Sex Offspring Ratio and Radiofrequency Radiation Exposure: A Comparison of High-Access Window Cleaners to Telecommunications Riggers

Radiofrequency (RF) radiation is a silent and invisible hazard for both high-access window cleaners and telecommunications riggers that can heat body tissue, resulting in injury. In this study, a total of 68 high-access window cleaners were interviewed to establish their sex offspring ratio. Results indicated that there was no significant variance to that of the general Australian population. The high-access window cleaning industry has a lower awareness of this hazard than the telecommunications industry. This study compares and contrasts its outcomes against a similar study within the telecommunications industry (n = 68), which also identified no significant variance. As mobile telecommunication networks expand, the risk for high-access window cleaners will increase. Therefore, the study recommended that high-access window cleaning companies should revise their safety systems to ensure this hazard is addressed. A further recommendation was that this study should be repeated in the future to determine if expanding telecommunications networks and increased potential exposure has affected sex offspring ratios

Sex, Health and Australia’s Artarmon Triangle

The Artarmon Triangle in Sydney, Australia is cornered by three large broadcast towers that, over the years, have emitted high levels of radiofrequency radiation. One study of the Artarmon Triangle suggests a link between the incidence of leukemia and proximity to the towers. Further, there is a widespread belief within the telecommunications industry that exposure to radiofrequency radiation may cause telecommunication equipment riggers to conceive more female offspring. This study tests a hypothesis that telecommunications riggers who have worked on any of the three Artarmon Triangle towers would have an increased frequency of female offspring when compared to telecommunications riggers who have not worked in the Triangle

Music as an Ergogenic Aid During Resistance Training in an Adult Population: A Pilot Study

Music has been found to produce feelings and emotions of power, reduce physical pain, and manage mood and affect. Ergogenic aids are regularly used in the resistance training (RT) setting to help improve performance. While the ergogenic effects of music are widely documented in aerobic exercise, research is lacking in the RT setting. The aim of this study was to examine the possible ergogenic benefits of music during RT workouts. Twelve individuals (mean age in years 49.8 ± 17.5 years) participated in the present online study, with nine female participants (mean age in years 48.2 ± 17.7) and three male participants (mean age in years 54.3 ± 22.0). All participants performed RT training exercises while listening to three music conditions: general music (GM) playlist, self-selected (SS) music playlist, and empowering music (EM) playlist. Participants then completed online surveys where they rated different aspects of their workouts such as motivation, enjoyment, and focus on a scale of 1 to 4 (1 = terrible, 2 = bad, 3 = good, 4 = great). The playlists with the highest mean ratings included the SS playlist for quality of workout (3.50 ± 0.52), the GM playlist for enjoyment and motivation (3.58 ± 0.52 and 3.50 ± 0.52, respectively), and the GM playlist (3.42 ± 0.52) and SS playlist (3.42 ± 0.6) for focus. In conclusion, music may have functioned as an ergogenic aid in RT workouts by increasing the quality of the workout, improving motivation, focus, and enjoyment, reducing the rate of perceived exertion, and creating a dissociation effect during the exercises. The practical applications of this study can be applied to a variety of RT exercisers ranging from the general population all the way to elite sports athletes

Microfluidic multipoles: theory and applications

Microfluidic multipoles (MFMs) have been realized experimentally and hold promise for "open-space" biological and chemical surface processing. Whereas convective flow can readily be predicted using hydraulic-electrical analogies, the design of advanced MFMs is constrained by the lack of simple, accurate models to predict mass transport within them. In this work, we introduce the first exact solutions to mass transport in multipolar microfluidics based on the iterative conformal mapping of 2D advection-diffusion around a simple edge into dipoles and multipolar geometries, revealing a rich landscape of transport modes. The models were validated experimentally with a library of 3D printed MFM devices and found in excellent agreement. Following a theory-guided design approach, we further ideated and fabricated two new classes of spatiotemporally reconfigurable MFM devices that are used for processing surfaces with time-varying reagent streams, and to realize a multistep automated immunoassay. Overall, the results set the foundations for exploring, developing, and applying open-space MFMs.Comment: 16 pages, 5 figure

