1
|
Green JA. Call for papers: special issue on innovative methods for pharmacy practice research. Int J Pharm Pract 2024; 32:3-4. [PMID: 37978931 DOI: 10.1093/ijpp/riad081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- James A Green
- School of Allied Health and Physical Activity for Health Research Centre (Health Research Institute), University of Limerick, Ireland
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Asha H, Green JA, Esposito L, Santoro F, Improta R. Computing the electronic circular dichroism spectrum of DNA quadruple helices of different topology: A critical test for a generalized excitonic model based on a fragment diabatization. Chirality 2023; 35:298-310. [PMID: 36775278 DOI: 10.1002/chir.23540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/14/2023]
Abstract
In this study, we exploit a recently developed fragment diabatization-based excitonic model, FrDEx, to simulate the electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra of three guanine-rich DNA sequences arranged in guanine quadruple helices with different topologies: thrombin binding aptamer (antiparallel), c-Myc promoter (parallel), and human telomeric sequence (3+1 hybrid). Starting from time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) calculations with the M052X functional, we apply our protocol to parameterize the FrDEX Hamiltonian, which accounts for electron density overlap and includes both the coupling with charge transfer transitions and the effect of the surrounding bases on the local excitation of each chromophore. The TD-DFT/M052X spectral shapes are in good agreement with the experimental ones, the main source of discrepancy being related to the intrinsic error on the computed transition energies of guanine monomer. FrDEx spectra are fairly close to the reference TD-DFT ones, allowing a significant advance with respect to a more standard excitonic Hamiltonian. We also show that the ECD spectra are sensitive to the inclusion of the inner K + $$ {}^{+} $$ cation in the calculation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Haritha Asha
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini, CNR, Napoli, Italy
| | - James A Green
- Institut für Physikalische Theoretische Chemie, Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | | | - Fabrizio Santoro
- Istituto di Chimica dei Composti Organometallici (ICCOM-CNR), Area della Ricerca del CNR, Pisa, Italy
| | | |
Collapse
|
3
|
Asha H, Green JA, Esposito L, Martinez-Fernandez L, Santoro F, Improta R. Effect of the Thermal Fluctuations of the Photophysics of GC and CG DNA Steps: A Computational Dynamical Study. J Phys Chem B 2022; 126:10608-10621. [PMID: 36508709 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.2c05688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Here we refine and assess two computational procedures aimed to include the effect of thermal fluctuations on the electronic spectra and the ultrafast excited state dynamics of multichromophore systems, focusing on DNA duplexes. Our approach is based on a fragment diabatization procedure that, from a given Quantum Mechanical (QM) reference method, can provide the parameters (energy and coupling) of the reference diabatic states on the basis of the isolated fragments, either for a purely electronic excitonic Hamiltonian (FrDEx) or a linear vibronic coupling Hamiltonian (FrD-LVC). After having defined the most cost-effective procedure for DNA duplexes on two smaller fragments, FrDEx is used to simulate the absorption and Electronic Circular Dichroism (ECD) spectra of (GC)5 sequences, including the coupling with the Charge Transfer (CT) states, on a number of structures extracted from classical Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations. The computed spectra are close to the reference TD-DFT calculations and fully consistent with the experimental ones. We then couple MD simulations and FrD-LVC to simulate the interplay between local excitations and CT transitions, both intrastrand and interstrand, in GC and CG steps when included in a oligoGC or in oligoAT DNA sequence. We predict that for both sequences a substantial part of the photoexcited population on G and C decays, within 50-100 fs, to the corresponding intrastrand CT states. This transfer is more effective for GC steps that, on average, are more closely stacked than CG ones.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Haritha Asha
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini (IBB-CNR), Via De Amicis 95,I-80145Napoli, Italy
| | - James A Green
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini (IBB-CNR), Via De Amicis 95,I-80145Napoli, Italy.,Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Strasse 7, 60438Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Luciana Esposito
