Imaging Flaws in Thin Metal Plates Using a Magneto-Optic Device

The ability to quickly detect flaws in thin aluminum alloy sheets is of critical importance to the commercial airline fleets. Current eddy-current methods, although very effective at exposing flawed regions, can be very time consuming when applied to airframe structures. The need for a fast, effective means of detecting critical flaws needs to be met. The purpose of this paper is to present preliminary results describing some capabilities of a new instrument, The Magneto-Optic/Eddy Current Imager, as an NDE tool for use in the Airframe Structural Integrity Program

Methodologies used in cost-effectiveness models for evaluating treatments in major depressive disorder: a systematic review

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Decision makers in many jurisdictions use cost-effectiveness estimates as an aid for selecting interventions with an appropriate balance between health benefits and costs. This systematic literature review aims to provide an overview of published cost-effectiveness models in major depressive disorder (MDD) with a focus on the methods employed. Key components of the identified models are discussed and any challenges in developing models are highlighted.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A systematic literature search was performed to identify all primary model-based economic evaluations of MDD interventions indexed in MEDLINE, the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, EconLit, and PsycINFO between January 2000 and May 2010.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 37 studies were included in the review. These studies predominantly evaluated antidepressant medications. The analyses were performed across a broad set of countries. The majority of models were decision-trees; eight were Markov models. Most models had a time horizon of less than 1 year. The majority of analyses took a payer perspective. Clinical input data were obtained from pooled placebo-controlled comparative trials, single head-to-head trials, or meta-analyses. The majority of studies (24 of 37) used treatment success or symptom-free days as main outcomes, 14 studies incorporated health state utilities, and 2 used disability-adjusted life-years. A few models (14 of 37) incorporated probabilities and costs associated with suicide and/or suicide attempts. Two models examined the cost-effectiveness of second-line treatment in patients who had failed to respond to initial therapy. Resource use data used in the models were obtained mostly from expert opinion. All studies, with the exception of one, explored parameter uncertainty.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The review identified several model input data gaps, including utility values in partial responders, efficacy of second-line treatments, and resource utilisation estimates obtained from relevant, high-quality studies. It highlighted the differences in outcome measures among the trials of MDD interventions, which can lead to difficulty in performing indirect comparisons, and the inconsistencies in definitions of health states used in the clinical trials and those used in utility studies. Clinical outcomes contributed to the uncertainty in cost-effectiveness estimates to a greater degree than costs or utility weights.</p

Varicella-zoster virus induces apoptosis in cell culture

peer reviewedaudience: researcherApoptosis is an active mechanism of cell death which can be initiated in response to various stimuli including virus infections. In this work, we demonstrate that lytic infection by varicella-zoster virus (VZV), a human herpesvirus, is characterized by nuclear fragmentation of DNA into oligonucleosomal fragments and by chromatin condensation. In vitro, VZV-induced cell death is actually mediated by apoptosis. The mechanisms developed by cells to protect themselves against apoptosis could be one of the parameters allowing the establishment of virus latency. In the case of VZV, which can remain latent in sensory ganglia, we have not yet identified a cellular or viral protein which could play this protective role, since the observed apoptosis mechanism seems to be independent from Bcl-2, the most frequently described inhibitor of apoptosis

Relational experiences of people seeking help and assessment for subjective cognitive concern and memory loss

