Technical Center Research Articles

A State System Framework for High-Quality Early Intervention and Early Childhood Special Education

The Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center used a rigorous 2-year collaborative process to develop, test, and revise a conceptual framework for high-quality state early intervention (EI) and early childhood special education (ECSE) systems. The framework identifies six critical components of a state system and what constitutes quality in each component. This new conceptual framework addresses the critical need to articulate what constitutes quality in state EI and ECSE systems. The framework and companion self-assessment are designed for state leaders to use in their efforts to evaluate and improve state systems to implement more effective services for infants and young children with disabilities and their families. This article describes the contents of the framework and the processes used to ensure that the framework incorporated current research, was relevant to all states, and was useful for systems improvement.

Effects of non-driving-related tasks on takeover performance in different takeover situations in conditionally automated driving

Conditionally automated driving (SAE Level 3) relinquishes driver from monitoring the driving task and the traffic environment, permitting the driver to perform non-driving-related tasks (NDRT). Nevertheless, the driver must be available as a backup option. With this in mind, the current study aims at investigating the effect of the type of NDRT and takeover situations on driver performance. The NDRTs used were writing emails and watching videos, while the takeover situations tested were avoiding an obstacle on one’s lane and missing lane markings. Forty-four participants took part in a study carried in a dynamic simulator at PSA Peugeot Citroën Technical Center. Results showed that an effect of takeover situation on takeover time, with shorter times associated with obstacle avoidance, regardless of the type of NDRT. Measures of driver performance in the obstacle avoidance situation did not differ among manual and automated driving conditions, except for minimum time to collision. In the missing lane conditions, an effect of driving mode was observed on lateral and longitudinal control, as well as minimum time headway, regardless of the type of NDRT was observed. Our results suggest that the criticality of the situation had a distinct effect on takeover time and mental workload, while NDRT did not have a clear role. Furthermore, in line with previous research, drives’ need for control stabilization beyond takeover was documented.

Promising Approaches for Engaging Youth and Young Adults Living with HIV in HIV Primary Care Using Social Media and Mobile Technology Interventions: Protocol for the SPNS Social Media Initiative.

BackgroundIn the United States, disparities in the rates of HIV care among youth and young adults result from the intersections of factors that include stigma, substance use, homelessness or marginal housing, institutional neglect, and mental health issues. Novel interventions are needed that are geared to youth and young adults.ObjectiveIn this paper, we aim to describe the interventions used by participating sites for Using Social Media initiative, the process for classifying the intervention components, and the methods for conducting a comprehensive evaluation of the interventions.MethodsIn 2015, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) HIV/AIDS Bureau, Special Projects of National Significance (SPNS) funded the Evaluation and Technical Assistance Center (ETAC) at the University of California, Los Angeles and 10 demonstration projects at sites across the United States that incorporated innovative approaches using a variety of social media and mobile technology strategies designed specifically for youth and young adults living with HIV. The ETAC developed a typology, or a classification system, that systematically summarizes the principal components of the interventions into broader groups and developed a multisite, mixed-methods approach to evaluate them based on the Department of Health and Human Services HIV health outcomes along the HIV care continuum. The mixed-methods approach is key to remove potential biases in assessing the effectiveness of demonstration projects.ResultsThis SPNS project was funded in September 2015, and enrollment was completed on May 31, 2018. A total of 984 participants have been enrolled in the multisite evaluation. Data collection will continue until August 2019. However, data analysis is currently underway, and the first results are expected to be submitted for publication in 2019.ConclusionsThis HRSA-funded initiative seeks to increase engagement in HIV medical care, improve health outcomes for people living with HIV, and reduce HIV-related health disparities and health inequities that affect HIV-positive youth and young adults.International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)DERR1-10.2196/10681

An Assessment of The New York State Behavioral Health System's Readiness to Transition to Medicaid Managed Care.