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini (IBB-CNR), Via De Amicis 95,I-80145Napoli, Italy
| | - Lara Martinez-Fernandez
- Departamento de Química, Facultad de Ciencias and Institute for Advanced Research in Chemistry (IADCHEM), Universidad Autònoma de Madrid, Campus de Excelencia UAM-CSIC, 28049Madrid, Spain
| | - Fabrizio Santoro
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Chimica dei Composti Organo Metallici (ICCOM-CNR), SS di Pisa, Area della Ricerca, via G. Moruzzi 1, I-56124Pisa, Italy
| | - Roberto Improta
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini (IBB-CNR), Via De Amicis 95,I-80145Napoli, Italy.,DTU Chemistry, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet Bldg 207, DK-2800Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Norris E, Prescott A, Noone C, Green JA, Reynolds J, Grant SP, Toomey E. Establishing open science research priorities in health psychology: a research prioritisation Delphi exercise. Psychol Health 2022:1-25. [PMID: 36317294 DOI: 10.1080/08870446.2022.2139830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Research on Open Science practices in Health Psychology is lacking. This meta-research study aimed to identify research question priorities and obtain consensus on the Top 5 prioritised research questions for Open Science in Health Psychology. METHODS AND MEASURES An international Delphi consensus study was conducted. Twenty-three experts in Open Science and Health Psychology within the European Health Psychology Society (EHPS) suggested research question priorities to create a 'long-list' of items (Phase 1). Forty-three EHPS members rated the importance of these items, ranked their top five and suggested their own additional items (Phase 2). Twenty-four EHPS members received feedback on Phase 2 responses and then re-rated and re-ranked their top five research questions (Phase 3). RESULTS The top five ranked research question priorities were: 1. 'To what extent are Open Science behaviours currently practised in Health Psychology?', 2. 'How can we maximise the usefulness of Open Data and Open Code resources?', 3. 'How can Open Data be increased within Health Psychology?', 4. 'What interventions are effective for increasing the adoption of Open Science in Health Psychology?' and 5. 'How can we increase free Open Access publishing in Health Psychology?'. CONCLUSION Funding and resources should prioritise the research questions identified here.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emma Norris
- Health Behaviour Change Research Group; Department of Health Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, UK
| | - Amy Prescott
- Department of Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, UK
| | - Chris Noone
- School of Psychology, NUI Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - James A Green
- Health Research Institute (HRI) and School of Allied Health, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | | | - Sean Patrick Grant
- School of Public Health, Indiana and Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Elaine Toomey
- Health Research Institute (HRI) and School of Allied Health, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Green JA, Gómez S, Worth G, Santoro F, Improta R. Solvent Effects on Ultrafast Charge Transfer Population: Insights from the Quantum Dynamics of Guanine-Cytosine in Chloroform. Chemistry 2022; 28:e202201731. [PMID: 35950519 PMCID: PMC9828530 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202201731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
We study the ultrafast photoactivated dynamics of the hydrogen bonded dimer Guanine-Cytosine in chloroform solution, focusing on the population of the Guanine→Cytosine charge transfer state (GC-CT), an important elementary process for the photophysics and photochemistry of nucleic acids. We integrate a quantum dynamics propagation scheme, based on a linear vibronic model parameterized through time dependent density functional theory calculations, with four different solvation models, either implicit or explicit. On average, after 50 fs, 30∼40 % of the bright excited state population has been transferred to GC-CT. This process is thus fast and effective, especially when transferring from the Guanine bright excited states, in line with the available experimental studies. Independent of the adopted solvation model, the population of GC-CT is however disfavoured in solution with respect to the gas phase. We show that dynamical solvation effects are responsible for this puzzling result and assess the different chemical-physical effects modulating the population of CT states on the ultrafast time-scale. We also propose some simple analyses to predict how solvent can affect the population transfer between bright and CT states, showing that the effect of the solute/solvent electrostatic interactions on the energy of the CT state can provide a rather reliable indication of its possible population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James A. Green
