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The Ozone Mapping and Profiler Suite (OMPS) has been on board the Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (S-NPP) satellite since October 2011 and was followed by an OMPS on NOAA-20 (N20) in November 2017 as part of the US Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS) program. The OMPS measurements are processed to yield various products of atmospheric composition data for near-real-time monitoring and offline study, including retrievals of total column ozone (TCO) and an ultraviolet-absorbing aerosol index (AI) based on the version-8 total ozone (V8TOZ) algorithm. With the implementation of changes to employ a broadband channel approach in the NOAA OMPS V8TOZ, the retrieved TCO and AI products have become more stable and consistent between S-NPP and N20. Two particular regions have been chosen for building soft-calibration adjustments for both OMPS S-NPP and N20, which force the V8TOZ retrievals to be in quite good agreement from both sensors with little change by season. However, bias analysis shows that some noticeable errors and differences still exist after soft-calibration, and those errors appear to be quite persistently associated with solar zenith angle (SZA) and satellite viewing angle (SVA) in the retrievals of TCO and AI for both OMPS S-NPP and N20. Comparisons of TCO and AI from NOAA OMPS retrievals with other products such as those from the Tropospheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) and the Earth Polychromatic Imaging Camera (EPIC) show that, although the sensor, algorithm, and solar spectra are different among them, the overall retrievals from those products are quite similar and consistent.

The long-term record of Umkehr measurements from four NOAA Dobson spectrophotometers was reprocessed after updates to the instrument calibration procedures. In addition, a new data quality-control tool was developed for the Dobson automation software (WinDobson). This paper presents a comparison of Dobson Umkehr ozone profiles from NOAA ozone network stations – Boulder, the Haute-Provence Observatory (OHP), the Mauna Loa Observatory (MLO), Lauder – against several satellite records, including Aura Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS; ver. 4.2), and combined solar backscatter ultraviolet (SBUV) and Ozone Mapping and Profiler Suite (OMPS) records (NASA aggregated and NOAA cohesive datasets). A subset of satellite data is selected to match Dobson Umkehr observations at each station spatially (distance less than 200 km) and temporally (within 24 h). Umkehr Averaging kernels (AKs) are applied to vertically smooth all overpass satellite profiles prior to comparisons. The station Umkehr record consists of several instrumental records, which have different optical characterizations, and thus instrument-specific stray light contributes to the data processing errors and creates step changes in the record. This work evaluates the overall quality of Umkehr long-term measurements at NOAA ground-based stations and assesses the impact of the instrumental changes on the stability of the Umkehr ozone profile record. This paper describes a method designed to correct biases and discontinuities in the retrieved Umkehr profile that originate from the Dobson calibration process, repair, or optical realignment of the instrument. The Modern-Era Retrospective analysis for Research and Applications version 2 (MERRA-2) Global Modeling Initiative (M2GMI) and NASA Global Modeling Initiative chemistry transport model (GMI CTM) ozone profile model output matched to station location and date of observation is used to evaluate instrumental step changes in the Umkehr record. Homogenization of the Umkehr record and discussion of the apparent stray light error in retrieved ozone profiles are the focus of this paper. Homogenization of ground-based records is of great importance for studies of long-term ozone trends and climate change.

