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Introduction It is important to understand the correlates of different dietary behaviors in a military context in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to guide intervention development to prevent and treat obesity as it has a significant impact at the country and regional level. This study aimed to assess different dietary behaviors and their association with potential correlates including age, marital status, educational level, smoking status, screen time, dietary knowledge, eating self-efficacy, and general self-efficacy. Materials and Methods The study used a cross-sectional design and included 153 (M  = 25.9 years, SD   = ± 3.2) military recruits completing their basic training at a single military camp in the UAE. Dietary behaviors of these recruits were measured using the Arab Teens Lifestyle Study. Other potential correlates included dietary knowledge, general self-efficacy, and eating efficacy. The ethical approval was obtained from the research ethics committee in the UAE university. Results Daily intake of fruits, vegetables, and breakfast was reported by 14.4%, 25.5%, and 22.9% of the military recruits, respectively. Almost half of the recruits (46.4%) consumed sugar-sweetened drinks more than 3 times a week, 39.2% consumed fast food more than 3 times a week, and 37.3% consumed sweets/chocolates more than 3 times a week. Bivariate regression analyses revealed that eating self-efficacy was positively associated with breakfast and dairy food consumption, although it was inversely associated with sugar, fast-food, and French fries intake. Age was significantly and inversely associated with sugar, fast-food, and energy drink intake. Moreover, nutrition knowledge was significantly and positively correlated with vegetable intake and negatively correlated with energy drink consumption. Multiple regressions showed that lower age and lower eating self-efficacy were found to be the main predictors for sugar-sweetened drinks (adjusted R 2   = 0.112) and fast-food intake (adjusted R 2   = 0.084). Also, a higher dietary knowledge score was a predictor of vegetable intake (adjusted R 2   = 0.093), although age and smoking predict energy drink intake (adjusted R 2   = 0.225). Conclusions The results show that unhealthy eating patterns are common among new recruits in the UAE military. The study suggests that age, eating self-efficacy, and nutrition knowledge are the main correlates of selected dietary behaviors. Interventions are advised to target these correlates to achieve healthier dietary habits inside the military. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Fatigue is a distressing complaint with high detriment to quality of life that persists in one third of colorectal cancer survivors after cancer treatment. Surprisingly, the contribution of poor sleep quality to fatigue in colorectal cancer survivors is underinvestigated. We aimed to investigate the association between sleep quality and fatigue in colorectal cancer survivors up until two years post-treatment. Results showed worse sleep quality in colorectal cancer patients was associated with higher levels of fatigue during the first two years post-treatment. The results of this study suggest that more attention for sleep quality in colorectal cancer survivors and offering sleep health interventions may lead to less fatigue and better quality of life in this group. Fatigue is a distressing complaint with high detriment to quality of life that persists in one-third of colorectal cancer survivors after cancer treatment. Previous studies in mixed groups of cancer patients have suggested sleep quality is associated with fatigue. We aimed to investigate this association in colorectal cancer survivors up until two years post-treatment. Data on n = 388 stage I–III colorectal cancer patients were utilized from the EnCoRe study. Sleep quality and fatigue were measured at 6 weeks and 6, 12, and 24 months post-treatment. Sleep quality was measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (cross-sectional analysis only) and the single-item insomnia scale from the EORTC QLQ-C30. Fatigue was measured by the Checklist Individual Strength. Linear and mixed-model regression analyses analysed associations between sleep quality and fatigue cross-sectionally and longitudinally. Longitudinal analysis revealed worsening sleep quality over time was significantly associated with increased levels of fatigue over time (β per 0.5 SD increase in the EORTC-insomnia score = 2.56, 95% Cl: 1.91, 3.22). Significant cross-sectional associations were observed between worse sleep quality and higher levels of fatigue at all time points. Worse sleep quality in colorectal cancer patients was associated with higher levels of fatigue during the first two years post-treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to provide the first estimate of sleep knowledge, practices, and attitudes regarding paediatric sleep in Australian health professionals.Methods: 263 Australian health professionals (medical practitioners, nurses, psychologists, social workers, occupational therapists, pharmacists, dentists and sleep coaches) completed an anonymous survey.Results: Clients with sleep disorders were commonly encountered by health professionals, yet professionals reported little time spent on clinical training in sleep medicine at the undergraduate (∼1-5 hrs) or postgraduate (∼0.5-3.5 hrs) level. Health professionals reported seeking continuing professional development (CPD) in sleep (∼6+ hrs), and CPD had the most influence on health professionals' practice, relative to other sources of information. Over half of health professionals (∼56-58%) reported that they were not trained in sleep measurement (i.e., sleep diaries and questionnaires), or how to take a sleep history. On average, professionals answered less than half (44.5%) of paediatric sleep knowledge questions correctly (M = 13.35, SD = 6.03). Approximately one third of health professionals reported not routinely screening for sleep disorders in paediatric patients and many did not routinely recommend evidence based treatments. The impact and importance of paediatric sleep was well recognised, but sleep was considered less important than a healthy diet and exercise.Conclusions: Results from the current study highlight key knowledge gaps regarding paediatric sleep across a wide range of Australian health professions, and may inform future efforts to reform clinical sleep medicine training in Australia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigates the structure, chain orientation and properties in thin films of aromatic polyimides with various chain rigidities. Synthesis of high temperature polyimides through the polycondensation of p-phenylene diamine with five different aromatic dianhydrides; Excellent orientation and high ordering of chain; Coherence length along the chain axis.

