3D tomography of cells in micro-channels

We combine confocal imaging, microfluidics and image analysis to record 3D-images of cells in flow. This enables us to recover the full 3D representation of several hundred living cells per minute. Whereas 3D confocal imaging has thus far been limited to steady specimen, we overcome this restriction and present a method to access the 3D shape of moving objects. The key of our principle is a tilted arrangement of the micro-channel with respect to the focal plane of the microscope. This forces cells to traverse the focal plane in an inclined manner. As a consequence, individual layers of passing cells are recorded which can then be assembled to obtain the volumetric representation. The full 3D information allows for a detailed comparisons with theoretical and numerical predictions unfeasible with e.g.\ 2D imaging. Our technique is exemplified by studying flowing red blood cells in a micro-channel reflecting the conditions prevailing in the microvasculature. We observe two very different types of shapes: `croissants' and `slippers'. Additionally, we perform 3D numerical simulations of our experiment to confirm the observations. Since 3D confocal imaging of cells in flow has not yet been realized, we see high potential in the field of flow cytometry where cell classification thus far mostly relies on 1D scattering and fluorescence signals

Oxytocin Receptor (\u3ci\u3eOXTR\u3c/i\u3e) Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms Indirectly Predict Prosocial Behavior through Perspective Taking and Empathic Concern

Engaging in prosocial behavior can provide positive outcomes for self and others. Prosocial tendencies contribute to the propensity to engage in prosocial behavior.The oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) has also been associated with prosocial tendencies and behaviors. There has been little research, however, investigating whether the relationship between OXTR and prosocial behaviors is mediated by prosocial tendencies.This relationship may also vary among different types of prosocial behavior. The current study examines the relationship between OXTR, gender, prosocial tendencies, and both altruistic and public prosocial behavior endorsement. Students at a midwestern university (N = 398; 89.2% Caucasian; Mage = 20.76; 26.6% male) provided self-report measures of prosocial tendencies and behaviors and buccal cells for genotyping OXTR polymorphisms. Results indicated that OXTR single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs2268498 genotype significantly predicted empathic concern, whereas gender moderated the association between several other OXTR SNPs and prosocial tendencies. Increased prosocial tendencies predicted increased altruistic prosocial behavior endorsement and decreased public prosocial behavior endorsement. Our findings suggest an association between genetic variation in OXTR and endorsement of prosocial behavior indirectly through prosocial tendencies, and that the pathway is dependent on the type of prosocial behavior and gender

Evaluasi Program Penyediaan Air Minum dan Sanitasi Berbasis Masyarakat (Pamsimas) di Kecamatan Tembalang

PAMSIMAS (Penyediaan Air Minum dan sanitasi Berbasis Masyarakat)merupakan salah satu program Pemerintah yang bertujuan menciptakanmasyarakat hidup bersih dan sehat dengan meningkatkan akses air minum dansanitasi yang berkelanjutan serta melibatkan masyarakat secara aktif melalui;sosialisasi program, pembangunan sarana air bersih berupa sumur sedalam 100m,pelaksanaan perilaku Hidup Bersih dan Sehat (PHBS), pembentukan badanpengelola, pemeliharaan dan pengelolaan sarana, dan kesinambungan program.Dalam mengevaluasi program PAMSIMAS, peneliti menggunakan desainmetode campuran sejajar/bersamaan, dimana data kualitatif dan kuantitatifdikumpulkan dalam waktu yang sama untuk saling melengkapi. Melaluipenerapan Teknik Two Stage Cluster Sampling, ditemukan sampel empatkelurahan di Kecamatan Tembalang dengan jumlah partisipan 108 KK. KeempatKelurahan tersebut belum mendapatkan pelayanan air bersih dari PDAM, danhanya mengandalkan air sungai serta sumur dangkal sebagai sumber air bersihsehingga pada musim kemarau warga mengalami kekurangan air karena sumberair mulai mengering selain itu air sumur dangkal juga tidak layak konsumsi.Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui dampak yang ditimbulkan olehprogram PAMSIMAS bagi masyarakat dengan analisis data menggunakankategorisasi dan proses prioritas (modus) dalam tabel distribusi frekuensikualitatif tanpa menghilangkan hasil wawancara yang penting. Diketahui bahwasetelah penerapan PAMSIMAS, masyarakat mendapatkan dampak seperti;kemudahan dalam mengakses air dengan harga Rp 1000/m3, terpenuhinyakebutuhan air bersih dimana debit air tidak dipengaruhi oleh cuaca, stop BABsembarangan sebagai bentuk pelaksanaan PHBS, serta terbangunnya partisipasimasyarakat sebagai bentuk rasa kepemilikan atas sarana yang terbangun.Melalui evaluasi yang dilakukan pada masing-masing fenomena dapatdisimpulkan bahwa program PAMSIMAS memberikan dampak positif bagimasyarakat Kecamatan Tembalang

