Localizing and Quantifying Carotenoids in Intact Cells and Tissues

Raman spectroscopy provides detailed information about the molecular structure of carotenoids. Advances in detector sensitivity and acquisition speed have driven the expansion of Raman spectroscopy from a bulk analytical tool to a powerful method for mapping carotenoid abundance in cells and tissues. In many applications, the technique is compatible with living organisms, providing highly specific molecular structure information in intact cells and tissues with subcellular spatial resolution. This leads to spatial-temporal-chemical resolution critical to understanding the complex processes in the life cycle of carotenoids and other biomolecules

Luokanopettajien käsityksiä ja kokemuksia yksilöllisestä oppimisesta ja sen tukemisesta yleisopetuksen 3.–6. luokilla

Tiivistelmä. Pro gradu -tutkielmassa käsitellään yksilöllistä oppimista ja sen tukemista yleisopetuksessa opettajien näkökulmasta. Teoreettisessa viitekehyksessä kuvataan yksilölliseen oppimiseen liittyviä tekijöitä ja käsitellään aihetta viitaten aikaisempiin tutkimuksiin. Oppiminen nähdään yksilöllisenä prosessina, jossa oppija itse työstää tiedon. Oppimisprosessiin nähdään vaikuttavan oppilaaseen liittyvät sekä oppilaasta riippumattomat tekijät. Tutkimuksessa selvitetään sitä, miten opettajat tukevat oppilaiden yksilöllistä oppimista alakoulun 3.–6. -luokilla. Tutkimukselle asetettiin seuraavat tutkimusongelmat: 1. Millaisia käsityksiä ja kokemuksia opettajilla on yksilöllisestä oppimisesta alakoulun 3.–6. -luokilla? 2. Miten opettajat arvioivat yksilöllisen oppimisen tukemisen toteutuvan omassa opetuksessaan? Pro gradu -tutkielman empiirisessä osassa noudatetaan laadullisen tutkimuksen lähestymistapaa ja tutkimusstrategiana sovelletaan fenomenografista tutkimusstrategiaa. Aineisto on kerätty avoimella kyselyllä 16 tutkittavalta sekä parikeskustelulla 4 tutkittavalta. Tutkimusaineisto on analysoitu teoriaohjaavaa sisällönanalyysiä käyttäen. Tutkimuksen tärkeänä tuloksena voidaan pitää, että opettajat toteuttavat yksilöllisen oppimisen tukemista omalla persoonallaan monin eri keinoin. Toisena tärkeänä tutkimustuloksena on saatu, että opettajien yksilöllisen oppimisen tukemisen pohjalla vaikuttaa konstruktivistinen oppimiskäsitys. Tutkimuksen mukaan yksilöllisen oppimisen tukemista edesauttavat opettajien yhteistyö, syvällinen oppilaantuntemus sekä opettajan positiivinen ammatti-identiteetti. Psyykkisen ja sosiaalisen oppimisympäristön huomiointi koetaan tärkeänä, mutta tutkittavat eivät kertoneet, kuinka toteuttavat sitä. Tutkimustuloksista on muodostettu kokonaiskuva kertomaan opettajien käsityksistä yksilöllisen oppimisen tukemisesta sekä sen toteuttamisesta. Tutkimustuloksia havainnollistetaan kolmen kuvion avulla, jotka kertovat opettajien käsityksistä yksilöllisestä oppimisesta, yksilöllisen oppimisen huomioinnista sekä huomiointia edistävistä ja rajoittavista tekijöistä. Tutkimustuloksia ei voida yleistää, mutta yksittäinen opettaja voi verrata tuloksia omiin käsityksiin ja kokemuksiin yksilöllisestä oppimisesta ja sen tukemisesta

Statistical Analysis of Microarray Data with Replicated Spots: A Case Study with Synechococcus WH8102

Until recently microarray experiments often involved relatively few arrays with only a single representation of each gene on each array. A complete genome microarray with multiple spots per gene (spread out spatially across the array) was developed in order to compare the gene expression of a marine cyanobacterium and a knockout mutant strain in a defined artificial seawater medium. Statistical methods were developed for analysis in the special situation of this case study where there is gene replication within an array and where relatively few arrays are used, which can be the case with current array technology. Due in part to the replication within an array, it was possible to detect very small changes in the levels of expression between the wild type and mutant strains. One interesting biological outcome of this experiment is the indication of the extent to which the phosphorus regulatory system of this cyanobacterium affects the expression of multiple genes beyond those strictly involved in phosphorus acquisition

Fluorescence measurements for evaluating the application of multivariate analysis techniques to optically thick environments.

