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At least 901 records · Page 50Linked to original sources

Comparative measures of single-wall carbon nanotube dispersion.

Model composites of DNA-wrapped single-wall carbon nanotubes in poly(acrylic acid) are used to evaluate metrics of nanotube dispersion. By varying the pH of the precursor solutions, we introduce a controlled deviation from ideal behavior. On the basis of small-angle neutron scattering, changes in near-infrared fluorescence intensity are strongly correlated with dispersion, while optical absorption spectroscopy and resonant Raman scattering are less definitive. Our results represent the first systematic comparison of currently accepted measures of nanotube dispersion.

Acrylamides↗

Colloidal particles coated and stabilized by DNA-wrapped carbon nanotubes.

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) are dispersed in water via wrapping with short segments of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA). Small angle neutron scattering suggests a power-law exponent that is consistent with clustered nanotubes and hence marginal stability. The SWNT-ssDNA complex is used to stabilize dispersions of hydrophilic colloidal particles with the nanotubes adhered to the surface of the colloids. Near-infrared fluorescence microscopy demonstrates the interfacial band-gap fluorescence of these SWNT-coated particles, suggesting potential routes to novel platforms and applications.

Colloids↗

Landmarks in genetics through philately: Down syndrome.

Down syndrome (DS) is one of the most common chromosomal disorders; however, the molecular pathogenesis and cause remains elusive. Many advances have been made in pre-natal screening and detection, but there have been few real advances in the primary prevention or treatment of DS. DS individuals have been depicted on several philatelic materials; we present some of these stamps and philatelic covers, as well as other complementary stamps, as a means to illustrate issues relevant to this disorder.

Chromosomes, Human, Pair 21↗

Is extracurricular participation associated with beneficial outcomes? Concurrent and longitudinal relations.

The authors examined the relations between participation in a range of high school extracurricular contexts and developmental outcomes in adolescence and young adulthood among an economically diverse sample of African American and European American youths. In general, when some prior self-selection factors were controlled, 11th graders' participation in school clubs and organized sports was associated with concurrent indicators of academic and psychological adjustment and with drug and alcohol use. In addition, participation in 11th grade school clubs and prosocial activities was associated with educational status and civic engagement at 1 year after high school. A few of the concurrent and longitudinal relations between activity participation and development were moderated by race and gender. Finally, breadth of participation, or number of activity contexts, was associated with positive academic, psychological, and behavioral outcomes.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

Differing profiles of developmental experiences across types of organized youth activities.

This study inventoried the types of developmental and negative experiences that youth encounter in different categories of extracurricular and community-based organized activities. A representative sample of 2,280 11th graders from 19 diverse high schools responded to a computer-administered protocol. Youth in faith-based activities reported higher rates of experiences related to identity, emotional regulation, and interpersonal development in comparison with other activities. Sports and arts programs stood out as providing more experiences related to development of initiative, although sports were also related to high stress. Service activities were associated with experiences related to development of teamwork, positive relationships, and social capital. Youth reported all of these positive developmental experiences to occur significantly more often in youth programs than during school classes.

Adolescent↗

Consequences of changing biodiversity.

Human alteration of the global environment has triggered the sixth major extinction event in the history of life and caused widespread changes in the global distribution of organisms. These changes in biodiversity alter ecosystem processes and change the resilience of ecosystems to environmental change. This has profound consequences for services that humans derive from ecosystems. The large ecological and societal consequences of changing biodiversity should be minimized to preserve options for future solutions to global environmental problems.

Animals↗

Undesirable evolutionary consequences of trophy hunting.

Phenotype-based selective harvests, including trophy hunting, can have important implications for sustainable wildlife management if they target heritable traits. Here we show that in an evolutionary response to sport hunting of bighorn trophy rams (Ovis canadensis) body weight and horn size have declined significantly over time. We used quantitative genetic analyses, based on a partly genetically reconstructed pedigree from a 30-year study of a wild population in which trophy hunting targeted rams with rapidly growing horns, to explore the evolutionary response to hunter selection on ram weight and horn size. Both traits were highly heritable, and trophy-harvested rams were of significantly higher genetic 'breeding value' for weight and horn size than rams that were not harvested. Rams of high breeding value were also shot at an early age, and thus did not achieve high reproductive success. Declines in mean breeding values for weight and horn size therefore occurred in response to unrestricted trophy hunting, resulting in the production of smaller-horned, lighter rams, and fewer trophies.

Alberta↗

Nitrogen limitation constrains sustainability of ecosystem response to CO2.

Enhanced plant biomass accumulation in response to elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration could dampen the future rate of increase in CO2 levels and associated climate warming. However, it is unknown whether CO2-induced stimulation of plant growth and biomass accumulation will be sustained or whether limited nitrogen (N) availability constrains greater plant growth in a CO2-enriched world. Here we show, after a six-year field study of perennial grassland species grown under ambient and elevated levels of CO2 and N, that low availability of N progressively suppresses the positive response of plant biomass to elevated CO2. Initially, the stimulation of total plant biomass by elevated CO2 was no greater at enriched than at ambient N supply. After four to six years, however, elevated CO2 stimulated plant biomass much less under ambient than enriched N supply. This response was consistent with the temporally divergent effects of elevated CO2 on soil and plant N dynamics at differing levels of N supply. Our results indicate that variability in availability of soil N and deposition of atmospheric N are both likely to influence the response of plant biomass accumulation to elevated atmospheric CO2. Given that limitations to productivity resulting from the insufficient availability of N are widespread in both unmanaged and managed vegetation, soil N supply is probably an important constraint on global terrestrial responses to elevated CO2.

