5,367 research outputs found
On the Experimental Estimation of Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) Cross Sections by Vibrational Pumping
We present an in-depth analysis of the experimental estimation of cross
sections in Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) by vibrational pumping.
The paper highlights the advantages and disadvantages of the technique,
pinpoints the main aspects and limitations, and provides the underlying
physical concepts to interpret the experimental results. Examples for several
commonly used SERS probes are given, and a discussion on future possible
developments is also presented.Comment: To be submitted to J. Phys. Chem.
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Coconut oil has less satiating properties than medium chain triglyceride oil
It is well established that the consumption of medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) can increase satiety and reduce food intake. Many media articles promote the use of coconut oil for weight loss advocating similar health benefits to that of MCT. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of MCT oil compared to coconut oil and control oil on food intake and satiety. Following an overnight fast, participants consumed a test breakfast smoothie containing 205kcal of either (i) MCT oil (ii) coconut oil or (iii) vegetable oil (control) on three separate test days. Participants recorded appetite ratings on visual analogue scales and were presented with an ad libitum lunch meal of preselected sandwiches 180min after consumption of the breakfast. The results showed a significant difference in energy and macronutrient intakes at the ad libitum meal between the three oils with the MCT oil reducing food intake compared to the coconut and control oil. Differences in food intake throughout the day were found for energy and fat, with the control having increased food intake compared to the MCT and coconut. The MCT also increased fullness over the three hours after breakfast compared to the control and coconut oils. The coconut oil was also reported as being less palatable than the MCT oil. The results of this study confirm the differences that exist between MCT and coconut oil such that coconut oil cannot be promoted as having similar effects to MCT oil on food intake and satiety
Hypoxic modulation of exogenous nitrite-induced vasodilation in humans
Peer reviewedPublisher PD
Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of community pharmacists toward the management of acne vulgaris in Palestine: a cross-sectional study
Background Acne vulgaris (AV) is a common dermatological disease affecting almost
85% of teenagers. Patients with AV usually present at community pharmacies during the
early stages of their disease.
Aim The aim of this study was to assess community pharmacists’ knowledge, attitudes,
and practice toward AV management in West Bank in Palestine.
Methods This study was a cross-sectional questionnaire-based study. The questionnaire
included four sections: 1) demographic, 2) knowledge, 3) attitude and practice items
related causes, and 4) treatment options and counseling during management of patients
with AV. A convenience sampling method was implemented in this study. Parametric and
non-parametric tests were used to compare different issues as appropriate. P < 0.05 were
considered significant.
Result A total of 270 community pharmacists were interviewed, and more than half
(54.1%) were males. The study revealed that community pharmacists had an inadequate
level of knowledge on management of AV; only 7.7% had high levels of knowledge.
Pharmacists have positive attitude regarding AV management, but inadequate knowledge
was reflected on their treatment practices; only 10% of participants independently dealt
with AV without referral. Pharmacists with a low level of knowledge showed five times
more referrals than those with a high level of knowledge (OR: 5.3; P < 0.001), and those
with a bachelor degree showed three times more referrals than postgraduates (OR: 3.3;
P < 0.001).
Conclusion There is a demand to update dermatological knowledge of community
pharmacists and encourage them to attend structured training programs about the
management of AV.Funding source: None
Two-component model of the interaction of an interstellar cloud with surrounding hot plasma
We present a two-component gasdynamic model of an interstellar cloud embedded
in a hot plasma. It is assumed that the cloud consists of atomic hydrogen gas,
interstellar plasma is quasineutral. Hydrogen atoms and plasma protons interact
through a charge exchange process. Magnetic felds and radiative processes are
ignored in the model. The influence of heat conduction within plasma on the
interaction between a cloud and plasma is studied. We consider the extreme case
and assume that hot plasma electrons instantly heat the plasma in the
interaction region and that plasma flow can be described as isothermal. Using
the two-component model of the interaction of cold neutral cloud and hot
plasma, we estimate the lifetime of interstellar clouds. We focus on the clouds
typical for the cluster of local interstellar clouds embedded in the hot Local
Bubble and give an estimate of the lifetime of the Local interstellar cloud
where the Sun currently travels. The charge transfer between highly charged
plasma ions and neutral atoms generates X-ray emission. We assume typical
abundance of heavy ions for the Local Bubble plasma and estimate the X-ray
emissivity due to charge exchange from the interface between cold neutral cloud
and hot plasma. Our results show that charge exchange X-ray emission from the
neutral-plasma interfaces can be a non-negligible fraction of the observed
X-ray emission.Comment: 9 pages, 7 figure
The Explication Defence of Arguments from Reference
In a number of influential papers, Machery, Mallon, Nichols and Stich have presented a powerful critique of so-called arguments from reference, arguments that assume that a particular theory of reference is correct in order to establish a substantive conclusion. The critique is that, due to cross-cultural variation in semantic intuitions supposedly undermining the standard methodology for theorising about reference, the assumption that a theory of reference is correct is unjustified. I argue that the many extant responses to Machery et al.’s critique do little for the proponent of an argument from reference, as they do not show how to justify the problematic assumption. I then argue that it can in principle be justified by an appeal to Carnapian explication. I show how to apply the explication defence to arguments from reference given by Andreasen (for the biological reality of race) and by Churchland (against the existence of beliefs and desires)
Research on health transition in Africa: time for action
With rapidly increasing globalization, trends towards unhealthy diets, obesity, sedentary lifestyles and unhealthy habits are resulting in an increased worldwide burden of chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs). In Africa this means that health systems face the challenge of an increasing burden of NCDs and of continuing high morbidity and mortality from communicable diseases. This health transition represents an enormous challenge to Africa as the region with the least resources for an effective response. Whereas previous epidemics, including HIV, have caught Africa unprepared, the opportunity now arises to take the advancing wave of health transition in Africa seriously. Health research has a key role to play in meeting health and development goals, and must be responsive to changing disease patterns, such as health transition. There is an urgent need for research on health transition in Africa to enable countries to respond effectively to rapidly changing health needs
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