Unveiling process knowledge for plasmid DNA fermentation across upstream scales

Plasmids DNA (pDNA) are small, circular pieces of DNA used to deliver genetic information and are key inputs in gene therapies, cell therapies, gene editing, and in particular mRNA vaccines and therapies. There are currently ~1,400 therapeutic assets in development across these modalities, with the pipeline expected to grow rapidly in the next years given the pandemic scenario. Developing biopharmaceuticals derived from microbial fermentation such as pDNA relies upon performant bioreactors to allow a rapid scale up to commercial batches. For this it is relevant to minimize any possible risks while developing a process that adheres to industry quality standards. The choice of a well characterized system plays an important role from R&D through to production stages in accelerating development timelines and ensuring process success. The aim of this poster is to provide evidence to demonstrate the advantages of a microbial process developed using Sartorius scalable microbial solutions, DoE software and analytical methods for pDNA production. Please click Download on the upper right corner to see the full abstract

Perceptions d’infirmières et infirmiers diplômés à l’étranger et de préceptrices sur les stratégies facilitant la transition professionnelle en période de préceptorat

Le nombre d’infirmières et infirmiers diplômés à l’étranger (IIDÉ) est en constante progression au Canada. Le préceptorat est qualifié d’approche exemplaire pour faciliter la transition professionnelle d’IIDÉ dans le nouvel environnement (Sherman & Eggenberger, 2008). Au cours de cette période, les défis pour l’IIDÉ sont importants en raison des différences culturelles et de pratique entre les pays d’origine et d’accueil (Johnston & Mohide, 2008). Une transition réussie est nécessaire pour le bien-être des IIDÉ et leur rétention dans le milieu de travail, mais aussi pour l’impact possible sur la sécurité des patients et la qualité des soins (Kawi & Xu, 2009). Inspirée de la théorie intermédiaire de la transition (Meleis, Sawyer, Im, Messias, & Schumacher, 2000), cette recherche avait pour but de décrire les perceptions d’IIDÉ et de préceptrices, en regard des stratégies utilisées en période de préceptorat, pour contrer les barrières et faciliter la transition professionnelle d’IIDÉ, en milieu de santé québécois. Les résultats de cette recherche descriptive qualitative proviennent de l’analyse d’entrevues semi-dirigées avec six IIDÉ d’origine française et deux préceptrices. Plusieurs stratégies s’adressant à l’IIDÉ, la préceptrice, l’équipe de travail et l’organisation du centre hospitalier ont été identifiées. Celles pour l’IIDÉ servent à échanger et s’intégrer, accepter et optimiser, comprendre et apprendre ainsi que comparer et sélectionner; celles pour la communauté professionnelle se résument à soutenir, encadrer, personnaliser, expliquer et justifier. Les perceptions d’IIDÉ et de préceptrices varient sur plusieurs des stratégies. Des recommandations pour la formation, la pratique et la recherche en sciences infirmières ont été formulées.The number of foreign educated nurses (FEN) is in constant progression in Canada. Preceptorship is considered best practice to facilitate the professional transition of FEN in their new environment (Sherman & Eggenberger, 2008). During this period, the challenges for FEN are important because of the differences in culture and practice between the country of origin and the landed one (Johnston & Mohide, 2008). Successful transition is necessary for the well-being of the FEN and their retention in work places, but also for their possible impact on patient’s safety and quality of care (Kawi & Xu, 2009). Inspired by the middle-range theory of transition (Meleis, Sawyer, Im, Messias, & Schumacher, 2000), the goal of this research was to describe the perceptions of FEN and preceptors, in regards to strategies used in preceptorship to overcome barriers and facilitate professional transition of FEN in Quebec’s health system. The results of this descriptive qualitative research were obtained from the analysis of semi-structured interviews with six FEN of French origins and two preceptors. Several strategies addressed to the FEN, the preceptor, the unit’s team members and the hospital organization were identified. Those for the FEN serve to exchange and integrate, accept and optimize, understand and learn, as well as to compare and select; those for the professional community assist to support, guide, personalize, explain and justify. The perceptions of FEN and preceptors vary on many of these strategies. Recommendations for nursing education, practice and nursing research are also provided

Use of sulfated-cellulose membrane adsorbers to intensify purification of cell culturederived influenza A and B viruses

New generation of cell culture-based vaccines enables faster response to pandemic outbreaks and helps coping with the increasing demand for seasonal vaccines. Besides efficient upstream processing technologies, appropriate economic and robust downstream processing is key to consistently achieve high yields. Chromatography membranes have been extensively evaluated to capture viruses at laboratory scale, for influenza, adenovirus or virus like particles. They have shown great potential to intensify processes thanks to a high binding capacity, high flow-rate and ease of use and are now commonly used in new generation of vaccine processes. We present here Sartobind SC, a novel sulfated cellulose membrane adsorber, for the capture of Influenza. In a recent study, the binding capacity and the purification performance of two bead-based resins and Sartobind SC was compared for three influenza virus strains (H1N1, H3N2 and B) produced in MDCK suspension cells in a chemically defined medium. The dynamic binding capacity for the sulfated cellulose membrane adsorbers was consistently higher than for the resins (8 to 22-fold). Overall, recovery of virus varied between 66% and 81%. Total protein and DNA removal were\u3e74% and\u3e96%, respectively. Due to the higher operating flow rate and binding capacity, the productivity with the membrane adsorbers was on average 25-times higher than with the resins. This purification platform based on sulfated cellulose can intensify processes and therefore reduce the cost of influenza purification. This ligand is also a promising candidate for other viruses such as vaccinia, RSV, HSV or measles

