Atomic resolution imaging of electrode surfaces in solutions containing reversible redox species

Procedures are described for insulating metal scanning tunneling microscope (STM) tips with either glass or polymer coatings. In solutions containing 0.10 M of a reversible redox couple, Fe(CN) - 3/-46 , the faradaic limiting current to polymer coated tips was 200–500 pA and that for glass coated tips was <10 pA. For polymer insulated tips, steady-state currents of 10–100 pA were observed at tip-sample displacements less than 0.3 µm. The suppression of faradaic current achieved by these coating procedures enabled the collection of the first atomic resolution STM images of highly ordered pyrolytic graphite electrodes in contact with redox-active electrolytes. Preliminary data for the in situ electrochemical characterization of these tips are also discussed

Design of a scanning tunneling microscope for electrochemical applications

A design for a scanning tunneling microscope that is well suited for electrochemical investigations is presented. The construction of the microscope ensures that only the tunneling tip and the sample participate in electrochemical reactions. The design also allows rapid replacement of the tip or sample, and enables facile introduction of auxiliary electrodes for use in electrochemical experiments. The microscope utilizes stepper motor driven approach mechanics in order to achieve fully remote operation and to allow reproducible coarse control of tip/sample spacings for electrochemical experiments. Highly ordered pyrolytic graphite images at atomic resolution in air and aqueous solutions can be obtained with this microscope

Estimation of Visceral Fat via Ultrasound Sonography

Although visceral fat (VF) can be quantified via computed tomography or dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), their application for frequent VF assessment is limited because both methods are radiating in nature. Research suggests that ultrasound imaging can be used to predict VF safely without the risk of radiation exposure. However, the complexity and/or lack of replicability limits such application. PURPOSE: To develop an easy-to-replicate ultrasound protocol and a regression model that can accurately estimate VF area (VFA, cm2). METHODS: Thirty healthy adults (9 males and 21 females, age: 23.2 ± 7.4 yr, body mass index: 22.3 ± 3.2 kg/m2, body fat percentage: 22.3 ± 5.9 %) fasted for 8 hours or more before a DXA scan and ultrasound imaging were performed to estimate VFA. Ultrasound imaging (with a 3.5-MHz convex-array probe) was used to measure the thickness of 15 different sites within the abdominal cavity. Thickness was defined as the distance in cm from the internal abdominal wall to the anterior aortic wall. Stepwise linear regression was utilized to develop a regression model for VFA using the estimated VFA by DXA as a dependent variable, followed by a Bland-Altman plot and Pearson correlation to compare the technique reliability. RESULTS: The developed regression model (F(4, 25) = 46.869, p = 0.001) was (37.677 + (1.456*Age) - (26.963*Sex) - (11.336*VFT2) + (13.554*VFT4)), where age = years, sex: 1 = male or 2 = female, and VFT2/4 = ultrasound probe placement 2 cm to the left (VFT2) and right (VFT4) of the superior umbilical border, respectively. The regression model had high accuracy (adjusted R2 = 0.864) and test reliability (r = 0.927, p = 0.001) at estimating VFA (31.4 ± 21.4 cm2) when compared to the VFA (31.1 ± 21.1 cm2) estimated by DEXA. CONCLUSION: Visceral fat area can be accurately estimated using an easy-to-replicate ultrasound protocol and regression model that eliminates the exposure to radiation caused by other body scanning methods

Hygiene Sanitasi dan Keluhan Kesehatan Kulit Penghuni Rumah Kost Kelurahan Padang Bulan Selayang I Kecamatan Medan Selayang Tahun 2013

Hygiene, sanitation and health of skin complaints the residents of padang bulan village boarding selayang subdistrict medan selayang I. Complaints of skin health is one thing that is very often experienced by boarder, residents of the boarding school, boarding house residents and also in the form of a typical hives (morning, afternoon, evening or night) and the emergence of full-red swollen bumps on the surface of the skin and itch. Faizal research (2011), in the men\u27s dormitory USU percentage who experience health complaints of skin by 72,4%, the impact of the use of water sourced from the well bore, the behavior of self hygiene boarder who is still lacking, and love swapping clothes with friends This research aims to find out the hygiene sanitation and health of skin complaints the residents of Padang Bulan Village boarding Selayang Subdistrict Medan Selayang I. This research method is descriptive. The population is 536 people and the sample in this study was 100 people. Sampling was done by purposive sampling criteria respondents boarding house residents who have settled &gt;6 months. The results showed that respondents who experienced the health complaints of skin with a sense of the typical hives (morning, afternoon, or night) that as many as 38 people (38.0%), who experience health complaints of skin with red swollen bumps on the surface of the skin and itch that as many as 33 people (33,0%). The conclusions of this research are the complaints of skin health experienced by the occupants of a home boarding The village of Padang Bulan Selayang Subdistrict Medan Selayang I caused because of personal hygiene factors are unfavourable. Boarding house residents are advised to be more attention to personal hygiene and expected to home owners to pay more attention to kost basic sanitation home kost which includes water supply and means of garbage disposal