Well-posedness and stability results for the Gardner equation

In this article we present local well-posedness results in the classical Sobolev space H^s(R) with s > 1/4 for the Cauchy problem of the Gardner equation, overcoming the problem of the loss of the scaling property of this equation. We also cover the energy space H^1(R) where global well-posedness follows from the conservation laws of the system. Moreover, we construct solitons of the Gardner equation explicitly and prove that, under certain conditions, this family is orbitally stable in the energy space.Comment: 1 figure. Accepted for publication in Nonlin.Diff Eq.and App

"Sensory Fit Panel" – Development of a new Advertising Claim Support method to assess aesthetic diaper fit performance in an objective, reliable and reproducible way

For the product design of diapers, the fit on the baby plays a significant role. In particular, innovation in the areas of fit and freedom of movement have become increasingly important as lower order needs like leakage are sufficiently met by most products. Today’s methods to measure diaper fit focus on technical measurements (engineering and technical fit) and parents’ subjective perceptions. While these methods are useful tools for product development purposes, they are not seen as sufficient for Advertising Claim Support needs. However, when a new fit innovation should be advertised, particularly when this is done in a competitive way, a robust technical support is needed to defend this claim in case of challenges by competitors or regulatory bodies. For this purpose, methods need to be objective and technically sound in order to be acceptable to advertising regulatory bodies. Independent, objective ratings would substantiate claims on a more reliable and reproducible base. To meet this need, the diaper fit sensory panel method was developed. This test reapplies the established sensory methodology used, e.g. to assess taste or smell in food and beverages

Serotonin System Gene Polymorphisms Are Associated with Impulsivity in a Context Dependent Manner

Impulsivity is a risk factor for adverse outcomes and characterizes several psychiatric disorders and risk for suicide. There is strong evidence that genetic variation influences individual differences in impulsivity, but the details are not yet understood. There is growing interest in better understanding the context dependency of genetic effects that is reflected in studies examining gender specificity, gene × environment interaction and epistasis (gene-gene interaction). In a cross-sectional study we examined whether polymorphisms in six serotonin system candidate genes and the experience of early life trauma (age 0–12) were associated with individual differences in impulsivity in a nonclinical sample of Caucasian university students (N = 424). We specifically tested potential gender specific, gene-gene, and gene × environment (early life trauma) effects. In our main analyses with Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11) total score, there were significant (i.e., p \u3c .01 and False Discovery Rate \u3c .10) interactions between (1) gender and TPH2 (rs1386483) genotype; (2) gender and HTR2A (rs6313) genotype; and epistatic interactions among (3) 5-HTTLPR and MAOA uVNTR; (4) 5-HTTLPR and rs6313 and (5) HTR1B (rs6296) and rs6313 genotypes. Our results strongly support the explicit investigation of context-dependent genetic effects on impulsivity and may help to resolve some of the conflicting reports in the literature

Gender differences in the relationship between impulsivity and disordered eating behaviors and attitudes

Objective: We investigated relationships among gender, impulsivity and disordered eating in healthy college students. Method: Participants (N = 1223) were healthy, undergraduate men (28.5%) and women (71.5%), who completed the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale — Version 11 (BIS-11) and a four-factor version of the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-16). Results: As predicted, mean scores on all four EAT-16 factors were significantly higher for women than for men. Attentional impulsivity was related to poorer self-perception of body shape, more dieting, and a greater preoccupation with food for the sample as a whole. Moreover, motor impulsivity was related to poorer self-perceptions of body shape and a greater preoccupation with food. However, no gender differences emerged in the relationship between impulsivity and disordered eating attitudes. Discussion: This study elucidates the role of impulsivity in disordered eating behaviors among non-clinical college students. For both women and men, attentional and motor impulsivity were related to disordered eating attitudes and behaviors. Overall, these findings suggest that different facets of impulsivity are related to disordered eating attitudes and behaviors in a non-clinical college population

Lattice QCD with light dynamical quarks

We report on the simulation of QCD with light dynamical quarks using the two-step multi-boson (TSMB) algorithm. In an exploratory study with two flavours of quarks at lattice spacing about 0.27 fm and with quark mass down to one sixth of the strange quark mass eigenvalue spectra and autocorrelations have been studied. Here we present results on the volume dependence as well as tests of possible algorithmic improvements.Comment: 6 pages, Lattice2002(spectrum

The kaon semileptonic form factor in Nf=2+1 domain wall lattice QCD with physical light quark masses

We present the first calculation of the kaon semileptonic form factor with sea and valence quark masses tuned to their physical values in the continuum limit of 2+1 flavour domain wall lattice QCD. We analyse a comprehensive set of simulations at the phenomenologically convenient point of zero momentum transfer in large physical volumes and for two different values of the lattice spacing. Our prediction for the form factor is f+(0)=0.9685(34)(14) where the first error is statistical and the second error systematic. This result can be combined with experimental measurements of K->pi decays for a determination of the CKM-matrix element for which we predict |Vus|=0.2233(5)(9) where the first error is from experiment and the second error from the lattice computation.Comment: 21 pages, 7 figures, 6 table