Psychophysiological responses of older adults to an anxiety -evoking stimulus

The purpose of this study was to clarify the relation between anxiety and physiological responses in older adults as compared to younger adults. Heart rate (HR), skin conductance level (SCL), skin conductance response (SCR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were obtained before, during, and after exposure to a Stroop color-word naming task and a snake video from 46 female younger adults (age 18--30) and 28 female older adults (age 65--80) who were designated as either snake fearful or snake nonfearful. No significant group differences were observed on physiological measures to baseline one or during the snake video. Younger adults exhibited significantly greater HR, SCL, and SCR responses relative to older adults during the Stroop Task, while older adults demonstrated significantly higher SBP and DBP during baseline and in response to the Stroop task as compared to younger adults. There also was evidence of delayed recovery on SCL and SCR in older adults as compared to younger adults following the Stroop task. Although high fear individuals endorsed greater anxiety on self-report measures during both tasks relative to low fear individuals, with the exception of an unusual Age x Fear x Interval interaction in SBP during recovery from the Stroop task, no significant fear group differences were observed on physiological variables before, during, or in recovery from the Stroop task or the snake video. Problems with the definition of the high fear sample population may explain these findings. Although this study was not able to support its major hypotheses, it replicated the psychophysiological findings of stressor-task studies of older adults and yielded some evidence to suggest that stressor tasks may not evoke an emotional response sufficient enough to be considered an anxiety- or fear-evoking stimulus. It also found evidence to suggest that older adults exhibited greater desynchrony (physiologic responses vs. self-report) than younger adults. The findings of this study also clearly indicated the need to employ methods of data collection that take into account age-associated changes in order to truly capture the experience/presentation of anxiety in older adults

Faecal contamination of lettuce heads after manure application

In recent years, an increasing number of disease outbreaks have been associated with consumption of contaminated vegetables. Thus, it has been speculated to what extent such contamination is associated with application of animal manure as fertilizer, which is particularly practiced in organic vegetable production where conventional fertilizers are prohibited. A field survey was therefore performed aiming to assess the survival and transfer of E. coli from animal manure to lettuces, with E. coli serving as an indicator of bacterial enteric pathogens. Animal manure was applied to 3 Danish fields prior to planting of lettuce seedlings, then 5-8 weeks later at the normal time of harvest, inner and outer leafs of 10 lettuce heads were pooled into one sample unit with a total of 50 pools per field. Additionally, in one field, 15 soil samples were collected weekly until the harvest time. E. coli was enumerated by plating 1 mL of 10-fold serial dilutions of 5 g of homogenized sample material, i.e. manure, soil and lettuce onto PetrifilmTM Select E. coli count plates (3M), which were then incubated 24 h at 44°C. The manure applied to the fields contained 3.0-4.5 Log10 E. coli CFU/g and E. coli was found in 36-54% of the pooled lettuce samples with a detection limit of 10 CFU/g. Numbers of E. coli in 14-20% of pooled lettuce samples exceeded a satisfactory microbiological hygiene criteria level of 100 CFU/g. The highest percentage of faecally contaminated lettuce heads (54%) coincided with the shortest growth period studied indicating that the time gap between application of manure and harvest and the survival of E. coli (and pathogens) influences the contamination of lettuce via manure amended soil. However, at the time of harvest, the numbers of E. coli in 5 of 15 soil samples were reduced below the detection limit and no samples exceeded 100 CFU/g. This is in contrast to the lettuce samples, where 20% of faecally contaminated samples had >100 E. coli/g, which may indicate that faeces contamination of crops could originate from alternative sources, such as contaminated water and wildlife. Comparisons of the genotype of isolated E. coli strains could help to elucidate this

Using Microanalysis to Examine how Elementary Students Self-regulate in Math: A Case Study

