Multi-instrument Evaluation of a Real-time PCR Assay for Identification of Atlantic Salmon: A Case Study on the Use of a Pre-packaged Kit for Rapid Seafood Species Identification

Protecting the seafood supply chain from species substitution is critical for economic, health, and conservation reasons. DNA-based methods represent an effective means to detect species substitution, but current methods can be time consuming or costly, and require specialized instruments and operators. Real-time PCR provides an alternative that can be performed quickly, and in some cases even on-site. The use of commercial kits reduces the expertise required by the operator and therefore increases accessibility to testing. This potentially increases the likelihood of adoption into the supply chain, but only if the kits are robust across multiple operators, instruments, and samples. In this study, the InstantID™ Atlantic salmon kits were tested on a variety of instruments with market samples of fresh, frozen, smoked, and canned Atlantic salmon. Results were repeatable across all samples and instruments tested. This kit, and others like it that have undergone appropriate evaluation, represents a means for expanded access to testing for industry or regulators to screen seafood for species authenticity. Portable equipment can bring testing on-site, further reducing analysis time

The loss of a fellow service member: Complicated grief in postâ 9/11 service members and veterans with combatâ related posttraumatic stress disorder

Bereavement is a potent and highly prevalent stressor among service members and veterans. However, the psychological consequences of bereavement, including complicated grief (CG), have been minimally examined. Loss was assessed in 204 postâ 9/11, when service members and veterans with combatâ related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) took part in a multicenter treatment study. Those who reported the loss of an important person completed the inventory of complicated grief (ICG; nâ =â 160). Over three quarters (79.41%) of the sample reported an important lifetime loss, with close to half (47.06%) reporting the loss of a fellow service member (FSM). The prevalence of CG was 24.75% overall, and nearly one third (31.25%) among the bereaved. CG was more prevalent among veterans who lost a fellow service member (FSM) (41.05%, nâ =â 39) compared to those bereaved who did not (16.92%, nâ =â 11; ORâ =â 3.41, 95% CI: 1.59, 7.36). CG was associated with significantly greater PTSD severity, functional impairment, traumaâ related guilt, and lifetime suicide attempts. Complicated grief was prevalent and associated with adverse psychosocial outcomes in veterans and service members with combatâ related PTSD. Clinicians working with this population should inquire about bereavement, including loss of a FSM, and screen for CG. Additional research examining CG in this population is needed.The loss of a fellow service member occurs commonly and is associated with complicated grief (CG) amongst service members and veterans with combatâ related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The presence of CG in this study was associated with more severe PTSD, guilt, and lifetime suicide attempts, as well as poorer functioning.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/139942/1/jnr24094_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/139942/2/jnr24094.pd

Understanding the impact of complicated grief on combat related posttraumatic stress disorder, guilt, suicide, and functional impairment in a clinical trial of post‐9/11 service members and veterans

BackgroundComplicated grief (CG) is a bereavement‐specific syndrome distinct from but commonly comorbid with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). While bereavement is common among military personnel (Simon et al., 2018), there is little research on the impact of CG comorbidity on PTSD treatment outcomes.MethodsTo evaluate the impact of comorbid CG on PTSD treatment outcomes we analyzed data from a randomized trial comparing prolonged exposure, sertraline, and their combination in veterans with a primary diagnosis of combat‐related PTSD (n = 194). Assessment of PTSD, trauma‐related guilt, functional impairment, and suicidal ideation and behavior occurred at baseline and weeks 6, 12, and 24 during the 24‐week trial.ResultsCG was associated with lower PTSD treatment response (odds ratio (OR) = 0.29, 95% confidence interval (CI) [0.12, 0.69], p = 0.005) and remission (OR = 0.28, 95% CI [0.11, 0.71], p = 0.007). Those with CG had greater severity of PTSD (p = 0.005) and trauma‐related guilt (<0.001) at baseline and endpoint. In addition, those with CG were more likely to experience suicidal ideation during the study (CG: 35%, 14/40 vs. no CG 15%, 20/130; OR = 3.01, 95% CI [1.29, 7.02], p = 0.011).ConclusionsComorbid CG is associated with elevated PTSD severity and independently associated with poorer endpoint treatment outcomes in veterans with combat‐related PTSD, suggesting that screening and additional intervention for CG may be needed.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/153078/1/da22911_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/153078/2/da22911.pd

”Det finns 1000 olika sätt att lyckas” − En kvalitativ studie av kultur- och nöjesbranschens arbete bakom sociala medier

