Improved u′g′r′i′z′u'g'r'i'z' to UBVRCICUBVR_CI_C Transformation Equations for Main Sequence Stars

We report improved transformation equations between the $u'g'r'i'z'$ and $UBVR_CI_C$ photometric systems. Although the details of the transformations depend on luminosity class, we find a typical rms scatter on the order of 0.001 magnitude if the sample is limited to main sequence stars. Furthermore, we find an accurate transformation requires complex, multi-color dependencies for the bluer bandpasses. Results for giant stars will be reported in a subsequent paper.Comment: 7 pages, 8 figure

The link between practice nurse training and asthma outcomes

This article details the results of a study undertaken to establish whether or not there is a link between the level of practice nurse training and clinical outcomes in asthma management. General practices within one health district voluntarily ‘opted in' to an asthma management initiative which involved clinical audit of 30 asthma patients. Thirty two (41%) practices submitted details on 954 asthma patients. Positive patient outcomes were associated with practices that had clinics organized by a specially trained asthma nurse (n=11). Fewer patients in this group suffered from asthma symptoms, they had fewer acute attacks, were given more aggressive short course systemic steroids and fewer patients lost days as a result of asthma, when compared with practices where the clinics were run by nurses who did not have the diploma qualification (n=14). The authors conclude that there is a strong case for recommending that all general practices should employ a nurse who has undertaken specialized training in asthma in order to improve patient management

Slipping friction of an optically and magnetically manipulated microsphere rolling at a glass-water interface

The motion of submerged magnetic microspheres rolling at a glass-water interface has been studied using magnetic rotation and optical tweezers combined with bright-field microscopy particle tracking techniques. Individual microspheres of varying surface roughness were magnetically rotated both in and out of an optical trap to induce rolling, along either plain glass cover slides or glass cover slides functionalized with polyethylene glycol. It has been observed that the manipulated microspheres exhibited nonlinear dynamic rolling-while-slipping motion characterized by two motional regimes: At low rotational frequencies, the speed of microspheres free-rolling along the surface increased proportionately with magnetic rotation rate; however, a further increase in the rotation frequency beyond a certain threshold revealed a sharp transition to a motion in which the microspheres slipped with respect to the external magnetic field resulting in decreased rolling speeds. The effects of surface-microsphere interactions on the position of this threshold frequency are posed and investigated. Similar experiments with microspheres rolling while slipping in an optical trap showed congruent results.Comment: submitted to Journal of Applied Physics, 11 figure

Firearm-Related Pediatric Head Trauma: A Scoping Review.

BACKGROUND: Firearm-related injury is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in pediatric populations. Despite a disproportionate role in the most morbid outcomes in both traumatic brain injury and firearm-related injury populations, firearm-related traumatic brain injury (frTBI) is an understudied epidemiological entity. There is need to increase understanding and promote interventions that reduce this burden of disease. OBJECTIVE: To assess the evidence characterizing pediatric frTBI to highlight trends and gaps regarding burden of disease and interventions to reduce frTBI. METHODS: We conducted a scoping review under Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses-Scoping Review (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines on peer-reviewed studies across 5 databases (Medline OVID, EMBASE, Web of Science Legal Collection, PsychINFO, and Academic Search Complete). English studies examining pediatric frTBI epidemiology, prevention, and/or social or legal policy advocacy were included. Articles were excluded if they more generally discussed pediatric firearm-related injury without specific analysis of frTBI. RESULTS: Six studies satisfied inclusion criteria after screening and full-text assessment. Limited studies specifically addressed the burden of disease caused by frTBI. There was an increased risk for both injury and death from frTBI in men, preteenage and teenage youths, minorities, and individuals in firearm-owning households. Further study is required to ascertain if suggested methods of targeted patient screening, firearm-injury prevention counseling, and advocacy of safety-oriented policy tangibly affect rates or outcomes of pediatric frTBI. CONCLUSION: By understanding published epidemiological data and areas of intervention shown to reduce frTBIs, neurosurgeons can become further engaged in public health and prevention rather than strictly treatment after injury

Microscope Mode Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry Imaging with a Timepix Detector