Relationship Between Body Composition, Diet, and Food Addiction in Young Adult Females

Addictive behavior in relation to food is often a consistent variable with obesity and aberrant eating. However, body composition alone is not a strong indicator of food addiction, rather is associated with other factors such as quality of diet, making the compulsive behavior difficult to diagnose. Eating disorders are widespread amongst young adult females and warrant further investigation. PURPOSE: To identify various factors that may attribute to food addiction symptoms in young adult females. METHODS: The study consisted of twelve physically healthy females (age = 20.8 ± 1.6 yr and BMI = 21.9 ± 1.6 kg/m2). Dual-Energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to evaluate body composition. A 3-day dietary log was collected (2 weekdays and 1 weekend day) and analyzed using the Food Processor Software. Symptoms of food addiction were evaluated using the Yale Food Addiction Scale 2.0. Six participants displaying food addiction symptoms (FAS) were matched (BMI, age, fat-free mass, and body fat %) and compared with 6 complementary females without food addiction symptoms (WFAS). Data were analyzed via a Pearson correlation analysis and a one-way ANOVA (p \u3c 0.05). RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference found in intake of energy, carbohydrates, proteins, fats, and saturated fats based on total calories. Although not statistically significant, the mean omega-3 intake of FAS (.88 ± .58g) was lower than that of WFAS (1.07 ± 1.03g), and omega-6 was 6.2 ± 4.9g for FAS and 4.2 ± 2.5g for WFAS, respectively. The macronutrient breakdown for FAS was as follows: total intake – 1572 ± 69 kcal/day, carbohydrates – 706 ± 132 kcal/day, proteins – 308 ± 52 kcal/day, and fats – 557 ± 83 kcal/day. The macronutrient breakdown for WFAS was 1923 ± 527 kcal/day (total intake), 875 ± 208 kcal/day (carbohydrates), 346 ± 123 kcal/day (proteins), and 701 ± 248 kcal/day (fats). WFAS consumed 208 ± 72 kcal/day of saturated fats, while FAS consumed 25% more saturated fats (265 ± 35 kcal/day). Waist to hip ratio between FAS and WFAS was significantly different (p = .032), where FAS = 0.75 ± 0.03 and WFAS = 0.70 ± 0.03. CONCLUSION: Though there was no significant statistical difference in total caloric intake between the food addictive and non-addictive groups, there was a noticeable trend that the food addictive group consumed fewer calories but had a higher waist to hip ratio. This trend suggests that the quality of diet, rather than total intake, may be related to a higher waist to hip ratio. Additionally, the food addictive group had a lower total fat intake and consumed more saturated fats than the non-addictive group. Saturated fats are conventional in most heavily processed foods. Though the food addictive group is consuming fewer total calories, there is a larger portion of their diet made up of saturated fats suggesting an imbalance in diet quality associated with food addiction. Future research analyzing the type and quality of food consumed in larger sample size is encouraged

