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Background. Social media presents an important means for social interaction, especially among adolescents, with Instagram being the most popular platform in this age-group. Pictures and communication about non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) can frequently be found on the internet. Methods. During 4 weeks in April 2016, n = 2826 (from n = 1154 accounts) pictures which directly depicted wounds on Instagram were investigated. Those pictures, associated comments, and user accounts were independently rated for content. Associations between characteristics of pictures and comments as well as weekly and daily trends of posting behavior were analyzed. Results. Most commonly, pictures depicted wounds caused by cutting on arms or legs and were rated as mild or moderate injuries. Pictures with increasing wound grades and those depicting multiple methods of NSSI generated elevated amounts of comments. While most comments were neutral or empathic with some offering help, few comments were hostile. Pictures were mainly posted in the evening hours, with a small peak in the early morning. While there was a slight peak of pictures being posted on Sundays, postings were rather evenly spread across the week. Conclusions. Pictures of NSSI are frequently posted on Instagram. Social reinforcement might play a role in the posting of more severe NSSI pictures. Social media platforms need to take appropriate measures for preventing online social contagion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Children and adolescents are a vulnerable group to develop post-traumatic stress symptoms after natural or man-made disasters. In the light of increasing numbers of refugees under the age of 18 years worldwide, there is a significant need for effective treatments. This meta-analytic review investigates specific psychosocial treatments for children and adolescents after man-made and natural disasters. In a systematic literature search using MEDLINE, EMBASE and PsycINFO, as well as hand-searching existing reviews and contacting professional associations, 36 studies were identified. Randomand mixed-effects models were applied to test for average effect sizes and moderating variables. Overall, treatments showed high effect sizes in pre-post comparisons (Hedge's g = 1.34) and medium effect sizes as compared with control conditions (Hedge's g = 0.43). Treatments investigated by at least two studies were cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), narrative exposure therapy for children (KIDNET) and classroom- based interventions, which showed similar effect sizes. However, studies were very heterogenic with regard to their outcomes. Effects were moderated by type of profession (higher level of training leading to higher effect sizes). A number of effective psychosocial treatments for child and adolescent survivors of disasters exist. CBT, EMDR, KIDNET and classroom-based interventions can be equally recommended. Although disasters require immediate reactions and improvisation, future studies with larger sample sizes and rigorous methodology are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: "Hunger training", which aims to teach people to eat only when blood glucose is below a set target, appears promising as a weight loss strategy. As the ability of participants to adhere to the rigorous protocol has been insufficiently described, we sought to determine the feasibility of hunger training, in terms of retention in the study, adherence to measuring blood glucose, and eating only when blood glucose concentrations are below a set level of 4.7 mmol/L. Method: We undertook a two-week feasibility study, utilising an adaptive design approach where the specific blood glucose cut-off was the adaptive feature. A blood glucose cut-off of 4.7 mmol/L (protocol A) was used for the first 20 participants. A priori we decided that if interim analysis revealed that this cut-off did not meet our feasibility criteria, the remaining ten participants would use an individualised cut-off based on their fasting glucose concentrations (protocol B). Results: Retention of the participants in the study was 97 % (28/29 participants), achieving our criterion of 85 %. Participants measured their blood glucose before 94 % (95 % CI 91, 98) of eating occasions (criterion 80 %). However, participants following protocol A, which used a standard blood glucose cut-off of 4.7 mmol/L, were only able to adhere to eating when blood glucose was below the prescribed level 66 % of the time, below our within-person criterion of 75 %. By contrast, those participants following protocol B (individualised cut-off) adhered to the eating protocol 84 % of the time, a significant (p = 0.010) improvement over protocol A. Conclusion: Hunger training appears to be a feasible method, at least in the short-term, when an individualised fasting blood glucose is used to indicate that a meal can begin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines nonequilibrium magnetization dynamics in two-dimensional systems by loading bosons into a spin-dependent optical lattice. It states the lattice is used to control resonance conditions for superexchange and tunneling. It comments that relaxation dynamics were observed to be governed by two well-separated rates that scaled with parameters associated with tunneling and superexchange. It suggests the experiment will work as a benchmark on future theoretical work.

