation angles.

PubMed

Zhang, Yongjun; Zheng, Maoteng; Huang, Xu; Xiong, Jinxin

2014-05-07

In the midst of the rapid developments in electronic instruments and remote sensing technologies, airborne three-line array sensors and their applications are being widely promoted and plentiful research related to data processing and high precision geo-referencing technologies is under way. The exterior orientation parameters (EOPs), which are measured by the integrated positioning and orientation system (POS) of airborne three-line sensors, however, have inevitable systematic errors, so the level of precision of direct geo-referencing is not sufficiently accurate for surveying and mapping applications. Consequently, a few ground control points are necessary to refine the exterior orientation parameters, and this paper will discuss bundle block adjustment models based on the systematic error compensation and the orientation image, considering the principle of an image sensor and the characteristics of the integrated POS. Unlike the models available in the literature, which mainly use a quaternion to represent the rotation matrix of exterior orientation, three rotation angles are directly used in order to effectively model and eliminate the systematic errors of the POS observations. Very good experimental results have been achieved with several real datasets that verify the correctness and effectiveness of the proposed adjustment models.

Measuring the Osmotic Water Permeability of the Plant Protoplast Plasma Membrane: Implication of the Nonosmotic Volume

PubMed Central

2010-01-01

Starting from the original theoretical descriptions of osmotically induced water volume flow in membrane systems, a convenient procedure to determine the osmotic water permeability coefficient (Pos) and the relative nonosmotic volume (β) of individual protoplasts is presented. Measurements performed on protoplasts prepared from pollen grains and pollen tubes of Lilium longiflorum cv. Thunb. and from mesophyll cells of Nicotiana tabacum L. and Arabidopsis thaliana revealed low values for the osmotic water permeability coefficient in the range 5–20 μm · s−1 with significant differences in Pos, depending on whether β is considered or not. The value of β was determined using two different methods: by interpolation from Boyle-van’t Hoff plots or by fitting a solution of the theoretical equation for water volume flow to the whole volume transients measured during osmotic swelling. The values determined with the second method were less affected by the heterogeneity of the protoplast samples and were around 30% of the respective isoosmotic protoplast volume. It is therefore important to consider nonosmotic volume in the calculation of Pos as plant protoplasts behave as nonideal osmometers. PMID:17568979

Public Support for Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act Point-of-Sale Provisions: Results of a National Study

PubMed Central

Emery, Sherry L.; Ennett, Susan; McNaughton Reyes, Heath Luz; Scott, John C.; Ribisl, Kurt M.

2015-01-01

Objectives. We assessed public and smoker support for enacted and potential point-of-sale (POS) tobacco-control policies under the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act. Methods. We surveyed a US nationally representative sample of 17 507 respondents (6595 smokers) in January through February 2013, and used linear regression to calculate weighted point estimates and identify factors associated with support for POS policies among adults and smokers. Results. Overall, nonsmokers were more supportive than were smokers. Regardless of smoking status, African Americans, Hispanics, women, and those of older ages were more supportive than White, male, and younger respondents, respectively. Policy support varied by provision. More than 80% of respondents supported minors’ access restrictions and more than 45% supported graphic warnings. Support was lowest for plain packaging (23%), black-and-white advertising (26%), and a ban on menthol cigarettes (36%). Conclusions. Public support for marketing and POS provisions is low relative to other areas of tobacco control. Tobacco-control advocates and the Food and Drug Administration should build on existing levels of public support to promote and maintain evidence-based, but controversial, policy changes in the retail environment. PMID:26270303

Perceived organisational support, organisational commitment and self-competence among nurses: a study in two Italian hospitals.

PubMed

Battistelli, Adalgisa; Galletta, Maura; Vandenberghe, Christian; Odoardi, Carlo

2016-01-01

This study examined the contributions of perceived organisational support (POS) and organisational commitment (i.e. affective, continuance and normative) to self-competence among nurses. In high-POS environments, workers benefit from socio-emotional resources to improve their skills, while positive forms of commitment (e.g. affective commitment) create a fertile context for developing one's competencies. A cross-sectional study was conducted among the nursing staff of two Italian urban hospitals (hospital A, n = 160; hospital B, n = 192). A structured questionnaire was administered individually to the nurses. Data analysis was conducted through multi-group analysis and supplemented by a bootstrapping approach. The results showed that POS was positively related to self-competence through affective commitment. In contrast, continuance and normative commitment did not mediate this relationship. This study shows that supporting employees through caring about their well-being as well as fostering positive forms of organisational commitment increases nurses' self-competence. Nurse managers may increase support perceptions and commitment among their staff by rewarding their contributions and caring about their well-being, as well as concentrating on training strategies that improve work-related skills. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Tai Chi Chuan optimizes the functional organization of the intrinsic human brain architecture in older adults

PubMed Central

Wei, Gao-Xia; Dong, Hao-Ming; Yang, Zhi; Luo, Jing; Zuo, Xi-Nian

2014-01-01

Whether Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) can influence the intrinsic functional architecture of the human brain remains unclear. To examine TCC-associated changes in functional connectomes, resting-state functional magnetic resonance images were acquired from 40 older individuals including 22 experienced TCC practitioners (experts) and 18 demographically matched TCC-naïve healthy controls, and their local functional homogeneities across the cortical mantle were compared. Compared to the controls, the TCC experts had significantly greater and more experience-dependent functional homogeneity in the right post-central gyrus (PosCG) and less functional homogeneity in the left anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and the right dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex. Increased functional homogeneity in the PosCG was correlated with TCC experience. Intriguingly, decreases in functional homogeneity (improved functional specialization) in the left ACC and increases in functional homogeneity (improved functional integration) in the right PosCG both predicted performance gains on attention network behavior tests. These findings provide evidence for the functional plasticity of the brain’s intrinsic architecture toward optimizing locally functional organization, with great implications for understanding the effects of TCC on cognition, behavior and health in aging population. PMID:24860494

Near-Infrared Fluorescence Imaging Guided Therapy: Molecular Beacon-Based Photosensitizers Triggered by Breast Cancer-Specific mRNA

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-05-01

1989) Specific targeting and toxicity of sulphonated aluminium phthalocyanine photosensitised liposomes directed to cells by monoclonal antibody in...fluorescence emission wavelengths (λabs 825nm; λem 840nm)[1]. Since the native BChl is very unstable and undergoes rapid oxidation to the chlorin state...noticeable dark toxicity in experimental condition, the viability of cells incubated with 2μM of P30C, P30 or r- P30C without light being the same as

Blue-to-Green Emitting Neutral Ir(III) Complexes Bearing Pentafluorosulfanyl Groups: A Combined Experimental and Theoretical Study

PubMed Central

2017-01-01

A structure–property relationship study of neutral heteroleptic (1 and 2, [Ir(C∧N)2(L∧X)]) and homoleptic (3 and 4, fac-[Ir(C∧N)3]) Ir(III) complexes (where L∧X = anionic 2,2,6,6-tetramethylheptane-3,5-dionato-κO3,κO6 (thd) and C∧N = a cyclometalating ligand bearing a pentafluorosulfanyl (−SF5) electron-withdrawing group (EWG) at the C4 (HL1) and C3 (HL2) positions of the phenyl moiety) is presented. These complexes have been fully structurally characterized, including by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and their electrochemical and optical properties have also been extensively studied. While complexes 1 ([Ir(L1)2(thd)]), 3 (Ir(L1)3), and 4 (Ir(L2)3) exhibit irreversible first reduction waves based on the pentafluorosulfanyl substituent in the range of −1.71 to −1.88 V (vs SCE), complex 2 ([Ir(L2)2(thd)]) exhibits a quasi-reversible pyridineC∧N-based first reduction wave that is anodically shifted at −1.38 V. The metal + C∧N ligand oxidation waves are all quasi-reversible in the range of 1.08–1.54 V (vs SCE). The optical gap, determined from the lowest energy absorption maxima, decreases from 4 to 2 to 3 to 1, and this trend is consistent with the Hammett behavior (σm/σp with respect to the metal–carbon bond) of the −SF5 EWG. In degassed acetonitrile, for complexes 2–4, introduction of the −SF5 group produced a blue-shifted emission (λem 484–506 nm) in comparison to reference complexes [Ir(ppy)2(acac)] (R1, where acac = acetylacetonato) (λem 528 nm in MeCN), [Ir(CF3-ppy) (acac)] (R3, where CF3-ppyH = 2-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)pyridine) (λem 522 nm in DCM), and [Ir(CF3-ppy)3] (R8) (λem 507 nm in MeCN). The emission of complex 1, in contrast, was modestly red shifted (λem 534 nm). Complexes 2 and 4, where the −SF5 EWG is substituted para to the Ir–CC∧N bond, are efficient phosphorescent emitters, with high photoluminescence quantum yields (ΦPL = 58–79% in degassed MeCN solution) and microsecond emission lifetimes (τε = 1.35–3.02 μs). Theoretical and experimental observations point toward excited states that are principally ligand centered (3LC) in nature, but with a minor metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (3MLCT) transition component, as a function of the regiochemistry of the pentafluorosulfanyl group. The 3LC character is predominant over the mixed 3CT character for complexes 1, 2, and 4, while in complex 3, there is exclusive 3LC character as demonstrated by unrestricted density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The short emission lifetimes and reasonable ΦPL values in doped thin film (5 wt % in PMMA), particularly for 4, suggest that these neutral complexes would be attractive candidate emitters in organic light-emitting diodes. PMID:28613074

Three-dimensional bright-field scanning transmission electron microscopy elucidate novel nanostructure in microbial biofilms.

PubMed

Hickey, William J; Shetty, Ameesha R; Massey, Randall J; Toso, Daniel B; Austin, Jotham

2017-01-01

Bacterial biofilms play key roles in environmental and biomedical processes, and understanding their activities requires comprehension of their nanoarchitectural characteristics. Electron microscopy (EM) is an essential tool for nanostructural analysis, but conventional EM methods are limited in that they either provide topographical information alone, or are suitable for imaging only relatively thin (<300 nm) sample volumes. For biofilm investigations, these are significant restrictions. Understanding structural relations between cells requires imaging of a sample volume sufficiently large to encompass multiple cells and the capture of both external and internal details of cell structure. An emerging EM technique with such capabilities is bright-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (BF-STEM) and in the present report BF-STEM was coupled with tomography to elucidate nanostructure in biofilms formed by the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-degrading soil bacterium, Delftia acidovorans Cs1-4. Dual-axis BF-STEM enabled high-resolution 3-D tomographic recontructions (6-10 nm) visualization of thick (1250 and 1500 nm) sections. The 3-D data revealed that novel extracellular structures, termed nanopods, were polymorphic and formed complex networks within cell clusters. BF-STEM tomography enabled visualization of conduits formed by nanopods that could enable intercellular movement of outer membrane vesicles, and thereby enable direct communication between cells. This report is the first to document application of dual-axis BF-STEM tomography to obtain high-resolution 3-D images of novel nanostructures in bacterial biofilms. Future work with dual-axis BF-STEM tomography combined with correlative light electron microscopy may provide deeper insights into physiological functions associated with nanopods as well as other nanostructures. © 2016 The Authors Journal of Microscopy © 2016 Royal Microscopical Society.

Long repeating (TTAGGG)n single stranded DNA self-condenses into compact beaded filaments stabilized by G-quadruplex formation.

PubMed

Kar, Anirban; Jones, Nathan; Arat, N Özlem; Fishel, Richard; Griffith, Jack

2018-04-19

Conformations adopted by long stretches of single stranded DNA (ssDNA) are of central interest in understanding the architecture of replication forks, R loops, and other structures generated during DNA metabolism in vivo. This is particularly so if the ssDNA consists of short nucleotide repeats. Such studies have been hampered by the lack of defined substrates greater than ~150 nt, and the absence of high-resolution biophysical approaches. Here we describe the generation of very long ssDNA consisting of the mammalian telomeric repeat (5'-TTAGGG-3')n as well as the interrogation of its structure by electron microscopy (EM) and single molecule magnetic tweezers (smMT). This repeat is of particular interest as it contains a run of 3 contiguous guanine residues capable of forming G quartets as ssDNA. Fluorescent-dye exclusion assays confirmed that this G-strand ssDNA forms ubiquitous G-quadruplex folds. EM revealed thick bead-like filaments that condensed the DNA ~12 fold. The bead-like structures were 5 nm and 8 nm in diameter and linked by thin filaments. The G-strand ssDNA displayed initial stability to smMT force extension that ultimately released in steps that were multiples ~28 nm at forces between 6-12 pN; well below the >20 pN required to unravel G-quadruplexes. Most smMT steps were consistent with the disruption of the beads seen by EM. Binding by RAD51 distinctively altered the force extension properties of the G-strand ssDNA, suggesting a stochastic G-quadruplex-dependent condensation model that is discussed. Published under license by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.

The Opportunistic Pathogen Vibrio vulnificus Produces Outer Membrane Vesicles in a Spatially Distinct Manner Related to Capsular Polysaccharide

PubMed Central

Hampton, Cheri M.; Guerrero-Ferreira, Ricardo C.; Storms, Rachel E.; Taylor, Jeannette V.; Yi, Hong; Gulig, Paul A.; Wright, Elizabeth R.

2017-01-01

Vibrio vulnificus, a bacterial species that inhabits brackish waters, is an opportunistic pathogen of humans. V. vulnificus infections can cause acute gastroenteritis, invasive septicemia, tissue necrosis, and potentially death. Virulence factors associated with V. vulnificus include the capsular polysaccharide (CPS), lipopolysaccharide, flagellum, pili, and outer membrane vesicles (OMVs). The aims of this study were to characterize the morphology of V. vulnificus cells and the formation and arrangement of OMVs using cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM). cryo-EM and cryo-electron tomography imaging of V. vulnificus strains grown in liquid cultures revealed the presence of OMVs (diameters of ∼45 nm for wild-type, ∼30 nm for the unencapsulated mutant, and ∼50 nm for the non-motile mutant) in log-phase growth. Production of OMVs in the stationary growth phase was limited and irregular. The spacing of the OMVs around the wild-type cells was in regular, concentric rings. In wild-type cells and a non-motile mutant, the spacing between the cell envelope and the first ring of OMVs was ∼200 nm; this spacing was maintained between subsequent OMV layers. The size, arrangement, and spacing of OMVs in an unencapsulated mutant was irregular and indicated that the polysaccharide chains of the capsule regulate aspects of OMV production and order. Together, our results revealed the distinctive organization of V. vulnificus OMVs that is affected by expression of the CPS. PMID:29163452

Novel Antigen Identification Method for Discovery of Protective Malaria Antigens by Rapid Testing of DNA Vaccines Encoding Exons from the Parasite Genome

DTIC Science & Technology

2004-03-01

EAA21673 1,443 — — Xeroderma pigmentosum G N&I region, helix-hairpin-helix class P.f., P.k., P.b., P.v. PY02286 EAA21722 696 — — Hypothetical protein...ND PY01828 Gene gun 0.1 2,560 640 Pos IM 0.1 Neg Neg ND CSP Gene gun 0.1 2,560 Neg Neg IM 2.7* 2,560 Neg ND a Parasite burden in liver is in...negative; Pos , positive; ND, not done. c Sera tested at a single dilution (1:80). VOL. 72, 2004 DISCOVERY OF PROTECTIVE MALARIA PARASITE ANTIGENS 1599

GNSS station displacement analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Haritonova, Diana; Balodis, Janis; Janpaule, Inese; Normand, Madara

2013-04-01

Time series of GNSS station results of both the EUPOS®-Riga and LatPos networks have been developed at the Institute of Geodesy and Geoinformation (University of Latvia). The reference stations from EUREF Permanent Network (EPN) in surroundings of Latvia have been used and Bernese GPS Software, Version 5.0, in both static and kinematic modes was applied. The standard data sets were taken from IGS data base. The results of time series have been analysed and distinctive behaviour of daily and subdaily movements of EUPOS®-Riga and LatPos stations was identified. The reasons of dependence of GNSS station coordinate distribution on possible external factors such as seismic activity of some areas of Latvia and periodic processes were given.

Structured illumination microscopy as a diagnostic tool for nephrotic disease

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nylk, Jonathan; Pullman, James M.; Campbell, Elaine C.; Gunn-Moore, Frank J.; Prystowsky, Michael B.; Dholakia, Kishan

2017-02-01

Nephrotic disease is a group of debilitating and sometimes lethal diseases affecting kidney function, specifically the loss of ability to retain vital proteins in the blood while smaller molecules are removed through filtration into the urine. Treatment routes are often dictated by microscopic analysis of kidney biopsies. Podocytes within the glomeruli of the kidney have many interdigitating projections (foot processes), which form the main filtration system. Nephrotic disease is characterised by the loss of this tightly interdigitating substructure and its observation by electron microscopy (EM) is necessitated as these structures are typically 250 500nm wide, with 40nm spacing. Diagnosis by EM is both expensive and time consuming; it can take up to one week to complete the preparation, imaging, and analysis of a single sample. We propose structured illumination microscopy (SIM) as an alternative, optical diagnostic tool. Our results show that SIM can resolve the structure of fluorescent probes tagged to podocin, a protein localised to the periphery of the podocyte foot processes. Three-dimensional podocin maps were acquired in healthy tissue and tissue from patients diagnosed with two different nephrotic disease states; minimal change disease and membranous nephropathy. These structures correlated well with EM images of the same structure. Preparation, imaging, and analysis could be achieved in several hours. Additionally, the volumetric information of the SIM images revealed morphological changes in disease states not observed by EM. This evidence supports the use of SIM as a diagnostic tool for nephrotic disease and can potentially reduce the time and cost per diagnosis.

Large Fluorescence Response by Alcohol from a Bis(benzoxazole)-Zinc(II) Complex: The Role of Excited State Intramolecular Proton Transfer

PubMed Central

Wang, Junfeng; Chu, Qinghui; Liu, Xiumin; Wesdemiotis, Chrys

2013-01-01

The formation of a bis(HBO) anion is known to turn-on the fluorescence to give red emission, via controlling the excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT). The poor stability of the formed anion, however, hampered its application. The anion stability is found to be greatly improved by attaching the anion to Zn2+ cation (i.e. forming zinc complex), whose emission is at λem ≈ 550 and 760 nm. Interestingly, addition of methanol to the zinc complex induces a remarkable red fluorescence (λem ≈ 630 nm, ϕfl ≈ 0.8). With the aid of spectroscopic studies (1H NMR, UV-vis, fluorescence, and mass spectra), the structures of the zinc complexes are characterized. The emission species is identified as a dimer-like structure. The study thus reveals an effective fluorescence switching mechanism that could further advance the application of ESIPT-based sensors. PMID:23514312

Facile approach to fabricate BCN/Fe x (B/C/N) y nano-architectures with enhanced electromagnetic wave absorption.

PubMed

Zhang, Tao; Zhang, Jian; Luo, Heng; Deng, Lianwen; Zhou, Pengyu; Wen, Guangwu; Xia, Long; Zhong, Bo; Zhang, Haibin

2018-06-08

Carbon-based materials have excited extensive interest for their remarkable electrical properties and low density for application in electromagnetic (EM) wave absorbents. However, the processing of heteroatoms doping in carbon nanostructures is an insuperable challenge for attaining effective reflection loss and EM matching. Herein, a facile method for large-scale synthesis of boron and nitrogen doped carbon nanotubes decorated by ferrites particles is proposed. The BCN nanotubes (50-100 nm in diameter) imbedded with nanosized Fe x (B/C/N) y (10-20 nm) are successfully constructed by two steps of polymerization and carbonthermic reduction. The product exhibits an outstanding reflection loss (RL) performance, in that the minimum RL is -47.97 dB at 11.44 GHz with a broad bandwidth 11.2 GHz (from 3.76 to 14.9 GHz) below -10 dB indicating a competitive absorbent in stealth materials. Crystalline and theoretical studies of the absorption mechanism indicate a unique dielectric dispersion effect in the absorbing bandwidth.

Facile approach to fabricate BCN/Fe x (B/C/N) y nano-architectures with enhanced electromagnetic wave absorption

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Tao; Zhang, Jian; Luo, Heng; Deng, Lianwen; Zhou, Pengyu; Wen, Guangwu; Xia, Long; Zhong, Bo; Zhang, Haibin

2018-06-01

Carbon-based materials have excited extensive interest for their remarkable electrical properties and low density for application in electromagnetic (EM) wave absorbents. However, the processing of heteroatoms doping in carbon nanostructures is an insuperable challenge for attaining effective reflection loss and EM matching. Herein, a facile method for large-scale synthesis of boron and nitrogen doped carbon nanotubes decorated by ferrites particles is proposed. The BCN nanotubes (50–100 nm in diameter) imbedded with nanosized Fe x (B/C/N) y (10–20 nm) are successfully constructed by two steps of polymerization and carbonthermic reduction. The product exhibits an outstanding reflection loss (RL) performance, in that the minimum RL is ‑47.97 dB at 11.44 GHz with a broad bandwidth 11.2 GHz (from 3.76 to 14.9 GHz) below ‑10 dB indicating a competitive absorbent in stealth materials. Crystalline and theoretical studies of the absorption mechanism indicate a unique dielectric dispersion effect in the absorbing bandwidth.

