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Recent macro-level trends have created a gendered context of assimilation for second-generation Latinos, pointing to favourable condition among Latina women and potential vulnerability among Latino men. This article examines second-generation assimilation in young adulthood for the top ten Latino groups using gendered reference groups to benchmark their integration into American society. We find a significant female advantage on individual-level indicators, but no clear gender differences on household-level indicators among Latinos. We also document significant heterogeneity in achievement among the top ten Latino ethnic groups, with Mexicans being the most disadvantaged group. In contrast, Cubans and South Americans are the most advantaged and have achieved parity with native whites. These findings point to the emerging significance of gender as a key dimension of stratification in the assimilation of Latinos into American life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Provides information on a study which investigated the temperature dependence of the ruby luminescence method for measuring high pressures. Motive for developing empirical approximations; Need for measurements at several temperatures between 100 and at least 400 K; Reason for the success of diamond-anvil high-pressure cell technology.

This paper summarizes experimental results obtained from a series of laboratory scale electrowinning tests conducted over 5 months to quantify the effects of halides (chloride, fluoride and bromide) on the performance and corrosion of lead-silver anodes under conditions similar to those used during the electrowinning of zinc. The parameters investigated include operating anode potential, corrosion rate and anode scale/cell mud generation rates. Information was also obtained on the consumption of halides and manganese ions and the composition of the anode scale and cell mud. The results have confirmed plant observations of excessive anode corrosion and chlorine emissions at a chloride concentration of 400 mg/L but not at a concentration of 200 mg/L. It has also confirmed the importance of maintaining a suitable manganese(II) concentration in the electrolyte. Bromide and fluoride ions, albeit at lower concentrations, do not have measurable effects on anode corrosion. Although a definitive explanation for enhanced local corrosion at high chloride concentrations has not been advanced, the nature of the accelerated corrosion suggests that a crevice-like corrosion process is responsible for localized massive corrosion. This has been attributed to the presence of high acidity and permanganate ions between the manganese oxide layer and the alloy surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study of the kinetics of the anodic oxidation of chloride ions on the surface of lead-silver anodes used for the electrowinning of zinc has shown some interesting and practically important results. Oxidation of chloride does not occur on a PbSO 4 surface but occurs readily on a PbO 2 surface. Oxidation of chloride occurs at the mass-transport controlled rate at the operating potentials of anodes during the electrowinning of zinc in the absence of manganese in the electrolyte. However, the rate of oxidation of chloride ions is significantly lower in the presence of manganese ions in the concentration range 1 to 5 g/L. These results have been compared with plant observations that confirm the lower rate of chlorine generation in the presence of manganese. The use of periodic current reversal does not increase the rate of oxidation of chloride ions in the presence of manganese ions. The rate of anodic oxidation of chloride in the presence of manganese ions is too low to be of practical value in controlling the chloride levels during the electrowinning of zinc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A method for the rapid measurement of current efficiency for the deposition of zinc by a computer controlled anodic stripping technique has been successfully developed and evaluated in the laboratory and in a zinc tankhouse. This method provides rapid measurement of the efficiency within about 3 min from 1 to 2 L of electrolyte at a fixed temperature. Minimum preparation time is involved as the pure lead wire cathode surface can be easily renewed by simply cutting the coated wire to expose a new surface. Reproducible results have been achieved which compare very favourably with those obtained by longer term conventional methods. It has been demonstrated that the technique can also prove to be useful as a convenient method for the study of cathode morphology and for the nature of the potential/time transients during nucleation and growth of zinc deposits under various conditions. Thus, the effects of the concentrations of various impurities such as selenium, antimony and cobalt on the current efficiency and the morphology of the zinc deposits have been studied. The effects of the addition of additives such as glue and gelatine have similarly been evaluated. The results have been shown to be consistent with published data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article addresses the debate on second-generation advantage and decline among Latinos by providing a post-recession snapshot based on geocoded data from the Current Population Survey (2008-2012). It reports three findings. First, second-generation Mexicans and Puerto Ricans are at a disadvantage, whereas other Latinos have achieved parity with native majority peers. Second, second-generation Latinos report significant progress compared to their parents and there is no evidence of a second-generation decline. Third, there is no difference in outcomes among second-generation Mexicans by immigrant destination type. Overall, these analyses yield an optimistic assessment of second-generation progress, while noting potential stagnation among third- and higher-generation Mexicans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Suppose ( f , X , ν ) is a measure preserving dynamical system and ϕ : X → R is an observable with some degree of regularity. We investigate the maximum process M n : = max ( X 1 , … , X n ) , where X i = ϕ ∘ f i is a time series of observations on the system. When M n → ∞ almost surely, we establish results on the almost sure growth rate, namely the existence (or otherwise) of a sequence u n → ∞ such that M n / u n → 1 almost surely. For a wide class of non-uniformly hyperbolic dynamical systems we determine where such an almost sure limit exists and give examples where it does not. