This study is concerned with the finite, large strain deformation behavior of polymeric glasses. True stress–strain curves in uniaxial compression obtained for five different polymeric glasses: ...polycarbonate, polystyrene, poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide), and linear and cross-linked poly(methylmethacrylate), revealed a strain-hardening response during plastic deformation that is strain-rate dependent and deviates from neo-Hookean behavior. An empirical modification of the so-called compressible Leonov model by a strain dependent activation volume is suggested, which describes the strain-rate dependent large strain behavior of these glassy polymers in good agreement with experimental data.
In the quest for building long-term successful brands, many marketers have become increasingly interested in how to create and foster successful communities of brand users. The appeal of such an ...approach to relationship marketing lies in the recognition that members of brand communities tend to exhibit favorable brand-related behaviors and intentions. Research examining the social influence and creation of such social relationships among admirers of a brand has revealed substantial insights about the social processes that underlie customers' involvement in brand communities. Curiously, the psychological underpinnings of a customer's perception of community with other users of the brand remain unexplored. We offer the perspective that the observable, core components of brand community outlined in previous research may represent markers of social brand communities, while psychological brand communities may be characterized by an unobservable, psychological sense of community that could precede, or even work in lieu of, social interaction.
Survival of influenza virus on human fingers Thomas, Y.; Boquete-Suter, P.; Koch, D. ...
Clinical microbiology and infection,
January 2014, 2014-Jan, 2014-01-00, 20140101, Letnik:
20, Številka:
1
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
Indirect transmission of the influenza virus via finger contamination with respiratory mucus droplets has been hypothesized to contribute to transmission in the community. Under laboratory ...conditions, influenza-infected respiratory droplets were reconstituted as close as possible to natural conditions. We investigated experimentally the survival of influenza A (H3N2) and A (H1N1)pdm09 viruses on human fingers. Infectious virus was easily recoverable on all fingers 1 min after fingertip contamination but then decreased very rapidly. After 30 min, infectious virus was detectable in only a small minority of subjects. Infectious viruses were detected for a longer period of time when droplets of larger size containing a higher number of particles were tested or when the viral concentration increased. A rapid decrease in infectiousness was observed when droplet integrity was disrupted. Our findings could help to set up the promotion of hand hygiene to prevent influenza hand contamination.
Validated measures capable of demonstrating meaningful interventional change in the CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD) are lacking. The study objective was to modify the Rett Syndrome Gross Motor Scale ...(RSGMS) and evaluate its psychometric properties for individuals with CDD.
Item and scoring categories of the RSGMS were modified. Caregivers registered with the International CDKL5 Clinical Research Network uploaded motor videos filmed at home to a protected server and completed a feedback questionnaire (n = 70). Rasch (n = 137), known groups (n = 109), and intra- and inter-rater reliability analyses (n = 50) were conducted.
The age of individuals with CDD ranged from 1.5 to 34.1 years. The modified scale, Gross Motor-Complex Disability (GM-CD), comprised 17 items. There were no floor or ceiling effects and inter- and intra-rater reliability were good. Rasch analysis demonstrated that the items encompassed a large range of performance difficulty, although there was some item redundancy and some disordered categories. One item, Prone Head Position, was a poor fit. Caregiver-reported acceptability was positive. Scores differed by age and functional abilities.
GM-CD appears to be a suitable remotely administered measure and psychometrically sound for individuals with CDD. This study provides the foundation to propose the use of GM-CD in CDD clinical trials. Longitudinal evaluation is planned.
•Development of a 17-item gross motor scale for complex disability (GM-CD).•GM-CD demonstrated good psychometric properties for CDD.•Psychometric analyses enabled refinement and diagnostic item-level data.•First to collect gross motor video data in CDD for objective scoring.•Supportive evidence of GM-CD use in future clinical trials for CDD.
Despite the national and international policy commitment to implement integrated health systems, there is an absence of national standards that support evidence-based design, implementation, and ...monitoring for improvement. Health Standards Organization (HSO)'s CAN/HSO 76000:2021 -
(IPCHS) National Standard of Canada (NSC) has been developed to help close this gap. This manuscript outlines the policy context and the process taken to develop the IPCHS standard.
The IPCHS standard is built around 10 design principles with detailed, action-oriented criteria and guidance for policy makers and health system partners. The IPCHS standard was co-designed with a technical committee that included balanced representation of policy makers, health system decision-makers, Indigenous leaders, providers, patients, caregivers, and academics. Additional feedback was received from a diverse audience during two public review periods and targeted consultation via interviews. This qualitative feedback, combined with the evidence reviews completed by the technical committee, informed the final content of the IPCHS standard.