From the trend in modern medicine toward the study of genes and their contribution to the development of disease has evolved an increased awareness of ‘the diversity of genetic fingerprints among individuals’ [1]. The incorporation of this knowledge into the technologies of the pharmaceutical industry has led to the emerging field of ‘pharmacogenomics’; that is, the process of identifying the differences in genetic sequences between individuals and developing therapies [2] as ‘personal medicines’ [3]. For example, a drug used as a muscle relaxant during surgery, suxamethonium, was found to be lethal to patients who possessed a rare version of a gene involved in nerve transmission so that now those who receive this drug are tested for this specific gene [4]. Although pharmacogenomics promises great possibilities for the future of medicine, it does involve ethical and legal considerations that must be considered. Indeed, potential misuses of genetic information, such as discrimination in obtaining health insurance and in the workplace, need to be addressed. Genetic testing practices remain more advanced than the national and international laws governing the appropriate use of genetics. Although there is no national law in the United States that specifically addresses DNA and genetic privacy, several federal regulations would apply indirectly to the protection of this information and state legislators have successfully passed numerous state laws. Professional associations and private organizations have issued several guidelines for genetic testing practices. The purpose of this report is to provide a picture of the legal and ethical ramifications of genetic testing in clinical research. The genetic testing issue is presented herein in the categories of national, international, and state laws, policies, regulations and guidelines. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study provides transcriptomic characterization of the cells of the crista ampullaris, sensory structures at the base of the semicircular canals that are critical for vestibular function. We performed single-cell RNA-seq on ampullae microdissected from E16, E18, P3, and P7 mice. Cluster analysis identified the hair cells, support cells and glia of the crista as well as dark cells and other nonsensory epithelial cells of the ampulla, mesenchymal cells, vascular cells, macrophages, and melanocytes. Cluster-specific expression of genes predicted their spatially restricted domains of gene expression in the crista and ampulla. Analysis of cellular proportions across developmental time showed dynamics in cellular composition. The new cell types revealed by single-cell RNA-seq could be important for understanding crista function and the markers identified in this study will enable the examination of their dynamics during development and disease.

Renal ischemia reperfusion (IR) injury leads to significant patient morbidity and mortality, and its amelioration is an urgent unmet clinical need. Succinate accumulates during ischemia and its oxidation by the mitochondrial enzyme succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) drives the ROS production that underlies IR injury. Consequently, compounds that inhibit SDH may have therapeutic potential against renal IR injury. Among these, the competitive SDH inhibitor malonate, administered as a cell-permeable malonate ester prodrug, has shown promise in models of cardiac IR injury, but the efficacy of malonate ester prodrugs against renal IR injury have not been investigated. Here we show that succinate accumulates during ischemia in mouse, pig and human models of renal IR injury, and that its rapid oxidation by SDH upon reperfusion drives IR injury. We then show that the malonate ester prodrug, dimethyl malonate (DMM), can ameliorate renal IR injury when administered at reperfusion but not prior to ischemia in the mouse. Finally, we show that another malonate ester prodrug, diacetoxymethyl malonate (MAM), is more potent than DMM because of its faster esterase hydrolysis. Our data show that the mitochondrial mechanisms of renal IR injury are conserved in the mouse, pig and human and that inhibition of SDH by ‘tuned’ malonate ester prodrugs, such as MAM, is a promising therapeutic strategy in the treatment of clinical renal IR injury.

Introduction: Early childhood caries (ECC), dental cavities in children younger than 6 years, is common, consequential, and inequitably concentrated among socially disadvantaged children. The World Health Organization and authoritative clinical and public health agencies promote 4 chronic disease management (CDM) approaches that are low-cost and can be delivered in home and community sites: pharmacologic, behavioral, monitoring, and minimally invasive dentistry (MID). The extent of adoption of these approaches among US pediatric dentists is unknown., Methods: From November 2021 through July 2023, trained research staff members administered and videorecorded via Zoom a semistructured survey on ECC management to 1,639 clinically active pediatric dentists in the US, including 170 thought leaders (organizational and academic leaders). Data collected included treatment approaches, time allocated to counseling, and personal, practice, and patient population characteristics., Results: The survey response rate was 27.7%. Among CDM approaches, 88.7% cited pharmacologic approaches, 43.4% behavioral, 41.1% monitoring, and 39.3% MID approaches. MID was significantly associated with thought leaders and with more recent graduates engaged as associates in larger practices or in safety-net settings serving high volumes of low-income children and children with a history of caries. We noted fewer significant associations between other CDM approaches and the characteristics of dentists, practices, and populations served. CDM was not associated with the race or ethnicity of dentists or patients, the numbers of ancillary personnel in practice, or dental management organizations. One-third (32.4%) of respondents reported scheduling 5 or fewer minutes for counseling on caries., Conclusion: Except for pharmacologic treatments and despite professional guidelines, CDM approaches are underused. We posit that CDM approaches hold strong promise to enhance oral health equity as value-based care arrangements expand in dentistry.