Background/Objectives:Diets high in nuts reduce cholesterol, probably due to their favorable lipid profile and other bioactive substances. However, the physical form of the nut may be important as the cell wall of intact nuts may limit the hypocholesterolemic effect of nuts by reducing lipid bioavailability. Therefore, we investigated the effects on blood lipids of incorporating three different forms of hazelnuts (ground, sliced and whole) into the usual diet.Subjects/Methods:In a randomized crossover study with three phases, 48 mildly hypercholesterolemic participants were asked to consume 30 g of ground, sliced or whole hazelnuts for 4 weeks. Body weight, plasma total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triacylglycerol (TAG), apolipoprotein (apo) A1, apo B100 and α-tocopherol were measured at baseline and at the end of each dietary phase.Results:There were no significant differences in any outcome variable between the different forms of nuts (all P0.159). However, compared with baseline, mean values at the end of each hazelnut intervention were significantly higher for HDL-C (P=0.023) and α-tocopherol (P=0.005), and significantly lower for TC (P<0.001), LDL-C (P<0.001), TC:HDL-C ratio (P<0.001), apo B100 (P=0.002) and apo B100:apo A1 ratio (P<0.001), with no significant difference in body weight (P=0.813).Conclusions: The ingestion of three different forms of hazelnuts equally improved the lipoprotein profile and α-tocopherol concentrations in mildly hypercholesterolemic individuals. Hazelnuts can therefore be incorporated into the usual diet as a means of reducing cardiovascular disease risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extant liverworts are "living fossils" considered sister to all other plants and as such provide clues to the evolution of the microtubule organizing center (MTOC) in anastral cells. This report is the first on microtubule arrays and their γ-tubulin-nucleating sites during meiosis in a member of the Ricciales, a specialized, species-rich group of complex thalloid (marchantioid) liverworts. In meiotic prophase, γ-tubulin becomes concentrated at several sites adjacent to the nuclear envelope. Microtubules organized at these foci give rise to a multipolar prometaphase spindle. By metaphase I, the spindle has matured into a bipolar structure with truncated poles. In both first and second meiosis, γ-tubulin forms box-like caps at the spindle poles. γ-Tubulin moves from spindle poles to the proximal surfaces of telophase chromosomes where interzonal microtubules are nucleated. Although a phragmoplast is organized, no cell plate is deposited, and second division occurs simultaneously in the undivided sporocyte. γ-Tubulin surrounds each of the tetrad nuclei, and phragmoplasts initiated between both sister and nonsister nuclei direct simultaneous cytokinesis. The overall pattern of meiosis (unlobed polyplastidic sporocytes, nuclear envelope MTOC, multipolar spindle origin, spindles with box-like poles, and simultaneous cytokinesis) more closely resembles that of Conocephalum than other marchantiod liverworts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is the first report on γ-tubulin and microtubule arrays during microsporogenesis in a gymnosperm. Meiosis in Ginkgo biloba is polyplastidic, as is typical of the spermatophyte clade, and microtubule arrays are organized at various sites during meiosis and cytokinesis. In early prophase, a cluster of γ-tubulin globules occurs in the central cytoplasm adjacent to the off-center nucleus. These globules diminish in size and spread over the surface of the nucleus. A system of microtubules focused on the γ-tubulin forms a reticulate pattern in the cytoplasm. As the nucleus migrates to the center of the microsporocyte, γ-tubulin becomes concentrated at several sites adjacent to the nuclear envelope. Microtubules organized at these foci of γ-tubulin give rise to a multipolar prophase spindle. By metaphase I, the spindle has matured into a distinctly bipolar structure with pointed poles. In both first and second meiosis, γ-tubulin becomes distributed throughout the metaphase spindles, but becomes distinctly polar again in anaphase. In telophase I, γ-tubulin moves from polar regions to the proximal surface of chromosome groups/nuclei where interzonal microtubules are organized. No cell wall is deposited and the interzonal microtubules embrace a plate of organelles between the two nuclear cytoplasmic domains (NCDs) of the dyad. Following second meiosis, phragmoplasts that form between sister and non-sister nuclei fuse to form a complex six-sided structure that directs simultaneous cytokinesis. γ-Tubulin becomes associated with nuclei after both meiotic divisions and is especially conspicuous in the distal hemisphere of each young microspore where an unusual encircling system of cortical microtubules develops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The syntheses of two silyl chloride resins, 2 and 10 are described starting from Merrifield resin, 3-methyl-1,3-butanediol and diphenyldichlorosilane or dimethyldichlorosilane, respectively. The silyl chloride resin 2 was used for the attachment of 1° alcohols, 2° alcohols and phenols to the solid phase. A preliminary study of the stability of the diphenylsiloxane linker towards certain reaction conditions was also carried out. A more reactive silyl chloride resin 10 was found to be suitable for the attachment of 3° alcohols to the solid phase. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A crossover study was designed to determine whether the fat and carbohydrate contents of evening meals consumed the night preceding glycaemic index (GI) testing had an effect on the GI. Twenty participants consumed two different evening meals in which the energy contributions from fat, carbohydrate and protein were in the ratio 50:30:15 and 25:60:15, respectively. Each participant completed eight tests that involved two evening meals with different macronutrient compositions followed the next morning by two treatments, glucose beverage or fruit bread, all carried out in duplicate. The GI of fruit bread was determined on the mornings following each of the evening meals. The GIs (95% CI) were 68 (60, 76) and 59 (52, 67) after the high-carbohydrate and high-fat meals, respectively, and were not different (P=0.11). Thus, varying the fat and carbohydrate contents of the evening meal before GI testing the next morning did not affect the GI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A randomized crossover study was carried out to determine whether moderate alcohol consumption the night preceding glycaemic index testing has an effect on glycaemic response. Test foods consisted of two glucose beverages and two bread samples, containing 50 g of available carbohydrate. Each test food was consumed with and without alcohol the night preceding testing. Glucose concentration was measured over 2 h and area under the curve (AUC) determined. The AUC for bread and glucose without and with alcohol did not differ for either the glucose drink (ratio (95% confidence intervals): 1.00 (0.8, 1.1)) or bread (0.9; (0.8, 1.1)). Further, there was no difference in the glycaemic index (GI) of the bread with and without alcohol (64 (6) vs 67 (2)%; P=0.78). Moderate alcohol consumption the evening before GI testing does not affect glycaemic response or GI determination.European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2009) 63, 692–694; doi:10.1038/ejcn.2008.27; published online 9 April 2008 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Six new microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized in 32 individuals from a farm population of gilthead seabream ( Sparus aurata). Expected heterozygosity at all loci was high, ranging from 0.835 to 0.958 with between 10 and 27 alleles per locus. A multiplex polymerase chain reaction protocol was developed using four of the loci. Cross-species amplification of the loci was tested in six species of the Sparidae family and four loci were successfully amplified in two or more related species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optical clocks benefit from tight atomic confinement enabling extended interrogation times as well as Doppler- and recoil-free operation. However, these benefits come at the cost of frequency shifts that, if not properly controlled, may degrade clock accuracy. Numerous theoretical studies have predicted optical lattice clock frequency shifts that scale nonlinearly with trap depth. To experimentally observe and constrain these shifts in an 171Yb optical lattice clock, we construct a lattice enhancement cavity that exaggerates the light shifts. We observe an atomic temperature that is proportional to the optical trap depth, fundamentally altering the scaling of trap-induced light shifts and simplifying their parametrization. We identify an "operational" magic wavelength where frequency shifts are insensitive to changes in trap depth. These measurements and scaling analysis constitute an essential systematic characterization for clock operation at the 10-18 level and beyond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Site sampling trials have been carried out in the urban environment in order to assess the usefulness of a passive sampling device, originally developed for personal monitoring of airborne dust levels in industry. The sampling element is a small disc of electret material (polymer carrying a permanent electric charge) within a metal frame weighing approximately 15 g. The sampler is designed to capture particles by electrostatic attraction, in which case the capture rate depends on their electrical mobility but is independent of the rate at which air flows past the device. Passive samplers, along with miniaturized cascade impactors, have been exposed to urban particulate for periods of up to 28 days in locations with significantly different levels of airborne pollution. The cascade impactor data enabled good estimates to be made of PM[sub 10] and PM[sub 2.5] levels, and data from the PM[sub 10] passive sampler correlated with the total dust sampled by the impactor and with both the size fractions, that with the PM[sub 10] being better. Too few data have yet been obtained for its accuracy to be established, but it is unlikely that it will approach that of pumped samplers. It has been shown to be potentially useful for multiple, simultaneous site sampling and for monitoring personal environmental exposure situations in which dispensing with a power source is particularly useful. Being small, the sampler is easy to hide or camouflage, and because it is cheap, its loss or damage is not a serious matter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cites a study which main objective was to develop a model in order to investigate the interaction of gas jet/molten layer and the oxidation reaction. Use of the Navier-Stokes equations; Information on molten layer and gas jet; Details on the oxidation and laser beam reaction; What the results of the study showed.

