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Background: This study assessed the initial feasibility and preliminary efficacy of providing children a free summer day camp and a parent intervention to improve self-regulation and mitigate accelerated summer BMI gain. Methods: This pilot 2x2 factorial randomized control trial used a mixed-methods design to evaluate providing children a free summer day camp (SCV), a parent intervention (PI), and the combination of these two strategies (SCV+PI) to mitigate accelerated summer body mass index (BMI) gain. Progression criteria for feasibility and efficacy were assessed to determine if a full-scale trial was warranted. Feasibility criteria included recruitment capability (≥80 participants recruited) retention (≥70% participants retained), compliance (≥80% of participants attending the summer program with children attending ≥60% of program days, and ≥80% of participants completing goal setting calls with ≥60% of weeks syncing their child's Fitbit), and treatment fidelity (≥80% of summer program days delivered for ≥9 h/day, and ≥80% of participant texts delivered). Efficacy criteria were assessed via achieving a clinically meaningful impact on zBMI (i.e., ≥0.15). Changes in BMI were estimated using intent-to-treat and post hoc dose-response analyses via multilevel mixed-effects regressions. Results: For recruitment, capability and retention progression criteria were met with a total of 89 families participating and 24 participants randomized to the PI group, 21 randomized to the SCV group, 23 randomized to the SCV+PI group, and 21 randomized to the control. However, fidelity and compliance progression criteria were not achieved due to COVID-19 and lack of transportation. Progression criteria for efficacy was also not achieved as intent-to-treat analyses did not show changes in BMI gain that were clinically meaningful. Post hoc dose-response analyses showed that for each day (0 to 29) of summer programming children attended they gained −0.009 (95CI= −0.018, −0.001) less in BMI z score. Conclusions: Engagement in both the SCV and PI was not ideal due to COVID-19 and lack of transportation. Providing children with structured summer programming to mitigate accelerated summer BMI gain may be an effective strategy. However, because feasibility and efficacy progression criteria were not met, a larger trial is not warranted until further pilot work is completed to ensure children attend the programming. Trial registration: The trial reported herein was prospectively registered at ClinicalTrials.gov. Trial #: NCT04608188. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Figure 1 depicts a body cell showing the cytoplasm, nucleus and chromosomes (23 pairs per nucleated cells), with an enlargement of one of the pairs of chromosomes to show the gene loci (the positions of the genes on the chromosomes). This results in an exchange of genes between the chromosomes, that is, a new assortment of genes on each chromosome, but no new genes. From DNA to blood groups Chromosomal locations of genes encoding blood group systems The specific positioning, i.e. assignment and sub-localisation to a specific human chromosome, of the genes encoding for blood group system expression are known and illustrated in Fig. Parts of the RHCE gene can join the RHD gene and parts of RHD gene can join the RHCE gene, generating new hybrid genes. [Extracted from the article]

Figure 1 depicts a body cell showing the cytoplasm, nucleus and chromosomes (23 pairs per nucleated cells), with an enlargement of one of the pairs of chromosomes to show the gene loci (the positions of the genes on the chromosomes). This results in an exchange of genes between the chromosomes, that is, a new assortment of genes on each chromosome, but no new genes. GLO:8W7P/01dec20:voxs12592-fig-0010.jpg PHOTO (COLOR): 10 Chromosomal locations of genes encoding blood group systems. gl Encoding of genes or gene families that have been ratified to particular blood group systems, by the International Society of Blood Transfusion, have been localized to single cytogenetic bands on 16 of the 22 autosomes (genes for 38 systems) or on the X chromosome (genes for 2 systems). Parts of the I RHCE i gene can join the I RHD i gene and parts of I RHD i gene can join the I RHCE i gene, generating new hybrid genes. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Objective measures of screen time are necessary to better understand the complex relationship between screen time and health outcomes. However, current objective measures of screen time (e.g., passive sensing applications) are limited in identifying the user of the mobile device, a critical limitation in children's screen time research where devices are often shared across a family. Behavioral biometrics, a technology that uses embedded sensors on modern mobile devices to continuously authenticate users, could be used to address this limitation. Objective: The purpose of this scoping review was to summarize the current state of behavioral biometric authentication and synthesize these findings within the scope of applying behavioral biometric technology to screen time measurement. Methods: We systematically searched five databases (Web of Science Core Collection, Inspec in Engineering Village, Applied Science & Technology Source, IEEE Xplore, PubMed), with the last search in September of 2022. Eligible studies were on the authentication of the user or the detection of demographic characteristics (age, gender) using built-in sensors on mobile devices (e.g., smartphone, tablet). Studies were required to use the following methods for authentication: motion behavior, touch, keystroke dynamics, and/or behavior profiling. We extracted study characteristics (sample size, age, gender), data collection methods, data stream, model evaluation metrics, and performance of models, and additionally performed a study quality assessment. Summary characteristics were tabulated and compiled in Excel. We synthesized the extracted information using a narrative approach. Results: Of the 14,179 articles screened, 122 were included in this scoping review. Of the 122 included studies, the most highly used biometric methods were touch gestures (n = 76) and movement (n = 63), with 30 studies using keystroke dynamics and 6 studies using behavior profiling. Of the studies that reported age (47), most were performed exclusively in adult populations (n = 34). The overall study quality was low, with an average score of 5.5/14. Conclusion: The field of behavioral biometrics is limited by the low overall quality of studies. Behavioral biometric technology has the potential to be used in a public health context to address the limitations of current measures of screen time; however, more rigorous research must be performed in child populations first. Systematic review registration: The protocol has been pre-registered in the Open Science Framework database (https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/92YCT). