Patterns of Ecstasy Use and Associated Harm: Results of a Brazilian Online Survey

The aim of this study was to gather information about ecstasy users in Brazil, particularly on issues related to risks associated to the use of the drug, so as to offer a basis to prevention projects. A total of 1,140 Brazilian ecstasy users answered an online questionnaire from August 2004 to February 2005. Participants were predominantly young single heterosexual well-educated males from upper economical classes. A categorical regression with optimal scaling (CATREG) was performed to identify the risks associated with ecstasy use. ""Pills taken in life"" had a significant correlation with every investigated risk, particularly ecstasy dependence, unsafe sex, and polydrug use. ""Gender,"" ""sexual orientation,"" and ""socioeconomic class"" were not predictive of risk behavior. The Internet proved to be a useful tool for data collection. Given the recent increase in ecstasy availability in Brazil, a first prevention campaign directed toward the drug is urgent. At least in a preliminary Brazilian intervention, the campaign must be conducted at night leisure places, mainly frequented by youngsters from upper socioeconomic classes. The results do not call for information material with specific targets, such as gender or sexual orientation. The study`s limitations have been noted.

Evaluation of a multimedia online tool for teaching bronchial hygiene to physical therapy students

Background: Advances in information technology have been widely used in teaching health care professionals. The use of multimedia resources may be important for clinical learning and we are not aware of previous reports using such technology in respiratory physical therapy education. Objectives: Our approach was to evaluate a conventional bronchial hygiene techniques (BHTs) course with an interactive online environment, including multimedia resources. Methods: Previous developed audiovisual support material comprised: physiology, physiopathology and BHTs, accessible to students through the Internet in conjunction with BHTs classes. Two groups of students were compared and both attended regular classes: the on-line group (n=8) received access to online resources, while the control group (n=8) received conventional written material. Student's performance was evaluated before and after the course. Results: A preliminary test (score 0 to 10) was applied before the beginning of the course, showing that the initial knowledge of both groups was comparable [online, 6.75 (SD=0.88) vs. control, 6.125 (SD=1.35); p>0.05]. Two weeks after the end of the course, a second test showed that the online group performed significantly better than the control group [respectively, 7.75 (SD=1.28) vs. 5.93 (SD=0.72); p>0.05]. Conclusions: The use of a multimedia online resource had a positive impact on student's learning in respiratory therapy field in which instrumental and manual resources are often used and can be explored using this technology.

Influence of intraocular lens material on the development of acute endophthalmitis after cataract surgery?

PurposeTo investigate the causal relationship between acute postoperative endophthalmitis (POE) after cataract surgery and the biomaterial properties of the intraocular lens (IOLs) implanted.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study included all patients who had undergone cataract surgery with IOL implantation at the Lyon Croix-Rousse University Hospital between 1st January 1994 and 31st December 2004. Details respecting the type of IOL implanted (material and manufacturer) were meticulously recorded. The number of patients presenting with POE within 6 weeks of cataract surgery was documented together with their medical characteristics. These data were then compared, and Fisher's exact test was used to establish the significance of any apparent associations.ResultsEight of the 5837 eyes manifested acute POE (0.14%). Seven of these were composed of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) and one of heparinized PMMA. Patients with PMMA IOLs carried a higher risk of developing POE than did those implanted with either heparinized PMMA (P=0.001), hydrophilic acrylic, or hydrophobic acrylic IOLs (P=0.002).ConclusionsThe incidence of acute POE after cataract surgery in our hospital is similar to that currently reported for other institutions in developed countries. Our results add further evidence that IOL material and type are factors contributing to the risk to develop an acute POE after cataract surgery, and that PMMA IOLs may be associated with an increased risk of POE.Eye advance online publication, 15 September 2006; doi:10.1038/sj.eye.6702544.

Die Land- und Berg-Gerechtsame der Deutschen Colonial-Gesellschaft für Südwest-Afrika : zwei Gutachten sowie Urkunden-Material

von Joseph Kohler und Hermann Veit Simon

Experimental evaluation of seaweeds as a vector for microplastics into marine food webs, supplementary material

The ingestion of microplastics has been shown for a great variety of marine organisms. However, benthic marine mesoherbivores such as the common periwinkle Littorina littorea have been largely disregarded in studies about the effects of microplastics on the marine biota, probably because the pathway for microplastics to this functional group of organisms was not obvious. In laboratory experiments we showed that the seaweed Fucus vesiculosus retains suspended microplastics on its surface. The numbers of microplastics that adhered to the algae correlated with the concentrations of suspended particles in the water. In choice feeding assays L. littorea did not distinguish between algae with adherent microplastics and clean algae without microplastics, indicating that the snails do not recognize solid nonfood particles in the submillimeter size range as deleterious. In periwinkles that were feeding on contaminated algae, microplastics were found in the stomach and in the gut. However, no microplastics were found in the midgut gland, which is the principle digestive organ of gastropods. Microplastics in the fecal pellets of the periwinkles indicate that the particles do not accumulate rapidly inside the animals but are mostly released with the feces. Our results provide the first evidence that seaweeds may represent an efficient pathway for microplastics from the water to marine benthic herbivores.

