Progressive Decrease in the Potential Usefulness of Meningococcal Serogroup B Vaccine (4CMenB, Bexsero (R)) in Gipuzkoa, Northern Spain

The effectiveness of a vaccine is determined not only by the immunogenicity of its components, but especially by how widely it covers the disease-causing strains circulating in a given region. Because vaccine coverage varies over time, this study aimed to detect possible changes that could affect vaccine protection during a specific period in a southern European region. The 4CMenB vaccine is licensed for use in Europe, Canada, and Australia and is mainly directed against Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B. This vaccine contains four main immunogenic components: three recombinant proteins, FHbp, Nhba and NadA, and an outer membrane vesicle [PorA P1.4]. The allelic distribution of FHbp, Nhba, NadA, and PorA antigens in 82 invasive isolates (B and non-B serogroups) isolated from January 2008 to December 2013 were analyzed. 4CMenB was likely protective against 61.8% and 50% of serogroup B and non-B meningococci, respectively, in the entire period, but between 2012 and 2013, the predicted protection fell below 45% (42.1% for serogroup B isolates). The observed decreasing trend in the predicted protection during the 6 years of the study (X-2 for trend = 4.68, p=0.03) coincided with a progressive decrease of several clonal complexes (e. g., cc11, cc32 and cc41/44), which had one or more antigens against which the vaccine would offer protection.

Uptake and factors that influence the use of 'sit less, move more' occupational intervention strategies in Spanish office employees

Background: Little is known about the types of 'sit less, move more' strategies that appeal to office employees, or what factors influence their use. This study assessed the uptake of strategies in Spanish university office employees engaged in an intervention, and those factors that enabled or limited strategy uptake. Methods: The study used a mixed method design. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with academics and administrators (n = 12; 44 +/- 12 mean SD age; 6 women) at three points across the five-month intervention, and data used to identify factors that influenced the uptake of strategies. Employees who finished the intervention then completed a survey rating (n = 88; 42 +/- 8 mean SD age; 51 women) the extent to which strategies were used [never (1) to usually (4)]; additional survey items (generated from interviewee data) rated the impact of factors that enabled or limited strategy uptake [no influence (1) to very strong influence (4)]. Survey score distributions and averages were calculated and findings triangulated with interview data. Results: Relative to baseline, 67% of the sample increased step counts post intervention (n = 59); 60% decreased occupational sitting (n = 53). 'Active work tasks' and 'increases in walking intensity' were the strategies most frequently used by employees (89% and 94% sometimes or usually utilised these strategies); 'walk-talk meetings' and ` lunchtime walking groups' were the least used (80% and 96% hardly ever or never utilised these strategies). 'Sitting time and step count logging' was the most important enabler of behaviour change (mean survey score of 3.1 +/- 0.8); interviewees highlighted the motivational value of being able to view logged data through visual graphics in a dedicated website, and gain feedback on progress against set goals. 'Screen based work' (mean survey score of 3.2 +/- 0.8) was the most significant barrier limiting the uptake of strategies. Inherent time pressures and cultural norms that dictated sedentary work practices limited the adoption of 'walk-talk meetings' and ` lunch time walking groups'. Conclusions: The findings provide practical insights into which strategies and influences practitioners need to target to maximise the impact of 'sit less, move more' occupational intervention strategies.

Upconversion luminescence of Ce3+ doped BK7 glass by femtosecond laser irradiation

Near-infrared to visible upconversion luminescence was observed in a multicomponent silicate (BK7) glass containing Ce3+ ions under focused infrared femtosecond laser irradiation. The emission spectra show that the upconversion luminescence comes from the 4f-5d transition of the Ce3+ ions. The relationship between the intensity of the Ce3+ emission and the pump power reveals that a three-photon absorption predominates in the conversion process from the near-infrared into the blue luminescence. The analysis of the upconversion mechanism suggests that the upconversion luminescence may come from a three-photon simultaneous absorption that leads to a population of the 5d level in which the characteristic luminescence occurs.