New York State has one of the most richly funded Medicaid programs in the United States. In an effort to achieve the triple aim New York State is undergoing a significant redesign of its Medicaid program including transitioning nearly all Medicaid funded behavioral health services into Medicaid managed care. In preparation for this transition, a state funded technical assistance center assessed the behavioral health care system's readiness to undergo this reform across 11 domains. Between September and November, 2014, the TA center electronically distributed a readiness survey to 897 mental health and substance abuse agencies: 313 (n = 269, 33%) organizations completed the assessment. As a whole, the sample felt partially ready to transition; analysis by domain revealed agencies were most ready to interface with managed care providers, and least ready to collect and evaluate outcome data. Significant differences in readiness were found depending by organizational characteristics (number of programs, licensure, and region). In anticipation of large-scale reforms, states would benefit from an initial needs assessment to identify gaps in knowledge and skills, which in turn, can then guide preparatory efforts and provide needed supports to facilitate major changes in service delivery and billing.

Experimental investigation of LWR passive safety systems performance at the INKA test facility

INKA is a test facility designed by Framatome and built in the technical center in Karlstein. The original objective for establishing this test rig was the investigation of the performance of the passive safety systems developed in a new Framatome Boiling Water Reactor (BWR) design – KERENA. INKA was constructed in the scale of 1:1 in heights while the total volume of the containment was replicated in 1:24. Since the geometries of particular safety systems are faithfully reflected, their actual performance in the original plant can be investigated at the full scale. Due to the unquestionable interest of the nuclear community in the inherent safety, not only new BWR and PWR designs are equipped with the passive systems, but also particular passive solutions are considered to be applied into the already existing Light Water Reactors (LWR). In this context and due to the fact that both, single component tests and integral tests can be conducted at INKA, the facility can be employed for a demonstration/qualification of a large range of passive safety systems foreseen for quite different types of LWRs. Hence, the goal of the EASY project was the experimental confirmation of the passive systems performance and the analysis of their interactions between each other in the integral tests. Besides, the overarching target of all tests performed at INKA is provision of data for codes validation. This paper presents major outcomes and conclusions drawn on the basis of EASY project results.

Активация HIF-1α снижает экспрессию гена-хозяина микроРНК hsa-miR-603 KIAA1217 и повышает экспрессию гена-мишени CCND1 в клетках BeWo b30

The model of the placental barrier based on the human choriocarcinoma cell line BeWo b30 allows studying the effect of hypoxia on trophoblast cells. The effect of the oxyquinoline derivative inhibiting HIF-prolyl hydroxylases was studied on this model. Inhibition of these enzymes leads to an increase in the HIF-1α subunit in the cytoplasm, mimicking the cell response to hypoxia. Incubation of the cells with the drug at a concentration of 10 uM for 24 h did not affect the paracellular transport, but reduced the transport of glucose through the cell barrier. The transcriptome analysis after the exposure with oxyquinoline derivative revealed a decreased expression of the KIAA1217 gene and its intronic gene MIR603, which encodes microRNA hsa-miR-603. The expression of the target gene of this miRNA, CCND1 encoding cyclin D1, after oxyquinoline derivative exposition increased significantly, which may indicate a potential microRNA-mRNA regulatory mechanism in the response of trophoblast cells to hypoxia. BeWo b30, placenta, hypoxia, oxyquinoline, barrier, microRNA, cyclin The study was performed with the equipment of the «Postgenomic and Metabolomic Methods of Study in Molecular Biology» Common Use Center (BioClinicum Scientific and Technical Center). The study was supported by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation in the framework of the Federal Targeted Program for Research and Development in Priority Areas of Advancement of the Russian Scientific and Technological Complex for 2014-2020 (Project no. RFMEFI58817X0007).