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A review of the literature dealing with the effect of cobalt on lead-based anodes for oxygen evolution during electrolysis of sulfuric acid solutions verifies that the presence of cobalt at the anode-electrolyte interface, either as constituent of the anode material or as ions in the electrolyte, catalyzes the evolution of oxygen and reduces the corrosion of the anodes and the contamination by lead of metal cathodes produced during electrowinning. However, due to harmful effects of cobalt ions on the cathodic reaction in some processes, these benefits are limited to the electrowinning of copper. Efforts to develop a way of introducing cobalt at the anode-electrolyte interface without interfering with the cathodic reactions are reviewed in this paper. The use of lead-cobalt alloy anodes has had limited success due to issues arising from the low solubility of cobalt in lead, segregation during casting of the alloys, and nonuniform distribution of cobalt which affects the integrity of the anodes. This has been overcome in part lately by inclusion of cobalt into only the surface layer of a lead or lead alloy substrate, by thermal treatment of a cobalt salt to form a catalytic cobalt oxide surface species, or by electrodeposition of composite lead-cobalt oxide anodes. The last approach in particular has been actively investigated by several groups, but to our knowledge it is yet to find application in the industry. The review also critically examines the likely reaction mechanisms involved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For a σ-finite measure preserving dynamical system (X, μ, T), we formulate necessary and sufficient conditions for a Young tower (Δ, ν, F) to be a (measure theoretic) extension of the original system. Because F is pointwise dual ergodic by construction, one immediate consequence of these conditions is that the Darling–Kac theorem carries over from F to T. One advantage of the Darling–Kac theorem in terms of Young towers is that sufficient conditions can be read off from the tail behavior and we illustrate this with relevant examples. Furthermore, any two Young towers with a common factor T, have return time distributions with tails of the same order. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of cobalt ions in the electrolyte on the performance of lead alloy anodes used for oxygen evolution during electrolysis of copper/sulfuric acid solutions has been studied extensively over the past 90 years. A review of the literature has confirmed that cobalt both as constituent of the anode material and present as ions in the electrolyte reduces the rate of corrosion of the anodes, lowers the overpotential for the evolution of oxygen, and reduces lead contamination of the copper cathodes. Despite the fact that these effects have been developed into widespread applications in the electrowinning industry, a fundamental understanding of the mechanism of the action of cobalt ions remains a point of debate. A selection of the most relevant literature on this phenomenon has been reviewed and the data and proposed mechanisms critically evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cathodic processes that occur on a covellite (CuS) surface in mixed sulfate–chloride solutions in the absence and presence of copper(II) ions have been studied using potentiostatic transients and cyclic voltammetry at rotating disk electrodes in the potential range 0.3–0.7 V (versus SHE). This range is relevant to the oxidative leaching of this copper mineral in sulfate and chloride lixiviants. Variations in the concentrations of sulfate and chloride ions had a small effect on the cathodic reduction of covellite in the potential range of 0.5–0.3 V, although the presence of chloride ion resulted in a significant increase in the anodic current on the reverse sweep. On the other hand, addition of copper(II) ions resulted in enhanced cathodic currents and subsequent anodic currents in both sulfate and chloride solutions due to reduction of covellite to an undefined reduced copper sulfide species. Reduction of copper(II) to copper(I) ions becomes the preferred cathodic reaction as the concentration of chloride ions increases, becoming mass transport controlled at a rotating disc electrode at potentials below about 0.4 V. Potentiostatic measurements at potentials negative to the mixed potential in acidic chloride solutions have shown that reduction of copper(II) ions is reversible and have been used to estimate the rate of oxidative dissolution of the mineral which value agrees reasonably well with previously reported leaching rates under similar conditions. Reduction of dissolved oxygen has been found to be very much slower that that of copper(II) ions under ambient conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Previously we described the release of hr44 from the ciliary epithelium to coincide with the loss of the late endosomal/lysosomal marker protein CD63 in mildly inflamed rat eyes. We showed that both proteins are released with microvesicles into the supernatant of cultured retinal pigmented epithelial cells (ARPE-19). Here we wish to determine whether there is a concomitant loss of fas-ligand (FasL) in vivo and whether ocular epithelial cells have secretory lysosomes similar to T cells, from where FasL and hr44 could derive. FasL plays an important role in immunity, immune cell homeostasis and in the maintenance of immune privilege in the eye. However the mode of release of FasL from ocular epithelial cells or its activity in the eye is not fully understood. In normal rat eyes, FasL was detected in the epithelia of the iris and ciliary body and in the anterior region of the retinal pigmented epithelium. FasL is expressed constitutively and is associated with vesicular structures in the normal ciliary epithelium but is not detectable in the ciliary epithelium of inflamed eyes. In contrast, the posterior RPE, which under normal conditions is negative for FasL and hr44 showed strong staining for both molecules in areas adjacent to sub-retinal inflammatory infiltrates. Immunofluorescence and Western blot analysis indicated that cultured ARPE-19 cells express both the soluble and membrane form of FasL. The intracellular concentration of FasL was significantly increased in cells grown in presence of interferon (INF)-γ. The microvesicles released by cultured ARPE-19 cells and previously shown to be positive for hr44 and CD63 are also positive for membrane FasL. Expression of a recombinant fluorescent construct of FasL together with immuno-staining for CD63 demonstrated that FasL localises to the endocytic compartment of ARPE-19 cells and of melanoma cells (positive control). In cells with lysosomes devoid of specialised secretory functions (e g. HeLa cells) recombinant FasL localised to the cell membrane, demonstrating that RPE cells have secretory lysosomes. We suggest that ocular epithelial cells release soluble FasL and the membrane form of FasL with vesicles. Both forms may contribute in different ways to the effectiveness of the ocular immune response and immune privilege. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background. The ability to detect tuberculosis-specific lymphocytes by enzyme-linked immunospot (ELI SPOT) assay may have important implications for the diagnosis and monitoring of tuberculosis in children, for which routine methods lack sensitivity. We conducted a study to determine the presence and time course of ELISPOT responses in children with tuberculosis. Methods. Blood samples were obtained from children with a clinical diagnosis of tuberculosis, and interferon- y ELISPOT assays were performed using purified protein derivative (PPD), early secretory antigenic target 6 (ESAT- 6), and culture filtrate protein 10 (CFP10) as stimulants. A subset of children were retested after 1, 3, and 6 months of therapy. Results. Detectable responses to ESAT-6 or CFP10 were found in 49 of 70 children with clinical tuberculosis but were more frequently found in those with culture-proven disease (P = .05). The number of subjects with responses to PPD increased after 1 month of therapy (P = .0004) and decreased at 3 and 6 months. Conclusion. Tuberculosis-specific ELISPOT testing is a promising tool that should be evaluated as a potential diagnostic test for childhood tuberculosis. We caution against the use of an early decrease in response as a marker of successful antituberculous chemotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thiosulfate has been considered as one of the most promising of the non-toxic alternatives to cyanide for the leaching of gold and much work has been carried out with the aim of understanding and improving the ammoniacal thiosulfate leaching process. In particular the behaviour of gold in thiosulfate solutions containing copper in the absence of ammonia has received little attention. It has been shown in this study involving electrochemical and leaching tests that copper ions catalyze not only the oxidation of thiosulfate but also the dissolution of gold in alkaline thiosulfate solutions. Electrochemical studies have shown that copper has a positive effect on the anodic dissolution of gold with increasing concentrations of copper resulting in higher dissolution rates of gold at a potential of 0.3?V. Studies on the dissolution of gold powder in alkaline oxygenated thiosulfate solutions containing low concentrations of copper have shown that the role of copper in enhancing the dissolution rate of gold is possibly associated with the formation of a copper-thiosulfate-oxygen intermediate which is more reactive in terms of cathodic reduction than dissolved oxygen. The electrochemical experiments have been complemented by a leaching study which has shown that milling of gold powder in the presence of copper (added as ions, metal, or oxide) assists with the dissolution of gold in thiosulfate solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We discuss several examples of synchronous dynamical phenomena in coupled cell networks that are unexpected from symmetry considerations, but are natural using a theory developed by Stewart, Golubitsky, and Pivato. In particular we demonstrate patterns of synchrony in networks with small numbers of cells and in lattices (and periodic arrays) of cells that cannot readily be explained by conventional symmetry considerations. We also show that different types of dynamics can coexist robustly in single solutions of systems of coupled identical cells. The examples include a three-cell system exhibiting equilibria, periodic, and quasiperiodic states in different cells; periodic 2n × 2n arrays of cells that generate 2n different patterns of synchrony from one symmetry-generated solution; and systems exhibiting multirhythms (periodic solutions with rationally related periods in different cells). Our theoretical results include the observation that reduced equations on a center manifold of a skew product system inherit a skew product form. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The anodic dissolution of gold in alkaline thiosulfate solutions has been studied by using a rotating gold disc. Experimental results have shown that the gold dissolves at measurable rates in thiosulfate solutions at potentials above 0.2 V. It has been confirmed that dissolution occurs in parallel with oxidation of thiosulfate with a dissolution current efficiency that varies with time and with the experimental conditions and which is generally in the range of 0.3 to 0.6. Although oxygen could be used as an oxidant for gold in the thiosulfate system, the rate of the cathodic reduction of oxygen in the relevant potential region is too slow for practical purposes. It was found that in the potential region investigated, thiosulfate ions undergo oxidative decomposition leaving a sulfur-like film on the surface of gold, which inhibits the rate of dissolution of gold and results in a low anodic current efficiency for the dissolution of gold. The factors (temperature, pH, thiosulfate concentration and ammonia) have been found to have positive effects on the kinetics of gold dissolution. The rates of gold dissolution in oxygenated alkaline thiosulfate solutions have been estimated to be much lower than in the copper–ammonia–thiosulfate and cyanide systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we consider extensions of Livsic's well-known classical results on rigidity of measurable cocycles. We consider transformations which need not be hyperbolic, and cocycles which take values in certain non-abelian non-compact groups. 1991 Mathematics Subject Classification 58F11, 58F15. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rabbits immunized with autologous renal tubular antigen (Fx1A) developed tubulointerstitiat nephritis whereas sheep anti-Fx1A antibody administered i.v. produced glomerulonephritis (GN), This lesion showed heavy granular glomerular deposition of immunoglobulin and subepithelial electron dense deposits, early proteinuria, leucocyte independence and a temporal pattern of quantitated glomerular antibody binding distinct from that reported to occur in passive Heymann's nephritis in rats. Isoelectric focusing followed by immunoblotting of deoxyehotate-soluble FxIA antigens with the heterologous and autologous antibodies, indicated species differences in epitope recognition which could account for dissociation between the two models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The importance of urban tree diversity for improving resilience is increasingly understood by decision makers. Urban foresters want to prevent the overrepresentation of species on their streets and in their city, which could result in a significant loss of canopy cover in the event of a large-scale disturbance such as a drought or an exotic pest or disease. Although numerous software and tools exist to visualize tree inventories and plan tree maintenance work, only a few offer support for increasing tree diversity. After reviewing the existing tools available for urban forest managers, we present SylvCiT, a novel decision-support and open-source software available on a web platform designed to consolidate information related to the urban forest in one place and facilitate decision-making at different scales. While the first interfaces provide the user with a spatially explicit portrait of the urban forest (species richness, functional diversity, structural diversity, i.e., diameter classes) and associated ecosystem benefits (e.g., stored carbon, ornamental value), the software is designed to produce a list of functional groups and appropriate species to plant considering tree species already present. Based on an artificial intelligence algorithm, SylvCiT