The IPCHS standard was developed through a co-design process and complements existing frameworks by providing 66 detailed, action-oriented criteria, with specific guidance. The co-design process and consultations resulted in increased awareness and capacity among policy makers and health system partners. Supplementary tools are also in development to facilitate implementation and monitoring of progress and outcomes. This manuscript was developed in collaboration with technical committee members and HSO staff who led the targeted consultation and adoption of the IPCHS standard in six integrated care networks.
Implementing integration strategies requires that we create and sustain a culture of continuous improvement and learning. Key lessons from the development process focused on the importance of co-design, embedding people-centred practices throughout the standard, formal yet iterative methodology inclusive of broad consultation, clear accountability for both policy makers and system partners, tools that support action and can be adapted to local context and level of integrated system maturity.
A new mircoelectrochemical method was applied to perform potentiodynamic polarisation experiments on areas in the range of 10 μm. For the first time, the individual corrosion behaviour of both single ...phases in super duplex stainless steels was determined. The results show a good correlation with the empirical pitting resistance equivalent number (PREN) of the corresponding single phase. The microelectrochemical experiments have revealed two different kinds of interactions between the ferrite and the austenite phase at the phase boundary, namely a superposition or a separation of the two polarisation curves of the single phases.
Potentiodynamic polarisation of large areas with representative amounts of both phases are performed in hydrochloric acid electrolyte in order to compare the corrosion behaviour of the single phases with the corrosion behaviour of the entire alloy. Both, the pitting potentials, evaluated by means of macroelectrochemical experiments in pH-neutral lithium chloride electrolyte, and the critical crevice corrosion temperatures show a good correlation with the PREN of the weaker phase. Part I of this paper deals primarily with solution annealed materials. Solution annealing of the samples was performed at temperatures where minimal amounts of precipitates were formed and where the element partitioning determines the corrosion resistance of the single phases. Part II deals with the influence of precipitations on the corrosion behaviour.
How do consumers react to various color, lighting, and price point combinations? The results described in this article depict varying consumer reactions with the three-way congruence between a ...store's environmental cues, consumers' cognitive categories representing known store types, and salient situational shopping motivations. For fashion-oriented stores, blue interiors are associated with more favorable evaluations, marginally greater excitement, higher store patronage intentions, and higher purchase intentions than are orange interiors. However, the results change substantially when the effect of lighting in combination with color is considered. The use of soft lights with an orange interior generally nullifies the ill effects of orange and produces the highest level of perceived price fairness while controlling for price. Additionally, the results suggest that the effects of environmental and price cues are mediated by consumers' cognitive and affective associations.
CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD) is a rare developmental and epileptic encephalopathy. Ganaxolone, a neuroactive steroid, reduces the frequency of major motor seizures in children with CDD. This ...analysis explored the effect of ganaxolone on non-seizure outcomes. Children (2–19 years) with genetically confirmed CDD and ≥ 16 major motor seizures per month were enrolled in a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial. Ganaxolone or placebo was administered three times daily for 17 weeks. Behaviour was measured with the Anxiety, Depression and Mood Scale (ADAMS), daytime sleepiness with the Child Health Sleep Questionnaire, and quality of life with the Quality of Life Inventory-Disability (QI-Disability) scale. Scores were compared using ANOVA, adjusted for age, sex, number of anti-seizure mediations, baseline 28-day major motor seizure frequency, baseline developmental skills, and behaviour, sleep or quality of life scores. 101 children with CDD (39 clinical sites, 8 countries) were randomized. Median (IQR) age was 6 (3–10) years, 79.2 % were female, and 50 received ganaxolone. After 17 weeks of treatment, Manic/Hyperactive scores (mean difference 1.27, 95%CI –2.38,-0.16) and Compulsive Behaviour scores (mean difference 0.58, 95%CI -1.14,-0.01) were lower (improved) in the ganaxolone group compared with the placebo group. Daytime sleepiness scores were similar between groups. The total change in QOL score for children in the ganaxolone group was 2.6 points (95%CI -1.74,7.02) higher (improved) than in the placebo group but without statistical significance. Along with better seizure control, children who received ganaxolone had improved behavioural scores in select domains compared to placebo.
•Ganaxolone is a new anti-seizure medication for CDKL5 deficiency disorder.•Compared to the placebo group, children receiving ganaxolone had less hyperactive and compulsive behaviours.-There were nonsignificant, mild improvements in quality of life in the ganaxolone group.-Daytime sleepiness was similar in the placebo and ganaxolone groups.
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