Centerscope

Centerscope, formerly Scope, was published by the Boston University Medical Center "to communicate the concern of the Medical Center for the development and maintenance of improved health care in contemporary society.

Job information sources and applicant perceptions : antecedents, correlates, and outcomes

xiii, 406, [196] leaves : ill. ; 29 cm.Includes abstract.Includes bibliographical references (leaves 378-406).The current research used three studies to examine recruitment source usage, job seeker perceptions of recruitment sources and the relationships between several recruitment sources' correlates. The relationship between recruitment sources, job information, expectations and outcome variables was also examined. Study One used archival data from a large employee and employer survey developed by Statistics Canada, the Workplace Environment Survey (WES) and looked at the change in recruitment source usage over time as well as several firm and individual differences predictors. Study Two utilized qualitative interviews to elicit job seeker perceptions of recruitment sources. Based on the first two studies, Study Three incorporated theoretical constructs such as recruitment source perceptions, expectations, job information gathered and received, self efficacy and affective commitment in order to extend and test the relationships between information and recruitment sources. Study One found a significant increase across time in the use of the internet as a recruitment source and a significant degree of stability in the usage levels of other sources. While individual differences in firms and job seekers were correlated with the types of recruitment sources used, the predictive power of these variables was weak. Study Two uncovered that recruitment sources fulfill multiple purposes; finding job openings, preparing for selection processes and determining perceived fit. A tendency to use multiple sources in job search was clear, contrary to the findings in Study One. Recruitment sources themselves were found to be perceived in ways which may be unintended by the recruiting organization. Study Three supported findings of non-neutral perceptions for various recruitment sources and indications that perceived informativeness did not necessarily follow the typical formal/informal divide proposed in past research. Study Three also found evidence that expectations, perceived fairness and affective commitment explained a significant amount of variance in turnover intensions and job satisfaction; however, recruitment sources themselves did not significantly contribute to the outcomes nor did job information. These findings suggest that further research on recruitment sources should focus on more proximal outcomes such as intention to apply, success in the selection process, quality of job applicants and ease of integration into the organization

Heat and moisture exchangers (HMEs) and heated humidifiers (HHs) in adult critically ill patients: a systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression of randomized controlled trials

The aims of this systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials are to evaluate the effects of active heated humidifiers (HHs) and moisture exchangers (HMEs) in preventing artificial airway occlusion and pneumonia, and on mortality in adult critically ill patients. In addition, we planned to perform a meta-regression analysis to evaluate the relationship between the incidence of artificial airway occlusion, pneumonia and mortality and clinical features of adult critically ill patients

Steel waste valorisation Steel Slag Waste Effect on Concrete Shrinkage

The concept of sustainability is becoming widespread every day in society, enterprises and institutions. Defining something as sustainable means that the relationship that it establishes with the environment does not represent an aggression or a threat to the latter neither when it is being utilized nor when it stops performing the function for which was designed. To make this happen we need a system in which the main priority is recycling. Everything mentioned above is related to what is called the “Circular Economy”. Concrete is one of the most widely used construction materials in the world. However, the production of portland cement, an essential constituent of concrete, leads to the release of significant amounts of CO22. The global production of concrete represents more than 5% of the anthropogenic emissions of carbon dioxide every year, mainly from the production of cement. The replacement of cement by fly ash and other industrial waste, such as steel slags, is a good example of how resource conservation can be improved and contamination can be reduced. On the other hand, future trends are predicted to increase demand for steel worldwide. Mainly due to the expected improvement in the living standards and demands of underdeveloped populations. The steelmaking process produces a by-product called slag ranging from 10 to 15% per tonne of steel, where reuse is still reduced and much of it is deposited in a landfill. This study presents laboratory test results on the total and autogenous shrinkage of medium strength concrete with partial replacement of cement by slags. Two different slags were tested, namely ladle furnaces slags (LFS) and ground granulated blast furnace slags (GGBFS). The results show the concrete shrinkage behavior when 25% of substitution are used. These data are important to predict future behavior and show that for the substitution dosages used there are no significant divergences for the shrinkage.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

The Microbe-Derived Short Chain Fatty Acid Butyrate Targets miRNA-Dependent p21 Gene Expression in Human Colon Cancer

