Public self-consciousness, pre-loading and drinking harms among university students

Background: Social anxiety and self-consciousness are associated with alcohol-related problems in students. The practice of pre-loading is one avenue for exploration regarding this relationship. Individuals may pre-load to reduce social anxiety and feel more confident when socialising, which could lead to the increased harms experienced. The current study aimed to explore reasons for pre-loading, and whether public and private self-consciousness and social anxiety were related to pre-loading, increased drinking and harms. Method: Prospective study with four-week follow up of 325 UK students aged 18-30 years old. Participants completed measures of private and public self-consciousness, social anxiety, alcohol consumption, alcohol-related harms and pre-loading. Results: Financial motives and mood-related reasons, such as gaining confidence were reported as reasons for pre-loading. Pre-loading predicted hazardous alcohol consumption, but social anxiety, and public and private self-consciousness did not. However, pre-loading, public self-consciousness and social anxiety predicted alcohol-related harms. Furthermore, public self-consciousness mediated the relationship between pre-loading and harms in a positive direction and this appeared to be more relevant in high risk (AUDIT 8+) than low risk drinkers. Conclusion: Students who scored higher in public self-consciousness appeared to be at greater risk of harms from pre-loading. Further research should examine this relationship further with particular attention to high risk drinkers, and explore which aspects of a night out are related to heightened self-consciousness. Interventions could incorporate measures to reduce public self-consciousness, in order to reduce the negative impacts of pre-loading

Structural behaviour of copper chloride catalysts during the chlorination of CO to phosgene

The interaction of CO with an attapulgite-supported Cu(II)Cl2 catalyst has been examined in a micro-reactor arrangement. CO exposure to the dried, as-received catalyst at elevated temperatures leads to the formation of CO2 as the only identifiable product. However, phosgene production can be induced by a catalyst pre-treatment where the supported Cu(II)Cl2 sample is exposed to a diluted stream of chlorine. Subsequent CO exposure at ~ 370°C then leads to phosgene production. In order to investigate the origins of this atypical set of reaction characteristics, a series of x-ray absorption experiments were performed that were supplemented by DFT calculations. XANES measurements establish that at the elevated temperatures connected with phosgene formation, the catalyst is comprised of Cu+ and a small amount of Cu2+. Moreover, the data show that unique to the chlorine pre-treated sample, CO exposure at elevated temperature results in a short-lived oxidation of the copper. On the basis of calculated CO adsorption energies, DFT calculations indicate that a mixed Cu+/Cu2+ catalyst is required to support CO chemisorption

On the Radial and Longitudinal Variation of a Magnetic Cloud: ACE, Wind, ARTEMIS and Juno Observations, Solar Physics

We present observations of the same magnetic cloud made near Earth by the Advance Composition Explorer (ACE), Wind, and the Acceleration, Reconnection, Turbulence and Electrodynamics of the Moon’s Interaction with the Sun (ARTEMIS) mission comprising the Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms (THEMIS) B and THEMIS C spacecraft, and later by Juno at a distance of 1.2 AU. The spacecraft were close to radial alignment throughout the event, with a longitudinal separation of 3.6∘ between Juno and the spacecraft near Earth. The magnetic cloud likely originated from a filament eruption on 22 October 2011 at 00:05 UT, and caused a strong geomagnetic storm at Earth commencing on 24 October. Observations of the magnetic cloud at each spacecraft have been analysed using minimum variance analysis and two flux rope fitting models, Lundquist and Gold–Hoyle, to give the orientation of the flux rope axis. We explore the effect different trailing edge boundaries have on the results of each analysis method, and find a clear difference between the orientations of the flux rope axis at the near-Earth spacecraft and Juno, independent of the analysis method. The axial magnetic field strength and the radial width of the flux rope are calculated using both observations and fitting parameters and their relationship with heliocentric distance is investigated. Differences in results between the near-Earth spacecraft and Juno are attributed not only to the radial separation, but to the small longitudinal separation which resulted in a surprisingly large difference in the in situ observations between the spacecraft. This case study demonstrates the utility of Juno cruise data as a new opportunity to study magnetic clouds beyond 1 AU, and the need for caution in future radial alignment studies

"I am quite mellow but I wouldn't say everyone else is”: how UK students compare their drinking behaviour to their peers’