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We discuss the origin of young stellar objects recently discovered in the central regions of star clusters of the Large Magellanic Cloud by investigating cold-gas accretion on to clusters through our simulation code. First, we discuss the detection of young populations and their correlation with cluster mass and young stellar objects. We show that young populations do not have a mass correlation, but are spatially associated with star clusters. We then create an analytical model of accretion from a giant molecular cloud on to a cluster, and perform numerical simulations of the gas evolution of the Magellanic Clouds during tidal interactions. Our simulations find that interactions between the Magellanic Clouds can greatly increase the amount of H2available to clusters, allowing some to accrete greater quantities of gas, but cold gas accretion alone cannot explain the presence of extended main-sequence turn-offs in low-mass clusters with young stellar objects. The variation in accretion histories between individual clusters is dramatic. We find the amount accreted is primarily defined by cluster mass and the relative velocity between the cluster and interacting molecular cloud. The gas mass fraction, metallicity, and the strength of the tidal forces are all important parameters. Finally, we explain our results by comparing them with observations and propose observable consequences of our model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Objective: Low inhibitory control is linked with weight gain among youth. Inhibitory problems are associated with disruption to the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis cortisol response. Increased cortisol predicts appetite and weight gain (though may be gender specific). This study hypothesized that cortisol reactivity explains the association between inhibition and weight gain while considering the moderating factors of early stressors to the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis (e.g. prenatal‐drug exposure) and gender. Methods: Adolescents with prenatal‐drug exposure (n = 76) and non‐exposed comparison adolescents (NE; n = 61) completed the Conner's Continuous Performance Test and provided salivary cortisol samples. BMI z‐score were measured at the initial and 12‐month follow‐up evaluations. A bootstrapped moderated mediation analysis was conducted to test for conditional indirect effects of cortisol reactivity. Results: Lower inhibition was associated with increased cortisol reactivity among youth who were NE, and increased cortisol reactivity was associated with weight gain among girls. Cortisol reactivity mediated the relation between inhibition and BMI z‐score change for the girls in the group who was NE. Conclusion: Increased cortisol reactivity may play a mechanistic role in predicting weight gain among non‐prenatally drug‐exposed girls. Cortisol reactivity may be a biomarker for targeted interventions to improve biological regulation and ultimately health risk among girls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Large Magellanic Cloud is observed to have a counter-rotating stellar population in its disc, which has not been reproduced in previous simulations of the Magellanic system. We propose a new scenario in which the origin of this counter-rotating stellar population is the result of a minor retrograde merger with another dwarf galaxy more than 3 Gyr ago, and investigate this scenario using our hydrodynamical simulations. Our simulations show that such merging can result in a counter-rotating stellar component and a co-rotating gaseous component. We show that this counter-rotating population would not be radially concentrated, but found throughout the Large Magellanic Cloud. The thin disc of the Large Magellanic Cloud is thickened by the merging. We suggest that the Magellanic Clouds were originally a triplet system containing this companion galaxy. We then discuss previous observations of the Magellanic Clouds in the context of a triplet dwarf system, and discuss how such a merger could occur. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Guidelines recommend that health professionals identify and manage individuals at high risk of developing melanoma, but there is limited population-based evidence demonstrating real-world practices.Objective: A population-based, observational study was conducted in the state of New South Wales, Australia to determine doctors' knowledge of melanoma patients' risk and to identify factors associated with better identification and clinical management.Methods: Data were analysed for 1889 patients with invasive, localised melanoma in the Melanoma Patterns of Care study. This study collected data on all melanoma diagnoses notified to the state's cancer registry during a 12-month period from 2006 to 2007, as well as questionnaire data from the doctors involved in their care.Results: Three-quarters (74%) of patients had doctors who were aware of their risk factor status with respect to personal and family history of melanoma and the presence of many moles. Doctors working in general practice, skin cancer clinics and dermatology settings had better knowledge of patients' risk factors than plastic surgeons. Doctors were 15% more likely to know the family history of younger melanoma patients (<40years) than of those ≥80 years (95% confidence interval 4-26%). Early detection-related follow-up advice was more likely to be given to younger patients, by doctors aware of their patients' risk status, by doctors practising in plastic surgery, dermatology and skin cancer clinic settings, and by female doctors.Conclusion: Both patient-related and doctor-related factors were associated with doctors' recognition and management of melanoma patients' risk and could be the focus of strategies for improving care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Single tablet regimens (STRs) for HIV infection improve patient satisfaction, quality of life, medication adherence, and virological suppression compared to multitablet regimens (MTRs). This is the first study assessing STR uptake and durability in Australia. This retrospective audit of all patients receiving an STR (n=299) at a large Sydney HIV clinic (January 2012–December 2013) assessed patient demographics, treatment prior to STR, HIV RNA load and CD4 during MTR and STR dosing, and reasons for STR switch. 