Kinetics and Mechanism of Reduction of 4(p-Dimethylamino)-Benzylidene-3-Methyl-1-Phenyl-2-Pyrazolin-5-one by Bisulphite Ions in Aqueous Ethanolic Media

The kinetics of the title reduction studied in aqueous ethanolic media spectrophotometrically. The effect of hydrogen ion concentration on the reduction rate was investigated in buffer solutions at constant ionic strength of 1.0. The reaction was found to be of the first order in both reactants and inverse first order with respect to the hydrogen ion. The rate of the reaction decreased with increasing ethanol as well as hydrogen ion concentrations. Pseudo-first-order rate constant, kob was obtained by monitoring the disappearance of the [dye]. Activation parameters have been evaluated and a tentative reaction mechanism was discussed

Automatic Software Test Data Generation for Spanning Sets Coverage Using Genetic Algorithms

Software testing takes a considerable amount of time and resources spent on producing software. Therefore, it would be useful to have ways to reduce the cost of software testing. The new concepts of spanning sets of entities suggested by Marré and Bertolino are useful for reducing the cost of testing. In fact, to reduce the testing effort, the generation of test data can be targeted to cover the entities in the spanning set, rather than all the entities in the tested program. Marré and Bertolino presented an algorithm based on the subsumption relation between entities to find spanning sets for a family of control flow and data flow-based test coverage criteria. This paper presents a new general technique for the automatic test data generation for spanning sets coverage. The proposed technique applies to the algorithm proposed recently by Marré and Bertolino to automatically generate the spanning sets of program entities that satisfy a wide range of control flow and data flow-based test coverage criteria. Then, it uses a genetic algorithm to automatically generate sets of test data to cover these spanning sets. The proposed technique employed the concepts of spanning sets to limit the number of test cases, guide the test case selection, overcome the problem of the redundant test cases and automate the test path generation

Response of maize inbred lines to two European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis) strains in Canada

Six lignées de maïs-grain (CM47, A619, F2, CM107, CM7 et A654) ont été évaluées en 1986 et 1987 dans quatre localités de l'Ontario et du Québec pour leur résistance à des infestations artificielles de la pyrale du maïs, Ostrinia nubilalis, de la race univoltine et de la première génération de la race bivoltine. Trois critères ont été utilisés: la criblure du feuillage, les dégâts totaux des plantes à la récolte, et le rapport longueur des galeries creusées par les chenilles dans les tiges sur la hauteur des plantes. Des interactions importantes ont été observées pour les critères utilisés entre les années et localités, mais la réaction des lignées de maïs a été plutôt constante. Pour tous les critères, la race univoltine a souvent causé, d'une façon significative, plus de dégâts aux plantes que la race bivoltine. En général, la lignée A619 a démontré le plus de résistance-tolérance tout en conservant une bonne tenue des tiges jusqu'à la récolte. On aurait avantage à utiliser la race univoltine dans les programmes d'amélioration génétique du maïs pour sa résistance à la pyrale.In 1986 and 1987, six maize inbred lines (CM47, A619, F2, CM107, CM7, and A654) were evaluated at four locations across Ontario and Quebec for their resistance to artificially infested univoltine and lst generation bivoltine strains of the European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis. Three criteria were used: leaf feeding, total plant damage at harvest and length of tunnels/plant height ratio. Substantial interactions in borer damage measurements were observed between locations and years, but inbred reaction was relatively consistent. For all criteria, the univoltine strain often caused significantly more damage than the bivoltine borer. In general, A619 had the greatest resistance-tolerance with good standability until harvest. Wherever possible, evaluation of genetic resistance in maize germplasm should be conducted using the univoltine borer strain

1,25-Dihydroxycholecalciferol (calcitriol) modifies uptake and release of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol in skeletal muscle cells in culture

© 2017 Elsevier Ltd The major circulating metabolite of vitamin D 3 , 25-hydroxycholecalciferol [25(OH)D], has a remarkably long half-life in blood for a (seco)steroid. Data from our studies and others are consistent with the hypothesis that there is a role for skeletal muscle in the maintenance of vitamin D status. Muscle cells internalise vitamin D-binding protein (DBP) from the circulation by means of a megalin/cubilin plasma membrane transport mechanism. The internalised DBP molecules then bind to actin and thus provide an intracellular array of high affinity binding sites for its specific ligand, 25(OH)D. There is evidence that the residence time for DBP in muscle cells is short and that it undergoes proteolytic degradation, releasing bound 25(OH)D. The processes of internalisation of DBP and its intracellular residence time, bound to actin, appear to be regulated. To explore whether 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (calcitriol) has any effect on this process, cell cultures of myotubes and primary skeletal muscle fibers were incubated in a medium containing 10 −10 M calcitriol but with no added DBP. After 3 h pre-incubation with calcitriol, the net uptake of 25(OH)D by these calcitriol-treated cells over a further 4 h was significantly greater than that in vehicle-treated control cells. This was accompanied by a significant increase in intracellular DBP protein. However, after 16 h of pre-incubation with calcitriol, the muscle cells showed a significantly depressed ability to accumulate 25(OH)D compared to control cells over a further 4 or 16 hours. These effects of pre-incubation with calcitriol were abolished in fibers from VDR-knockout mice. The effect was also abolished by the addition of 4,4\u27-diisothiocyano-2,2\u27-stilbenedisulfonic acid (DIDS), which inhibits chloride channel opening. Incubation of C2 myotubes with calcitriol also significantly reduced retention of previously accumulated 25(OH)D after 4 or 8 h. It is concluded from these in vitro studies that calcitriol can modify the DBP-dependent uptake and release of 25(OH)D by skeletal muscle cells in a manner that suggests some inducible change in the function of these cells