identifies the types of trees (species and functional groups) that are absent or underrepresented at different scales to make recommendations that increase species and functional diversity to improve resilience to global change. SylvCiT will continue to be developed to evaluate other ecosystem benefits and integrate criteria such as site characteristics into the recommendation algorithm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study Question: Can markers of human endometrial hypoxia be detected at menstruation in vivo?Summary Answer: Our in vivo data support the presence of hypoxia in menstrual endometrium of women during physiological menstruation.What Is Known Already: Current evidence from animal models and human in vitro studies suggests endometrial hypoxia is present at menstruation and drives endometrial repair post menses. However, detection of human endometrial hypoxia in vivo remains elusive.Study Design, Size, Duration: We performed a prospective case study of 16 women with normal menstrual bleeding.Participants/materials, Setting, Methods: Reproductively aged female participants with a regular menstrual cycle underwent objective measurement of their menstrual blood loss using the alkaline haematin method to confirm a loss of <80 ml per cycle. Exclusion criteria were exogenous hormone use, an intrauterine device, endometriosis or fibroids >3 cm. Participants attended for two MRI scans; during days 1-3 of menstruation and the early/mid-secretory phase of their cycle. The MRI protocol included dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI and T2* quantification. At each visit, an endometrial sample was also collected and hypoxia-regulated repair factor mRNA levels (ADM, VEGFA, CXCR4) were quantified by RT-qPCR.Main Results and the Role Of Chance: Women had reduced T2* during menstrual scans versus non-menstrual scans (P = 0.005), consistent with menstrual hypoxia. Plasma flow (Fp) was increased at menstruation compared to the non-menstrual phase (P = 0.0005). Laboratory findings revealed increased ADM, VEGF-A and CXCR4 at menstruation on examination of paired endometrial biopsies from the menstrual and non-menstrual phase (P = 0.008; P = 0.03; P = 0.009). There was a significant correlation between T2* and these ex vivo hypoxic markers (P < 0.05).Limitations, Reasons For Caution: This study examined the in vivo detection of endometrial hypoxic markers at specific timepoints in the menstrual cycle in women with a menstrual blood loss <80 ml/cycle and without significant uterine structural abnormalities. Further research is required to determine the presence of endometrial hypoxia in those experiencing abnormal uterine bleeding with and without fibroids/adenomyosis.Wider Implications Of the Findings: Heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) is a common, debilitating condition. Understanding menstrual physiology may improve therapeutics. To our knowledge, this is the first in vivo data supporting the presence of menstrual hypoxia in the endometrium of women with normal menstrual bleeding. If aberrant in those with HMB, these non-invasive tests may aid diagnosis and facilitate personalized treatments for HMB.Study Funding/competing Interest(s): This work was funded by Wellbeing of Women grant RG1820, Wellcome Trust Fellowship 209589/Z/17/Z and undertaken in the MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, funded by grants G1002033 and MR/N022556/1. H.O.D.C. has clinical research support for laboratory consumables and staff from Bayer AG and provides consultancy advice (but with no personal remuneration) for Bayer AG, PregLem SA, Gedeon Richter, Vifor Pharma UK Ltd, AbbVie Inc; Myovant Sciences GmbH. H.O.D.C. receives royalties from UpToDate for articles on abnormal uterine bleeding.Trial Registration Number: N/A. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We show that, in addition to the known monohydrate, LiOH forms a dihydrate at elevated pressure. The dihydrate involves a large number of H-bonds establishing chains along the <001> direction. In addition, the energy surface exhibits a saddle point for proton locations along certain O interatomic distances, a feature characteristic for superprotonic conductors. However, MD simulations indicate that LiOH·2H2O is not a superprotonic conductor and suggest the relevant interpolyhedral O-O distances being too large to allow for proton transfer between neighboring Li-coordinated polyhedra at least on the time scale of the MD-simulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Raman spectroscopy was used to study the melting of nitrogen from 290 to 900 K at pressures from 2.3 to 18 GPa. This work, which extends the melting by a factor of 9 over previously published results was made possible by new developments in high-temperature diamond-anvil cells. The β/δ phase boundary was also determined, and the β–δ–fluid triple point was found to be at 578±10 K and 9.9±0.5 GPa. The Raman frequencies of the vibron in fluid N2 and the ν2 vibron in δ-N2 were found to have the same pressure dependence and be independent of temperature to a good approximation. A temperature-independent pressure scale, useful to at least 900 K is approximated by P/GPa=0.4242 ν/cm-1 -987.8, where ν is the frequency of either the ν2 vibron in δ-N2 or the vibron in fluid-N2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global MDR-TB caseload is increasingly driven by primary transmission of MDR-TB in high burden countries. Control will require interruption of transmission through earlier detection, effective outbreak investigation, detailed resistance testing to guide tailored treatment for patients with highly resistant TB and development and rapid access to better drugs. Genomics research and the application of technologies enabled through genomic research and technological innovation can play a critical role in each of these areas. Early diagnosis is facilitated through rapid and sensitive molecular detection of resistance-conferring mutations, real-time whole genome sequencing is now being used to target outbreak investigation and to rapidly identify resistance to second-line drugs and drug development has been enabled through the development of sophisticated screening methods supported by genomic tools. However, the promise of the genomic revolution has not yet been translated to more effective control of MDR-TB, and significant obstacles and gaps in knowledge remain. This presentation will highlight recent advances in this area, describe where existing genomic technologies are already being applied in MDR-TB programmes and identify key knowledge gaps that remain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents information on a study to examine which healthy living interventions are effective for adults with schizo-affective disorders or schizophrenia. Three independent reviewers were assigned to study standardized quality ratings using weighted scores for either controlled or observational studies. It was concluded that in the short term smoking cessation interventions that provide nicotine replacement plus group therapy are effective.

