Determination of thermal and optical parameters of melanins by photopyroelectric spectroscopy

Photopyroelectric spectroscopy (PPE) was used to study the thermal and optical properties of melanins. The photopyroelectric intensity signal and its phase were independently measured as a function of wavelength and chopping frequency for a given wavelength in the saturation part of the PPE spectrum. Equations for both the intensity and the phase of the PPE signal were used to fit the experimental results. From these fits we obtained for the first time, with great accuracy, the thermal diffusivity coefficient, the thermal conductivity, and the specific heat of the samples, as well as a value for the condensed phase optical gap, which we found to be 1.70 eV. (c) 2005 American Institute of Physics.

Study of optical properties of electropolymerized melanin films by photopyroelectric spectroscopy

Photopyroelectric (PPE) spectroscopy, in the 350-1,075 nm wavelength range, was used to study the optical properties of electropolymerized melanin films on indium tin oxide (ITO) coated glass. The PPE intensity signal as a function of the wavelength lambda, V (n)(lambda) and its phase F (n)(lambda) were independently measured. Using the PPE signal intensity and the thermal and optical properties of the pyroelectric detector, we were able to calculate the optical absorption coefficient beta of melanin in the solid-state. We believe this to be the first such measurement of its kind on this material. Additionally, we found an optical gap in these melanin films at 1.70 eV.

Suitability of dysphonia measurements for telemonitoring of Parkinson's disease

We present an assessment of the practical value of existing traditional and non-standard measures for discriminating healthy people from people with Parkinson's disease (PD) by detecting dysphonia. We introduce a new measure of dysphonia, Pitch Period Entropy (PPE), which is robust to many uncontrollable confounding effects including noisy acoustic environments and normal, healthy variations in voice frequency. We collected sustained phonations from 31 people, 23 with PD. We then selected 10 highly uncorrelated measures, and an exhaustive search of all possible combinations of these measures finds four that in combination lead to overall correct classification performance of 91.4%, using a kernel support vector machine. In conclusion, we find that non-standard methods in combination with traditional harmonics-to-noise ratios are best able to separate healthy from PD subjects. The selected non-standard methods are robust to many uncontrollable variations in acoustic environment and individual subjects, and are thus well-suited to telemonitoring applications.

Factors surgical team members perceive influence choices of wearing or not wearing personal protective equipment during operative /invasive procedures

Exposure to certain bloodborne pathogens can prematurely end a person’s life. Healthcare workers (HCWs), especially those who are members of surgical teams, are at increased risk of exposure to these pathogens. The proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) during operative/invasive procedures reduces that risk. Despite this, some HCWs fail to consistently use PPE as required by federal regulation, accrediting agencies, hospital policy, and professional association standards. The purpose of this mixed methods survey study was to (a) examine factors surgical team members perceive influence choices of wearing or not wearing PPE during operative/invasive procedures and (b) determine what would influence consistent use of PPE by surgical team members. Using an ex post facto, non-experimental design, the memberships of five professional associations whose members comprise surgical teams were invited to complete a mixed methods survey study. The primary research question for the study was: What differences (perceptual and demographic) exist between surgical team members that influence their choices of wearing or not wearing PPE during operative/invasive procedures? Four principal differences were found between surgical team members. Functional (i.e., profession or role based) differences exist between the groups. Age and experience (i.e., time in profession) differences exist among members of the groups. Finally, being a nurse anesthetist influences the use of risk assessment to determine the level of PPE to use. Four common themes emerged across all groups informing the two study purposes. Those themes were: availability, education, leadership, and performance. Subsidiary research questions examined the influence of previous accidental exposure to blood or body fluids, federal regulations, hospital policy and procedure, leaders’ attitudes, and patients’ needs on the use of PPE. Each of these was found to strongly influence surgical team members and their use of PPE during operative/invasive procedures. Implications based on the findings affect organizational policy, purchasing and distribution decisions, curriculum design and instruction, leader behavior, and finally partnership with PPE manufacturers. Surgical team members must balance their innate need to care for patients with their need to protect themselves. Results of this study will help team members, leaders, and educators achieve this balance.

