Determinants of ultrafine particles,black carbon,nitrogen dioxide,and carbon monoxide concentrations inside vehicles in the Paris area: PUF-TAXI study

This study presents real-time concentrations of traffic-related air pollutants during 499 trips conducted by 50 Parisian taxi drivers from PUF-TAXI project. Ultrafine particles (UFP), black carbon (BC), and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂)/carbon monoxide (CO) were measured inside vehicles by Diffusion Size Classifier Miniature^®, microAeth^®, and Gas-Pro^®, respectively, for nine hours. Vehicle/trip data characteristics were collected by questionnaires and on ambient conditions by monitoring stations. The associations between pollutant levels and their potential determinants were analyzed using generalized estimating equation model. Determinants of in-vehicle pollutants levels were identified: (1) ambient factors (meteorology and ambient pollution)—affecting BC, NO_2, and CO; (2) vehicle characteristics—affecting all pollutants; and (3) trip-related driving habits—affecting UFP, BC, and CO. We highlight that commuters can, therefore, avoid high in-vehicle air pollutant concentrations mainly by (1) closing windows and activating air-conditioning under air recirculation mode in congested traffic; (2) smooth driving; and (3) maintaining cabin air filters.     

Towards an efficient failure detection in MANETs

Mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs) are characterized by a dynamic topology and generally deployed in a hostile environment with limited resources. As a result, the nodes are more vulnerable and are often subject to failures. Therefore, the design of an efficient failure detector in MANETs is a very challenging issue as the detection is proved to be unreliable. Such an achievement amounts to balance between the performances of the accuracy, the completeness and the resource consumption. We present and discuss in this paper a solution for an efficient failure detection in MANETs. This new protocol, called efficient failure detection for MANETs, exploits different mechanisms to improve the completeness and the accuracy of the detection while reducing the traffic overhead. The number of used timers are limited to two for each node thus reducing the complexity of the algorithm. The simulations performed on NS2 platform show the efficiency of efficient failure detection for MANETs comparing with other protocols. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Microstructured ZnO coatings combined with antireflective layers for light management in photovoltaic devices

We describe microstructured ZnO coatings that improve photovoltaic (PV) device performance through their antireflective properties and their tendency to scatter incoming light at large angles. In many PV devices, reflection from the transparent conductive top contact significantly degrades performance. Traditional quarter‐wave antireflective (AR) coatings reduce surface reflection but perform optimally for only a narrow spectral range and incident illumination angle. Furthermore, in some types of devices, absorption far from the junction increases the rate of recombination, and light management strategies are required to remedy this. The randomly patterned, microstructured ZnO coatings described in this paper, formed via a simple wet etch process, serve as both an AR layer with superior performance to that of a thin film AR coating alone as well as a large angle forward scatterer. We model formation of the coatings and evaluate their AR properties. When combined with a traditional quarter‐wave MgF₂ coating, these microstructured ZnO coatings increase short circuit currents of example Cu(In,Ga)Se₂ (CIGS) devices by over 20% in comparison to those of uncoated devices at normal incidence. A similar improvement is observed for illumination angles of up to 60°. While demonstrated here for CIGS, these structures may prove useful for other PV technologies as well. Published 2016. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA. Progress in Photovoltaics: Research and Applications Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.     

The Role of Dietary Advanced Glycation End Products in Metabolic Dysfunction

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are a heterogeneous group of molecules produced, non‐enzymatically, from the interaction between reducing sugars and the free amino groups of proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids. AGEs are formed as a normal consequence of metabolism but can also be absorbed from the diet. They have been widely implicated in the complications of diabetes affecting cardiovascular health, the nervous system, eyes, and kidneys. Increased levels of AGEs are also detrimental to metabolic health and may contribute to the metabolic abnormalities induced by the Western diet, which is high in processed foods and represents a significant source of AGEs. While increased AGE levels are a consequence of diabetic hyperglycaemia, AGEs themselves activate signaling pathways, which compromise insulin signaling and pancreatic β‐cell function, thus, contributing to the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Furthermore, AGEs may also contribute to the obesogenic effects of the Western diet by promoting hypothalamic inflammation and disrupting the central control of energy balance. Here, the role of dietary AGEs in metabolic dysfunction is reviewed with a focus on the mechanisms underpinning their detrimental role in insulin resistance, pancreatic β‐cell dysfunction, hypothalamic control of energy balance, and the pathogenesis of T2DM and obesity.     