Discusses a study which investigated the dielectric and thermal-expansion behaviors of the anisotropic properties of high-temperature polyimide thin films. Indication of wide-angle X-ray diffraction results; Materials that act as insulators in microelectronic devices; Characteristics of polyimides.

Combining peginterferon-alfa-2a (peg IFN) with a nucleotide analogue can result in higher rates of HBsAg loss than either therapy given alone. Here, we investigated the durability of the response to combination therapy in chronic hepatitis B ( CHB) patients after 5 years of follow-up. In the initial study, 92 CHB patients (44 HBeAg-positive, 48 HBeAg-negative) with HBV DNA >100 000 c/ mL (~20 000 IU/ mL) and active hepatitis were treated for 48 weeks with peg IFN 180 μg/week and 10 mg adefovir dipivoxil daily. For the long-term follow-up (LTFU) study, patients were followed up for 5 years after the end of treatment. At year 5, 70 (32 HBeAg-positive, 38 HBeAg-negative) patients remained in the study. At year 5, 19% (6/32) of HBeAg-positive patients and 16% (6/38) of HBeAg-negative patients lost HBsAg, and no HBsAg seroreversion was observed. The 5-year cumulative Kaplan-Meier estimate for HBsAg loss was 17.2% for HBeAg-positive patients and 19.3% for HBeAg-negative patients. Fourteen of sixteen patients who lost HBsAg at any time point during follow-up developed anti- HBs antibodies (>10 IU/L). At year 5, in total 63% (20/32) of HBeAg-positive and 71% (27/38) of HBeAg-negative patients were retreated with nucleos(t)ide analogues during follow-up. The cumulative Kaplan-Meier estimate for retreatment was 60% of patients at year 5. At year 5 of follow-up, 18% of CHB patients treated with peg IFN/nucleotide analogue combination therapy had durable HBsAg loss and 88% of these had developed anti- HBs antibodies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Micro RNA-122 (miR-122) is an important host factor for hepatitis C virus replication. Administration of miravirsen, an anti-miR-122 oligonucleotide, resulted in a dose dependent and prolonged decrease in HCV RNA levels in chronic hepatitis C patients. Aim To assess the plasma level of various mi RNAs in patients dosed with miravirsen. Methods We included 16 of 36 chronic hepatitis C patients who received five injections of either 3 mg/kg ( n = 4), 5 mg/kg ( n = 4), 7 mg/kg ( n = 4) miravirsen or placebo ( n = 4) over a 4-week period in a double-blind, randomised phase 2a study. Plasma levels of 179 mi RNAs were determined by qPCR and compared between patients dosed with miravirsen or placebo. Results Median plasma miR-122 level at baseline in patients receiving miravirsen was 3.9 × 103 compared to 1.3 × 104 copies/4 μL in placebo-dosed patients ( P = 0.68). At week 1, 4, 6 and 10/12, patients dosed with miravirsen had respectively a median 72-fold, 174-fold, 1109-fold and 552-fold lower expression of miR-122 than at baseline ( P = 0.001, as compared to patients receiving placebo). At week 4 of dosing, mi RNA-profiling demonstrated a significant lower expression of miR-210 and miR-532-5p compared to baseline (3.0 and 4.7-fold lower respectively). However, subsequent longitudinal analysis showed no significant differences in miR-210 and miR-532-5p plasma levels throughout the study period. Conclusions We demonstrated a substantial and prolonged decrease in plasma miR-122 levels in patients dosed with miravirsen. Plasma levels of other mi RNAs were not significantly affected by antagonising miR-122. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radioablation or stereotactic arrhythmia radiotherapy is a promising new last-resort treatment modality for patients with recurrent ventricular tachycardia (VT) who are considered therapy refractory. Experience with radioablation is steadily growing worldwide as result of promising efficacy and safety results. Prospective trials are needed to confirm these results. The STARNL-1 study was designed to prospectively evaluate the efficacy and safety of cardiac radioablation in patients with therapy-refractory ventricular tachycardia. The prospective STARNL-1 trial is a single-arm, pre-post, intervention study. In 6 patients, the pro-arrhythmic cardiac region was identified and treated with a single stereotactic radiotherapy fraction of 25 Gy. Patients who were considered therapy-refractory, with recurrences after (multiple) VT ablations and high doses of class 1-3 anti-arrhythmic drugs, were included. For this analysis, the number of treated VT-episodes 6-months before and after treatment, excluding events in the 6-week blanking period, were compared. Safety analysis included evaluation of (serious) adverse events, echocardiography and lung function tests. All six patients (6/6, 100%) included in the STARNL-1 trail completed the 6-month follow-up. All patients were male (age range 55-83 years) and had an ischemic cardiomyopathy (median ejection fraction: 38% [range 24-52]. The median planning target volume was 187ml (range 93-372.2) and radiation beam-on times were all below 7 minutes. There were no significant alterations in hs-Troponin-T as a marker for myocardial injury comparing baseline (2-3h before treatment) to 3h (+9.7% [-2.3;31.1], p=0.34), 12h (+13.3 [-2.1;17.8], p=0.22) and 24h (+8.0% [9.8;53.3], p=0.40) post-treatment. The median number of treated VT episodes significantly reduced from 24 (range: 6-107) in the 6 months before treatment to 3 (range 0-15) after treatment, p=0.028. The median reduction percentage was 88.0% (range 85-100%). No serious treatment related adverse events occurred during follow-up. Comparing 3 months after treatment with baseline, the median change in ejection fraction was +12% (range: -27 to +33) and the median reduction in 1 second forced expiratory volume (FEV1) and diffusion capacity (DLCO) were both below <15%. The results of the prospective STARNL-1 evaluating cardiac radioablation for therapy-refractory VT patients are very promising with regards to efficacy and safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background 'An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure' is a common saying, and indeed, most health economic studies conclude that people are more willing to pay for preventive measures than for treatment activities. This may be because most health economic studies ask respondents to compare preventive measures with treatment, and thus prompt respondents to consider other uses of resources. However, psychological theorizing suggests that, when methods do not challenge subjects to consider other uses of resources, curative treatment is favored over prevention. Could it