Development and Validation of a Novel Particle Source for Nano-sized Test Aerosols

ABSTRACT In the EU, there is an increasing need for regulatory agencies to establish health-based threshold limits for airborne particles. A prerequisite for such projects is the validation and comparison of existing and newly developed particle analyzers. Corresponding proficiency tests have often been conducted with the help of inter-laboratory tests using test aerosols. Although test aerosols in the micro- and the nanoscale range were produced with different generator systems at the technical center of the Institute for the Research on Hazardous Substances (IGF) in Dortmund, a stable and reproducible method of producing a low number concentration for nano-sized particles was not achieved. Inspired by a method of monodisperse droplet generation, we coupled a flame generator with a droplet generator and examined the concentration and the diameter of the formed particles as a consequence of the precursor concentration and the droplet frequency. In addition, the reproducibility of the method was tested daily, and the nanoparticles were collected and characterized microscopically. Finally, the measurements of the particle size distribution were mathematically examined. The resulting fits enable the prediction of the median particle diameter as a function of the precursor concentration and the frequency of the droplets. Overall, the performed experiments confirm that this system meets all the requirements with regard to a low number concentration and long-term stability and reproducibility and should therefore be suitable for further inter-laboratory round robin tests.

Анализ методов измерения величины молекулярного веса полимерных материалов изоляционной конструкции энергетического оборудования в процессе его эксплуатации

The need of solving the problem concerned with measuring the polymerization degree (molecular weight) of polymeric dielectric systems is stemming from its practical significance, which implies the availability of a reliable polymerization degree measurement method that would fully meet the power equipment maintenance requirements. The problem is rather intricate in nature, and the requirements are quite stringent. In 2017, the Public Council of Specialists for Diagnostics of Power Electrical Equipment at the Engineering Technical Center (ETC) of UralEnergoEngineering commenced studies of existing and newly developed methods for estimating the polymerization degree of insulating papers that form the insulating structure of power electrical equipment. These studies were carried out with participation of scientific groups, which used different approaches to solving the stated problem. The article presents the results from discussion of polymerization degree measurement methods differing from each other in nature (chemical, optical and electrical), which were outlined in the reports presented at the Interregional Scientific and Practical Workshop held in the Smolensk Branch of the National Research University Moscow Power Engineering Institute (NRU MPEI) on April 26, 2018. It is emphasized (ETC of UralEnergoEngineering, Associate Professor V.N. Osotov) that the chemical method recommended by the relevant regulatory documents does not allow to get a full idea about the paper insulation ageing degree. Indirect methods (analysis of gases dissolved in oil, content of furans in it, etc.) do not yield a quantitative assessment of the ageing degree of the operating insulation system. Alternative methods of nondestructive testing and devices for estimating the polymerization degree of insulating papers: the spectral one (developed by Professor V.K. Kozlov from the Kazan Power Engineering University) and the method of dielectric absorption currents (developed by Professor V.A. Chernyshev from the Smolensk Branch of the NRU MPEI) meet the power equipment maintenance requirements to a fuller extent.

Chinese herbs Epimedium brevicornum Maxim. and Cuscuta chinensis Lam. induced ovary development in Japanese eel Anguilla japonica