Electron microscopic analysis of rotavirus assembly-replication intermediates

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Boudreaux, Crystal E.; Kelly, Deborah F.; McDonald, Sarah M., E-mail: mcdonaldsa@vtc.vt.edu

2015-03-15

Rotaviruses (RVs) replicate their segmented, double-stranded RNA genomes in tandem with early virion assembly. In this study, we sought to gain insight into the ultrastructure of RV assembly-replication intermediates (RIs) using transmission electron microscopy (EM). Specifically, we examined a replicase-competent, subcellular fraction that contains all known RV RIs. Three never-before-seen complexes were visualized in this fraction. Using in vitro reconstitution, we showed that ~15-nm doughnut-shaped proteins in strings were nonstructural protein 2 (NSP2) bound to viral RNA transcripts. Moreover, using immunoaffinity-capture EM, we revealed that ~20-nm pebble-shaped complexes contain the viral RNA polymerase (VP1) and RNA capping enzyme (VP3). Finally,more » using a gel purification method, we demonstrated that ~30–70-nm electron-dense, particle-shaped complexes represent replicase-competent core RIs, containing VP1, VP3, and NSP2 as well as capsid proteins VP2 and VP6. The results of this study raise new questions about the interactions among viral proteins and RNA during the concerted assembly–replicase process. - Highlights: • Rotaviruses replicate their genomes in tandem with early virion assembly. • Little is known about rotavirus assembly-replication intermediates. • Assembly-replication intermediates were imaged using electron microscopy.« less

Atomic Processes in a Plasma Opening Switch.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Klepper, C. C.; Moschella, J. J.; Hazelton, R. C.; Yadlowsky, E. J.; Maron, Y.

1998-11-01

Detailed measurements of carbon emission have been carried out in a Plasma Opening Switch (POS) with a planar geometry, in order to characterize the plasma conditions and the ionization process in the POS. Emission from various transitions of C^circ to C^3+ has been measured as a function of time from several viewing chords. For these experiments, the POS was operated with a shorted load at 130kA and with a ~700ns conduction time. A single-chord, heterodyne interferometer measured the electron density evolution along a chord coincident with one of the spectroscopic views. The passage of the ionization front across the line of sight is witnessed by both diagnostics. The data are interpreted by analyzing the time-dependent atomic processes. The measured ne rises from 1.5×10^15 to 3×10^15cm-3 as the current crosses the view. An initial electron temperature in the 1.3-2 eV range is obtained from the ratio of the C II 4267 Åand 6578 Ålines. The time dependent line emission of the various charge states shows that Te rises to a few tens of eV at the peak current. The charge state distribution during the pulse will be discussed.

Point-of-Sale Tobacco Advertising Remains Prominent in Mumbai, India

PubMed Central

Khariwala, Samir S.; Garg, Apurva; Stepanov, Irina; Gupta, Prakash C.; Ahluwalia, Jasjit S.; Gota, Vikram; Chaturvedi, Pankaj

2017-01-01

Objectives In India, a 2003 law (“COPTA”) banned tobacco advertising with the exception of “point of sale” and “on-pack” advertising. Given substantial evidence regarding the impact of point of sale advertising (PoS), we analyzed the prevalence of encountering such advertising in Mumbai, India. Methods A survey was conducted of 199 current and recent former tobacco users recruited at the Tata Memorial Hospital (Mumbai). Enrollees were queried regarding their exposure to tobacco advertising in the last 30 days through multiple media sources. Descriptive epidemiologic techniques were used to characterize the data. Results Overall, 95% of participants were men and 5% were women (mean age=49 years). All were current tobacco users or quit using all forms of tobacco in the last 60 days. Participants’ responses revealed that PoS tobacco advertising had been encountered in the last 30 days for cigarettes (61%), bidis (54%), and smokeless tobacco (59%). Other forms of tobacco advertising were virtually non-existent. Conclusions PoS tobacco advertising remains prominent and highly visible to consumers in Mumbai, India, indicating corporate exploitation of a loophole in the COPTA legislation. Given the observed compliance with the currently imposed bans, revisions of COPTA to include all forms of tobacco promotion and advertising would be impactful. PMID:28217721

Practical experiences of adopting assurance as a quantitative framework to support decision making in drug development.

PubMed

Crisp, Adam; Miller, Sam; Thompson, Douglas; Best, Nicky

2018-04-10

All clinical trials are designed for success of their primary objectives. Hence, evaluating the probability of success (PoS) should be a key focus at the design stage both to support funding approval from sponsor governance boards and to inform trial design itself. Use of assurance-that is, expected success probability averaged over a prior probability distribution for the treatment effect-to quantify PoS of a planned study has grown across the industry in recent years, and has now become routine within the authors' company. In this paper, we illustrate some of the benefits of systematically adopting assurance as a quantitative framework to support decision making in drug development through several case-studies where evaluation of assurance has proved impactful in terms of trial design and in supporting governance-board reviews of project proposals. In addition, we describe specific features of how the assurance framework has been implemented within our company, highlighting the critical role that prior elicitation plays in this process, and illustrating how the overall assurance calculation may be decomposed into a sequence of conditional PoS estimates which can provide greater insight into how and when different development options are able to discharge risk. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

In Vitro Determination of Prebiotic Properties of Oligosaccharides Derived from an Orange Juice Manufacturing By-Product Stream

PubMed Central

Manderson, K.; Pinart, M.; Tuohy, K. M.; Grace, W. E.; Hotchkiss, A. T.; Widmer, W.; Yadhav, M. P.; Gibson, G. R.; Rastall, R. A.

2005-01-01

Fermentation properties of oligosaccharides derived from orange peel pectin were assessed in mixed fecal bacterial culture. The orange peel oligosaccharide fraction contained glucose in addition to rhamnogalacturonan and xylogalacturonan pectic oligosaccharides. Twenty-four-hour, temperature- and pH-controlled, stirred anaerobic fecal batch cultures were used to determine the effects that oligosaccharides derived from orange products had on the composition of the fecal microbiota. The effects were measured through fluorescent in situ hybridization to determine changes in bacterial populations, fermentation end products were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography to assess short-chain fatty acid concentrations, and subsequently, a prebiotic index (PI) was determined. Pectic oligosaccharides (POS) were able to increase the bifidobacterial and Eubacterium rectale numbers, albeit resulting in a lower prebiotic index than that from fructo-oligosaccharide metabolism. Orange albedo maintained the growth of most bacterial populations and gave a PI similar to that of soluble starch. Fermentation of POS resulted in an increase in the Eubacterium rectale numbers and concomitantly increased butyrate production. In conclusion, this study has shown that POS can have a beneficial effect on the fecal microflora; however, a classical prebiotic effect was not found. An increase in the Eubacterium rectale population was found, and butyrate levels increased, which is of potential benefit to the host. PMID:16332825

Long-lived room-temperature deep-red-emissive intraligand triplet excited state of naphthalimide in cyclometalated Ir(III) complexes and its application in triplet-triplet annihilation-based upconversion.

PubMed

Sun, Jifu; Wu, Wanhua; Zhao, Jianzhang

2012-06-25

Cyclometalated Ir(III) complexes with acetylide ppy and bpy ligands were prepared (ppy = 2-phenylpyridine, bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine) in which naphthal (Ir-2) and naphthalimide (NI) were attached onto the ppy (Ir-3) and bpy ligands (Ir-4) through acetylide bonds. [Ir(ppy)(3)] (Ir-1) was also prepared as a model complex. Room-temperature phosphorescence was observed for the complexes; both neutral and cationic complexes Ir-3 and Ir-4 showed strong absorption in the visible range (ε=39,600  M(-1)  cm(-1) at 402 nm and ε=25,100  M(-1)  cm(-1) at 404 nm, respectively), long-lived triplet excited states (τ(T)=9.30 μs and 16.45 μs) and room-temperature red emission (λ(em)=640 nm, Φ(p)=1.4 % and λ(em)=627 nm, Φ(p)=0.3 %; cf. Ir-1: ε=16,600  M(-1)  cm(-1) at 382 nm, τ(em)=1.16 μs, Φ(p)=72.6 %). Ir-3 was strongly phosphorescent in non-polar solvent (i.e., toluene), but the emission was completely quenched in polar solvents (MeCN). Ir-4 gave an opposite response to the solvent polarity, that is, stronger phosphorescence in polar solvents than in non-polar solvents. Emission of Ir-1 and Ir-2 was not solvent-polarity-dependent. The T(1) excited states of Ir-2, Ir-3, and Ir-4 were identified as mainly intraligand triplet excited states ((3)IL) by their small thermally induced Stokes shifts (ΔE(s)), nanosecond time-resolved transient difference absorption spectroscopy, and spin-density analysis. The complexes were used as triplet photosensitizers for triplet-triplet annihilation (TTA) upconversion and quantum yields of 7.1 % and 14.4 % were observed for Ir-2 and Ir-3, respectively, whereas the upconversion was negligible for Ir-1 and Ir-4. These results will be useful for designing visible-light-harvesting transition-metal complexes and for their applications as triplet photosensitizers for photocatalysis, photovoltaics, TTA upconversion, etc. Copyright © 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

The modification of spectral characteristics of cytostatics by optical beams

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pascu, Mihail Lucian; Brezeanu, Mihail; Carstocea, Benone D.; Voicu, Letitia; Gazdaru, Doina M.; Smarandache, Adriana A.

2004-10-01

Besides the biochemical action of methotrexate (MTX) and 5-fluorouracil (FU) their effect in destroying cancer tumours could be enhanced by exposure to light at different doses. Absorption, excitation and emission spectra of 10-4M - 10-5M MTX solutions in natural saline and sodium hydroxide at pH = 8.4 were measured, while their exposure to coherent and uncoherent light in the visible and near ultraviolet (UV) spectral ranges was made (Hg lamps and Nitrogen pulsed laser radiation were used). Absorption spectra exhibit spectral bands in the range 200 nm - 450 nm. The 200 - 450 nm excitation spectra were measured with emission centered on 470 nm; MTX fluorescence excitation was measured at 390 nm and the emission was detected between 400 nm and 600 nm showing a maximum at 470 nm. Spectra modifications, nonlinearly depending on exposure time (varying from 1 min to 20 min), evidenced MTX photo-dissociation to the fluorescent compound 2,4 diamino-formylpteridine. In the 5-FU case the absorption spectra exhibit bands between 200 nm and 450 nm. The emission fluorescence spectra were measured between 400 nm and 600 nm, with λex = 350 nm for UV Hg lamp and with λex = 360 nm for laser irradiated samples; at irradiation with N2 laser emitted radiation the excitation spectra were measured in the range of 200 nm - 400 nm, with λem = 440 nm. New vascularity rapid destruction was observed for conjunctive impregnated with 5-FU solution whilst exposed to incoherent UV and visible light.

Fluorescent high-performance liquid chromatographic analysis of vigabatrin enantiomers after derivatizing with naproxen acyl chloride.

PubMed

Hsieh, Chun-Yu; Wang, Shing-Yaw; Kwan, Aij-Lie; Wu, Hsin-Lung

2008-01-18

Vigabatrin is widely used as an anticonvulsant in the treatment of seizures. Vigabatrin is usually supplied as racemate in formulation, but only the (S)-(+)-enantiomer of vigabatrin is pharmacologically active. A simple and sensitive liquid chromatographic method is described for the separation and quantification of vigabatrin enantiomers. The method is based on derivatizing racemic vigabatrin with a fluorescent chiral reagent (naproxen acyl chloride). The resulting diastereomeric derivatives are highly responsive to a fluorimetric detector (lambda(ex)=230 nm, lambda(em)=350 nm). The lower quantitation limit of the method is attainable at 25 nM for (S)-(+)-vigabatrin or (R)-(-)-vigabatrin with a detection limit of about 2.5 nM (S/N=3 with 10 microl injected). Application of the method to the analysis of vigabatrin in serum of dosed patients proved feasible.

Efficacy and safety of eslicarbazepine acetate monotherapy for partial-onset seizures: Experience from a multicenter, observational study.

PubMed

Toledano, Rafael; Jovel, Camilo Espinosa; Jiménez-Huete, Adolfo; Bayarri, Pau Giner; Campos, Dulce; Gomariz, Elena López; Giráldez, Beatriz González; García-Morales, Irene; Falip, Mercé; Agredano, Paula Martínez; Palao, Susana; Prior, María José Aguilar Amat; Pascual, María Rosa Querol; Navacerrada, Francisco José; González, Francisco Javier López; Ojeda, Joaquín; Sáez, Aránzazu Alfaro; Bermejo, Pedro Emilio; Gil-Nagel, Antonio

2017-08-01

Eslicarbazepine acetate (ESL, Aptiom™) is a once-daily anticonvulsant, approved as adjunctive treatment of partial-onset seizures (POS). Historical-controlled trials investigating the use of ESL as monotherapy have demonstrated a favorable efficacy and tolerability profile in patients with POS. This prospective, non-interventional study recruited POS patients in 17 hospitals in Spain. After a 3-month baseline period, ESL therapy was initiated as 400mg QD and up-titrated to an optimal maintenance dose based on clinical response and tolerance. The incidence of seizures was assessed via seizure calendars and the nature and severity of adverse events (AEs) were also recorded. A total of 117 patients (aged 9-87years) enrolled in the study and were treated with ESL at either 400mg/day (3.4% patients), 800mg/day (61% patients), 1200mg/day (27.1% patients) or 1600mg/day (8.5% patients). At 3months, 82.0% (n=72) of patients achieved a ≥50% reduction in seizure frequency, compared to 79.7% (n=67) of patients at 6months and 83.0% (n=49) at 12months. Patients who suffered secondary generalized tonic-clonic (SGTC) seizures had seizure-free rates of 71% (n=27), 69.6% (n=29), and 72.7% (n=16) at 3, 6, and 12months, respectively. Overall, 18 patients (15.3%) reported AEs of instability and dizziness (n=9), somnolence (n=3), mild hyponatremia (n=3), headache (n=1), hypertriglyceridemia (n=1), and allergic reaction (n=1), which caused ESL discontinuation of ESL treatment. ESL is effective and well tolerated as monotherapy for patients with POS, which supports previous findings. Early use is supported by its frequent use as monotherapy in this study and lack of severe side effects. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Corporate Social Responsibility and Employee Engagement: Enabling Employees to Employ More of Their Whole Selves at Work

PubMed Central

Glavas, Ante

2016-01-01

Research at the individual level of corporate social responsibility (CSR) has been growing rapidly. Yet we still lack a more complete understanding of why and how individuals (i.e., employees) are affected by CSR. This study contributes to that gap by exploring the relationship between CSR and employee engagement. Moreover, in order to address the problem of low levels of employee engagement in the workplace, CSR is proposed and tested as a pathway for engaging a significant part of the workforce. Building on engagement theory, a model is tested in which CSR enables employees to bring more of their whole selves to work, which results in employees being more engaged. Data from 15,184 employees in a large professional service firm in the USA was analyzed using structural equation modeling. Results show that authenticity (i.e., being able to show one’s whole self at work) positively and significantly mediates the relationship between CSR and employee engagement. However, the other mediator tested in this study, perceived organizational support (POS; i.e., direct benefits to the employee), did not significantly mediate the relationship. In addition, results of moderated mediation suggest that when CSR is extra-role (i.e., not embedded in one’s job design such as volunteering), it weakens the relationship between CSR and employee engagement. Moreover, post hoc analyses show that even when POS is controlled for, authenticity has an impact above and beyond POS on employee engagement. These results extend prior CSR literature which has often been top–down and has focused on how employees will be positively affected by what the organization can give them (e.g., POS). Rather, a bottom–up approach might reveal that the more that employees can give of their whole selves, the more engaged they might be at work. PMID:27303352

Corporate Social Responsibility and Employee Engagement: Enabling Employees to Employ More of Their Whole Selves at Work.

PubMed

Glavas, Ante

2016-01-01

Research at the individual level of corporate social responsibility (CSR) has been growing rapidly. Yet we still lack a more complete understanding of why and how individuals (i.e., employees) are affected by CSR. This study contributes to that gap by exploring the relationship between CSR and employee engagement. Moreover, in order to address the problem of low levels of employee engagement in the workplace, CSR is proposed and tested as a pathway for engaging a significant part of the workforce. Building on engagement theory, a model is tested in which CSR enables employees to bring more of their whole selves to work, which results in employees being more engaged. Data from 15,184 employees in a large professional service firm in the USA was analyzed using structural equation modeling. Results show that authenticity (i.e., being able to show one's whole self at work) positively and significantly mediates the relationship between CSR and employee engagement. However, the other mediator tested in this study, perceived organizational support (POS; i.e., direct benefits to the employee), did not significantly mediate the relationship. In addition, results of moderated mediation suggest that when CSR is extra-role (i.e., not embedded in one's job design such as volunteering), it weakens the relationship between CSR and employee engagement. Moreover, post hoc analyses show that even when POS is controlled for, authenticity has an impact above and beyond POS on employee engagement. These results extend prior CSR literature which has often been top-down and has focused on how employees will be positively affected by what the organization can give them (e.g., POS). Rather, a bottom-up approach might reveal that the more that employees can give of their whole selves, the more engaged they might be at work.

Exposure to point‐of‐sale displays and changes in susceptibility to smoking: findings from a cohort study of school students

PubMed Central

Szatkowski, Lisa; McNeill, Ann; Spanopoulos, Dionysis; Britton, John

2015-01-01

Abstract Aims To investigate the association between frequency of visiting shops and noticing of tobacco point‐of‐sale (PoS) displays and the development of susceptibility to smoking, or smoking uptake, in secondary school students. Design Two surveys of a school based cohort study carried out in 2011 and 2012. Settings Nottinghamshire, UK. Participants A total of 2270 children aged 11–16 years from eight schools in Nottinghamshire. Measurements We investigated changes in susceptibility to smoking and smoking status in relation to frequency of visiting shops and noticing PoS displays and number of tobacco brands recognized, controlling for a range of potential confounders. Susceptibility to smoking was defined using a set of three questions covering intentions to try smoking, to smoke within the next year and likelihood of smoking if a best friend offered a cigarette. For the analysis we used multinomial logistic regression. Findings Among non‐susceptible never smokers, noticing PoS displays more frequently was associated independently with an increased risk of becoming susceptible to smoking [adjusted relative risk ratio (RRR) = 1.74; 99% confidence interval (CI) = 1.13–2.69], but was not associated with smoking uptake. Recognizing a higher number of brands among non‐susceptible never smokers doubled the risk of becoming susceptible to smoking and of becoming a smoker, but this did not have a significant effect on transition to smoking among susceptible never smokers. Frequency of noticing tobacco PoS displays was not associated significantly with smoking uptake among those who were susceptible never smokers at baseline. Conclusions Noticing tobacco point‐of‐sale displays more often and recognizing a higher number of tobacco brands is associated with an increased risk of becoming susceptible to smoking among adolescents in the United Kingdom, and recognizing a higher number of brands is associated positively with an increased risk of smoking uptake. PMID:25488727

Comparison of informal caregiver and named nurse assessment of symptoms in elderly patients dying in hospital using the palliative outcome scale.

PubMed

Dawber, Rebecca; Armour, Kathy; Ferry, Peter; Mukherjee, Bhaskar; Carter, Christopher; Meystre, Chantal

2016-01-12

A prospective study of symptom assessments made by a healthcare professional (HCP; named nurse) and an informal caregiver (ICG) compared with that of the patient with a terminal diagnosis. To look at the validity of HCP and ICG as proxies, which symptoms they can reliably assess, and to determine who is the better proxy between HCP and ICG. A total of 50 triads of patient (>65 years) in the terminal phase, ICG and named nurse on medical wards of an acute general hospital. Assessments were made using the patient and caregiver versions of the palliative outcome scale (POS), all taken within a 24 h period. Agreement between patient-rated, ICG-rated and HCP-rated POS and POS for symptoms (POS-S) was measured using weighted-κ statistics. Demographic and clinical data on each group of participants were collected. ICG assessments have higher agreement with those of the patient than HCP. Better agreement in both groups was found for physical symptoms, and best agreement was for pain. The worst agreements were for psychological symptoms, such as anxiety and depression, and for satisfaction with information given. Psychological symptoms are overestimated by both ICG and HCP. ICGs are more reliable proxies than HCPs. A trend for overestimation of symptoms was found in both groups which may lead to undervaluation of the quality of life by proxy and overtreatment of symptoms. This highlights the need to always use the patient report when possible, and to be aware of the potential flaws in proxy assessment. Reasons for overestimation by proxies deserve further research. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/

Exposure to point-of-sale displays and changes in susceptibility to smoking: findings from a cohort study of school students.

PubMed

Bogdanovica, Ilze; Szatkowski, Lisa; McNeill, Ann; Spanopoulos, Dionysis; Britton, John

2015-04-01

To investigate the association between frequency of visiting shops and noticing of tobacco point-of-sale (PoS) displays and the development of susceptibility to smoking, or smoking uptake, in secondary school students. Two surveys of a school based cohort study carried out in 2011 and 2012. Nottinghamshire, UK. A total of 2270 children aged 11-16 years from eight schools in Nottinghamshire. We investigated changes in susceptibility to smoking and smoking status in relation to frequency of visiting shops and noticing PoS displays and number of tobacco brands recognized, controlling for a range of potential confounders. Susceptibility to smoking was defined using a set of three questions covering intentions to try smoking, to smoke within the next year and likelihood of smoking if a best friend offered a cigarette. For the analysis we used multinomial logistic regression. Among non-susceptible never smokers, noticing PoS displays more frequently was associated independently with an increased risk of becoming susceptible to smoking [adjusted relative risk ratio (RRR) = 1.74; 99% confidence interval (CI) = 1.13-2.69], but was not associated with smoking uptake. Recognizing a higher number of brands among non-susceptible never smokers doubled the risk of becoming susceptible to smoking and of becoming a smoker, but this did not have a significant effect on transition to smoking among susceptible never smokers. Frequency of noticing tobacco PoS displays was not associated significantly with smoking uptake among those who were susceptible never smokers at baseline. Noticing tobacco point-of-sale displays more often and recognizing a higher number of tobacco brands is associated with an increased risk of becoming susceptible to smoking among adolescents in the United Kingdom, and recognizing a higher number of brands is associated positively with an increased risk of smoking uptake. © 2014 Society for the Study of Addiction.