be that while prevention is praised, cure is preferred? Methods In two experimental studies, we investigated, from a psychological perspective and using a between-subjects design, whether prevention or treatment is preferred and why. In both studies, participants first read a lung cancer prevention or treatment intervention scenario that varied on the prevention-treatment dimension, but that were the same on factors like 'costs per saved life' and kind of disease. Then participants completed a survey measuring appreciation (general and monetary) as well as a number of potential mediating variables. Results Both studies clearly demonstrated that, when the design was between-subjects, participants had greater (general and monetary) appreciation for treatment interventions than for preventive interventions with perceived urgency of the intervention quite consistently mediating this effect. Differences in appreciation of treatment over preventive treatment were shown to be .59 (Study 1) and .45 (Study 2) on a 5-point scale. Furthermore, participants thought that health insurance should compensate more for the treatment than for preventive measures, differences of 16% (Study 1), and 22% (Study 2). When participants were asked to directly compare both interventions on the basis of a short description, they preferred the preventive intervention. Conclusion It appears that people claim to prefer prevention when they are asked to consider other use of resources, but otherwise they prefer treatment. This preference is related to perceived urgency. The preference for treatment may be related to the prevention-treatment dimension itself, but also to variations on other dimensions that are inherently linked to prevention and treatment (like different efficacy rates and costs per treatment). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Governments around the world try to stimulate the development and use of renewable energy technologies, like wind energy. While wind turbines are increasingly being implemented, however, a lack of social acceptance at the local level remains an important challenge for developers of wind power plants. This article aims to explore the relative importance of social and institutional conditions and their interdependencies in the operational process of planning wind power schemes. The article not only focuses on how negative local social conditions can frustrate public policy (cf. NIMBY syndrome), but also on how positive local social conditions can compensate for a negative public policy framework. We analyzed the cases of implementing wind power of two actors (the regional energy distributor and small private investors) in the municipality of Zeewolde, the Netherlands. Both cases illustrate that the formal institutional framework (formal rules, procedures and instruments) is neutral in a certain sense. Social conditions – management styles, interests and informal contacts – put meaning in this framework. The way stakeholders deal with the prevailing institutional structure clarifies social acceptance and therewith implementation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Health risk judgments are not merely based on risk statistics but also on the ease with which hypothetical events are imagined. We explored the effects of scenario information as opposed to frequency information on susceptibility perceptions regarding Chlamydia and HIV. Results showed that participants felt more susceptible to Chlamydia after reading frequency information. Scenario information only seemed to affect feelings of susceptibility in participants with no intimate relationship. No effects on perceived susceptibility for HIV were found. Results are discussed in terms of severity of the disease and defensive reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective:To establish health-related reasons behind Canadian food choices, and how variables such as education, income, gender, ethnicity and age may affect food selection.Subjects:Approximately 98 733 Canadians responded to the 12 questions regarding food choices in the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) cycle 2.1, conducted by the Canadian Government in 2003. These included 13 727 adolescents (12–19 years), 19 089 young adults (20–34 years), 31 039 middle-aged adults (35–54 years), 25 338 older adults (55–74 years) and 9580 elderly (75+ years).Results:Approximately 70% of Canadian adolescents in the sample indicated that their food choices were independent of health concerns. Body weight management was a major concern for food selection by adolescents and adults, while the elderly stated heart disease as their main concern. Among all participants, females, and individuals with high levels of education and income reported the highest response to choosing or avoiding foods due to health concerns and food content.Conclusions:Our data indicate that several factors significantly affect food choices for health-related reasons in the Canadian population. Among them, age- and gender-related gaps, particularly between adolescents and adults, are profound. This observation may urge authorities to implement effective strategies to educate Canadians, especially adolescents, that selection of appropriate foods may prevent chronic diseases.European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2008) 62, 1255–1262; doi:10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602863; published online 1 August 2007 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new, short, and easily administered Risk Propensity Scale (RPS) is introduced that measures general risk-taking tendencies. This paper investigates the reliability and discriminant validity of the RPS. The RPS provided scores that yielded a good internal reliability coefficient and adequate test–retest reliability, and the scores correlated moderately to well with those of the Everyday Risk Inventory and the short Sensation-Seeking Scale. The correlation with the scores from other scales (Need for Cognition scale, Need for Structure scale, and 2 self-esteem scales) was low to moderate, indicating good discriminant validity. The findings are discussed in relation to risk-perception research using gambling experiments and in relation to their usefulness for risky decision-making research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The surface state of polycrystalline zinc glutarate (ZnGA) catalyst and its catalytic adsorption of carbon dioxide (CO2) and propylene oxide (PO) were investigated by using near edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy. The outermost layer of ZnGA catalyst was found to contain more hydrocarbon units (i.e., glutarate ligand component) than the inner layers. The ZnGA catalyst was found to reversibly react with CO2 and to readily react with PO via adsorption onto the catalyst surface and insertion into the Zn&z.sbnd;O bond. Experiments in which the catalyst was treated with CO2 followed by PO and vice versa showed that each of these components can replace the other component on the catalyst surface. This reversible adsorption and insertion of CO2 and PO on the ZnGA surface provides a clue to the mechanism underlying the production of alternating poly(propylene carbonate) in the ZnGA-catalyzed copolymerization of CO2 and PO. However, in comparison to CO2, PO was more easily adsorbed onto the ZnGA catalyst and inserted into the Zn&z.sbnd;O bond. As a consequence, PO significantly modified the catalyst surface. This suggests that the ZnGA-catalyzed copolymerization is initiated by PO rather than CO2. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Ree MH, Timmerman MF, Wesselink PR. An evaluation of the usefulness of two endodontic case assessment forms by general dentists. International Endodontic Journal , 36 , 545–555, 2003. --> Aim  To evaluate the use of two forms to assess the risks and difficulty of root‐canal treatment. Methodology  Two criterion‐based forms, containing 15 and 16 items, respectively, were distributed to 83 general dentists to evaluate the potential difficulty of root‐canal treatment. The participants were asked to assess the difficulty of 15 endodontic cases using the Dutch Endodontic Treatment Index (DETI) and the Endodontic Treatment Classification (ETC) forms. A questionnaire was also provided to evaluate the time needed to complete the two forms, their ease of use, the clarity and/or appropriateness of the criteria and any other comments. The outcomes of the assessment were compared with the assessment of each case as carried out by the authors. Results  The response rate was 53%. The DETI was an easy and rapid way to differentiate between uncomplicated and complicated cases. In 13 of the 15 cases, 88–100% of the dentists scored the cases in agreement with the authors. Use of the ETC form was more complicated, as a result of the larger number of variables. However, most respondents recognized the complicated cases, and 91% found the ETC form valuable to help in assessing the difficulty of endodontic cases. Conclusions  These two forms may help general practitioners to assess the difficulty of endodontic problems and to decide whether to treat the case or to refer it to a specialist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractAimThe purpose of this case report is to stress the importance of taking a proper history and the appropriate evaluation of diagnostic tests in order to prevent incorrect diagnosis and treatment. Moreover, the management of postoperative problems in a healthcare system in which specialists take on specific parts of the treatment is discussed. SummaryThis article describes the diagnosis and treatment of an unsuspected flare-up 1 week after root canal treatment. The swelling and pain appeared to be associated with an accidentally embedded piece of impression material. General practitioners and specialists should be aware of alternate treatment plans and treatment procedures and take these into consideration whenever there is a postoperative problem to be solved. Key learning points•Impression materials can cause a foreign body reaction when embedded in the soft tissues. •History taking and evaluation of diagnostic tests are of paramount importance in order to prevent incorrect diagnosis and treatment. •Both general practitioners and specialists have the responsibility to evaluate patients with a broad vision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research about risk perception has paid little attention to the fact that people can usually actively seek information about risks with which they are confronted. We hypothesized that (a) risk avoiders would search information more elaborately than would risk takers; (b) accountability should lead participants to search for information more elaborately; (c) risk avoiders would be more susceptible to the accountability manipulation than would risk takers; and (d) risk takers focus more on positive information, and risk avoiders focus more on negative information. Both a person's risk-taking tendency and being held accountable affected information-search depth, but no interactions were found. Nor did we find support for the idea that risk avoiders and risk takers focus on negative and positive information, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research evaluates the role of social value orientations (i.e., preferences for distribution of outcomes for the self and others) in decisions as how to commute. It was proposed that the commuting situation could be viewed either as an environmental issue, reflecting the decision structure of an N-person Prisoner's Dilemma, or as an accessibility problem, reflecting the decision structure of an N-person Chicken Dilemma. On the basis of interdependence theory (Kelley & Thibaut, 1978) it was predicted that people who are primarily concerned with the collective welfare--prosocial individuals--would prefer commuting by public transportation when other commuters were expected to go by public transportation. On the other hand, it was hypothesized that people who are primarily concerned with their own well-being--proself individuals--would prefer commuting by public transportation when others were expected to go by car. The obtained findings were consistent with these expectations. Practical and theoretical implications regarding the link between social value orientations and environmentally relevant behavior will be discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: 'An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure' is a common saying, and indeed, most health economic studies conclude that people are more willing to pay for preventive measures than for treatment activities. This may be because most health economic studies ask respondents to compare preventive measures with treatment, and thus prompt respondents to consider other uses of resources. However, psychological theorizing suggests that, when methods do not challenge subjects to consider other uses of resources, curative treatment is favored over prevention. Could it be that while prevention is praised, cure is preferred?Methods: In two experimental studies, we investigated, from a psychological perspective and using a between-subjects design, whether prevention or treatment is preferred and why. In both studies, participants first read a lung cancer prevention or treatment intervention scenario that varied on the prevention-treatment dimension, but that were the same on factors like 'costs per saved life' and kind of disease. Then participants completed