206 patients switched from previous antiretroviral treatment to an STR, of which 88% switched from an MTR. Reasons for switching included desire to simplify treatment (57%), reduced side effects or toxicity (18%), and cost-saving for the patient. There was no switching for virological failure. Compared to when on an MTR, patients switching to an STR had significantly lower HIV RNA counts (p<0.001) and significantly higher CD4 counts (p<0.001). The discontinuation rate from STR was very low and all patients who switched to an STR maintained virological suppression throughout the study duration, although the study is limited by the absence of a control group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies in adult lung transplant recipients (LTR) have demonstrated an association between donor specific antibody (DSA), especially to HLA-class II, and chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD). We hypothesized that adding B-cell depleting therapy to standard T-cell induction would reduce DSA incidence and improve outcomes in pediatric LTR. The NIH-sponsored Clinical Trials in Organ Transplantation in Children 08 (CTOTC-08) study was a prospective randomized double-blind trial (RCT) conducted at 6 United States centers. We planned to treat 50 pediatric LTR with 375 mg/m2 rituximab (RTX) anti-CD20 or placebo (PLC) on days 0 and 12 post-transplant. Clinical data was collected for at least 1 year post-transplant (reduced from 2 years due to slow enrollment). The primary clinical endpoint (PE) was a composite of CLAD, retransplantation or death. Median f/u time was 23.5 mo. (10.2-34.9) for RTX and 23.8 mo. (1.2-30.1) for PLC. Blood, bronchoalveolar lavage and nasopharyngeal specimens were obtained at standard of care visits. Peripheral blood was analyzed for lymphocyte subpopulations. Sera were analyzed for presence of DSA using Luminex single antigen bead assays. We enrolled 45 patients, transplanted 34 and randomized 27 to receive RTX (n=15) or PLC (n=12). Eleven patients met the PE, 5 received RTX and 6 received PLC (p=N.S.). RTX effectively depleted circulating B-cells for at least 6 months post-transplant with recovery to percentages comparable to PLC by 12 months. We observed significantly lower frequencies of DSA (with any MFI) with RTX compared to PLC (P=0.005). Using an MFI threshold of 2000, no RTX patients developed DSA compared to 6/12 PLC patients that developed class II DSA (P=0.003). Two RTX / 1 PLC patients had pre-transplant DSA with MFI>2000 that disappeared post-transplant. There were no differences in patient/graft survival, infection, rejection or adverse events between groups. In this pediatric LTR RCT, RTX induction reduced the incidence of HLA class II DSA but did not demonstrate a statistically significant impact on safety or the PE 1 year after transplant. Since anti-HLA class II DSA increases the risk for CLAD, our data support future studies with a larger cohort and/or longer follow-up to assess if RTX reduction of class II DSA leads to less CLAD and improved outcomes following lung transplantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new, cast austenitic stainless steel, CF8C-Plus (CF8C-P), has been developed for a wide range of high temperature applications, including diesel exhaust components, turbine casings and turbocharger housings. CF8C-P offers significant improvements in creep rupture life and creep rupture strength over standard CF8C steel. However, at higher temperatures and in aggressive environments such as those containing significant water vapor, an oxidation-resistant protective coating will be necessary to extend service life. The oxidation behavior of alloys CF8C and CF8C-P with various aluminide coatings were compared at 800 °C in air plus 10 vol% water vapor. Due to their affordability, slurry aluminides were the primary coating system of interest, although chemical vapor deposition and pack cementation coatings were also compared. Additionally, a preliminary study of the low-cycle fatigue (LCF) behavior of aluminized CF8C-P was conducted at 800 °C. Each type of coating provided substantial improvements in oxidation behavior, with simple slurry aluminides exhibiting very good oxidation resistance after 3,000 h testing in water vapor. Preliminary LCF results indicated that thicker aluminide coatings degraded high temperature fatigue properties of CF8C-P, whereas thinner coatings did not. Results suggest that appropriately designed slurry aluminide coatings are a viable option for economical, long-term oxidation protection of austenitic stainless steels in water vapor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we formalize the application of multivariate meta-analysis and meta-regression to synthesize estimates of multi-parameter associations obtained from different studies. This modelling approach extends the standard two-stage analysis used to combine results across different sub-groups or populations. The most straightforward application is for the meta-analysis of non-linear relationships, described for example by regression coefficients of splines or other functions, but the methodology easily generalizes to any setting where complex associations are described by multiple correlated parameters. The modelling framework of multivariate meta-analysis is implemented in the package mvmeta within the statistical environment R. As an illustrative example, we propose a two-stage analysis for investigating the non-linear exposure-response relationship between temperature and non-accidental mortality using time-series data from multiple cities. Multivariate meta-analysis represents a useful analytical tool for studying complex associations through a two-stage procedure. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the challenges in developing an accreditation system for blood transfusion standards in Africa. It states that a step-wise process was used by the Africa Society for Blood Transfusion (AfSBT) to address its blood services. It mentions that the National Bioproducts Institute (NBI) provides sufficient funding for the step-wise accreditation programme. It says that the pilot site testing was decided to take place in the Anglophone Southern African Development Community (SADC). It also considers multilingualism in the continent and communication as other challenges in the programme development.