Early Expansion of Circulating Granulocytic Myeloid-derived Suppressor Cells Predicts Development of Nosocomial Infections in Patients with Sepsis.

PubMed

Uhel, Fabrice; Azzaoui, Imane; Grégoire, Murielle; Pangault, Céline; Dulong, Joelle; Tadié, Jean-Marc; Gacouin, Arnaud; Camus, Christophe; Cynober, Luc; Fest, Thierry; Le Tulzo, Yves; Roussel, Mikael; Tarte, Karin

2017-08-01

Sepsis induces a sustained immune dysfunction responsible for poor outcome and nosocomial infections. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) described in cancer and inflammatory processes may be involved in sepsis-induced immune suppression, but their clinical impact remains poorly defined. To clarify phenotype, suppressive activity, origin, and clinical impact of MDSCs in patients with sepsis. Peripheral blood transcriptomic analysis was performed on 29 patients with sepsis and 15 healthy donors. A second cohort of 94 consecutive patients with sepsis, 11 severity-matched intensive care patients, and 67 healthy donors was prospectively enrolled for flow cytometry and functional experiments. Genes involved in MDSC suppressive functions, including S100A12, S100A9, MMP8, and ARG1, were up-regulated in the peripheral blood of patients with sepsis. CD14 pos HLA-DR low/neg monocytic (M)-MDSCs were expanded in intensive care unit patients with and without sepsis and CD14 neg CD15 pos low-density granulocytes/granulocytic (G)-MDSCs were more specifically expanded in patients with sepsis (P < 0.001). Plasma levels of MDSC mediators S100A8/A9, S100A12, and arginase 1 were significantly increased. In vitro, CD14 pos - and CD15 pos -cell depletion increased T-cell proliferation in patients with sepsis. G-MDSCs, made of immature and mature granulocytes expressing high levels of degranulation markers, were specifically responsible for arginase 1 activity. High initial levels of G-MDSCs, arginase 1, and S100A12 but not M-MDSCs were associated with subsequent occurrence of nosocomial infections. M-MDSCs and G-MDSCs strongly contribute to T-cell dysfunction in patients with sepsis. More specifically, G-MDSCs producing arginase 1 are associated with a higher incidence of nosocomial infections and seem to be major actors of sepsis-induced immune suppression.

Prognosis for Mammographically Occult, Early-Stage Breast Cancer Patients Treated With Breast-Conservation Therapy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Yang, Tzu-I. J.; Yang Qifeng; Department of Breast Surgery, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan

2010-01-15

Purpose: To compare mammographically occult (MamOcc) and mammographically positive (MamPos) early-stage breast cancer patients treated with breast-conservation therapy (BCT), to analyze differences between the two cohorts. Methods and Materials: Our two cohorts consisted of 214 MamOcc and 2168 MamPos patients treated with BCT. Chart reviews were conducted to assess mammogram reports and method of detection. All clinical-pathologic and outcome parameters were analyzed to detect differences between the two cohorts. Results: Median follow-up was 7 years. There were no differences in final margins, T stage, nodal status, estrogen/progesterone receptor status, or 'triple-negative' status. Significant differences included younger age at diagnosis (pmore » < 0.0001), more positive family history (p = 0.0033), less HER-2+ disease (p = 0.0294), and 1{sup o} histology (p < 0.0001). At 10 years, the differences in overall survival, cause-specific survival, and distant relapse between the two groups did not differ significantly. The MamOcc cohort had more breast relapses (15% vs. 8%; p = 0.0357), but on multivariate analysis this difference was not significant (hazard ratio 1.0, 95% confidence interval 0.993-1.007, p = 0.9296). Breast relapses were mammographically occult in 32% of the MamOcc and 12% of the MamPos cohorts (p = 0.0136). Conclusions: Although our study suggests that there are clinical-pathologic variations for the MamOcc cohort vs. MamPos patients that may ultimately affect management, breast relapse after BCT was not significantly different. Breast recurrences were more often mammographically occult in the MamOcc cohort; consideration should be given to closer follow-up and alternative imaging strategies (ultrasound, breast MRI) for routine posttreatment examination. To our knowledge, this represents the largest series addressing the prognostic significance of MamOcc cancers treated with BCT.« less

Multicentric Standardized Flow Cytometry Routine Assessment of Patients With Sepsis to Predict Clinical Worsening.

PubMed

Daix, Thomas; Guerin, Estelle; Tavernier, Elsa; Mercier, Emmanuelle; Gissot, Valérie; Hérault, Olivier; Mira, Jean-Paul; Dumas, Florence; Chapuis, Nicolas; Guitton, Christophe; Béné, Marie C; Quenot, Jean-Pierre; Tissier, Cindy; Guy, Julien; Piton, Gaël; Roggy, Anne; Muller, Grégoire; Legac, Éric; de Prost, Nicolas; Khellaf, Mehdi; Wagner-Ballon, Orianne; Coudroy, Rémi; Dindinaud, Elodie; Uhel, Fabrice; Roussel, Mikaël; Lafon, Thomas; Jeannet, Robin; Vargas, Frédéric; Fleureau, Catherine; Roux, Mickaël; Allou, Kaoutar; Vignon, Philippe; Feuillard, Jean; François, Bruno

2018-04-26

In this study, we primarily sought to assess the ability of flow cytometry to predict early clinical deterioration and overall survival in patients with sepsis admitted in the ED and ICU. Patients admitted for community-acquired acute sepsis from 11 hospital centers were eligible. Early (day 7) and late (day 28) deaths were notified. Levels of CD64 pos granulocytes, CD16 pos monocytes, CD16 dim immature granulocytes (IGs), and T and B lymphocytes were assessed by flow cytometry using an identical, cross-validated, robust, and simple consensus standardized protocol in each center. Among 1,062 patients screened, 781 patients with confirmed sepsis were studied (age, 67 ± 48 years; Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, 36 ± 17; Sequential Organ Failure Assessment, 5 ± 4). Patients were divided into three groups (sepsis, severe sepsis, and septic shock) on day 0 and on day 2. On day 0, patients with sepsis exhibited increased levels of CD64 pos granulocytes, CD16 pos monocytes, and IGs with T-cell lymphopenia. Clinical severity was associated with higher percentages of IGs and deeper T-cell lymphopenia. IG percentages tended to be higher in patients whose clinical status worsened on day 2 (35.1 ± 35.6 vs 43.5 ± 35.2, P = .07). Increased IG percentages were also related to occurrence of new organ failures on day 2. Increased IG percentages, especially when associated with T-cell lymphopenia, were independently associated with early (P < .01) and late (P < .01) death. Increased circulating IGs at the acute phase of sepsis are linked to clinical worsening, especially when associated with T-cell lymphopenia. Early flow cytometry could help clinicians to target patients at high risk of clinical deterioration. ClinicalTrials.gov; No.: NCT01995448; URL: www.clinicaltrials.gov. Copyright © 2018 American College of Chest Physicians. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Impact of removing point-of-sale tobacco displays: data from a New Zealand youth survey.

PubMed

Edwards, Richard; Ajmal, Ali; Healey, Benjamin; Hoek, Janet

2017-07-01

The tobacco industry increasingly invests in point-of-sale (POS) marketing. In July 2012, New Zealand required the removal of POS tobacco displays concurrently with increased enforcement and penalties for selling tobacco to minors, and additional restrictions on tobacco sponsorship. We evaluated the impact of these measures using a before-after study. We analysed data from annual surveys of more than 25 000 year 10 (14-15 years) students from 2007 and 2011 to 2014. Measures included prevalence of smoking-related behaviours and strength of association between visiting tobacco-retailing stores and smoking behaviours. Between 2011 and 2014, smoking experimentation (had smoked ever but smoked less than monthly currently) decreased from 23% in 2011 to 17% in 2014 (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 0.73, 95% CI 0.69 to 0.78); current smoking (at least monthly) prevalence from 9% to 7% (aOR 0.71, 0.64 to 0.79) and initiation in the last year from 13% to 11% (aOR 0.91, 0.84 to 0.98). Attempted purchase of cigarettes in the past 30 days among smokers decreased from 30% in 2012 to 26% in 2013 (aOR 0.77, 0.63 to 0.91). Positive associations between frequency of visiting tobacco-retailing stores and smoking-related behaviours weakened post-implementation. The introduction of a POS display ban and concurrent measures was followed by significant reductions in initiation, experimental and regular smoking, attempted purchase of cigarettes, and reduced association between visiting tobacco-retailing stores and smoking behaviours. The findings suggest that POS display bans are important components of strategies to reduce smoking initiation among youth and young people. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/.

Retail price and point of sale display of tobacco in the UK: a descriptive study of small retailers.

PubMed

Spanopoulos, Dionysis; Ratschen, Elena; McNeill, Ann; Britton, John

2012-01-01

Since the implementation of the 2002 Tobacco Advertising and Promotion Act, point-of-sale (PoS) tobacco displays are one of few remaining means of communication between the tobacco industry and customers in the UK. This study aimed to explore the characteristics of tobacco displays in a UK city, and particularly to assess the tobacco prices and promotional offers, types and pack sizes on display. Digital pictures of PoS displays were taken in 117 small retail shops in Nottingham in mid 2010. Data were analysed using Windows Photo Gallery software and SPSS version 16. Just over half (52%) of cigarette packs on display were packs of 20, and 43% packs of 10. Cigarette prices differed substantially between brands, ranging from £4.19 to £6.85 for 20-packs, and from £2.12 to £3.59 for 10-packs. Forty four percent of cigarette packs and 40% of RYO (Roll-Your-Own) tobacco pouches, almost exclusively lower priced brands, were displayed with a pricemark, implying a promotional price offer. Eighty percent of 20-pack cigarette brand or brand variants on sale were priced below the EU-defined Most Popular Price Category (MPPC) for the UK in 2010; 45% were priced below the Weighted Average Price (WAP), which replaced the MPPC in 2011. PoS displays communicate value by displaying a high proportion of lower cost brands, and smaller and hence lower-cost packs, and by displaying price discounts on packs. The MPPC substantially overestimated the prices at which most 20-cigarette packs were available. Removal of PoS displays will prevent this means of price marketing but our study also suggests that minimum pricing of 20-pack cigarettes, prohibition of sale of cigarettes in packs less than 20, and plain packaging to prevent pricemarking are necessary if price is to be used effectively as a tobacco control measure.

Antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties of polysaccharides from Allanblackia floribunda Oliv stem bark and Chromolaena odorata (L.) King and H.E. Robins leaves.

PubMed

Boudjeko, Thaddée; Megnekou, Rosette; Woguia, Alice Louise; Kegne, Francine Mediesse; Ngomoyogoli, Judith Emery Kanemoto; Tchapoum, Christiane Danielle Nounga; Koum, Olga

2015-12-09

Many plant polysaccharides have shown high antioxidant and immunostimulating properties and can be explored as novel molecules with biological properties that can potentially improve immune function. The objective of this work was to characterize soluble and cell wall polysaccharides isolated from the stem bark of Allanblackia floribunda and Chromolaena odorata leaves and to evaluate their antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties. Three polysaccharide fractions: soluble polysaccharides (PoS), pectins (Pec) and hemicelluloses (Hem) were extracted from A. floribunda stem bark and C. odorata leaves. These samples were analysed for their proteins, phenolic compounds and total sugar contents. The monosaccharide composition was determined by gas chromatography and arabinogalactan proteins content in PoS was evaluated by rocket electrophoresis. The in vitro antioxidant activities were evaluated by 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis-3-éthylbenzylthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) radical scavenging assays and ferrous ions chelating activity. Immunomodulatory activities were performed on the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) using proliferation and enzyme linked immunospot (ELISPOT) method to determine the production of an interferon-gamma. The characterization of the various fractions showed varied metabolites in each plant. In PoS fractions, Ara and Gal were the major monosaccharides found, indicating that arabinogalactans are the primary macromolecules. Hem fractions contained predominantly Xyl and GalA for A. floribunda and Xyl (upto 80 %) for and C. odorata. A. floribunda Hem fraction and C. odorata PoS fraction showed significant DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities and immunostimulatory activity via stimulation of PBMC and production of IFN-γ in a dose-dependent manner. The results obtained from this study support the ethnomedicinal use of the stem bark of A. floribunda and leaves of C. odorata. Further research is necessary to have supporting evidence that the antioxidative and immunomodulative activities of these fractions are really connected to the polysaccharides and not polyphenols.

Hydrogeochemistry and water quality of the Kordkandi-Duzduzan plain, NW Iran: application of multivariate statistical analysis and PoS index.

PubMed

Soltani, Shahla; Asghari Moghaddam, Asghar; Barzegar, Rahim; Kazemian, Naeimeh; Tziritis, Evangelos

2017-08-18

Kordkandi-Duzduzan plain is one of the fertile plains of East Azarbaijan Province, NW of Iran. Groundwater is an important resource for drinking and agricultural purposes due to the lack of surface water resources in the region. The main objectives of the present study are to identify the hydrogeochemical processes and the potential sources of major, minor, and trace metals and metalloids such as Cr, Mn, Cd, Fe, Al, and As by using joint hydrogeochemical techniques and multivariate statistical analysis and to evaluate groundwater quality deterioration with the use of PoS environmental index. To achieve these objectives, 23 groundwater samples were collected in September 2015. Piper diagram shows that the mixed Ca-Mg-Cl is the dominant groundwater type, and some of the samples have Ca-HCO 3 , Ca-Cl, and Na-Cl types. Multivariate statistical analyses indicate that weathering and dissolution of different rocks and minerals, e.g., silicates, gypsum, and halite, ion exchange, and agricultural activities influence the hydrogeochemistry of the study area. The cluster analysis divides the samples into two distinct clusters which are completely different in EC (and its dependent variables such as Na + , K + , Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ , SO 4 2- , and Cl - ), Cd, and Cr variables according to the ANOVA statistical test. Based on the median values, the concentrations of pH, NO 3 - , SiO 2 , and As in cluster 1 are elevated compared with those of cluster 2, while their maximum values occur in cluster 2. According to the PoS index, the dominant parameter that controls quality deterioration is As, with 60% of contribution. Samples of lowest PoS values are located in the southern and northern parts (recharge area) while samples of the highest values are located in the discharge area and the eastern part.

The importance of the command-physician in trauma resuscitation.

PubMed

Hoff, W S; Reilly, P M; Rotondo, M F; DiGiacomo, J C; Schwab, C W

1997-11-01

Definitive trauma team leadership, although difficult to measure, has been shown to improve trauma resuscitation performance. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of an identified command-physician on resuscitation performance. In addition, the leadership capability of four physician combinations functioning as command-physician was studied. Retrospective review. Videotapes of trauma resuscitations performed at a Level I trauma center over a 25-month period were reviewed. The presence of an identified command-physician was determined by multidisciplinary consensus. Resuscitation performance was measured by compliance with three objective criteria: primary survey, secondary survey, and definitive plan; and two subjective criteria: orderliness, and adherence to Advanced Trauma Life Support protocol. Performance was then analyzed (1) as a function of the presence or absence of a command-physician, and (2) between four identified physician combinations: AF (attending surgeon + trauma fellow); F (trauma fellow); ASR (attending surgeon + senior surgical resident); SR (senior surgical resident). Chi square and the Mann-Whitney U tests were applied. A total of 425 trauma resuscitations were reviewed. A command-physician was identified (CP[Pos]) in 365 resuscitations (85.7%); no command-physician was identified (CP[NEG]) in 60 (14.3%). Compliance with completion of secondary survey (81.4%) and formulation of a definitive plan (89.6%) was significantly higher in the CP(POS) group. Subjective scores for orderliness and adherence to Advanced Trauma Life Support protocol were significantly higher in the CP(POS) group. In the CP(POS) resuscitations, formulation of a definitive plan was lower in SR when compared with the other three physician combinations. An identified command-physician enhances trauma resuscitation performance. Completion of the primary and secondary survey is not affected by the physician combination. Prompt formulation of a definitive plan is facilitated by the active involvement of an attending traumatologist or a properly mentored trauma fellow.

Retail Price and Point of Sale Display of Tobacco in the UK: A Descriptive Study of Small Retailers

PubMed Central

Spanopoulos, Dionysis; Ratschen, Elena; McNeill, Ann; Britton, John

2012-01-01

Background Since the implementation of the 2002 Tobacco Advertising and Promotion Act, point-of-sale (PoS) tobacco displays are one of few remaining means of communication between the tobacco industry and customers in the UK. This study aimed to explore the characteristics of tobacco displays in a UK city, and particularly to assess the tobacco prices and promotional offers, types and pack sizes on display. Methods Digital pictures of PoS displays were taken in 117 small retail shops in Nottingham in mid 2010. Data were analysed using Windows Photo Gallery software and SPSS version 16. Results Just over half (52%) of cigarette packs on display were packs of 20, and 43% packs of 10. Cigarette prices differed substantially between brands, ranging from £4.19 to £6.85 for 20-packs, and from £2.12 to £3.59 for 10-packs. Forty four percent of cigarette packs and 40% of RYO (Roll-Your-Own) tobacco pouches, almost exclusively lower priced brands, were displayed with a pricemark, implying a promotional price offer. Eighty percent of 20-pack cigarette brand or brand variants on sale were priced below the EU-defined Most Popular Price Category (MPPC) for the UK in 2010; 45% were priced below the Weighted Average Price (WAP), which replaced the MPPC in 2011. Conclusion PoS displays communicate value by displaying a high proportion of lower cost brands, and smaller and hence lower-cost packs, and by displaying price discounts on packs. The MPPC substantially overestimated the prices at which most 20-cigarette packs were available. Removal of PoS displays will prevent this means of price marketing but our study also suggests that minimum pricing of 20-pack cigarettes, prohibition of sale of cigarettes in packs less than 20, and plain packaging to prevent pricemarking are necessary if price is to be used effectively as a tobacco control measure. PMID:22242183

Application and further development of diffusion based 2D chemical imaging techniques in the rhizosphere

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hoefer, Christoph; Santner, Jakob; Borisov, Sergey; Kreuzeder, Andreas; Wenzel, Walter; Puschenreiter, Markus

2015-04-01

Two dimensional chemical imaging of root processes refers to novel in situ methods to investigate and map solutes at a high spatial resolution (sub-mm). The visualization of these solutes reveals new insights in soil biogeochemistry and root processes. We derive chemical images by using data from DGT-LA-ICP-MS (Diffusive Gradients in Thin Films and Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry) and POS (Planar Optode Sensors). Both technologies have shown promising results when applied in aqueous environment but need to be refined and improved for imaging at the soil-plant interface. Co-localized mapping using combined DGT and POS technologies and the development of new gel combinations are in our focus. DGTs are smart and thin (<0.4 mm) hydrogels; containing a binding resin for the targeted analytes (e.g. trace metals, phosphate, sulphide or radionuclides). The measurement principle is passive and diffusion based. The present analytes are diffusing into the gel and are bound by the resin. Thereby, the resin acts as zero sink. After application, DGTs are retrieved, dried, and analysed using LA-ICP-MS. The data is then normalized by an internal standard (e.g. 13C), calibrated using in-house standards and chemical images of the target area are plotted using imaging software. POS are, similar to DGT, thin sensor foils containing a fluorophore coating depending on the target analyte. The measurement principle is based on excitation of the flourophore by a specific wavelength and emission of the fluorophore depending on the presence of the analyte. The emitted signal is captured using optical filters and a DSLR camera. While DGT analysis is destructive, POS measurements can be performed continuously during the application. Both semi-quantitative techniques allow an in situ application to visualize chemical processes directly at the soil-plant interface. Here, we present a summary of results from rhizotron experiments with different plants in metal contaminated and agricultural soils.