An Evaluation Of Static and Dynamic Yoga Training Programs

While traditional yoga programs focus on static stretching and core stability, Essentrics yoga relies more heavily on full-body stretch and strengthening regiments coupled with dynamic movements such as ceiling reaches, side-to-side bends, lunges, and side leg lifts. Through the incorporation of more dynamic movements, Essentrics yoga is thought to elicit greater improvements in overall body composition, flexibility, and balance. PURPOSE: To examine the benefits of a 6-weeks long Essentrics (dynamic) program compared to standard (static) Yoga on body composition, flexibility, and balance. METHODS: Thirty-one participants (24 females and 7 males, age = 20.4 ± 0.2yrs, and BMI = 22.58 ± 0.55kg/m2) were assigned to two groups – a standard Yoga (YOG, n = 20) and an Essentrics (ESS, n = 11) group. For 6 weeks, both groups attended a 45–50-minute class, 3 times per week. Body composition (dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry), flexibility (sit-and-reach), balance (lower extremity Y-balance), as well anthropometric measurements were assessed at the beginning and end of the 6-week program. Measurements of the balance test included 3 reaches and their combined values [anterior (ANT), posteromedial (PM), posterolateral (PL), and composite reach distance (CRD)]. All reaches were averaged for the right and left sides and then normalized to leg length. Data were analyzed using an ANOVA with repeated measures (p \u3c 0.05), and a post-hoc test was performed if any significant main or interaction effects were found. RESULTS: Interestingly, the total body fat percentage was significantly reduced only in the YOG group (24.44 ± 6.73 to 23.51 ± 6.32%, p=.002). There were no significant group differences between YOG and ESS in balance and flexibility. However, balance was improved after the 6-week workout programs; PM (87.13 ± 11.64cm to 92.25 ± 9.91cm, p=.001), PL (82.88 ± 11.28 to 88.62 ± 9.62cm, p=.002), CRD (225.96 ± 27.17 to 238.26 ± 22.98cm, p=.001), normalized PM (98.31 ± 11.68 to 104.27 ± 11.14%, p=.001), normalized PL (93.60 ± 11.98 to 100.15 ± 10.70%, p=.001), and normalized CRD (255.12 ± 27.89 to 269.21 ± 25.07%, p=.001). Additionally, flexibility was improved from 51.42 ± 8.24 to 53.38 ± 7.04cm (p=.010) after the 6-week workout programs, while total body fat percentage was significantly reduced only in the YOG group (24.44 ± 6.73 to 23.51 ± 6.32%, p=.002). CONCLUSION: Whether an individual prefers a static or dynamic yoga program, both show improvements in flexibility and balance; however, neither program had a significant benefit over the other

Produtividade de plantações de eucalipto intercaladas com espécies nativas em áreas de pastagens degradadas no noroeste do Estado do Paraná.

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Relationships Between Anthropometric Variables and the Internal Carotid Blood Flow

Assessment of peak systolic velocity (PSV) of the internal carotid artery (ICA) is utilized to examine stroke-symptomatic individuals for ICA stenosis. While a sedentary lifestyle is a common risk factor for ICA stenosis, a deeper understanding of how body composition affects ICA blood flow could provide insights before symptoms appear. PURPOSE: To examine the relationship between ICA blood flow and body composition variables. METHODS: ICA blood flow was assessed in eight healthy males (21.88 ± 2.25 years) on three different days to control for possible diurnal variability that could affect blood flow. Participants abstained from caffeine and physical activity for a minimum of 12 hours prior to each visit. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to assess body fat percentage (BF%) and visceral fat area (VFA). Bioelectrical impedance (BIA) was used to assess body water percentage (BW%), metabolic age (MetA), and visceral fat rating (VFR). Participants rested supine with eyes closed for 5 minutes prior to assessment of ICA. B-mode doppler ultrasound sonography (7.5 MHz linear transducer) was used to measure PSV, end-diastolic velocity (EDV), resistance index (RI), and vessel diameter on the right ICA after 2 minutes of continual scanning with a 60° insonation angle. The relationship between ICA blood flow and body composition variables was examined via Pearson correlation analysis. RESULTS: BF% was positively correlated with ICA EDV (r = 0.669, p \u3c 0.001) and ICA PSV (r = 0.416, p = 0.043) but negatively correlated with ICA diameter (r = -0.424, p = 0.039). VFA was positively correlated with ICA EDV (r = 0.505, p = 0.012). BW% was negatively correlated with ICA PSV (r = -0.417, p = 0.043) and EDV (r = -0.620, p \u3c 0.001). MetA was positively correlated with ICA EDV (r = 0.630, p \u3c 0.001) but negatively correlated with ICA RI (r = -0.509, p = 0.011) and diameter (r = -0.513, p = 0.010). Similarly, VFR was positively correlated with ICA EDV (r = 0.644, p \u3c 0.001) but negatively correlated with ICA RI (r = -0.511, p = 0.011) and diameter (r = -0.496, p = 0.014). CONCLUSION: EDV has a greater correlation with body composition than PSV, suggesting that adiposity-related factors can describe ICA blood flow. Similarly, BIA might offer a solid and easy-to-attain procedure to indirectly assess ICA blood flow that warrants further research