Background It is well known that high ambient temperatures are associated with increased mortality, even in temperate climates, but some important details are unclear. In particular, how heat–mortality associations (for example, slopes and thresholds) vary by climate has previously been considered only qualitatively. Methods An ecological time-series regression analysis of daily counts of all-cause mortality and ambient temperature in summers between 1993 and 2006 in the 10 government regions was carried out, focusing on all-cause mortality and 2-day mean temperature (lags 0 and 1). Results All regions showed evidence of increased risk on the hottest days, but the specifics, in particular the threshold temperature at which adverse effects started, varied. Thresholds were at about the same centile temperatures (the 93rd, year-round) in all regions—hotter climates had higher threshold temperatures. Mean supra-threshold slope was 2.1%/°C (95% CI 1.6 to 2.6), but regions with higher summer temperatures showed greater slopes, a pattern well characterised by a linear model with mean summer temperature. These climate-based linear-threshold models capture most, but not all, the association; there was evidence for some non-linearity above thresholds, with slope increasing at highest temperatures. Conclusion Effects of high daily summer temperatures on mortality in English regions are quite well approximated by threshold-linear models that can be predicted from the region's climate (93rd centile and mean summer temperature). It remains to be seen whether similar relationships fit other countries and climates or change over time, such as with climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Environmental stressors often show effects that are delayed in time, requiring the use of statistical models that are flexible enough to describe the additional time dimension of the exposure-response relationship. Here we develop the family of distributed lag non-linear models (DLNM), a modelling framework that can simultaneously represent non-linear exposure-response dependencies and delayed effects. This methodology is based on the definition of a 'cross-basis', a bi-dimensional space of functions that describes simultaneously the shape of the relationship along both the space of the predictor and the lag dimension of its occurrence. In this way the approach provides a unified framework for a range of models that have previously been used in this setting, and new more flexible variants. This family of models is implemented in the package dlnm within the statistical environment R. To illustrate the methodology we use examples of DLNMs to represent the relationship between temperature and mortality, using data from the National Morbidity, Mortality, and Air Pollution Study (NMMAPS) for New York during the period 1987-2000. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To describe the mortality of Quebec aluminum smelter workers employed before 1951. METHODS: The mortality of 5,977 men hired at three plants on or before January 1, 1951 was compared with that of Quebec men. Relationships to benzo[a]pyrene, benzene-soluble material, and smoking were examined. RESULTS: Statistically significant causes of death were lung cancer (three plants); bladder cancer; chronic obstructive lung disease (two plants each); cancers of the stomach, digestive system unspecified, rectum and rectosigmoid, pancreas, and larynx; Alzheimer's disease (one plant); and cerebrovascular disease (one plant). Not significant increases were also observed. CONCLUSIONS: Mortality from cancer of the lung and bladder and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are related to exposure in Söderberg smelters. The cause of increased stomach cancer mortality is unclear. Excess mortality from some other diseases may be explained by factors other than coal tar pitch volatiles exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We consider the problem of finding the optimal, robust stabilization of linear systems within a family of nonlinear feedback laws. Investigation of the efficiency of full-state based and partial-state based so-called NPID feedback schemes proposed for the stabilization of systems in robotic applications has provided the motivation for our work. We prove that, for a given quadratic Lyapunov function and a given family of nonlinear feedback laws, there exist optimal piecewise linear feedbacks that make the generalized Lyapunov derivative of the closed-loop system minimal. The result provides improved stabilization over the nonlinear stabilizing feedback law proposed in Ref. I as demonstrated in simulations of the Sarcos Dextrous Manipulator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a population-based series of 2109 women with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) diagnosed in 1995-2000 in New South Wales, Australia, incidence increased by an average of 5.5% a year, mostly between 1995 and 1996 and in women 50-69 years of age. This increase paralleled the increases in mammographic screening. BreastScreen NSW, an organised mammographic screening programme, detected 65% of all DCIS. High-grade lesions were 54% of all lesions and were more likely to be 2+?cm in diameter (OR=2.12, 95%CI 1.46-3.14) than low-grade lesions. In all, 40% of DCIS in women younger than 40 years was 2+?cm in diameter compared with 21% in women 40 years and older. Young age, high grade, mixed