Holographic aberration correction: optimising the stiffness of an optical trap deep in the sample

We investigate the effects of 1st order spherical aberration and defocus upon the stiffness of an optical trap tens of μm into the sample. We control both these aberrations with a spatial light modulator. The key to maintain optimum trap stiffness over a range of depths is a specific non-trivial combination of defocus and axial objective position. This optimisation increases the trap stiffness by up to a factor of 3 and allows trapping of 1μm polystyrene beads up to 50μm deep in the sample.<p></p&gt

Unquenched quark propagator in Landau gauge

We present an unquenched calculation of the quark propagator in Landau gauge with 2+1 flavors of dynamical quarks. We use configurations generated with an improved staggered (``Asqtad'') action by the MILC collaboration. This quark action has been seen to have excellent rotational symmetry and scaling properties in the quenched quark propagator. Quenched and dynamical calculations are performed on a $20^3\times 64$ lattice with a nominal lattice spacing of $a = 0.125$ fm. The matched quenched and dynamical lattices allow us to investigate the relatively subtle sea quark effects, and even in the quenched case the physical volume of these lattices gives access to lower momenta than our previous study. We calculate the quark mass function and renormalization function for a variety of valence and sea quark masses.Comment: 7 pages, 6 figure

Scaling behavior of quark propagator in full QCD

We study the scaling behavior of the quark propagator on two lattices with similar physical volume in Landau gauge with 2+1 flavors of dynamical quarks in order to test whether we are close to the continuum limit for these lattices. We use configurations generated with an improved staggered (``Asqtad'') action by the MILC collaboration. The calculations are performed on $28^3\times 96$ lattices with lattice spacing $a = 0.09$ fm and on $20^3\times 64$ lattices with lattice spacing $a = 0.12$ fm. We calculate the quark mass function, $M(q^2)$, and the wave-function renormalization function, $Z(q^2)$, for a variety of bare quark masses. Comparing the behavior of these functions on the two sets of lattices we find that both $Z(q^2)$ and $M(q^2)$ show little sensitivity to the ultraviolet cutoff.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figure

An Exploratory Study of the Level of Reflection Attained by Preservice Teachers

This exploratory study investigated the levels of reflection achieved over three quarters by graduate level preservice teachers. Levels of reflection were determined through analysis of their reflective journal entries on readings and field experiences. A repeated measures two factor ANOVA completely within design was used to systematically analyze changes in the level of reflection. Even without specific training in reflection and reflective thinking, some significant growth occurred in the levels of reflection as a result of asking preservice teachers simply to reflect. However, only one participant achieved the highest level of reflection

Consumer internet purchasing of medicines using a population sample:A mixed methodology approach

Background: Malta has an average of 3–4 private community pharmacies per locality, providing patients with easy access to medicines yet according to general statistics gathered from European organisations, Internet is used to purchase various online products with medicines being amongst them. Objectives: To identify patterns around internet purchasing of medicines among Maltese residents. Methods: The study followed a mixed methods approach, employing a cross-sectional survey followed by semi-structured interviews. A random sample of 1996 residents were selected from the Maltese electoral register to participate in a postal questionnaire designed to gather data about purchasing prescription-only-medicines (POM) as well as over-the-counter (OTC) medicines. Results were analysed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square to establish associations between responses. Five interviews investigated participants’ concerns related to sourcing of medicines. The participants were purposively chosen from the questionnaire respondents. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: The survey had a 22% response rate (N = 444) (60% female; mean age 52 years ± 17). Two (0.45%) participants reported purchasing POMs online in the past, while 4.3% (n = 19) purchased OTCs including vitamins, supplements and herbal combinations. The main reasons for OTC online purchasing were lack of local availability (n = 6; 1.4%) and lower price (n = 11; 2.5%). A total of 89% (n = 395) of respondents provided a reason for not purchasing online, with safety issues being the primary reason for 41% (n = 181) of these. Interviewees expressed disregard towards internet purchasing of medicines that was evident from the themes that emerged: definition of ‘medicines’, health autonomy and trust in self-care, relationships and trust in health professional, restrictions of medicine supply, influence of cost, need for options. Conclusions: The Maltese appear to be rather cautious and do not purchase POMs online, citing the risks that may be associated with internet purchasing. With regards to OTCs, a small percentage purchase these online and exposing them to risks associated with unauthorised sites.</p