Limits to Maximum Absorption Length in Waveguide Photodiodes

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-04-13

InGaAsP to InGaAs graded layer (35 nm), a very thin undoped InGaAs absorber layer (20 nm), a p- InP cla~din~ layer (1 J.Lm, Zn = 1x1018 em·\\ a p- InP ...expected excess opticall_oss results from non-ideal coupling, excess waveguide scattering, Zn diffusion from the p-doped InP , larger than...waveguide scattering, Zn diffusion from the p-doped InP , n-doped region absorption, or a combination of the above. The SCOWPD has demonst:r:ated an

Fluorescence Studies of Protein Crystallization Interactions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pusey, Marc L.; Smith, Lori; Forsythe, Elizabeth

1999-01-01

We are investigating protein-protein interactions in under- and over-saturated crystallization solution conditions using fluorescence methods. The use of fluorescence requires fluorescent derivatives where the probe does not markedly affect the crystal packing. A number of chicken egg white lysozyme (CEWL) derivatives have been prepared, with the probes covalently attached to one of two different sites on the protein molecule; the side chain carboxyl of ASP 101, within the active site cleft, and the N-terminal amine. The ASP 101 derivatives crystallize while the N-terminal amine derivatives do not. However, the N-terminal amine is part of the contact region between adjacent 43 helix chains, and blocking this site does would not interfere with formation of these structures in solution. Preliminary FRET data have been obtained at pH 4.6, 0.1M NaAc buffer, at 5 and 7% NaCl, 4 C, using the N-terminal bound pyrene acetic acid (PAA, Ex 340 nm, Em 376 nm) and ASP 101 bound Lucifer Yellow (LY, Ex 425 nm, Em 525 nm) probe combination. The corresponding Csat values are 0.471 and 0.362 mg/ml (approximately 3.3 and approximately 2.5 x 10 (exp 5) M respectively), and all experiments were carried out at approximately Csat or lower total protein concentration. The data at both salt concentrations show a consistent trend of decreasing fluorescence yield of the donor species (PAA) with increasing total protein concentration. This decrease is apparently more pronounced at 7% NaCl, consistent with the expected increased intermolecular interactions at higher salt concentrations (reflected in the lower solubility). The estimated average distance between protein molecules at 5 x 10 (exp 6) M is approximately 70 nm, well beyond the range where any FRET can be expected. The calculated RO, where 50% of the donor energy is transferred to the acceptor, for the PAA-CEWL * LY-CEWL system is 3.28 nm, based upon a PAA-CEWL quantum efficiency of 0.41.

Interaction of core self-evaluations and perceived organizational support on work-to-family enrichment.

PubMed

McNall, Laurel A; Masuda, Aline D; Shanock, Linda Rhoades; Nicklin, Jessica M

2011-01-01

The purpose of this article was to offer an empirical test of J. H. Greenhaus and G. N. Powell's (2006) model of work-family enrichment by examining dispositional (i.e., core self-evaluations; CSEs) and situational (i.e., perceived organizational support; POS) factors associated with work-to-family enrichment (WFE) and whether these variables interact in predicting WFE. In a survey of 220 employed adults, our hierarchical regression analysis revealed that in highly supportive work environments, individuals reported high WFE regardless of CSE. However, when POS was low, individuals high in CSEs reported higher WFE than those low in CSEs, in support of conservation of resources theory (S. E. Hobfoll, 2002). Implications for research and practice are discussed.

NIR-emitting benzothiazolium cyanines with an enhanced stokes shift for mitochondria imaging in live cells.

PubMed

Abeywickrama, Chathura S; Baumann, Hannah J; Alexander, Nicolas; Shriver, Leah P; Konopka, Michael; Pang, Yi

2018-05-09

A series of benzothiazolium-based hemicyanines (3a-3f) have been synthesized. Evaluation of their photophysical properties shows that they exhibit improved photophysical characteristics. In comparison with the available commercial MitoTrackers, the new probes revealed an enhanced Stokes shift (Δλ ∼ 80 nm) and minimized aggregation for increased sensitivity. The synthesized probes are found to exhibit excellent selectivity for mitochondrial staining in an oligodendrocyte cell line. Probes show almost no fluorescence in aqueous environments, while the fluorescence is increased by ∼10-fold in organic solvents, making it possible for mitochondrial imaging without the need for post-staining washing. Since the absorption peaks of probes are close to the laser wavelengths of 561 and 640 nm on a commercial confocal microscope, e.g.3a exhibits λabs ∼ 620 nm and λem ∼ 702 nm, they could be useful probes for mitochondrial tracking in live cells.

Correlative 3D superresolution fluorescence and electron microscopy reveal the relationship of mitochondrial nucleoids to membranes

PubMed Central

Kopek, Benjamin G.; Shtengel, Gleb; Xu, C. Shan; Clayton, David A.; Hess, Harald F.

2012-01-01

Microscopic images of specific proteins in their cellular context yield important insights into biological processes and cellular architecture. The advent of superresolution optical microscopy techniques provides the possibility to augment EM with nanometer-resolution fluorescence microscopy to access the precise location of proteins in the context of cellular ultrastructure. Unfortunately, efforts to combine superresolution fluorescence and EM have been stymied by the divergent and incompatible sample preparation protocols of the two methods. Here, we describe a protocol that preserves both the delicate photoactivatable fluorescent protein labels essential for superresolution microscopy and the fine ultrastructural context of EM. This preparation enables direct 3D imaging in 500- to 750-nm sections with interferometric photoactivatable localization microscopy followed by scanning EM images generated by focused ion beam ablation. We use this process to “colorize” detailed EM images of the mitochondrion with the position of labeled proteins. The approach presented here has provided a new level of definition of the in vivo nature of organization of mitochondrial nucleoids, and we expect this straightforward method to be applicable to many other biological questions that can be answered by direct imaging. PMID:22474357

Developing a corpus of clinical notes manually annotated for part-of-speech.

PubMed

Pakhomov, Serguei V; Coden, Anni; Chute, Christopher G

2006-06-01

This paper presents a project whose main goal is to construct a corpus of clinical text manually annotated for part-of-speech (POS) information. We describe and discuss the process of training three domain experts to perform linguistic annotation. Three domain experts were trained to perform manual annotation of a corpus of clinical notes. A part of this corpus was combined with the Penn Treebank corpus of general purpose English text and another part was set aside for testing. The corpora were then used for training and testing statistical part-of-speech taggers. We list some of the challenges as well as encouraging results pertaining to inter-rater agreement and consistency of annotation. We used the Trigrams'n'Tags (TnT) [T. Brants, TnT-a statistical part-of-speech tagger, In: Proceedings of NAACL/ANLP-2000 Symposium, 2000] tagger trained on general English data to achieve 89.79% correctness. The same tagger trained on a portion of the medical data annotated for this project improved the performance to 94.69%. Furthermore, we find that discriminating between different types of discourse represented by different sections of clinical text may be very beneficial to improve correctness of POS tagging. Our preliminary experimental results indicate the necessity for adapting state-of-the-art POS taggers to the sublanguage domain of clinical text.

Proliferation of murine c-kit(pos) cardiac stem cells stimulated with IGF-1 is associated with Akt-1 mediated phosphorylation and nuclear export of FoxO3a and its effect on downstream cell cycle regulators.

PubMed

Johnson, Ann Mary; Kartha, C C

2014-04-01

Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) is known to promote proliferation in many cell types including c-kit(pos) cardiac stem cells (CSCs). Downstream signaling pathways of IGF-1 induced CSC proliferation have not been investigated. An important downstream target of IGF-1/Akt-1 signaling is FoxO3a, a key negative regulator of cell-cycle progression. We studied the effect of IGF-1 on proliferation of c-kit(pos) murine CSCs and found that IGF-1-mediated cell proliferation is associated with FoxO3a phosphorylation and inactivation of its transcriptional activity. PI3 inhibitors LY294002 and Wortmannin abolished the effect of IGF-1 on FoxO3a phosphorylation indicating that FoxO3a phosphorylation is mediated by PI3/Akt-1 pathway. In cells with FoxO3a translocation to the cytoplasm, there is decreased expression of cell-cycle inhibitors such as p27(kip1) and p57(kip2) and increased expression of CyclinD1. Our study provides evidence that IGF-1 induced CSC proliferation could be the result of FoxO3a inactivation and its downstream effect on cell-cycle regulators.

Dexamethasone targeted directly to macrophages induces macrophage niches that promote erythroid expansion.

PubMed

Falchi, Mario; Varricchio, Lilian; Martelli, Fabrizio; Masiello, Francesca; Federici, Giulia; Zingariello, Maria; Girelli, Gabriella; Whitsett, Carolyn; Petricoin, Emanuel F; Moestrup, Søren Kragh; Zeuner, Ann; Migliaccio, Anna Rita

2015-02-01

Cultures of human CD34(pos) cells stimulated with erythroid growth factors plus dexamethasone, a model for stress erythropoiesis, generate numerous erythroid cells plus a few macrophages (approx. 3%; 3:1 positive and negative for CD169). Interactions occurring between erythroblasts and macrophages in these cultures and the biological effects associated with these interactions were documented by live phase-contrast videomicroscopy. Macrophages expressed high motility interacting with hundreds/thousands of erythroblasts per hour. CD169(pos) macrophages established multiple rapid 'loose' interactions with proerythroblasts leading to formation of transient erythroblastic island-like structures. By contrast, CD169(neg) macrophages established 'tight' interactions with mature erythroblasts and phagocytosed these cells. 'Loose' interactions of CD169(pos) macrophages were associated with proerythroblast cytokinesis (the M phase of the cell cycle) suggesting that these interactions may promote proerythroblast duplication. This hypothesis was tested by experiments that showed that as few as 103 macrophages significantly increased levels of 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide incorporation frequency in S/G2/M and cytokinesis expressed by proerythroblasts over 24 h of culture. These effects were observed also when macrophages were co-cultured with dexamethasone directly conjugated to a macrophage-specific CD163 antibody. In conclusion, in addition to promoting proerythroblast proliferation directly, dexamethasone stimulates expansion of these cells indirectly by stimulating maturation and cytokinesis supporting activity of macrophages. Copyright© Ferrata Storti Foundation.

The Bioluminescence Resonance Energy Transfer from Firefly Luciferase to a Synthetic Dye and its Application for the Rapid Homogeneous Immunoassay of Progesterone.

PubMed

Smirnova, Daria V; Samsonova, Jeanne V; Ugarova, Natalia N

2016-01-01

The sensitive BRET system for the homogeneous immunoassay of a low-molecular weight antigen was developed using progesterone as an example. Two thermostable mutants of the Luciola mingrelica firefly luciferase (Luc)-the "red" mutant with λmax.em = 590 nm (RedLuc) and the "green" mutant with λmax.em = 550 nm (GreenLuc)-were tested as the donors. The water-soluble Alexa Fluor 610× (AF) dye was selected as the acceptor because its two absorption maxima, located at 550 and 610 nm, are close to the bioluminescence maxima of the GreenLuc and RedLuc, respectively. The methods for the synthesis of the luciferase-progesterone (Luc-Pg) conjugate and the conjugate of the dye and the polyclonal antiprogesterone antibody (AF-Ab) were developed. Both conjugates retained their functional properties, had high antigen-antibody binding activity, and demonstrated a high BRET signal. The homogeneous immunoassay system based on the BRET from the firefly luciferase to the synthetic dye was established to assay progesterone as a model antigen. Optimization of the assay conditions, the composition of the reaction mixture, and the concentrations of the donor and the acceptor made it possible to reach the minimum detectable progesterone concentration of 0.5 ng mL(-1) . © 2015 The American Society of Photobiology.

Glufosinate ammonium clean-up procedure from water samples using SPE

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tayeb M., A.; Ismail B., S.; Mardiana-Jansar, K.; Ta, Goh Choo; Agustar, Hani Kartini

2015-09-01

For the determination of glufosinate ammonium residue in soil and water samples, different solid phase extraction (SPE) sorbent efficiency was studied. Four different SPE sorbents i.e.: CROMABOND PS-H+, CROMABOND PS-OH-, ISOLUTE ENV+, Water Sep-Pak and OASIS HLB were used. Sample clean-up performance was evaluated using high performance liquid chromatography (Agilent 1220 infinity LC) with fluorescence detector. Detection of FMO-derivatives was done at λ ex = 260 nm and λ em= 310 nm. OASIS HLB column was the most suitable for the clean-up in view of the overall feasibility of the analysis.

The Morphology of Titanium Dioxide Aerogels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhu, Zhu

The morphology of titanium dioxide TiO _2 aerogels has been characterized by four major techniques. This work will discuss these complementary techniques such as nitrogen adsorption, X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), electron microscopies (EM- TEM, SEM), and small angle neutron scattering (SANS). The results of these characterizations have shown that the morphology of titanium dioxide TiO_2 aerogels can be characterized in terms of two length scales: 5 nm diameter, crystalline nanoparticles of anatase closely packed into mesoaggregates about 50 nm in size. The mesoaggregates are, in turn, packed into a loosely linked structure with an overall porosity of 80%.

Earpiece with sensors to measure/monitor multiple physiological variables

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cooper, Tommy G. (Inventor); Schulze, Arthur E. (Inventor)

2003-01-01

An apparatus and method for positioning sensors relative to one another and anatomic features in a non-invasive device for measuring and monitoring multiple physiological variables from a single site uses an earpiece incorporating a shielded pulse oximetry sensor (POS) having a miniaturized set of LEDs and photosensors configured for pulse oximetry measurements in the reflectance mode and located in the earpiece so as to position the POS against a rear wall of an ear canal. The earpiece also includes a thermopile of no larger than 7 mm. in diameter located on the earpiece to so as to position the thermopile past a second turn of an external auditory meatus so as to view the tympanic membrane. The thermopile includes a reference temperature sensor attached to its base for ambient temperature compensation.

Characterization of H 1743-322 during its 2003 outburst with TCAF Solution.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nagarkoti, Shreeram; Debnath, Dipak; Chakrabarti, Sandip Kumar; Mondal, Santanu; Chatterjee, Arka

2016-07-01

Transiant black hole candidate (BHC) H 1743-322 became active in X-rays on 2003 March 21 after remaining dormant for around two decades. We study both the spectral and temporal properties of the source during its 2003 outburst under TCAF paradigm. The classification of different spectral states (hard, hard-intermediate, soft-intermediate, soft) and their intermediate transitions are more clear from the variation of TCAF model fitted/derived physical flow parameters and nature of quasi-periodic oscillations (if present). We also studied evolutions of low frequency QPOs during rising and declining phases of the outburst with propagating oscillatory shock (POS) model. We get a good estimation of the probable mass range of the objects from prediction methods using TCAF and POS model, as discussed in Molla et al. (2016).

Visual and functional demonstration of growing Bax-induced pores in mitochondrial outer membranes

PubMed Central

Gillies, Laura A; Du, Han; Peters, Bjoern; Knudson, C. Michael; Newmeyer, Donald D.; Kuwana, Tomomi

2015-01-01

Bax induces mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP), a critical step in apoptosis in which proteins are released into the cytoplasm. To resolve aspects of the mechanism, we used cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) to visualize Bax-induced pores in purified mitochondrial outer membranes (MOMs). We observed solitary pores that exhibited negative curvature at their edges. Over time, the pores grew to ∼100–160 nm in diameter after 60–90 min, with some pores measuring more than 300 nm. We confirmed these results using flow cytometry, which we used to monitor the release of fluorescent dextrans from isolated MOM vesicles. The dextran molecules were released gradually, in a manner constrained by pore size. However, the release rates were consistent over a range of dextran sizes (10–500 kDa). We concluded that the pores were not static but widened dramatically to release molecules of different sizes. Taken together, the data from cryo-EM and flow cytometry argue that Bax promotes MOMP by inducing the formation of large, growing pores through a mechanism involving membrane-curvature stress. PMID:25411335

The biomechanical consequences of rod reduction on pedicle screws: should it be avoided?

PubMed

Paik, Haines; Kang, Daniel G; Lehman, Ronald A; Gaume, Rachel E; Ambati, Divya V; Dmitriev, Anton E

2013-11-01

Rod contouring is frequently required to allow for appropriate alignment of pedicle screw-rod constructs. When residual mismatch is still present, a rod persuasion device is often used to achieve further rod reduction. Despite its popularity and widespread use, the biomechanical consequences of this technique have not been evaluated. To evaluate the biomechanical fixation strength of pedicle screws after attempted reduction of a rod-pedicle screw mismatch using a rod persuasion device. Fifteen 3-level, human cadaveric thoracic specimens were prepared and scanned for bone mineral density. Osteoporotic (n=6) and normal (n=9) specimens were instrumented with 5.0-mm-diameter pedicle screws; for each pair of comparison level tested, the bilateral screws were equal in length, and the screw length was determined by the thoracic level and size of the vertebra (35 to 45 mm). Titanium 5.5-mm rods were contoured and secured to the pedicle screws at the proximal and distal levels. For the middle segment, the rod on the right side was intentionally contoured to create a 5-mm residual gap between the inner bushing of the pedicle screw and the rod. A rod persuasion device was then used to engage the setscrew. The left side served as a control with perfect screw/rod alignment. After 30 minutes, constructs were disassembled and vertebrae individually potted. The implants were pulled in-line with the screw axis with peak pullout strength (POS) measured in Newton (N). For the proximal and distal segments, pedicle screws on the right side were taken out and reinserted through the same trajectory to simulate screw depth adjustment as an alternative to rod reduction. Pedicle screws reduced to the rod generated a 48% lower mean POS (495±379 N) relative to the controls (954±237 N) (p<.05) and significantly decreased work energy to failure (p<.05). Nearly half (n=7) of the pedicle screws had failed during the reduction attempt with visible pullout of the screw. After reduction, decreased POS was observed in both normal (p<.05) and osteoporotic (p<.05) bone. Back out and reinsertion of the screw resulted in no significant difference in mean POS, stiffness, and work energy to failure (p>.05). In circumstances where a rod is not fully seated within the pedicle screw, the use of a rod persuasion device decreases the overall POS and work energy to failure of the screw or results in outright failure. Further rod contouring or correction of pedicle screw depth of insertion may be warranted to allow for appropriate alignment of the longitudinal rods. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Fluorescence Studies of Protein Crystal Nucleation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pusey, Marc; Sumida, John

2000-01-01

We have postulated that, in the case of tetragonal chicken egg white lysozyme, crystal growth occurs by the addition of pre-critical nuclei sized n-mers that form in the bulk solution, and that the n-mer growth units were multiples of the tetrameric 4(sub 3) helical structure. These have the strongest intermolecular bonds in the crystal and are therefore likely to be the first species formed. High resolution AFM studies provide strong supporting evidence for this model, but the data also suggest that the actual species in solution may not be identical in structure to that found in the crystal. We are using fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) to study the initial solution phase self-assembly process, using covalent fluorescent derivatives which crystallize in the characteristic P4(sub 3)2(sub 1)2(sub 1) space group. FRET studies are being carried out between the cascade blue (CB-lys, donor, Ex(sub max) 366 nm, Em 420 nm) and lucifer yellow (LY-lys, acceptor, Ex(sub max) 430 nm, Em 528 nm) asp101 derivatives. The estimated R(sub 0) for this probe pair, the distance where 50% of the donor energy is transferred to the acceptor, is approx. 1.2 nm, compared to 2.2 nm between the side chain carboxyls of adjacent asp101's in the crystalline 4(sub 3) helix. The short donor lifetime of 2.80 ns (chi(sup 2) = 0.644), coupled with the large average distances between the molecules (greater than or equal to 50 nm) in solution, ensure that any energy transfer observed is not due to random diffusive interactions. Lifetime data show that CB-lys has a single lifetime when it is the only species in solution. Similarly, LY-lys also exhibits a single lifetime of 4.63 ns (chi(sup 2) = 0.42) when alone in solution. Addition of LY-lys to CB-lys results in the appearance of a third lifetime component of 0.348ns for the CB-lys. The fractional intensities of the different species present can be used to estimate the distribution of monomer and n-mers in solution. The self-association process is a function of the protein concentration relative to the saturation concentration, and observing it in dilute solution (conc. less than or equal to 10(exp -5)M) requires that the experiments be performed under low solubility conditions, i.e., low temperatures and high salt concentrations. Data from preliminary steady state FRET studies with N-terminal bound pyrene acetic acid (PAA-lys, donor, Ex 340 nm, Em 376 nm) and asp101 LY-lys as an acceptor showed a consistent trend of decreasing donor fluorescence intensity with increasing total protein concentration. The FRET data have been obtained at pH 4.6, 0.1M NaAc buffer, at 5 and 7% NaCl, 4 C. The corresponding C(sub sat) values are 0.471 and 0.362 mg/ml (approx. 3.3 and approx. 2.5 x 10(exp -5)M respectively). The donor fluorescence decrease is more pronounced at7% NaCl, consistent with the expected increased intermolecular interactions at higher salt concentrations as reflected in the lower solubility. Results from these and other ongoing studies will be discussed in conjunction with an emerging model for how tetragonal lysozyme crystals nucleate and the relevance of that model to other proteins.

Experimental and Theoretical Progress on the GEM Theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brandenburg, J. E.

This paper reports experimental and theoretical progress on the GEM unification theory. In theoretical progress, the derivation of the GEM theory using it in a fully covariant form is achieved based on the principle of self-cancellation of the ZPF EM stress-momentum tensor. This derivation reveals that the final Gravity-EM system obeys a Helmholtz-like equation resembling that governing sound propagation. Finally an improved derivation of the formula for the Newton Gravitation constant is shown, qresulting in the formula G = e2/(4πɛ0 me mp) α exp (-2 (α-.86/σ2…) = 6.673443 x10-11 N-m2 kg-2 that agrees with experimental values to 3 parts per 100,000. Experiments have found parity violating weight reductions in gyroscopes driven by rotating EM fields. These experiments appear to confirm gravity modification using electromagnetism predicted by the GEM theory through the Vacuum Bernoulli Equation.

Electron microscopic investigation and elemental analysis of titanium dioxide in sun lotion.

