Sampling Sessions Research Articles

The influence of intra-personal variations in human hand odor on the determination of sample donor

A dual effort investigation was conducted to study (a) the naturally occurring variation in same-donor human hand odor samples over time and (b) the accuracy in associating same-donor human hand odor samples. Hand odor samples were collected from 8 donors throughout 5 sampling sessions; samples were collected in triplicate and analyzed by HS-SPME-GC-MS at each sampling session. The resulting human hand odor profiles were analyzed to investigate (a) the variability of human hand odor profiles as a function of time and (b) the ability to determine the source origin of human hand odor samples, determining samples to be from the same source or different sources. The researchers observed greater variation in 2-dimensional human scent profile patterning schemes among inter-day, inter-subject samples and less variation in inter-day, intra-subject samples. Although intra-subject samples revealed less variation than inter-subject samples, there was still notable variability among inter-day, intra-subject human scent profiles, with an observed time dependency. Two proof of concept models for the source determination of human hand odor samples were developed with maximum performance measuring TPR = 0.817/ FPR = 0.308 and TPR = 1.000/ FPR = 0.206 for models one and two, respectively. The study quantified same-donor human hand odor profile variation over time displayed within a larger goal of determining sample source origin.

Characterizing spatiotemporal variability in airborne heavy metal concentration: Changes after 18 Years in Baltimore, MD

IntroductionThis study investigates the impact of changes in local industry, urban development, and proximity to suspected emission sources on airborne metal concentration in Baltimore, Maryland between 2001 and 2019 with particular focus on the urban industrial community of Curtis Bay in South Baltimore. MethodsIntegrated PM2.5 and PM10 Harvard Impactors were set up at six locations in the Baltimore City metropolitan area in weeklong sampling sessions from January–July 2019 to assess variation in airborne metal concentration by proximity to suspected metal emission sources. PM2.5 and PM10 were collected on Teflo filters and analyzed for a panel of 12 metals and metalloids (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, and Zn) using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The findings were compared against airborne metal concentrations reported by the Baltimore Supersite in 2001 and 2003 to assess changes over the 18-year period. ResultsPM2.5 concentrations reported from this study ranged from 3.27 μg/m3 to 36.0 μg/m3 and PM10 concentrations ranged from 9.00 μg/m3 to 30.1 μg/m3 across all sampling sites. Metal concentrations ranged from 1.4 times (Cd) to 4.8 times (Cr) higher in PM10 compared to PM2.5. Compared to the study reference site, median PM2.5 concentrations of Co and Fe were roughly 1.8 times and 2.1 times higher, respectively, at near-road sampling sites indicating significant variability in airborne metal concentration by proximity to local traffic emissions. PM2.5 and PM10 Sb concentrations were 3.4 times and 6.7 times higher at a near incinerator site compared to the reference, consistent with existing evidence of Sb sourcing from municipal incinerators in Baltimore City. Decreases in Cr (−40%), Ni (−73%), Pb (−55%), and Zn (−36%) concentrations were observed over the 18-year period while concentrations of Cu, Fe, and Mn were not statistically significantly different. ConclusionDeclines in airborne Cr, Ni, Pb, and Zn concentration since 2001 appear to coincide with industrial decline highlighting the success of remediation and redevelopment efforts. Remaining spatial variability is related to vehicular traffic and proximity to a municipal incinerator which should be focal areas for future intervention to reduce metal exposure disparities in Baltimore City.

Energy saving in day-roosting female Myotis emarginatus during reproduction (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae)