a survey measuring appreciation (general and monetary) as well as a number of potential mediating variables.Results: Both studies clearly demonstrated that, when the design was between-subjects, participants had greater (general and monetary) appreciation for treatment interventions than for preventive interventions with perceived urgency of the intervention quite consistently mediating this effect. Differences in appreciation of treatment over preventive treatment were shown to be .59 (Study 1) and .45 (Study 2) on a 5-point scale. Furthermore, participants thought that health insurance should compensate more for the treatment than for preventive measures, differences of 16% (Study 1), and 22% (Study 2). When participants were asked to directly compare both interventions on the basis of a short description, they preferred the preventive intervention.Conclusion: It appears that people claim to prefer prevention when they are asked to consider other use of resources, but otherwise they prefer treatment. This preference is related to perceived urgency. The preference for treatment may be related to the prevention-treatment dimension itself, but also to variations on other dimensions that are inherently linked to prevention and treatment (like different efficacy rates and costs per treatment). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Ree MH, Timmerman MF, Wesselink PR. Factors influencing referral for specialist endodontic treatment amongst a group of Dutch general practitioners. International Endodontic Journal , 36 , 129–134, 2003. Aim To analyse the need for endodontic referral amongst a group of Dutch general practitioners and to examine the current referral patterns and factors influencing the decision to refer. Methodology A questionnaire was designed to investigate the perceived need for endodontic referral, the factors that influenced the decision process, the specialist to whom the case was referred and the frequency of referring. The questionnaires were distributed amongst 500 dentists attending a scientific meeting of the Netherlands Society for Endodontology (NVvE) and to 83 members of 10 study groups responding to a request in a newsletter. These groups were chosen to represent those dentists who possessed a similar degree of general dental knowledge and were acquainted with the requirements that endodontic treatment should meet. Results The response rate was 41%. Of the respondents, 93% felt the need to refer cases to specialists. The majority of dentists preferred to refer to an endodontist rather than an oral surgeon. The major factors considered to be important or very important (37 and 54%, respectively) for endodontic referral were the presence of an obstruction in the canal, followed by the presence of a perforation or resorption (43 and 34%, respectively) and persistent signs and/or symptoms (39 and 32%, respectively). NVvE members referred significantly less to oral surgeons than nonmembers. Conclusions Amongst a group of Dutch general practitioners there is a substantial perceived need for referring endodontic cases to specialists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The efficacy of a tailored, web-based intervention communicating the risks of sexually transmitted infections (STI) for heterosexual young adults was examined in a randomised, controlled trial. The main aims of the relationship-oriented intervention were to influence risk perceptions and to promote (maintenance of) condom use and STI-testing among young adults who reported being recently engaged in a heterosexual relationship. The intervention addressed risk perceptions, attitudes, normative beliefs, self-efficacy and skills related to condom use and STI-testing. Outcomes were compared immediately after the intervention (N = 171) and 3 months later (N = 115) to a non-tailored intervention group and to a control group. Cognitive and behavioural outcomes showed that the tailored intervention was efficacious in influencing perceived susceptibility to STI and STI-testing intentions immediately after the intervention, and in reducing rates of unprotected sex at 3 months. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The simulation heuristic of Kahnemann and Tversky (1982) suggests that the subjective ease by which a risky situation can be mentally construed, positively influences the person's perceived susceptibility to the presented threat. Assuming that a detailed outline of how a risky event can end up negatively increases the ease of imagination, we tested the hypothesis that scenario-based risk information enhances perceived susceptibility towards contracting a sexually transmitted infection (STI). In an experimental design, undergraduate students were exposed to one or two risk scenario messages or no scenario message (control). The results confirmed the hypothesis, but only when more than one risk scenario message was provided. This adds to the evidence that presenting scenario-based messages could be a feasible method to influence risk perceptions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review briefs on the main directions in the field of mathematical modeling of metabolic processes aimed at a rational design of genetically modified organisms. The class of generalized Hill functions is described, and their application to modeling of nonlinear processes in Escherichia coli metabolic systems is illustrated by several examples. A model for the pyrimidine biosynthesis in E. coli, taking into account the nonlinear effects of a negative allosteric regulation of enzyme activities involved in the control of the subsequent stages by the end products of synthesis, is considered. It has been shown that the model displays its own continuous oscillation mode of functioning with a period of approximately 50 min, which is close to the duration of E. coli cell cycle. The need in considering the nonlinear effects in the models as essential elements in the function of metabolic systems far from equilibrium is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This position statement represents a consensus of an expert committee convened by the European Society of Endodontology (ESE) on the endodontic management of traumatized permanent teeth. A recent comprehensive review with detailed background information provides the basis for this position statement (Krastl et al. 2021, International Endodontic Journal, https://doi.org/10.1111/iej.13508). The statement is based on current scientific evidence as well as the expertise of the committee. Complementing the recently revised guidelines of the International Association of Dental Traumatology, this position statement aims to provide clinical guidance for the choice of the appropriate endodontic approach for traumatized permanent