PubMed

Sysoltseva, M; Winterhalter, R; Wochnik, A S; Scheu, C; Fromme, H

2017-06-01

The objective of this research was to determine the size, shape and aggregation of titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) particles which are used in sun lotion as UV-blocker. Overall, six sunscreens from various suppliers and two reference substances were analysed by electron microscopy (EM) techniques in combination with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Because of a high fat content in sun lotion, it was impossible to visualize the TiO 2 particles without previous EM sample preparation. Different defatting methods for TiO 2 from sun screens were tested. A novel sample preparation method was developed which allowed the characterization of TiO 2 particles with the help of EM and EDS. Aggregates of titanium dioxide with the size of primary particles varying between 15 and 40 nm were observed only in five products. In the sun lotion with the highest SPF, only few small aggregates were found. In the sun screen with the lowest SPF, the largest aggregates of TiO 2 particles were detected with sizes up to 1.6 μm. In one of the sun lotions, neither TiO 2 nor ZnO was found in spite of the labelling. Instead, approx. 500 nm large diamond-shaped particles were observed. These particles are composed of an organic material as only carbon was detected by EDS. A novel defatting method for sample preparation of titanium dioxide nanoparticles used in sun cosmetics was developed. This method was applied to six different sun lotions with SPF between 30 and 50+. TiO 2 particles were found in only five sunscreens. The sizes of the primary particles were below 100 nm and, according to the EU Cosmetic Regulation, have to be listed on the package with the term 'nano'. © 2016 Society of Cosmetic Scientists and the Société Française de Cosmétologie.

Analyse de l'état mécanique et microstructural de films minces supraconducteurs YBa_2 Cu_3O_7 par diffraction des rayons X

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Auzary, S.; Badawi, K. F.; Bimbault, L.; Rabier, J.; Gaboriaud, R. J.; Goudeau, Ph.

1997-01-01

Mechanical and microstructural analysis in a 100nm thin film is presented in this study. Using X-ray diffraction with a tensorial approach, we have determined stresses, strains, stress-free lattice parameters, microdistorsions and diffracting coherent domains size. Stress-free lattice parameters are higher than the bulk values. A high value of stresses is explained as a combination of coherent stresses, thermal stresses and intrinsic ones. Diffraction peaks line profiles analysis suggests grain boundaries presence as well as high lattice elastic microdistorsions. Cette étude présente une analyse de l'état mécanique et microstructurale dans un film mince de 100nm d'épaisseur d'YBCO déposé sur un substrat de MgO. En utilisant la diffraction des rayons X couplée à une approche tensorielle, nous avons déterminé les déformations, les contraintes, les paramètres libres de contraintes, les microdistorsions élastiques ainsi que la taille des domaines cohérents de diffraction. Les paramètres libres de contrainte sont supérieurs à ceux du massif. Une valeur élevée des contraintes est expliquée à partir des contraintes de cohérence, des contraintes thermiques et intrinsèques. L'analyse des profils des pics de diffraction suggère la présence de sous-joints et de distorsions élastiques élevées au niveau des mailles cristallographiques.

Violent crime and substance abuse: a medico-legal comparison between deceased users of anabolic androgenic steroids and abusers of illicit drugs.

PubMed

Klötz, Fia; Petersson, Anna; Isacson, Dag; Thiblin, Ingemar

2007-11-15

Several case reports and survey studies have indicated that abuse of anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) often leads to increased aggressiveness and feelings of hostility that may occasionally trigger violent behaviour. Other observations indicate that many users of AAS also abuse alcohol and/or various illegal substances. Since substance abuse is a well-known risk factor for violent behaviour, it could be that violence committed by AAS users might, at least in many cases, actually be caused by abuse of other drugs. In order to examine this possibility further here, the criminal histories (in terms of incidences of convictions) of deceased users of AAS with (AASpos-subst.pos) and without (AASpos-subst.neg) signs of abuse of other illegal substances were compared to the corresponding histories of deceased users of illicit substances testing negatively for AAS (subst.pos-AASneg) at the time of autopsy. The risk of being convicted for a crime against property was significantly higher in the subst.pos-AASneg group than in either the AASpos-subst.neg or AASpos-subst.pos groups (RR=0.048 versus 0.408). At the same time, the risk of being convicted for a crime of violence was at least as high for the two AAS-positive groups as for the AAS-negative group. Furthermore, when compared with the first 3 years after the first criminal conviction, a pronounced increase in the proportion of incidence of violent crimes and a marked reduction in the proportion of incidence of crime against property was observed during the 3-year period immediately preceding death only among the AASpos-subst.neg subjects. In conclusion, the incidence of violent crime among users of AAS without signs of other drug abuse was comparable to the corresponding incidences for drug addicts without AAS use. This observation suggests that the violent criminality observed among AAS users is not confounded in any systematic fashion by abuse of other drugs. The findings also indicate that use of AAS in certain predisposed individuals might cause a high rate of violent crimes, especially if the use of AAS is combined with the use of other illegal substances.

The association between organizational behavior factors and health-related quality of life among college teachers: a cross-sectional study.

PubMed

Liu, Chuan; Wang, Shu; Shen, Xue; Li, Mengyao; Wang, Lie

2015-06-20

College teachers in China are confronted with a lot of pressure from teaching, researching and living. They are suffering from impaired physical and mental health. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between organizational behavior factors and college teachers' health related quality of life (HRQOL), and to confirm whether they are positive resources for improving teachers' HRQOL. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Shenyang, China, from January to April 2014. Participants were composed of 965 teachers randomly selected from five representative colleges in Shenyang. Self-administrated questionnaires containing the 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), the Chinese version Psychological Capital Questionnaire (PCQ), and scales assessing group identification, POS, and psychological empowerment were used to measure HRQOL and organizational behavior variables of college teachers. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis (HMR) was performed to explore the effects of organizational behavior variables on college teachers' HRQOL. The mean (SD) scores of physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) among college teachers were 71.43 (14.70) and 65.46 (16.55) respectively in the study population. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis showed that group identification (β = 0.121, P < 0.001) and PsyCap (β = 0.336, P < 0.001) were significant predictors of PCS, while group identification (β = 0.107, P < 0.001), POS (β = 0.124, P = 0.003), psychological empowerment (β = 0.093, P = 0.017) and PsyCap (β = 0.421, P < 0.001) were significant predictors of MCS. Chinese college teachers experienced relatively low level of HRQOL and their mental quality of life (QOL) were impaired more seriously than physical QOL. Organizational behavior factors (PsyCap, group identification, POS and psychological empowerment) were strong predictors of college teachers' HRQOL and are positive resources for improving teachers' HRQOL. The enhancement of college teachers' PsyCap, group identification, POS and psychological empowerment at work should be incorporated in the strategy of protecting and improving college teachers' physical and mental QOL.

Interaction of water with (silico)aluminophosphate zeotypes: a comparative investigation using dispersion-corrected DFT.

PubMed

Fischer, Michael

2016-06-21

Porous aluminophosphates (AlPOs) and silicoaluminophosphates (SAPOs) with zeolite-like structures have received considerable attention as potential adsorbents for heat transformation applications using water adsorption/desorption cycles. Since a detailed experimental characterisation of the water adsorption properties has only been performed for some of these materials, such as AlPO-18 (AEI topology) and SAPO-34 (CHA topology), more systematic insights regarding the influence of the pore topology and (for SAPOs) the arrangement of the framework protons on the affinity towards water are lacking. To study the relationships between structure and properties in more detail, the interaction of water with six structurally different AlPOs (with AEI, AFX, CHA, ERI, GIS, RHO topologies) and their SAPO analogues was investigated using dispersion-corrected density-functional theory (DFT-D) calculations. Different possible locations of silicon atoms and charge-balancing protons were considered for the SAPO systems. The calculations for SAPOs at low water loadings (one H2O molecule per framework proton) revealed that the interaction energies exhibit a considerable variation, ranging from -75 to -100 kJ mol(-1) (per water molecule). The differences in interaction energy were rationalised with the different structural environment of the framework protons at which the water molecules are adsorbed. At high water uptakes (near saturation), interaction energies in the range of -65 kJ mol(-1) were obtained for all AlPOs, and there was no evidence for a marked influence of pore size and/or topology on the interaction strength. The interaction of water with SAPOs was found to be approximately 5 kJ mol(-1) stronger than for AlPOs due to an increased contribution of electrostatic interactions. An analysis of the structural changes upon water adsorption revealed striking differences between the distinct topologies, with the materials with GIS and RHO topologies being distorted much more drastically than the systems based on double six-ring (d6r) units. Moreover, the direct coordination of water molecules to framework aluminium atoms occurs more frequently in these materials, an observation that points towards a reduced structural stability upon hydration.

Adhesion Failures Determine the Pattern of Choroidal Neovascularization in the Eye: A Computer Simulation Study

PubMed Central

Shirinifard, Abbas; Glazier, James Alexander; Swat, Maciej; Gens, J. Scott; Family, Fereydoon; Jiang, Yi; Grossniklaus, Hans E.

2012-01-01

Choroidal neovascularization (CNV) of the macular area of the retina is the major cause of severe vision loss in adults. In CNV, after choriocapillaries initially penetrate Bruch's membrane (BrM), invading vessels may regress or expand (CNV initiation). Next, during Early and Late CNV, the expanding vasculature usually spreads in one of three distinct patterns: in a layer between BrM and the retinal pigment epithelium (sub-RPE or Type 1 CNV), in a layer between the RPE and the photoreceptors (sub-retinal or Type 2 CNV) or in both loci simultaneously (combined pattern or Type 3 CNV). While most studies hypothesize that CNV primarily results from growth-factor effects or holes in BrM, our three-dimensional simulations of multi-cell model of the normal and pathological maculae recapitulate the three growth patterns, under the hypothesis that CNV results from combinations of impairment of: 1) RPE-RPE epithelial junctional adhesion, 2) Adhesion of the RPE basement membrane complex to BrM (RPE-BrM adhesion), and 3) Adhesion of the RPE to the photoreceptor outer segments (RPE-POS adhesion). Our key findings are that when an endothelial tip cell penetrates BrM: 1) RPE with normal epithelial junctions, basal attachment to BrM and apical attachment to POS resists CNV. 2) Small holes in BrM do not, by themselves, initiate CNV. 3) RPE with normal epithelial junctions and normal apical RPE-POS adhesion, but weak adhesion to BrM (e.g. due to lipid accumulation in BrM) results in Early sub-RPE CNV. 4) Normal adhesion of RBaM to BrM, but reduced apical RPE-POS or epithelial RPE-RPE adhesion (e.g. due to inflammation) results in Early sub-retinal CNV. 5) Simultaneous reduction in RPE-RPE epithelial binding and RPE-BrM adhesion results in either sub-RPE or sub-retinal CNV which often progresses to combined pattern CNV. These findings suggest that defects in adhesion dominate CNV initiation and progression. PMID:22570603

Assessing tobacco marketing receptivity among youth: integrating point of sale marketing, cigarette package branding and branded merchandise.

PubMed

Braun, Sandra; Kollath-Cattano, Christy; Barrientos, Inti; Mejía, Raúl; Morello, Paola; Sargent, James D; Thrasher, James F

2016-11-01

As countries prohibit tobacco marketing through traditional channels, marketing at point of sale (PoS) and through tobacco packaging is increasingly important for promoting tobacco consumption. Assess the validity of a novel marketing receptivity index that considers frequency of PoS exposures, tobacco brand recall and ownership of branded merchandise. Data come from a cross-sectional survey of 3172 secondary school students in Argentina. Questions assessed frequency of going to stores where tobacco is often sold; cued recall of brand names for 3 cigarette packages with brand name removed and ownership of branded merchandise. A four-level marketing receptivity index was derived: low PoS exposure only; high PoS exposure or recall of 1 brand; recall of 2 or more brands; and ownership of branded merchandise. Indicators of marketing receptivity and smoking involvement were regressed on the index, including in adjusted models that controlled for sociodemographics, social influences and sensation seeking. Among never-smokers, the index had independent positive associations with smoking susceptibility (ie, adjusted OR (AOR) 2v1 =1.66; AOR 3v1 =1.64; AOR 4v1 =2.95), willingness to try a specific brand (ie, AOR 2v1 =1.45; AOR 3v1 =2.38; AOR 4v1 =2.20) and positive smoking expectancies (ie, B adj 2v1 =0.09; B adj 3v1 =0.18; B adj 4v1 =0.34). A more marked dose-response independent association was found with current smoking behaviour (ie, AOR 2v1 =2.47; AOR 3v1 =3.16; AOR 4v1 =3.62). The marketing receptivity index was associated with important variation in smoking-related perceptions, intentions and behaviour among Argentine adolescents. Future research should determine the predictive validity and generalisability of this measure to other contexts, including the explanatory power gained by integrating cigarette package brand recognition tasks. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/.

Sequential determination of lead and cobalt in tap water and foods samples by fluorescence.

PubMed

Talio, María Carolina; Alesso, Magdalena; Acosta, María Gimena; Acosta, Mariano; Fernández, Liliana P

2014-09-01

In this work, a new procedure was developed for the separation and preconcentration of lead(II) and cobalt(II) in several water and foods samples. Complexes of metal ions with 8-hydroxyquinolein (8-HQ) were formed in aqueous solution. The proposed methodology is based on the preconcentration/separation of Pb(II) by solid-phase extraction using paper filter, followed by spectrofluorimetric determination of both metals, on the solid support and the filtered aqueous solution, respectively. The solid surface fluorescence determination was carried out at λem=455 nm (λex=385 nm) for Pb(II)-8-HQ complex and the fluorescence of Co(II)-8-HQ was determined in aqueous solution using λem=355 nm (λex=225 nm). The calibration graphs are linear in the range 0.14-8.03×10(4) μg L(-1) and 7.3×10(-2)-4.12×10(3) μg L(-1), for Pb(II) and Co(II), respectively, with a detection limit of 4.3×10(-2) and 2.19×10(-2) μg L(-1) (S/N=3). The developed methodology showed good sensitivity and adequate selectivity and it was successfully applied to the determination of trace amounts of lead and cobalt in tap waters belonging of different regions of Argentina and foods samples (milk powder, express coffee, cocoa powder) with satisfactory results. The new methodology was validated by electrothermal atomic absorption spectroscopy with adequate agreement. The proposed methodology represents a novel application of fluorescence to Pb(II) and Co(II) quantification with sensitivity and accuracy similar to atomic spectroscopies. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Dispersion characteristic of photoluminescence decay times of phosphor YAG: Ce, Gd

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lisitsyn, V. M.; Ju, Yangyang; Stepanov, S. A.; Soschin, N. M.

2017-05-01

The dispersion of the characteristic decay times of gadolinium co-doped yttrium aluminum garnet doped with cerium phosphors were studied. In the present work, an ultraviolet semiconductor laser (λem=375 nm, τ = 1 ns) was used as excitation source for measuring kinetics characteristics of phosphor groups based on YAG with different content of cerium.

Lagged effects of family-supportive organization perceptions and supervision in relation to generalized work-related resources.

PubMed

Matthews, Russell A; Toumbeva, Tatiana H

2015-07-01

In the present study, grounded in organizational support and social exchange theory, the dynamic lagged interplay between family supportive supervision (FSS), family supportive organization perceptions (FSOP), perceived organizational support (POS), and leader-member exchange (LMX) was examined. Data were collected from 435 respondents over 3 time points with 6-week lags between assessments. Consistent with theory, FSS had a significant lagged effect on FSOP, whereas the reverse relationship was not supported. Interestingly, contrary to conservation of resources theory, we did not find significant lagged effects between POS and FSOP. Results further indicated that LMX and FSS were reciprocally related over time, suggesting the potential for a dynamic, mutually beneficial exchange relationship between subordinates and supervisors. Theoretical implications and considerations for research and practice are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2015 APA, all rights reserved).

Organization structure as a moderator of the relationship between procedural justice, interactional justice, perceived organizational support, and supervisory trust.

PubMed

Ambrose, Maureen L; Schminke, Marshall

2003-04-01

Organizational justice researchers recognize the important role organization context plays in justice perceptions, yet few studies systematically examine contextual variables. This article examines how 1 aspect of context--organizational structure--affects the relationship between justice perceptions and 2 types of social exchange relationships, organizational and supervisory. The authors suggest that under different structural conditions, procedural and interactional justice will play differentially important roles in determining the quality of organizational social exchange (as evidenced by perceived organizational support [POS]) and supervisory social exchange (as evidenced by supervisory trust). In particular, the authors hypothesized that the relationship between procedural justice and POS would be stronger in mechanistic organizations and that the relationship between interactional justice and supervisory trust would be stronger in organic organizations. The authors' results support these hypotheses.

On the reliability of the CD123-endowed basophil activation test (BAT) and its application in food allergy.

PubMed

Chirumbolo, Salvatore; Bjørklund, Geir; Vella, Antonio

2018-06-15

the recent paper by Appel et al., evaluated the use of the basophil activaion test (BAT) in sesame allergy and concluded that BAT should be preferentially used in association with high protein sesame extract-skin prick test (HSPE-SPT) for the diagnosis of sesame food allergy, so preventing any ethical issue regarding the possble risk associated with oral food challenge (OFC) 1 . The authors used a non commercial BAT approach endowed with the CD123 pos /HLADR neg phenotyping protocol and using CD63 and/or CD203c as activation markers 2,3 . Basophils were initially captured in flow cytometry (FC) from a not clearly separated side scatter (SSC)-CD123 pos . This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Resistive and Capacitive γ-Ray Dosimeters Based On Triggered Depolymerization in Carbon Nanotube Composites.

PubMed

Zeininger, Lukas; He, Maggie; Hobson, Stephen T; Swager, Timothy M

2018-05-25

We report γ-ray dosimeters using carbon nanotubes wrapped with metastable poly(olefin sulfone)s (POSs) that readily depolymerize when exposed to ionizing radiation. New POSs, designed for wrapping single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), are synthesized and characterized. The resulting POS-SWCNT composites serve as the active transducer in a novel class of γ-ray dosimeters. In our devices, polymer degradation results in immediate changes in the electronic potential of the POS-SWCNT active layers by decreasing the electron tunneling barriers between individualized tubes and by creating enhanced cofacial π-π electron contacts. By incorporating the SWCNT-POS composites into small resistive device platforms, we establish a rare example of real-time detection and dosimetry of radioactive ionizing radiation using organic-based materials. We show that the sensitivity of our platform closely depends on the intrinsic stability of the polymer matrix, the opacity toward γ-rays, and the dispersion efficiency (i.e., the individualization and isolation of the individual SWCNT charge carriers). Resistance decreases up to 65% after irradiation with a 40 krad dose demonstrates the high sensitivity of this novel class of γ-ray sensors. In addition, the detection mechanism was evaluated using a commercial capacitive device platform. The ease of fabrication and low power consumption of these small and inexpensive sensor platforms combined with appealing sensitivity parameters establishes the potential of the poly(olefin sulfone)-SWCNT composites to serve as a new transduction material in γ-ray sensor applications.

Crowdsourcing data collection of the retail tobacco environment: case study comparing data from crowdsourced workers to trained data collectors.

PubMed

Kim, Annice E; Lieberman, Alicea J; Dench, Daniel

2015-03-01

To assess whether crowdsourcing is a viable option for conducting surveillance of point of sale (POS) tobacco marketing practices. We posted jobs to an online crowdsourcing platform to audit 194 Florida licensed tobacco retailers over a 3-week period. During the same period, trained data collectors conducted audits at the same retail locations. Data were collected on cigarette advertising, cigarette promotions and product availability (electronic cigarettes, snus and dissolvables). We compared data collected by crowdsourced workers and trained staff and computed frequencies, percent agreement and inter-rater reliability. Photographs of e-cigarettes and exterior cigarette advertisements submitted by crowdsourced workers were used to validate responses. Inter-rater reliability between crowdsourced and trained data collectors was moderate to high for coding exterior cigarette advertisements, product availability and some tobacco promotions, but poor to fair when coding presence of sales and interior cigarette advertisements. Photos submitted by crowdsourced workers confirmed e-cigarette availability that was missed by trained data collectors in three stores. Crowdsourcing may be a promising form of data collection for some POS tobacco measures. Future studies should examine the cost-effectiveness of crowdsourcing compared with traditional trained data collectors and assess which POS measures are most amenable to crowdsourcing. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.