Objective: To understand the experience of people who seek help for subjective cognitive concern and memory loss, including people not referred for further assessment. To understand the patients’ perspective of the medical process of receiving a cognitive assessment. This work is situated within the context of policy priorities for dementia diagnosis. Methods: Participants with and without dementia were recruited through NHS trusts and community organisations in four regional areas in England. Data were collected using longitudinal qualitative interviews. Transcript data were thematically analysed. Results: Sample of 41 people (mean 75 years, 25 dementia diagnoses). Interpretative thematic analyses focused on the presence or absence of trust in relational experiences. There were three transition points where trust could be specifically developed or undermined: 1) deciding to seek help; 2) healthcare practitioners’ response to help-seeking; 3) process and outcome of assessment. Triggers for help-seeking for subjective cognitive concern were being prompted by family and knowing a relative with dementia. When participants perceived healthcare practitioners’ behaviour as dismissive, they had less trust in the outcome of the healthcare encounter. Misunderstandings and absence of trust in assessment processes led to participants stating they did not fully agree with the outcomes of the assessment. Conclusions: Healthcare practitioners have an important role in supporting people with subjective cognitive concern ensuring patients have trust in assessment outcomes. Where the validity of the assessment process is seen as ambiguous, people can be left dealing with uncertainty, rather than being clear about ways they can manage their condition, situation or status

The consequences of perceived age discrimination amongst older police officers : is social support a buffer ?

This paper considers the possible psychological consequences of perceived agediscrimination, and the possible buffering effect of social support. Findings, based on a studyof perceived age discrimination amongst police officers in the North of England, suggest thatage discrimination acts as a stressor, with officers experiencing negative effects of perceivedage discrimination on job and life satisfaction, perceived power and prestige of the job, andaffective and normative commitment, along with positive effects on withdrawal cognitionsand continuance commitment. For work-based social support, there were positive maineffects on job and satisfaction, power and prestige of the job, and affective and normativecommitment, and a negative main effect on withdrawal cognitions. However, there were nosignificant moderating effects for work-based social support, and we found the anticipatedbuffering effect for non-work-based social support only for life satisfaction, with reversebuffering for job satisfaction and normative commitment. The limitations and implications ofthe study are discussed

Lunar Outgassing, Transient Phenomena and The Return to The Moon, I: Existing Data

Herein the transient lunar phenomena (TLP) report database is subjected to a discriminating statistical filter robust against sites of spurious reports, and produces a restricted sample that may be largely reliable. This subset is highly correlated geographically with the catalog of outgassing events seen by the Apollo 15, 16 and Lunar Prospector alpha-particle spectrometers for episodic Rn-222 gas release. Both this robust TLP sample and even the larger, unfiltered sample are highly correlated with the boundary between mare and highlands, as are both deep and shallow moonquakes, as well as Po-210, a long-lived product of Rn-222 decay and a further tracer of outgassing. This offers another significant correlation relating TLPs and outgassing, and may tie some of this activity to sagging mare basalt plains (perhaps mascons). Additionally, low-level but likely significant TLP activity is connected to recent, major impact craters (while moonquakes are not), which may indicate the effects of cracks caused by the impacts, or perhaps avalanches, allowing release of gas. The majority of TLP (and Rn-222) activity, however, is confined to one site that produced much of the basalt in the Procellarum Terrane, and it seems plausible that this TLP activity may be tied to residual outgassing from the formerly largest volcanic ffusion sites from the deep lunar interior. With the coming in the next few years of robotic spacecraft followed by human exploration, the study of TLPs and outgassing is both promising and imperiled. We will have an unprecedented pportunity to study lunar outgassing, but will also deal with a greater burden of anthropogenic lunar gas than ever produced. There is a pressing need to study lunar atmosphere and its sources while still pristine. [Abstract abridged.]Comment: 35 pages, 3 figures, submitted to Icarus. Other papers in series found at http://www.astro.columbia.edu/~arlin/TLP

A field and video-annotation guide for baited remote underwater stereo-video surveys of demersal fish assemblages