teeth. Given the dynamic nature of research in this area, this position statement will be updated at appropriate intervals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pulp plays a key role in the treatment of traumatic dental injuries (TDIs) and is strongly associated with the outcome, particularly in severe cases. A correct pulp diagnosis is essential as it forms the basis for developing the appropriate management strategy. However, many TDIs are complex, and their treatment requires a profound knowledge of the physiological and pathological responses of the affected tissues. This comprehensive review will look at the dentine–pulp complex and its interaction with the surrounding tissues following TDIs. The literature up to 2020 was reviewed based on several searches on PubMed and the Cochrane Library using relevant terms. In addition to the recently revised guidelines of the International Association of Dental Traumatology, this article aims to provide background information with a focus on endodontic aspects and to gather evidence on which a clinician can make decisions on the choice of the appropriate endodontic approach for traumatized permanent teeth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the current field experiment we evaluate a structural solution to a real-life social dilemma by examining the effects of a carpool priority lane on judgments and preferences concerning the decision to commute by carpool (i.e., the presumed cooperative option) or driving alone (i.e., the presumed non-cooperative option). Our general hypothesis was that this intervention would evoke a process of self-justification in solo drivers, arising from feelings of relative deprivation and/or cognitive dissonance. Consistent with predictions, we found that in comparison with judgments made before the implementation of the carpool lane, solo drivers tended to decrease the importance of an attribute inherently linked to carpooling (i.e., low travel costs) and to increase the importance of an attribute inherently linked to driving alone (i.e., flexibility). Moreover, solo drivers exhibited a weaker preference for carpooling after the establishment of the carpool lane. This finding suggests that the negative side effects of this structural measure were more pronounced than the intended carpool-promoting effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current paper analyses judgements regarding the decision to commute by car versus public transportation in terms of a conflict between immediate self interest and long-term collective interest (i.e. social dilemma). Extending traditional formulations of rational choice theory, the present study revealed that preferences for public transportation (i.e. the presumed cooperative option) in a standard commuting situation were enhanced not only by the belief that public transportation provided a shorter avenge travel time than car (i.e. the presumed noncooperative option), but also by the belief that public transportation was at least as reliable (i.e. an equal or lower variability in travel time compared to car). Moreover, paralleling prior research on experimental social dilemmas, preferences were found to be affected by a pro-social concern--the belief regarding the impact of cars on the level of environmental pollution. Our findings indicated that any combination of two such considerations (i.e. travel time, variability, and impact of cars on pollution) was more effective in promoting public transportation preferences than the sum of their separate effects. Finally, we obtained evidence that commuter preferences were also shaped by individual differences in social value orientations (i.e. preferences for patterns of outcomes for self and others) in that, relative to pro-self commuters, pro-social commuters exhibited greater preference for public transportation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current research advances a social dilemma analysis of commuting, examining the roles of preexisting personality differences in social value orientation (i.e., prosocial vs. proself orientation) and trust (i.e., a general belief in the honesty and cooperative intentions of others) in determining preferences for collectively desirable commuting options: preferences for commuting by public transportation (Study 1) and carpooling (Study 2). Consistent with predictions, both studies revealed that, relative to preferences of prosocials, preferences of proselfs were more strongly associated with beliefs about the relative efficiency of cars (i.e., an outcome affecting personal well-being). Also, greater preferences for collectively desirable actions were observed among prosocials with high trust--relative to prosocials with low trust and proselfs with high or low trust--providing support for the claim that 2 conditions (i.e., prosocial goals and trust in others) must be met to obtain collectively desirable commuting preferences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A resistive switching memory device was fabricated using poly(o-anthranilic acid) (PARA) film. The device has a metal/PARA/metal sandwich-like structure. When the device is biased with voltage beyond a critical value, it suddenly switches from a high resistive state to a low resistive state, with a difference in injection current of more than three orders of magnitude. By controlling the injection current level, it was possible to achieve non-volatile memory behaviour. The devices possess a prolonged retention time of 3×103 s after switching. The conduction mechanism in the off-state implies that the resistive switching of the device can be explained in terms of filament theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated bioadhesion (bacterial and cell adhesion) and biocompatibility of poly(tetrafluoroethylene-co-perfluoro-3,6-dioxa-4-methyl-7-octenesulfonic acid) (Nafion™) and compared the results with those obtained with poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVFHFP). When incubated with bacteria for 4 h to 7 days, Nafion film exhibited scarce bacterial adhesion at 6 h, after which the adhesion gradually increasing to relatively low levels. In contrast, significant bacterial adhesion to PVFHFP film was observed at 4 h, and much higher adhesion levels were shown thereafter. Although HEp-2 human cells adhered normally to both films, reaching confluence in 7–8 days, the cells adhered to Nafion appeared more lively and stable than those to PVFHFP. Subcutaneous implantation in mice revealed that Nafion elicited a mild acute inflammatory reaction without chronic inflammation or tissue necrosis, indicating excellent biocompatibility in mice. PVFHFP, however, provoked a moderate and prolonged acute inflammatory response. These differences