Fit Kids Rock: The Campaign against Childhood Obesity in a Valparaiso Elementary School

The Bateman Team’s topic was childhood obesity, a well-known, yet hidden issue. Before beginning the campaign, it was necessary to research the target audiences and the most effective ways to reach them. The Bateman Team chose to address elementary school third graders (about 70 students) and their faculty. Research showed that the best ways to communicate with the 8-9 year olds was through interactive activities and guidance. As a team, we coordinated with the school’s administration to implement the plan for a set time during the school day. The third graders were separated into two sections (35 students each) to attend our event. The elementary students proceeded to seven stations which engaged their knowledge on obesity, making healthy choices, and learning about the importance of exercise. Based on our evaluation of the children’s reactions to the stations, their enthusiasm, and overall engagement, we concluded that they did enjoy the events and left with a better understanding of childhood obesity. The Bateman Team assessed that 90 percent of the students will make healthier choices and implement the knowledge provided to them

On the numerical modeling of deformations of pressurized martensitic thin films

We propose, analyze, and compare several numerical methods for the computation of the deformation of a pressurized martensitic thin film. Numerical results have been obtained for the hysteresis of the deformation as the film transforms reversibly from austenite to martensite

Turbulent channel flow near maximum drag reduction: simulations, experiments and mechanisms

It is well known that the drag in a turbulent flow of a polymer solution is significantly reduced compared to Newtonian flow. Here we consider this phenomenon by means of a direct numerical simulation of a turbulent channel flow. The polymers are modelled as elastic dumbbells using the FENE-P model. In the computations the polymer model is solved simultaneously with the flow equations, i.e. the polymers are deformed by the flow and in their turn influence the flow structures by exerting a polymer stress. We have studied the results of varying the polymer parameters, such as the maximum extension, the elasticity and the concentration. For the case of highly extensible polymers the results of our simulations are very close to the maximum drag reduction or Virk (1975) asymptote. Our simulation results show that at approximately maximum drag reduction the slope of the mean velocity profile is increased compared to the standard logarithmic profile in turbulent wall flows. For the r.m.s. of the streamwise velocity fluctuations we find initially an increase in magnitude which near maximum drag reduction changes to a decrease. For the velocity fluctuations in the spanwise and wall-normal directions we find a continuous decrease as a function of drag reduction. The Reynolds shear stress is strongly reduced, especially near the wall, and this is compensated by a polymer stress, which at maximum drag reduction amounts to about 40% of the total stress. These results have been compared with LDV experiments of Ptasinski et al. (2001) and the agreement, both qualitatively and quantitatively, is in most cases very good. In addition we have performed an analysis of the turbulent kinetic energy budgets. The main result is a reduction of energy transfer from the streamwise direction, where the production of turbulent kinetic energy takes place, to the other directions. A substantial part of the energy production by the mean flow is transferred directly into elastic energy of the polymers. The turbulent velocity fluctuations also contribute energy to the polymers. The elastic energy of the polymers is subsequently dissipated by polymer relaxation. We have also computed the various contributions to the pressure fluctuations and identified how these change as a function of drag reduction. Finally, we discuss some cross-correlations and various length scales. These simulation results are explained here by two mechanisms. First, as suggested by Lumley (1969) the polymers damp the cross-stream or wall-normal velocity fluctuations and suppress the bursting in the buffer layer. Secondly, the ‘shear sheltering’ mechanism acts to amplify the streamwise fluctuations in the thickened buffer layer, while reducing and decoupling the motions within and above this layer. The expression for the substantial reduction in the wall drag derived by considering the long time scales of the nonlinear fluctuations of this damped shear layer, is shown to be consistent with the experimental data of Virk et al. (1967) and Virk (1975)

Combination of PCR targeting the VD2 of omp1 and reverse line blot analysis for typing of urogenital Chlamydia trachomatis serovars in cervical scrape specimens.

50% contained both serovars D and E. The nested VD2 PCR-RLB developed is a simple, fast, and specific method for the identification of individual urogenital C. trachomatis serovars previously detected by using plasmid PCR. Moreover, it is an appropriate method for studying multiple C. trachomatis infections and for use in large epidemiological studies

MapSense: multi-sensory interactive maps for children living with visual impairments

We report on the design process leading to the creation of MapSense, a multi-sensory interactive map for visually impaired children. We conducted a formative study in a specialized institute to understand children’s educational needs, their context of care and their preferences regarding interactive technologies. The findings (1) outline the needs for tools and methods to help children to acquire spatial skills and (2) provide four design guidelines for educational assistive technologies. Based on these findings and an iterative process, we designed and deployed MapSense in the institute during two days. It enables collaborations between children with a broad range of impairments, proposes reflective and ludic scenarios and allows caretakers to customize it as they wish. A field experiment reveals that both children and caretakers considered the system successful and empowering

Activity of the EBNA1 promoter associated with lytic replication (Fp) in Epstein-Barr virus associated disorders

Background/Aims - In Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) positive cell lines that are stably infected, three different promoters are known to direct the transcription of EBV nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA1). These are located in the BamHI-C, BamHI-Q, and BamHI-F regions of the viral genome (Cp, Qp, and Fp, respectively). Fp is activated upon induction of the viral lytic cycle. The aim of this study was to investigate the activity of Fp in EBV associated diseases. Methods - Using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, a qualitative analysis of EBNA1 promoter usage in various EBV associated diseases was performed. Results - Fp driven transcription was detected in the context of primary infection and/or lytic replication; at least a portion of the Fp driven transcripts encoded EBNA1. Qp driven EBNA1 transcripts were detected in most samples across the range of disorders tested. Cp driven EBNA1 transcripts were detected in the context of immune suppression and in samples containing EBV positive (nonneoplastic) lymphoid cells. Conclusions - These results confirm the previously proposed housekeeping function of the Qp promoter.published_or_final_versio

Atrial fibrillation management strategies in routine clinical practice: insights from the International RealiseAF Survey

Atrial fibrillation (AF) can be managed with rhythm- or rate-control strategies. There are few data from routine clinical practice on the frequency with which each strategy is used and their correlates in terms of patients' clinical characteristics, AF control, and symptom burden.RealiseAF was an international, cross-sectional, observational survey of 11,198 patients with AF. The aim of this analysis was to describe patient profiles and symptoms according to the AF management strategy used. A multivariate logistic regression identified factors associated with AF management strategy at the end of the visit.Among 10,497 eligible patients, 53.7% used a rate-control strategy, compared with 34.5% who used a rhythm-control strategy. In 11.8% of patients, no clear strategy was stated. The proportion of patients with AF-related symptoms (EHRA Class > = II) was 78.1% (n = 4396/5630) for those using a rate-control strategy vs. 67.8% for those using a rhythm-control strategy (p = II.In the RealiseAF routine clinical practice survey, rate control was more commonly used than rhythm control, and a change in strategy was uncommon, even in symptomatic patients. In almost 12% of patients, no clear strategy was stated. Physician awareness regarding optimal management strategies for AF may be improved