Modélisation de l'interaction entre une impulsion laser ultrabrève et une nanostructure plasmonique en milieu aqueux

Ces dernières années ont été marquées par une rapide évolution du domaine des nanotechnologies biomédicales. Plus particulièrement, l’utilisation de laser à impulsions ultrabrèves pour affecter localement et avec précision certaines structures cellulaires et sub-cellulaires présente un intérêt grandissant. Ce type d’impulsion, grâce à leur temps d’impulsion très court (100fs), permet en effet l’ablation efficace de matériau organique transparent tout en réduisant les dommages collatéraux provoqués aux structures environnantes. Cette technologie est néanmoins limitée par certaines contraintes physiques et technologiques, telle que la limite de diffraction, qui restreint ses performances et son application. L’utilisation de structures métalliques aux dimensions nanométriques permet de pallier à ce problème. Ces nanostructures ont en effet l’étonnante capacité d’absorber et de concentrer l’énergie du champ laser dans des volumes nanométriques, bien inférieurs à la limite de diffraction. Cette propriété est causée par l’excitation d’une oscillation collective des électrons de conduction du métal induite par le champ électromagnétique incident, appelée plasmon, qui absorbe et amplifie localement le champ électrique. L’excitation de ce plasmon est de nature résonante à une longueur d’onde incidente qui dépend fortement de la géométrie, des dimensions, du matériau et de l’environnement de la nanostructure. Le degré de localisation de l’énergie lumineuse atteint à l’aide de ces nanostructures plasmoniques est sans équivalent dans le monde macroscopique. Leur utilisation de concert avec des impulsions ultrabrèves permet par conséquent de concentrer l’énergie lumineuse et de réaliser l’ablation de structures avec une résolution bien supérieure à la limite de diffraction, et ce sans nécessiter un système optique de visualisation et de focalisation particulier. Au niveau cellulaire, cette technique permet de réaliser l’ablation ou la modification ciblée de structures cellulaires et sub-cellulaires avec une précision et une efficacité inégalée. Bien que plusieurs études aient démontré le potentiel de cette technologie, la compréhension des mécanismes physiques fondamentaux et phénomènes induits par l’irradiation demeure limitée. En particulier, aucun modèle décrivant l’ensemble des sources potentielles de dommages aux structures cellulaires (hausse de température, génération de plasma, émission d’ondes de pression, formation de bulles de cavitation) possiblement induites par l’irradiation de nanostructure plasmonique par des impulsions ultrabrèves n’est actuellement disponible dans la littérature. Cette thèse présente une modélisation complète de l’interaction d’une impulsion laser ultrabrève et d’une nanostructure plasmonique en milieu aqueux. Les propriétés optiques, mécaniques, thermiques de l’eau sont en effet suffisamment près de celles du milieu biologique----------abstract The past few years have seen the unfolding and rapid evolution of biomedical nanotechnologies. In particular, ultrafast laser pulses have been used to locally destroy or modify cellular and sub-cellular structures with exceptional precision. Those very short pulses (100 fs) indeed allow the efficient ablation of organic transparent material, while limiting the collateral damages to the surrounding structures. In spite of its great efficiency and versatility, the technique is still limited by some physical constraints, such as the diffraction limit, which limit its performance and applicability. The introduction of nanoscale metallic structures can overcome this problem. Those nanostructures presents an astonishing capability to absorb an locally enhance incident laser energy into nanoscale volumes much smaller than the diffraction limit. This property arises from the laser field induced excitation of a collective oscillation of the metal’s conduction electrons called plasmon. This plasmon absorbs and enhance the laser field in the vicinity of the structures. It has a resonant nature at a specific wavelength that depends strongly on the geometry, material, size and environment of the nanostructure. The degree of laser energy localization that can be possibly reached with those structures has no counterparts in the macroscopic world. Using plasmonic nanostructures with ultrafast laser pulses thus bring an unique capability to ablate or alter targeted cellular and sub-cellular structures with an astonishing precision, well beyond the diffraction limit, without even the need for a complex visualization and focussing apparatus. While the great potential of this technology is now widely accepted, there is still a limited understanding of the basic mechanisms and processes triggered by the laser irradiation and leading to the damaging of the surrounding structures. In particular, there exists for the moment no complete modelling of the process that includes all potential sources of cellular damage, including temperature rise, plasma generation, pressure wave emission and vapor bubble formation. This thesis presents such a modelling, with the cell environment emulated by a much simpler aqueous medium. Water is used as its optical, mechanical and thermal characteristic are similar enough to the cell environment to enable the transposition of the results and tendencies observed in water to this medium. Modelling consists in a continuous medium based approach that uses coupled partial differential equations to simulate the nanostructure-water system’s response to an ultrafast laser pulse. The the time-dependant field distribution in the system is simulated using classical electromagnetic theory, while the temperature in the nanostructure is calculated using a two-temperature model. Generation and heating of a plasma in the nanostructure’s vicinit