From May to June 2012, we studied the behaviour of day-roosting reproductive female Geoffroy’s bats in a maternity roost in eastern Burgenland (Austria) which is under surveillance from 2011 till to date. By using a remote-controlled infrared-illuminated video camera, we conducted six weekly sessions of direct observation and instantaneous scan sampling, each lasting 16 hours. Based on a total of 384 sampling sessions, we quantified the amount of time adult females spent in the activities resting, alert, grooming and relocating during pregnancy and lactation. Ambient and roost temperatures were recorded hourly, the numbers of individuals returning to the roost in the mornings were registered constantly by using an infrared light barrier. Over the entire study period, all bats arriving in the maternity roost in the morning formed immediately a single huddling cluster. As a rule, this cluster was large, multilayered, three-dimensional and tight. It did not change in size and form until the onset of pre-emergence activities. It consisted of an interior part in which about 50% of all bats roosted and the periphery consisting of those bats which had not succeeded in entering the interior. Over the entire diurnal stay in the roost, resting – which causes the least energy output – was the predominant behaviour of all roost mates. Significant differences were found, however, in the amount of time allocated to some activities by bats occupying different positions in the cluster. While bats in the interior of the cluster spent the estimated 90–95% of the entire day-roosting period resting, bats on the periphery spent only 57–73% resting. The average percentage of time allocated by peripheral bats to grooming decreased from 27% in the first week to 19–13% in the following weeks of pregnancy and stayed at 16% during the two weeks of lactation. The mean percentages of being alert and of relocating ranged between 7–10% and 4–7%, respectively. During the last two weeks of pregnancy and the two weeks of lactation, roost temperatures, daily colony size and reproductive states did not influence the huddling behaviour significantly. However, activities performer in the first and second week were probably influenced by unrest due to colony formation after the return from hibernation (week 1) and by cold ambient temperatures during the week 2. Our study supports the hypothesis that the short duration and notable timing of reproduction typical for Myotis emarginatus (Spitzenberger & Weiss 2020) is achieved by maximal energy saving through continuous huddling in a large, three-dimensional, multilayered and tight cluster over both the entire day-roosting and entire reproductive period, differences in the behaviours of bats located in the interior and on the periphery of the cluster and lack of social interactions between roost mates.

Urbanization Negatively Affects the Species Composition of Native Ladybirds in Central Europe

We evaluated the differences in frequency (percentage of sampling sessions where the species was recorded) and abundance (mean number of individuals per 100 sweeps) of native species of ladybirds (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) in the center of Prague, Central Europe, and in its outskirts. Between 2016 and 2019, coccinellids were sampled on Tilia stands using a standardized sweeping method. Twenty-one species were identified in the total sample of 2,761 adults that were collected in 504 sampling sessions. Species richness was significantly higher in the outskirts than in the center, where seven species were absent and two species were found only once. In contrast, only five species were more abundant in the center than in the outskirts. Communities of native coccinellids were poorer in species, and most species were less abundant in the center than in the outskirts.

First Assessment of Nocturnal Lepidopteran Communities in the Forest Savannah Mosaic of the Plateaux Batéké, Southeastern Gabon

Lepidopterans are an important component of central African biodiversity. Indeed, they play an important role as plant pollinators, food source, bio-indicators, and even pests for local crops. However, almost nothing is known about these moths in central Africa, while they are being increasingly threatened by significant landscape changes due mainly to infrastructure constructions and climate change. So, the mosaic of forests and savannah in the Plateaux Batéké (southeastern Gabon) constitutes a unique opportunity to study how Lepidopteran communities might evolve along an ecological gradient with upcoming changes in forest cover in the region. A total of 2824 specimens, representing 14 distinct families or subfamilies, were sampled using light-trapping and sorted into morphospecies, while a subset of 95 samples was further investigated using both morphological and molecular methods. Community comparison of nocturnal Lepidopteran showed that there was a significant difference in terms of abundance only between sampling sessions. Indeed, this could be due to food availability between sampling sessions. In May and June in Gabon, most plants have flowers and fruits and moth families such as Geometridae and Sphingidae emerge at that time. The most represented family in our sampled specimens was the Geometridae, which prefers habitats with permanent river courses as is the case in our sampling area. However, a more comprehensive study using various trapping methods, during several seasonal cycles and with more replicates in each habitat type is needed for a better understanding of the community structure and ecological traits that characterize nocturnal Lepidopteran in the Plateaux Batéké of Gabon.

