Automated Reminders to Promote Radon Testing in a Lung Cancer Case Control Study

One of the four pilot projects of the Lung Cancer Initiative sponsored by the Department of Defense measures radon levels in the participants homes. Radon exposure is the second leading cause of Lung Cancer. The case-control study has a targeted accrual of 1800 with a case-control ratio of 1:4. The long-term radon kits remain in the home for 90 days and the participants are asked to mail the test kit to the company for analysis. In order to maximize the test kit return rate, reminder calls to the participants occurred 90 days after the home visit

Feasibility of the Go2Play Active Play intervention for increasing physical and social development in children with intellectual disabilities

Introduction: An active play is designed to increase children’s physical activity levels and fundamental movement skills through outdoor play and is well-suited to the needs of children with intellectual disabilities. However, no active play interventions have included children with intellectual disabilities. This study aims to investigate the feasibility of a school-based active play intervention for children with intellectual disabilities. Method: Children aged 7–12 years who had intellectual disabilities and were independently ambulatory were eligible. This single-group 17-week intervention was implemented in two additional support needs schools. It consisted of a weekly 1-h active play session incorporating 30 min of structured games and 30 min of free play. Feasibility of recruitment/retention, adherence, and outcome measures were investigated. Outcome measures included school-based physical activity (ActiGraph GT3X+ accelerometer), fundamental movement skills (Test of Gross Motor Development-2), and social interactions (Playground Observation of Peer Engagement). Staff feedback was collected via open-ended questionnaire. Feasibility was investigated using descriptive statistics and questionnaire data analyzed using thematic analysis. Potential pre-post changes were investigated for school-based physical activity, fundamental movement skills, and social interactions using paired samples t tests. The progression criteria were (1) > 50% of eligible participants recruited, (2) > 50% of recruited participants retained, (3) > 50% of active play sessions spent in MVPA, and (4) > 50% of participants complete outcome measurements. Results: All progression criteria were met. Recruitment and retention rates were 100% (n=21 participants). Intervention adherence was high, based on data from n=1 school, with 90% of participants attending all sessions. Measuring physical activity using accelerometry and fundamental movement skills using the Test of Gross Motor Development-2 were feasible. The Playground Observation of Peer Engagement tool to measure social interactions was not feasible. The only significant increase post-intervention was for social interactions during structured play (pre–post mean difference: –1.46, 95% CI −1.99, −0.93). Staff feedback was positive with the intervention well received by schools and potential benefits post-intervention identified by teachers. Conclusion: The Go2Play Active Play intervention is feasible for children with intellectual disabilities. Future research should further investigate feasibility and implementation on a larger scale using a pilot cluster randomised controlled trial

Eliminating Error in the Chemical Abundance Scale for Extragalactic HII Regions

In an attempt to remove the systematic errors which have plagued the calibration of the HII region abundance sequence, we have theoretically modeled the extragalactic HII region sequence. We then used the theoretical spectra so generated in a double blind experiment to recover the chemical abundances using both the classical electron temperature + ionization correction factor technique, and the technique which depends on the use of strong emission lines (SELs) in the nebular spectrum to estimate the abundance of oxygen. We find a number of systematic trends, and we provide correction formulae which should remove systematic errors in the electron temperature + ionization correction factor technique. We also provide a critical evaluation of the various semi-empirical SEL techniques. Finally, we offer a scheme which should help to eliminate systematic errors in the SEL-derived chemical abundance scale for extragalactic HII regions.Comment: 24 pages, 9 Tables, 13 figures, accepted for publication in MNRAS. Updated considering minor changes during the final edition process and some few missing reference

AGN-Host Galaxy Connection: Morphology and Colours of X-ray Selected AGN at z < 2

The connection between AGN and their host galaxies has been widely studied over recent years, showing it to be of great importance for providing answers to some fundamental questions related with AGN fueling mechanisms, their formation and evolution. Using X-ray and one of the deepest broad-band optical data sets, we studied morphology and colours in relationship with X-ray properties for sources at redshifts z < 2.0, using a sample of 262 AGN in the Subaru/XMM-Newton Deep Survey (SXDS). Morphological classification was obtained using the galSVM code, one of the new methods useful especially when dealing with high-redshift sources and low-resolution data. Colour-magnitude diagrams were studied in relationship with redshift, morphology, X-ray obscuration, and X-ray-to-optical flux ratio. Finally, the significance of different regions was analysed on colour-magnitude diagrams, relating the observed properties of AGN populations with some models of their formation and evolution.Comment: 24 pages, 19 figures, accepted for publication in Astronomy&Astrophysic