In-vacuum active pixel detectors enable high sensitivity, highly parallel time- and space-resolved detection of ions from complex surfaces. For the first time, a Timepix detector assembly was combined with a Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometer for microscope mode SIMS imaging. Time resolved images from various benchmark samples demonstrate the imaging capabilities of the detector system. The main advantages of the active pixel detector are the higher signal-to-noise ratio and parallel acquisition of arrival time and position. Microscope mode SIMS imaging of biomolecules is demonstrated from tissue sections with the Timepix detector

Mutations in modified virus Ankara protein 183 render it a non-functional counterpart of B14, an inhibitor of nuclear factor κB activation

Vaccinia virus (VACV) encodes multiple proteins to evade host innate immunity, including B14, a virulence factor that binds to the inhibitor of κB kinase β (IKKβ) and blocks nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) activation. B14 shares 95 % amino acid identity with the 183 protein encoded by modified virus Ankara (MVA), an attenuated VACV strain being developed as a vaccine vector. To evaluate whether the immunogenicity of MVA might be increased by manipulation of MVA immunomodulatory proteins, the MVA counterpart of B14, protein 183, was characterized. Unlike B14, protein 183 was unstable in eukaryotic cells unless proteasome-mediated protein degradation was inhibited. Furthermore, 183 did not inhibit NF-κB activation in response to cytokine stimulation, and did not restore the virulence of VACV strain Western Reserve lacking gene B14R. The instability and non-functionality of 183 are probably explained by a deletion of 6 aa within α-helix 6 of the B14 crystal structure

Inhibition of IκB Kinase by Vaccinia Virus Virulence Factor B14

The IκB kinase (IKK) complex is a key regulator of signal transduction pathways leading to the induction of NF-κB-dependent gene expression and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. It therefore represents a major target for the development of anti-inflammatory therapeutic drugs and may be targeted by pathogens seeking to diminish the host response to infection. Previously, the vaccinia virus (VACV) strain Western Reserve B14 protein was characterised as an intracellular virulence factor that alters the inflammatory response to infection by an unknown mechanism. Here we demonstrate that ectopic expression of B14 inhibited NF-κB activation in response to TNFα, IL-1β, poly(I:C), and PMA. In cells infected with VACV lacking gene B14R (vΔB14) there was a higher level of phosphorylated IκBα but a similar level of IκBα compared to cells infected with control viruses expressing B14, suggesting B14 affects IKK activity. Direct evidence for this was obtained by showing that B14 co-purified and co-precipitated with the endogenous IKK complex from human and mouse cells and inhibited IKK complex enzymatic activity. Notably, the interaction between B14 and the IKK complex required IKKβ but not IKKα, suggesting the interaction occurs via IKKβ. B14 inhibited NF-κB activation induced by overexpression of IKKα, IKKβ, and a constitutively active mutant of IKKα, S176/180E, but did not inhibit a comparable mutant of IKKβ, S177/181E. This suggested that phosphorylation of these serine residues in the activation loop of IKKβ is targeted by B14, and this was confirmed using Ab specific for phospho-IKKβ

Individual, occupational, and workplace correlates of occupational health and safety vulnerability in a sample of Canadian workers

Objective: To describe OH&amp;S vulnerability across a diverse sample of Canadian workers.Methods: A survey was administered to 1,835 workers employed more than 15 hrs/week in workplaces with at least five employees. Adjusted logistic models were fitted for three specific and one overall measure of workplace vulnerability developed based on hazard exposure and access to protective OH&amp;S policies and procedures, awareness of employment rights and responsibilities, and workplace empowerment.Results: More than one third of the sample experienced some OH&amp;S vulnerability. The type and magnitude of vulnerability varied by labor market sub-group. Younger workers and those in smaller workplaces experienced signficantly higher odds of multiple types of vulnerability. Temporary workers reported elevated odds of overall, awareness- and empowerment-related vulnerability, while respondents born outside of Canada had significantly higher odds of awareness vulnerability.Conclusion: Knowing how labor market sub-groups experience different types of vulnerability can inform better-tailored primary prevention interventions.<br /