Sphingidae (Lepidoptera: Bombycoidea) assemblage in the State Ecological Station of Wenceslau Guimarães, Bahia, Brazil

The diversity of hawkmoths (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae) is poorly known in the biomes of the Bahia state. However, studies were carried out in other states of the northeastern region with species inventories in the Atlantic Forest, Caatinga and Cerrado. In order to bro aden the knowledge on of the richness and diversity of hawkmoths in the Atlantic Forest of the state of Bahia, six monthly sampling sessions were carried out in the State Ecological Station of Wenceslau Guimarães. Hawkmoths were captured using a 250-watt mercury-vapor light trap set against a white cloth panel, for two nights a month, between 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. A total of 266 specimens were collected, distributed across 17 genera and 41 species. The most abundant and dominant species were Isognathus swainsoni C. Felder, 1862, with a relative abundance of 12.41%, and Xylophanes amadis (Cramer, 1782) and Xylophanes anubus (Cramer, 1777), both with 7.9%. Our study represents the second inventory of hawkmoths for the state, totaling 59 species known for the Atlantic Forest of Bahia. Isognathus excelsior (Boisduval, [1875]) and Manduca lucetius (Cramer, 1780) represented new records for the biome. The accumulated number of species indicates the need for further sampling in order to safely reach the curve asymptote.

Virulence and antibiotic resistance of Klebsiella pneumoniae strains isolated from wastewater

Abstract Background Multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (Kp) strains are considered a global public health threat. The aim of the present study was to assess the occurrence of resistant and virulent Kp in Italian environmental wastewater, in order to evaluate the contribution of wastewater as reservoir of virulent and multidrug-resistant bacteria. Methods Forty samples of wastewater were collected in six sampling sessions from June to November 2018 in Central Italy and processed to detect Kp. All the presumptive Kp colonies isolated were identified by MALDI-TOF MS (Bruker Daltonics, Germany), then the genome sequences of all the confirmed Kp were obtained using Illumina Sequencing. Finally, characterization of virulence and resistance genes was performed in silico using the BIGSdb-Kp database provided by the Institut Pasteur (http://bigsdb.web.pasteur.fr). Results Kp was detected in 32 out of 40 samples (80%) and all strains were confirmed as Kp by MALDI-TOF MS. Genotyping analysis showed that besides the native bla-SHV, bla-LEN, bla-OKP genes linked to β-lactams resistance, gyr and par genes, involved in quinolone resistance, and no other resistance genes were detected. Regarding virulence, all strains carried the fimbriae encoding gene mrk, associated with adhesion and biofilm formation. The ferric aerobactin receptor iutA was harbored by 3 strains (9.4%). The siderophore Yersiniabactin locus (ybtS, ybtX, ybtQ, ybtP, ybtA, irp2 irp1, ybtU, ybtT, ybtE, fyuA), essential for iron scavenging, is carried by 7 out of 32 strains (21.9%). Conclusions Our results showed a high prevalence of Kp in wastewater that also harbored several resistance and virulence genes. These results make interesting to investigate more about wastewater as hot spots of enrichment, recombination, genetic exchange and selection of antibiotic resistant “super-bugs” that persisting and surviving in the environment could be a health risk for humans and animals. Key messages Wastewater could play a role as Klebsiella pneumoniae reservoir of virulence and resistance genes that can disseminate into wildlife and reach humans. It’s necessary a “one health” approach to deeply investigate about the presence of superbugs bacteria in the environment and the possible risks for human health.

Evaluasi Profil Sensori Abon Ikan Jenis Pelagis Besar Menggunakan Metode Rate-All-That-Apply (RATA)


 
 
 This research aims to determine the sensory profile of commercial shredded large pelagic fish based on consumer acceptance and the intensity of sensory attributes that determine consumer preference using the Rate All That Apply (RATA) method. Six shredded products that were used as samples were tested in one sampling session by 65 panelists. This research was designed to create a sensory profile using principal component analysis (PCA) and analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by the Duncan test, determining consumer preferences using Preference Mapping, and then making target market predictions using least square partial regression. The results showed that all products have similarities based on PCA but have different intensity based on ANOVA. The results of the preference mapping panelist analysis showed that Q products had the highest level of preference with the attributes favored by consumers such as sweet aroma and spices, fibrous and dry texture, and sweet taste.
 
 

Impact of Predator Exclusion and Habitat on Seroprevalence of New World Orthohantavirus Harbored by Two Sympatric Rodents within the Interior Atlantic Forest.