On the origin of X-shaped radio galaxies

After a brief, critical review of the leading explanations proposed for the small but important subset of radio galaxies showing an X-shaped morphology (XRGs) we propose a generalized model, based on the jet-shell interaction and spin-flip hypotheses. The most popular scenarios for this intriguing phenomenon invoke either hydrodynamical backflows and over-pressured cocoons or rapid jet reorientations, presumably from the spin-flips of central engines following the mergers of pairs of galaxies, each of which contains a supermassive black hole (SMBH). We confront these models with a number of key observations and thus argue that none of the models is capable of explaining the entire range of salient observational properties of XRGs, although some of the arguments raised in the literature against the spin-flip scenario are probably not tenable. We then propose here a new scenario which also involves galactic mergers but would allow the spin of the central engine to maintain its direction. Motivated by the detailed multi-band observations of the nearest radio galaxy, Centaurus A, this new model emphasizes the role of interactions between the jets and the shells of stars and gas that form and rotate around the merged galaxy and can cause temporary deflections of the jets, occasionally giving rise to an X-shaped radio structure. Although each of the models is likely to be relevant to a subset of XRGs, the bulk of the evidence indicates that most of them are best explained by the jet-shell interaction or spin-flip hypotheses.Comment: 19 pages, major revision including two Appendices and a Table, accepted in Research in Astronomy and Astrophysic

Molecular Imprinting of Complex Matrices at Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance Biosensors for Screening of Global Interactions of Polyphenols and Proteins

Molecular imprinting polymers (MIP) have been applied to capture and stabilize complex protein matrices at plasmonic sensor surfaces. Ultrathin MIP layers at the surface of gold nanodisks enable the label free quantification of global interactions of polyphenols with protein mixtures. Separate polyphenols (catechin, procyanidin B3- catechin dimer, and PGG-pentagalloyl glucose) give specific and different binding levels to the MIP supported saliva plasmonic sensor. The demonstrated biosensor has application to study bioavailability of polyphenols or evaluation of local retention of small drug molecules.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Galaxy and Mass Assembly (GAMA): Variation in galaxy structure across the green valley

Using a sample of 472 local Universe (z \u3c 0.06) galaxies in the stellar mass range 10.25 \u3c logM*/M⊙ \u3c 10.75, we explore the variation in galaxy structure as a function of morphology and galaxy colour. Our sample of galaxies is subdivided into red, green, and blue colour groups and into elliptical and non-elliptical (disk-type) morphologies. Using Kilo- Degree Survey (KiDS) and Visible and Infrared Survey Telescope for Astronomy (VISTA) Kilo-Degree Infrared Galaxy Survey (VIKING) derived postage stamp images, a group of eight volunteers visually classified bars, rings, morphological lenses, tidal streams, shells, and signs of merger activity for all systems. We find a significant surplus of rings (2.3s) and lenses (2.9s) in disk-type galaxies as they transition across the green valley. Combined, this implies a joint ring/lens green valley surplus significance of 3.3s relative to equivalent disk-types within either the blue cloud or the red sequence. We recover a bar fraction of ~44 per cent which remains flat with colour, however, we find that the presence of a bar acts to modulate the incidence of rings and (to a lesser extent) lenses, with rings in barred disk-type galaxies more common by ~20-30 percentage points relative to their unbarred counterparts, regardless of colour. Additionally, green valley disk-type galaxies with a bar exhibit a significant 3.0s surplus of lenses relative to their blue/red analogues. The existence of such structures rules out violent transformative events as the primary end-of-life evolutionary mechanism, with a more passive scenario the favoured candidate for the majority of galaxies rapidly transitioning across the green valley

Galaxy and mass assembly: the G02 field, Herschel–ATLAS target selection and data release 3

