The antioxidant properties of the cherimoya (Annona cherimola) fruit

Annona cherimola is an exotic fruit from the genus Annona, native to the Andean highlands in western South America. The cherimoya skin, flesh and juice were isolated and analyzed for antioxidant content using the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay. The juice showed the highest antioxidant activity, while the flesh exhibited the lowest. The cherimoya skin, flesh and juice extracts were also incubated with Raji (Burkitt's Lymphoma) and HT-29 (colon cancer) cell lines, and the antioxidant uptake of cells was measured. Both cell lines, when subjected to cherimoya juice, showed the highest antioxidant uptake. The cells were then exposed to AAPH, a radical initiator, to simulate the conditions of cells under oxidative stress, and then subjected to cherimoya skin, flesh and juice extracts. Both cell lines absorbed more antioxidants after being pre-exposed to AAPH, indicating that cells under stress have the ability to import antioxidants.     

Insulator‐Conductor Type Transitions in Graphene‐Modified Silver Nanowire Networks: A Route to Inexpensive Transparent Conductors

Silver nanowire coatings are an attractive alternative to indium tin oxide for producing transparent conductors. To fabricate coatings with low sheet resistance required for touchscreen displays, a multi‐layer network of silver nanowires must be produced that may not be cost effective. This problem is counteracted here by modifying the electrical properties of an ultra‐low‐density nanowire network through local deposition of conducting graphene platelets. Unlike other solution‐processed materials, such as graphene oxide, our pristine graphene is free of oxygen functional groups, resulting in it being electrically conducting without the need for further chemical treatment. Graphene adsorption at inter‐wire junctions as well as graphene connecting adjacent wires contributes to a marked enhancement in electrical properties. Using our approach, the amount of nanowires needed to produce viable transparent electrodes could be more than 50 times less than the equivalent pristine high density nanowire networks, thus having major commercial implications. Using a laser ablation process, it is shown that the resulting films can be patterned into individual electrode structures, which is a pre‐requisite to touchscreen sensor fabrication.     

Epidemiology of work-related aviation fatalities in Alaska, 1990-94

Alaska, with less than one-half of 1% of the United States workforce, accounts for 9% of all occupational aviation fatalities nationally; 30% of all occupational fatalities in Alaska are related to aviation. To understand this high mortality, we investigated occupational aviation crashes to identify risk factors. Occupational aviation fatalities in Alaska during 1990-94 were examined using National Transportation Safety Board reports and merged with records from the Alaska Occupational Injury Surveillance System. There were 876 aircraft crashes; 407 (46%) were work-related. Occupational crashes were 2.2 times (CI: 1.5, 3.2) more likely to result in fatalities than non-occupational crashes. Risk factors identified included poor weather conditions defined as Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC). A crash during IMC was 5.3 times (CI: 3.5, 7.9) more likely to result in fatalities than crashes in other conditions. Of aircraft involved in fatal occupational incidents, 33% were not completely destroyed, allowing the potential for survivors. An estimated 30% reduction in fatalities could have occurred if current technology in occupant protection had been used.     

Flow cytometric assay of modulation of P-glycoprotein function in whole blood by the multidrug resistance inhibitor GG918

Galactose-1-phosphate uridyl transferase (GALT) deficiency causes classical galactosemia in humans. Mice deficient in this enzyme were created by gene targeting. GALT-deficient mice develop biochemical features similar to those seen in humans with GALT deficiency, but fail to develop the pattern of acute toxicity seen in newborns with classical galactosemia. This study suggests that alternative routes of galactose metabolism are important in the pathogenesis of galactosemia.     

Effects of inconsistencies in eyewitness testimony on mock-juror decision making.

In attempting to impeach an eyewitness, attorneys often highlight inconsistencies in the eyewitness's recall. This study examined the differential impact of types of inconsistent testimony on mock juror decisions. Participants viewed 1 of 4 versions of a videotaped trial in which the primary evidence against the defendant was the testimony of the eyewitness. The types of inconsistent statements given by the eyewitness in the 4 versions were manipulated: (a) consistent testimony, (b) information given on the stand but not during the pretrial investigation, (c) contradictions between on-the-stand and pretrial statements, and (d) contradictions made on the stand. Participants exposed to any form of inconsistent testimony were less likely to convict and found the defendant less culpable and the eyewitness less effective. These effects were larger for contradictions than for information given on the stand but not during pretrial investigations. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Multirater feedback and conditions for change.

Discusses the use of multirater feedback (feedback from peers and subordinates) rather than manager feedback for appraisal purposes in the workplace. The author argues that using multirater feedback for administrative purposes ignores basic principles from the counseling and stress literature about how people change, invites rater inflation and poor data, and is naive to organizational issues of hierarchy, status, and power. The trend toward using multirater feedback is discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A survey of tourist operator attitudes to renewable energy supply in Queensland, Australia

The results of a survey describing the attitude to renewable energy supply (RES) amongst tourism accommodation providers in Queensland, Australia, are presented. A 65% response rate was achieved. Results showed that 9.2% of respondents had some form of RES, and that the majority of operators were interested in RES but mixed in opinions as to its marketing value for their operation. Tourist operators believed their industry is resistant to RES implementation due to reservations regarding RES power supply limitations, reliability and economic viability. Possession of a RES by the respondent did not affect this attitude. Analysis of variation in response with geographical position revealed a coastal versus interior difference. Likewise, a breakdown of responses according to accommodation type indicated that accommodation size had a significant bearing on operator opinion. Higher proportions of respondents from large operations such as large hotels and self-catering accommodation returned affirmative responses regarding RES marketing capabilities and confidence in RES than the smaller operations, which included small hotels, stations and villas/cabins.     

Development and qualitative assessment of the GAME(Cycle) exercise system.

Increased physical activity is important for reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. However, among people with disabilities, inactivity is prevalent. In order to encourage exercise among members of this group, an exercise system combining arm ergometry with video gaming, called the GAME(Cycle) was previously developed. User input was received through an arm crank ergometer on a swivel, with the angular velocity of the ergometer resistance wheel controlling one axis and rotation of ergometer about the swivel controlling the other. The purpose of this study was to detail the algorithms used in this device and present novel features included in a second generation of the GAME(Cycle). The features include a wheel on base, a steering return mechanism, and wireless fire buttons. A focus group of clinicians (n = 8), wheelchair users (n = 8), and clinician wheelchair users (n = 2) was conducted to evaluate the features of the GAME(Cycle). The focus group suggested improvements to the steering mechanism and to reduce vibration in the system. However, the focus group enjoyed the GAME(Cycle) and felt that it would encourage exercise among persons with disabilities.     

40-GHz polymer electrooptic phase modulators

A broad-band high-frequency traveling wave electrooptic phase modulator made from stable nonlinear optical polymers has been tested. Using a 1.319-μm light source, single-mode operation was achieved with high-input optical power, resulting in improved modulation depths and signal-to-noise ratios. The high-frequency optical modulation was observed up to 40 GHz using external microwave mixers. Direct optical-heterodyne detection of electrooptic phase modulation has also been demonstrated with high sensitivity at 40 GHz. The devices were tested with 10⁵ W/cm² power density for 21 hours, and have showed no observable decay in nonlinearity