Comparison of cytotoxicity of IQOS aerosols to smoke from Marlboro Red and 3R4F reference cigarettes.

This study compared the cytotoxicity of IQOS aerosols to smoke from Marlboro Red (MR) and 3R4F reference cigarettes. Aerosol/smoke solutions were tested as the gas vapor phase (GVP), particulate phase (total particulate matter or TPM), or whole aerosol/smoke (WA), the latter being what smokers actually inhale. Cytotoxicities were evaluated using the LDH, MTT and neutral red uptake (NRU) assays in conjunction with eight different cell types, mainly from the respiratory system. Most test solutions did not compromise the plasma membranes of cells (LDH). However, mitochondrial activity (MTT) and dye uptake/lysosomal activity (NRU) were equally depressed by IOQS aerosols and cigarette smoke solutions at the high concentrations. Our NRU data with mouse NIH/3T3 transformed fibroblasts were similar to those previously reported by the IQOS manufacturer and showed little cytotoxicity in the NRU assay. In both studies with NIH/3T3 cells, the results were significantly different from 3RF4 cigarette smoke, suggesting reduced toxicity with IQOS. However, by expanding evaluations to a broader spectrum of cells that included respiratory system cells and by including higher concentrations of GVP, as well as WA, cytotoxicity equivalent to that of Marlboro Red and 3R4F cigarettes was frequently observed with IQOS aerosols in the MTT and NRU assays

Построение и структура моделирующих графов сложных систем

На базе общей теоретико-множественной модели системы обоснована концепция моделирующего и обобщенного моделирующего графов сложных систем как основы построения баз данных и знаний интеллектуальных информационных систем. Рассмотрены способы задания структуры графов множеством инцидентности и смежности и оценивается их эффективность.На базі загальної теоретико-множинної моделі системи обгрунтована концепція моделюючого і узагальненого моделюючого графів складних систем як основи побудови баз даних та знань інтелектуальних інформаційних систем. Розглянуті засоби задання структури графів множинами інцидентності та суміжності і оцінюється їх ефективність.A concept of modeling and geleralized modeling graph of complex systems is proved on the basis of common model of system as a base for building data bases and the knowledge base of intellectual information system. Setting of graphs structure by incedenity and contiguity sets is reviewed and their effectiveness is estimated

Observing the sky at extremely high energies with the Cherenkov Telescope Array: Status of the GCT project

The Cherenkov Telescope Array is the main global project of ground-based gamma-ray astronomy for the coming decades. Performance will be significantly improved relative to present instruments, allowing a new insight into the high-energy Universe [1]. The nominal CTA southern array will include a sub-array of seventy 4 m telescopes spread over a few square kilometers to study the sky at extremely high energies, with the opening of a new window in the multi-TeV energy range. The Gamma-ray Cherenkov Telescope (GCT) is one of the proposed telescope designs for that sub-array. The GCT prototype recorded its first Cherenkov light on sky in 2015. After an assessment phase in 2016, new observations have been performed successfully in 2017. The GCT collaboration plans to install its first telescopes and cameras on the CTA site in Chile in 2018-2019 and to contribute a number of telescopes to the subsequent CTA production phase.Comment: 8 pages, 7 figures, ICRC201

Widening the Nexus: From T-R to T-T-R

Higher education institutions are operating with scarce resources in a complex environment, and subject to various, often competing or changing demands. The integration of teaching, research and third stream activities within a coherent academic framework provides an opportunity to manage and exploit the positive relationships between these activities. This approach may also help to ease some of the tensions and 'fault lines' that currently beset academic life

Brief Report from the Tevatron

We report on the B physics prospects from the Fermilab Tevatron, summarizing the B physics goals of the CDF and DO experiments using their upgraded detectors. We discuss the time schedule for completion of the detector upgrades and summarize the current measurement of the CP violation parameter sin(2 beta) at CDF.Comment: Final version as it will appear in Proceedings of XIX International Symposium on Lepton and Photon Interactions at High Energies, Stanford University, August 9-14, 1999. 8 pages plus title page; 5 figure

Factors Affecting Adherence to Pediatrics Antiretroviral Therapy in Mekelle Hospital, Tigray Ethiopia

The most important factor in the success of HIV treatment is adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART).The challenge to adherence to ART is particularly serious in Sub-Saharan Africa as the high rates of HIV/AIDS lead to greater numbers of affected individuals. Although long-term good ART adherence has been observed in certain settings of public sectors the magnitude of this challenge in Sub-Saharan Africa remains large and there is evidence for high rates of patient\u27s poor adherence. Study aimed to assess the factors affecting adherence to pediatrics antiretroviral therapy (ART) among children in Mekelle hospital, Tigray, Ethiopia. A Hospital based cross-sectional study was conducted on 226 children on antiretroviral therapy from May 01 to 30/2014 at Mekelle hospital. Data was collected from care givers of children under 15 years old who are on ART. Of the 226 children under 15 years, 90.3 % reported complete adherence to antiretroviral therapy medications at the regular schedule over the past 7 days. Factors associated with adherence were having male care giver (AOR=2.10[1.01, 7.22]), age of the child (AOR=1.43[1.16, 3.98]) below 5 years and use of first line ART drugs (AOR=2.86[1.54, 3.67]). Over all the adherence of children on ART to their medication in this study is relatively higher as compared to others. However, complete adherence is expected in order to make the drugs effective. Different strategies have to be designed to improve the adherence level