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The preparation and characterisation of a resazurin-based photocatalyst activity indicator label is described. The label is applied to a number of different TiO 2 -based, photocatalytic materials, including self-cleaning: glass, tile, paint and awning materials, as well as a thin, sol-gel film, produced in-house. In all cases, the label exhibited a blue to pink colour transition upon irradiation with UV light. In most cases, the time taken to bleach 90% of the red component of the digital image of the ink, ttb(90) , was twice that for a traditional Rz ink, produced by the drawdown method, since the former was twice as thick. Although not as fast as a drawdown Rz ink, by a factor of ca. Two, it still only takes minutes to change and the Rz label is much more easily used, stored and does not need the sample to be: very smooth, horizontal or flat. As such it appears ideal for testing samples, both quantitatively and qualitatively in situ , i.e. in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel, hydrogel-supported photocatalyst activity indicator, Hpaii , is presented, based on an agar gel containing the pH indicator dye propyl red (PR), and the photoacid generator, diphenyliodonium nitrate (DPIN). The latter is broken down when the film is on an active photocatalytic film, and the acid released protonates the PR, turning the gel from a yellow colour to a red. Initially tested on a TiO 2 sol-gel film, the Hpaii is also shown to be effective in indicating the activity of several different commercially available photocatalytic surfaces, including: glass, tiles and paint. This is the first example of a water-based photocatalyst activity indicator ink based on monitoring a photocatalytic process via the change in pH induced in the indicator films, as revealed by the pH-indicator, propyl red. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel, colorimetric, temperature-activated humidity indicator is presented, with a colour change based on the semi-reversible aggregation of thiazine dyes (esp. methylene blue, MB) encapsulated within the polymer, hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC). The initially purple MB/HPC film is activated by heat treatment at 370 °C for 4 s, at which point the film (with a colour associated with that of a highly aggregated form of MB; λ max = 530 nm) becomes blue (indicating the presence of monomeric and dimeric MB; i.e . with λ max = 665; 605 nm respectively). The blue, heat-treated MB/HPC films respond to an ambient environment with a relative humidity (RH) exceeding 70% at 21 °C within seconds, returning to their initial purple colour. This colour change is irreversible until the film is heat-treated once more. When exposed to a lower RH of up to ca. 47%, the film is stable in its blue form. In contrast, a MB/HPC film treated only at 220 °C for 15 s also turns a blue colour and responds in the same way to a RH value of ca. 70%, but it is unstable at moderate RH 37–50% values, so that it gradually returns to its purple form over a period of approximately 6 h. The possible use of the high heat-treated MB/HPC humidity indicator in the packaging of goods that cannot tolerate high RH, such as dry foods and electronics, is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The novel time-temperature indicator label comprises an ammonia sensitive indicator layer film pressed onto a second film, comprising an ammonia-generating, adhesive layer. When separated the blue-coloured indicator film reverts back to its original (ammonia free) yellow form at a controllable, temperature dependant rate. The labels are easily made and stored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prevalence of overweight and obesity among African American women is a problem of significance, and one, which demands investigation through scientific research. The purpose of this study was to determine the weight management; behaviors among African American female college students. A descriptive correlational study was conducted to answer this question. The results revealed that at least fifty percent (50%) of these students exhibited behavior that could lead to obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arrays of bottom-mounted passive acoustic recorders were used to continuously record the sounds of bowhead whales migrating past Point Barrow, Alaska for a period of 105 days in April-July 2011, spanning the duration of the visual census. Recorders were deployed in a roughly linear array configuration near the edge of the shorefast ice bordering the open lead. The recorded acoustic data were analysed from 156 sample periods comprising a total of 331 hours coincident with the visual census. Bowhead sounds in the sample periods were found by manual inspection of multi-channel sound spectrograms of the array recordings. Source locations for bowhead sounds that were received on three or more sensors within the array were calculated using a robust localisation algorithm. Very high levels of bowhead acoustic activity were observed in comparison to recording efforts undertaken during past censuses, including high rates of singing and call sequences. A total of 22,426 bowhead sounds yielded 15,647 reliable locations. Of these, 6,944 were within the rectangular aperture zone directly in front of the array and therefore used in the calculation of a new population estimate. This paper summarises one of three critical component of the research program leading to the 2011 estimate of abundance of Givens et al. (2016) and is therefore a cornerstone of the scientific basis for IWC Scientific Committee advice for this whale stock. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Electroless black nickel–phosphorus plating is an advanced electroless nickel plating process formulated to deposit a black finish when processed through an oxidizing acid solution. Heat treatment, five types of top organic coating techniques and one conversion coating technique with three different experimental conditions were investigated to stabilize the black film and increase the hardness and corrosion resistance. Morphology and compositions of electroless nickel–phosphorous films with or without heat treatment, with five types of top organic coatings, and with three conversion coatings were compared to examine nickel, phosphorus, oxygen, carbon, silicon and chrome contents on the corrosion resistance of black surfaces by energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis and scanning electron microscope. Corrosion resistance of black electroless nickel–phosphorus coatings with or without heat treatment, with five types of top organic coatings, and with three conversion coatings was