Synthetic Approaches to Flexible Fluorescent Conjugated Polymers

Conjugated polymers (CPs) are intrinsically fluorescent materials that have been used for various biological applications including imaging, sensing, and delivery of biologically active substances. The synthetic control over flexibility and biodegradability of these materials aids the understanding of the structure-function relationships among the photophysical properties, the self-assembly behaviors of the corresponding conjugated polymer nanoparticles (CPNs), and the cellular behaviors of CPNs, such as toxicity, cellular uptake mechanisms, and sub-cellular localization patterns. Synthetic approaches towards two classes of flexible CPs with well-preserved fluorescent properties are described. The synthesis of flexible poly(p-phenylenebutadiynylene)s (PPBs) uses competing Sonogashira and Glaser coupling reactions and the differences in monomer reactivity to incorporate a small amount (~10%) of flexible, non-conjugated linkers into the backbone. The reaction conditions provide limited control over the proportion of flexible monomer incorporation. Improved synthetic control was achieved in a series of flexible poly(p-phenyleneethynylene)s (PPEs) using modified Sonogashira conditions. In addition to controlling the degree of flexibility, the linker provides disruption of backbone conjugation that offers control of the length of conjugated segments within the polymer chain. Therefore, such control also results in the modulation of the photophysical properties of the materials. CPNs fabricated from flexible PPBs are non-toxic to cells, and exhibit subcellular localization patterns clearly different from those observed with non-flexible PPE CPNs. The subcellular localization patterns of the flexible PPEs have not yet been determined, due to the toxicity of the materials, most likely related to the side-chain structure used in this series. The study of the effect of CP flexibility on self-assembly reorganization upon polyanion complexation is presented. Owing to its high rigidity and hydrophobicity, the PPB backbone undergoes reorganization more readily than PPE. The effects are enhanced in the presence of the flexible linker, which enables more efficient π-π stacking of the aromatic backbone segments. Flexibility has minimal effects on the self-assembly of PPEs. Understanding the role of flexibility on the biophysical behaviors of CPNs is key to the successful development of novel efficient fluorescent therapeutic delivery vehicles.

Factors Surgical Team Members Perceive Influence Choices of Wearing or not Wearing Personal Protective Equipment During Operative/Invasive Procedures

Exposure to certain bloodborne pathogens can prematurely end a person’s life. Healthcare workers (HCWs), especially those who are members of surgical teams, are at increased risk of exposure to these pathogens. The proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) during operative/invasive procedures reduces that risk. Despite this, some HCWs fail to consistently use PPE as required by federal regulation, accrediting agencies, hospital policy, and professional association standards. The purpose of this mixed methods survey study was to (a) examine factors surgical team members perceive influence choices of wearing or not wearing PPE during operative/invasive procedures and (b) determine what would influence consistent use of PPE by surgical team members. Using an ex post facto, non-experimental design, the memberships of five professional associations whose members comprise surgical teams were invited to complete a mixed methods survey study. The primary research question for the study was: What differences (perceptual and demographic) exist between surgical team members that influence their choices of wearing or not wearing PPE during operative/invasive procedures? Four principal differences were found between surgical team members. Functional (i.e., profession or role based) differences exist between the groups. Age and experience (i.e., time in profession) differences exist among members of the groups. Finally, being a nurse anesthetist influences the use of risk assessment to determine the level of PPE to use. Four common themes emerged across all groups informing the two study purposes. Those themes were: availability, education, leadership, and performance. Subsidiary research questions examined the influence of previous accidental exposure to blood or body fluids, federal regulations, hospital policy and procedure, leaders’ attitudes, and patients’ needs on the use of PPE. Each of these was found to strongly influence surgical team members and their use of PPE during operative/invasive procedures. Implications based on the findings affect organizational policy, purchasing and distribution decisions, curriculum design and instruction, leader behavior, and finally partnership with PPE manufacturers. Surgical team members must balance their innate need to care for patients with their need to protect themselves. Results of this study will help team members, leaders, and educators achieve this balance.

Inkludering av nya motionärer på motionsanläggningar : Motionärers föreställningar om människor som inte motionerar