The effect of positive and negative message framing on short term continuous positive airway pressure compliance in patients with obstructive sleep apnea

PubMed Central

Czaban, Marcin; Berry, Marc P.; Nirmalan, Prajeshan; Brown, Richard; Birdseye, Adam; Woroszyl, Asia; Chapman, Julia; Kent, Brian D.; Hart, Nicholas; Rossi, Gian Paolo; Steier, Joerg

2018-01-01

Background Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), the best available treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), requires long-term compliance to be effective. Behavioral interventions may be used to improve adherence to CPAP. We aimed to investigate whether positive or negative message framing impacts on CPAP compliance in patients with OSA, when compared to standard care. Methods Consenting patients with confirmed OSA were randomly allocated to receive along with their CPAP either positively or negatively framed messages (Pos; Neg), or standard care (Con). Standardized motivational messages were read out to patients during an initial teaching session and through weekly telephone calls. Patients’ compliance data were reviewed 2 and 6 weeks following CPAP initiation. Results We randomized 112 patients to groups that were matched for age, BMI, and OSA severity. The positively framed group (Pos) showed greater CPAP usage after 2 weeks (total use 53.7±31.4 hours) as compared to the negatively framed and the control group (35.6±27.4 and 40.8±33.5 hours, P<0.05); however, no differences were seen at 6 weeks. There were more dropouts in the control group than in either framed groups (Pos n=5; Neg n=8; Con n=11; P<0.05). Conclusions Positively framed messages can improve CPAP adherence in patients with OSA in the short-term; however, strategies for implementing its long-term use need to be developed. PMID:29445540

The effect of positive and negative message framing on short term continuous positive airway pressure compliance in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

PubMed

Pengo, Martino F; Czaban, Marcin; Berry, Marc P; Nirmalan, Prajeshan; Brown, Richard; Birdseye, Adam; Woroszyl, Asia; Chapman, Julia; Kent, Brian D; Hart, Nicholas; Rossi, Gian Paolo; Steier, Joerg

2018-01-01

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), the best available treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), requires long-term compliance to be effective. Behavioral interventions may be used to improve adherence to CPAP. We aimed to investigate whether positive or negative message framing impacts on CPAP compliance in patients with OSA, when compared to standard care. Consenting patients with confirmed OSA were randomly allocated to receive along with their CPAP either positively or negatively framed messages (Pos; Neg), or standard care (Con). Standardized motivational messages were read out to patients during an initial teaching session and through weekly telephone calls. Patients' compliance data were reviewed 2 and 6 weeks following CPAP initiation. We randomized 112 patients to groups that were matched for age, BMI, and OSA severity. The positively framed group (Pos) showed greater CPAP usage after 2 weeks (total use 53.7±31.4 hours) as compared to the negatively framed and the control group (35.6±27.4 and 40.8±33.5 hours, P<0.05); however, no differences were seen at 6 weeks. There were more dropouts in the control group than in either framed groups (Pos n=5; Neg n=8; Con n=11; P<0.05). Positively framed messages can improve CPAP adherence in patients with OSA in the short-term; however, strategies for implementing its long-term use need to be developed.

In vitro antifungal susceptibility of Malassezia pachydermatis from dogs with and without skin lesions.

PubMed

Cafarchia, Claudia; Figueredo, Luciana A; Iatta, Roberta; Montagna, Maria Teresa; Otranto, Domenico

2012-03-23

Canine Malassezia dermatitis is frequently treated with systemic ketoconazole (KTZ) and itraconazole (ITZ). However, no information is available on the antifungal susceptibility to azoles and allilamine of Malassezia pachydermatis isolates from dogs with or without skin lesions. The present study was designed to evaluate the in vitro antifungal susceptibility of M. pachydermatis strains from dogs with or without skin lesions to KTZ, ITZ, miconazole (MICO), fluconazole (FLZ), posaconazole (POS), voriconazole (VOR) and terbinafine (TER) using the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute reference Broth Microdilution Method (CLSI M27-A2). The association between the susceptibility to antifungal compounds and the origin of M. pachydermatis, from skin with or without lesions has been also assessed. A total of 62 M. pachydermatis strains from healthy dogs (i.e., Group A=30) or with skin lesions (i.e., Group B=32) were tested. ITZ, KTZ and POS showed the highest activity against M. pachydermatis strains, whereas MICO TER and FLZ the lowest. A higher number of Malassezia resistant strains were registered among isolates from Group B than those from Group A. This study indicates that M. pachydermatis strains were susceptible to ITZ, KTZ, and POS. However, dogs with lesions may harbour strains with low susceptibility to antifungal agents and displaying cross-resistance phenomena to azole. The antifungal therapy in Malassezia infections requires careful appraisal of choice of drugs especially in cases of unresponsiveness to antifungal treatment or recurrent infections. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The use of point-of-sale machines in school cafeterias as a method of parental influence over child lunch food choices.

PubMed

Andrepont, Emmy; Cullen, Karen W; Taylor, Wendell C

2011-05-01

Computerized point-of-sale (POS) machine software that allows parents to place restrictions on their child's school meal accounts is available. Parents could restrict specific foods (eg, chips), identify specific days the child can purchase extra foods, or set monetary limits. This descriptive study examines the use of parental restrictions on student cafeteria POS accounts in a convenience sample of 2 school districts. POS alerts, with student gender, grade, ethnicity, and students' free or reduced-price meal eligibility, were obtained from 2 school food service departments for the 2007-2008 school year. The alerts were coded into 5 categories: financial, medical, restrictions, snacks OK, and extras OK. The distribution of alerts by district, students, and demographics was then tabulated. District A (4839 students) had more students with alerts (n = 789, 16%) than District B (8510 students; n = 217, 2.6%), and 94 District A students had a second alert. District A parents had to provide written permission for their child to purchase snacks (n = 654, 13.5%) and extra meal items (n = 113, 2.3%). Most alerts were for full-pay students in both districts (74% and 66%) and varied by demographics of the students. Few parents actually used this system to limit student purchases of foods outside the school meal. Future studies should investigate the influence of these restrictions on student food choices. © 2011, American School Health Association.

Do the early attentional components of ERPs reflect attentional bias in depression? It depends on the stimulus presentation time.

PubMed

Mingtian, Zhong; Xiongzhao, Zhu; Jinyao, Yi; Shuqiao, Yao; Atchley, Ruth Ann

2011-07-01

The study aimed to utilize behavioral and electrophysiological data to investigate whether depressed patients show an attentional bias in a task that allows for explicit insight into the time course of selective attention processes. Event-related potentials (ERPs) were collected from 24 patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and 25 never-depressed individuals (ND) during a dot-probe task, using pairs of affectively valenced pictures as cues. Cue presentation time was either 100 ms or 500 ms. When the cue presentation time was 500 ms, bias scores for positive-neutral picture pairs (POS-NEU) were negative for the MDD group and positive for the ND group which means ND individuals were able to successfully select positive information. These behavioral effects were supported by ERP results. In the ND group, at the right parietal-occipital region, P1 amplitude during valid POS-NEU pairs was significantly larger than that during invalid POS-NEU pairs; this pattern did not appear in the MDD group. These results suggest that MDD patients are characterized by a deficit in protection bias, meaning that these participants cannot avoid attending to negative information in their environment, but only when negative stimuli are presented for a sufficient period of time. Attentional bias is modulated by duration of emotional pictures presentation in depression. Copyright © 2010 International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Photo activation of HPPH encapsulated in "Pocket" liposomes triggers multiple drug release and tumor cell killing in mouse breast cancer xenografts.

PubMed

Sine, Jessica; Urban, Cordula; Thayer, Derek; Charron, Heather; Valim, Niksa; Tata, Darrell B; Schiff, Rachel; Blumenthal, Robert; Joshi, Amit; Puri, Anu

2015-01-01

We recently reported laser-triggered release of photosensitive compounds from liposomes containing dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) and 1,2 bis(tricosa-10,12-diynoyl)-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DC(8,9)PC). We hypothesized that the permeation of photoactivated compounds occurs through domains of enhanced fluidity in the liposome membrane and have thus called them "Pocket" liposomes. In this study we have encapsulated the red light activatable anticancer photodynamic therapy drug 2-(1-Hexyloxyethyl)-2-devinyl pyropheophorbide-a (HPPH) (Ex/Em410/670 nm) together with calcein (Ex/Em490/517 nm) as a marker for drug release in Pocket liposomes. A mole ratio of 7.6:1 lipid:HPPH was found to be optimal, with >80% of HPPH being included in the liposomes. Exposure of liposomes with a cw-diode 660 nm laser (90 mW, 0-5 minutes) resulted in calcein release only when HPPH was included in the liposomes. Further analysis of the quenching ratios of liposome-entrapped calcein in the laser treated samples indicated that the laser-triggered release occurred via the graded mechanism. In vitro studies with MDA-MB-231-LM2 breast cancer cell line showed significant cell killing upon treatment of cell-liposome suspensions with the laser. To assess in vivo efficacy, we implanted MDA-MB-231-LM2 cells containing the luciferase gene along the mammary fat pads on the ribcage of mice. For biodistribution experiments, trace amounts of a near infrared lipid probe DiR (Ex/Em745/840 nm) were included in the liposomes. Liposomes were injected intravenously and laser treatments (90 mW, 0.9 cm diameter, for an exposure duration ranging from 5-8 minutes) were done 4 hours postinjection (only one tumor per mouse was treated, keeping the second flank tumor as control). Calcein release occurred as indicated by an increase in calcein fluorescence from laser treated tumors only. The animals were observed for up to 15 days postinjection and tumor volume and luciferase expression was measured. A significant decrease in luciferase expression and reduction in tumor volume was observed only in laser treated animal groups injected with liposomes containing HPPH. Histopathological examination of tumor tissues indicated tumor necrosis resulting from laser treatment of the HPPH-encapsulated liposomes that were taken up into the tumor area.

Photo activation of HPPH encapsulated in “Pocket” liposomes triggers multiple drug release and tumor cell killing in mouse breast cancer xenografts

PubMed Central

Sine, Jessica; Urban, Cordula; Thayer, Derek; Charron, Heather; Valim, Niksa; Tata, Darrell B; Schiff, Rachel; Blumenthal, Robert; Joshi, Amit; Puri, Anu

2015-01-01

We recently reported laser-triggered release of photosensitive compounds from liposomes containing dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) and 1,2 bis(tricosa-10,12-diynoyl)-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DC8,9PC). We hypothesized that the permeation of photoactivated compounds occurs through domains of enhanced fluidity in the liposome membrane and have thus called them “Pocket” liposomes. In this study we have encapsulated the red light activatable anticancer photodynamic therapy drug 2-(1-Hexyloxyethyl)-2-devinyl pyropheophorbide-a (HPPH) (Ex/Em410/670 nm) together with calcein (Ex/Em490/517 nm) as a marker for drug release in Pocket liposomes. A mole ratio of 7.6:1 lipid:HPPH was found to be optimal, with >80% of HPPH being included in the liposomes. Exposure of liposomes with a cw-diode 660 nm laser (90 mW, 0–5 minutes) resulted in calcein release only when HPPH was included in the liposomes. Further analysis of the quenching ratios of liposome-entrapped calcein in the laser treated samples indicated that the laser-triggered release occurred via the graded mechanism. In vitro studies with MDA-MB-231-LM2 breast cancer cell line showed significant cell killing upon treatment of cell-liposome suspensions with the laser. To assess in vivo efficacy, we implanted MDA-MB-231-LM2 cells containing the luciferase gene along the mammary fat pads on the ribcage of mice. For biodistribution experiments, trace amounts of a near infrared lipid probe DiR (Ex/Em745/840 nm) were included in the liposomes. Liposomes were injected intravenously and laser treatments (90 mW, 0.9 cm diameter, for an exposure duration ranging from 5–8 minutes) were done 4 hours postinjection (only one tumor per mouse was treated, keeping the second flank tumor as control). Calcein release occurred as indicated by an increase in calcein fluorescence from laser treated tumors only. The animals were observed for up to 15 days postinjection and tumor volume and luciferase expression was measured. A significant decrease in luciferase expression and reduction in tumor volume was observed only in laser treated animal groups injected with liposomes containing HPPH. Histopathological examination of tumor tissues indicated tumor necrosis resulting from laser treatment of the HPPH-encapsulated liposomes that were taken up into the tumor area. PMID:25565809

Low-visibility light-intensity laser-triggered release of entrapped calcein from 1,2-bis (tricosa-10,12-diynoyl)-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine liposomes is mediated through a type I photoactivation pathway

PubMed Central

Yavlovich, Amichai; Viard, Mathias; Gupta, Kshitij; Sine, Jessica; Vu, Mylinh; Blumenthal, Robert; Tata, Darrell B; Puri, Anu

2013-01-01

We recently reported on the physical characteristics of photo-triggerable liposomes containing dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC), and 1,2-bis (tricosa-10,12-diynoyl)-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DC8,9PC) carrying a photo agent as their payload. When exposed to a low-intensity 514 nm wavelength (continuous-wave) laser light, these liposomes were observed to release entrapped calcein green (Cal-G; Ex/Em 490/517 nm) but not calcein blue (Cal-B; Ex/Em 360/460 nm). In this study, we have investigated the mechanism for the 514 nm laser-triggered release of the Cal-G payload using several scavengers that are known specifically to inhibit either type I or type II photoreaction pathways. Liposomes containing DPPC:DC8,9PC: distearoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DSPE)-polyethylene glycol (PEG)-2000 (86:10:04 mole ratio) were loaded either with fluorescent (calcein) or nonfluorescent (3H-inulin) aqueous markers. In addition, a non-photo-triggerable formulation (1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl phosphatidylcholine [POPC]:DC8,9PC:DSPE-PEG2000) was also studied with the same payloads. The 514 nm wavelength laser exposure on photo-triggerable liposomes resulted in the release of Cal-G but not that of Cal-B or 3H-inulin, suggesting an involvement of a photoactivated state of Cal-G due to the 514 nm laser exposure. Upon 514 nm laser exposures, substantial hydrogen peroxide (H2O2, ≈100 μM) levels were detected from only the Cal-G loaded photo-triggerable liposomes but not from Cal-B-loaded liposomes (≤10 μM H2O2). The Cal-G release from photo-triggerable liposomes was found to be significantly inhibited by ascorbic acid (AA), resulting in a 70%–80% reduction in Cal-G release. The extent of AA-mediated inhibition of Cal-G release from the liposomes also correlated with the consumption of AA. No AA consumption was detected in the 514 nm laserexposed Cal B-loaded liposomes, thus confirming a role of photoactivation of Cal-G in liposome destabilization. Inclusion of 100 mM K3Fe(CN)6 (a blocker of electron transfer) in the liposomes substantially inhibited Cal-G release, whereas inclusion of 10 mM sodium azide (a blocker of singlet oxygen of type II photoreaction) in the liposomes failed to block 514 nm laser-triggered Cal-G release. Taken together, we conclude that low-intensity 514 nm laser-triggered release of Cal-G from photo-triggerable liposomes involves the type I photoreaction pathway. PMID:23901274

Structural and luminescence properties of self-yellow emitting undoped and (Ca, Ba, Sr)-doped Zn2V2O7 phosphors synthesized by combustion method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Foka, Kewele E.; Dejene, Birhanu F.; Koao, Lehlohonolo F.; Swart, Hendrik C.

2018-04-01

A self-activated yellow emitting Zn2V2O7 was synthesized by combustion method. The influence of the processing parameters such as synthesis temperature and dopants concentration on the structure, morphology and luminescence properties was investigated. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed that the samples have a tetragonal structure and no significant structural change was observed in varying both the synthesis temperature and the dopants concentration. The estimated average crystallite size was 78 nm for the undoped samples synthesized at different temperatures and 77 nm for the doped samples. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images showed agglomerated hexagonal-shaped particles with straight edges at low temperatures and the shape of the particles changed to cylindrical structures at moderate temperatures. At higher temperatures, the morphology changed completely. However, the morphologies of the doped samples looked alike. The photoluminescence (PL) of the product exhibited broad emission bands ranging from 400 to 800 nm. The best luminescence intensity was observed for the undoped Zn2V2O7 samples and those synthesized at 600 ℃ . Any further increase in synthesis temperature, type and concentration of dopants led to a decrease in the luminescence intensity. The broad band emission peak of Zn2V2O7 consisted of two broad bands corresponding to emissions from the Em1 (3T2→1A1) and Em2 (3T1→1A1) transitions.

An efficient ratiometric fluorescence sensor based on metal-organic frameworks and quantum dots for highly selective detection of 6-mercaptopurine.

PubMed

Jin, Meng; Mou, Zhao-Li; Zhang, Rui-Ling; Liang, Si-Si; Zhang, Zhi-Qi

2017-05-15

The development of a simple and accurate quantitative method for the determination of 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) is of great importance because of its serious side effects. Ratiometric fluorescence (RF) sensors are not subject to interference from environmental factors, and exhibit enhanced precision and accuracy. Therefore, a novel RF sensor for the selective detection of 6-MP was developed based on a dual-emission nanosensor. The nanosensor was fabricated by combining a blue-emission metal-organic framework (MOF) NH 2 -MIL-53(Al) (λ em =425nm) with green-emission 3-mercaptopropionic acid-capped CdTe quantum dots (MPA-CdTe QDs) (λ em =528nm) under a single excitation wavelength (335nm). Upon addition of 6-MP, the fluorescence of NH 2 -MIL-53(Al) in the nanohybrid was selectively quenched due to strong inner filter effects, while the fluorescence of the MPA-CdTe QDs was enhanced. The novel RF sensor exhibited higher selectivity towards 6-MP than CdTe QDs alone, and higher sensitivity than MOFs alone. 6-MP could be detected in the range of 0-50μM with a detection limit of 0.15μM (S/N=3). The developed sensor was applied for the determination of 6-MP in human urine samples and satisfactory results were obtained. Overall, a novel and efficient fluorescence-based method was developed for the detection of 6-MP in biosamples. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Análise da medição do raio solar em ultravioleta

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saraiva, A. C. V.; Giménez de Castro, C. G.; Costa, J. E. R.; Selhorst, C. L.; Simões, P. J. A.

2003-08-01

A medição acurada do raio solar em qualquer banda do espectro eletromagnético é de relevância na formulação e calibração de modelos da estrutura e atmosfera solar. Esses modelos atribuem emissão do contínuo do Sol calmo em microondas à mesma região da linha Ha do Hell. Apresentamos a medição do raio solar em UV com imagens do EIT (Extreme Ultraviolet Image Telescope) entre 1996 e 2002, no comprimento de onda 30,9 nm (Ha do Hell), que se forma na região de transição/cromosfera solar. A técnica utilizada para o cálculo do raio UV foi baseada na transformada Wavelet B3spline. Fizemos um banco de dados com 1 imagem por dia durante o período citado. Obtivemos como resultado o raio médio da ordem de 975.61" e uma diminuição do mesmo para o período citado variando em média -0,45" /ano. Comparamos estes dados com os valores obtidos pelo ROI (Radio Observatório de Itapetinga) em 22/48 GHz e Nobeyama Radio Heliograph em 17 GHz mostrando que os raios médios são muito próximos o que indica que a região de formação nessas freqüências é a mesma conforme os modelos. Comparamos os resultados também com outros índices de atividade solar.

Improving Lab Sample Management - POS/MCEARD

EPA Science Inventory

"Scientists face increasing challenges in managing their laboratory samples, including long-term storage of legacy samples, tracking multiple aliquots of samples for many experiments, and linking metadata to these samples. Other factors complicating sample management include the...

Protection of probiotic bacteria in synbiotic matrices

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Probiotics, like Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus reuteri, Bifidobacterium breve, Bifidobacterium longum, when encapsulated with prebiotic fibers such as fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS), inulin (I) and pectic-oligosaccharides (POS), formed a synbiotic matrix system that protected the bacteria ...

Characteristics and Preliminary Observations of the Influence of Electromyostimulation on the Size and Function of Human Skeletal Muscle During 30 Days of Simulated Microgravity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Duvoisin, Marc R.; Convertino, Victor A; Buchanan, Paul; Gollinick, Philip D.; Dudley, Gary A.

1989-01-01

During 30 days (d) of bedrest, the practicality of using Elec- troMyoStimulation (EMS) as a deterrent to atrophy and strength loss of lower limb musculature was examined. An EMS system was developed that provided variable but quantifiable levels of EMS, and measured torque. The dominant log of three male subjects was stimulated twice daily in a 3-d on/1-d off cycle during bedrest. The non-dominant leg of each subject acted as a control. A stimulator, using a 0.3 ms monophasic 60 Hz pulse waveform, activated muscle tissue for 4 s. The output waveform from the stimulator was sequenced to the Knee Extensors (KE), Knee Flex- ors (KF), Ankle Extensors (AE), and Ankle Flexors (AF), and caused three isometric contractions of each muscle group per minute. Subject tolerance determined EMS Intensity. Each muscle group received four 5-min bouts of EMS each session with a 10 -min rest between bouts. EMS and torque levels for each muscle action were recorded directly an a computer. Overall average EMS Intensity was 197, 197, 195, and 188 mA for the KE, KF, AF, and AE, respectively. Overall average torque development for these muscle groups was 70, 16, 12, and 27 Nm, respectively. EMS intensity doubled during the study, and average torque increased 2.5 times. Average maximum torque throughout a session reached 54% of maximal voluntary for the KE and 29% for the KF. Reductions in leg volume, muscle compartment size, cross-sectional area of slow and fast-twitch fibers, strength, and aerobic enzyme activities, and increased log compliance were attenuated in the legs which received EMS during bedrest. These results indicate that similar EMS levels induce different torques among different muscle groups and that repeated exposure to EMS increases tolerance and torque development. Longer orien- tation periods, therefore, may enhance its effectiveness. Our preliminary data suggest that the efficacy of EMS as an effective countermeasure for muscle atrophy and strength loss during long duration space travel warrants further investigation.

Sandia National Laboratories, California Environmental Management System program manual.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Larsen, Barbara L.