Working on a baseline for the Kongsfjorden food web: production and properties of macroalgal particulate organic matter (POM), supplementary material

Macroalgae, in particular kelps, produce a large amount of biomass in Kongsfjorden, which is to a great extent released into the water in an annual cycle. As an example, the brown alga Alaria esculenta loses its blade gradually, 3 ± 0.8 % of the blade area per day (August 2012), thereby adding to the pool of particulate organic matter (POM) in the fjord. Upon release small thallus pieces are "aging" in that they are prone to leaching and serving as substrate for microorganisms, thus turning into palatable food for suspension and bottom feeders. In order to define a macroalgal baseline for the Kongsfjorden food web, stable isotopes d14C and d15N were measured in individuals of A. esculenta, Saccharina latissima and Laminaria digitata directly sampled after collection and in artificially produced POM (aPOM) of A. esculenta that was allowed to age under experimental conditions. In aPOM from this species sampled in August 2012 the C/N ratios decreased between d1 and d8 of a 14-day culture period in parallel to the fading photosynthetic activity of the algal fragments as demonstrated by use of an Imaging-PAM. Microscopic observations of the aPOM in August 2012 and 2013 revealed the frequent occurrence of small brown algal endo- and epiphytes. First feeding experiments with Mysis oculata (Mysids) and Hiatella arctica (Bivalves) showed that these species can ingest macroalgal POM. The importance of kelp-derived POM for the food web is subject of the current research.

The Effect of Discovery Systems on Online Journal Usage: A Longitudinal Study

Many academic libraries are implementing discovery services as a way of giving their users a single comprehensive search option for all library resources. These tools are designed to change the research experience, yet very few studies have investigated the impact of discovery service implementation. This study examines one aspect of that impact by asking whether usage of publisher-hosted journal content changes after implementation of a discovery tool. Libraries that have begun using the four major discovery services have seen an increase in usage of this content, suggesting that for this particular type of material, discovery services have a positive impact on use. Though all discovery services significantly increased usage relative to a no discovery service control group, some had a greater impact than others, and there was extensive variation in usage change among libraries using the same service. Future phases of this study will look at other types of content.

Material demands for storage technologies in a hydrogen economy

A hydrogen economy is needed, in order to resolve current environmental and energy-related problems. For the introduction of hydrogen as an important energy vector, sophisticated materials are required. This paper provides a brief overview of the subject, with a focus on hydrogen storage technologies for mobile applications. The unique properties of hydrogen are addressed, from which its advantages and challenges can be derived. Different hydrogen storage technologies are described and evaluated, including compression, liquefaction, and metal hydrides, as well as porous materials. This latter class of materials is outlined in more detail, explaining the physisorption interaction which leads to the adsorption of hydrogen molecules and discussing the material characteristics which are required for hydrogen storage application. Finally, a short survey of different porous materials is given which are currently investigated for hydrogen storage, including zeolites, metal organic frameworks (MOFs), covalent organic frameworks (COFs), porous polymers, aerogels, boron nitride materials, and activated carbon materials.

Novel silica membrane material for molecular sieve applications

Development of new silica membranes properties, e.g., molecular sieving properties, has been increasingly gaining importance in the last few years. A novel unsupported silica membrane, referred to as hydrophobic metal-doped silica, was developed by cobalt-doping within the organic templated silica matrix. The novel material was prepared by the acid-catalyzed hydrolysis and condensation process of tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) and methyltriethoxysilane (MTES), which is the precursor for methyl ligand covalently bounded to the silica matrix. The synthesis and surface properties of the novel unsupported silica membrane as well as the unsupported blank silica and modified silica membranes were revealed by surface and microstructural techniques, such as water contact angle measurement, FTIR, X-ray, Solid-state 29Si MAS NMR, TGA and N2 and CO2 adsorption measurements. The results showed that the thermal stability of the organic templated silica matrix was enhanced by cobalt-doping process. A hydrophobic microporous silica membrane material with high thermal stability up to ∼560 °C in oxidizing atmosphere and a narrow pore size distribution centered at 1.1 nm was obtained. Therefore, a novel precursor material for molecular sieve silica membranes applications has been achieved and developed.