Syfte Syftet var att undersöka vad aktiva-motionärer anser om vardags-motionärer avseende livsstil, karaktärsdrag och hälsostatus. Metod För att inkludera vardags-motionärer på motionsanläggningar där motionärer finns bör man lösa upp barriärer till motion. Det kan därför vara av nytta att ta reda på om och i så fall vad aktiva-motionärer anser om vardags-motionärer. Detta för att kunna veta om förändringen ska ske hos aktiva-motionärer eller vardags-motionärer för att möjliggöra inkludering av vardagsmotionärer på motionsanläggningar där aktiva-motionärer finns. Detta genomfördes med en kvalitativt inriktad undersökning genom en intervjustudie i form av semistrukturerade intervjuer. Resultat Respondenterna anger att hälsa är en upplevd balans såväl psykiskt som fysiskt. I motsats till detta innebär ohälsa obalans. Konsekvenserna av denna obalans nämnde respondenterna som trötthet, sämre koncentration, övervikt, lättare att drabbas av sjukdomar samt försämrad livskvalité. Det respondenterna nämnde om en vardags-motionär är att denna individ sällan gör mer än vad det behöver i vardagen, är ohälsosamma, innehar obalans och kan drabbas av konsekvenserna som nämns ovan. Slutsats Undersökningen visar att det finns åsikter hos aktiva-motionärer om vardags-motionärer. Dock uttalar sig aktiva-motionärer ogärna om hur vardags-motionärer är som personer, men beskriver enklare deras leverne. Det undersökningen därmed kan konstatera är att andras åsikter är en befogad barriär till varför motion inte bedrivs. Om denna barriär är något som syns utåt på anläggningarna är dock svårt att säga.

Central banking and inequalities: taking off the blinders

What is the relation between monetary policy and inequalities in income and wealth? This question has received insufficient attention, especially in light of the unconventional policies introduced since the 2008 financial crisis. The article analyzes three ways in which the concern central banks show for inequalities in their official statements remains incomplete and underdeveloped. First, central banks tend to care about inequality for instrumental reasons only. When they do assign intrinsic value to containing inequalities, they shy away from trade-offs with the standard objectives of monetary policy that such a position entails. Second, central banks play down the causal impact monetary policy has on inequalities. When they do acknowledge it, they defend their actions by claiming that it is an unintended side effect, that it is temporary, and/or that any alternative policy would fare even worse. The article appeals to the doctrine of double effect to criticize these arguments. Third, even if one accepts that inequalities should be contained and that today’s monetary policies exacerbate them, is it both desirable and feasible to make containing inequalities part of the mandate of central banks? The article analyzes and rejects three attempts on the part of central banks to answer this question negatively.

Hipotermia terapêutica pós-parada cardiorrespiratória em hospitais do extremo sul do brasil

A atuação eficaz dos trabalhadores da saúde no atendimento imediato da parada cardiorrespiratória possibilita o efetivo processo de implementação da hipotermia terapêutica, reduzindo possíveis danos cerebrais e proporcionando um melhor prognóstico para o paciente. O presente estudo objetivou conhecer o processo de implementação da hipotermia terapêutica pós-parada cardiorrespiratória em hospitais do extremo sul do Brasil. Tratou-se de uma pesquisa de abordagem qualitativa, do tipo descritiva. O cenário do estudo foram duas Unidades de Terapia Intensiva de dois hospitais onde a hipotermia terapêutica pós-parada cardiorrespiratória é realizada. Os sujeitos do estudo foram médicos, enfermeiros e técnicos de enfermagem atuantes nas referidas unidades. A coleta de dados foi composta por dois momentos. Primeiramente, foi desenvolvida uma pesquisa retrospectiva nos prontuários dos pacientes e, posteriormente, foram aplicadas entrevistas semiestruturadas por meio de roteiro de entrevista com os profissionais citados, as quais foram gravadas com aparelho digital. A coleta de dados ocorreu durante o mês de outubro de 2014. Para interpretação dos dados, foi utilizada a análise textual discursiva, construindo-se três categorias. Na primeira categoria, “processo de implementação da hipotermia terapêutica”, constatou-se que o hospital com uma implementação sistematizada e organizada utiliza um protocolo escrito e, em relação às fases de aplicação da hipotermia terapêutica, ambas as instituições utilizam os métodos tradicionais de indução, manutenção e reaquecimento. A segunda categoria, “facilidades e dificuldades vivenciadas pela equipe de saúde durante a aplicação da hipotermia terapêutica”, identifica a estrutura física, harmonia da equipe, equipamentos para a monitorização constante das condições hemodinâmicas dos pacientes e a otimização do tempo de trabalho como facilitadores. No que tange às dificuldades, constatou-se a aquisição de materiais, como o gelo e o BIS; disponibilidade de um único termômetro esofágico; inexistência de EPI’s; conhecimento insuficiente e inaptidão técnica; ausência de educação permanente e dimensionamento inadequado dos profissionais de enfermagem. Na terceira categoria, “efeitos adversos e complicações encontradas pela equipe de saúde durante a aplicação da hipotermia terapêutica e cuidados de enfermagem realizados”, verificou-se, como efeitos adversos, a ocorrência de tremores, bradicardia e hipotensão e de complicações como hipotermia excessiva e queimaduras de pele. Os cuidados de enfermagem direcionam-se aos cuidados com a pele e extremidades, uso do gelo, sedação, higiene, conforto e preparo de material para monitorização. Concluiu-se que a hipotermia terapêutica é possível de ser aplicada, na realidade das instituições pesquisadas, de maneira segura, eficaz e de baixo custo.