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini-CNRVia De Amicis 95I-80145Napoli
| | - Sandra Gómez
- Department of ChemistryUniversity College London20 Gordon StreetLondonWC1H 0AJUnited Kingdom,Departamento de Química FísicaUniversity of SalamancaSalamanca37008Spain
| | - Graham Worth
- Department of ChemistryUniversity College London20 Gordon StreetLondonWC1H 0AJUnited Kingdom
| | - Fabrizio Santoro
- Istituto di Chimica die Composti Organometallici (ICCOM-CNR), Area della Ricerca del CNRVia Moruzzi 1I-56124Pisa
| | - Roberto Improta
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini-CNRVia De Amicis 95I-80145Napoli
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Green JA, Gómez S, Worth G, Santoro F, Improta R. Front Cover: Solvent Effects on Ultrafast Charge Transfer Population: Insights from the Quantum Dynamics of Guanine‐Cytosine in Chloroform (Chem. Eur. J. 57/2022). Chemistry 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/chem.202203015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- James A. Green
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini-CNR Via De Amicis 95 I-80145 Napoli
| | - Sandra Gómez
- Department of Chemistry University College London 20 Gordon Street London WC1H 0AJ United Kingdom
- Departamento de Química Física University of Salamanca Salamanca 37008 Spain
| | - Graham Worth
- Department of Chemistry University College London 20 Gordon Street London WC1H 0AJ United Kingdom
| | - Fabrizio Santoro
- Istituto di Chimica die Composti Organometallici (ICCOM-CNR), Area della Ricerca del CNR Via Moruzzi 1 I-56124 Pisa
| | - Roberto Improta
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini-CNR Via De Amicis 95 I-80145 Napoli
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Green JA, Gómez S, Worth G, Santoro F, Improta R. Solvent Effects on Ultrafast Charge Transfer Population: Insights from the Quantum Dynamics of Guanine-Cytosine in Chloroform. Chemistry 2022; 28:e202203016. [PMID: 36202627 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202203016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Invited for the cover of this issue is the group of G. A. Worth, F. Santoro and R. Improta at UCL, ICOOM-CNR and IBB-CNR. The image depicts charge transfer from guanine to cytosine in solvent after the absorption of light. Read the full text of the article at 10.1002/chem.202201731.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James A Green
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini-CNR, Via De Amicis 95, 80145, Napoli, Italy
| | - Sandra Gómez
- Department of Chemistry, University College London, 20 Gordon Street, London, WC1H 0AJ, United Kingdom
- Departamento de Química Física, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, 37008, Spain
| | - Graham Worth
- Department of Chemistry, University College London, 20 Gordon Street, London, WC1H 0AJ, United Kingdom
| | - Fabrizio Santoro
- Istituto di Chimica die Composti Organometallici (ICCOM-CNR), Area della Ricerca del CNR, Via Moruzzi 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Roberto Improta
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini-CNR, Via De Amicis 95, 80145, Napoli, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Segalina A, Aranda D, Green JA, Cristino V, Caramori S, Prampolini G, Pastore M, Santoro F. How the Interplay among Conformational Disorder, Solvation, Local, and Charge-Transfer Excitations Affects the Absorption Spectrum and Photoinduced Dynamics of Perylene Diimide Dimers: A Molecular Dynamics/Quantum Vibronic Approach. J Chem Theory Comput 2022; 18:3718-3736. [PMID: 35377648 PMCID: PMC9202308 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jctc.2c00063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
![]()
In this contribution
we present a mixed quantum-classical dynamical
approach for the computation of vibronic absorption spectra of molecular
aggregates and their nonadiabatic dynamics, taking into account the
coupling between local excitations (LE) and charge-transfer (CT) states.
The approach is based on an adiabatic (Ad) separation between the
soft degrees of freedom (DoFs) of the system and the stiff vibrations,
which are described by the quantum dynamics (QD) of wave packets (WPs)
moving on the coupled potential energy surfaces (PESs) of the LE and
CT states. These PESs are described with a linear vibronic coupling
(LVC) Hamiltonian, parameterized by an overlap-based diabatization
on the grounds of time-dependent density functional theory computations.