Objectives: To examine inequalities in birth before arrival (BBA) at hospitals in South West England, understand which groups are most likely to experience BBA and how this relates to hypothermia and outcomes (phase A). To investigate opportunities to improve temperature management advice given by emergency medical services (EMS) call-handlers during emergency calls regarding BBA in the UK (phase B)., Design: A two-phase multimethod study. Phase A analysed anonymised data from hospital neonatal records between January 2018 and January 2021. Phase B analysed anonymised EMS call transcripts, followed by focus groups with National Health Service (NHS) staff and patients., Setting: Six Hospital Trusts in South West England and two EMS providers (ambulance services) in South West and North East England., Participants: 18 multidisciplinary NHS staff and 22 members of the public who had experienced BBA in the UK., Results: 35% (64/184) of babies conveyed to hospital were hypothermic on arrival. When compared with national data on all births in the South West, we found higher percentages of women with documented safeguarding concerns at booking, previous live births and 'late bookers' (booking their pregnancy >13 weeks gestation). These women may, therefore, be more likely to experience BBA. Preterm babies, babies to first-time mothers and babies born to mothers with disability or safeguarding concerns at booking were more likely to be hypothermic following BBA. Five main themes emerged from qualitative data on call-handler advice: (1) importance placed on neonatal temperature; (2) advice on where the baby should be placed following birth; (3) advice on how to keep the baby warm; (4) timing of temperature management advice and (5) clarity and priority of instructions., Conclusions: Findings identified factors associated with BBA and neonatal hypothermia following BBA. Improvements to EMS call-handler advice could reduce the number of babies arriving at hospital hypothermic., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2024. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Background: Birth before arrival at hospital (BBA) is associated with unfavourable perinatal outcomes and increased mortality. An important risk factor for mortality following BBA is hypothermia, and emergency medical services (EMS) providers are well placed to provide warming strategies. However, research from the UK suggests that EMS providers (paramedics) do not routinely record neonatal temperature following BBA. This study aimed to determine the proportion of cases in which neonatal temperature is documented by paramedics attending BBAs in the South West of England and to explore the barriers to temperature measurement by paramedics., Methods: A two-phase multi-method study. Phase I involved an analysis of anonymised data from electronic patient care records between 1 February 2017 and 31 January 2020 in a single UK ambulance service, to determine 1) the frequency of BBAs attended and 2) the percentage of these births where a neonatal temperature was recorded, and what proportion of these were hypothermic. Phase II involved interviews with 20 operational paramedics from the same ambulance service, to explore their experiences of, and barriers and facilitators to, neonatal temperature measurement and management following BBA., Results: There were 1582 'normal deliveries' attended by paramedics within the date range. Neonatal temperatures were recorded in 43/1582 (2.7%) instances, of which 72% were below 36.5°C. Data from interviews suggested several barriers and potential facilitators to paramedic measurement of neonatal temperature. Barriers included unavailable or unsuitable equipment, prioritisation of other care activities, lack of exposure to births, and uncertainty regarding responsibilities and roles. Possible facilitators included better equipment, physical prompts, and training and awareness-raising around the importance of temperature measurement., Conclusions: This study demonstrates a lack of neonatal temperature measurement by paramedics in the South West following BBA, and highlights barriers and facilitators that could serve as a basis for developing an intervention to improve neonatal temperature measurement., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2022. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Iguanas are the most endangered family of reptiles, with 77% categorised as threatened or near threatened. Further, Cyclura is the most endangered reptile genus, with all 12 species considered threatened. Therefore, it is vital that we develop assisted reproductive technologies for Cyclura spp. to enhance their conservation efforts. The goals of this study were to collect semen, and to measure testicle size and testosterone concentrations in Grand Cayman rock iguana hybrids (Cyclura lewisi ×nubila (CLN)) and rhinoceros rock iguanas (Cyclura cornuta (CC)). A prospective longitudinal study was performed in 9.0 CLN and 9.0 CC during their reproductive season in southern Florida (February-July). Serial testicle ultrasound measurements and plasma testosterone concentrations were collected monthly. Testicle measurements (length (L), width (W), height (H)) were collected and testicle volume (V ) was estimated using the equation V =0.52(LW 2 ). There were significant differences in testicle L, W, H and V for both species. Testicle size peaked for CLN and CC in April and May respectively. Plasma testosterone concentrations increased from baseline during February, March and April in CLN and in March, April and May in CC. Ultrasound testicle measurements could be used to predict when to collect semen in these seasonally monocyclic iguanas.