Evaluación de la exposición al ruido industrial en los trabajadores de una planta de asfalto, en la provincia del Azuay y propuesta de plan de control

El presente trabajo se realizó en una Planta de Hormigón Asfáltico, donde se realizó el estudio del ruido como factor de riesgo bajo las perspectivas de: Salud Ocupacional, Seguridad e Higiene Industrial. Este enfoque holístico, define la influencia que éste riesgo laboral ejerce sobre la pérdida de agudeza auditiva. Se estableció inicialmente el marco teórico y legal vigente sobre el ruido, posteriormente se describió la metodología de estudio, operatividad de variables, y la muestra a estudiar. Luego se procedió a la caracterización de la población y área estudiada, así como las actividades productivas. Dentro de la Higiene Industrial, se monitoreó la exposición del nivel de presión sonora, se realizó el comparativo con el nivel permisible (TWA 8 horas) establecido en el “Reglamento de Seguridad y Salud de los Trabajadores”, D.E. 2393. En términos de Seguridad Industrial, se analizó el equipo de protección personal EPP utilizado, y las variables determinantes. En el ámbito de Salud Ocupacional, se estudió: características personales de trabajadores, patologías relacionadas con sordera, y un cuestionario de exposición al ruido. Finalmente se determinó la existencia de sobreexposición a ruido laboral en la empresa objeto de estudio, mediante el estudio del estado de salud auditiva de los colaboradores se determinó la gran incidencia de personal sano y finalmente se determinó las medidas de control a implementarse enfatizadas a la realidad descubierta en el presente estudio, las que incluyen cambios en equipos y maquinaria, buenas prácticas de trabajo, planes de adiestramiento y capacitación en todo el personal entre otros.

Synthetic approaches to flexible fluorescent conjugated polymers

Conjugated polymers (CPs) are intrinsically fluorescent materials that have been used for various biological applications including imaging, sensing, and delivery of biologically active substances. The synthetic control over flexibility and biodegradability of these materials aids the understanding of the structure-function relationships among the photophysical properties, the self-assembly behaviors of the corresponding conjugated polymer nanoparticles (CPNs), and the cellular behaviors of CPNs, such as toxicity, cellular uptake mechanisms, and sub-cellular localization patterns. ^ Synthetic approaches towards two classes of flexible CPs with well-preserved fluorescent properties are described. The synthesis of flexible poly( p-phenylenebutadiynylene)s (PPBs) uses competing Sonogashira and Glaser coupling reactions and the differences in monomer reactivity to incorporate a small amount (∼10%) of flexible, non-conjugated linkers into the backbone. The reaction conditions provide limited control over the proportion of flexible monomer incorporation. Improved synthetic control was achieved in a series of flexible poly(p-phenyleneethynylene)s (PPEs) using modified Sonogashira conditions. In addition to controlling the degree of flexibility, the linker provides disruption of backbone conjugation that offers control of the length of conjugated segments within the polymer chain. Therefore, such control also results in the modulation of the photophysical properties of the materials. ^ CPNs fabricated from flexible PPBs are non-toxic to cells, and exhibit subcellular localization patterns clearly different from those observed with non-flexible PPE CPNs. The subcellular localization patterns of the flexible PPEs have not yet been determined, due to the toxicity of the materials, most likely related to the side-chain structure used in this series. ^ The study of the effect of CP flexibility on self-assembly reorganization upon polyanion complexation is presented. Owing to its high rigidity and hydrophobicity, the PPB backbone undergoes reorganization more readily than PPE. The effects are enhanced in the presence of the flexible linker, which enables more efficient π-π stacking of the aromatic backbone segments. Flexibility has minimal effects on the self-assembly of PPEs. Understanding the role of flexibility on the biophysical behaviors of CPNs is key to the successful development of novel efficient fluorescent therapeutic delivery vehicles.^

Rapid identification and differentiation of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis types by use of real-time PCR and high-resolution melt analysis of the MAP1506 locus

High-resolution melt (HRM) analysis can identify sequence polymorphisms by comparing the melting curves of amplicons generated by real-time PCR amplification. We describe the application of this technique to identify Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis types I, II, and III. The HRM approach was based on type-specific nucleotide sequences in MAP1506, a member of the PPE (proline-proline-glutamic acid) gene family.