Background: Excessive drinking is commonplace at UK Universities. Individuals may misperceive how much they drink compared to others and are less likely to think that they will suffer adverse consequences. Young people often distance themselves and their friends from ‘problem drinkers’. Objectives: The aim of the study was to explore how student drinkers compared their own drinking behaviours to the drinking behaviours of others. Methods: An online survey was completed by 416 students aged 18-30 (68.5% female). They were asked ‘how do you think your drinking compares with other people like you?’ and ‘how do you think your behaviour when you drink compares with other people like you?’ Answers were subjected to thematic analysis. Results: The first main theme was about ‘identification as a ‘good’ drinker’. Participants suggested their own behaviour when drinking was similar to their sober behaviour. Further, they viewed themselves as more able to maintain a balance between staying in control and having fun while drinking. The second main theme was about ‘distancing from being a ‘bad’ drinker. Participants distanced themselves from negative prototypical drinkers, such compulsive or anti-social drinkers. They also attributed their own drinking behaviours to situational factors, but described other people as intentionally violent or aggressive. Conclusions/Importance: These findings may explain the failure of some health messages to change drinking behaviours. If drinkers perceive that their behaviour when they drink is better than other people’s then they may discount intervention messages. Targeting these biases could be incorporated into future interventions

On the Radial and Longitudinal Variation of a Magnetic Cloud : ACE, Wind, ARTEMIS and Juno Observations

We present observations of the same magnetic cloud made near Earth by the Advance Composition Explorer (ACE), Wind, and the Acceleration, Reconnection, Turbulence and Electrodynamics of the Moon's Interaction with the Sun (ARTEMIS) mission comprising the Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms (THEMIS) B and THEMIS C spacecraft, and later by Juno at a distance of 1.2 AU. The spacecraft were close to radial alignment throughout the event, with a longitudinal separation of 3.6 degrees between Juno and the spacecraft near Earth. The magnetic cloud likely originated from a filament eruption on 22 October 2011 at 00:05 UT, and caused a strong geomagnetic storm at Earth commencing on 24 October. Observations of the magnetic cloud at each spacecraft have been analysed using minimum variance analysis and two flux rope fitting models, Lundquist and Gold-Hoyle, to give the orientation of the flux rope axis. We explore the effect different trailing edge boundaries have on the results of each analysis method, and find a clear difference between the orientations of the flux rope axis at the near-Earth spacecraft and Juno, independent of the analysis method. The axial magnetic field strength and the radial width of the flux rope are calculated using both observations and fitting parameters and their relationship with heliocentric distance is investigated. Differences in results between the near-Earth spacecraft and Juno are attributed not only to the radial separation, but to the small longitudinal separation which resulted in a surprisingly large difference in the in situ observations between the spacecraft. This case study demonstrates the utility of Juno cruise data as a new opportunity to study magnetic clouds beyond 1 AU, and the need for caution in future radial alignment studies.Peer reviewe

Application of ER Stress Biomarkers to Predict Formulated Monoclonal Antibody Stability

For a therapeutic mAb to reach the clinic, the molecule must be produced at an appropriate yield and quality, then formulated to maintain efficacy and stability. The formation of sub‐visible particles (SVPs) can impact on product stability and is monitored during formulation development however, the potential of a mAb to form such species can be influenced throughout the whole bioprocess. We investigate levels of intracellular ER stress perceived by cells, day of mAb harvest and the relationship to subsequent product stability of two mAbs (denoted A and B), produced in CHO cell lines, as determined by SVP content after accelerated stability studies. We show the propensity of mAb A to form SVPs can be predicted by transcript expression of biomarkers of cellular ER stress, heavy/light chain transcript and polypeptide amounts, and harvest day. Further, mAb A material harvested on day 9 of culture was more stable, in terms of SVP formation, than material harvested on day 13. These data suggest that ER stress perceived by CHO cells during culture can reflect the stability of a mAb, and that biomarkers of such stress could help define culture harvest time as a tool to control or reduce SVP formation in formulated mAbs

Porcine associated Salmonella Typhimuirum DT120: use of PFGE and MLVA in a putative outbreak investigation