The WPs time evolution is computed with the multiconfiguration time-dependent
Hartree method, using effective modes defined through a hierarchical
representation of the LVC Hamiltonian. The soft DoFs are sampled with
classical molecular dynamics (MD), and the coupling between the slow
and fast DoFs is included by recomputing the key parameters of the
LVC Hamiltonians, specifically for each MD configuration. This method,
named Ad-MD|gLVC, is applied to a perylene diimide (PDI) dimer in
acetonitrile and water solutions, and it is shown to accurately reproduce
the change in the vibronic features of the absorption spectrum upon
aggregation. Moreover, the microscopic insight offered by the MD trajectories
allows for a detailed understanding of the role played by the fluctuation
of the aggregate structure on the shape of the vibronic spectrum and
on the population of LE and CT states. The nonadiabatic QD predicts
an extremely fast (∼50 fs) energy transfer between the two
LEs. CT states have only a moderate effect on the absorption spectrum,
despite the fact that after photoexcitation they are shown to acquire
a fast and non-negligible population, highlighting their relevance
in dictating the charge separation and transport in PDI-based optical
devices.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alekos Segalina
- Université de Lorraine and CNRS, LPCT, UMR 7019, F-54000 Nancy, France
| | - Daniel Aranda
- Instituto de Ciencia Molecular (ICMol), Universidad de Valencia, Catedrático J. Beltrán 2, 46980 Paterna, Valencia, Spain
| | - James A Green
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini (IBB-CNR), via Mezzocannone 16, I-80136 Napoli, Italy
| | - Vito Cristino
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Farmaceutiche ed Agrarie, Via Fossato di Mortara 17, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Stefano Caramori
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Farmaceutiche ed Agrarie, Via Fossato di Mortara 17, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Giacomo Prampolini
- Istituto di Chimica dei Composti Organo Metallici, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, (ICCOM-CNR), SS di Pisa, Area della Ricerca, via G. Moruzzi 1, I-56124 Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Fabrizio Santoro
- Istituto di Chimica dei Composti Organo Metallici, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, (ICCOM-CNR), SS di Pisa, Area della Ricerca, via G. Moruzzi 1, I-56124 Pisa, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Wooding FBP, Forhead AJ, Wilsher S, Allen WR, Roberts RM, Green JA, Beckers JF, Sousa NM, Charpigny G. Asymmetric expression of proteins in the granules of the placentomal Binucleate cells in Giraffa camelopardalis. Biol Reprod 2022; 106:814-822. [PMID: 35040958 PMCID: PMC9305501 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioab247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Mature granulated trophoblast binucleate cells (BNC) have been found in all ruminant placentas examined histologically so far. BNC are normally fairly evenly distributed throughout the fetal villus and all their granules contain a similar variety of hormones and pregnancy associated glycoproteins (PAGs). Only the Giraffe is reported to show a different BNC protein expression, this paper is designed to investigate that. Gold labelled Lectin histochemistry and protein immunocytochemistry were used on deplasticised 1 μm sections of a wide variety of ruminant placentomes with a wide range of antibodies and lectins. In the Giraffe placentomes, even though the lectin histochemistry shows an even distribution of BNC throughout the trophoblast of the placental villi, the protein expression in the BNC granules is limited to the BNC either in the apex or the base of the villi. Placental lactogens and Prolactin (PRL) are present only in basally situated BNC: PAGs only in the apical BNC. PRL is only found in the Giraffe BNC which react with many fewer of the wide range of antibodies used here to investigate the uniformity of protein expression in ruminant BNC. The possible relevance of these differences to ruminant function and evolution is considered to provide a further example of the versatility of the BNC system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - A J Forhead
- The Physiological Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Downing Site, Cambridge, CB2 3EG
| | - S Wilsher
- The Paul Mellon Laboratory of Equine Reproduction, Newmarket, Suffolk, CB8 9BJ
| | | | - R M Roberts
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - J A Green
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - J F Beckers
- Physiologie de la Reproduction, Faculte de Medecine Veterinaire, B-4000, Liege, Belgique
| | - N Melo Sousa
- Physiologie de la Reproduction, Faculte de Medecine Veterinaire, B-4000, Liege, Belgique
| | - G Charpigny
- INRA, UMR1198, Biologie Devel Reprod, F-78532 Jouy et Josas, France
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Widayanti AW, Heydon S, Green JA, Norris P. Effectiveness of an intensive community-based intervention for people with type 2 diabetes in Indonesia: A pilot study. Diabetes Res Clin Pract 2021; 181:109087. [PMID: 34637848 DOI: 10.1016/j.diabres.2021.109087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Revised: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