Colonic microbiota ferment non-absorbed dietary fiber to produce prodigious amounts of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) that benefit the host through a myriad of metabolic, trophic, and chemopreventative effects. The chemopreventative effects of the SCFA butyrate are, in part, mediated through induction of p21 gene expression. In this study, we assessed the role of microRNA(miRNA) in butyrate's induction of p21 expression. The expression profiles of miRNAs in HCT-116 cells and in human sporadic colon cancers were assessed by microarray and quantitative PCR. Regulation of p21 gene expression by miR-106b was assessed by 3′ UTR luciferase reporter assays and transfection of specific miRNA mimics. Butyrate changed the expression of 44 miRNAs in HCT-116 cells, many of which were aberrantly expressed in colon cancer tissues. Members of the miR-106b family were decreased in the former and increased in the latter. Butyrate-induced p21 protein expression was dampened by treatment with a miR-106b mimic. Mutated p21 3′UTR-reporter constructs expressed in HCT-116 cells confirmed direct miR-106b targeting. Butyrate decreased HCT-116 proliferation, an effect reversed with the addition of the miR-106b mimic. We conclude that microbe-derived SCFAs regulate host gene expression involved in intestinal homeostasis as well as carcinogenesis through modulation of miRNAs

The Microbe-Derived Short Chain Fatty Acid Butyrate Targets miRNA-Dependent p21 Gene Expression in Human Colon Cancer

Colonic microbiota ferment non-absorbed dietary fiber to produce prodigious amounts of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) that benefit the host through a myriad of metabolic, trophic, and chemopreventative effects. The chemopreventative effects of the SCFA butyrate are, in part, mediated through induction of p21 gene expression. In this study, we assessed the role of microRNA(miRNA) in butyrate's induction of p21 expression. The expression profiles of miRNAs in HCT-116 cells and in human sporadic colon cancers were assessed by microarray and quantitative PCR. Regulation of p21 gene expression by miR-106b was assessed by 3′ UTR luciferase reporter assays and transfection of specific miRNA mimics. Butyrate changed the expression of 44 miRNAs in HCT-116 cells, many of which were aberrantly expressed in colon cancer tissues. Members of the miR-106b family were decreased in the former and increased in the latter. Butyrate-induced p21 protein expression was dampened by treatment with a miR-106b mimic. Mutated p21 3′UTR-reporter constructs expressed in HCT-116 cells confirmed direct miR-106b targeting. Butyrate decreased HCT-116 proliferation, an effect reversed with the addition of the miR-106b mimic. We conclude that microbe-derived SCFAs regulate host gene expression involved in intestinal homeostasis as well as carcinogenesis through modulation of miRNAs.</p

Assessment of additional ASR damage resulting from residual expansion tests using the DRI and SDT test methods

peer reviewedCurrently, ASR damage evaluation of concrete road infrastructure can be done following FHWA protocol (Fournier et al., 2010) [1]. The current level of ASR damage (diagnosis) is evaluated using the Damage Rating Index (DRI) and the Stiffness Damage Test (SDT), and future potential of damage (prognosis) is assessed using residual expansion tests, in humid air (> 95 % RH and T = 38 ± 3 °C) and alkaline solution (NaOH 1 N, 38 ± 3 °C). While accelerated expansion tests on cores have been used for decades, they provide only limited insights into ASR severity, without providing information on the ASR damage mechanisms, nor allowing extrapolation to the structural level. The aim was to identify correlations between pre- and post-expansion test results and additional expansion generated by assessing the actual extent and mechanisms of extra ASR damage caused by these tests. Results of the expansion tests in humid air were inconclusive, making the test procedure questionable. On the other hand, residual expansion tests in alkaline solution proved to be more relevant for assessing potential future damage to concrete. No new damage mechanism related to the added alkalis could be identified. The results indicated a comparable progression of ASR damage between the NaOH solution and in situ conditions. A cracking pattern in concrete at high expansion levels due to ASR was identified based on petrographic examination of test specimens following residual expansion testing in 1 N NaOH solution

Benthic macroinvertebrate production

Macroinvertebrates were sampled on a regular basis from March to October 1973. A relationship between chironomid length and biomass was established. Production equations to be used for these insects are reported. A similar length/weight relationship is presently being explored for the oligochaetes. A proposal is made for calculating their production as well as for sphaerids and P. affinis. Sampling is expected to continue at least through March 1974 to give a full year's data. In the near future the results of this study are to be correlated with studies concerning primary production, fish feeding habits, lake sedimentation rates, and physical properties