architecture and multifocality were significant and independent predictors of 2+?cm DCIS.British Journal of Cancer (2004) 90, 1382-1385. doi:10.1038/sj.bjc.6601677 www.bjcancer.com Published online 24 February 2004 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To measure the quality of pathology reporting of breast cancer and establish a baseline against which future changes can be measured, we audited item completeness in breast cancer reports in Australia in 1995 before the release of specific recommendations from the Australian Cancer Network. Tumour type and size were given in reports of invasive breast cancer for 93% of women, 70% had, in addition, grade and clearance of the margins while only 28% had all recommended information. The most complete items in reports were histological type of breast cancer (99.6% of cases), tumour size (94%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 92-95) and margins of excision (87%, 95% CI 85-89). Histological grade (84%, 95% CI 82-86 of cases) and presence or absence of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) (79%, 95% CI 77-81) were less complete and vessel invasion (61%, 95% CI 58-63) and changes in non-neoplastic breast tissue adjacent to the breast cancer (68%, 95% CI 66-71) the least complete. Less than half the reports of DCIS reported on tumour size (49%, 95% CI 42-57), presence or absence of necrosis (41%, 95% CI 34-49) or nuclear grade (39%, 95% CI 31-46). Around 1500 reports were identified as issued by 147 laboratories and 392 pathologists; 69% of pathologists issued fewer than two reports a month in the audit. We concluded that infrequency of reporting may have contributed to incompleteness of reporting. In addition, we found significant variation across Australian states with some indication that reporting was consistently poor in one state. The audit highlighted areas for improvement for breast cancer reporting in Australia. Research evidence suggests that multifaceted strategies are needed to assist practitioners with implementing more uniform reporting standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A description is given of the structure of the turbulent wake behind a circular cylinder that was determined using a conditional averaging technique. The structure was found for a steady flow and also for a flow in which an in-line velocity perturbation was superimposed on the steady component. The perturbation frequency was chosen so that the frequency of vortex shedding locked-in to the perturbation frequency. The structures of the two wakes are compared and it is found that large changes occur with lock-in, with the strength of the vortices increasing and their lateral separation decreasing. It is estimated that the increase in the vortex strength results from an increase in the amount of vorticity shed from the cylinder and also a small change in the amount of vorticity surviving the vortex formation process. The model, which Davies [ J. Fluid Mech. 75, 209 (1976) ] found gave a good representation of the average wake flow, was used to provide comparisons with the experimental results. In general, the agreement between the theoretical and experimental results was very satisfactory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Measurements are presented of the frequency of vortex shedding from, in turn, a circular cylinder, a D-section cylinder, and a flat plate for a flow that has a single-frequency perturbation superimposed on its mean velocity component. It is found that over a range of velocities the vortex shedding locks-in to the frequency of the perturbation such that the shedding frequency is half the perturbation frequency. Also, the range of velocities for which lock-in occurs increases as the perturbation amplitude is increased. With lock-in, the mean base pressure is found to decrease, and measurements of the vortex shedding from the circular cylinder show that the correlation of vortex shedding increases. The changes associated with lock-in are found to be greatest for the circular cylinder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies lung cancer mortality among workers with silicosis who received compensation in Quebec from 1938 to 1985. Methods; Results; Discussion.

Examines the development of a surface-oriented planar Schottky diode for use as a detector diode on silicon monolithic microwave integrated circuits (MIMIC). Information on the formation on the PtSi-Si barrier; Description of the process technology which was developed for the Schottky-detector diode fabrication; Identification of the typical measured cutoff frequency.

Multivariate meta-analysis represents a promising statistical tool in several research areas. Here, we provide a brief overview of the application of this methodology to combining complex multi-parameterized relationships, such as non-linear or delayed associations, in multi-site studies. The discussion focuses on the advantages over simpler univariate methods, estimation and computational issues and directions for further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study to assess the National Congenital Anomaly System and evaluate the impact of the lack of data. Design, setting, participants, main outcome measure, and results; Conclusion the surveillance in England is inadequate because registration is non-uniform and data on the termination of pregnancy because of prenatal diagnosis of fetal anomaly is unavailable.