AIMS This pilot study aimed to assess the acceptability of an intensive community-based intervention, and to get a preliminary estimate of the effect size of the intervention for people with type 2 diabetes in Kupang, Indonesia. METHODS Pilot of a cluster randomised trial involving sixty-seven participants. The participants were recruited from four Primary Health Centres (PHCs), and were allocated into groups (intervention: 36; control: 31) based on the PHCs they were registered in. The 3-month intervention consisted of weekly group activities including physical activity and education. Control was usual care. The outcomes were change in HbA1c, medication adherence, and self-management behaviours. To test our intervention, we used a mixed linear model, with participants nested within cluster/health centre. RESULTS Participants were 60% female, mean age 57, and had diabetes for an average of 4.5 years. Groups did not differ at baseline. Counter to prediction, no effects of the intervention over usual care were observed on the outcomes measured. However, both groups made statistically significant improvements in HbA1c (intervention from 8.3% ± 1.9 to 7.8% ± 1.8; control from 8.4% ± 2.6 to 7.9% ± 2.5). CONCLUSIONS The effect of the intervention did not differ from usual care. However, both groups made improvements in HbA1c outcome, suggesting that the project might have indirectly triggered more intensive care for diabetes patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Wahyuni Widayanti
- School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand; Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Susan Heydon
- School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - James A Green
- School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand; School of Allied Health and Physical Activity for Health, Health Research Institute (HRI), University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
| | - Pauline Norris
- School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Narayanan A, Gill M, Leem C, Li C, Mein Smith F, Shepherd B, Ting S, van Bart K, Green JA, Samaranayaka A, Ergler C, Macmillan A. Students' use of caffeine, alcohol, dietary supplements, and illegal substances for improving academic performance in a New Zealand university. Health Psychol Behav Med 2021; 9:917-932. [PMID: 34712515 PMCID: PMC8547821 DOI: 10.1080/21642850.2021.1990763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to describe patterns of use and attitudes towards a broad variety of substances for improving academic performance at a New Zealand university. 685 students (from 1800 invited) completed an online questionnaire (38% response rate). They were asked about their lifetime and current substance use for improving academic performance, as well as their reasons for use, attitudes and perceptions of: caffeine, alcohol, dietary supplements, prescription stimulants, other prescription substances, and illicit substances. 80% (95% CI: 76.3, 82.5) reported ever using any substance to help improve academic performance, mainly to stay awake and improve concentration. Caffeine (70%, 95% CI: 66.3, 73.3) and dietary supplements (32%, 95% CI: 28.3, 35.5) were most commonly used. 4% (95% CI: 2.7, 5.9) reported use of prescription stimulants, mostly methylphenidate, and another 4% (95% CI: 2.7, 5.9) reported using illicit substances for improving academic performance. Users of prescription stimulants were more likely than non-users to believe that they were safe, morally acceptable, and that they should be available legally for enhancing academic performance. We close with discussions on broadening the focus of substances for improving academic performance in public health debates. Further qualitative research from small countries is also needed to move towards a place-based approach for clarifying ethical implications, inform policy in universities, and understand how injustices are created through the use of and ability to purchase different substances.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anantha Narayanan
- Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Malcolm Gill
- Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Chaey Leem
- Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Cassandra Li
- Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | | | - Ben Shepherd
- Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Selene Ting
- Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Karin van Bart
- Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - James A Green
- School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.,School of Allied Health, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.,Physical Activity for Health Research Cluster, Health Research Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Ari Samaranayaka
- Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Christina Ergler
- Department of Geography, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Alexandra Macmillan
- Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Jouybari MY, Green JA, Improta R, Santoro F. The Ultrafast Quantum Dynamics of Photoexcited Adenine-Thymine Basepair Investigated with a Fragment-based Diabatization and a Linear Vibronic Coupling Model. J Phys Chem A 2021; 125:8912-8924. [PMID: 34609880 PMCID: PMC9281421 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpca.1c08132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
![]()
In
this contribution we present a quantum dynamical study of the
photoexcited hydrogen bonded base pair adenine–thymine (AT)
in a Watson–Crick arrangement. To that end, we parametrize
Linear Vibronic Coupling (LVC) models with Time-Dependent Density
Functional Theory (TD-DFT) calculations, exploiting a fragment diabatization
scheme (FrD) we have developed to define diabatic states on the basis
of individual chromophores in a multichromophoric system. Wavepacket
propagations were run with the multilayer extension of the Multiconfiguration
Time-Dependent Hartree method. We considered excitations to the three
lowest bright states, a ππ* state of
thymine and two ππ* states (La and Lb) of adenine, and we found that on the 100 fs time
scale the main decay pathways involve intramonomer population transfers
toward nπ* states of the same nucleobase. In AT this transfer
is less effective than in the isolated nucleobases, because hydrogen
bonding destabilizes the nπ* states. The population transfer
to the A → T charge transfer state is negligible, making the
ultrafast (femtosecond) decay through the proton coupled electron
transfer mechanism unlikely, in line with experimental results in
apolar solvents. The excitation energy transfer is also very small.