Redução de dimensionalidade em equilíbrio de fases fluidas

Atualmente, existem modelos matemáticos capazes de preverem acuradamente as relações entre propriedades de estado; e esta tarefa é extremamente importante no contexto da Engenharia Química, uma vez que estes modelos podem ser empregados para avaliar a performance de processos químicos. Ademais, eles são de fundamental importância para a simulação de reservatórios de petróleo e processos de separação. Estes modelos são conhecidos como equações de estado, e podem ser usados em problemas de equilíbrios de fases, principalmente em equilíbrios líquido-vapor. Recentemente, um teorema matemático foi formulado (Teorema de Redução), fornecendo as condições para a redução de dimensionalidade de problemas de equilíbrios de fases para misturas multicomponentes descritas por equações de estado cúbicas e regras de mistura e combinação clássicas. Este teorema mostra como para uma classe bem definidade de modelos termodinâmicos (equações de estado cúbicas e regras de mistura clássicas), pode-se reduzir a dimensão de vários problemas de equilíbrios de fases. Este método é muito vantajoso para misturas com muitos componentes, promovendo uma redução significativa no tempo de computação e produzindo resultados acurados. Neste trabalho, apresentamos alguns experimentos numéricos com misturas-testes usando a técnica de redução para obter pressões de ponto de orvalho sob especificação de temperaturas.

Avaliação do impacto de ações para promoção do consumo de frutas e hortaliças no ambiente de trabalho

Objetivo. Avaliar o impacto de ações para promoção do consumo de frutas e hortaliças (FH) no ambiente de trabalho. Método. Estudo de intervenção tipo antes e depois não randomizado com grupo controle histórico, realizado em empresa do ramo da pesquisa científica. A população de estudo consistiu em funcionários que almoçaram no restaurante da empresa nos dias do estudo. No diagnóstico inicial, foram coletados dados de caracterização da empresa estudada e da empresa fornecedora de refeições, caracterização sociodemográfica e consumo de FH pelos indivíduos estudados e sua opinião sobre temas ligados a FH. Foi também realizado grupo focal com formadores de opinião da empresa, a fim de conhecer os determinantes do seu consumo de FH com vistas a subsidiar a construção de estratégias para sua promoção. A intervenção durou oito meses, sendo composta por duas vertentes: ambiental (refeitório da empresa) e educativa (dirigida aos indivíduos). Na primeira, investiu-se na sensibilização do proprietário da empresa concessionária e da responsável técnica para a importância da promoção de FH e em contatos regulares com ela a fim subsidiá-la para a oferta de FH no refeitório. Na segunda, foram realizadas atividades presenciais, distribuídos materiais educativos e desenvolvidas ações de comunicação eletrônica. No diagnóstico final, além do consumo de FH pelos funcionários, foram registrados o nível de exposição dos funcionários à intervenção e suas impressões sobre modificações no restaurante da empresa no tocante à oferta de FH. A análise do impacto da intervenção consistiu no exame da relevância da diferença observada entre proporções ou médias obtidas antes e depois da intervenção. A associação entre intervenção e desfechos foi examinada por meio de modelos de regressão múltipla controlando-se para a situação de consumo inicial e para fatores sociodemográficos dos indivíduos. Resultados. Foram estudados 61 indivíduos. A média de cobertura das atividades e materiais educativos foi de 63,5%, sendo esses avaliados positivamente por 98% dos funcionários. Cerca de 2/3 dos funcionários perceberam mudanças em pelo menos dois aspectos referentes a variedade e aparência das preparações. Do total, 88,6% confiavam na higiene desses alimentos no momento pós intervenção contra 56,9% no momento pré intervenção. Houve um aumento de 53,6g (38%) no consumo de FH no almoço realizado no ambiente de trabalho. Houve também aumento no consumo regular de verduras (de 47,5 para 72,1%), e no número médio de dias de consumo de verduras (de 4,4 para 5,6 dias). Foi observada associação entre aumento do consumo de FH e mudança positiva na confiança em relação à higiene dos alimentos oferecidos crus; aumento do consumo de hortaliças e mudança positiva na confiança em relação à higiene dos alimentos oferecidos crus e nível de exposição à vertente educativa da intervenção; e aumento na média de dias de consumo de legumes e percepção de mudanças positivas na variedade e na apresentação das preparações com FH. Conclusão. Houve um aumento no consumo de FH entre funcionários expostos à intervenção. Seu desenho multicomponente parece ter contribuído para os achados do estudo.