AbstractThe purpose of this descriptive study was to examine how high, average, and low achieving elementary students engage in self-regulation in math. Participants were nine elementary students and their teachers from three different public schools who incorporated the International Baccalaureate Curriculum. Using a microanalytic methodology, students were asked a series of forethought, performance, and self-reflection process items about specific math problem solving. It was hypothesized that high achievers would display more self-regulated learning processes than either average or low achieving students. To provide a more detailed picture of self-regulatory functioning among the different math achievers, a case study of fifth grade students from each achievement level is also presented. Students’ reports of self-regulation were also compared with teacher ratings. Results also revealed that high achievers surpassed average achievers, who in turn surpassed the low achieving student in self-regulation. The results were discussed in terms of Zimmerman's social cognitive model of self-regulation. Implications, limitations, and future research are presented

The Impact of Airport Service Quality on Passenger Satisfaction at the Hong Kong International Airport

Purpose – This research aims to ascertain the attributes of airport service quality from the perspectives of airport passengers and to examine the impact of airport service quality on passenger satisfaction by conducting research on Hong Kong International Airport. Methodology – An exploratory sequential approach was adopted in the research methodology. In the first phase, qualitative data was collected through interviews with experts from airport management and aviation related organisations. In the second phase, the phenomena discovered from the qualitative findings were further explored quantitatively by conducted a survey targeted at passengers of Hong Kong International Airport. Findings – The research findings reveal that airport service quality has three major dimensions, namely function, communication, and diversion. Each of these dimensions positively influences airport service quality, which then positively correlates with passenger satisfaction. Research significance – Given the increasing importance of passenger orientation in modern airports, finding an effective way to understand the attributes of airport service quality and the relationship with passenger satisfaction could put the airport in an advantageous position in today’s competitive industry landscape. Research implications – This research contributes to the management of airport operations by enabling a structured analysis of the composition of service quality using a passenger-centric approach. This would allow airport management to optimise resource allocation and prioritise business initiatives

Virtual Reality and BIM Methodology as Teaching- Learning Improvement Tools for Sanitary Engineering Courses

Virtual Reality (VR) is often used to describe a 3D environment wherein objects and images of the real world are simulated through technology. In architectural or civil engineering, the design process with 2D planes could lead to error owing to misinterpretation in the visualization of elements. The civil engineering program of a university in Lima, Peru, mandates the teaching of the building information modeling (BIM) methodology in all the courses, thereby allowing the students to learn about the organization and optimization of projects from the design phase to construction phase. The engineering students are required to manage many variables with the BIM methodology, especially in mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems. Nevertheless, the teaching method of BIM could be enriched by analyzing 3D project models using VR. Whereas BIM organizes and optimizes a project through a 3D model, VR can introduce the user to a model that is very close to the reality, thereby improving the interpretation and analysis of the details. This study contributes to the implementation of a plumbing engineering course under a civil engineering program. The proposed methodology was applied in an experimental group of undergraduate students, and the test results obtained were compared with those of a control group that had used a traditional approach. The results of this study show that students, by using the VR–BIM method proposed, can successfully visualize the accessories and recognize a satisfactory design in a creative and innovative manner

Mycobacterial Nucleoside Diphosphate Kinase Blocks Phagosome Maturation in Murine Raw 264.7 Macrophages

bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG), disrupt the normal function of host Rab5 and Rab7, two small GTPases that are instrumental in the control of phagosome fusion with early endosomes and late endosomes/lysosomes respectively. nucleoside diphosphate kinase (Ndk) exhibits GTPase activating protein (GAP) activity towards Rab5 and Rab7. Then, using a model of latex bead phagosomes, we demonstrated that Ndk inhibits phagosome maturation and fusion with lysosomes in murine RAW 264.7 macrophages. Maturation arrest of phagosomes containing Ndk-beads was associated with the inactivation of both Rab5 and Rab7 as evidenced by the lack of recruitment of their respective effectors EEA1 (early endosome antigen 1) and RILP (Rab7-interacting lysosomal protein). Consistent with these findings, macrophage infection with an Ndk knocked-down BCG strain resulted in increased fusion of its phagosome with lysosomes along with decreased survival of the mutant.Our findings provide evidence in support of the hypothesis that mycobacterial Ndk is a putative virulence factor that inhibits phagosome maturation and promotes survival of mycobacteria within the macrophage

Gene-Environment Interaction in the Onset of Eczema in Infancy: Filaggrin Loss-of-Function Mutations Enhanced by Neonatal Cat Exposure