Biodiversity loss is the greatest environmental problem threatening ecosystem, animal, and human health. Anthropogenic induced changes to climate, habitat, disease, species distributions, poaching, and unsustainable trade have accelerated extinction rates in all vertebrates, including reptiles. Preventing reptile extinctions will require humans to acknowledge these losses and develop ex situ and in situ plans to preserve them. Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) are management tools used to protect numerous vertebrate taxa; however, progress in developing ART for reptiles has lagged. Creating functional and sustainable reptile ART will strengthen our conservation capacity by capturing genetic material from select individuals to overcome natural or manmade boundaries. Utilising short-term gamete storage and genome resource banking, in conjunction with timed artificial insemination (AI) or ex ovo incubation, could lead to profound advances in reptile conservation, mitigating the loss of reptile biodiversity. In this article, we review ART reptile research completed since the 1970s. Topics include AI, hormonal control of reproduction, gamete collection, gamete storage, and genome resource banking. Additionally, we review the potential application of advanced reproductive methodologies, including in vitro /ex ovo fertilisation, intracytoplasmic sperm injection, cloning (somatic cell nuclear transfer), and genetic editing.

Increased nutrient loading has led to eutrophication of coastal shelf waters which has resulted in increased prevalence of persistent hypoxic zones - areas in which the dissolved oxygen content of the water drops below 2 mg/L. The northern Gulf of Mexico, fed primarily by the Mississippi River watershed, undergoes annual establishment of one of the largest hypoxic zones in the world. Exposure to hypoxia can induce physiological impacts in fish cardiac systems that include bradycardia, changes in stroke volume, and altered cardiovascular vessel development. While these impacts have been addressed at the functional level, there is little information regarding the molecular basis for these changes. This study used transcriptomic analysis techniques to interrogate the effects of hypoxia exposure on the developing cardiovascular system in newly hatched larvae of two estuarine species that occupy the same ecological niche - the sheepshead minnow (Cyprinodon variegatus) and the Gulf killifish (Fundulus grandis). Results suggest that while differential gene expression is largely distinct between the two species, downstream impacts on pathways and functional responses such as reduced cardiac hypertrophy, modulation of blood pressure, and increased incidence of apoptosis appear to be conserved. Further, differences in the magnitude of these conserved responses may suggest that the length of embryonic development could impart a level of resiliency to hypoxic perturbation in early life stage fish., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Disasters cause significant human and monetary destruction and society as a whole is underprepared to address them. Disaster preparedness education is not covered extensively enough for health professionals or for the general public., Methods: A disaster preparedness education intervention was performed using a non-randomized controlled trial of a convenience sample with a pre- and post-intervention survey. The adapted Emergency Preparedness Information Questionnaire (EPIQ), a validated survey tool, was utilized. Participants came from a health professions educational enrichment program for students from under-resourced high schools in the Kansas City area., Results: The experimental group shows statistically significant improvement in knowledge of disaster topics post-intervention. Of 18 adapted EPIQ tool questions, 17 show statistically significant improvement in disaster knowledge post-intervention for the experimental group with significance set at p < .05 (range of significant p values .000-.017)., Conclusions: The education intervention was effective and cost-efficient. Disaster preparedness education should be included in THE secondary school curriculum., (© 2021 American School Health Association.)