PDF HTML阅读 XML下载 导出引用 引用提醒 中草药淫羊藿和菟丝子对日本鳗鲡卵巢发育的影响 DOI: 作者: 作者单位: 1. 集美大学水产学院, 福建 厦门 361021;2. 鳗鲡现代产业技术教育部工程研究中心, 福建 厦门 361021;3. 厦门大学海洋与地球学院, 福建 厦门 361102;4. 厦门出入境检验检疫局检验检疫技术中心, 福建 厦门 361026 作者简介: 赖晓健(1984-),男,博士,硕士生导师,主要从事鱼类生殖生理学研究.E-mail:laixj@jmu.edu.cn 通讯作者: 中图分类号: S965 基金项目: 国家自然科学基金项目（41806193）；厦门市科技局项目（3502Z20133015）；鳗鲡现代产业技术教育部工程研究中心开放基金项目（RE201604，RE201503）. Chinese herbs Epimedium brevicornum Maxim. and Cuscuta chinensis Lam. induced ovary development in Japanese eel Anguilla japonica Author: Affiliation: 1. Fisheries College, Jimei University, Xiamen 361021, China;2. Engineering Research Center of the Modern Industry Technology for Eel, Ministry of Education, Xiamen 361021, China;3. College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China;4. Technical Center of Xiamen Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau, Xiamen 361026, China Fund Project: 摘要 | 图/表 | 访问统计 | 参考文献 | 相似文献 | 引证文献 | 资源附件 | 文章评论 摘要:在水温（21±1）℃下，给体重（592.5±52.5）g的日本鳗鲡（）雌亲鱼投喂每千克体重含0.034 g淫羊藿和0.034 g菟丝子浸膏的饲料90 d，对照组投喂人工配合饲料，研究淫羊藿和菟丝子对卵巢发育的影响。结果显示，饲料中添加淫羊藿和菟丝子的雌鱼卵巢大部分卵母细胞属第Ⅱ时相，性腺指数和肝体比均显著高于对照组（<0.05）；卵母细胞油滴明显增多，部分卵母细胞胞质已充满油滴，核仁变小增多；血清雌二醇（E2）和11-酮基睾酮（11-KT）水平显著升高（cyp19a1仅微量表达，肝脏未检测到的表达；实验组肌肉总脂肪酸、饱和脂肪酸（SFA）、单不饱和脂肪酸（MUFA）和高度不饱和脂肪酸（HUFA）含量均显著高于对照组（<0.05）。本研究表明，在亲鱼培育饲料中添加中草药淫羊藿和菟丝子促进了日本鳗鲡卵母细胞油滴和肝脏卵黄蛋白原增加，提高了肌肉高不饱和脂肪酸的积累，为卵黄生成和卵母细胞进一步发育做好更充分的准备。 Abstract:In the present study, female Japanese eels () with an average body weight of (592.5±52.5) g were fed with a commercial diet supplemented with two Chinese herbs Lam at a water temperature of (21±1)℃ for 90 d. Then, the structure of ovarian development; changes in serum 11-KT and E2 levels; mRNA expression levels of liver vitellogenin (), and ovarian aromatase (tissue section staining, immunoenzymatic assays, semi-quantitative PCR, and gas chromatography, respectively. The results showed that the gonadosomatic indices (GSIs) and the hepatosomatic indices (HISs) in the Japanese eels fed with diets containing Lam. were significantly higher than those in the control group (<0.05); the treated group also showed ovaries filled with advanced perinucleolar follicles and increased numbers of oil droplets, and significantly higher serum 11-KT and E2 levels ( mRNA was elevated in the liver of the treated group; however, mRNA levels were extremely low in the ovaries of both the control group and the treated group, and the expression of mRNA was not detected in the livers of the two groups. Total fatty acid levels, including saturated fatty acids (SFA), monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), and highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA), in muscle were significantly higher in the Japanese eels fed with diets containing Lam than in the control group fish (<0.05); particularly, the levels of arachidonic acid (AA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) were higher in the treated group. These findings indicated that the two Chinese herbs, Lam., induced early ovary development by increasing oil droplets of previtellogenic oocytes and promoted vitellogenin accumulation in the liver of parental female Japanese eels. Moreover, Lam. accelerated absorption of fatty acids, particularly HUFA, from diets, and subsequently their accumulation in the muscle, to prepare for vitellogenesis and further development of oocytes. 参考文献 相似文献 引证文献

Development of a model for assessing the level of flight safety in an airline using concept of risk

The main goal of maintaining an adequate level of safety in an airline is to develop measures for analyzing, evaluating and taking necessary actions to reduce risks to an acceptable level and control them. International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), recommending this concept, has developed general approaches, and each airline is looking for its own way to solve the problem by creating its own methodology and means of its implementation. There is not unique approach available. The article proposes one of the possible solutions to these issues. The proposed methodology is based on the use of deviations in the activities of individual services and airline personnel on the example of the airline Technical Center.