Understanding how perturbations to trophic interactions influence virus–host dynamics is essential in the face of ongoing biodiversity loss and the continued emergence of RNA viruses and their associated zoonoses. Herein, we investigated the role of predator exclusion on rodent communities and the seroprevalence of hantaviruses within the Reserva Natural del Bosque Mbaracayú (RNBM), which is a protected area of the Interior Atlantic Forest (IAF). In the IAF, two sympatric rodent reservoirs, Akodon montensis and Oligoryzomys nigripes, harbor Jaborá and Juquitiba hantavirus (JABV, JUQV), respectively. In this study, we employed two complementary methods for predator exclusion: comprehensive fencing and trapping/removal. The goal of exclusion was to preclude the influence of predation on small mammals on the sampling grids and thereby potentially reduce rodent mortality. Following baseline sampling on three grid pairs with different habitats, we closed the grids and began predator removal. By sampling three habitat types, we controlled for habitat-specific effects, which is important for hantavirus–reservoir dynamics in neotropical ecosystems. Our six-month predator exclusion experiment revealed that the exclusion of terrestrial mammalian predators had little influence on the rodent community or the population dynamics of A. montensis and O. nigripes. Instead, fluctuations in species diversity and species abundances were influenced by sampling session and forest degradation. These results suggest that seasonality and landscape composition play dominant roles in the prevalence of hantaviruses in rodent reservoirs in the IAF ecosystem.

Music and dance in respiratory disease management in Uganda: a qualitative study of patient and healthcare professional perspectives

IntroductionMusic and dance are increasingly used as adjunctive arts-in-health interventions in high-income settings, with a growing body of research suggesting biopsychosocial benefits. Such low-cost, low-resource interventions may have application in...

Characterization and nutritional assessment of traditional dairy products from the Zlatibor region, Republic of Serbia

The aim of this study was to determine the nutritional properties of raw milk, cheese and a traditional creamy dairy product called kajmak originating from the Zlatibor region in Serbia. Chemical composition, minerals, fatty acid (FA) profile, lipid quality indices, and the dietary intake of saturated fatty acids (SFA), cholesterol, salt and sodium were investigated in three sampling sessions during the period June–September 2019. All chemical properties of raw milk, cheese and kajmak differed significantly (P<0.05), except lactose, salt and total proteins. Palmitic acid (C16:0) was present in the highest share, followed by oleic (C18:1cis-9) and myrstic (C14:0) acids, with no significant differences (P>0.05) between products. Among the FAs, conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) were determined, and mean values of total FAs ranged from 0.16% in raw milk and kajmak to 0.31% in cheese. The recommended values for the lipid quality indices were not obtained for the analysed products. Despite a high sodium content, the tested dairy products can be considered valuable sources of calcium, chromium, zinc and selenium. In the future, additional efforts should be employed in product modification with the aim of optimising nutritional value and to obtain the protect designation of origin.

Astrovirus in Reunion Free-Tailed Bat (Mormopterus francoismoutoui).

Astroviruses (AstVs) are RNA viruses infecting a large diversity of avian and mammalian species, including bats, livestock, and humans. We investigated AstV infection in a free-tailed bat species, Mormopterus francoismoutoui, endemic to Reunion Island. A total of 380 guano samples were collected in a maternity colony during 38 different sampling sessions, from 21 June 2016 to 4 September 2018. Each sample was tested for the presence of the AstV RNA-dependent RNA-polymerase (RdRp) gene using a pan-AstV semi-nested polymerase chain reaction assay. In total, 27 guano samples (7.1%) tested positive, with high genetic diversity of the partial RdRp gene sequences among positive samples. Phylogenetic analysis further revealed that the detected viruses were genetically related to AstVs reported in rats, reptiles, dogs, and pigs, but did not cluster with AstVs commonly found in bats. Although more investigations need to be conducted to assess the prevalence of infected bats in the studied population, our findings show that Reunion free-tailed bats are exposed to AstVs, and suggest that cross-species transmission may occur with other hosts sharing the same habitat.