Currently there are no standard techniques to detect copper sulphide deposits in transformers to act as an early warning system. This paper develops and tests a procedure using X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy to tackle this problem and to monitor dissolved copper in oil, which can have a major impact on the dielectric properties of insulating oil. Initially calibration curves for sulphur and copper demonstrate the XRF?s limits of quantitation. Subsequently, a laboratory scale sample preparation procedure is developed to demonstrate that corrosive sulphur depletion trends may indirectly monitor copper sulphide formation. To confirm depleting sulphur species are corroding copper samples are analysed with Energy Dispersive XRay spectroscopy. Finally XRF demonstrates that corrosive oil has a low impact on the long term concentration of copper in oil. An XRF condition monitoring technique feasibility study is conducted and recommendations are given in how to implement it in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We observe interaction-induced broadening of the two-photon 5s-18s transition in 87Rb atoms trapped in a 3D optical lattice. The measured linewidth increases by nearly 2 orders of magnitude with increasing atomic density and excitation strength, with corresponding suppression of resonant scattering and enhancement of off-resonant scattering. We attribute the increased linewidth to resonant dipole-dipole interactions of 18s atoms with blackbody induced population in nearby np states. Over a range of initial atomic densities and excitation strengths, the transition width is described by a single function of the steady-state density of Rydberg atoms, and the observed resonant excitation rate corresponds to that of a two-level system with the measured, rather than natural, linewidth. The broadening mechanism observed here is likely to have negative implications for many proposals with coherently interacting Rydberg atoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: A key step in pollen formation is the segregation of the products of male meiosis into a tetrad of microspores, each of which develops into a pollen grain. Separation of microspores does not occur in tetraspore (tes) mutants of Arabidopsis thaliana, owing to the failure of male meiotic cytokinesis. tes mutants thus generate large ‘tetraspores’ containing all the products of a single meiosis. Here, we report the positional cloning of the TES locus and details of the role played by the TES product in male cytokinesis. The predicted TES protein includes an N-terminal domain homologous to kinesin motors and a C-terminus with little similarity to other proteins except for a small number of plant kinesins. These include the Arabidopsis HINKEL protein and NACK1 and two from tobacco (Nishihama et al ., 2002), which are involved in microtubule organization during mitotic cytokinesis. Immunocytochemistry shows that the characteristic radial arrays of microtubules associated with male meiotic cytokinesis fail to form in tes mutants. The TES protein therefore is likely to function as a microtubule-associated motor, playing a part either in the formation of the radial arrays that establish spore domains following meiosis, or in maintaining their stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To review reports on the use and effects of traditional intravaginal substances and practices.Method: The medical and social science literature of the past 50 years regarding use and effects of traditional intravaginal substances and practices is reviewed.Results: Traditional intravaginal practices have been described in 11 countries of sub-Saharan Africa, and also in Qatar, Indonesia, Thailand, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and the United States. Women's reasons for the practices include personal hygiene, disease prevention or treatment, and enhancement of sexual experience. Few studies document damage to the vaginal epithelium or changes in vaginal flora due to these practices. No prospective studies link these practices to disease transmission.Conclusion: The determination of how these practices affect disease transmission will require precise definition of independent variables, which is difficult because of the diversity of the practices. It is appropriate to search for intervening variables; specifically, the effects on the vaginal pH, flora, and epithelium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We demonstrate the absence of a dc Stark shift in an ytterbium optical lattice clock. Stray electric fields are suppressed through the introduction of an in-vacuum Faraday shield. Still, the effectiveness of the shielding must be experimentally assessed. Such diagnostics are accomplished by applying high voltage to six electrodes, which are grounded in normal operation to form part of the Faraday shield. Our measurements place a constraint on the dc Stark shift at the 10-20 level, in units of the clock frequency. Moreover, we discuss a potential source of error in strategies to precisely measure or cancel nonzero dc Stark shifts, attributed to field gradients coupled with the finite spatial extent of the lattice-trapped atoms. With this consideration, we find that Faraday shielding, complemented with experimental validation, provides both a practically appealing and effective solution to the problem of dc Stark shifts in optical lattice clocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]