The primary objective of this research study was to characterize the phenolic compounds and the antioxidant activity of dehydrated coffee (Coffea arabica L.) pulp by two drying methods (hot air and lyophilization). Coffee pulp samples were obtained from three farms in the Amazonas region (Peru). They were treated in a process that included washing, air drying, dehydration, grinding, and extraction using ultra-pure water and four organic solvents: 50% ethanol, 95% ethanol, 50% methanol, and 95% methanol. The results showed that the extracts obtained by lyophilization and 95% ethanol solvent had the most extraction capacity, phenolic compounds, and antioxidant capacity, with 66.3% and 402.6 mg of Gallic acid equivalents/100 g dehydrated pulp, respectively. It is concluded that 95% ethanol is the best solvent for the extraction of phenolic compounds in dehydrated coffee pulp by lyophilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The primary objective of this research study was to determine the antioxidant activity and the agro-industrial potential of oils extracted from seven different Amazon (Peru) fruit seeds: Vasconcellea pubescens, Vasconcellea weberbaueri (Harms) V.M., Solanum betaceum, Passiflora edulis, Physalis peruviana, Passiflora tripartita, and Spondias purpurea L. The Soxhlet technique was used for extraction of seed oils. The results showed that V. pubescens, V. weberbaueri harms VM, S. betaceum, P. edulis, P. peruviana, and P. tripartita seed oils have potential to be used in food development (IS = 62 to 84; AI = 0.18 to 0.64%). Heterogeneity was also observed in oxidative stability. The V. weberbaueri seed oil was the most stable (IP = 16.13) while the V. pubescens seed oil was the most unstable (IP = 126.34). It is concluded that the seed oils examined have great potential for human consumption, for developing foods and biofuels, and for developing other nonfood related applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To investigate the impact of a health adviser in genitourinary medicine as a training and support resource on the management of Chlamydia trachomatis in a large inner city health centre.Methods: A large, inner city health centre was selected at random for the intervention, with another selected as control. The health adviser offered support and training in the management of C trachomatis to clinical staff in the intervention health centre for 6 months. Data on testing activity were collected over the period of the intervention and during the equivalent period in the previous year. Data on partner notification activities were collected from case notes.Results: The research intervention was effective in increasing C trachomatis testing activity. However, the majority of tests were offered to women over 20 years of age and no increase in the proportion of positive results was observed.Conclusions: The intervention was effective in increasing C trachomatis testing activity, but did not improve the overall detection rate. Health centre staff accommodated opportunistic testing for C trachomatis into existing healthcare practices, as opposed to introducing new screening systems designed to reach the target population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Waste-disposal sites are a potential hazard to health. This study is a multicentre case-control study of the risk of congenital anomalies associated with residence near hazardous-waste landfill sites in Europe.Methods: We used data from seven regional registers of congenital anomalies in five countries. We studied 1089 livebirths, stillbirths, and terminations of pregnancy with non-chromosomal congenital anomalies and 2366 control births without malformation, whose mothers resided within 7 km of a landfill site; 21 sites were included. A zone within 3 km radius of each site was defined as the "proximate zone" of most likely exposure to teratogens.Findings: Residence within 3 km of a landfill site was associated with a significantly raised risk of congenital anomaly (295 cases/511 controls living 0-3 km from sites, 794/1855 living 3-7 km from sites; combined odds ratio 1.33 [95% CI 1.11-1.59], adjusted for maternal age and socioeconomic status). There was a fairly consistent decrease in risk with distance away from the sites. A significantly raised odds ratio for residence within 3 km of a landfill site was found for neural-tube defects (odds ratio 1.86 [1.24-2.79]), malformations of the cardiac septa (1.49 [1.09-2.04]), and anomalies of great arteries and veins (1.81 [1.02-3.20]). Odds ratios of borderline significance were found for tracheo-oesophageal anomalies (2.25 [0.96-5.26]), hypospadias (1.96 [0.98-3.92]), and gastroschisis (3.19 [0.95-10.77]). There was little evidence of differences in risk between landfill sites but power to detect such differences was low.Interpretation: This study shows a raised risk of congenital anomaly in babies whose mothers live close to landfill sites that handle hazardous chemical wastes, although there is a need for further investigation of whether the association of raised risk of congenital anomaly and residence near landfill sites is a causal one. Apparent differences between malformation subgroups should be interpreted cautiously. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Local neighbourhood environments can influence dietary behavior. There is limited evidence focused on older people who are likely to have greater dependence on local areas and may suffer functional limitations that amplify any neighbourhood impact. Methods: Using multi-level ordinal regression analysis we investigated the association between multiple dimensions of neighbourhood food environments (captured by fine-detail, foot-based environmental audits and secondary data) and self-reported frequency of fruit and vegetable intake. The study was a cross-sectional analysis nested within two nationally representative cohorts in the UK: the British Regional Heart Study and the British Women's Heart and Health Study. Main exposures of interest were density of food retail outlets selling fruits and vegetables, the density of fast food outlets and a novel measure of diversity of the food retail environment. Results: A total of 1124 men and 883 women, aged 69 - 92 years, living in 20 British towns were included in the analysis. There was strong evidence of an association between area income deprivation and fruit and vegetable consumption, with study members in the most deprived areas estimated to have 27% (95% CI: 7,42) lower odds of being in a higher fruit and vegetable consumption category relative to those in the least deprived areas. We found no consistent evidence for an association between fruit and vegetable consumption and a range of other food environment domains, including density of shops selling fruits and vegetables, density of premises selling fast food, the area food retail diversity, area walkability, transport accessibility, or the local food marketing environment. For example, individuals living in areas with greatest fruit and vegetable outlet density had 2% (95% CI: -22, 21) lower odds of being in a higher fruit and vegetable consumption category relative to those in areas with no shops. Conclusions: Although small effect sizes in environment-diet relationships cannot be discounted, this study suggests that older people are less influenced by physical characteristics of neighbourhood food environments than is suggested in the literature. The association between area income deprivation and diet may be capturing an important social aspect of neighbourhoods that influence food intake in older adults and warrants further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses various papers published within the issue, including one on research resource of Aphasia-Bank, and another on Apraxia treatments.