in the biological characteristics of Nafion and PVFHFP films may be attributable to the differences in the chemical and physical natures of these polymer films. Nafion film provided a sufficiently solid support, expressing a high surface charge density and good water-wettability. In summary, Nafion is suitable for use in biomedical applications that require biocompatibility with a reduced possibility of post-operative infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Sodium bicarbonate has been suggested as a possible strategy for prevention of contrast medium-induced nephropathy, a common cause of renal failure associated with prolonged hospitalization, increased health care costs, and substantial morbidity and mortality.Objective: To determine if sodium bicarbonate is superior to sodium chloride for preventing contrast medium-induced nephropathy in patients with moderate to severe chronic kidney dysfunction who are undergoing coronary angiography.Design, Setting, and Patients: Randomized, controlled, single-blind study conducted between January 2, 2006, and January 31, 2007, and enrolling 353 patients with stable renal disease who were undergoing coronary angiography at a single US center. Included patients were 18 years or older and had an estimated glomerular filtration rate of 60 mL/min per 1.73 m(2) or less and 1 or more of diabetes mellitus, history of congestive heart failure, hypertension, or age older than 75 years.Interventions: Patients were randomized to receive either sodium chloride (n = 178) or sodium bicarbonate (n = 175) administered at the same rate (3 mL/kg for 1 hour before coronary angiography, decreased to 1.5 mL/kg per hour during the procedure and for 4 hours after the completion of the procedure).Main Outcome Measure: The primary end point was a 25% or greater decrease in the estimated glomerular filtration rate on days 1 through 4 after contrast exposure.Results: Median patient age was 71 (interquartile range, 65-76) years, and 45% had diabetes mellitus. The groups were well matched for baseline characteristics. The primary end point was met in 13.3% of the sodium bicarbonate group and 14.6% of the sodium chloride group (relative risk, 0.94; 95% confidence interval, 0.55-1.60; P = .82). In patients randomized to receive sodium bicarbonate vs sodium chloride, the rates of death, dialysis, myocardial infarction, and cerebrovascular events did not differ significantly at 30 days (1.7% vs 1.7%, 0.6% vs 1.1%, 0.6% vs 0%, and 0% vs 2.2%, respectively) or at 30 days to 6 months (0.6% vs 2.3%, 0.6% vs 1.1%, 0.6% vs 2.3%, and 0.6% vs 1.7%, respectively) (P > .10 for all).Conclusion: The results of this study do not suggest that hydration with sodium bicarbonate is superior to hydration with sodium chloride for the prevention of contrast medium-induced nephropathy in patients with moderate to severe chronic kidney disease who are undergoing coronary angiography.Trial Registration: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00312117. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silver nanoparticles (SNPs), which were stabilized with various alkylthiols, were studied in detail with synchrotron small angle X-ray scattering, UV-Vis spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). UV spectra of SNPs capped with various alkylthiols showed the characteristic surface plasmon bands at ∼ 450 nm. However, the spectral shapes of SNPs with relatively short butanethiols became weaker and asymmetrically broader in the longer wavelength region. Their nanostructures were deliberately characterized by small angle X-ray scattering analysis based on a hard sphere model and TEM results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Porous materials are potential candidates for applications in various fields, such as bionanotechnology, gas separation, catalysts and micro-electronics. In particular, their applications in bionanotechnology include biosensors, biomedical implants and microdevices, biosupporters, bio-encapsules, biomolecule separations and biomedical therapy. All these bionanotechnology applications utilise the shape, size and size distribution of pores in porous materials. Therefore the controlled creation of pores with desired shape, size and size distribution is most important in the development of nanoporous materials. Accordingly, the accurate evaluation of pore structure is necessary in the development of nanoporous materials and their applications. This article reviews recent developments in analytical techniques to characterise the pore structures of nanoporous materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Severe haemolysis is a rare, but potentially life-threatening, complication of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in immunocompetent adults. Treatment with steroids or immunoglobulins, or even splenectomy, may be justified when an autoimmune mechanism can be identified as the cause of the anaemia. Described here is the case of a previously healthy patient who presented with severe haemolytic anaemia following CMV infection. The patient’s haemoglobin level fell to 5.1 g/dl while extensive testing for an autoimmune mechanism remained negative. The patient made a slow but full recovery without additional medication or blood transfusions. This case demonstrates that severe haemolytic anaemia following CMV infection is possible even when presently available tests fail to show autoimmune positivity. In immunocompetent subjects a wait and see policy, with supportive care when necessary, is likely to be justified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanoscaled films of poly(methylsilsesquioxane-co-ethylenylsilsesquioxane) (PMSSQ–BTMSE) and polymethylsilsesquioxane (PMSSQ) were prepared from the respective soluble prepolymers, and their thermal, optical, and dielectric properties were characterized. The PMSSQ–BTMSE nanofilm containing an ethylenyl bridge comonomer unit BTMSE was found to be thermally more stable than the nanofilm of PMSSQ, a representative polyalkylsilsesquioxane. Further, in comparison to the PMSSQ film the PMSSQ–BTMSE film exhibits a larger refractive index and a larger dielectric constant but a smaller out-of-plane thermal expansion coefficient, when both prepolymers are cured under the same conditions. These characteristics of PMSSQ–BTMSE films are due to the ethylenyl bridge provided by the BTMSE comonomer unit, which promotes the formation of a tighter, more perfect network structure in cured PMSSQ–BTMSE films. Composite films were prepared by solution-blending the pore generator (referred to as the porogen), a star-shaped poly(&epsiv;-caprolactone), with the soluble prepolymers then drying the resulting solution, and the nature of their curing reactions and extent of porogen