2012-03-01

The Sandia National Laboratories, California (SNL/CA) Environmental Management System (EMS) Program Manual documents the elements of the site EMS Program. The SNL/CA EMS Program conforms to the International Standard on Environmental Management Systems, ISO 14001:2004and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 436.1. Sandia National Laboratories, California (SNL/CA) has maintained functional environmental programs to assist with regulatory compliance for more than 30 years. During 2005, these existing programs were rolled into a formal environmental management system (EMS) that expands beyond the traditional compliance focus to managing and improving environmental performance and stewardship practices for all site activities. An EMS is a setmore » of inter-related elements that represent a continuing cycle of planning, implementing, evaluating, and improving processes and actions undertaken to achieve environmental policy and goals. The SNL/CA EMS Program conforms to the International Standard for Environmental Management Systems, ISO 14001:2004 (ISO 2004). The site first received ISO 14001 certification in September 2006 and recertification in 2009. SNL/CA's EMS Program is applicable to the Sandia, Livermore site only. Although SNL/CA operates as one organizational division of the overall Sandia National Laboratories, the EMS Program is site-specific, with site-specific objectives and targets. SNL/CA (Division 8000) benefits from the organizational structure as it provides corporate level policies, procedures, and standards, and established processes that connect to and support elements of the SNL/CA EMS Program. Additionally, SNL/CA's EMS Program benefits from two corporate functional programs (Facilities Energy and Water Resource Management and Fleet Services programs) that maintain responsibility for energy management and fleet services for all Sandia locations. Each EMS element is further enhanced with site-specific processes and standards. Division 8000 has several groups operating at Sandia National Laboratories, New Mexico (SNL/NM). Although these groups, from an organizational perspective, are part of Division 8000, they are managed locally and fall under the environmental requirements specific to their New Mexico location. The New Mexico groups in Division 8000 follow the corporate EMS Program for New Mexico operations.« less

NEW TECHNOLOGY AND PEC PROCESS - COLUMBUS, GA

EPA Science Inventory

The presentation will discuss Columbus, Georgia’s Biosolids Flow-through Thermophilic Treatment (BFT3) Process. Site-specific equivalency requires proof. Laboratory-scale pathogen testing must exceed Class A performance criteria while simulating full scale as closely as pos...

A central factor in pure tone auditory fatigue.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1963-09-01

A long accumulation of psychophysical and physiological evidence indicates that auditory fatigue has its locus of effect in the cochlea; transfer studies with negative or questionable results, and studies of cochlear chemistry and potentials with pos...

Materials Data on Eu(POs)2 (SG:139) by Materials Project

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kristin Persson

2014-07-09

Computed materials data using density functional theory calculations. These calculations determine the electronic structure of bulk materials by solving approximations to the Schrodinger equation. For more information, see https://materialsproject.org/docs/calculations

Materials Data on Ba(POs)2 (SG:139) by Materials Project

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kristin Persson

2015-03-24

Computed materials data using density functional theory calculations. These calculations determine the electronic structure of bulk materials by solving approximations to the Schrodinger equation. For more information, see https://materialsproject.org/docs/calculations

Materials Data on Sr(POs)2 (SG:139) by Materials Project

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kristin Persson

2016-02-10

Computed materials data using density functional theory calculations. These calculations determine the electronic structure of bulk materials by solving approximations to the Schrodinger equation. For more information, see https://materialsproject.org/docs/calculations

General aviation data link survey analysis : flight schools

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1996-07-01

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is interested in integrating Data : Link communications technology into the General Aviation (GA) community. But, : how much does the GA community know about the Data Link concept, the services : that are pos...

Plasma-filled applied B ion diode experiments using a plasma opening switch

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Renk, T.J.

1994-12-15

In order for a plasma opening switch (POS) to open quickly and transfer power efficiently from an inductively charged vacuum transmission line to an applied B ion diode, the load impedance of the ion diode may be required to have an initial low impedance phase. A plasma-filled diode has such an impedance history. To test the effect of a plasma-filled diode on POS-diode coupling, a drifting plasma was introduced from the cathode side of an applied B ion diode operated on the LION accelerator (1.5 MV, 4 [Omega], 40 ns) at Cornell University. This plasma readily crossed the 2.1 Tmore » magnetic insulation field of the diode, and resulted in both increased diode electrical power, and an increased ability of the ion beam to remove material from a target. The plasma did not appear to have a noticeable effect on local beam steering angle.« less

Finance issue brief: direct access: year end report-2002.

PubMed

Morgan, Rachel; MacEachern, Lillian

2002-12-31

Consumer demand for a less restrictive referral system has urged legislators, as well as the managed care industry and those in the medical field, to seek the best solution to the problem. The point of service (POS) plan was an early attempt by managed care plans to provide more freedom for enrollees. But POS plans are not always available or cost effective. Several of the larger managed care organizations, in an effort to improve enrollee and provider satisfaction, have eliminated or streamlined their referral processes. The American Medical Association has recommended that primary care and other medical specialty organizations collaborate in developing guidelines for specialty referrals, urging health plans to allow direct access in network without financial penalty as long as the access conforms with the established guidelines. In the meantime, legislators have responded to constituents by enacting measures that mandate direct access for specific types of care or standing referrals for ongoing treatment.

Finance issue brief: direct access: year end report-2003.

PubMed

MacEachern, Lillian

2003-12-31

Consumer demand for a less restrictive referral system has urged legislators, as well as the managed care industry and those in the medical field, to seek the best solution to the problem. The point of service (POS) plan was an early attempt by managed care plans to provide more freedom for enrollees. But POS plans are not always available or cost effective. Several of the larger managed care organizations, in an effort to improve enrollee and provider satisfaction, have eliminated or streamlined their referral processes. The American Medical Association has recommended that primary care and other medical specialty organizations collaborate in developing guidelines for specialty referrals, urging health plans to allow direct access in network without financial penalty as long as the access conforms with the established guidelines. In the meantime, legislators have responded to constituents by enacting measures that mandate direct access for specific types of care or standing referrals for ongoing treatment.

Point-of-sale tobacco advertising in Beirut, Lebanon following a national advertising ban

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background The objective of this study was to conduct an audit of point-of-sale (POS) tobacco advertising and assess compliance with an advertising ban in a large district of Beirut, Lebanon. Methods The audit was conducted 3 months following the ban on tobacco advertising. Trained students observed all tobacco retail outlets (n = 100) and entered data into a web-based form using iPad® technology. Presence of tobacco advertisements was assessed to determine compliance with the national advertising ban. Results Among the 100 tobacco retail outlets, 62% had tobacco advertisements, including 7% with a tobacco brand logo as part of the main exterior store sign. Conclusions POS tobacco advertising is widespread in Beirut despite the national advertising ban. These findings point to an urgent need for the enforcement of the advertisement ban with tobacco retail outlets in Lebanon. PMID:23731766

The effect of work motivation on a sample of nurses in an Italian healthcare setting.

PubMed

Galletta, Maura; Portoghese, Igor; Pili, Sergio; Piazza, Maria Francesca; Campagna, Marcello

2016-06-08

Research in Human Resources Management has highlighted that implementing strategies for increasing employees' motivation can be an advantage for organizations because this improves their performance. Self Determination Theory (SDT) was used to analyze the mediating role of autonomous vs. controlled motivation on the relationship between organizational factors (perceived organizational support and job autonomy) and work outcomes (affective commitment, job satisfaction, and intent to quit). A total of 304 nurses from an Italian hospital participated in the study. The results supported the importance of the mediating role of autonomous motivation on the relationship between both perceived organizational support (POS) and job autonomy, and work outcomes. Conversely, controlled motivation did not show mediating effects on that relationship. POS was directly related to affective commitment and job satisfaction. Practical implications for organizations and employees are discussed along with a call for further research in this area.

Lipid nanotechnologies for structural studies of membrane-associated proteins.

PubMed

Stoilova-McPhie, Svetla; Grushin, Kirill; Dalm, Daniela; Miller, Jaimy

2014-11-01

We present a methodology of lipid nanotubes (LNT) and nanodisks technologies optimized in our laboratory for structural studies of membrane-associated proteins at close to physiological conditions. The application of these lipid nanotechnologies for structure determination by cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) is fundamental for understanding and modulating their function. The LNTs in our studies are single bilayer galactosylceramide based nanotubes of ∼20 nm inner diameter and a few microns in length, that self-assemble in aqueous solutions. The lipid nanodisks (NDs) are self-assembled discoid lipid bilayers of ∼10 nm diameter, which are stabilized in aqueous solutions by a belt of amphipathic helical scaffold proteins. By combining LNT and ND technologies, we can examine structurally how the membrane curvature and lipid composition modulates the function of the membrane-associated proteins. As proof of principle, we have engineered these lipid nanotechnologies to mimic the activated platelet's phosphtaidylserine rich membrane and have successfully assembled functional membrane-bound coagulation factor VIII in vitro for structure determination by cryo-EM. The macromolecular organization of the proteins bound to ND and LNT are further defined by fitting the known atomic structures within the calculated three-dimensional maps. The combination of LNT and ND technologies offers a means to control the design and assembly of a wide range of functional membrane-associated proteins and complexes for structural studies by cryo-EM. The presented results confirm the suitability of the developed methodology for studying the functional structure of membrane-associated proteins, such as the coagulation factors, at a close to physiological environment. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Lessons from a tarantula: new insights into muscle thick filament and myosin interacting-heads motif structure and function.

PubMed

Alamo, Lorenzo; Koubassova, Natalia; Pinto, Antonio; Gillilan, Richard; Tsaturyan, Andrey; Padrón, Raúl

2017-10-01

The tarantula skeletal muscle X-ray diffraction pattern suggested that the myosin heads were helically arranged on the thick filaments. Electron microscopy (EM) of negatively stained relaxed tarantula thick filaments revealed four helices of heads allowing a helical 3D reconstruction. Due to its low resolution (5.0 nm), the unambiguous interpretation of densities of both heads was not possible. A resolution increase up to 2.5 nm, achieved by cryo-EM of frozen-hydrated relaxed thick filaments and an iterative helical real space reconstruction, allowed the resolving of both heads. The two heads, "free" and "blocked", formed an asymmetric structure named the "interacting-heads motif" (IHM) which explained relaxation by self-inhibition of both heads ATPases. This finding made tarantula an exemplar system for thick filament structure and function studies. Heads were shown to be released and disordered by Ca 2+ -activation through myosin regulatory light chain phosphorylation, leading to EM, small angle X-ray diffraction and scattering, and spectroscopic and biochemical studies of the IHM structure and function. The results from these studies have consequent implications for understanding and explaining myosin super-relaxed state and thick filament activation and regulation. A cooperative phosphorylation mechanism for activation in tarantula skeletal muscle, involving swaying constitutively Ser35 mono-phosphorylated free heads, explains super-relaxation, force potentiation and post-tetanic potentiation through Ser45 mono-phosphorylated blocked heads. Based on this mechanism, we propose a swaying-swinging, tilting crossbridge-sliding filament for tarantula muscle contraction.

Nearly suppressed photoluminescence blinking of small-sized, blue-green-orange-red emitting single CdSe-based core/gradient alloy shell/shell quantum dots: correlation between truncation time and photoluminescence quantum yield.

PubMed

Roy, Debjit; Mandal, Saptarshi; De, Chayan K; Kumar, Kaushalendra; Mandal, Prasun K

2018-04-18

CdSe-based core/gradient alloy shell/shell semiconductor quantum dots (CGASS QDs) have been shown to be optically quite superior compared to core-shell QDs. However, very little is known about CGASS QDs at the single particle level. Photoluminescence blinking dynamics of four differently emitting (blue (λem = 510), green (λem = 532), orange (λem = 591), and red (λem = 619)) single CGASS QDs having average sizes <∼7 nm have been probed in our home-built total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscope. All four samples possess an average ON-fraction of 0.70-0.85, which hints towards nearly suppressed PL blinking in these gradiently alloyed systems. Suppression of blinking has been so far achieved with QDs having sizes greater than 10 nm and mostly emitting in the red region (λem > 600 nm). In this manuscript, we report nearly suppressed PL blinking behaviour of CGASS QDs with average sizes <∼7 nm and emitting in the entire range of the visible spectrum, i.e. from blue to green to orange to red. The probability density distribution of both ON- and OFF-event durations for all of these CGASS QDs could be fitted well with a modified inverse truncated power law with an additional exponential model equation. It has been found that unlike most of the literature reports, the power law exponent for OFF-event durations is greater than the power law exponent for ON-event durations for all four samples. This suggests that relatively large ON-event durations are interrupted by comparatively small OFF-event durations. This in turn is indicative of a suppressed non-radiative Auger recombination process for these CGASS systems. However, in these four different samples the ON-event truncation time varies inversely with the OFF-event truncation time, which hints that both the ON- and OFF-event truncation processes are dictated by some common factor. We have employed 2D joint probability distribution analysis to probe the correlation between the event durations and found that residual memory exists in both the ON- and OFF-event durations. Positively correlated successive ON-ON and OFF-OFF event durations and negatively correlated (anti-correlated) ON-OFF event durations perhaps suggest the involvement of more than one type of trapping process within the blinking framework. The timescale corresponding to the additional exponential term has been assigned to hole trapping for ON-event duration statistics. Similarly, for OFF-event duration statistics, this component suggests hole detrapping. We found that the average duration of the exponential process for the ON-event durations is an order of magnitude higher than that of the OFF-event durations. This indicates that the holes are trapped for a significantly long time. When electron trapping is followed by such a hole trapping, long ON-event durations result. We have observed long ON-event durations, as high as 50 s. The competing charge tunnelling model has been used to account for the observed blinking behaviour in these CGASS QDs. Quite interestingly, the PLQY of all of these differently emitting QDs (an ensemble level property) could be correlated with the truncation time (a property at the single particle level). A respective concomitant increase-decrease of ON-OFF event truncation times with increasing PLQY is also indicative of a varying degree of suppression of the Auger recombination processes in these four different CGASS QDs.

Validation of cryo-EM structure of IP₃R1 channel.

PubMed

Murray, Stephen C; Flanagan, John; Popova, Olga B; Chiu, Wah; Ludtke, Steven J; Serysheva, Irina I

2013-06-04

About a decade ago, three electron cryomicroscopy (cryo-EM) single-particle reconstructions of IP3R1 were reported at low resolution. It was disturbing that these structures bore little similarity to one another, even at the level of quaternary structure. Recently, we published an improved structure of IP3R1 at ∼1 nm resolution. However, this structure did not bear any resemblance to any of the three previously published structures, leading to the question of why the structure should be considered more reliable than the original three. Here, we apply several methods, including class-average/map comparisons, tilt-pair validation, and use of multiple refinement software packages, to give strong evidence for the reliability of our recent structure. The map resolution and feature resolvability are assessed with the gold standard criterion. This approach is generally applicable to assessing the validity of cryo-EM maps of other molecular machines. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

SEEKING PRESCRIPTION OPIOIDS FROM PHYSICIANS FOR NONMEDICAL USE AMONG PEOPLE WHO INJECT DRUGS IN A CANADIAN SETTING

PubMed Central

Kennedy, Mary Clare; Kerr, Thomas; DeBeck, Kora; Dong, Huiru; Milloy, M.-J.; Wood, Evan; Hayashi, Kanna

2016-01-01

Background and Objectives Despite the high prevalence of prescription opioid (PO) misuse, little is known about the phenomenon of seeking POs for nonmedical use among high-risk populations, such as people who inject drugs (PWID). We therefore sought to examine the prevalence and correlates of seeking POs from a physician for nonmedical use among PWID in Vancouver, Canada. Methods Cross-sectional data from two open prospective cohort studies of PWID in Vancouver were collected between June 2013 and May 2014 (n = 1252). Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with seeking POs from physicians for nonmedical use. Results Of 1252 participants, 458 individuals (36.6%) reported ever trying to get a PO prescription from a physician for nonmedical use and, of these, 343 (74.9%, comprising 27.4% of the total sample) reported ever being successful. Variables independently and positively associated with PO-seeking behavior included older age (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.02), Caucasian ethnicity (AOR = 1.38), having ever overdosed (AOR = 1.32), having ever participated in methadone maintenance therapy (AOR = 1.90), having ever dealt drugs (AOR = 1.65), and having ever been refused a prescription for pain medication (AOR = 2.02) (all p < .05). Discussion and Conclusions We observed that PO-seeking behavior was common among this sample of PWID and associated with several markers of higher intensity drug use. Scientific Significance Our findings highlight the need to identify evidence-based public health and clinical strategies to mitigate PO misuse among PWID without compromising care for PWID with legitimate medical concerns. PMID:27143485

a Method for the Positioning and Orientation of Rail-Bound Vehicles in Gnss-Free Environments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hung, R.; King, B. A.; Chen, W.

2016-06-01

Mobile Mapping System (MMS) are increasingly applied for spatial data collection to support different fields because of their efficiencies and the levels of detail they can provide. The Position and Orientation System (POS), which is conventionally employed for locating and orienting MMS, allows direct georeferencing of spatial data in real-time. Since the performance of a POS depends on both the Inertial Navigation System (INS) and the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), poor GNSS conditions, such as in long tunnels and underground, introduce the necessity for post-processing. In above-ground railways, mobile mapping technology is employed with high performance sensors for finite usage, which has considerable potential for enhancing railway safety and management in real-time. In contrast, underground railways present a challenge for a conventional POS thus alternative configurations are necessary to maintain data accuracy and alleviate the need for post-processing. This paper introduces a method of rail-bound navigation to replace the role of GNSS for railway applications. The proposed method integrates INS and track alignment data for environment-independent navigation and reduces the demand of post-processing. The principle of rail-bound navigation is presented and its performance is verified by an experiment using a consumer-grade Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) and a small-scale railway model. The method produced a substantial improvement in position and orientation for a poorly initialised system in centimetre positional accuracy. The potential improvements indicated by, and limitations of rail-bound navigation are also considered for further development in existing railway systems.

Contextual influences on pain communication in couples with and without a partner with chronic pain.

PubMed

Gagnon, Michelle M; Hadjistavropoulos, Thomas; MacNab, Ying C

2017-10-01

This is an experimental study of pain communication in couples. Despite evidence that chronic pain in one partner impacts both members of the dyad, dyadic influences on pain communication have not been sufficiently examined and are typically studied based on retrospective reports. Our goal was to directly study contextual influences (ie, presence of chronic pain, gender, relationship quality, and pain catastrophizing) on self-reported and nonverbal (ie, facial expressions) pain responses. Couples with (n = 66) and without (n = 65) an individual with chronic pain (ICP) completed relationship and pain catastrophizing questionnaires. Subsequently, one partner underwent a pain task (pain target, PT), while the other partner observed (pain observer, PO). In couples with an ICP, the ICP was assigned to be the PT. Pain intensity and PO perceived pain intensity ratings were recorded at multiple intervals. Facial expressions were video recorded throughout the pain task. Pain-related facial expression was quantified using the Facial Action Coding System. The most consistent predictor of either partner's pain-related facial expression was the pain-related facial expression of the other partner. Pain targets provided higher pain ratings than POs and female PTs reported and showed more pain, regardless of chronic pain status. Gender and the interaction between gender and relationship satisfaction were predictors of pain-related facial expression among PTs, but not POs. None of the examined variables predicted self-reported pain. Results suggest that contextual variables influence pain communication in couples, with distinct influences for PTs and POs. Moreover, self-report and nonverbal responses are not displayed in a parallel manner.

Functional abdominal pain in childhood and long-term vulnerability to anxiety disorders.

PubMed

Shelby, Grace D; Shirkey, Kezia C; Sherman, Amanda L; Beck, Joy E; Haman, Kirsten; Shears, Angela R; Horst, Sara N; Smith, Craig A; Garber, Judy; Walker, Lynn S

2013-09-01

Cross-sectional studies link functional abdominal pain (FAP) to anxiety and depression in childhood, but no prospective study has evaluated psychiatric status in adulthood or its relation to pain persistence. Pediatric patients with FAP (n = 332) and control subjects (n = 147) were tracked prospectively and evaluated for psychiatric disorders and functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) at follow-up in adolescence and young adulthood (mean age = 20.01 years). Participants were classified according to presence (FGID-POS) or absence (FGID-NEG) of FGIDs at follow-up. Lifetime and current risk of anxiety disorders was higher in FAP than controls (lifetime: 51% vs 20%; current: 30% vs 12%). Controlling for gender and age, the odds ratio was 4.9 (confidence interval = 2.83-7.43) for lifetime anxiety disorder and 3.57 (confidence interval = 2.00-6.36) for current anxiety disorder at follow-up for FAP versus controls. Lifetime risk of depressive disorder was significantly higher in FAP versus controls (40% vs. 16%); current risk did not differ. In most cases, initial onset of anxiety disorders was before pediatric FAP evaluation; onset of depressive disorders was subsequent to FAP evaluation. Within the FAP group, risk of current anxiety disorders at follow-up was significantly higher for FGID-POS versus FGID-NEG (40% vs 24%), and both were higher than controls (12%); current depressive disorders did not differ across FGID-POS, FGID-NEG, and controls. Patients with FAP carry long-term vulnerability to anxiety that begins in childhood and persists into late adolescence and early adulthood, even if abdominal pain resolves.

PD-1 mediates functional exhaustion of activated NK cells in patients with Kaposi sarcoma

PubMed Central

Beldi-Ferchiou, Asma; Lambert, Marion; Dogniaux, Stéphanie; Vély, Frédéric; Vivier, Eric; Olive, Daniel; Dupuy, Stéphanie; Levasseur, Frank; Zucman, David; Lebbé, Céleste; Sène, Damien; Hivroz, Claire; Caillat-Zucman, Sophie

2016-01-01

Programmed Death-1 (PD-1), an inhibitory receptor expressed by activated lymphocytes, is involved in regulating T- and B-cell responses. PD-1 and its ligands are exploited by a variety of cancers to facilitate tumor escape through PD-1-mediated functional exhaustion of effector T cells. Here, we report that PD-1 is upregulated on Natural Killer (NK) cells from patients with Kaposi sarcoma (KS). PD-1 was expressed in a sub-population of activated, mature CD56dimCD16pos NK cells with otherwise normal expression of NK surface receptors. PD-1pos NK cells from KS patients were hyporesponsive ex vivo following direct triggering of NKp30, NKp46 or CD16 activating receptors, or short stimulation with NK cell targets. PD-1pos NK cells failed to degranulate and release IFNγ, but exogenous IL-2 or IL-15 restored this defect. That PD-1 contributed to NK cell functional impairment and was not simply a marker of dysfunctional NK cells was confirmed in PD-1-transduced NKL cells. In vitro, PD-1 was induced at the surface of healthy control NK cells upon prolonged contact with cells expressing activating ligands, i.e. a condition mimicking persistent stimulation by tumor cells. Thus, PD-1 appears to plays a critical role in mediating NK cell exhaustion. The existence of this negative checkpoint fine-tuning NK activation highlights the possibility that manipulation of the PD-1 pathway may be a strategy for circumventing tumor escape not only from the T cell-, but also the NK-cell mediated immune surveillance. PMID:27662664

Comparison of provider and plan-based targeting strategies for disease management.