Every mammalian tissue exhibits daily rhythms in gene expression to control the activation of tissue-specific processes at the most appropriate time of the day. Much of this rhythmic expression is thought to be driven cell autonomously by molecular circadian clocks present throughout the body. By manipulating the daily rhythm of food intake in the mouse, we here show that more than 70% of the cycling mouse liver transcriptome loses rhythmicity under arrhythmic feeding. Remarkably, core clock genes are not among the 70% of genes losing rhythmic expression, and their expression continues to exhibit normal oscillations in arrhythmically fed mice. Manipulation of rhythmic food intake also alters the timing of key signaling and metabolic pathways without altering the hepatic clock oscillations. Our findings thus demonstrate that systemic signals driven by rhythmic food intake significantly contribute to driving rhythms in liver gene expression and metabolic functions independently of the cell-autonomous hepatic clock., (Copyright © 2019 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Although secondary stress physiology of elasmobranchs is fairly well studied, gaps remain in our understanding of species differences, including stress recovery. We examined the physiological stress response to air exposure in Atlantic stingrays (Hypanus sabinus) using a serial sampling method requiring minimal handling. Many elasmobranch stress studies exclusively quantify glucose, although there is evidence that elasmobranchs are unusually reliant on ketone bodies. Therefore, we also tested the hypothesis that ketone bodies play a significant role in the elasmobranch stress response by examining plasma β-hydroxybutyrate. Plasma osmolality, urea, trimethylamine-N-oxide, and a suite of ions were also measured to characterize departures from homeostasis due to air exposure. H. sabinus were exposed to air for 30 min and serially sampled at 0, 15, and 30 min, as well as 48 h after the stressor to assess the extent of recovery. Blood lactate and acidosis increased significantly during the stressor and returned to basal levels by 48 h. Glucose values were significantly affected, with the highest values observed at 48 h, suggesting that animals were not fully recovered as initially indicated by other metrics. Average plasma β-hydroxybutyrate was unaffected by the stressor. This suggests that ketone bodies may not be a major fuel source used during acute stress, at least in the timeframe examined., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

For more than a century researchers have used enculturated animals-those extensively trained or reared by humans-to explore the effects of learning and environment on the capacities for linguistic abilities outside of the human line. Unfortunately, due to many controversies, the findings of these studies frequently have been dismissed or outright ignored. However, experimental exploration of the capacities of nonhumans is the only option to determine which, if any, language-associated capacities are unique to humans. Researchers continue to publish findings from language projects that move our understanding forward, including descriptions of capacities, such as gestural comprehension, declarative communication, and categorization, that are frequently considered to be specific biological adaptations.

Commercial fishers have used fish aggregating devices throughout the Mediterranean Sea for over 40 years. These devices attract numerous predatory and forage species in both coastal and offshore environments. This study examined the influence of fish aggregating devices on schooling and aggregating behaviour by small forage fish in quasi-natural mesocosms. Anti-predator behaviour was evaluated for juvenile Caranx crysos under a variety of treatment conditions. Results suggest that, in the absence of physical structure, C. crysos first respond to a predatory threat by forming a school. When a physical structure is present, however, C. crysos show an occasional tendency to aggregate near the structure. These results suggest that a threatened prey species can change their defensive strategy against predatory behaviour. Further examination is required to explain if fish aggregating devices can increase survival rates of post-larval and juvenile prey species in the southern Mediterranean Sea. Management agencies should consider the relationship between the use of fish aggregating devices by commercial fisheries and the potential influence such devices possess on population dynamics of aggregating fish species., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The South American gymnophthalmid genus Euspondylus is distributed from Venezuela through Peru, with its highest diversity occurring in Peru. Euspondylus paxcorpus sp. nov. is a new species from Junín, Peru possessing prefrontal scales and represented by 60 specimens. The new species differs from all other species by the combination of four supraoculars with supraocular/supraciliary fusion, 5-7 occipitals, a single palpebral scale, five supralabials and infralabials, quadrangular dorsal scales with low keels arranged in transverse series only, 40-45 in a longitudinal count and 22-28 in a transverse count, 12 rows of ventrals in a transverse count and 23-25 in a longitudinal count, and no sexual dimorphism in coloration. The discovery of E. paxcorpus increases the known number of Euspondylus species to 13. Because the coloration patterns of the specimens were greatly different after preservation in alcohol, caution should be used when identifying Euspondylus species from museum specimens.