The article presents a note on this special issue of the journal. The author says that articles contained in this issue concern aphasia, right hemisphere damage and language changes linked with aging. She says that the speech impairment and its effects on daily activities of people with aphasia and related disorders as well as their families are inseparable from social participation.

A preface for the 2008 issue of the journal "Aphasiology" is presented.

Investigates the occurrence of sick building syndrome in a Canadian office complex. List of health complaints from employees; Generation of greater complaint from employees working in cubicles; Relationship between type of work location and health complaint; Results of the environmental assessment.

Background: Pilot/feasibility studies play an important role in the development and refinement of behavioral interventions by providing information about feasibility, acceptability, and potential efficacy. Despite their importance and wide-spread use, the approaches taken by behavioral scientists to scale-up early-stage studies to larger-scale trials has received little attention. The aim of our study was to understand the role that pilot studies play in the development and execution of larger-scale trials. Methods: We conducted interviews with childhood obesity researchers who had published pilot behavioral interventions and larger-scale trials of the same or similar interventions. Questions were asked about the role of pilot studies in developing larger-scale trials and the challenges encountered when scaling-up an intervention based upon pilot findings. Data were coded and analyzed using an inductive analytic approach to identify themes. Results: Twenty-four interventionists (54% women, 37–70 years old, mean 20 years since terminal degree) completed a total of 148 pilot studies across their careers (mean 6.4, range 1–20), of which 59% were scaled-up. Scaling was described as resource intensive and pilot work was considered essential to successfully competing for funding by 63% of the sample (n = 15). When asked to define a high-quality pilot study, interventionists described studies that allowed them to evaluate two independent factors: components of their intervention (e.g., acceptability, feasibility) and study parameters (e.g., sample size, measures). Interventionists expressed that more process implementation measures, different study designs, and additional iterations could improve decisions to scale-up. Most agreed that pilot studies were likely to produce inflated estimates of potential efficacy though only nine interventionists provided potential solutions for decreasing inflated measures of efficacy. Suggested major causes of inflated effects included high levels of oversight in pilot studies (e.g., researcher support), reliance on subjective measures, and utilizing convenience or highly motivated samples. Potential solutions included designing pilots for real-world implementation, only conducting randomized controlled pilot studies, and pre-registering pilot studies. Conclusions: Pilot studies purposes are multifaceted and deemed essential to obtaining funding for larger-scale trials. Clarifying the form and function of preliminary, early-stage research may enhance the productive utilization of early-stage studies and reduced drops in efficacy when transitioning to larger scale studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ID57b"In the pilot study we had teachers delivering intervention and in the main trial we went to the core non-degree staff delivering the intervention. We were embedded in the local school boards and they saw it as very useful from both a health and an educational point of view and the larger scale trial was really just a larger scale longer version of the pilot study." ID13 ChallengesChallenges encountered when scaling pilot studies12a"In the pilot we had a small amount of group of teachers who were very motivated and who want to bring about a change but in our larger trial we had multiple teachers, multiple schools. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Pilot/feasibility studies play an important role in the development and refinement of behavioral interventions by providing information about feasibility, acceptability, and potential efficacy. Despite their importance and wide-spread use, the approaches taken by behavioral scientists to scale-up early-stage studies to larger-scale trials has received little attention. The aim of our study was to understand the role that pilot studies play in the development and execution of larger-scale trials. Methods: We conducted interviews with childhood obesity researchers who had published pilot behavioral interventions and larger-scale trials of the same or similar interventions. Questions were asked about the role of pilot studies in developing larger-scale trials and the challenges encountered when scaling-up an intervention based upon pilot findings. Data were coded and analyzed using an inductive analytic approach to identify themes. Results: Twenty-four interventionists (54% women, 37–70 years old, mean 20 years since terminal degree) completed a total of 148 pilot studies across their careers (mean 6.4, range 1–20), of which 59% were scaled-up. Scaling was described as resource intensive and pilot work was considered essential to successfully competing for funding by 63% of the sample (n = 15). When asked to define a high-quality pilot study, interventionists described studies that allowed them to evaluate two independent factors: components of their intervention (e.g., acceptability, feasibility) and study parameters (e.g., sample size, measures). Interventionists expressed that more process implementation measures, different study designs, and additional iterations could improve decisions to scale-up. Most agreed that pilot studies were likely to produce inflated estimates of potential efficacy though only nine interventionists provided potential solutions for decreasing inflated measures of efficacy. Suggested major causes of inflated effects included high levels of oversight in pilot studies (e.g., researcher support), reliance on subjective measures, and utilizing convenience or highly motivated samples. Potential solutions included designing pilots for real-world implementation, only conducting randomized controlled