Artificial Habitats for Fisheries Enhancement in the Australian Region

This paper outlines developments over about 20 years in the construction of and ecological research on artificial reefs, fish aggregation devices (FAD's), and other artificial habitats designed to enhance fish populations and fisheries in the Australian region (including New Zealand and Papua New Guinea). Work was initially carried out on multicomponent reefs using a variety of waste materials, as well as some specially constructed concrete and steel structures. Later studies concentrated on single-component reefs, again mainly using waste materials. Although no definitive conclusions were reached on the relative effectiveness of the different materials used, waste motor vehicle tires and derelict ships were generally judged to be the best all-around materials for single-component reef construction in sheltered estuarine and offshore marine environments, respectively, in this region. FAD's comprising polyvinylchloride pipe sparbuoys (or in some areas polyurethane foam floats) attached to railroad car wheel anchors by polyethylene rope and chain, and supporting attractor drapes of synthetic mesh webbing, also provedtobegenerallysuccessfulin thisarea. Overall conclusions for the Australian region include the predominant use of waste materials in artificial reef construction, which has been primarily aimed at recreational fisheries enhancement; the successful use of FAD's for both recreational and commercial fisheries enhancement; the need for further and better planned research into and monitoring of the effectiveness of both of these enhancement methods; and the need for future research into the effectiveness of unfished "artificial habitat reserves" in enhancing fisheries production from surrounding fished areas.

Measurement of filling-factor-dependent magnetophonon resonances in graphene using Raman spectroscopy

We perform polarization-resolved Raman spectroscopy on graphene in magnetic fields up to 45 T. This reveals a filling-factor-dependent, multicomponent anticrossing structure of the Raman G peak, resulting from magnetophonon resonances between magnetoexcitons and E2g phonons. This is explained with a model of Raman scattering taking into account the effects of spatially inhomogeneous carrier densities and strain. Random fluctuations of strain-induced pseudomagnetic fields lead to increased scattering intensity inside the anticrossing gap, consistent with the experiments. © 2013 American Physical Society.

Multistage etching process for microscopically smooth tellurite glass surfaces in optical fibers

Bulk samples of tellurite glass with composition 75TeO(2)-20ZnO-5Na(2)O (TZN) were fabricated by melting and quenching techniques. In order to improve the surface quality of optical fiber preform made with this tellurite glass, the authors developed a multistage etching process. The relationship between successive etching treatments and roughness of the TZN glass surface was probed by using an atomic force microscope. The results demonstrate that this multistage etching method effectively improves this tellurite glass surface smoothness to a level comparable with that of a reference silica glass slide, and the corresponding chemical micromechanisms and fundamentals are discussed and confirmed by atomic force microscopy, potentially contributing to the development of multicomponent soft glass fibers and devices. (C) 2010 American Vacuum Society. [DOI: 10.1116/1.3437017]