Common Bottlenose Dolphin, Tursiops truncatus, Behavioral Response to a Record-Breaking Flood Event in Pensacola Bay, Florida

Common bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus, can suffer health complications from prolonged freshwater exposure; however, little is known about how dolphins behaviorally respond to flood events. We investigated whether dolphins mitigated their freshwater exposure by moving south towards the estuary mouth and/or towards deeper areas with higher salinities in response to a record-breaking flood in Pensacola Bay, Florida. In total, 144 dolphin groups observed during 45 population dynamic surveys were analyzed across two flood-impacted sampling sessions and their respective seasonal control sessions. Kernel density estimates demonstrated southern movement towards the estuary mouth during flood-impacted sessions, but this distribution change was limited. Species distribution models showed that dolphins did not move to deeper areas after the flood and dolphin distribution was not substantially altered by flood-induced salinity changes. The estuary system exhibits strongly stratified waters with broad salinity ranges even during the flood. Dolphins may have mitigated the severity of freshwater exposure by capitalizing on these stratified areas as they continued to use habitat affected by the flood. A lack of avoidance of low salinity could result in this dolphin population being at greater risk for health problems, which should be considered in future population management and conservation.

Rainfalls And Salinity Effects On Fecal Coliform Most Probable Number (MPN) Index Distribution In A Beach Ridge-Shore Ridge System In Mengabang Telipot, Terengganu, Malaysia

A Holocene beach ridge and present day shore ridge system located in a rural area north east of Kuala Terengganu was studied. The relation between fecal coliform (FC) MPN Index (Most Probable Number) distribution with rainfalls and saline intrusions into the unconfined aquifer of the beach ridge–shore ridge system was examined. The probable primary source of the pollutants was also investigated in order to highlight the susceptibility of such aquifers to pollution. Six sampling sessions were made from September 2009 to January 2010. Three represent drier conditions and the other 3, heavier rainfalls corresponding to the northeast monsoon season. This sampling period represent a condition when this area was still not subjected to major coastal erosions and subsequent rock revetment work. Altogether, water samples were taken from 13 wells and 3 river stations. Physical-chemical measurements were made in-situ, while FC was tested at UMT laboratory. Essentially, the results indicated that the groundwater in the unconfined aquifer layer of the beach ridge was moderately to highly polluted with FC (up to 1600 MPN). In contrast, the shore ridge was only slightly polluted, whereas river stations had mixed conditions but generally worse than the beach ridge and shore ridge. These phenomena could be associated with salinity spatial-temporal variations. Samples from heavy rainfall conditions indicated lower pollution levels compared to drier conditions. This phenomenon could be associated with the availability of more infiltrated atmospheric water to dilute pollutants in a high hydraulic conductivity environment as the ridges are made of fine to coarse sands. The results underscore the sensitivity of such environment to pollution transport and distribution and hence implied special attention with regards to water resource management.

Modelling Hydrocortisone Pharmacokinetics on a Subcutaneous Pulsatile Infusion Replacement Strategy in Patients with Adrenocortical Insufficiency.

In the context of glucocorticoid (GC) therapeutics, recent studies have utilised a subcutaneous hydrocortisone (HC) infusion pump programmed to deliver multiple HC pulses throughout the day, with the purpose of restoring normal circadian and ultradian GC rhythmicity. A key challenge for the advancement of novel HC replacement therapies is the calibration of infusion pumps against cortisol levels measured in blood. However, repeated blood sampling sessions are enormously labour-intensive for both examiners and examinees. These sessions also have a cost, are time consuming and are occasionally unfeasible. To address this, we developed a pharmacokinetic model approximating the values of plasma cortisol levels at any point of the day from a limited number of plasma cortisol measurements. The model was validated using the plasma cortisol profiles of 9 subjects with disrupted endogenous GC synthetic capacity. The model accurately predicted plasma cortisol levels (mean absolute percentage error of 14%) when only four plasma cortisol measurements were provided. Although our model did not predict GC dynamics when HC was administered in a way other than subcutaneously or in individuals whose endogenous capacity to produce GCs is intact, it was found to successfully be used to support clinical trials (or practice) involving subcutaneous HC delivery in patients with reduced endogenous capacity to synthesize GCs.

Transmission Dynamics of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli in New Zealand Cattle from Farm to Slaughter.