In November 2006 a cluster of Salmonella Typhimurium DT120 in the North East of England was putatively associated with the consumption of pork. At the same time cases of illness in Denmark were associated with this Salmonella type, and a EU alert was issued to determine the type of S. Typhimurium DT120 identified. Isolates from the UK and Denmark were compared on the basis of antibiogram, Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE) and Multi-Locus-Variable number andem repeat Analysis (MLVA or VNTR) to identify the S. Typhimurium DT120 type and results were compared electronically. Isolates from England had the resistance profile ApSSuT (ampicillin, streptomycin, sulfamethoxazole and tetracycline), VNTR profile (171-244-316-0-487) and with the distinct PFGE type (STYMXB.0083). Isolates from Denmark were resistant to Ap (ampicillin) only, had the VNTR type (171-270-324-0-490) and a PFGE type distinct from England (STYMXB.0010). It was therefore possible to confirm that the isolates from England and Denmark were not identical. These results have verified the significance of VNTR in outbreak investigations for S. Typhimurium and have demonstrated how new molecular strategies may be used to supplement existing methods such as PFGE to enable the accurate and rapid comparison of isolates from different countries

Multi-Spacecraft Observations of the Evolution of Interplanetary Coronal Mass Ejections Between 0.3 and 2.2 AU: Conjunctions with the Juno Spacecraft

We present a catalogue of 35 interplanetary coronal mass ejections (ICMEs) observed by the Juno spacecraft and at least one other spacecraft during its cruise phase to Jupiter. We identify events observed by MESSENGER, Venus Express, Wind, and STEREO with magnetic features that can be matched unambiguously with those observed by Juno. A multi-spacecraft study of ICME properties between 0.3 and 2.2 AU is conducted: we firstly investigate the global expansion by tracking the variation in magnetic field strength with increasing heliocentric distance of individual ICME events, finding significant variability in magnetic field relationships for individual events in comparison with statistical trends. With the availability of plasma data at 1 AU, the local expansion at 1 AU can be compared with global expansion rates between 1 AU and Juno. Despite following expected trends, the local and global expansion rates are only weakly correlated. Finally, for those events with clearly identifiable magnetic flux ropes, we investigate the orientation of the flux rope axis as they propagate; we find that 64% of events displayed a decrease in inclination with increasing heliocentric distance, and 40% of events undergo a significant change in orientation as they propagate towards Juno. The multi-spacecraft catalogue produced in this study provides a valuable link between ICME observations in the inner heliosphere and beyond 1 AU, thereby improving our understanding of ICME evolution

A systematic review of barriers to early presentation and diagnosis with cancer among Black women

Objective: To explore barriers to early presentation and diagnosis with breast cancer among black women. Design: Systematic review. Methods: We searched multiple bibliographic databases (January 1991–February 2013) for primary research, published in English, conducted in developed countries and investigating barriers to early presentation and diagnosis with symptomatic breast cancer among black women (?18 years). Studies were excluded if they did not report separate findings by ethnic group or gender, only reported differences in time to presentation/diagnosis, or reported on interventions and barriers to cancer screening. We followed Cochrane and PRISMA guidance to identify relevant research. Findings were integrated through thematic synthesis. Designs of quantitative studies made meta-analysis impossible. Results: We identified 18 studies (6183 participants). Delay was multifactorial, individual and complex. Factors contributing to delay included: poor symptom and risk factor knowledge; fear of detecting breast abnormality; fear of cancer treatments; fear of partner abandonment; embarrassment disclosing symptoms to healthcare professionals; taboo and stigmatism. Presentation appears quicker following disclosure. Influence of fatalism and religiosity on delay is unclear from evidence in these studies. We compared older studies (?10 years) with newer ones (<10 years) to determine changes over time. In older studies, delaying factors included: inaccessibility of healthcare services; competing priorities and concerns about partner abandonment. Partner abandonment was studied in older studies but not in newer ones. Comparisons of healthy women and cancer populations revealed differences between how people perceive they would behave, and actually behave, on finding breast abnormality. Conclusions: Strategies to improve early presentation and diagnosis with breast cancer among black women need to address symptom recognition and interpretation of risk, as well as fears of the consequences of cancer. The review is limited by the paucity of studies conducted outside the USA and limited detail reported by published studies preventing comparison between ethnic groups