Researchers TL, BG, JW, NB and JM were supported by the Marine Biodiversity Hub through funding from the Australian Government's National Environmental Science Program. Data validation scripts and GlobalArchive.org were supported by the Australian Research Data Commons, the Gorgon-Barrow Island Gorgon Barrow Island Net Conservation Benefits Fund, administered by the Government of Western Australia and the BHP/UWA Biodiversity and Societal Benefits of Restricted Access Areas collaboration.1. Baited remote underwater stereo-video systems (stereo-BRUVs) are a popular tool to sample demersal fish assemblages and gather data on their relative abundance and body-size structure in a robust, cost-effective, and non-invasive manner. Given the rapid uptake of the method, subtle differences have emerged in the way stereo-BRUVs are deployed and how the resulting imagery are annotated. These disparities limit the interoperability of datasets obtained across studies, preventing broad-scale insights into the dynamics of ecological systems. 2. We provide the first globally accepted guide for using stereo-BRUVs to survey demersal fish assemblages and associated benthic habitats. 3. Information on stereo-BRUV design, camera settings, field operations, and image annotation are outlined. Additionally, we provide links to protocols for data validation, archiving, and sharing. 4. Globally, the use of stereo-BRUVs is spreading rapidly. We provide a standardised protocol that will reduce methodological variation among researchers and encourage the use of Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reproducible (FAIR) workflows to increase the ability to synthesise global datasets and answer a broad suite of ecological questions.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

In vitro antiproliferative activity of partially purified Trigona laeviceps propolis from Thailand on human cancer cell lines

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Cancers are some of the leading causes of human deaths worldwide and their relative importance continues to increase. Since an increasing proportion of cancer patients are acquiring resistance to traditional chemotherapeutic agents, it is necessary to search for new compounds that provide suitable specific antiproliferative affects that can be developed as anticancer agents. Propolis from the stingless bee, <it>Trigona laeviceps</it>, is one potential interesting source that is widely available and cultivatable (as bee hives) in Thailand.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Propolis (90 g) was initially extracted by 95% (v/v) ethanol and then solvent partitioned by sequential extractions of the crude ethanolic extract with 40% (v/v) MeOH, CH₂Cl₂and hexane. After solvent removal by evaporation, each extract was solvated in DMSO and assayed for antiproliferative activity against five cancer (Chago, KATO-III, SW620, BT474 and Hep-G2) and two normal (HS27 fibroblast and CH-liver) cell lines using the MTT assay. The cell viability (%) and IC₅₀values were calculated.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The hexane extract provided the highest <it>in vitro </it>antiproliferative activity against the five tested cancer cell lines and the lowest cytotoxicity against the two normal cell lines. Further fractionation of the hexane fraction by quick column chromatography using eight solvents of increasing polarity for elution revealed the two fractions eluted with 30% and 100% (v/v) CH₂Cl₂in hexane (30DCM and 100DCM, respectively) had a higher anti-proliferative activity. Further fractionation by size exclusion chromatography lead to four fractions for each of 30DCM and 100DCM, with the highest antiproliferative activity on cancer but not normal cell lines being observed in fraction# 3 of 30DCM (IC₅₀value of 4.09 - 14.7 μg/ml).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p><it>T. laeviceps </it>propolis was found to contain compound(s) with antiproliferative activity <it>in vitro </it>on cancer but not normal cell lines in tissue culture. The more enriched propolis fractions typically revealed a higher antiproliferative activity (lower IC₅₀value). Overall, propolis from Thailand may have the potential to serve as a template for future anticancer-drug development.</p

Problematic Attachment to Social Media: Lived Experience and Emotions

People's relationship with social media and their contacts on them can be problematic. People may engage in social media in a compulsive and hasty style to increase their popularity, reputation and enhance their self-esteem. However, this problematic attachment to social media may result in side effects on people’s well-being. Therefore, people may need assistance to reform their relationship with social media in a way that it maintains different aspects of their online interaction, such as empathy with others and maintaining their popularity and relatedness. In order to provide the tools and methods to support people in reforming their relationship with social media, towards a healthier usage style, we need to understand the experience of people who suffer a problematic relationship with them. Most studies on the topic are based on methods which would lack ecological validity, e.g. using surveys and interviews, and do not capture or imitate such a digital experience as lived. In an attempt to better explore how people experience problematic attachment and relationship with social media, and their associated emotions, we conducted a multistage qualitative method study including a diary study to gather lived experience. We aim to inform both users and designers towards a managed and tool-supported reform of their problematic relationship with social media and, ultimately, having a healthier online interaction