Titel ”Det finns 1000 olika sätt att lyckas” – En kvalitativ studie av kultur och nöjesbranschens arbete bakom sociala medier Författare Emma Hellberg och Amanda Nergelius Kurs Kandidatuppsats i medie- och kommunikationsvetenskap vid Institutionen för journalistik, medier och kommunikation, Göteborgs universitet Termin Höstterminen 2014 Handledare Magnus Fredriksson Uppdragsgivare Plyhm Kommunikation Syfte Syftet är att kartlägga hur strategier för sociala medier implementeras i organisationer och eventuella skillnader mellan organisationer som tagit hjälp av PR-konsulter respektive de som inte har gjort det. Metod och material Kvalitativa intervjuer med informanter på elva organisationer i kultur och nöjesbranschen. Huvudresultat Trots att alla organisationer har idéer och tankar kring hur de vill arbeta med sociala medier, är det ännu inte självklart att man har dessa strategier nedskrivna, eller ens uttalade för fler än den som arbetar med kommunikation. Det finns en ambition om att inkludera fler anställda i detta arbete, men många är försiktiga då man vill att det ska finnas en genomgående ton i kommunikationen. Av samma anledning är man också vara försiktig med att låta en konsult skapa innehåll för kanalerna. Man ser dock ingen fara i att använda konsulter i en rådgivande roll och tycker inte att de har för mycket makt i kommunikationsprocessen. Sociala medier används främst för att förstärka varumärket genom att ha en dialog med gäster och kunder. Strategierna går ofta hand i hand med organisationens övergripande kommunikationsplan, men organisationerna är eniga om att det krävs en mer personlig vinkel på sociala medier. Sidantal 48 (inklusive bilagor) Antal ord 19 81

Ultrasonic Transmitter Implemented on Arduino with Direct Digital Synthesis

ITC/USA 2015 Conference Proceedings / The Fifty-First Annual International Telemetering Conference and Technical Exhibition / October 26-29, 2015 / Bally's Hotel & Convention Center, Las Vegas, NVUltrasonic frequency signals can be employed in a manner similar to radio frequency signals for target detection and ranging by utilizing concepts from radar systems. This project uses components operating in the ultrasonic frequency spectrum to transmit and receive signals for detection and ranging. The project concept contains a single channel ultrasonic transmitter and a single channel ultrasonic receiver. An Arduino Due microcontroller is used to coordinate the radar system. The radar transmitter is continuously transmitting chirp waveforms in a frequency sweep pattern from 30 kHz to 50 kHz. Chirp echoes are received by the ultrasonic microphone. The echoes are mixed with the originally transmitted chirp, which creates a beat frequency response. The beat frequency is used to calculate the range of the target.International Foundation for TelemeteringProceedings from the International Telemetering Conference are made available by the International Foundation for Telemetering and the University of Arizona Libraries. Visit http://www.telemetry.org/index.php/contact-us if you have questions about items in this collection

Identification of Tuna Species in Raw and Processed Products Using DNA Mini-barcoding of the Mitochondrial Control Region

Accurate species identification methods are needed to combat tuna fraud, improve tuna stock regulation, and mitigate health risks associated with mislabeled tuna products. The objective of this study was to conduct a market survey of raw and processed tuna products using a DNA mini-barcoding system based on the mitochondrial control region (CR). A total of 80 samples of raw, dried, and canned tuna products were collected at the retail level for CR mini-barcoding analysis. The samples underwent DNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and DNA sequencing of the 236-bp CR mini-barcode. The resulting sequences were searched against GenBank using the nucleotide Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) to determine the species. The study achieved species identification for 100% of the raw samples, 95% of the dried samples, and 50% of the canned samples, for an overall success rate of 86% (69/80 samples). Mislabeling occurred in 11 of the identified samples (16%), including 8 products marketed as raw, dried, or canned yellowfin tuna, 2 samples marketed as dried or canned skipjack tuna, and 1 raw fillet sold as bluefin tuna. Overall, the DNA mini-barcoding system proved to be a promising method in identifying tuna species in both raw and processed samples. However, testing with a secondary marker is required in some cases to resolve instances of possible species introgression. Future research should explore optimization of this method for improved identification of canned tuna samples

Species Substitution and Mislabeling of Ceviche, Poke, and Sushi Dishes Sold in Orange County, California