Background Loss-of-function variants in the gene encoding filaggrin (FLG) are major determinants of eczema. We hypothesized that weakening of the physical barrier in FLG-deficient individuals may potentiate the effect of environmental exposures. Therefore, we investigated whether there is an interaction between FLG loss-of-function mutations with environmental exposures (pets and dust mites) in relation to the development of eczema. Methods and Findings We used data obtained in early life in a high-risk birth cohort in Denmark and replicated the findings in an unselected birth cohort in the United Kingdom. Primary outcome was age of onset of eczema; environmental exposures included pet ownership and mite and pet allergen levels. In Copenhagen(n = 379), FLG mutation increased the risk of eczema during the first year of life (hazard ratio [HR] 2.26, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.27–4.00, p = 0.005), with a further increase in risk related to cat exposure at birth amongst children with FLG mutation (HR 11.11, 95% CI 3.79–32.60, p < 0.0001); dog exposure was moderately protective (HR 0.49, 95% CI 0.24–1.01, p = 0.05), but not related to FLG genotype. In Manchester (n = 503) an independent and significant association of the development of eczema by age 12 mo with FLG genotype was confirmed (HR 1.95, 95% CI 1.13–3.36, p = 0.02). In addition, the risk increased because of the interaction of cat ownership at birth and FLG genotype (HR 3.82, 95% CI 1.35–10.81, p = 0.01), with no significant effect of the interaction with dog ownership (HR 0.59, 95% CI 0.16–2.20, p = 0.43). Mite-allergen had no effects in either cohort. The observed effects were independent of sensitisation. Conclusions We have demonstrated a significant interaction between FLG loss-of-function main mutations (501x and 2282del4) and cat ownership at birth on the development of early-life eczema in two independent birth cohorts. Our data suggest that cat but not dog ownership substantially increases the risk of eczema within the first year of life in children with FLG loss-of-function variants, but not amongst those without. FLG-deficient individuals may need to avoid cats but not dogs in early life

Potential use of antibodies to provide an earlier indication of lymphatic filariasis resurgence in post–mass drug ad ministration surveillance in American Samoa

Background: Under the Global Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (LF), American Samoa conducted 7 rounds of mass drug administration (MDA) between 2000 and 2006. The territory passed transmission assessment surveys (TASs) in 2011 (TAS-1) and 2015 (TAS-2). In 2016, the territory failed TAS-3, indicating resurgence. This study aims to determine if antibodies (Abs) may have provided a timelier indication of LF resurgence in American Samoa. Methods: We examined school-level antigen (Ag) and Ab status (presence/absence of Ag- and Ab-positive children) and prevalence of single and combined Ab responses to Wb123, Bm14, and Bm33 Ags at each TAS. Pearson chi-square test and logistic regression were used to examine associations between school-level Ab prevalence in TAS-1 and TAS-2 and school-level Ag status in TAS-3. Results: Schools with higher prevalence of Wb123 Ab in TAS-2 had higher odds of being Ag-positive in TAS-3 (odds ratio [OR] 24.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.2–512.7). Schools that were Ab-positive for WB123 plus Bm14, Bm33, or both Bm14 and Bm33 in TAS-2 had higher odds of being Ag-positive in TAS-3 (OR 16.0–24.5). Conclusion: Abs could provide earlier signals of resurgence and enable a timelier response. The promising role of Abs in surveillance after MDA and decision making should be further investigated in other settings

The past and current updates on diagnostic aspects of osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a progressive joint disease leading to the destruction of joint structures, which in turn causes severe and chronic pain to the patient. Since OA is a troubling and disruptive disease, numerous researches have been done into diagnosing this disease, both in the early and the late stages of the disease. Diagnostic modalities such as radiography, computed-tomography (CT), micro-computed tomography (μ-CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have been used in OA research. Not only that, more advance measurements and criteria have been established to standardize OA research. Currently, the OA research has been delving into proteomic studies to search for potential disease biomarkers. Biomarkers such as urinary C-terminal telopeptide of collagen type 2 (uCTX-II) and cartilage oligometric protein (COMP) have shown potential to be both diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. For this review paper, the developments in diagnostic modalities are discussed focusing more on proteomic and biomarker studies