First Records of the Fish Assemblage on Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge, Spokane County, Washington, 2013

We present the first documentation of the fish assemblage on Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge (TNWR) in Spokane County, Washington. Using various methods, we collected fishes inhabiting the wetlands of TNWR in 2013. A total of 15,921 fish was collected, and included, recorded by relative abundance (RA); brook stickleback (RA = 81%), pumpkinseed (RA = 18%), speckled dace (RA = <1%), redside shiner (RA = <1%), and brown bullhead (RA = <1%). This paper describes the 2013 fish assemblage at Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge

Exploring health professionals’ and women's awareness of models of maternity care evidence

A Cochrane systematic review has shown midwife-led continuity models of care provide explicit benefits for mothers and babies compared with other models of maternity care, with a comparable level of safety. The Cochrane review has had much international impact. This study explored the local impact of the review, alongside other midwife-led care evidence and guidelines. Electronic surveys were undertaken exploring women's and health professionals' awareness of models of maternity care evidence, including midwife-led care and homebirth, and how they utilise evidence to guide their choices and practice. A low awareness of much of the available evidence was shown among the women and the professionals. There is a need for better dissemination of information to professionals as they are women's preferred source of information about the options available for place of birth and midwife-led care

1-[(Z)-2-Phenyl­hydrazin-1-yl­idene]-1-(piperidin-1-yl)propan-2-one

A Z configuration about the imine bond [1.3025 (18) Å] in the title compound, C14H19N3O, allows for the formation of an intra­moleclar N—H⋯N hydrogen bond between the hydrazone H and piperidine N atoms; the carbonyl group is disposed to lie over the piperidine residue, which is in a chair form. A twist between the terminal benzene ring and the hydrazine residue is seen [N—N—C—C torsion angle = 163.81 (12)°]. Helical supra­molecular chains along the c axis mediated by N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds are the most prominent feature of the crystal packing. The chains are connected into layers lying in the ac plane by weak C—H⋯π contacts involving two methyl­ene H atoms and an adjacent benzene ring

Increased left atrial stiffness in patients with atrial fibrillation detected by left atrial speckle tracking echocardiography

AbstractObjectiveThis study was designed to determine the contribution of left atrial (LA) stiffness to atrial fibrillation (AF) progression by comparing AF patients with normal control subjects, and to evaluate whether LA mechanical function is related to the structural changes of LA.BackgroundAbnormalities in the LA structure and function usually develop in patients with AF.Patients and methodsTwenty paroxysmal and 20 persistent AF patients, were included and studied, using standard, tissue Doppler and speckle tracking echocardiography, and were compared with 20 matched controls. LA maximal volume, mitral annular velocities, and global longitudinal LA strain were measured. The ratio of E/e′ to LA strain was used as an index of LA stiffness.ResultsStudy groups were comparable. Paroxysmal and persistent AF patients showed increased LA maximal volume (24.3±3.2, 20.1±5.2 vs. 18.3±1.6, p<0.001) and LV filling pressure (E/e′=9.5±1.1, 7.9±1.2 vs. 6.8±1.1, p<0.001), but decreased mitral annular velocities and LA strain (18.1±2.8, 21.5±4.3 vs. 25.9±2.9, p<0.001). LA stiffness was increased in patients with persistent and paroxysmal AF than in the control subjects (0.55±0.12, 0.36±0.09 vs. 0.26±0.02, p<0.001), and was related with LA diameter and LV filling pressure.ConclusionsPatients with AF have increased LA stiffness in comparison with that of the control subjects and it is higher in persistent than paroxysmal AF. LA volume and LV filling pressure are independent predictors of LA stiffness

(Z)-3-Hydrazinyl­idene-1-phenyl­indolin-2-one

The indoline fused-ring system of the title Schiff base, C14H11N3O, is planar (r.m.s. deviation = 0.005 Å); the phenyl substituent is aligned at 66.5 (1)° with respect to the ring system. The amino –NH2 unit forms an intra­molecular hydrogen bond with the carbonyl O atom. Mol­ecules are connected by an inter­molecular N—H⋯N hydrogen bond, generating a zigzag chain that runs along the short c axis of the unit cell

Effect of tool offset and tilt angle on weld strength of butt joint friction stir welded specimens of AA2024 aluminum alloy welded to commercial pure cupper

The aim of the present work is to investigate the mechanical properties and microstructure of butt joints friction stir welded (FSW) of dissimilar material specimens welded with single pass .The material used is AA2024 aluminum alloy  5 mm thick and pure commercial copper   .20 mm Flat shoulder tool  6 mm Pin diameter with a rotational speed of 900 rpm and 25 mm/min feed  is used in this work ,the tool is tilted 2o to the Z axes of the machine. The welded specimens have been tensile tested at room temperature in order to analyze the mechanical properties with respect to the parent metals. The microstructure of the welded specimens has been studied by employing optical microscopy. Micro-hardness examination is also performed on the welded specimens. FSW specimens welded with flat shoulder tool  and 2o tilt angle showed higher ultimate stress  than the specimens welded with flat shoulder tool and zero tilt angle . Specimens welded with 1 mm pin offset showed higher strength than the specimens welded with 0.5 and 1.5 mm pin offset. Keywords: Friction stir welding, subsequent passes , mechanical propertie