Cattle are asymptomatic carriers of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichiacoli (STEC) strains that can cause serious illness or death in humans. In New Zealand, contact with cattle feces and living near cattle populations are known risk factors for human STEC infection. Contamination of fresh meat with STEC strains also leads to the potential for rejection of consignments by importing countries. We used a combination of PCR/matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF) and whole-genome sequencing (WGS) to evaluate the presence and transmission of STEC on farms and in processing plants to better understand the potential pathways for human exposure and thus mitigate risk. Animal and environmental samples (n = 2,580) were collected from six farms and three meat processing plants in New Zealand during multiple sampling sessions in spring of 2015 and 2016. PCR/MALDI-TOF analysis revealed that 6.2% were positive for "Top 7" STEC. Top 7 STEC strains were identified in all sample sources (n = 17) tested. A marked increase in Top 7 STEC prevalence was observed between calf hides on farm (6.3% prevalence) and calf hides at processing plants (25.1% prevalence). Whole-genome sequencing was performed on Top 7 STEC bacterial isolates (n = 40). Analysis of STEC O26 (n = 25 isolates) revealed relatively low genetic diversity on individual farms, consistent with the presence of a resident strain disseminated within the farm environment. Public health efforts should focus on minimizing human contact with fecal material on farms and during handling, transport, and slaughter of calves. Meat processing plants should focus on minimizing cross-contamination between the hides of calves in a cohort during transport, lairage, and slaughter.IMPORTANCE Cattle are asymptomatic carriers of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) strains, which can cause serious illness or death in humans. Contact with cattle feces and living near cattle are known risk factors for human STEC infection. This study evaluated STEC carriage in young calves and the farm environment with an in-depth evaluation of six farms and three meat processing plants over 2 years. An advanced molecular detection method and whole-genome sequencing were used to provide a detailed evaluation of the transmission of STEC both within and between farms. The study revealed widespread STEC contamination within the farm environment, but no evidence of recent spread between farms. Contamination of young dairy calf hides increased following transport and holding at meat processing plants. The elimination of STEC in farm environments may be very difficult given the multiple transmission routes; interventions should be targeted at decreasing fecal contamination of calf hides during transport, lairage, and processing.

Assessment of home care aides’ respiratory exposure to total volatile organic compounds and chlorine during simulated bathroom cleaning: An experimental design with conventional and “green” products

Home care (HC) aide visits to clients’ homes often involve cleaning and disinfecting (C&D) bathrooms. Some ingredients in C&D household products are associated with respiratory illness, including sodium hypochlorite (bleach) and quaternary ammonium compounds (quats). “Green” products may be safer for the environment, however there are limited quantitative evaluations of their respiratory risks. This study assessed airborne concentrations and time profiles of total volatile organic compounds (TVOC) and chlorine generated during typical bathroom cleaning performed by aides using conventional and green products. Aides performed cleaning tasks in a simulated residential bathroom constructed in an environmental air sampling laboratory. A balanced experimental design involved each aide coming to the lab for four visits during which she performed two 20-min cleaning sessions using one of three C&D products (bleach-based, 1–5% sodium hypochlorite by weight; quats-based, 0.1–1% by weight quaternary ammonium compounds; and “green,” 0.05% by weight thymol, a component of botanical thyme oil) or distilled water as a control. TVOC and chlorine direct reading instruments were attached to aides with sample inlets located in the breathing zone. Ten-second averages of TVOC and chlorine gas concentrations and instantaneous peak concentrations were recorded for the sessions’ duration. TVOC concentrations by methods of C&D application (spraying, streaming, wiping) also were evaluated. The study completed 169 air sampling sessions with 22 aides. The quats-based product generated more than twice the average TVOC concentrations (mean = 1,210 ppb) than the bleach-based (mean = 593 ppb) or green (mean = 498 ppb) products. Each product generated TVOC concentrations that rose rapidly within the first few minutes of application. Spraying produced the highest TVOC exposures, wiping the lowest. Thirteen aides (65%) experienced peak chlorine exposures above the OSHA PEL ceiling limit (1 ppm) when using the bleach-based product. HC aides may experience respiratory hazards from use of conventional or green C&D products formulated with bleach or other respiratory irritants and sprayed in small, poorly ventilated spaces typical of bathrooms. Spraying should be avoided.