POST-HURRICANE COASTAL MAPPING AND CHANGE ANALYSIS: NATIONAL COASTAL MAPPING PROGRAM

Hurricane and other extreme storm impacts pose one of the greatest threats to coastal environments, populations, and infrastructure. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) National Coastal Mapping Program (NCMP), executed by the Joint Airborne Lidar Bathymetry Technical Center of Expertise (JALBTCX), collects and processes high resolution aerial imagery and lidar data that provide regional datasets to support assessments of coastal change. The NCMP surveying methods and data products are invaluable tools for coastal management and have the potential to produce rapid-response data following extreme storm impacts. Emergency post-storm deployment of this system was used following Hurricane Matthew’s impact in October 2016 where the NCMP surveyed from Key Biscayne, FL to the VA/MD border between October 27th and December 2nd, collecting topographic and bathymetric lidar along the coast in a 1.5 km swath. Approximately one year later, Hurricane Irma impacted the Florida east and west coast in September 2017. The NCMP surveyed the entire Florida east coast, including the Keys, in addition to Collier County on the West Coast of Florida from September 22 to October 25.

A DESJUDICIALIZAÇÃO DAS DEMANDAS POR MEDICAMENTOS: UMA ANÁLISE SOBRE A EFETIVIDADE DO NÚCLEO DE APOIO TÉCNICO – NAT APÓS A SUA INSTALAÇÃO NO MUNICÍPIO DE JOINVILLE

O presente estudo visa avaliar se o Núcleo de Apoio Técnico - NAT do Município de Joinville é dotado de efetividade, a qual, entende-se, é a capacidade de produzir um resultado para transformar a situação existente, respondendo adequadamente às necessidades da comunidade. Para tanto, faz-se um breve resgate histórico da judicialização da saúde no Brasil, com a análise da evolução da jurisprudência sobre o tema e das medidas adotadas pelo Poder Público para conter o crescimento exponencial do número de processos judiciais e dos gastos públicos correspondentes. No Estado de Santa Catarina, destaca-se o julgamento do Incidente de Resolução de Demandas Repetitivas (Tema 1), a instalação do Comitê Estadual de Monitoramento e Resolução das Demandas de Assistência da Saúde de Santa Catarina – COMESC e a criação do Núcleo de Apoio Técnico – NAT, com a finalidade de assessorar o Poder Judiciário, com informações técnicas e esclarecedoras sobre o atendimento no SUS, bem como de otimizar o atendimento do usuário, mediante a indicação do tratamento preconizado no SUS, quando existir, e, na sua ausência, da alternativa terapêutica existente. Em arremate, há uma análise dos indicadores apresentados no Relatório Anual de Monitoramento da Judicialização – 2017 da Secretaria Municipal de Saúde de Joinville e dos serviços prestados à população local pelo NAT instalado naquela cidade.

Activities of the ESCAP/WMO Typhoon Committee Regarding Sediment-Related Disaster Prevention Using Non-Structural Measures, Based on Japa Nese SABO Technology

ABSTRACT In the project activities of the ESCAP/WMO Typhoon Committee (TC), the National institute for Land and Infrastructure Management (NILIM), the SABO (Erosion and Sediment Control) Department of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), and the SABO and Landslide Technical Center (STC) implemented two projects: Disaster Forecasting Warning System (2002-2008) and Project on Hazard Mapping for Sediment-related Disasters (2009-2012). The aim of these projects was to distribute Japanese SABO technology, particularly non-structural measures, among TC members. This report presents the concepts and methods related to non-structural measures for sediment-related disaster prevention based on Japanese SABO technology, the contents of the two projects' activities, the preparation of early warning information, the creation of a hazard map, and the preparation of an integrated system for resident evacuation.

NATO’s new strategic concept in cybersecurity issues in the context of up-to-the date vulnerability and threat information