We carefully compare the predictions of LVC Hamiltonians obtained
with different sets of diabatic states, defined so to match either
local states of the two separated monomers or the base pair adiabatic
states in the Franck–Condon region. To that end we also extend
the flexibility of the FrD-LVC approach, introducing a new strategy
to define fragments diabatic states that account for the effect of
the rest of the multichromohoric system through a Molecular Mechanics
potential.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martha Yaghoubi Jouybari
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Chimica dei Composti Organo Metallici (ICCOM-CNR), SS di Pisa, Area della Ricerca, via G. Moruzzi 1, I-56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - James A Green
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini (IBB-CNR), via Mezzocannone 16, I-80136 Napoli, Italy
| | - Roberto Improta
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini (IBB-CNR), via Mezzocannone 16, I-80136 Napoli, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Santoro
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Chimica dei Composti Organo Metallici (ICCOM-CNR), SS di Pisa, Area della Ricerca, via G. Moruzzi 1, I-56124 Pisa, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Green JA, Yaghoubi Jouybari M, Asha H, Santoro F, Improta R. Fragment Diabatization Linear Vibronic Coupling Model for Quantum Dynamics of Multichromophoric Systems: Population of the Charge-Transfer State in the Photoexcited Guanine-Cytosine Pair. J Chem Theory Comput 2021; 17:4660-4674. [PMID: 34270258 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jctc.1c00416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
We introduce a method (FrD-LVC) based on a fragment diabatization (FrD) for the parametrization of a linear vibronic coupling (LVC) model suitable for studying the photophysics of multichromophore systems. In combination with effective quantum dynamics (QD) propagations with multilayer multiconfigurational time-dependent Hartree (ML-MCTDH), the FrD-LVC approach gives access to the study of the competition between intrachromophore decays, like those at conical intersections, and interchromophore processes, like exciton localization/delocalization and the involvement of charge-transfer (CT) states. We used FrD-LVC parametrized with time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) calculations, adopting either CAM-B3LYP or ωB97X-D functionals, to study the ultrafast photoexcited QD of a guanine-cytosine (GC) hydrogen-bonded pair, within a Watson-Crick arrangement, considering up to 12 coupled diabatic electronic states and the effect of all of the 99 vibrational coordinates. The bright excited states localized on C and, especially, on G are predicted to be strongly coupled to the G → C CT state, which is efficiently and quickly populated after an excitation to any of the four lowest energy bright local excited states. Our QD simulations show that more than 80% of the excited population on G and ∼50% of that on C decay to this CT state in less than 50 fs. We investigate the role of vibronic effects in the population of the CT state and show that it depends mainly on its large reorganization energy so that it can occur even when it is significantly less stable than the bright states in the Franck-Condon region. At the same time, we document that the formation of the GC pair almost suppresses the involvement of dark nπ* excited states in the photoactivated dynamics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James A Green
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini (IBB-CNR), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, via Mezzocannone 16, I-80136 Napoli, Italy
| | - Martha Yaghoubi Jouybari
- Istituto di Chimica dei Composti Organo Metallici (ICCOM-CNR), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, SS di Pisa, Area della Ricerca, via G. Moruzzi 1, I-56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Haritha Asha
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini (IBB-CNR), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, via Mezzocannone 16, I-80136 Napoli, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Santoro
- Istituto di Chimica dei Composti Organo Metallici (ICCOM-CNR), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, SS di Pisa, Area della Ricerca, via G. Moruzzi 1, I-56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Roberto Improta
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini (IBB-CNR), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, via Mezzocannone 16, I-80136 Napoli, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Asha H, Green JA, Martinez-Fernandez L, Esposito L, Improta R. Electronic Circular Dichroism Spectra of DNA Quadruple Helices Studied by Molecular Dynamics Simulations and Excitonic Calculations including Charge Transfer States. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26164789. [PMID: 34443377 PMCID: PMC8398971 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26164789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
We here investigate the Electronic Circular Dichroism (ECD) Spectra of two representative Guanine-rich sequences folded in a Quadruple helix (GQ), by using a recently developed fragment diabatisation based excitonic model (FrDEx). FrDEx can include charge transfer (CT) excited states and consider the effect of the surrounding monomers on the local excitations (LEs). When applied to different structures generated by molecular dynamics simulations on a fragment of the human telomeric sequence (Tel21/22), FrDEx provides spectra fully consistent with the experimental one and in good agreement with that provided by quantum mechanical (QM) method used for its parametrization, i.e., TD-M05-2X. We show that the ECD spectrum is moderately sensitive to the conformation adopted by the bases of the loops and more significantly to the thermal fluctuations of the Guanine tetrads. In particular, we show how changes in the overlap of the tetrads modulate the intensity of the ECD signal. We illustrate how this correlates with changes in the character of the excitonic states at the bottom of the La and Lb bands, with larger LE and CT involvement of bases that are more closely stacked. As an additional test, we utilised FrDEx to compute the ECD spectrum of the monomeric and dimeric forms of a GQ forming sequence T30695 (5′TGGGTGGGTGGGTGGG3′), i.e., a system containing up to 24 Guanine bases, and demonstrated the satisfactory reproduction of the experimental and QM reference results. This study provides new insights on the effects modulating the ECD spectra of GQs and, more generally, further validates FrDEx as an effective tool to predict and assign the spectra of closely stacked multichromophore systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Haritha Asha
- CNR—Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini (IBB-CNR), Via Mezzocannone 16, I-80136 Napoli, Italy; (H.A.); (J.A.G.); (L.E.)