Background and purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in order to determine their nutritional, neurological and respiratory parameters, and survival according to metabolic level. Methods: Nutritional assessment included resting energy expenditure (REE) measured by indirect calorimetry [hypermetabolism if REE variation (DREE) > 10%] and fat mass (FM) using impedancemetry. Neurological assessment included the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale-Revised score. Survival analysis used the Kaplan-Meier method and multivariate Cox model. Results: A total of 315 patients were analysed. Median age at diagnosis was 65.9 years and 55.2% of patients were hypermetabolic. With regard to the metabolic level (DREE: < 10%, 10-20% and >20%), patients with DREE > 20% initially had a lower FM (29.7% vs. 32.1% in those with ΔREE ≤10%; P = 0.0054). During follow-up, the median slope of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale-Revised tended to worsen more in patients with ΔREE > 20% (-1.4 vs. -1.0 points/month in those with ΔREE ≤10%; P = 0.07). Overall median survival since diagnosis was 18.4 months. ΔREE > 20% tended to increase the risk of dying compared with ΔREE ≤10% (hazard ratio, 1.33; P = 0.055). In multivariate analysis, an increased REE:FM ratio was independently associated with death (hazard ratio, 1.005; P = 0.001). Conclusions: Hypermetabolism is present in more than half of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. It modifies the body composition at diagnosis, and patients with hypermetabolism >20% have a worse prognosis than those without hypermetabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study which used wire heating in diamond -anvil cells to measure the pressure, temperature, resistance, and x-ray diffraction patterns of γ -iron. Extrapolation of results to conditions of the earth's core yields; Information on the current-voltage characteristics of the wire; Details of the molar volumes of γ-iron.

Aims: This study compares the views of final year medical, and nursing and allied health professional (NAHP) students in relation to four governmental proposals impacting on the sale and purchase of alcohol. Methods: Against a background of political will to address alcohol abuse in Scotland and moves within the National Health Service promoting a shifting of professional roles, self-completed questionnaires were administered in spring 2009 through course websites and lectures to final year medical and NAHP students. Results: Questionnaires were returned by 406 NAHPs and 121 medical students. Over three quarters of all students agreed with the proposed change to reduce the drink driving limit to 50 mg/100 ml blood. Less support was evident for the raising of the minimum legal purchase age for off-sales (37%), the banning of below cost price promotions of alcohol (47%) and minimum retail pricing (37%). However, there were differences between the NAHP and medical students in the case of the final two proposals; over 60% of the medical students agreed they would have a positive impact. For NAHPs, figures were 41% and 31%, respectively. Conclusions: Support for four key proposals outlined by the Scottish Government to address alcohol misuse varied. Only the suggestion to lower the drink driving limit received backing overall and within students in these professions. Effectiveness of proposed restrictions on the price of alcohol was less well regarded except by medical students. Evident gaps in knowledge around health guidelines, and the finding that almost half of NAHPs disagreed that they had the appropriate knowledge to advise patients about responsible drinking advice and alcohol misuse problems, suggest a need for improved undergraduate education and continued professional development with respect to public health aspects of alcohol use. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The influence of cobalt ions in the solution on the anodic oxidation of a commercial Pb–Ca–Sn alloy under conditions typical of copper electrowinning was studied using cyclic voltammograms and potential decay transients. The cobalt ions changed the structure, morphology and chemical composition of the surface film from a loose porous film to a thin dense film. This change of surface film is the cause for the decreased rate of oxidation for the lead anode in the presence of cobalt ions. The steady state potential of the alloy during anodic oxidation decreased with (i) increasing cobalt ion concentration, (ii) increasing rotation speed, (iii) increasing temperature, (iv) decreasing acid concentration and (v) decreasing current density. The steady state potentials were lower in the presence of cobalt ions. This decrease in the steady state potential may indicate that oxygen evolution is more rapid on the more compact film formed in the presence of cobalt ions. Alternatively, an additional pathway of oxidation may be provided by the cobalt ions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are various methods of reducing anterior shoulder dislocations. The traditionally used methods like Kocher's and Hippocratic are associated with procedural complications and frequently require sedation/muscle relaxants which have their own complications and are associated with longer stay and monitoring requirement in the emergency department. We describe a stepped care approach to shoulder dislocation reduction in the prone position involving four steps and two new manipulation methods taking into consideration the pathological deforming forces in a dislocated shoulder and addressing them in a stepwise fashion. This method does not require sedation/muscle relaxants in the majority of cases, is easy to learn, relatively painless, associated with shorter stay in the emergency department and has fewer complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To review international efforts to incorporate genetics content into nursing education curricula. Organizing Framework: A discussion of the progress in nursing education programs in selected countries to educate students for genomics-based health care. Information is based on review of the literature and curriculum change efforts by the authors. Conclusions: The lack of agreed-upon minimum competencies impedes efforts to educate nurses for genomics-based health care. Nationally and internationally recognized documents are useful for collaborative efforts to establish minimal competencies in knowledge, skills, and attitudes for nurses with basic and advanced education. Curriculum change that incorporates minimum competencies will require nursing faculty to improve their knowledge base in genomics-based health care. Partnerships among nurses in different countries are needed for successful genomics education programs for faculty. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 2005; 37:3, 196-202. ©2005 Sigma Theta Tau International. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elderly people discharged directly home from an accident and emergency department are known to be a vulnerable group. The value of health visitor follow-up in patients aged 75 years and over was assessed in a random controlled trial; 222 intervention patients were seen at home by a research health visitor shortly after discharge and screened for new dependency and support needs, appropriate community services then being offered. These patients, and 192 controls for whom no special arrangements were made, were followed up four weeks later by a research occupational therapist. New dependency, most commonly trauma-related, was found in approximately 50%, and in the majority proved transient. Advice and/or referral to a wide range of services was offered to 92% of the intervention group. Service refusal rates were high in both groups. Compared to controls, intervention patients received more services and were significantly more independent at four weeks. Health visitor assessment was seen as helpful. In order to identify elderly accident and emergency department patients at risk following discharge, study data were used to derive a short questionnaire. In follow-up visits to 48 patients the use of this questionnaire was piloted, and its validity demonstrated. A number of study limitations and areas for development of discharge planning are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) occurs after exposure to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). For persons who are exposed, the standard of care is observation and quarantine. Whether hydroxychloroquine can prevent symptomatic infection after SARS-CoV-2 exposure is unknown.Methods: We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial across the United States and parts of Canada testing hydroxychloroquine as postexposure prophylaxis. We enrolled adults who had household or occupational exposure to someone with confirmed Covid-19 at a distance of less than 6 ft for more than 10 minutes while wearing neither a face mask nor an eye shield (high-risk exposure) or while wearing a face mask but no eye shield (moderate-risk exposure). Within 4 days after exposure, we randomly assigned participants to receive either placebo or hydroxychloroquine (800 mg once, followed by 600 mg in 6 to 8 hours, then 600 mg daily for 4 additional days). The primary outcome was the incidence of either laboratory-confirmed Covid-19 or illness compatible with Covid-19 within 14 days.Results: We enrolled 821 asymptomatic participants. Overall, 87.6% of the participants (719 of 821) reported a high-risk exposure to a confirmed Covid-19 contact. The incidence of new illness compatible with Covid-19 did not differ significantly between participants receiving hydroxychloroquine (49 of 414 [11.8%]) and those receiving placebo (58 of 407 [14.3%]); the absolute difference was -2.4 percentage points (95% confidence interval, -7.0 to 2.2; P = 0.35). Side effects were more common with hydroxychloroquine than with placebo (40.1% vs. 16.8%), but no serious adverse reactions were reported.Conclusions: After high-risk or moderate-risk exposure to Covid-19, hydroxychloroquine did not prevent illness compatible with Covid-19 or confirmed infection when used as postexposure prophylaxis within 4 days after exposure. (Funded by David Baszucki and Jan Ellison Baszucki and others; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT04308668.). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Constipation is not an inevitable part of ageing. Cheryl Holman, Sally Roberts and Maggie Nicol offer solutions to this often painful and embarrassing condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using powder x-ray diffraction and first-principles calculations, we provide evidence for a structural transition of PETN-I below 6 GPa to an orthorhombic phase of space group P21212. The transition can be rationalized as shear-stress induced and ferroelastic, which involves a slight static displacement of the molecules that breaks the fourfold symmetry of PETN-I. Previously reported changes in the optical spectra reflect a lifting of the twofold degeneracy of modes in tetragonal PETN-I. The observed transition is expected to induce soft shear compliances along specific directions in PETN crystallites that may relate to the observed dependence of detonation pressure on crystal orientation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction et but de l’étude L’hypermétabolisme (HM) est défini par un niveau excessif de dépense énergétique de repos (DER) d’un patient. Il est présent lors de la sclérose latérale amyotrophique (SLA) dans 50 à 60 % des cas et dans 100 % des formes familiales, à + 10 à + 20 % par rapport aux valeurs attendues, stable durant l’évolution de la maladie. L’objectif du travail était d’étudier le statut nutritionnel, l’évolution fonctionnelle et la survie en fonction de l’HM chez des patients atteints de SLA. Matériel et méthodes L’étude rétrospective incluait 412 patients ente 1996 et 2014, dont la DER était mesurée par calorimétrie indirecte (CI). Les données nutritionnelles et métaboliques étaient le poids, l’indice de masse corporelle au début des symptômes et à la CI, la DER prédite par les formules d’Harris et Benedict, la DER mesurée (HM si variation de DER mesurée/prédite ≥ 10 %), la composition corporelle obtenue par les plis cutanés et en impédancemétrie. Les caractéristiques neurologiques (forme de début, forme diagnostique, forme familiale, mutation génétique, score ALSFRS-R) étaient notées, ainsi que la mise en place d’une gastrotomie et d’une ventilation non invasive (VNI). L’analyse statistique utilisait les tests de Student , de Mann-Whitney, du Chi 2 . L’analyse de survie utilisait la méthode de Kaplan-Meier et le test du Log-rank . Résultats et analyse statistique Quatre vingt patients étaient exclus (incertitude diagnostique, CI ininterprétable). Pour les 332 restants, l’âge médian de diagnostic était de 64,8 ans (intervalle interquartile [II] : 55,6–72,0), le sex-ratio H/F de 1,1 et 56,0 % des patients avaient un HM. Celui-ci était en moyenne à + 21,5 ± 10,1 %. Le statut nutritionnel et la variation pondérale entre le début des symptômes et la CI ne différaient pas entre les patients HM ou non HM. En revanche, la masse grasse en anthropométrie et impédancemétrie était plus faible en cas d’HM (respectivement 28,5 ± 7,4 % contre 31,2 ± 7,3 %, p = 0,003 et 30,5 ± 9,5 % contre 34,1 ± 10,5 %, p = 0,002). Il n’y avait pas de différence pour la forme de début et la forme diagnostique, l’évolution du score fonctionnel ou le type de mutation génétique. Seulement 60,0 % des formes familiales avaient un HM. Le niveau métabolique ne jouait pas sur le délai de mise en place d’une gastrostomie ou d’une VNI. La médiane de survie depuis le diagnostic était de 19,3 ans (II : 11,3–36,4). La survie globale n’était pas influencée par l’HM, mais l’était par la forme clinique de la maladie, les formes bulbaires décédant plus précocement ; hazard ratio = 1,5 [intervalle de confiance 95 % : 1,16–2,00, p = 0,01]). Conclusion Ce travail confirme la présence d’un HM chez plus de la moitié des patients atteints de SLA, qui cependant n’influence pas leur évolution fonctionnelle et leur survie. Cette importante cohorte de patients montre, par rapport aux données usuelles, un niveau d’HM plus élevé, une inconstance de l’HM dans les formes familiales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mandates to execute ecosystem-based management exist but are not implemented sufficiently enough to reap the benefits of a growing blue economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optically clear crystals of resorcinal [C6H4(OH)2] were grown and employed in the Raman and calorimetric studies of the phase transitions. The enthalpy and entropy change for the solid–solid (α–β) phase transition at 369±6 K are 1.370±0.007 kJ mol-1 and 3.71±0.05 J K-1 mol-1, respectively. The slope (dp/dT) of the α–β phase boundary at 1 atm is negative (-16.7 atm K-1). The characteristic Raman features of the α–β transition are the disappearance of the librational mode at 102 cm-1 and one of the O–H stretching modes at 3060 cm-1 (298 K and 1 atm), while other vibrations remain continuous in both phases. The pressure induced α–β phase transition at room temperature was observed in a diamond anvil cell at 5 kbar. The enthalpy of fusion of β-resorcinal at 382.8 K is 20.89±0.07 kJ mol-1 and the entropy change is 54.59±0.18 J K-1 mol-1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The explosion of interest in the human microbiome research was sparked in part by two research initiatives launched in 2008, the European and Chinese-led Metagenomics of the Human Intestinal Tract Consortium and the National Institutes of Health (NIH)-sponsored Human Microbiome Project. The new knowledge provided by these initiatives and others worldwide are transforming our understanding of the pathogenesis of several diseases, including asthma, inflammatory bowel diseases, obesity and Type 1 diabetes, as well as the development of the immune response linked to some vaccines. However, African populations are understudied in these initiatives, and there is no "African Microbiome Initiative". This systematic review aimed to summarize and discuss the state of research on the human microbiome in Africa, including the therapeutic role of the microbiome for the management of certain local diseases. Methods&Materials: Using predefined keywords, we searched in six electronic databases for human microbiome studies conducted in Africa. In addition, to find additional articles, we checked references cited in eligible studies. Two authors independently selected eligible studies published until 30 September 2015. Results: Eighty-nine human microbiome papers were identified from six electronic databases and other sources. There were 80 primary microbiome studies (including Khoi San (n= 1) and Hunter- Gatherers (n= 4)) and 9 nested microbiome studies within existing cohorts. 16S rRNA gene sequencing was the technique most widely used to characterize the microbiota. The main body sites studied were the gut (46%), vagina (25%) and the oral cavity (11%). The diseases targeted were malnutrition (n= 4), HIV/AIDS (n= 7), diarrhoea (n= 4), and periodontitis (n= 5). These microbiome studies were performed in individuals of all ages, with most of the studies being conducted in adults. Kenya, Uganda, South Africa and Nigeria were the sites of the majority of studies; however the principal investigators of most of the studies (87%) were from developed countries. TheUSANIHwasthemainfunding source (25%), followed by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (9%) and the European Commision (8%). Conclusion: More studies of the microbiome including African participants, focusing on endemic diseases and led by African researchers are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article, by Cheryl Holman, Sally Roberts and Maggie Nicol, is part of a series for care professionals and assistants on updating and learning new skills. It considers the importance of good nutrition in older people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This series is designed to assist care professionals and assistants in updating of learning new skills. This month, Cheryl Holman, Sally Roberts and Maggie Nicol consider age-related changes to hearing and how they can be ameliorated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article by Cheryl Holman, Sally Roberts and Maggie Nicol is the second in a new series for care professionals and assistants on updating and learning new skills. It considers the importance of eye care and promoting healthy sight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article by Cheryl Holman, Sally Roberts and Maggie Nicol is the first in a new series for care professionals and assistants on updating or learning new skills. It considers the importance of oral care in maintaining the all-round health and wellbeing of older people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents an open letter to the materials community. Discussion of the challenges for the measurement of hardness; Result of the incomplete understanding of the relationship between the microscopic and macroscopic behavior of the materials; Establishment of criteria for comparing hardness among very hard substances by providing details regarding the type of indenter, applied loads and sample orientation.