The focus of the article revolves around NATO’s roadmap of smart defense against cyber attacks as the bedrock of Euro-Atlantic security. The author discloses NATO’S new policy and cutting-edge technical initiatives, aimed at focusing on countering global threats and cyber security challenges. It is stressed out, that new ideas towards a more synergetic approach between all the NATO Cyber Defense agencies should be explored to develop a shared framework for cybersecurity that might provide up-to-the date intelligence in order to ensure the development, acquisition and maintenance of the necessary military capabilities. The research highlights the core aspects of the 2010 Lisbon Summit that adopted NATO’s Strategic Concept ‘Active Engagement, Modern Defense: Strategic Concept for the Members of the North Atlantic. Treaty Organization’, that recognizes Cyber Defense as one of its strategic priorities. In particular, to foster Allied Nations’ cooperative efforts to counter terrorism, cyber attacks, prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction (WMD), Reinforce energy security and environmental constraints. Develop the capacity to contribute to energy security, including protection of critical energy infrastructure and transit areas and lines, cooperation with partners, and consultations among Allies on the basis of trategic assessments and contingency planning; In July 2011, NATO Defense Ministers adopted revised NATO Policy on Cyber Defense, which highlighted three areas: • The principles of subsidiarity and proportionality, which involve the assistance provided only upon request, in any other cases, the principle of selfresponsibility of sovereign states is applied; • Avoiding unnecessary duplication of the structures or capabilities and approaches on the international, regional and national levels; • Collaboration based on trust, with regard to the potential sensitivity and vulnerability of the system, the access to which has to be given. After the 2014 Wales Summit, in the revised NATO Cyber Defense Policy, cyber threats were identified as a potential prerequisite for collective defense under the Article 5 of the NATO Treaty. Noteworthy, Cyber Security is responsible for providing the broad spectrum of services in the following specialist security areas: CIS Security, Cyber Defense, Information Assurance, and Computer &amp; Communications Security. Cyber defense is provided by many Alliance bodies: any NATO response concerning collective defense against cyber attacks will be subordinated to the North Atlantic Council (NAC), The Cyber Defense Committee (CDC) – the leading advisory body of the NAC. The executive level is represented by The Cyber Defense Management Board (CDMB), NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCI Agency), Cyber Security incorporates the NATO Computer Incident Response Capability (NCIRC) Technical Centre, providing specialist services to prevent, detect, respond to and recover from cyber security incidents.

SkinEthic™ HCE Eye Irritation Test: Similar performance demonstrated after long distance shipment and extended storage conditions

Assessment of ocular irritation risk is an international regulatory requirement in the safety evaluation of products. In response to this need, L’Oréal developed the SkinEthic™ Human Corneal Epithelium (HCE) Eye Irritation Test (EIT) that has been included in OECD Test Guideline 492. SkinEthic™ HCE EIT is able to correctly and reliably identify chemicals not requiring classification versus labelling for eye irritation or serious eye damage according to UN GHS. In an effort to promote its global use, the performance of the method was evaluated after long-distance shipment and compared to European shipment conditions. Results obtained by Cosmos Technical Center (Japan) after extended tissues transit were compared to results obtained in L’Oréal (France). Thirty-nine out of 40 blinded chemicals, representing different functional chemical classes, were consistently classified in both laboratories. The SkinEthic™ HCE EIT test method was also evaluated for its performance after extended storage of the tissues. The performance was in agreement with the values reported in OECD TG 492, with an overall accuracy of 87.1% (based on 119 chemicals), sensitivity of 95.5% and specificity of 73.5%. The reliability and relevance of SkinEthic™ HCE EIT test method after long-distance shipment and extended storage remain in agreement with regulatory validation criteria.

METHOD OF THE GLOBAL FITTING OF THE GENERALIZED RADIOGENIC RISK MODELS TO THE JAPANESE COHORT DATA

Research and Technical Center of Radiation-Chemical Safety and Hygiene (RTC RCSH), Moscow, Russia Generalized radiogenic risk models presented in ICRP Publication 103 have a number of attractive features. The models themselves and the corresponding models of background risks are generalized by a single function containing only three parameters specific to the localization of cancer, sex and risk indicator (absolute or relative; mortality or morbidity). However, there are several discrepancies in the values of model parameters for the individual cancer sites and in some predictions based on these models. The aim of this study was to clarify the possibility of refining the parameters of the ICRP models using the LSS cohort data. The method of calculation of the parameters of these models has been developed and verified based on the data on baseline mortality in the cohort and among entire Japanese population. The method consists in the averaging of the local estimates of the parameters calculated based on the values of the rate of the mortality in the ends of different segments of age at exposure and attained age within the entire examined area of change of these variables. The latest published mortality data in the cohort and mortality tables for Japan from the WHO database were used to calculate the mortality rate matrices. Data on the baseline mortality from solid cancers in LSS were in good agreement with statistically more reliable data for the entire Japanese population. Hence, the latter were used for verification of the method.According to the criteria of absolute and relative standard deviation, the ICRP models at whole better approximate baseline and radiogenic mortality from solid cancers in the cohort based on the values of parameters calculated using the proposed method compared to the values from the ICRP. The sets of parameter values for men and women, calculated from LSS data and for the Japanese population differ significantly, while in ICRP models they are almost the same.