calcination were investigated. It was found that the thermal curing and calcination processes of the composite films successfully produce PMSSQ–BTMSE and PMSSQ films containing pores that are about 400 nm in diameter. It was confirmed that the presence of these generated nanopores significantly reduces the refractive indices and the dielectric constants of the dielectric films but increases their out-of-plane thermal expansivity, depending on the initial porogen loading. The porosities of the nanoporous dielectric films were estimated from the measured refractive indices. The surface topographies of these films were also investigated, giving information about the sizes of the pores generated in the films. It was also found that prior to calcination the presence of the porogen increases the refractive index and dielectric constant of the composite dielectric films because of its inherent high polarizability, and also increases the thermal expansivity of MSSQ–BTMSE composite films but very slightly decreases the thermal expansivity of MSSQ composite films. It is demonstrated that PMSSQ–BTMSE films and the related nanometer scale nanoporous films are candidates for use as low and ultra-low dielectric interlayers in the fabrication of advanced microelectronic devices. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Time-resolved small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) measurements were carried out for PET and its copolymers undergoing isothermal crystallization. Wide-angle X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetric measurements were also performed. Our data analysis of the SAXS results for PET and the copolymers clearly demonstrate that the one layer thickness l1 (derived directly from the correlation functions of the measured SAXS profiles) is the lamellar crystal thickness dc, not the amorphous layer thickness da. The observed dc values are found to be always smaller than da, regardless of polymer composition. dc is highly dependent on the crystallization temperature, showing that the degree of supercooling is the major factor determining the thickness of lamellar crystals. No thickening, however, occurs in isothermal crystallizations. The kinked isophthalate units in the copolymer are found to be mostly excluded from the lamellar crystals during the crystallization process, leading to an increase of the amorphous layer thickness. Moreover, the kinked, rigid nature of the isophthalate unit was found to restrict crystal growth along the chain axis of the copolymers and also to lower their crystallinity. Unlike dc, da decreases with crystallization time, causing a reduction of the long period in the lamellar stack. This drop in da is interpreted in this paper by taking into account several factors that could influence crystallization behavior: the da distribution in the lamellar stacks and its variation with time, the number of lamellae in the lamellar stacks and their effect on the SAXS profile, and the relaxation of polymer chains in the amorphous layers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The effects of lamination temperature on the properties of poly(ethylene terephthalate-coisophthalate) (co-PET), such as thermal, mechanical, and barrier properties, have been investigated in co-PET laminated steel. The variation of the degree of crystallinity and the orientation of the co-PET film during the lamination process was examined using DSC, X-ray diffraction, and birefringence, and water vapor permeability was also measured with varying lamination temperature. Both the degree of crystallinity and the orientation of the co-PET film decreased and water vapor permeability increased with increasing lamination temperature. The stress-strain curves of the co-PET films were different, depending on the lamination temperature. The stress in the co-PET film laminated at higher temperature was lower at a given strain, due to the increase of the amorphous region. The effects of annealing temperature and the extent of drawing on the residual stress in co-PET/tin-free steel (TFS) joints were investigated by examining the stress relaxation behavior of co-PET. It was necessary to heat co-PET/TFS joints at more than 150°C in order to eliminate the residual stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The adhesion strength between poly(ethylene terephthalate-co-isophthalate) (co-PET) and tin-free steel (TFS) was investigated by varying the lamination temperature using a blister test. As the lamination temperature increased, the adhesion strength increased rapidly at the beginning and then saturated. The main reason for the increase of adhesion with the lamination temperature was an improved degree of wetting. This was manifested by the fact that the variation in the degree of wetting was very similar to that of the adhesion strength. The degree of wetting was dependent on the melt viscosity of co-PET. The results of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and rheometrics dynamic spectrometry (RDS) showed that the high extent of the crystalline phase increased remarkably the melt viscosity of co-PET, leading to incomplete wetting. When the co-PET/TFS joint was immersed in hydrochloric acid solution, the pattern of the front penetration line and the rate of penetration of hydrochloric acid solution into the co-PET/TFS interface were different, depending on the lamination temperature and the direction of penetration. The wet adhesion strength was found to increase with increasing lamination temperature because the size of voids at the co-PET/TFS interface resulting from incomplete wetting decreased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Hyperekplexia is predominantly caused by mutations in the a-1 subunit of the inhibitory glycine receptor (GLRA1). Three quarters of cases show autosomal-recessive inheritance. Methods We carefully ascertained reports of ethnicity from our hyperekplexia research cohort. These were compared with all published cases of hyperekplexia with an identified genetic cause. Ethnicities were subgrouped as Caucasian, Asian, Arabic, Turkish, Jewish or Afro-American. Results We report the ethnicity of 90 cases: 56 cases from our service augmented by 34 cases from the literature. Homozygous deletions of exons 1 to 7 are predominantly seen in people with Turkish backgrounds (n=16/17, p<0.001). In contrast, the dominant point mutation R271 is seen in people of Asian, Caucasian and African-American heritage (n= 19) but not in people with Arab or Turkish ethnicities (p<0.001). Conclusions Self-declared ethnicity can predict genescreening outcomes. Cultural practices influence the inheritance patterns and a Caucasian founder is postulated for R271 mutations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]