Disease effects on host population dynamics and the transmission of pathogens between hosts are two important challenges for understanding how epizootics wax and wane and how disease influences host population dynamics. For the management of marine shellfish resources, marine diseases pose additional challenges in early intervention after the appearance of disease, management of the diseased population to limit a decline in host abundance, and application of measures to restrain that decline once it occurs. Mathematical models provide one approach for quantifying these effects and addressing the competing goals of managing the diseased population versus managing the disease. The majority of models for molluscan diseases fall into three categories distinguished by these competing goals. (1) Models that consider disease effects on the host population tend to focus on pathogen proliferation within the host. Many of the well-known molluscan diseases are pandemic, in that they routinely reach high prevalence rapidly over large geographic expanses, are characterized by transmission that does not depend upon a local source, and exert a significant influence on host population dynamics. Models focused on disease proliferation examine the influence of environmental change on host population metrics and provide a basis to better manage diseased stocks. Such models are readily adapted to questions of fishery management and habitat restoration. (2) Transmission models are designed to understand the mechanisms triggering epizootics, identify factors impeding epizootic development, and evaluate controls on the rate of disease spread over the host's range. Transmission models have been used extensively to study terrestrial diseases, yet little attention has been given to their potential for understanding the epidemiology of marine molluscan diseases. For management of diseases of wild stocks, transmission models open up a range of options, including the application of area management, manipulation of host abundance, and use of scavengers and filter feeders to limit the concentration of infective particles. (3) The details of host population processes and pathogen transmission dynamics are blended in models that evaluate the effects of natural selection and/or genetic modification in developing disease resistance in the host population. Application of gene-based models to marine diseases is only now beginning and represents a promising approach that may provide a mechanistic basis for managing marine diseases and their host populations. Overall disease models remain both uncommon and underutilized in addressing the needs for managing molluscan diseases and their host populations., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Pediatric loss of control (LOC) eating heightens risk for excessive weight gain and further disordered eating. Assessment of LOC typically involves self-report interview or laboratory test meal, although no study has concurrently examined data from both methods. We gathered eating episode data via interview (Child Eating Disorder Examination; ChEDE) and a laboratory test meal, among 22 overweight girls (aged 7-12 years) reporting LOC eating. Children consumed more energy during ChEDE episodes, although ChEDE and test meal episodes did not differ in macronutrient content. Episodes' correlation for amount consumed (grams) did not reach significance, p = .076. In exploratory analyses among the seven children reporting LOC during the test meal, episodes were significantly correlated for grams consumed. Findings provide preliminary data to suggest that semi-structured interviews accurately capture children's LOC episode quantity. Episodes did not qualitatively differ, although children reported consuming more energy during self-reported episodes. Replication is warranted in larger studies., (Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.)

Objective: Several previous studies have attempted to estimate the risk of noise-induced hearing loss from loud leisure noise. Some of these studies may have overestimated the risk because they used noise estimates taken from the higher end of reported levels. The aim of the present study was to provide a realistic estimate of the number of young Australian adults who may be at risk of hearing damage and eventual hearing loss from leisure-noise exposure., Design: Average noise levels at five high-noise leisure activities, (1) nightclubs; (2) pubs, bars, and registered clubs; (3) fitness classes; (4) live sporting events; (5) concerts and live music venues, were calculated using 108 measurements taken from a large database of leisure noise measurements. In addition, an online survey was administered to a convenience sample of 1000 young adults aged 18 to 35 years, who reported the time spent at these leisure activities and the frequency with which they undertook the activities. They also answered questions about tinnitus and their perceived risk of hearing damage. Although the survey data cannot be considered representative of the population of young Australian adults, it was weighted to this population in respect of age, gender, education, and location. The survey data and the average noise levels were used to estimate each individual's annual noise exposure, and in turn, estimate those at risk of hearing damage from leisure-noise exposure., Results: For the majority of participants (n = 868), the accumulated leisure noise level was within the acceptable workplace limit. However, 132 participants or 14.1% (population weighted) were exposed to an annual noise dose greater than the acceptable workplace noise limit. By far, the main source of high-risk leisure noise was from nightclubs. Those with more leisure-noise exposure experienced more tinnitus and perceived themselves to be more at risk than those with lower noise exposures., Conclusions: It is recommended that nightclub operators reduce noise levels, display warnings, and provide earplugs for patrons and employees. Health promoters should focus their attention on those young adults who are most at risk and provide them with targeted practical advice about reducing their leisure-noise exposure and avoiding hearing loss.