In the flotation of platinum group minerals (PGMs) occurring in the Platreef ore body, it is often assumed that the interactions between thiol collectors and tellurides of Pt and Pd are similar to those occurring with the equivalent sulphides. In order to gain a greater insight into this assumption a rest(mixed) potential study was conducted to investigate the interactions occurring between two thiol collectors, viz. sodium ethyl xanthate (SEX) and sodium diethyl dithiophosphate (SEDTP), and selected PGMs, viz. moncheite (PtTe 2 ), merenskyite (PdTe 2 ), cooperite (PtS) and vysotskite (PdS) as well as pure platinum and palladium. The results have shown that all these minerals reacted with the collectors in question but that the rest potential of the Pt minerals are more anodic than those of the Pd minerals. Moreover when SEX was used, dixanthogen is more likely to form on PtS than PtTe 2 but the reverse is the case for PdTe 2 and PdS. In the case of SEDTP it was found that the dithiolate (SEDTP 2 ) did not form on any of the mineral surfaces. The results were compared to those already reported in a previous investigation of the same systems using cyclic voltammetry. The information obtained in these two investigations complement each other and may provide a more fundamental understanding of the role of these collectors in recovering the respective minerals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the flotation of platinum group minerals (PGMs) containing significant amounts of tellurides and arsenides it is generally assumed that these minerals will respond in the same way as sulphides to collectors such as xanthates which are typically used in sulphide flotation. This paper presents the results of a fundamental study which has been conducted to provide a greater insight into the comparative interactions between synthetic moncheite (PtTe 2 ) and cooperite (PtS) with sodium ethyl xanthate (SEX). Cyclic voltammetry has been used to investigate these interactions in the absence and presence of sodium ethyl xanthate (SEX) in aerated and de-aerated solutions. Reduction potentials of the SEX/dixanthogen couple have been measured and compared to published data. Reduction potentials of possible reactions of the minerals have been predicted from thermodynamic calculations and used to attempt to interpret the potentials measured in the cyclic voltammetry investigations. Results have shown differences in the oxidation behaviour of the minerals as well as in the SEX interaction with the minerals. The effect of pH was investigated in the case of the Pt minerals and fractional surface coverages were calculated with a view to ultimately correlate these results with flotation behaviour. Proposals are made with respect to the various reactions occurring under the conditions studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose The main objective of establishing the French register of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis ( ALS) in the Limousin region ( FRALim), was to assess the incidence of ALS, in this ageing region of Europe, over a 12-year period (2000-2011). Methods Patients were included if they lived in Limousin at the time of diagnosis of ALS according to El Escorial revised criteria and were identified by at least one of the following sources: (i) the French national body coordinating ALS referral centres; (ii) public and private hospitals in the region; (iii) health insurance data related to long-term diseases. Results The FRALim register identified 279 incident cases (2000-2011). The crude and European population standardized incidences of ALS were as high as 3.19/100 000 person-years of follow-up (95% CI 2.81-3.56) and 2.58/100 000 person-years of follow-up (95% CI 2.27-2.89) respectively. Median age at onset was 70.8 years (interquartile range 63.1-77.1). The standardized sex incidence ratio (male/female) was 1.3 overall, but 1.1 under the age of 65 years, 1.7 between 65 and 75 years and 1.9 above 75 years. The exhaustiveness of the register has been estimated at 98.4% (95% CI 95.6-99.4) by capture-recapture analysis. Conclusion It was possible for the first time in France to monitor accurately the incidence of ALS over a long time period. It appears to be in the upper range of data reported in western countries. Patterns displayed here might anticipate the epidemiology of ALS in ageing western countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective case series. OBJECTIVE: To study the radiologic changes in the intervertebral disc after Dynesys dynamic stabilization. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Adjacent segment disc degeneration is one of the potential complications of fusion surgery. It has been proposed that nonfusion motion preservation surgery may prevent accelerated adjacent segment degeneration because of the protective effect of persisting segmental motion. METHODS: Thirty-two patients who underwent Dynesys procedure between November 2002 and June 2004 and have completed 2-year follow-up MRI scans were included in this study. Preoperative and 2 year postoperative lumbar MRI scans were evaluated by 2 independent observers. T2-weighted mid-sagittal images were used and disc degeneration classified according to the Woodend classification of disc degeneration. Anterior and posterior intervertebral disc heights were also measured. RESULTS: Of the 32 patients, 20 patients underwent Dynesys procedure alone and 12 underwent additional fusion at 1 or more levels. A total of 70 levels were operated on, of which 13 levels were fused.There was a statistically significant increase in the mean Woodend score at the operated levels in the Dynesys alone group, a change from 1.95 before surgery to 2.52 after surgery (P < 0.001). The mean Woodend scores changed from 1.27 preoperative to 1.55 postoperative (P = 0.066) at the proximal adjacent levels, and from 1.37 to 1.62 at the distal levels (P = 0.157). There was good interobserver agreement (weighted kappa score of 0.819). The anterior intervertebral disc height reduced by 2 mm from 9.25 to 7.17 (P < 0.001). The posterior disc height increased by 0.14 mm but this change was not significant. CONCLUSION: Disc degeneration at the bridged and adjacent segment seems to continue despite Dynesys dynamic stabilization. This continuing degeneration could be due to natural disease progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]