原位聚合制备聚乙烯多相材料的微结构调控

聚合物多相材料的制备作为丰富材料品种，扩展材料用途的重要手段受到了广泛地关注和深入地研究。传统的熔融共混法制备聚合物多相材料时，一般需要加入增容剂来改善各相之间的相容性，从而使多相材料的性能达到预期的目标。但是由于增容剂本身也存在分散状态的问题，所以它的加入对多相材料的性能的影响比较复杂。因此，本论文致力于用原位共聚接枝的方法和粒子破碎的方法解决多相材料的界面结合和相分散问题。首先，采用对分散相进行共聚功能化改性的方法，使分散相与乙烯共聚，聚合过程中原位生成聚乙烯接枝物，这种聚乙烯接枝物能起到增容两相的作用，提高两相界面的粘结性，将这种方法应用到有机聚苯乙烯粒子和无机磁性钴粒子体系中，并分别进行了详细的研究；其次，通过聚苯乙烯载体的结构设计，使聚苯乙烯载体催化剂具有较高并且可控的活性，在较高的活性下，聚苯乙烯载体可以破碎，破碎后的聚苯乙烯均匀地分散到乙烯聚合产物中，并且碎片达到纳米级，用这种方法可以改善多相材料的相分散。 本论文的主要工作和研究结果总结如下： 1、采用悬浮聚合制备了交联聚苯乙烯粒子（c-PS），并且在聚苯乙烯粒子的表面引入了双键；c-PS粒子在乙烯填充聚合时，可以与乙烯共聚，从而制备了表面接枝聚乙烯的聚苯乙烯微球（PS-g-PE）；PS-g-PE微球上的聚乙烯的结晶温度与纯聚乙烯的结晶温度相比提高了6℃，说明聚乙烯与聚苯乙烯间的化学连接促进了PE的结晶；PS-g-PE与PE共混后，聚苯乙烯粒子与聚乙烯基体间的界面粘结增强。 2、采用乳液聚合制备了共聚型和不可共聚型交联聚苯乙烯乳胶粒子；将两种聚苯乙烯粒子用于乙烯填充聚合制备了聚苯乙烯/聚乙烯纳米共混材料，结果发现，共聚型聚苯乙烯/聚乙烯的断面上，两相间的界面模糊，并且拉伸断面上也没有不可共聚聚苯乙烯体系中由于拉应力作用而产生的空穴，超薄切片的透射电镜结果同样说明了可共聚型聚苯乙烯体系中界面粘结性的提高；当共聚型聚苯乙烯乳胶粒子的填充量较大（20 wt%）时，聚乙烯共混材料的凝胶含量比较高，说明有更多的共聚型聚苯乙烯在聚乙烯中充当交联点。总之，共聚型聚苯乙烯的填充量在非常少时（0.1 wt%）就能达到很好的改性效果。 3、采用阴离子共聚制备了两亲性的聚苯乙烯-b-聚-2-乙烯基吡啶嵌段共聚物（PS-b-P2VP）和聚4-（3-丁烯基）苯乙烯-聚苯乙烯-聚2乙烯基吡啶的三嵌段共聚物（PBSt-b-PS-b-P2VP）；两个嵌段共聚物在甲苯中均能自组装形成以PVP为核、PS为壳的胶束；Co2(CO)8在PS-b-PVP和PBSt-b-PS-b-P2VP甲苯胶束中热分解得到了由胶束稳定分散的Co磁流体；无水无氧的钴磁流体与乙烯填充聚合后得到了磁性聚乙烯纳米复合材料；钴纳米粒子在聚乙烯中稳定分散，不会发生聚集；PBSt-b-PS-b-P2VP与乙烯共聚后，纳米粒子与聚乙烯基体的相容性进一步提高，从而解决了金属纳米粒子在聚合物中的分散以及界面增强的问题。 4、采用悬浮聚合制备了三种溶胀能力不同的聚苯乙烯交联粒子，研究了溶胀时间对聚苯乙烯载体溶胀程度的影响，以及溶胀程度对乙烯聚合和产物聚乙烯形态的影响；实验结果发现溶胀程度较大、溶胀能力较强的聚苯乙烯载体的负载量和活性都较高；通过提高载体的溶胀程度可以增加催化剂对乙烯聚合的催化活性，最终使载体充分破碎分散到乙烯聚合产物中，原位形成纳米级聚乙烯共混物；乙烯聚合的动力学研究表明载体的破碎是一个由外向内逐步发生的过程；适当的活性可以控制载体破碎的速度，从而得到颗粒形态较好的聚乙烯产物。

化学计量学方法辅助多组分分析

近年来，随着生物学、生命科学、药物学、环境科学等学科的迅猛发展，使得人们对于分析化学的要求也越来越高。由于这些学科一般都涉及对复杂多组分体系的定性、定量及结构分析，传统的单组分分析手段已经无法满足需要，这就迫切需要新的分析理论和技术来解决日益复杂的分析问题。而化学计量学的出现和迅速发展，为广大化学工作者提供了强有力的理论工具和分析手段，使得他们能够根据具体问题的不同而采用适当的分析技术来解决传统方法无法解决的难题。论文工作围绕因子分析类方法和小波分析方法在多组分分析中的应用进行了较系统的研究，主要内容归纳如下：1）应用渐进因子分析法和固定尺寸移动窗口渐进因子分析法对模拟的重叠HPLC-DAD数据进行解析，并对两种方法的解析结果进行比较。2）应用子窗口因子分析法解析模拟的重叠HPLC-DAD数据。3）应用小波分析方法进行数据压缩、平滑和滤噪、背景扣除和基线校正、重叠信号的解析，得到了满意的结果。4）将二维小波变换与子窗口因子分析方法相结合，用于高噪声的模拟HPLC-DAD数据的解析。5）将启发渐进式特征投影法和局部正交投影法分别应用于丹参和川芍提取物的HPLC-DAD重叠峰解析，所得结果可以作为进一步定性定量分析的依据。

