History of depression and smoking cessation outcome: A meta-analysis.

The authors conducted a meta-analysis of published studies to (a) evaluate the premise that a history of major depression is associated with failure to quit smoking and (b) identify factors that moderate the relationship between history of depression and cessation outcome. Fifteen studies met the selection requirements and were coded for various study methodology and treatment characteristics. DSTAT was used to calculate individual study effect sizes, determine the mean effect size across studies. and test for moderator effects. No differences in either short-term (≤ 3 months) or long-term abstinence rates (≥ 6 months) were observed between smokers positive versus negative for history of depression. Lifetime history of major depression does not appear to be an independent risk factor for cessation failure in smoking cessation treatment. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Technology roles and paths of influence in an ecosystem model of technology evolution

We propose a new conceptual model for understanding technology evolution that highlights dynamic and highly interdependent relationships among multiple technologies. We argue that, instead of considering technologies in isolation, technology evolution is best viewed as a dynamic system or ecosystem that includes a variety of interrelated technologies. By considering the interdependent nature of technology evolution, we identify three roles that technologies play within a technology ecosystem. These roles are components, products and applications, and support and infrastructure. Technologies within an ecosystem interact through these roles and impact each others’ evolution. We also classify types of interactions between technology roles, which we term paths of influence. We demonstrate the use of our proposed model through examples of wireless networking (Wi-Fi) technologies and a business mini-case on the digital music industry.

Estimation of ambient temperature impact on vertical dynamic behaviour of passenger rail vehicle with damaged wheels

Maintenance and repair specialists of rolling stock face the problem related to accurate and reliable assessment of the vibrations of the car body of passenger rail vehicle, caused by wheel damage, and its impact on passengers. Another important aspect is to deter-mine the permissible speed at which the passenger car with wheel damage could move to the nearest station or depot without badly damaging the rails. The purpose of this research is to examine the dynamic processes of the interaction of the passenger car chassis with the railway track using a newly developed mathematical models called the “Passenger Car - Track” system. During the simulation, the dynamic characteristics of the track, bogies and car body in different season temperature were estimated. The validation of theoretical results was obtained based on the field tests of the test train as well as the results of measurements of changes in track stiffness temperatures. Finally, conclusions and suggestions are presented.     

miRNome Profiling and Functional Analysis Reveal Involvement of hsa-miR-1246 in Colon Adenoma-Carcinoma Transition by Targeting AXIN2 and CFTR

Regulatory changes occurring early in colorectal cancer development remain poorly investigated. Since the majority of cases develop from polyps in the adenoma-carcinoma transition, a search of early molecular features, such as aberrations in miRNA expression occurring prior to cancer development, would enable identification of potentially causal, rather than consequential, candidates in the progression of polyp to cancer. In the current study, by employing small RNA-seq profiling of colon biopsy samples, we described differentially expressed miRNAs and their isoforms in the adenoma-carcinoma transition. Analysis of healthy-adenoma-carcinoma sequence in an independent validation group enabled us to identify early deregulated miRNAs including hsa-miR-1246 and hsa-miR-215-5p, the expressions of which are, respectively, gradually increasing and decreasing. Loss-of-function experiments revealed that inhibition of hsa-miR-1246 lead to reduced cell viability, colony formation, and migration rate, thereby indicating an oncogenic effect of this miRNA in vitro. Subsequent western blot and luciferase reporter assay provided evidence of hsa-miR-1246 being involved in the regulation of target AXIN2 and CFTR genes’ expression. To conclude, the present study revealed possible involvement of hsa-miR-1246 in early colorectal cancer development and regulation of tumor suppressors AXIN2 and CFTR.     

Neutronic characterization of the MEGAPIE target

The MEGAPIE project aimed to design, build and operate a liquid metal spallation neutron target of about 1 MW beam power in the SINQ facility at the Paul Scherrer Institut (Villigen, Switzerland). This project is an important step in the roadmap towards the demonstration of the accelerator driven system (ADS) concept and high power liquid metal targets in general. Following the design phase, an experimental program was defined to provide a complete characterization of the facility by performing a “mapping” of the neutron flux at different points, from the center of the target to the beam lines. The neutronic performance of the target was studied using different experimental techniques with the goals of validating the Monte Carlo codes used in the design of the target; additionally, the performance was compared with the solid lead targets used before and after the MEGAPIE experiment.     