PubMed

Annis, Ann M; Holtrop, Jodi Summers; Tao, Min; Chang, Hsiu-Ching; Luo, Zhehui

2015-05-01

We aimed to describe and contrast the targeting methods and engagement outcomes for health plan-delivered disease management with those of a provider-delivered care management program. Health plan epidemiologists partnered with university health services researchers to conduct a quasi-experimental, mixed-methods study of a 2-year pilot. We used semi-structured interviews to assess the characteristics of program-targeting strategies, and calculated target and engagement rates from clinical encounter data. Five physician organizations (POs) with 51 participating practices implemented care management. Health plan member lists were sent monthly to the practices to accept patients, and then the practices sent back data reports regarding targeting and engagement in care management. Among patients accepted by the POs, we compared those who were targeted and engaged by POs with those who met health plan targeting criteria. The health plan's targeting process combined claims algorithms and employer group preferences to identify candidates for disease management; on the other hand, several different factors influenced PO practices' targeting approaches, including clinical and personal knowledge of the patients, health assessment information, and availability of disease-relevant programs. Practices targeted a higher percentage of patients for care management than the health plan (38% vs 16%), where only 7% of these patients met the targeting criteria of both. Practices engaged a higher percentage of their targeted patients than the health plan (50% vs 13%). The health plan's claims-driven targeting approach and the clinically based strategies of practices both provide advantages; an optimal model may be to combine the strengths of each approach to maximize benefits in care management.

A Systematic Review of Store Audit Methods for Assessing Tobacco Marketing and Products at the Point of Sale

PubMed Central

Lee, Joseph G. L.; Henriksen, Lisa; Myers, Allison E.; Dauphinee, Amanda L.; Ribisl, Kurt M.

2013-01-01

Objective Over four-fifths of reported expenditures for marketing tobacco products occur at the retail point of sale (POS). To date, no systematic review has synthesized the methods used for surveillance of POS marketing. This review sought to describe the audit objectives, methods, and measures used to study retail tobacco environments. Methods We systematically searched 11 academic databases for papers indexed on or before March 14, 2012, identifying 2,906 papers. Two coders independently reviewed each abstract or fulltext to identify papers with the following criteria: (1) data collectors visited and assessed (2) retail environments using (3) a data collection instrument for (4) tobacco products or marketing. We excluded papers where limited measures of products and/or marketing were incidental. Two abstractors independently coded included papers for research aims, locale, methods, measures used, and measurement properties. We calculated descriptive statistics regarding the use of 4 P’s of marketing (product, price, placement, promotion) and for measures of study design, sampling strategy, and sample size. Results We identified 88 store audit studies. Most studies focus on enumerating the number of signs or other promotions. Several strengths, particularly in sampling, are noted, but substantial improvements are indicated in the reporting of reliability, validity, and audit procedures. Conclusions Audits of POS tobacco marketing have made important contributions to understanding industry behaviour, the uses of marketing, and resulting health behaviours. Increased emphasis on standardization and the use of theory are needed in the field. We propose key components of audit methodology that should be routinely reported. PMID:23322313

A systematic review of store audit methods for assessing tobacco marketing and products at the point of sale.

PubMed

Lee, Joseph G L; Henriksen, Lisa; Myers, Allison E; Dauphinee, Amanda L; Ribisl, Kurt M

2014-03-01

Over four-fifths of reported expenditures for marketing tobacco products occur at the retail point of sale (POS). To date, no systematic review has synthesised the methods used for surveillance of POS marketing. This review sought to describe the audit objectives, methods and measures used to study retail tobacco environments. We systematically searched 11 academic databases for papers indexed on or before 14 March 2012, identifying 2906 papers. Two coders independently reviewed each abstract or full text to identify papers with the following criteria: (1) data collectors visited and assessed (2) retail environments using (3) a data collection instrument for (4) tobacco products or marketing. We excluded papers where limited measures of products and/or marketing were incidental. Two abstractors independently coded included papers for research aims, locale, methods, measures used and measurement properties. We calculated descriptive statistics regarding the use of four P's of marketing (product, price, placement, promotion) and for measures of study design, sampling strategy and sample size. We identified 88 store audit studies. Most studies focus on enumerating the number of signs or other promotions. Several strengths, particularly in sampling, are noted, but substantial improvements are indicated in the reporting of reliability, validity and audit procedures. Audits of POS tobacco marketing have made important contributions to understanding industry behaviour, the uses of marketing and resulting health behaviours. Increased emphasis on standardisation and the use of theory are needed in the field. We propose key components of audit methodology that should be routinely reported.

Relationship between quality improvement processes and clinical performance.

PubMed

Damberg, Cheryl L; Shortell, Stephen M; Raube, Kristiana; Gillies, Robin R; Rittenhouse, Diane; McCurdy, Rodney K; Casalino, Lawrence P; Adams, John

2010-08-01

To examine the association between performance on clinical process measures and intermediate outcomes and the use of chronic care management processes (CMPs), electronic medical record (EMR) capabilities, and participation in external quality improvement (QI) initiatives. Cross-sectional analysis of linked 2006 clinical performance scores from the Integrated Healthcare Association's pay-for-performance program and survey data from the 2nd National Study of Physician Organizations among 108 California physician organizations (POs). Controlling for differences in PO size, organization type (medical group or independent practice association), and Medicaid revenue, we used ordinary least squares regression analysis to examine the association between the use of CMPs, EMR capabilities, and external QI initiatives and performance on the following 3 clinical composite measures: diabetes management, processes of care, and intermediate outcomes (diabetes and cardiovascular). Greater use of CMPs was significantly associated with clinical performance: among POs using more than 5 CMPs, we observed a 3.2-point higher diabetes management score on a performance scale with scores ranging from 0 to 100 (P <.001), while for each 1.0-point increase on the CMP index, we observed a 1.0-point gain in intermediate outcomes (P <.001). Participation in external QI initiatives was positively associated with improved delivery of clinical processes of care: a 1.0-point increase on the QI index translated into a 1.4-point gain in processes-of-care performance (P = .02). No relationship was observed between EMR capabilities and performance. Greater investments in CMPs and QI interventions may help POs raise clinical performance and achieve success under performance-based accountability schemes.

Electronic Cigarette and Electronic Hookah: A Pilot Study Comparing Two Vaping Products.

PubMed

Dube, Shanta R; Pathak, Sarita; Nyman, Amy L; Eriksen, Michael P

Since the introduction of e-cigarettes into the U.S. market, the number and variety of vaping products has proliferated. E-hookahs are long, pen-like vaping devices that debuted in U.S. markets in 2014. By applying the Host, Agent, Vector, Environment (HAVE) Model, the objective of this exploratory study was to assess differences between e-cigarettes and e-hookahs to help inform tobacco regulatory science and practice. In June-August 2014, a total of 54 unique manufactured e-cigarette and e-hookah products were identified at point of sales (POS) around three college campuses in Southeast U.S. Documented characteristics included brand name, disposable, rechargeable, nicotine containing, packaging, and flavor type. Statistical analyses were conducted October to November 2014 to assess frequency and percent of product type across POS and specific characteristics. Among 54 products, 70.4% were e-cigarettes and 29.6% were e-hookahs. Across POS, drug stores and grocery stores carried e-cigarettes exclusively, while gas stations carried the greatest proportion of e-hookahs. Compared to e-hookahs, a greater proportion of e-cigarettes were non-disposable and contained nicotine; a greater proportion of e-hookahs came in fruit and other types of flavors compared to e-cigarettes. The present study suggests that e-cigarettes and e-hookahs differ by specific product characteristics and by places where they are sold. Despite these differences, the products are used for similar purposes warranting careful monitoring of industry manufacturing and marketing, because the safety of both products is still undetermined. Additional research is needed to understand the uptake and continued use of these products.

Manduca sexta proprophenoloxidase activating proteinase-3 (PAP3) stimulates melanization by activating proPAP3, proSPHs, and proPOs

PubMed Central

Wang, Yang; Lu, Zhiqiang; Jiang, Haobo

2014-01-01

Melanization participates in various insect physiological processes including antimicrobial immune responses. Phenoloxidase (PO), a critical component of the enzyme system catalyzing melanin formation, is produced as an inactive precursor prophenoloxidase (proPO) and becomes active via specific proteolytic cleavage by proPO activating proteinase (PAP). In Manduca sexta, three PAPs can activate proPOs in the presence of two serine proteinase homologs (SPH1 and SPH2). While the hemolymph proteinases (HPs) that generate the active PAPs are known, it is unclear how the proSPHs (especially proSPH1) are activated. In this study, we isolated from plasma of bar-stage M. sexta larvae an Ile-Glu-Ala-Arg-p-nitroanilide hydrolyzing enzyme that cleaved the proSPHs. This proteinase, PAP3, generated active SPH1 and SPH2, which function as cofactors for PAP3 in proPO activation. Cleavage of the purified recombinant proSPHs by PAP3 yielded 38 kDa bands similar in mobility to the SPHs formed in vivo. Surprisingly, PAP3 also can activate proPAP3 to stimulate melanization in a direct positive feedback loop. The enhanced proPO activation concurred with the cleavage activation of proHP6, proHP8, proPAP1, proPAP3, proSPH1, proSPH2, proPOs, but not proHP14 or proHP21. These results indicate that PAP3, like PAP1, is a key factor of the self-reinforcing mechanism in the proPO activation system, which is linked to other immune responses in M. sexta. PMID:24768974

Tobacco point-of-sale displays in England: a snapshot survey of current practices.

PubMed

Rooke, Catriona; Cheeseman, Hazel; Dockrell, Martin; Millward, Deborah; Sandford, Amanda

2010-08-01

Tobacco displays at the point of sale (PoS) are an important means for the tobacco industry to communicate with consumers. With regulations prohibiting PoS displays recently having come into force in Ireland, passed into law in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and some Australian states, and being considered in New Zealand, Finland and Brazil, this is an increasingly important issue. This study explores the nature of displays, the extent to which they are tobacco industry funded, and the relation between the tobacco companies and retailers. Three areas were chosen to gain a snapshot of PoS displays in England. Over 100 retailers were visited, with interviews taking place on site. Information was gathered on the type and size of tobacco display, who was paying for the display, requirements and incentives, and visits by industry representatives. The majority of retailers had gantries provided by tobacco companies. A minority of these were fitted with automated dispensers called retail vending machines. Attractive lighting and colour were often used to highlight particular products. Most retailers were being visited by industry representatives who checked displays. Some retailers also reported incentives offered to them for displaying products. The results suggest that the tobacco industry presence and control in the retail environment is significant. Tobacco companies overwhelmingly provided tobacco gantries in the shops surveyed and influenced displays through a combination of requirements and incentives. The extensive involvement of tobacco companies in providing and monitoring retail displays suggests the importance of implementing policies to end this form of advertising.

Investigating the effects of laser beams (532 and 660 nm) in annihilation of pistachio mould fungus using spectrophotometry analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saghafi, S.; Penjweini, R.; Becker, K.; Kratky, K. W.; Dodt, H.-U.

2010-09-01

When moulds are illuminated by visible electromagnetic-EM radiations, several effects on nucleus materials and nucleotides can be detected. These effects have a significant influence on mould generation or destruction. This paper presents the effects and implications of a red diode laser beam (660 nm), a second-harmonics of a Nd:YAG laser emitting green beam (532 nm), or the combination of both, on the eradication of Pistachio mould fungus. Incident doses (ID) of both beams are kept identical throughout the experiment. The absorption spectrums of irradiated mouldy samples and the bright-greenish-yellow-fluorescence (BGYF) of fungus occurring in mould texture due to electronic excitation are investigated. We found that a combination of a green and a red laser beam with an ID of 0.5 J/cm2 provides the optimal effects on Pistachio mould fungus eradication.

Prediction of efficacy for conversion from adjunctive therapy to monotherapy with eslicarbazepine acetate 800 mg once daily for partial-onset epilepsy

PubMed Central

Sunkaraneni, Soujanya; Passarell, Julie A; Ludwig, Elizabeth A; Fiedler-Kelly, Jill; Pitner, Janet K; Grinnell, Todd A; Blum, David

2017-01-01

Purpose Eslicarbazepine acetate (ESL) is a once-daily (QD) oral antiepileptic drug (AED) indicated for partial-onset seizures (POS). Clinical studies of gradual conversion to ESL 1,200 and 1,600 mg QD monotherapies were previously conducted in patients with POS who were not well-controlled by 1 or 2 AEDs. This report describes modeling and simulation of plasma eslicarbazepine (primary active metabolite of ESL) concentrations and time to monotherapy study exit to predict efficacy for conversion to ESL monotherapy at a lower dose of 800 mg, as an option for patients requiring or not tolerating higher doses since this regimen is effective in adjunctive therapy for POS. Patients and methods A previously developed population pharmacokinetic model for ESL monotherapy was used to predict minimum plasma eslicarbazepine concentration (Cmin) in 1,500 virtual patients taking 1 (n=1,000) or 2 (n=500) AEDs at baseline, treated with ESL 400 mg QD for 1 week, followed by 800 mg QD for 17 weeks (similar to ESL monotherapy trials where the other AEDs were withdrawn during the first 6 weeks following titration to the randomized ESL dose). Model-predicted Cmin as a time-varying covariate and number of baseline AEDs were used to determine the weekly probability of each patient meeting exit criteria (65.3% threshold) indicative of worsening seizure control in 500 simulated ESL monotherapy trials. A previously developed extended Cox proportional hazards exposure–response model was used to relate time-varying eslicarbazepine exposure to the time to study exit. Results For virtual patients receiving ESL monotherapy (800 mg QD), the 95% upper prediction limit for exit rate at 112 days of 34.9% in patients taking 1 AED at baseline was well below the 65.3% threshold from historical control trials, while the estimate for patients taking 2 AEDs (70.6%) was slightly above the historical control threshold. Conclusion This model-based assessment supports conversion to ESL 800 mg QD monotherapy for POS in adults taking 1 AED. For patients taking 2 concomitant AEDs, however, prescribers should consider maintenance doses of 1,200 or 1,600 mg ESL QD to reduce the likelihood of seizure worsening if conversion to ESL monotherapy is contemplated. PMID:28721105

Prediction of efficacy for conversion from adjunctive therapy to monotherapy with eslicarbazepine acetate 800 mg once daily for partial-onset epilepsy.

PubMed

Sunkaraneni, Soujanya; Passarell, Julie A; Ludwig, Elizabeth A; Fiedler-Kelly, Jill; Pitner, Janet K; Grinnell, Todd A; Blum, David

2017-01-01

Eslicarbazepine acetate (ESL) is a once-daily (QD) oral antiepileptic drug (AED) indicated for partial-onset seizures (POS). Clinical studies of gradual conversion to ESL 1,200 and 1,600 mg QD monotherapies were previously conducted in patients with POS who were not well-controlled by 1 or 2 AEDs. This report describes modeling and simulation of plasma eslicarbazepine (primary active metabolite of ESL) concentrations and time to monotherapy study exit to predict efficacy for conversion to ESL monotherapy at a lower dose of 800 mg, as an option for patients requiring or not tolerating higher doses since this regimen is effective in adjunctive therapy for POS. A previously developed population pharmacokinetic model for ESL monotherapy was used to predict minimum plasma eslicarbazepine concentration ( C min ) in 1,500 virtual patients taking 1 (n=1,000) or 2 (n=500) AEDs at baseline, treated with ESL 400 mg QD for 1 week, followed by 800 mg QD for 17 weeks (similar to ESL monotherapy trials where the other AEDs were withdrawn during the first 6 weeks following titration to the randomized ESL dose). Model-predicted C min as a time-varying covariate and number of baseline AEDs were used to determine the weekly probability of each patient meeting exit criteria (65.3% threshold) indicative of worsening seizure control in 500 simulated ESL monotherapy trials. A previously developed extended Cox proportional hazards exposure-response model was used to relate time-varying eslicarbazepine exposure to the time to study exit. For virtual patients receiving ESL monotherapy (800 mg QD), the 95% upper prediction limit for exit rate at 112 days of 34.9% in patients taking 1 AED at baseline was well below the 65.3% threshold from historical control trials, while the estimate for patients taking 2 AEDs (70.6%) was slightly above the historical control threshold. This model-based assessment supports conversion to ESL 800 mg QD monotherapy for POS in adults taking 1 AED. For patients taking 2 concomitant AEDs, however, prescribers should consider maintenance doses of 1,200 or 1,600 mg ESL QD to reduce the likelihood of seizure worsening if conversion to ESL monotherapy is contemplated.

Exposure to Point-of-Sale Marketing of Cigarettes and E-Cigarettes as Predictors of Smoking Cessation Behaviors.

PubMed

Mantey, Dale S; Pasch, Keryn E; Loukas, Alexandra; Perry, Cheryl L

2017-11-06

Cue-reactivity theory suggests smoking-related visual cues such as point-of-sale (POS) marketing (e.g., advertising, product displays) may undermine cessation attempts by causing an increase in nicotine cravings among users. This study examined the relationship between recall of exposure to POS marketing and subsequent cessation behaviors among young adult cigarette smokers. Participants included 813 18-29 year old (m=21.1, sd=2.70) current cigarette smokers attending 24 Texas colleges. Multivariable logistic regression models examined the impact of baseline self-reported exposure to cigarette and e-cigarette advertising and product displays, on using e-cigarettes for cessation and successful cigarette cessation at 6-month follow-up. Two-way interactions between product-specific advertising and between product-specific displays were examined to determine if the marketing of one product strengthened the cue-reactivity of the other. Baseline covariates included socio-demographic factors, past quit attempts, intentions to quit smoking, and nicotine dependence. Exposure to e-cigarette displays was associated with lower odds of cigarette smoking cessation, controlling for covariates and conventional cigarette display exposure. E-cigarette advertising was positively associated with use of e-cigarettes for cigarette cessation among participants exposed to low (i.e., at least one standard deviation below the mean) levels of cigarette advertising. Cigarette advertising was associated with use of e-cigarettes for cigarette cessation only among those exposed to low levels of e-cigarette advertising. Exposure to cigarette displays was not associated with either outcome. Smoking-related cues at POS may undermine successful cigarette cessation. Exposure to product displays decrease odds of cessation. Advertising exposure increased odds for using e-cigarettes for cessation attempts, but may have guided smokers towards an unproven cessation aid. By examining the interaction of conventional cigarette and e-cigarette marketing exposure, this study adds a unique insight into the impact of retail tobacco marketing on cigarette smoking cessation behavior among young adults. These findings suggest policies should be considered that balance encouraging cigarette smoking cessation while limiting marketing strategies, such as POS product displays, that may undermine successful cessation attempts. © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Spectral characterization of the fluorescent components present in humic substances, fulvic acid and humic acid mixed with pure benzo(a)pyrene solution.

PubMed

El Fallah, Rawa; Rouillon, Régis; Vouvé, Florence

2018-06-15

The fate of benzo(a)pyrene (BaP), a ubiquitous contaminant reported to be persistent in the environment, is largely controlled by its interactions with the soil organic matter. In the present study, the spectral characteristics of fluorophores present in the physical fractions of the soil organic matter were investigated in the presence of pure BaP solution. After extraction of humic substances (HSs), and their fractionation into fluvic acid (FA) and humic acid (HA), two fluorescent compounds (C 1 and C 2 ) were identified and characterized in each physical soil fraction, by means of fluorescence excitation-emission matrices (FEEMs) and Parallel Factor Analysis (PARAFAC). Then, to each type of fraction having similar DOC content, was added an increasing volume of pure BaP solution in attempt to assess the behavior of BaP with the fluorophores present in each one. The application of FEEMs-PARAFAC method validated a three-component model that consisted of the two resulted fluorophores from HSs, FA and HA (C 1 and C 2 ) and a BaP-like fluorophore (C 3 ). Spectral modifications were noted for components C 2 HSs (C 2 in humic substances fraction) (λex/λem: 420/490-520 nm), C 2 FA (C 2 in fulvic acid fraction) (λex/λem: 400/487(517) nm) and C 1 HA (C 1 in humic acid fraction) (λex/λem: 350/452(520) nm). We explored the impact of increasing the volume of the added pure BaP solution on the scores of the fluorophores present in the soil fractions. It was found that the scores of C 2 HSs, C 2 FA, and C 1 HA increased when the volume of the added pure BaP solution increased. Superposition of the excitation spectra of these fluorophores with the emission spectrum of BaP showed significant overlaps that might explain the observed interactions between BaP and the fluorescent compounds present in SOM physical fractions. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.