Assessing the Intention, Attitudes, and Social Influences on COVID-19 Preventive Behaviors Among Non-rural Black and Rural Appalachian White Populations: A Faith-Based Community Study

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has had detrimental impacts in non-rural Black and rural Appalachian populations. Yet despite the pandemic’s magnitude, there is a scarcity of research exploring potential influences of attitudes and social influences within these populations on their adherence to COVID-19 public health preventive behaviors. Purpose: This study examines the intention, attitudes, and social influences to adhere to COVID-19 preventive behaviors among non-rural Black and rural Appalachian congregants in Kentucky by integrating the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). Methods: Secondary analysis of cross-sectional data was used to assess the association between the TPB constructs and four key public health behaviors: obeying a stay-at-home order, social distancing, good hygiene practices, and wearing a mask in public. Generalized estimating equation-type logistic regression models were fit for all binary outcomes. Results: A total of 942 respondents completed the survey. Eighty-nine per cent were older than 36 years, and 73% were female. Of the respondents who were White, 97.7% lived in rural Appalachia Kentucky, and of those who were Black, 93.5% lived in non-rural Kentucky. Attitude towards the behavior was negatively associated with the stay-at-home order (p=0.003). Both attitude toward the behavior (p\u3c0.001) and the subjective norm (p=0.025) were negatively associated with mask wearing. Perceived behavioral control was positively associated with mask wearing (p=0.023) with non-rural respondents more likely to wear a mask than rural ones (p\u3c0.001). None of the TPB constructs showed significant association with hygiene practices or with social distancing. Implications: This study provides further insight into the cultural and societal influences that intersect during a global pandemic. The intention to comply with public health recommendations may vary at favorable and unfavorable levels. The results lend support to the importance of designing effective, culturally tailored communication for future public health preparedness

Scaling behavior and positivity violation of the gluon propagator in full QCD

The Landau-gauge gluon propagator is studied using the coarse and fine dynamical MILC configurations. The effects of dynamical quarks are clearly visible and lead to a reduction of the nonperturbative infrared enhancement relative to the quenched case. Lattice spacing effects are studied and found to be small. The gluon spectral function is shown to clearly violate positivity in both quenched and full QCD.Comment: 7 pages, 9 figures. References and 1 figure added, minor text modifications, version to be published in PR

A Rare Case of Double Belly Soleus Muscle

The rare anatomical anomaly of a double belly soleus muscle has been associated with some clinical and non-clinical correlations in patients. With symptomatic patients, usually not presenting until 20–30 years old, pain is exacerbated by long walks, running, and standing for long periods of time. This presentation could mimic the properties of a soft tissue tumor, thus misleading physicians. The discovery of the double belly soleus muscle is noticed while in surgery, biopsy, computed tomography scan, or magnetic resonance imaging machine. We herewith present a rare case of double belly soleus on the left and right posterior lower leg region of a 58-year-old female cadaver. This article will help bring awareness to the signs and symptoms of this rare anatomical anomaly

Systematic review on the effectiveness of medical cannabis for the treatment of chronic pain

Chronic pain is defined as pain that persists for more than three months despite being treated. It can be of different types, including peripheral or central neuropathic pain, nociceptive pain due to tissue injuries, musculoskeletal pain affecting joints, back or neck, and inflammatory pain associated with infections or autoimmune conditions, like rheumatoid arthritis. Other conditions such as fibromyalgia and chronic pain of unknown aetiology, may also contribute to chronic pain. Unfortunately, conventional treatment, such as NSAIDs, opioids, and non-opioid medications, might not be successful in pain control and relief in the long term. Resultantly, there has been a growing interest in exploring medical cannabis as a viable option for the management of chronic pain. The rationale behind this systematic review stems from inconclusive findings reported in randomised controlled trials, assessing the efficacy of medical cannabis as a treatment option for chronic pain. Moreover, after conducting a general search on this subject, no high-quality systematic reviews focusing on the effectiveness of medical cannabis were found. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review is to study how well medical cannabis works in treating pain, in the real world and its therapeutic value in the management of chronic pain.peer-reviewe