Design and Collection Efficiency of a New Electrostatic Precipitator for Bioaerosol Collection

We have developed and tested a new bioaerosol sampler in which airborne microorganisms are collected by electrostatic means. In this sampler, 2 ionizers charge the incoming particles if they carry insufficient electric charge for efficient collection. The organisms are then subjected to a precipitating electric field and are collected onto 2 square agar plates positioned along the flow axis. Tests with nonbiological NaCl particles versus B. subtilis var. niger (BG) spores and vegetative cells have shown that airborne microorganisms are collected more efficiently than nonbiological particles, even when the microorganisms have first passed through an electric charge neutralizer with no additional charging applied. The difference was attributed to the natural charges contained in cell membranes or spore coats of the microorganisms. Charge-neutralized BG spores and vegetative cells were collected at 4 L/min with efficiencies close to 80%, depending on the precipitation voltage, versus 50-60% for NaCl test particles. When incoming BG spores were charged with positive ions and then collected by a precipitating voltage of + 1,300 V, about 80% of the incoming spores were collected and more than 70% of incoming spores formed colonies. These experiments with BG spores have also indicated that there were no significant particle losses inside the sampler. The collection efficiency of biological and nonbiological particles increased to 90-100% when the particles were externally charged and the precipitating voltage was increased to more than - 4,000 V. It has also been shown that the aerosolized BG spores (used as anthrax simulants for bioaerosol sensors) carry a net negative electric charge. Thus the collection efficiency depends on the polarity of the electric field applied across the agar plates. These findings indicate that the collection of airborne microorganisms is possible by electrostatic precipitation without prior electric charging if the microorganisms already carry electric charges. These are usually high immediately after their release into the air.     

A comparative Raman spectroelectrochemical study of selected polyaniline derivatives in a pH-neutral solution

Selected conducting polymers (polyaniline and poly-N-methylaniline), and copolymers of aniline with o-, m-, and p-phenylenediamines, as well as with metanilic acid, have been electropolymerized at a gold electrode, and studied with Raman spectroscopy (532 nm excitation) in a pH-neutral solution. Characteristic Raman features have been obtained and analysed for (co)polymers within electrode potential range of ?0.4 to 0.2 V vs. Ag/AgCl. Changes in Raman spectra depending on electrode potential have been analysed and assigned to different redox forms of (co)polymers. It has been shown that both oxidised and reduced forms of (co)polymers can exist, depending on electrode potential, even in a pH-neutral solution, where most of the polymers studied show no clearly defined electrochemical redox processes.     

Smoking cues decrease prepulse inhibition of the startle response and increase subjective craving in humans.

The present study investigated whether exposure to smoking cues would attenuate prepulse inhibition (PPI) of the startle reflex and increase craving among smokers across 2 experimental sessions. It was hypothesized that exposure to smoking cues would result in a decrease in PPI. Twenty-six smokers were exposed to smoking cues and control cues in 2 experimental sessions 1 week apart. Results indicate that smoking cues reliably attenuated PPI in both the 1st and 2nd sessions as compared with control cues. Findings also suggest that smoking cues reliably increased craving, increased negative affect, and reduced positive affect relative to baseline measures in both sessions. Results are consistent with the premise that exposure to smoking cues precipitates increases in dopamine activation or changes in information processing that cause a disruption of PPI. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Influences of gender and weight gain on short-term relapse to smoking in a cessation trial.

Few researchers have studied whether weight gain has an impact on short-term relapse to smoking. The authors of this study investigated predictors of relapse among 989 participants (60% women) in a randomized, double-blind, 10-week multicenter trial to determine the effect of fluoxetine (30 or 60 mg) versus placebo in combination with behavioral counseling for smoking cessation. Medication compliance and smoking status were biochemically verified. At Visit 2, participants were asked to set a quit date within the subsequent 2 visits. A proportional hazards regression model was used to predict risk of relapse within the first 3 months of quitting. Weight gain predicted relapse, but for men only. Female gender also predicted relapse. The results led the authors to question whether postcessation weight gain interventions should be restricted to women smokers. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Differentiating stages of smoking intensity among adolescents: Stage-specific psychological and social influences.

Researchers' understanding of the impact of sociocultural and psychological factors on the various stages of adolescent smoking update is limited. Using national data, the authors examined transitions across smoking stages among adolescents (N=20,747) as a function of interpersonal, familial, and peer domains. Peer smoking was particularly influential on differentiating regular smoking, whereas alcohol use was most influential on earlier smoking. Although significant, depression and delinquency were attenuated in the context of other variables. Higher school grade was more likely to differentiate regular smoking from earlier smoking stages, whereas African American ethnicity and connectedness to school and family were protective of smoking initiation. Results lend support for an interactional approach to adolescent smoking, with implications for stage-matched prevention and intervention applications. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)