investigated by the polarization measurements and the salt spray test in 5% NaCl solution, respectively. HydroLac as the top organic coating from MacDermid showed the excellent corrosion resistance and the black EN film did not lose the black color after 48h salt spray test. Electrotarnil B process with 0.5 ASD for 1min stabilized the black Ni–P film immediately and increased the hardness and corrosion performance of the black Ni–P film. The black Ni–P coating with Electroarnil B process passed the 5% NaCl salt spray test for 3000h in the black color and had a minimal corrosion current 0.8547μA/cm2 by the polarization measurement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study Design: Multicenter analysis of 2 groups of patients surgically treated for Lenke 5C adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Objective: Compare patients with Lenke 5C scoliosis surgically treated with anterior spinal fusion with dual rod instrumentation and anterior column support with patients surgically treated with posterior release and pedicle screw instrumentation. Summary Of Background Data: Treatment of single, structural, lumbar, and thoracolumbar curves in patients with AIS has been the subject of some debate. Advocates of the anterior approach assert that their technique spares posterior musculature and may save distal fusion levels, and that with dual rods and anterior column support the issues with nonunion and kyphosis have been obviated. Advocates of the posterior approach assert that with the change to posterior pedicle screw based instrumentation that correction and levels are equivalent, and the posterior approach avoids the issues with nonunion and kyphosis. This report directly compares the results of posterior versus anterior instrumented fusions in the operative treatment of adolescent idiopathic Lenke 5C curves. Methods: We analyzed 62 patients with Lenke 5C based on radiographic and clinical data at 2 institutions: 31 patients treated with posterior, pedicle-screw instrumented fusions at 1 institution (group PSF); and 31 patients with anterior, dual-rod instrumented fusions at another institution (group ASF). Multiple clinical and radiographic parameters were evaluated and compared. Results: The mean age, preoperative major curve magnitude, and preoperative lowest instrumented vertebral (LIV) tilt were similar in both groups (age: PSF = 15.5 years, ASF = 15.6 years; curve size: PSF = 50.3 degrees +/- 7.0 degrees , ASF = 49.0 degrees +/- 6.6 degrees ; LIV tilt: PSF = 27.5 degrees +/- 6.5 degrees , ASF = 27.8 degrees +/- 6.2 degrees ). After surgery, the major curve corrected to an average of 6.3 degrees +/- 3.2 degrees (87.6% +/- 5.8%) in the PSF group, compared with 12.1 degrees +/- 7.4 degrees (75.7% +/- 14.8%) in the ASF group (P < 0.01). At final follow-up, the major curve measured 8.0 degrees +/- 3.0 degrees (84.2% +/- 5.8% correction) in the PSF group, compared with 15.9 degrees +/- 9.0 degrees (66.6% +/- 17.9%) in the ASF group (P = 0.01). This represented a loss of correction of 1.7 degrees +/- 1.9 degrees (3.4% +/- 3.7%) in the PSF group, and 3.8 degrees +/- 4.2 degrees (9.4% +/- 10.7%) in the ASF group (P = 0.028). The LIV tilt decreased to 4.1 degrees +/- 3.4 degrees after surgery in the PSF group, and 4.5 degrees +/- 3.7 degrees in the ASF group. At final follow-up, the LIV tilt was 5.1 degrees +/- 3.5 degrees in the PSF group, and 4.5 degrees +/- 3.7 degrees in the ASF group. EBL was identical in both groups, and length of hospital stay was significantly (P < 0.01) shorter in the PSF group (4.8 vs. 6.1 days). There were no complications in either group which extended hospital stay or required an unplanned second surgery. Conclusion: At a minimum of 2-year follow-up, adolescents with Lenke 5C curves demonstrated statistically significantly better curve correction, less loss of correction over time, and shorter hospital stays when treated with a posterior release with pedicle screw instrumented fusion compared with an anterior instrumented fusion with dual rods for similar patient populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera, is an insect pest of corn and population suppression with chemical insecticides is an important management tool. Traits conferring organophosphate insecticide resistance have increased in frequency amongst D. v. virgifera populations, resulting in the reduced efficacy in many corn-growing regions of the USA. We used comparative functional genomic and quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping approaches to investigate the genetic basis of D. v. virgifera resistance to the organophosphate methyl-parathion. RNA from adult methyl-parathion resistant and susceptible adults was hybridized to 8331 microarray probes. The results predicted that 11 transcripts were significantly up-regulated in resistant phenotypes, with the most significant (fold increases ≥ 2.43) being an α-esterase-like transcript. Differential expression was validated only for the α-esterase (ST020027A20C03), with 11- to 13-fold greater expression in methyl-parathion resistant adults (P<0.05). Progeny with a segregating methylparathion resistance trait were obtained from a reciprocal backcross design. QTL analyses of high-throughput single nucleotide polymorphism genotype data predicted involvement of a single genome interval. These data suggest that a specific carboyxesterase may function in field-evolved corn rootworm resistance to organophosphates, even though direct linkage between the QTL and this locus could not be established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics (PK) of BMS-986001 as a single oral dose in healthy male subjects. Sixty-four healthy male subjects were randomized to receive a single dose of BMS-986001 or placebo in this single-blind, placebo-controlled, sequential ascending-dose study. There were eight treatment groups (10, 30, 100, 300, 600, and 900 mg fed; and 100 and 300 mg fasted) of eight subjects each (BMS-986001 n = 6/placebo n = 2). BMS-986001 was well tolerated, with no serious adverse events (AEs), deaths, or discontinuations due to AEs reported. AEs were experienced by 14.6% of subjects receiving BMS-986001; however, these did not appear to be dose related and were not considered to be related to study drug. BMS-986001 was rapidly absorbed and exhibited a linear dose-exposure relationship across the dose range studied. PK appeared similar whether administered with or without food. Administration of BMS-986001 as a single dose was generally safe and well tolerated. A linear dose-exposure relationship was seen across all doses studied, with no apparent food effect. Further clinical development is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]