We describe data release 3 (DR3) of the Galaxy And Mass Assembly (GAMA) survey. The GAMA survey is a spectroscopic redshift and multiwavelength photometric survey in three equatorial regions each of 60.0 deg2 (G09, G12, and G15), and two southern regions of 55.7 deg2 (G02) and 50.6 deg2 (G23). DR3 consists of: the first release of data covering the G02 region and of data on H-ATLAS (Herschel – Astrophysical Terahertz Large Area Survey) sources in the equatorial regions; and updates to data on sources released in DR2. DR3 includes 154 809 sources with secure redshifts across four regions. A subset of the G02 region is 95.5 per cent redshift complete to r < 19.8 mag over an area of 19.5 deg2, with 20 086 galaxy redshifts, that overlaps substantially with the XXL survey (X-ray) and VIPERS (redshift survey). In the equatorial regions, the main survey has even higher completeness (98.5 per cent), and spectra for about 75 per cent of H-ATLAS filler targets were also obtained. This filler sample extends spectroscopic redshifts, for probable optical counterparts to HATLAS submillimetre sources, to 0.8 mag deeper (r < 20.6 mag) than the GAMA main survey. There are 25 814 galaxy redshifts for H-ATLAS sources from the GAMA main or filler surveys. GAMA DR3 is available at the survey website (www.gama-survey.org/dr3/)

Galaxy And Mass Assembly (GAMA): the G02 field, Herschel-ATLAS target selection and Data Release 3

We describe data release 3 (DR3) of the Galaxy And Mass Assembly (GAMA) survey. The GAMA survey is a spectroscopic redshift and multi-wavelength photometric survey in three equatorial regions each of 60.0 deg^2 (G09, G12, G15), and two southern regions of 55.7 deg^2 (G02) and 50.6 deg^2 (G23). DR3 consists of: the first release of data covering the G02 region and of data on H-ATLAS sources in the equatorial regions; and updates to data on sources released in DR2. DR3 includes 154809 sources with secure redshifts across four regions. A subset of the G02 region is 95.5% redshift complete to r<19.8 over an area of 19.5 deg^2, with 20086 galaxy redshifts, that overlaps substantially with the XXL survey (X-ray) and VIPERS (redshift survey). In the equatorial regions, the main survey has even higher completeness (98.5%), and spectra for about 75% of H-ATLAS filler targets were also obtained. This filler sample extends spectroscopic redshifts, for probable optical counterparts to H-ATLAS sub-mm sources, to 0.8 mag deeper (r<20.6) than the GAMA main survey. There are 25814 galaxy redshifts for H-ATLAS sources from the GAMA main or filler surveys. GAMA DR3 is available at the survey website (www.gama-survey.org/dr3/)

Genome-wide transcriptional response of primary alveolar macrophages following infection with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome is a major cause of economic loss for the swine industry worldwide. Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) triggers weak and atypical innate immune responses, but key genes and mechanisms by which the virus interferes with the host innate immunity have not yet been elucidated. In this study, genes that control the response of the main target of PRRSV, porcine alveolar macrophages (PAMs), were profiled in vitro with a time-course experiment spanning the first round of virus replication. PAMs were obtained from six piglets and challenged with the Lelystad PRRSV strain, and gene expression was investigated using Affymetrix microarrays and real-time PCR. Of the 1409 differentially expressed transcripts identified by analysis of variance, two, five, 25, 16 and 100 differed from controls by a minimum of 1.5-fold at 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 h post-infection (p.i.), respectively. A PRRSV infection effect was detectable between 3 and 6 h p.i., and was characterized by a consistent downregulation of gene expression, followed by the start of the host innate immune response at 9 h p.i. The expression of beta interferon 1 (IFN-β), but not of IFN-α, was strongly upregulated, whilst few genes commonly expressed in response to viral infections and/or induced by interferons were found to be differentially expressed. A predominance of anti-apoptotic transcripts (e.g. interleukin-10), a shift towards a T-helper cell type 2 response and a weak upregulation of tumour necrosis factor-α expression were observed within 12 h p.i., reinforcing the hypotheses that PRRSV has developed sophisticated mechanisms to escape the host defence