Beyond Likert ratings: Improving the robustness of developmental research measurement using best\u2013worst scaling

Some of the ‘best practice’ approaches to ensuring reproducibility of research can be difficult to implement in the developmental and clinical domains, where sample sizes and session lengths are constrained by the practicalities of recruitment and testing. For this reason, an important area of improvement to target is the reliability of measurement. Here we demonstrate that best–worst scaling (BWS) provides a superior alternative to Likert ratings for measuring children’s subjective impressions. Seventy-three children aged 5–6 years rated the trustworthiness of faces using either Likert ratings or BWS over two sessions. Individual children’s ratings in the BWS condition were significantly more consistent from session 1 to session 2 than those in the Likert condition, a finding we also replicate with a large adult sample (N = 72). BWS also produced more reliable ratings at the group level than Likert ratings in the child sample. These findings indicate that BWS is a developmentally appropriate response format that can deliver substantial improvements in reliability of measurement, which can increase our confidence in the robustness of findings with children.

A Pilot Study of Nicotine Replacement Therapy Sampling and Selection to Increase Medication Adherence in Low-Income Smokers.

Adherence to smoking cessation medications remains suboptimal, particularly among low-income smokers. Guided, experiential sampling of nicotine replacement therapies (NRTs) may increase NRT adherence and smoking cessation over gold standard counseling plus NRT. The present pilot study aimed to examine feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of a novel experiential intervention. This pilot randomized controlled trial (N = 83) compared gold standard smoking cessation treatment (four weekly sessions of behavioral counseling followed by self-selected combination NRT in week 5) to a novel experiential approach (ie, In Vivo; four weekly sessions of sampling each short form of NRT-gum, lozenge, inhaler, nasal spray-in-session while wearing the nicotine patch followed by NRT selection in week 5). Both groups received 8 weeks of nicotine patch plus their selected additional short form NRT for smoking cessation followed by a 1-month assessment. Screening and enrollment rates supported feasibility. In Vivo was comparable in acceptability with the gold standard of care intervention; however, there was greater attrition in the In Vivo group compared with the gold standard of care group. Results suggested higher medication adherence and improvements in smoking behavior in the In Vivo intervention; with generally small-to-medium effect sizes. This experiential approach to sampling NRT is feasible and acceptable to low-income people who smoke. This intervention may increase adherence and reduce harmful smoking behavior but needs to be tested on a larger scale. Medication adherence remains a significant impediment to the successful smoking cessation. The results of this study suggest that guided sampling of NRT products improves adherence among low-income smokers. Additionally, this approach yielded greater improvements in smoking behavior compared with gold standard smoking cessation treatment. This intervention shows promise as a feasible smoking cessation treatment for low-income smokers.

Tracking mass removal of portable laser ablation sampling by its acoustic response

If the sample cannot be brought to the lab for sampling, then the sampling needs to be done at the sample location. The portable laser ablation (pLA) system is one of the candidates to address this challenge, as it is a powerful tool for field deployable sampling of solids with the benefits of laser based analysis methods. However, sampling in the field is not always as convenient as in a defined laboratory setting and requires a neat prior method development. In the field, the evaluation of the sampling performance is not straightforward with current hardware. During mass removal by (p)LA, an acoustic pressure wave is formed for every individual LA event. In order to track these signals, a directional microphone was integrated into the handheld pLA-module. This allowed the monitoring of the acoustic signal close to the ablation site to count and quantify LA events from each individual pulse. In order to monitor mass removal and acoustic response quasi-simultaneously, the pLA sampling device was coupled to an ICPMS via a gas-exchange device (GED). Performance was investigated using various samples. Discrepancies were observed between samples with low and high ablation thresholds. For samples with low ablation thresholds, e.g. metals, the acoustic signal was mainly influenced by the laser fluence at the ablation site and not by the amount of mass removal. Comparatively, when ablating samples with high ablation thresholds, such as glasses and minerals, these variations were less pronounced, resulting in the observation of a linear relationship. Consequently, this allows the use of the acoustic energy as a measure of the amount of mass removal. In summary, results show that this approach enables a straightforward way to track all actual ablation events during on-site sampling and allows an instant evaluation of the ablation performance, thereby reducing unsuccessful sampling sessions.