Issue Addressed: while it is difficult to promote the use of hearing protectors in noisy workplaces and leisure settings, some nightclub attendees choose to wear earplugs when exposed to loud music. This qualitative study investigated the perceptions of clubbers about the advantages and disadvantages of earplug use in nightclubs. Such first-hand information could potentially be used to educate non-wearers about the features of different earplug types, the experience of wearing earplugs and their relative merits., Methods: structured telephone interviews were conducted with 20 regular clubbers who wear different types of earplugs at nightclubs. Participants were asked about their experience of wearing earplugs and, in particular, what they perceive to be the advantages and disadvantages of earplugs., Results: participants' responses revealed that cheaper foam earplugs are considered less satisfactory than more expensive earplugs, which are relatively discreet and comfortable, facilitate communication with others, create minimal music distortion and, in some cases, improve music sound quality. In terms of effectiveness, all types of earplugs were considered beneficial in reducing the after-effects of loud music and providing hearing protection., Conclusions: the perceived advantages of earplugs, which are often not recognised by non-earplug wearers, should be communicated in order to encourage the use of earplugs among clubbers.

Nursing education in the US today is at crossroads. The profession has made great strides in gaining public respect and recognition for the work that nurses do. Nurses' voices are being heard in important political debates about revolutionary changes in the problematic US health care system. Advanced practice nurses are becoming valued providers of primary care to US citizens. It is innovative educational programs and educators that have provided the foundation to help nursing use its voice and to propel the profession forward. However, nurse educators are finding that they face major challenges in keeping nursing on track to be in the forefront of health care in the future. Some of these challenges include confronting nursing and faculty shortages, eliminating inconsistent and confusing educational choices, taking responsibility for mandates to stay on the cutting edge of quality initiatives, providing excellent clinical experiences for students and being willing to step out of old comfort zones to engage in designing imaginative and innovative ways to educate nurses in the future. Nurse educators must be successful in turning these challenges into opportunities if nursing is to command a key role in an evolving US health care system.

Microarray hybridization studies have attributed the nonlinearity of hybridization isotherms to probe saturation and post-hybridization washing. Both processes are thought to distort 'true' target abundance because immobilized probes are saturated with excess target and stringent washing removes loosely bound targets. Yet the paucity of studies aimed at understanding hybridization and dissociation makes it difficult to align physicochemical theory to microarray results. To fill the void, we first examined hybridization isotherms generated on different microarray platforms using a ribosomal RNA target and then investigated hybridization signals at equilibrium and after stringent wash. Hybridization signal at equilibrium was achieved by treating the microarray with isopropanol, which prevents nucleic acids from dissolving into solution. Our results suggest that (i) the shape of hybridization isotherms varied by microarray platform with some being hyperbolic or linear, and others following a power-law; (ii) at equilibrium, fluorescent signal of different probes hybridized to the same target were not similar even with excess of target and (iii) the amount of target removed by stringent washing depended upon the hybridization time, the probe sequence and the presence/absence of nonspecific targets. Possible physicochemical interpretations of the results and future studies are discussed.

The aspirin-clopidogrel combination is the current gold standard antiplatelet regimen following percutaneous coronary intervention and for the treatment of acute coronary syndrome. Despite the clinical benefit of this combination, patients continue to have vascular events. Another purinergic (P2Y(12)) receptor antagonist, prasugrel, became available last year. Although prasugrel is superior to clopidogrel in reducing clinical endpoints, a higher bleeding rate has been identified particularly in high-risk patients. Ticagrelor, a reversible P2Y(12) receptor antagonist currently being evaluated for approval, is also more potent than clopidogrel but has a similar bleeding risk. Two additional P2Y(12) antagonists are being investigated that will be available as an intravenous formulation. Apart from the P2Y(12) receptor antagonists, multiple other agents are being developed with unique mechanisms of platelet inhibition. These agents are being studied as an alternative to or in combination with clopidogrel. The antiplatelet agents currently under development include: thrombin receptor antagonists, phosphodiesterase inhibitors, a thromboxane-prostaglandin receptor antagonist, a serotonin receptor blocker, a platelet adhesion antagonist, nitric oxide-releasing aspirin, a glycoprotein VI antagonist, and a cyclooxygenase inhibitor. The purpose of this review is to describe the efficacy and safety profiles of the emerging antiplatelet agents and their role in the treatment of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases.