La régionalisation de l’immigration au Québec : évolution de 1982 à 2006 des flux et des caractéristiques sociodémographiques

Tout comme la plupart des pays industrialisés, le Canada, et plus particulièrement, le Québec, est caractérisé par une forte concentration de la population immigrante sur son territoire. Encore aujourd’hui, la région métropolitaine de Montréal accueille la majorité des immigrants internationaux admis dans la province, ce qui sous-entend que le reste de la province n’attire qu’une part négligeable de l’immigration. En 1992, le gouvernement du Québec a mis en place une politique de régionalisation dans le but de mieux répartir la population immigrante sur le territoire. Cette politique visait d’une part, à encourager les immigrants internationaux à s’établir en dehors de Montréal et, d’autre part, à faire partager les bénéfices de l’immigration à toutes les régions. Mais qu’en est-il des résultats et des effets de cette politique? Jusqu’à maintenant, on connaît toujours peu de choses sur le sujet et sur les caractéristiques des immigrants qui décident de s’établir en « région ». L’objectif de cette recherche est donc de faire le bilan quantitatif et qualitatif de l’immigration au Québec afin de vérifier si cette politique a eu des répercussions sur le choix de destination des immigrants internationaux. Le premier chapitre est essentiellement consacré à la recension des écrits au sujet de la régionalisation de l’immigration, notamment en ce qui à trait au phénomène de concentration géographique et des tendances à l’échelle nationale et internationale. Un premier portrait des immigrants établis au Canada et au Québec complètera ce chapitre. Le deuxième chapitre analyse l’évolution des flux migratoires et de la régionalisation au Québec de 1982 à 2006. Le dernier chapitre a pour objectif d’évaluer la capacité de rétention des régions. Cela permettra de dresser le portrait actuel de la population immigrée, c’est-à-dire de connaître la région de destination réelle des immigrants. Les résultats de cette recherche nous permettent de croire que les effets de cette politique tardent à se manifester et que les efforts déployés dans le but d’une répartition mieux équilibrée de l’immigration ont porté fruit davantage à la banlieue de Montréal.Like most industrialized countries, Canada and more specifically, Quebec, is characterized by a high concentration of the immigrant population on its territory. Still today, the Montreal metropolitan area welcomes the majority of international immigrants that enters the province, which means that the rest of the province only receives a negligible portion of the immigrant population. In 1992, the Quebec government put in place a regionalization policy, hoping to better distribute the immigrant population across its territory. This policy had two goals; the first was to encourage the international immigrants to settle outside of Montreal, and the second, to spread the benefits of immigration across the province. What were the results and effects of this policy? Up until now, we know very little on the subject and on the characteristics of the immigrants who choose to settle outside Montreal in the “regions”. The objective of this research is to make a quantitative and qualitative assessment of immigration in Quebec in order to verify if this policy has affected the international immigrants’ settlement choice. The first chapter is essentially devoted to summarizing the various writings on the regionalization of immigration, particularly on the phenomenon of geographic concentration and the national and international trends. A first description of the immigrants established in Canada and Quebec is going to complete this chapter. The second chapter will analyze the evolution of the migratory flows and regionalization in Quebec from 1982 to 2006. The objective of the last chapter is to evaluate the regions’ retention capability. This will permit to depict the current immigrant population (i.e., identifying the current region of settlement of the immigrants). The results of this research suggest that the effects of this policy are not yet apparent and the efforts deployed to achieve a more balanced distribution of immigration benefited the suburbs of Montreal more than they did the regions of Quebec