Raw, ready-to-eat (RTE) seafood products have become increasingly popular globally, but they are vulnerable to species substitution and mislabeling. DNA barcoding allows for fish species identification by extracting, amplifying, and sequencing a standardized gene target. A wide variety of fish products have been studied with DNA barcoding, but little investigation of ceviche and poke has occurred in the United States. Sushi is known to be a target of mislabeling but has not been extensively studied in Orange County, CA. The objective of this study was to investigate species substitution and mislabeling of sushi, poke, and ceviche dishes sold at restaurants in Orange County, CA. A total of 105 raw, RTE seafood products were collected, including sushi (n = 35), poke (n = 35), and ceviche (n = 35). All samples were sequenced with DNA barcoding or mini-barcoding. The identified species were compared against the menu names, verbal declarations by restaurant staff, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Seafood List to verify whether acceptable market names were used for each product. Of the 103 samples identified with DNA barcoding, species substitution was detected at a rate of 23.3% and unacceptable market names were found in 45.6% of samples. Overall, 63.1% of samples had some form of mislabeling. When the mislabeling rates were divided based on product category, ceviche had the highest overall mislabeling rate (85.3%), followed by poke (61.8%), and sushi (42.9%). Mislabeling of ceviche and poke was primarily driven by the use of unacceptable market names, while species substitution was more common in sushi dishes. These rates reveal widespread mislabeling among raw, RTE seafood products and suggest the need for outreach efforts to ensure proper labeling of fish using acceptable market names, as well as further research into mislabeling within the raw, RTE seafood supply chain

Microbiological safety and quality of ceviche, poke, and sushi dishes sold at retail outlets in Orange County, CA

Raw, ready-to-eat (RTE) seafood products, such as ceviche, poke, and sushi, have experienced growing demand globally; however, these products have the potential to be contaminated with foodborne pathogens. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of Escherichiacoli/coliforms, Salmonella, and Listeria in ceviche, poke, and sushi dishes sold at the retail level in Orange County, CA, USA. Additional organisms detected during testing were also considered in the results. A total of 105 raw, RTE samples of ceviche, poke, and sushi were collected from restaurants and grocery stores in Orange County, CA. Samples were tested for Salmonella and Listeria utilizing methods from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Bacteriological Analytical Manual (BAM). E. coli and total coliforms were enumerated utilizing 3 M Petrifilm plates. Overall, two samples (1.9%) were positive for generic E. coli, with a range of 5–35 CFU/g. Coliforms were detected in 85 samples (81%), with a range of 5–1710 CFU/g. The average coliform levels in ceviche samples (259 CFU/g) were significantly higher than the levels in sushi samples (95 CFU/g), according to a Kruskal-Wallis H test followed by the Dunn test (p < 0.05). The coliform levels in poke samples (196 CFU/g) were not significantly different from those in ceviche or sushi. All levels of E. coli and coliforms were considered acceptable or satisfactory/borderline according to standards for RTE seafood. None of the samples tested positive for Salmonella or Listeria monocytogenes; however, other microorganisms were detected in 17 samples, including Listeria spp., Proteus mirabilis, Providencia rettgeri, and Morganella morganii. The results of this study are novel in that they present data on the microbiological safety and quality of ceviche, poke, and sushi dishes sold at retail in the United States, as well as provide a comparison across the three categories of raw, RTE seafood

A Novel Machine-Learning Framework Based on a Hierarchy of Dispute Models for the Identification of Fish Species Using Multi-Mode Spectroscopy

Seafood mislabeling rates of approximately 20% have been reported globally. Traditional methods for fish species identification, such as DNA analysis and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), are expensive and time-consuming, and require skilled technicians and specialized equipment. The combination of spectroscopy and machine learning presents a promising approach to overcome these challenges. In our study, we took a comprehensive approach by considering a total of 43 different fish species and employing three modes of spectroscopy: fluorescence (Fluor), and reflectance in the visible near-infrared (VNIR) and short-wave near-infrared (SWIR). To achieve higher accuracies, we developed a novel machine-learning framework, where groups of similar fish types were identified and specialized classifiers were trained for each group. The incorporation of global (single artificial intelligence for all species) and dispute classification models created a hierarchical decision process, yielding higher performances. For Fluor, VNIR, and SWIR, accuracies increased from 80%, 75%, and 49% to 83%, 81%, and 58%, respectively. Furthermore, certain species witnessed remarkable performance enhancements of up to 40% in single-mode identification. The fusion of all three spectroscopic modes further boosted the performance of the best single mode, averaged over all species, by 9%. Fish species mislabeling not only poses health-related risks due to contaminants, toxins, and allergens that could be life-threatening, but also gives rise to economic and environmental hazards and loss of nutritional benefits. Our proposed method can detect fish fraud as a real-time alternative to DNA barcoding and other standard methods. The hierarchical system of dispute models proposed in this work is a novel machine-learning tool not limited to this application, and can improve accuracy in any classification problem which contains a large number of classes