Biomass↗

Social implications for persons 5-10 years after spinal cord injury.

One hundred and seventy four persons with a spinal cord injury (SCI) were treated in the rehabilitation centre 'De Hoogstraat' in Utrecht, The Netherlands, between 1980 and 1985. One hundred and seventeen were available for a follow up study. Between 1990 and 1992 these 117 persons were visited and interviewed at home by a physiotherapist who worked in this centre, in order to find possible shortcomings in their rehabilitation programme and to advise accordingly on improvements. From this research project the following subjects are reported: housing, work/household, sport/hobbies, and marital status. The findings are described and compared with the literature.

Adolescent↗

BMI from 3-6 y of age is predicted by TV viewing and physical activity, not diet.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether, diet, physical activity, sedentary behavior or television (TV) viewing predicted body mass index (BMI) among 3-7-y-old children. DESIGN: A triethnic cohort of 3-4-y-old children was followed for 3 y from 1986 to 1989. MEASUREMENTS: BMI was assessed at the beginning and end of each measurement year. Heart rate monitoring and observation were used to assess physical activity. Diet (calories, % calories from fat and carbohydrate), sedentary behavior and TV viewing were assessed by direct observation in each year. A repeated measures regression analysis with year as a factor and BMI at the end of each year as dependent variables was run. Nonsignificant variables were removed in a stepwise backward deletion process and significant interactions graphed. RESULTS: The interactions between minutes of TV viewing per hour and study year and minutes of physical activity per hour and study year were significant (P<0.05). There were also significant main effects for TV viewing, physical activity and BMI from the beginning of the study. The model accounted for 65% of the variance in BMI across the three study years. Plotting the significant interactions demonstrated that physical activity was positively associated with BMI in year 1, and negatively associated in years 2 and 3 with a stronger negative relationship in year 3 than 2. TV viewing became positively associated with BMI during the third study year. CONCLUSION: Physical activity and TV viewing were the only significant predictors (other than baseline BMI) of BMI among a triethnic cohort of 3-4-y-old children followed for 3 y with both physical activity (negatively associated) and TV viewing (positively associated) becoming stronger predictors as the children aged. It appears that 6 or 7 y is a critical age when TV viewing and physical activity may affect BMI. Therefore, focusing on reducing time spent watching television and increasing time spent in physical activity may be successful means of preventing obesity among this age group.

Activities of Daily Living↗

Welfare benefits advice in primary care: evidence of improvements in health.

It is not uncommon for welfare benefits advice organisations to offer services in primary care settings. Given the link between deprivation and poor health, the maximising of individual income in this way may also be expected to improve health. However, such improvement has hitherto not been successfully measured. This paper reports on a small study of such a service, provided by the local Citizens Advice Bureau. Statistically significant increases in SF-36 scores were measured for those whose income increased as a result of receiving advice, despite the prevalence in the group (average age 56 y) of chronic disabling conditions such as arthritis and sensory impairment. These findings suggest that 'prescribing advice' is a health intervention which is appropriately situated in primary care.

Adolescent↗

Pattern of use and user satisfaction of Neuro Control Freehand system.

OBJECTIVES: Evaluation of the use and acceptability of the Neuro Control Freehand system. STUDY DESIGN: A questionnaire was sent in a single mail shot to users of the system. Administration was by a 3rd party with anonymous returns. SETTING: A supra regional spinal unit in the UK. METHODS: The Freehand system is an implanted Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) device for restoration of lateral and palmar grasps following C5 or C6 tetraplegia. RESULTS: Replies were received from seven users of the system who had an average experience of 23 months use. All used the system daily and had increased their range of activities of daily living skills. Some problems had been experienced with equipment reliability and skin allergy to the tape used to secure external components. Six users felt more confident when using the system and seven felt their quality of life had improved. CONCLUSION: The Freehand system provides increased function that is considered by its users to be of benefit.

Activities of Daily Living↗

The functional impact of the Freehand System on tetraplegic hand function. Clinical Results.

STUDY DESIGN: A B design with subjects acting as their own control when the device is turned off. OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of the efficacy of the NeuroControl Freehand System. SETTING: A supra regional spinal unit in the UK. METHODS: The Freehand system is an implanted Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) device for restoration of lateral and palmar grasps following C5 or C6 tetraplegia. Its use was assessed using the Grasp Relies Test (GRT), Activities of Daily Living (ADL), Grip strength and two-point discrimination. RESULTS: Seven out of nine subjects are currently daily users of the device. There were statistically significant increases in the number of types of task achieved and the number of repetitions of those tasks in the Grasp Release Test. The system produced a functionally strong grasp where no grip strength at all was possible prior to implantation. Three of the four subjects who had sensory ability prior to implant showed improvements in two-point discrimination. Most of the selected tasks were achieved in the ADL assessment indicating a significant improvement in independence. CONCLUSION: The Freehand system can significantly improve the functional ability of C5 and C6 lesion tetraplegics. SPONSORSHIP: This study was funded by the charity INSPIRE.

Activities of Daily Living↗