Enrichment of surface ice stable water isotope ratios following sublimation

Stable isotopes of water preserved in glaciers and icesheets have revolutionized our understanding of terrestrial paleoclimate. Post-deposition alteration of the stable water isotope ratios in snow and ice can obscure the original meteoric signal, therefore altering the interpretation of δ18O and δD as records of paleo-temperatures in ice. The effects of sublimation on δ18O and δD are not well-understood for massive (non-snow) ice and have been largely overlooked, particularly within the experimental literature. We present results from a series of environmental chamber experiments investigating alteration of the in-situ signal following sublimation. Our data suggest that sublimation enriches the ice remaining after sublimation in 18O and D. This is observed both in surface ice and in the signal of the ice at depth. These results could have important implications for studies utilizing surface ice δ18O and δD for reconstructions of paleoclimate

Substance use and treatment outcomes among Spanish-speaking Latino/as from four acculturation types.

The purpose of this study was to examine the association of acculturation with substance use treatment outcomes in a sample of treatment-seeking Latino/as (N = 405). The study used data from a multisite randomized controlled trial of a culturally adapted version of Motivational Enhancement Therapy delivered in Spanish. Berry, Kim, Minde, and Mok\u27s (1987) acculturation model was used to divide the sample into 4 types (integrated, assimilated, separated, marginalized), based on Bicultural Involvement Questionnaire scores. One-way analyses of variance, chi-squared tests, and repeated-measures regression were used to examine baseline acculturation, posttreatment outcomes, and follow-up outcomes. All participants were of Latino/a background, and 88.4% of the sample was male. Participants with greater acculturation to American culture (i.e., integrated and assimilated acculturation types) reported more substance use and associated problems at baseline, χ²(3) = 20.5, p \u3c .001, with the integrated type reporting the highest percentage of substance use disorder symptoms and problems (67.6%). No significant differences in substance use were detected among acculturation types posttreatment or at follow-up. Although the integrated and assimilated acculturation types were associated at baseline with more substance use and associated problems, all acculturation types seemed to benefit at posttreatment from an evidence-based culturally adapted treatment. (PsycINFO Database Recor

Human-assisted Movements of Raccoons, Procyon lotor, and Opossums, Didelphis virginiana, between the United States and Canada

Movements of Raccoons (Procyon lotor) (mean = 479 km) and Opossums (Didelphis virginiana) (mean = 688 km) by means of transport trailers and a train from the USA and Quebec into Ontario were significantly greater than Raccoon movements (mean = 15 km) from Ontario to New York State determined by mark-recapture. Human-assisted movements of wildlife could have significant impacts with respect to cross-border movements of diseases such as rabies. Proactive communication programs, especially at International border crossing areas, should be encouraged to decrease the occurrence of the unintentional movement of wildlife and associated diseases

Substance use literacy: Implications for HIV medication adherence and addiction severity among substance users

This cross sectional study examined the relationship between substance use literacy and HIV medication adherence and whether severity of addiction modified this relationship. 179 HIV infected substance users completed the Questionnaire Assessment of Literacy in Mental Health, Addiction Severity Test, and Morisky Medication Adherence Scale. Most respondents wrongly identified the alcohol use vignette problem as stress (50.3%). Not recognizing that there was a problem was significantly correlated with moderate adherence (P = 0.003). Preference was given to informal sources of help such as a close friend (83.2%, P = 0.050), as well as psychosocial forms of management like physical exercise (79.9%, P = 0.007) rather than professionals such as psychiatrists (58.1%) which was associated with moderate adherence and low addiction severity. Substance use literacy was found to be a significant variable in increasing HIV medication adherence and decreasing addiction severity.Keywords: Substance use literacy, Substance use, HIV medication adherence, Addiction severity modifie

Naltrexone and combined behavioral intervention effects on trajectories of drinking in the COMBINE study

Objective—COMBINE is the largest study of pharmacotherapy for alcoholism in the United States to date, designed to answer questions about the benefits of combining behavioral and pharmacological interventions. Trajectory-based analyses of daily drinking data allowed identification of distinct drinking trajectories in smaller studies and demonstrated significant naltrexone effects even when primary analyses on summary drinking measures were unsuccessful. The objective of this study was to replicate and refine trajectory estimation and to assess effects of naltrexone, acamprosate and therapy on the probabilities of following particular trajectories in COMBINE. It was hypothesized that different treatments may affect different trajectories of drinking. Methods—We conducted exploratory analyses of daily indicators of any drinking and heavy drinking using a trajectory-based approach and assessed trajectory membership probabilities and odds ratios for treatment effects. Results—We replicated the trajectories (“abstainer”, “sporadic drinker”, “consistent drinker”) established previously in smaller studies. However, greater numbers of trajectories better described the heterogeneity of drinking over time. Naltrexone reduced the chance to follow a “nearly daily” trajectory and Combined Behavioral Intervention (CBI) reduced the chance to be in an “increasing to nearly daily” trajectory of any drinking. The combination of naltrexone and CBI increased the probability of membership in a trajectory in which the frequency of any drinking declined over time. Trajectory membership was associated with different patterns of treatment compliance. Conclusion—The trajectory-analyses identified specific patterns of drinking that were differentially influenced by each treatment and provided support for hypotheses about the mechanisms by which these treatments work