Converging evidence from neuroscience suggests that our attention to the outside world waxes and wanes over time. We examined whether these periods of "mind wandering" are associated with reduced cortical analysis of the external environment. Participants performed a sustained attention to response task in which they responded to frequent "nontargets" (digits 0-9) and withheld responses for infrequent "targets" (the letter X). Mind wandering was defined both behaviorally, indicated by a failure to withhold a response to a target, and subjectively, via self-report at a thought probe. The P300 event-related potential component for nontargets was reduced prior to both the behavioral and subjective reports of mind wandering, relative to periods of being "on-task." Regression analysis of P300 amplitude revealed significant common variance between behavioral and subjective markers of mind wandering, suggesting that both markers reflect a common underlying mental state. Finally, control analysis revealed that the effect of mind wandering on the P300 could not be ascribed to changes in motor activity nor was it associated with general arousal. Our data suggest that when trying to engage attention in a sustained manner, the mind will naturally ebb and flow in the depth of cognitive analysis it applies to events in the external environment.

Multilayer polymer films composed of a ruthenium terpyridine complex containing poly(p-phenylenevinylene) (Ru-PPV) and sulfonated polyaniline (SPAN) were prepared by a layer-by-layer electrostatic self-assembly deposition. The deposition process was carried out from SPAN solution in water and Ru-PPV in dimethylformamide (DMF). Optical-quality multilayer thin films were obtained. The film growth process was monitored by quartz crystal microbalance, and the surface morphology of the films was studied by atomic force microscopy. It was found that the properties of the multilayer films were dependent on deposition conditions such as the pH of the SPAN solution, the presence of salt in the polymer solutions, and the post-film-forming thermal annealing process. Cross-section transmission electron microscopic images suggested that there was no stratified structure formed in the multilayer films. Photovoltaic cells were fabricated by sandwiching the multilayer films between indium-tin-oxide and aluminum electrodes. The device performances were examined by illumination with AM 1.5 simulated solar light. The power conversion efficiencies of these devices were on the order of 10(-3)%. The maximum incident photon-to-electron conversion efficiency (IPCE) of the devices was found to be approximately 2% at 510 nm, which is consistent with the absorption maximum of the ruthenium complex. This indicates that the photosensitization process is due to the electronic excitation of the ruthenium complex.

The role of the pharmacist on the diabetes care team is expanding due to the increasing number of patients diagnosed with diabetes, limited health care dollars, and the education related to and required for patients by managed care organizations and insurance companies. In the past, training of patients in diabetes self-management skills has been inadequate, and this continues to be the case. Clinical pharmacists, in cooperation with physicians, have increased opportunities to provide education about medications and may include instructions for patients regarding the interaction of food consumed with changes in blood glucose levels. Because of monthly refills on prescribed medications, a patient's interaction with the pharmacist in the setting of a commercial pharmacy is more frequent than with any other member of the diabetes team. This contact offers an ideal educational opportunity. The action and efficacy of medications that affect the pancreas, hepatic glucose production, the utilization of glucose by muscle cells, and the absorption of glucose from the intestines are influenced directly by the meal plan. Nutritional guidelines, meal planning for the Type I and Type II patient, use of the exchange system, carbohydrate counting, artificial sweeteners, alcoholic beverages, and suggestions for guiding patients to establish eating habits that lead to improved diabetes control are important issues for every member of the diabetes team to address. The reinforcement of dietary principles may occur in the educational setting of the hospital or the clinic or within the commercial pharmacy setting. When the team presents accurate and current information, continuity of care and improved patient understanding are achieved.