Disparities in the Uptake of Telemedicine During the COVID-19 Surge in a Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Cancer Population by Patient Demographic Characteristics and Socioeconomic Status

This cohort study examines the association between patient demographic characteristics and socioeconomic status and engagement in telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic

Codesigning consumer engagement strategies with ethnic minority consumers in Australian cancer services: The CanEngage Project protocol

Introduction Consumer engagement is central to high-quality cancer service delivery and is a recognised strategy to minimise healthcare-associated harm. Strategies developed to enhance consumer engagement specifically in relation to preventing healthcare harm include questioning health professionals, raising concerns about possible mistakes or risks in care and encouraging patients and caregivers to report suspected errors. Patients from ethnic minority backgrounds are particularly vulnerable to unsafe care, but current engagement strategies have not been developed specifically for (and with) this population. Using an adapted approach to experience-based codesign (EBCD) to support the target population, the aim of the project is to codesign consumer engagement interventions to increase consumer engagement and safety in New South Wales and Victorian cancer inpatient, outpatient and day procedure services. Methods and analysis A mixed-method project will be undertaken at six study sites. Our EBCD approach includes a preparatory phase in which we will provide training and support to the codesign participants, in addition to recruiting and training consumer cofacilitators for the codesign workshops. The project will follow the EBCD process of gathering and synthesising observational data from each cancer service, with interview data from consumers and staff. With the resulting in-depth understanding of the safety threats commonly experienced by ethnic minority consumers in each site, we will work through feedback events and codesign groups with consumers and staff to determine how they can be more involved with their care to minimise the potential for patient harm. Consumer engagement interventions will be coproduced in each of the six participating services that are tailored to the ethnic minority populations served. Ethics and dissemination Ethics approval has been obtained from the Western Sydney Local Health District Human Research Ethics Committee. The project will provide strategies for ethnic minority consumers to engage with cancer services to minimise healthcare-associated harm that may be applied to diverse healthcare settings

Electronic Absorption Spectra of New y-Keto-dimethine Cyanine Dyes and Apocyanines

New asymmetrical y-keto-dimethine cyanines (2.-f) were prepared through the condensation of phenyl glycosal derivatives (l.-e) with 2-methyl pyridinium (quinolinium)- 2yl salts. Such dyes were converted into the corresponding dyes (3a-g and 4a-d) by cyclocondensation with hydrazines or hydroxylamine hydrochloride under suitable conditions. The new synthesized cyanines were identified by elemental and spectral analyses. The U\u27V-visible absorption spectra of some selected dyes were investigated in pure and mixed solvents as well as in aqueous buffer solutions. Molecular complex formation with ethanol was verified by mixed solvent studies. Electronic transitions were attributed to either locally excited or predominantly charge transfer states. The spectral shifts were discussed in relation to molecular structure and in terms of medium effects. The variation of absorbance with pR was utilized for the determination of the pK. value for aselected compound (2e). The photostability of some selected đyes (2e, 3g and 4d) was investigated

Identifying Youth at Clinical High Risk: What’s the Emotional Impact?

Background: Early intervention in major mental illness promises to improve the lives of those identified. • But could identifying youth as at clinical high risk (CHR) for psychosis also do harm given that the majority never develop a psychotic disorder? • Could telling someone they are at risk for psychosis activate internalized stigma that has been associated with increased emotional distress, social withdrawal, non-engagement in treatment, and suicide risk in CHR youth? • Within the context of a larger study of stigma in CHR, we compared emotional responses to the CHR concept assessed before and after clinical feedback by study clinicians. • Some participants had been told of their risk prior to study entry; others had not

Development of mental health first aid guidelines for suicidal ideation and behaviour: A Delphi study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Suicide is a statistically rare event, but devastating to those left behind and one of the worst possible outcomes associated with mental illness. Although a friend, family member or co-worker may be the first person to notice that a person is highly distressed, few have the knowledge and skills required to assist. Simple guidelines may help such a person to encourage a suicidal individual to seek professional help or decide against suicide.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This research was conducted using the Delphi methodology, a method of reaching consensus in a panel of experts. Experts recruited to the panels included 22 professionals, 10 people who had been suicidal in the past and 6 carers of people who had been suicidal in the past. Statements about how to assist someone who is thinking about suicide were sourced through a systematic search of both professional and lay literature. The guidelines were written using the items most consistently endorsed by all three panels.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Of 114 statements presented to the panels, 30 were accepted. These statements were used to develop the guidelines appended to this paper.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>There are a number of actions which are considered to be useful for members of the public when they encounter someone who is experiencing suicidal thoughts or engaging in suicidal behaviour. These guidelines will be useful in revision of curricula of mental health first aid and suicide intervention training programs. They can also be used by members of the public who want immediate information about how to assist a suicidal person.</p