Laser-induced fluorescence measurements of cuvette-contained laser dye mixtures are made for evaluation of multivariate analysis techniques to optically thick environments. Nine mixtures of Coumarin 500 and Rhodamine 610 are analyzed, as well as the pure dyes. For each sample, the cuvette is positioned on a two-axis translation stage to allow the interrogation at different spatial locations, allowing the examination of both primary (absorption of the laser light) and secondary (absorption of the fluorescence) inner filter effects. In addition to these expected inner filter effects, we find evidence that a portion of the absorbed fluorescence is re-emitted. A total of 688 spectra are acquired for the evaluation of multivariate analysis approaches to account for nonlinear effects

Broad absorption line disappearance/emergence in multiple ions in a weak emission-line quasar

We report the discovery of disappearance of Mg ii, Al iii, C iv, and Si iv broad absorption lines (BALs) at the same velocity, accompanied by a new Civ BAL emerging at a higher velocity, in the quasar J0827+4252 at z = 2.038. This is the first report of BAL disappearance (i) over Mg ii, Al iii, C iv, and Si iv ions and (ii) in a weak emission-line quasar (WLQ). The discovery is based on four spectra from the SDSS and one follow-up spectrum from HET/LRS2. The simultaneous Civ BAL disappearance and emergence at different velocities, together with no variations in the CRTS light curve, indicate that ionization changes in the absorbing material are unlikely to cause the observed BAL variability. Our analyses reveal that transverse motion is the most likely dominant driver of the BAL disappearance/emergence. Given the presence of mildly relativistic BAL outflows and an apparently large C iv emission-line blueshift that is likely associated with strong bulk outflows in this WLQ, J0827+4252 provides a notable opportunity to study extreme quasar winds and their potential in expelling material from inner to large-scale regions.Comment: Published in 2019 ApJL, 870,

Determination of composition and structure of spongy bone tissue in human head of femur by Raman spectral mapping

Biomechanical properties of bone depend on the composition and organization of collagen fibers. In this study, Raman microspectroscopy was employed to determine the content of mineral and organic constituents and orientation of collagen fibers in spongy bone in the human head of femur at the microstructural level. Changes in composition and structure of trabecula were illustrated using Raman spectral mapping. The polarized Raman spectra permit separate analysis of local variations in orientation and composition. The ratios of ν2PO43−/Amide III, ν4PO43−/Amide III and ν1CO32−/ν2PO43− are used to describe relative amounts of spongy bone components. The ν1PO43−/Amide I ratio is quite susceptible to orientation effect and brings information on collagen fibers orientation. The results presented illustrate the versatility of the Raman method in the study of bone tissue. The study permits better understanding of bone physiology and evaluation of the biomechanical properties of bone

The ABCD of usability testing

We introduce a methodology for tracking and auditing feedback, errors and suggestions for software packages. This short paper describes how we innovate on the evaluation mechanism, introducing an (Antecedent, Barrier, Consequence and Development) ABCD form, embedded within an eParticipation platform to enable end users to easily report on any usability issues. This methodology will be utilised to improve the STEP cloud eParticipation platform (part of the current STEP Horizon2020 project http://step4youth.eu. The platform is currently being piloted in real life contexts, with the participation of public authorities that are integrating the eParticipation platform into their regular decision-making practices. The project is involving young people, through engagement and motivation strategies and giving them a voice in Environmental decision making at the local level. The pilot evaluation aims to demonstrate how open engagement needs to be embedded within public sector processes and the usability methodology reported here will help to identify the key barriers for wide scale deployment of the platform

Personalized Antihypertensive Treatment Optimization With Smartphone-Enabled Remote Precision Dosing of Amlodipine During the COVID-19 Pandemic (PERSONAL-CovidBP Trial).

BACKGROUND: The objective of the PERSONAL-CovidBP (Personalised Electronic Record Supported Optimisation When Alone for Patients With Hypertension: Pilot Study for Remote Medical Management of Hypertension During the COVID-19 Pandemic) trial was to assess the efficacy and safety of smartphone-enabled remote precision dosing of amlodipine to control blood pressure (BP) in participants with primary hypertension during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS AND RESULTS: This was an open-label, remote, dose titration trial using daily home self-monitoring of BP, drug dose, and side effects with linked smartphone app and telemonitoring. Participants aged ≥18 years with uncontrolled hypertension (5-7 day baseline mean ≥135 mm Hg systolic BP or ≥85 mm Hg diastolic BP) received personalized amlodipine dose titration using novel (1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9 mg) and standard (5 and 10 mg) doses daily over 14 weeks. The primary outcome of the trial was mean change in systolic BP from baseline to end of treatment. A total of 205 participants were enrolled and mean BP fell from 142/87 (systolic BP/diastolic BP) to 131/81 mm Hg (a reduction of 11 (95% CI, 10-12)/7 (95% CI, 6-7) mm Hg, P<0.001). The majority of participants achieved BP control on novel doses (84%); of those participants, 35% were controlled by 1 mg daily. The majority (88%) controlled on novel doses had no peripheral edema. Adherence to BP recording and reported adherence to medication was 84% and 94%, respectively. Patient retention was 96% (196/205). Treatment was well tolerated with no withdrawals from adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Personalized dose titration with amlodipine was safe, well tolerated, and efficacious in treating primary hypertension. The majority of participants achieved BP control on novel doses, and with personalization of dose there were no trial discontinuations due to drug intolerance. App-assisted remote clinician dose titration may better balance BP control and adverse effects and help optimize long-term care. REGISTRATION: URL: clinicaltrials.gov. Identifier: NCT04559074