The effect of digital signage on shoppers' behavior: the role of the evoked experience

This paper investigates the role of digital signage as experience provider in retail spaces. The findings of a survey-based field experiment demonstrate that digital signage content high on sensory cues evokes affective experience and strengthens customers’ experiential processing route. In contrast, digital signage messages high on “features and benefits” information evoke intellectual experience and strengthen customers’ deliberative processing route. The affective experience is more strongly associated with the attitude towards the ad and the approach behavior towards the advertiser than the intellectual experience. The effect of an ad high on sensory cues on shoppers’ approach to the advertiser is stronger for first-time shoppers, and therefore important in generating loyalty. The findings indicate that the design of brand-related informational cues broadcast over digital in-store monitors affects shoppers’ information processing. The cues evoke sensory and affective experiences and trigger deliberative processes that lead to attitude construction and finally elicit approach behavior towards the advertisers

Thermal Conductivity of Polymer/Nano-filler Blends

To improve the thermal conductivity of an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, Elvax 260 was compounded with three carbon based nano-fillers. Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT), vapor grown carbon nanofibers (CNF) and expanded graphite (EG) were investigated. In an attempt to improve compatibility between the Elvax and nanofillers, MWCNTs and EGs were modified through non covalent and covalent attachment of alkyl groups. Ribbons were extruded to form samples in which the nanofillers were aligned, and samples were also fabricated by compression molding in which the nano-fillers were randomly oriented. The thermal properties were evaluated by DSC and TGA, and mechanical properties of the aligned samples were determined by tensile testing. The degree of dispersion and alignment of the nanoparticles were investigated using high-resolution scanning electron microscopy. Thermal conductivity measurements were performed using a Nanoflash technique. The thermal conductivity of the samples was measured in both the direction of alignment as well as perpendicular to that direction. The results of this study will be presented

Movements of Two Rabid Raccoons, Procyon lotor, in Eastern Ontario

An adult female Raccoon Procyon lotor was captured about 3 km north of Mallorytown, Ontario, on 27 August 2004, as part of a government rabies control program. The animal was vaccinated against rabies, ear-tagged and released, and recaptured the next day 1.7 km south of the initial capture location. Upon recapture, the Raccoon had porcupine quills in its facial area and seemed agitated and was submitted for rabies testing. It was confirmed as rabies positive on 31 August 2004, by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Similarly, a juvenile male raccoon was captured, ear-tagged, vaccinated, and released near Junetown, Ontario (about 4 km NW of the other rabid Raccoon) on 5 September 2004. It was found dying in a residential window well on 22 September 2004, 700 meters from the original capture location. It was diagnosed as rabid on 23 September 2004

Alcohol use and immune reconstitution among HIV-infected patients on antiretroviral therapy in Nairobi, Kenya

Studies on the effects of alcohol use on HIV disease progression have been contradictory, with at least one study finding a positive effect of low alcohol consumption on CD4 count. In addition, most such studies have taken place in the developed West. We investigated the association between alcohol use and immune reconstitution through CD4 count response among HIV-infected individuals on antiretroviral therapy (ART) at an urban sub-Saharan African clinic. This was a retrospective cohort study of treatment-naïve HIV-infected adults initiating ART in Nairobi, Kenya and followed for 12 months between January 2009 and December 2012. At enrollment, a standardized questionnaire was used to collect data on sociodemographic variables and alcohol consumption. CD4 count was measured every six months. Linear regression models assessed the association between CD4 count and alcohol consumption, categorized as abstinent, moderate, or hazardous. Overall, 854 participants were included, 522 of which were women, with 85 (25.6%) men and 50 (9.6%) women reporting any alcohol use, and 8 (2.4%) men and 7 (1.3%) women reporting hazardous drinking. At baseline, alcohol use was associated with higher education and socioeconomic status. Median CD4 count was higher among alcohol users compared to those who abstained at baseline and at 6 and 12 months post-ART initiation, although this was only significant at 6 months. There were no differences in adherence between abstainers and drinkers. While overall alcohol use was significantly associated with higher CD4 counts, moderate and hazardous use treated separately were not. We conclude that, while alcohol use was associated with higher CD4 counts at 12 months post-ART, the mechanism for this association is unclear but may reflect unmeasured socioeconomic or nutritional differences. Additional research is required on the specific drinking patterns of this population and the types of alcoholic beverages consumed to clarify this relationship

COASTSWEEP: The Massachusetts Coastal Cleanup Program

Through this project, volunteers in communities throughout Massachusetts turn out in large numbers each September and October for COASTSWEEP, the statewide coastal cleanup program sponsored by the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM) and coordinated by the Urban Harbors Institute (UHI) of the University of Massachusetts Boston. COASTSWEEP is part of the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) organized by Ocean Conservancy in Washington, DC. Through the efforts of the ICC, volunteers from all over the world collect marine debris and record information about the trash they collect. This information is then analyzed and used to identify sources of debris and to develop education and policy initiatives to help reduce marine debris globally