ВЛИЯНИЕ ПРОБИОТИКА «OLIN» НА ФУНКЦИОНАЛЬНОЕ СОСТОЯНИЕ ПРОИЗВОДИТЕЛЕЙ ТИЛЯПИИ

In the innovative scientific and technical aquaculture center of Astrakhan State Technical University there was studied the influence of Olin probiotic as a part of productional feed on the fish-breeding and physiological-biochemical indicators of mature specimens of hybrid tilapia ( Oreochromis sp .). The active process of gametogenesis and spawning of fish in both experimental groups probably did not achieve statistically significant differences in the fish-breeding and biological parameters between the control group and two experimental groups of fish. In spite of this, there was observed a certain tendency towards improvement of these indicators in the group of fish using Olin probiotic in their diet in concentration 20 g per 1 kg of feed. It has been recorded that probiotic had a positive effect on lipid metabolism. Concentration of β-lipoproteins was within normal physiological ranges. However, before the experiment it was higher in the control group than in both experimental groups. After the experiment, on the contrary, concentration was higher in experimental groups. The differences were statistically significant ( p &lt; 0.05). This increase is probably due to an increase in generative metabolism (under the influence of the probiotic). At the beginning of the experiment concentration of cholesterol in the fish blood was higher in the control group. At the end of the experiment, on the contrary, its excess was observed in experiments 1 and 2. In experiment 2, these differences were statistically confirmed ( p &lt; 0.05). The increase in cholesterol concentration can be also explained by activation of gametogenesis (under the influence of the probiotic). Activation of generative metabolism was confirmed by the fact of tilapia spawning in both experimental groups and obtaining viable larvae. The study results allow to recommend Olin probiotic as a component in composition of productional feed for tilapia broodstock.

Online Child’s Health Assessment Tool for Obesity Prevention Programming

To optimize public health in the next decade, prevention of childhood obesity will remain a central focus. To impact behavioral change, data must be linked to continuous quality improvements within existing nutrition and physical activity programming. The Children, Youth, and Families At-Risk Professional Development and Technical Assistance Center has developed a picture-based, online survey tool, the CYFAR Health Assessment Tool (CHAT), to assess health behaviors in youth ages 6 to18 years of age. Used for continuous program improvement, aggregate data results are coupled with tailored health recommendations in 4 domains (behavior and environmental modifications, education, and direct strategies) and evidence-informed resources for dissemination to youth and parents. Program implementers use the data and resources for targeted programmatic improvements that more effectively promote health and well-being. CHAT also informs our collective understanding of youth’s perceptions of health in comparison to their actual behaviors.

Carbon2Chem® – Technical Center in Duisburg

AbstractThe aim of Carbon2Chem® is to use CO2‐containing top gases from the steel production as a raw material for chemical products. The scientific foundations and tests with synthetic top gases on a laboratory scale have already been investigated. The technical implementation under real top gas conditions is tested in a technical center that was especially built for the project. In the demonstration plants which are directly connected to the integrated steelwork in Duisburg technologies for CO2 reduction are further developed.

Finland ups funding for bioprocesses

Government-owned VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland has signed a deal with Aalto University, located near Helsinki, to codevelop commercial processes for making novel materials from biomass. The Finnish government has awarded the collaboration, named Ceres, $11 million for the first four years of its operation. The government may provide an additional $16 million of funding depending on Ceres’s progress.