The times they are a-changin'

Change is the one constant in a constantly changing world, including the world of dietetic practice. Over a 40-year career, I have witnessed and participated in many such changes. Key lessons from my early career with Manitoba Agriculture and Manitoba Health include an understanding of the power of teamwork, of the importance of communication skills, of the need for shared knowledge and expertise, and of ways to connect nutrition messages with food and eating. Later, my work as director of education in a family medicine residency program taught me the value of building a portfolio of knowledge and skills and of working with families. Similarly, my work with the Organization for Cooperation in Overseas Development led me to appreciate the need for cultural sensitivity in our work. Opportunities with Dietitians of Canada have shown me that future directions must include continued interdisciplinary development of policy and position papers. Other important challenges include determining issues relevant to various areas of dietetic practice, working to achieve Vision 2020 goals, and inspiring and nurturing new leadership among younger Dietitians of Canada members.     

Concentrations and fluxes of salmon-derived polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in lake sediments

Fourteen sediment cores were collected from 10 lakes spanning a large gradient of sockeye salmon returns (0-40 000 spawners km(-2)) in Alaska and British Columbia in 1995-98 and 2002/03. The cores were analyzed for 210Pb to determine sedimentation rates and focusing factors. Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCBs) concentrations in the surface sediments (0-2 cm) were highly correlated with the number of sockeye salmon returns to each nursery lake. For 2002/03, the correlation between PCB concentration and number of salmon spawners was best with no correction factors applied, but decreased considerably when corrected for sedimentation rates, and was improved again by correcting for sediment focusing. Although sigmaPCB concentrations were similar in 1995-98 and 2002/03, the congener patterns varied. Because salmon are the dominant source of PCBs for most of these lakes, variation in sediment congener pattern likely derives from variation in congener patterns carried by the salmon. Overall, total PCB input by salmon has remained relatively constant since 1995. Unlike temperate Great Lakes contaminant studies, the North American west-coast lakes dominated by salmon bio-transport showed no sign of recent decrease in PCBs.     

Survival of Campylobacter jejuni on beef and pork under vacuum packaged and retail storage conditions: examination of the role of natural meat microflora on C. jejuni survival

The ability of Campylobacter jejuni ATCC 11168 to survive on beef and pork stored under chilled, vacuum packaged and retail display conditions were examined. In addition, the effect of natural microflora on commercial beef and pork on the survival of C. jejuni under these storage conditions was examined. When sterile cores of beef and pork were inoculated with ∼10⁵ to 10⁶ cfu cm⁻²C. jejuni, and were stored under aerobic or vacuum packaged conditions at −1.5 or 4 °C, its numbers dropped significantly and C. jejuni could not be enumerated by direct plating after 21 d of the 6 wks study. In contrast, survival of C. jejuni on commercial vacuum packaged beef and pork was significantly enhanced, resulting in only 1 log cfu cm⁻² reduction at the end of 6 wks. During 7 d of display in a retail case, numbers of C. jejuni dropped quickly, but could be enumerated by direct plating even after the 7 d. The presence of high numbers of inoculated C. jejuni on beef and pork had no significant effect on the natural microflora numbers compared to uninoculated controls when the meat was stored either in vacuum or in a retail display case. These results show that natural microflora on vacuum packaged meat afford enhanced survival of C. jejuni present on the surfaces of both beef and pork when stored at refrigeration temperatures. Hence, strict hygienic practices or the implementation of decontamination technologies are recommended to ensure safety of meat with respect to this pathogen.     

Negative outcomes: What is the evidence on self-administered treatments?

D. C. Mohr (see record 1995-30134-001) suggested that high deterioration rates may occur in self-directed treatments. The investigators examined data from 5 studies of self-administered treatment for depression and found in contrast much lower rates (9% vs. 19%) than those cited in Mohr's review. The negative response rates for the self-administered treatments compared favorably with the negative response rates in the therapist-administered treatments provided in the National Institute of Mental Health Treatment of Depression Collaborative Research Program. The findings indicate that it may be the manner in which participants are prepared for self-administered treatment that is critical. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)