Validity, Reliability, and Inertia of Four Different Temperature Capsule Systems.

PURPOSE: Telemetric temperature capsule systems are wireless, relatively non-invasive and easily applicable in field conditions, and have therefore great advantages for monitoring core body temperature. However, the accuracy and responsiveness of available capsule systems have not been compared previously. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the validity, reliability and inertia characteristics of four ingestible temperature capsule systems (i.e. CorTemp, e-Celsius, myTemp and VitalSense). METHODS: Ten temperature capsules were examined for each system in a temperature controlled water bath during three trials. The water bath temperature gradually increased from 33°C to 44°C during Trial 1 and 2 to assess the validity and reliability, and from 36°C to 42°C in Trial 3 to assess the inertia characteristics of the temperature capsules. RESULTS: A systematic difference between capsule and water bath temperature was found for CorTemp (0.077°C±0.040°C), e-Celsius (-0.081°C±0.055°C), myTemp (-0.003°C±0.006°C) and VitalSense (-0.017°C±0.023°C) (p0.05). Comparable inertia characteristics were found for CorTemp (25±4 sec), e-Celsius (21±13 sec) and myTemp (19±2 sec), while the VitalSense system responded more slowly (39±6 sec) to changes in water bath temperature (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Although differences in temperature and inertia were observed between capsule systems, an excellent validity, test-retest reliability, and inertia was found for each system between 36°C and 44°C after removal of outliers

Motorcyclists' reactions to safety helmet law: a qualitative study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Extensive body of the literature reveals that proper use of helmets is an effective way to reduce the severity of injuries and fatalities among motorcyclists. However, many motorcyclists do not use safety helmet properly. This study aimed to empirically explore reactions of motorcyclists to the safety helmet laws, in Iran.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Qualitative data were collected via four focus groups and 11 in-depth interviews. Participants were 28 male motorcyclists who never used a safety helmet during rides, and 4 male police officers. All transcripts, codes and categories were read for several times to exhaust identifiable major themes. During this process data were reduced from text to codes and themes.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Five major themes emerged from the data analyses, including themes related to the following: (1) circumventing or dodging police officers; (2) simulating a helmet wearing behavior; (3) accepting the probability of receiving a ticket; (4) taking advantage of the police neglect and carelessness; and (5) using a cheap or convenient helmet.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our findings suggest certain levels of reckless driving among the participating motorcyclists in this study. They also point to a system of law enforcement that operates haphazardly and fails to consistently penalize those who deviate from it. Further studies are needed to investigate how "risks" are perceived and relate to "reactions", and how a 'culture of masculinity' may encourage risk tolerance and a disposition toward lawlessness and carelessness among male motorcyclists. Also, there is a need for the development and implementation of multidimensional interventions that would offer socio-culturally sensitive educational and motivational messages to the motorcyclists and the in-service traffic-enforcement officers in Iran.</p

Regulation of microRNA biogenesis and turnover by animals and their viruses

Item does not contain fulltextMicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a ubiquitous component of gene regulatory networks that modulate the precise amounts of proteins expressed in a cell. Despite their small size, miRNA genes contain various recognition elements that enable specificity in when, where and to what extent they are expressed. The importance of precise control of miRNA expression is underscored by functional studies in model organisms and by the association between miRNA mis-expression and disease. In the last decade, identification of the pathways by which miRNAs are produced, matured and turned-over has revealed many aspects of their biogenesis that are subject to regulation. Studies in viral systems have revealed a range of mechanisms by which viruses target these pathways through viral proteins or non-coding RNAs in order to regulate cellular gene expression. In parallel, a field of study has evolved around the activation and suppression of antiviral RNA interference (RNAi) by viruses. Virus encoded suppressors of RNAi can impact miRNA biogenesis in cases where miRNA and small interfering RNA pathways converge. Here we review the literature on the mechanisms by which miRNA biogenesis and turnover are regulated in animals and the diverse strategies that viruses use to subvert or inhibit these processes