pilot studies, and pre-registering pilot studies. Conclusions: Pilot studies purposes are multifaceted and deemed essential to obtaining funding for larger-scale trials. Clarifying the form and function of preliminary, early-stage research may enhance the productive utilization of early-stage studies and reduced drops in efficacy when transitioning to larger scale studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The buried oxide (BOX) layer in silicon on insulator (SOI) was replaced by a compound buried layer (CBL) containing layers of SiO2 , polycrystalline silicon (polysilicon), and SiO2 . The undoped polysilicon in the CBL acted as a dielectric with a higher thermal conductivity than SiO2 . CBL provides a reduced thermal resistance with the same equivalent oxide thickness as a standard SiO2 buried layer. Thermal resistance was further reduced by lateral heat flow through the polysilicon. Reduction in thermal resistance by up to 68% was observed, dependent on polysilicon thickness. CBL SOI substrates were designed and manufactured to achieve a 40% reduction in thermal resistance compared with an 1.0- \mum~SiO2 BOX. Power bipolar transistors with an active silicon layer thickness of 13.5 \mum manufactured on CBL SOI substrates showed a 5%–17% reduction in thermal resistance compared with the standard SOI. This reduction was dependent on transistor layout geometry. Between 65% and 90% of the heat flow from these power transistors is laterally through the thick active silicon layer. Analysis confirmed that CBL SOI provided a 40% reduction in the vertical path thermal resistance. Devices employing thinner active silicon layers will achieve the greater benefit from reduction in vertical path thermal resistance offered by CBL SOI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Despite the association with more advanced nodal stage, patients with human papillomavirus (HPV) positive oropharyngeal cancers have better outcomes. We examined whether the HPV can modify the effect of known prognostic factors in tonsillar cancer. Patients and methods A total of 489 patients from 10 centres were followed up for recurrence or death for a median of 3.2 years. Determinants of the rate of locoregional recurrence, death from tonsillar cancer and overall survival were modelled using Cox regression. Results The prognostic value of T and N stages were modified by HPV as indicated by statistically significant interaction terms. After adjusting for age, gender and treatment, T stage appeared relevant only for HPV-positive cancers (where a higher T stage was associated with worse outcomes). There was some evidence that N stage was a more relevant prognostic factor for HPV-negative than -positive cancers. There was no evidence that the HPV modifies the effect of age, gender or grade on outcomes. Conclusions This study suggests that the prognostic significance of the conventional staging system in tonsillar cancer is modified by HPV. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: On 17th February 2003, a congestion charging scheme (CCS), operating Monday–Friday, 07:00–18:00, was introduced in central London along with a programme of traffic management measures. We investigated the potential impact of the introduction of the CCS on measured pollutant concentrations (oxides of nitrogen (NOX, NO and NO2), particles with a median diameter less than 10 microns (PM10), carbon monoxide (CO) and ozone (O3)) measured at roadside and background monitoring sites across Greater London. Temporal changes in pollution concentrations within the congestion charging zone were compared to changes, over the same time period, at monitors unlikely to be affected by the CCS (the control zone) and in the boundary zone between the two. Similar analyses were done for CCS hours during weekends (when the CCS was not operating). Based on the single roadside monitor with the CCS Zone, it was not possible to identify any relative changes in pollution concentrations associated with the introduction of the scheme. However, using background monitors, there was good evidence for a decrease in NO and increases in NO2 and O3 relative to the control zone. There was little change in background concentrations of NOX. There was also evidence of relative reductions in PM10 and CO. Similar changes were observed during the same hours in weekends when the scheme was not operating. The causal attribution of these changes to the CCS per se is not appropriate since the scheme was introduced concurrently with other traffic and emissions interventions which might have had a more concentrated effect in central London. This study provides important pointers for study design and data requirements for the evaluation of similar schemes in terms of air quality. It also shows that results may be unexpected and that the overall effect on toxicity may not be entirely favourable. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Long-term potentiation (LTP) in the sensorimotor cortex of freely moving rats has been associated with changes in dendritic morphology and dendritic spine density. The current research examined changes in synaptic number and ultrastructure associated with LTP in this cortical region. LTP was induced over a 1 h period and the animals were sacrificed 2 h after the initial stimulation of the LTP group. Synapses within the terminal area of the apical dendrites from layer III pyramidal neurons were quantified by determining the total number of synapses per neuron, the number of excitatory and inhibitory contacts, number of synapses with different curvature subtypes, number of perforated synapses, and synaptic length. Several changes in synaptic morphology of excitatory synapses were revealed but no overall increase in the number of synapses per neuron was evident. Specifically, the induction of LTP was associated with an increased number of excitatory perforated and concave shaped synapses. Increased numbers of perforated concave synapses were also found to be significantly correlated with the degree of potentiation in the LTP animals. These and previous results suggest similar synaptic changes in both the cortex and hippocampus during the early phases of LTP maintenance and distinct synaptic changes during later phases of LTP maintenance. Synapse 59:378-382, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]