Biphasic regulation of H2O2 on angiogenesis implicated NADPH oxidase

ROS (reactive oxygen species) take an important signalling role in angiogenesis. Although there are several ways to produce ROS in cells, multicomponent non-phagocytic NADPH oxidase is an important source of ROS that contribute to angiogenesis. In the present work, we examined the effects of H2O2 on angiogenesis including proliferation and migration in HUVECs (human umbilical vein endothelial cells), new vessel formation in chicken embryo CAM (chorioallantoic membrane) and endothelial cell apoptosis, which is closely related to anti-angiogenesis. Our results showed that H2O2 dose-dependently increased the generation of O-2(-) (superoxide anion) in HUVECs, which was suppressed by DPI (diphenylene iodonium) and APO (apocynin), two inhibitors of NADPH oxidase. H2O2 at low concentrations (10 mu M) stimulated cell proliferation and migration, but at higher concentrations, inhibited both. Similarly, H2O2 at 4 nmol/cm(2) strongly induced new vessel formation in CAM, while it suppressed at high concentrations (higher than 4 nmol/cm(2)). Also, H2O2 (200 similar to 500 mu M) could stimulate apoptosis in HUVECs. All the effects of H2O2 on angiogenesis could be suppressed by NADPH oxidase inhibitors, which suggests that NADPH oxidase acts downstream of H2O2 to produce O-2(-) and then to regulate angiogenesis. In summary, our results suggest that H2O2 as well as O-2(-) mediated by NADPH oxidase have biphasic effects on angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo.

Simultaneous determination of methylene blue and new methylene blue by slab optical waveguide spectroscopy and artificial neural networks

A slab optical waveguide (SOWG) has been used for study of adsorption of both methylene blue (MB) and new methylene blue (NMB) in liquid-solid interface. Adsorption characteristics of MB and NMB on both bare SOWG and silanized SOWG by octadecyltrichlorosilane (ODS) were compared. The simultaneous determinations of both MB and NMB were explored by flow injection SOWG spectrophotometric analysis and artificial neural networks (ANNs) for the first time. Concentrations of MB and NMB were estimated simultaneously with the ANNs. Results obtained with SOWG were compared with those got by conventional UV-visible spectrophotometry. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V All rights reserved.

Electrochemical impedance detection of DNA hybridization based on dendrimer modified electrode

Bioactive ultrathin films with the incorporation of amino-terminated G4 PAMAM dendrimers have been prepared via layer-by-layer self-assembly methods on a gold electrode and used for the DNA hybridization analysis. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) are used to characterize the successful construction of the multicomponent film on the gold substrate. The dendrimer-modified surfaces improve the immobilization capacity of the probe DNA greatly, compared to the AET (2aminoethanethiol) SAM sensor surfaces without dendrimer molecules. DNA hybridization analysis is monitored by EIS. The dendrimer-based electrochemical impedance DNA biosensor shows high sensitivity and selectivity for DNA hybridization assay. The multicomponent films also display a high stability during repeated regeneration and hybridization cycles.

Bifunctional Au@Pt hybrid nanorods

The controlled synthesis of bifunctional Au@Pt hybrid nanorods has been realized through a simple wet chemical approach. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and UV-vis-near infrared spectroscopy (UV-vis-NIR) were employed to characterize the obtained hybrid nanorods. TEM results indicate that the thickness of Pt nanoislands on the surfaces of gold nanorods can be easily tunable via controlling the molar ratio of An nanorods to the H2PtCl6. These Au@Pt hybrid nanorods have dual functions, which can be used not only for surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), but also to exhibit good catalytic activity for 02 reduction. It is expected that these hybrid nanorods can be used as new functional building blocks to assemble novel three-dimensional (31)) complex multicomponent nanostructures, which are believed to be useful for electrochemical nanodevices.

Compatibilization of PP/EPDM blends by grafting acrylic acid to polypropylene and epoxidizing the diene in EPDM

In this article, ethylene-propylene-diene-rubber (EPDM) was epoxidized with an in situ formed performic acid to prepare epoxided EPDM (eEPDM). The eEPDM together with the introduction of PP-g-AA was used to compatibilize PP/EPDM blends in a Haake mixer. FTIR results showed that the EPDM had been epoxidized. The reaction between epoxy groups in the eEPDM and carboxylic acid groups in PP-g-AA had taken place, and PP-g-EPDM copolymers were formed in situ. Torque test results showed that the actual temperature and torque values for the compatibilized blends were higher than that of the uncompatibilized blends. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observation showed that the dispersed phase domain size of compatibilized blends and the uncompatibilized blends were 0.5 and 1.5 mu m, respectively. The eEPDM together with the introduction of PP-g-AA could compatibilize PP/EPDM blends effectively. Notched Izod impact tests showed that the formation of PP-g-EPDM copolymer improved the impact strength and yielded a tougher PP blend.