Plataforma online como herramienta docente: El caso de Construcción de Estructuras I

La asignatura Construcción de Estructuras I es fundamental en el desarrollo de la profesión regulada del Arquitecto Técnico al ser considerado, entre otros perfiles, como un técnico especialista en la construcción de estructuras de edificios. El objetivo del trabajo es analizar y discutir el desarrollo de una nueva metodología como alternativa a la enseñanza tradicional en la asignatura de Construcción de Estructuras I ya que, en el curso 2013-2014, se ha implantado la herramienta informática Moodle para fomentar el aprendizaje combinado con ejercicios en línea que refuerzan la adquisición de competencias específicas. El uso de esta plataforma permite afianzar los conocimientos teóricos adquiridos mediante la resolución de detalles constructivos y ejercicios profesionales reales relacionados con las estructuras. Así, tras la corrección del profesor y el posterior feedback de los estudiantes, las prácticas aseguran un aprendizaje permanente del estudiante, que puede descargar todo tipo de material (detalles constructivos, ejercicios prácticos y exámenes corregidos) en cualquier momento. En conclusión, la utilización de una plataforma online ha permitido la adquisición de conocimientos/criterios constructivos de una forma continuada y ha sido valorada muy positivamente por los estudiantes gracias a un seguimiento directo, personalizado y con posibilidad de compartir documentos las 24 horas del día.

Shaking-table tests of flat-bottom circular silos containing grain-like material

According to Eurocode 8, the seismic design of flat-bottom circular silos containing grain-like material is based on a rough estimate of the inertial force imposed on the structure by the ensiled content during an earthquake: 80% of the mass of the content multiplied by the peak ground acceleration. A recent analytical consideration of the horizontal shear force mobilised within the ensiled material during an earthquake proposed by some of the authors has resulted in a radically reduced estimate of this load suggesting that, in practice, the effective mass of the content is significantly less than that specified. This paper describes a series of laboratory tests that featured shaking table and a silo model, which were conducted in order to obtain some experimental data to verify the proposed theoretical formulations and to compare with the established code provisions. Several tests have been performed with different heights of ensiled material – about 0.5 mm diameter Ballotini glass – and different magnitudes of grain–wall friction. The results indicate that in all cases, the effective mass is indeed lower than the Eurocode specification, suggesting that the specification is overly conservative, and that the wall–grain friction coefficient strongly affects the overturning moment at the silo base. At peak ground accelerations up to around 0.35 g, the proposed analytical formulation provides an improved estimate of the inertial force imposed on such structures by their contents.

Fate and Transport of Naproxen in a Sandy Aquifer Material: Saturated Column Studies and Model Evaluation

Naproxen-C14H14O3 is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug which has been found at detectable concentrations in wastewater, surface water, and groundwater. Naproxen is relatively hydrophilic and is in anionic form at pH between 6 and 8. In this study, column experiments were performed using an unconsolidated aquifer material from an area near Barcelona (Spain) to assess transport and reaction mechanisms of Naproxen in the aquifer matrix under different pore water fluxes. Results were evaluated using HYDRUS-1D, which was used to estimate transport parameters. Batch sorption isotherms for Naproxen conformed with the linear model with a sorption coefficient of 0.42 (cm3 g−1), suggesting a low sorption affinity. Naproxen breakthrough curves (BTCs) measured in soil columns under steady-state, saturated water flow conditions displayed similar behavior, with no apparent hysteresis in sorption or dependence of retardation (R, 3.85-4.24) on pore water velocities. Soil sorption did not show any significant decrease for increasing flow rates, as observed from Naproxen recovery in the effluent. Sorption parameters estimated by the model suggest that Naproxen has a low sorption affinity to aquifer matrix. Most sorption of Naproxen occurred on the instantaneous sorption sites, with the kinetic sorption sites representing only about 10 to 40% of total sorption.

Handing Down and Adaption: The Construction of the Material World of Health Care Technology in Spain (1855-1955)

This historical study uses qualitative methods to analyze and describe the components of the material world of nursing care in Spain between 1855 and 1955 based on the analysis of eight nurse training manuals. A total of 360 objects and 45 procedures were recorded. Manual analysis was carried out concurrently with data collection based on the Grounded Theory approach. Findings show that the material world of health care was composed of objects that were handed down by the medical profession to health care professionals and adapted objects, improvised mainly out of everyday household items. While the handing down of medical tools and instruments could be said to be a theoretical and technical achievement, it is not clear whether it was also a scientific accomplishment. The improvisation of objects out of everyday household items promoted by the manuals highlights the artisan-like and ingenious nature of nursing practice, which should be explored further in future studies to provide a greater understanding and promote the recognition of these objects as a health care technology.

Pennsylvania Negro business directory, 1910 : industrial and material growth of the Negroes of Pennsylvania.

Mode of access: Internet.

Shoot first, ask questions later: Ethnographic research in an online computer gaming community

For researchers investigating online communities, the existence of the internet has made the activities and opinions of community members visible in a public domain. FPS gaming culture is a highly literate culture - members communicate and represent themselves in textual forms online, and the culture makes use of a wide variety of communication and publishing technologies. While a significant amount of insider knowledge is required to understand and interpret such online content, a large body of material is available to researchers online, and sometimes provides more reliable and enlightening information than that generated by more traditional research methods. While the abundance of data available online in some ways makes research far easier, it also creates new dilemmas and challenges for researchers. What extra knowledge is required of the researcher? How can one ensure that one's interpretations of member statements are made with an understanding of meaning within that culture? What responsibilities does the researcher have in their representation of the culture under examination? What ethical issues must be considered?