| | - James A. Green
- CNR—Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini (IBB-CNR), Via Mezzocannone 16, I-80136 Napoli, Italy; (H.A.); (J.A.G.); (L.E.)
| | - Lara Martinez-Fernandez
- Departamento de Química, Facultad de Ciencias and IADCHEM (Institute for Advanced Research in Chemistry), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Luciana Esposito
- CNR—Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini (IBB-CNR), Via Mezzocannone 16, I-80136 Napoli, Italy; (H.A.); (J.A.G.); (L.E.)
| | - Roberto Improta
- CNR—Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini (IBB-CNR), Via Mezzocannone 16, I-80136 Napoli, Italy; (H.A.); (J.A.G.); (L.E.)
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Austin RE, De Pascalis F, Votier SC, Haakonsson J, Arnould JPY, Ebanks-Petrie G, Newton J, Harvey J, Green JA. Interspecific and intraspecific foraging differentiation of neighbouring tropical seabirds. Mov Ecol 2021; 9:27. [PMID: 34039419 PMCID: PMC8152358 DOI: 10.1186/s40462-021-00251-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Social interactions, reproductive demands and intrinsic constraints all influence foraging decisions in animals. Understanding the relative importance of these factors in shaping the way that coexisting species within communities use and partition resources is central to knowledge of ecological and evolutionary processes. However, in marine environments, our understanding of the mechanisms that lead to and allow coexistence is limited, particularly in the tropics. METHODS Using simultaneous data from a suite of animal-borne data loggers (GPS, depth recorders, immersion and video), dietary samples and stable isotopes, we investigated interspecific and intraspecific differences in foraging of two closely-related seabird species (the red-footed booby and brown booby) from neighbouring colonies on the Cayman Islands in the Caribbean. RESULTS The two species employed notably different foraging strategies, with marked spatial segregation, but limited evidence of interspecific dietary partitioning. The larger-bodied brown booby foraged within neritic waters, with the smaller-bodied red-footed booby travelling further offshore. Almost no sex differences were detected in foraging behaviour of red-footed boobies, while male and female brown boobies differed in their habitat use, foraging characteristics and dietary contributions. We suggest that these behavioural differences may relate to size dimorphism and competition: In the small brown booby population (n < 200 individuals), larger females showed a higher propensity to remain in coastal waters where they experienced kleptoparasitic attacks from magnificent frigatebirds, while smaller males that were never kleptoparasitised travelled further offshore, presumably into habitats with lower kleptoparasitic pressure. In weakly dimorphic red-footed boobies, these differences are less pronounced. Instead, density-dependent pressures on their large population (n > 2000 individuals) and avoidance of kleptoparasitism may be more prevalent in driving movements for both sexes. CONCLUSIONS Our results reveal how, in an environment where opportunities for prey diversification are limited, neighbouring seabird species segregate at-sea, while exhibiting differing degrees of sexual differentiation. While the mechanisms underlying observed patterns remain unclear, our data are consistent with the idea that multiple factors involving both conspecifics and heterospecifics, as well as reproductive pressures, may combine to influence foraging differences in these neighbouring tropical species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R E Austin
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 3GP, UK.