Application of carbon nanotubes in cancer vaccines: Achievements, challenges and chances

Tumour-specific, immuno-based therapeutic interventions can be considered as safe and effective approaches for cancer therapy. Exploitation of nano-vaccinology to intensify the cancer vaccine potency may overcome the need for administration of high vaccine doses or additional adjuvants and therefore could be a more efficient approach. Carbon nanotube (CNT) can be described as carbon sheet(s) rolled up into a cylinder that is nanometers wide and nanometers to micrometers long. Stemming from the observed capacities of CNTs to enter various types of cells via diversified mechanisms utilising energy-dependent and/or passive routes of cell uptake, the use of CNTs for the delivery of therapeutic agents has drawn increasing interests over the last decade. Here we review the previous studies that demonstrated the possible benefits of these cylindrical nano-vectors as cancer vaccine delivery systems as well as the obstacles their clinical application is facing

Health practitioners' perceptions of the barriers and enablers to the implementation of reproductive genetic carrier screening: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: As interest in reproductive genetic carrier screening rises, with increased availability, the role of healthcare practitioners is central in guiding uptake aligned with a couples' values and beliefs. Therefore, practitioners' views on implementation are critical to the success of any reproductive genetic carrier screening programme. AIM: To explore healthcare practitioners' perceptions of the barriers and enablers to implementation. MATERIALS & METHODS: We undertook a systematic review of the literature searching seven databases using health practitioner, screening and implementation terms returning 490 articles. RESULTS: Screening led to the inclusion of 26 articles for full-text review. We found three interconnected themes relating to reproductive genetic carrier screening: (i) use and impact, (ii) practitioners' beliefs and expectations and (iii) resources. DISCUSSION: Barriers and enablers to implementation were present within each theme and grouping these determinants by (a) community for example lack of public interest, (b) practitioner for example lack of practitioner time and (c) organisation for example lack of effective metrics, reveals a preponderance of practitioner barriers and organisational enablers. Linking barriers with potential enablers leaves several barriers unresolved (e.g., costs for couples) implying additional interventions may be required. CONCLUSION: Future research should draw on the findings from this study to develop and test strategies to facilitate appropriate offering of reproductive genetic carrier screening by healthcare practitioners

Influence of packaging on the quality of Brazil nuts.

EN-US: The Brazil nut is an important commodity that grows in the Amazon rainforest and is notable for its high nutritional value. However, the effect that packaging has on product shelf-life is unclear. This study evaluated the microbiological and nutritional quality of unshelled Brazil nuts packed in (a) nylon and polypropylene under vacuum, and (b) in polyethylene terephthalate and polyethylene aluminized films. The nuts were stored for nine months under natural environmental conditions. The most probable number of total and thermotolerant coliforms and Escherichia coli, and counting of molds and yeast were determined in the unshelled nuts shortly after collection and every three months during storage. Moisture, lipids, ash, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber contents were measured by the gravimetric method. Crude protein content was measured using the Kjeldahl method. Coliform levels were within legislated standards in both types of packaging. Mold and yeast growth increased with time in both types of packaging (0.1x10¹ to 9.5x10³ colony forming units g-1), but only nuts packaged in aluminum film showed a significant increase after six months of storage. After nine months of storage, both types of packaged nuts had good nutritional quality. Aluminized packaging resulted in better conservation of the lipid fraction and lower permeability to water vapor, however, vacuum packaging was more effective in controlling fungal growth, possibly due to the lack of oxygen. | PT-BR: As castanhas-do-brasil são um importante produto da floresta amazônica e destacam-se pelo seu alto valor nutricional. Contudo, os efeitos da embalagem sobre a vida de prateleira das castanhas não estão completamente esclarecidos. Sendo assim, neste estudo, avaliou-se a qualidade microbiológica e nutricional de castanhas-do-brasil descascadas, embaladas em (a) nylon mais polipropileno a vácuo e (b) filmes aluminizados de polietileno tereftalato (PET) e polietileno (PE). As castanhas foram armazenadas por um período de nove meses, sob condições ambientais naturais. Logo após a coleta, e a cada três meses, foram determinados nas castanhas o número mais provável de coliformes totais, coliformes termotolerantes e Escherichia coli, e contagem total de bolores e leveduras. Também foram medidos os teores de umidade, lipídeos, cinzas, fibra em detergente neutro e fibra em detergente ácido por métodos gravimétricos, e os teores de proteína bruta por meio do método de Kjeldahl. Os níveis de coliformes termotolerantes estiveram dentro dos padrões da legislação nos dois tipos de embalagem. A incidência de bolores e leveduras aumentou ao longo do tempo nas duas embalagens (de 0,1x10¹ a 9,5x10³ unidades formadoras de colônia; UFC g-1), porém somente a embalagem aluminizada apresentou aumento significativo após seis meses de armazenamento. Após nove meses, as castanhas nas duas embalagens apresentaram boa qualidade nutricional, porém a embalagem aluminizada apresentou melhor conservação da fração lipídica e menor permeabilidade a vapores de água. Contudo, a embalagem a vácuo foi mais eficiente no controle do crescimento de fungos, possivelmente devido à ausência de oxigênio