| | - F De Pascalis
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 3GP, UK
- Present Address: Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - S C Votier
- The Lyell Centre, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, EH14 4AP, UK
| | - J Haakonsson
- Department of Environment, Cayman Islands Government, George Town, Grand Cayman, KY1-1002, Cayman Islands
| | - J P Y Arnould
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC, 3125, Australia
| | - G Ebanks-Petrie
- Department of Environment, Cayman Islands Government, George Town, Grand Cayman, KY1-1002, Cayman Islands
| | - J Newton
- NERC National Environmental Isotope Facility, Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre, Scottish Enterprise Technology Park, East Kilbride, G75 0QF, UK
| | - J Harvey
- Department of Environment, Cayman Islands Government, George Town, Grand Cayman, KY1-1002, Cayman Islands
- Present Address: Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, George Town, Grand Cayman, KY1-1005, Cayman Islands
| | - J A Green
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 3GP, UK
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Green JA. Too many zeros and/or highly skewed? A tutorial on modelling health behaviour as count data with Poisson and negative binomial regression. Health Psychol Behav Med 2021; 9:436-455. [PMID: 34104569 PMCID: PMC8159206 DOI: 10.1080/21642850.2021.1920416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Dependent variables in health psychology are often counts, for example, of a behaviour or number of engagements with an intervention. These counts can be very strongly skewed, and/or contain large numbers of zeros as well as extreme outliers. For example, 'How many cigarettes do you smoke on an average day?' The modal answer may be zero but may range from 0 to 40+. The same can be true for minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. For some people, this may be near zero, but take on extreme values for someone training for a marathon. Typical analytical strategies for this data involve explicit (or implied) transformations (smoker v. non-smoker, log transformations). However, these data types are 'counts' (i.e. non-negative whole numbers) or quasi-counts (time is ratio but discrete minutes of activity could be analysed as a count), and can be modelled using count distributions - including the Poisson and negative binomial distribution (and their zero-inflated and hurdle extensions, which alloweven more zeros). Methods: In this tutorial paper I demonstrate (in R, Jamovi, and SPSS) the easy application of these models to health psychology data, and their advantages over alternative ways of analysing this type of data using two datasets - one highly dispersed dependent variable (number of views on YouTube, and another with a large number of zeros (number of days on which symptoms were reported over a month). Results: The negative binomial distribution had the best fit for the overdispersed number of views on YouTube. Negative binomial, and zero-inflated negative binomial were both good fits for the symptom data with over-abundant zeros. Conclusions: In both cases, count distributions provided not just a better fit but would lead to different conclusions compared to the poorly fitting traditional regression/linear models.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James A. Green
- School of Allied Health, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
- Physical Activity for Health Research Cluster (Health Research Institute), University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Santoro F, Green JA, Martinez-Fernandez L, Cerezo J, Improta R. Quantum and semiclassical dynamical studies of nonadiabatic processes in solution: achievements and perspectives. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2021; 23:8181-8199. [PMID: 33875988 DOI: 10.1039/d0cp05907b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
We concisely review the main methodological approaches to model nonadiabatic dynamics in isotropic solutions and their applications. Three general classes of models are identified as the most used to include solvent effects in the simulations. The first model describes the solvent as a set of harmonic collective modes coupled to the solute degrees of freedom, and the second as a continuum, while the third explicitly includes solvent molecules in the calculations. The issues related to the use of these models in semiclassical and quantum dynamical simulations are discussed, as well as the main limitations and perspectives of each approach.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fabrizio Santoro
- CNR-Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Chimica dei Composti Organo Metallici (ICCOM-CNR), SS di Pisa, Area della Ricerca, via G. Moruzzi 1, I-56124 Pisa, Italy.
| | - James A Green
- CNR-Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini (IBB-CNR), via Mezzocannone 16, I-80136 Napoli, Italy.
| | - Lara Martinez-Fernandez
- Departamento de Química, Facultad de Ciencias and Institute for Advanced Research in Chemistry (IADCHEM), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Campus de Excelencia UAM-CSIC, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Cerezo
- Departamento de Química, Facultad de Ciencias and Institute for Advanced Research in Chemistry (IADCHEM), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Campus de Excelencia UAM-CSIC, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Roberto Improta
- CNR-Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini (IBB-CNR), via Mezzocannone 16, I-80136 Napoli, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Widayanti AW, Green JA, Heydon S, Norris P. Health-Seeking Behavior of People in Indonesia: A Narrative Review. J Epidemiol Glob Health 2021; 10:6-15. [PMID: 32175705 PMCID: PMC7310809 DOI: 10.2991/jegh.k.200102.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2019] [Accepted: 12/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
This review aims to locate existing studies on health-seeking behavior of people in Indonesia, identify gaps, and highlight important findings. Articles were retrieved from Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, Academic Search Complete (via Ebsco), and ProQuest with a number of key words and various combinations. Articles from Indonesian journals were also searched for with Google Scholar. A total of 56 articles from peer-reviewed journal databases and 19 articles from Indonesian journals were reviewed. Quantitative designs were applied more frequently than qualitative, and mixed methods designs were used in some studies. The majority gathered retrospective information about people's behaviors. Communicable diseases and maternity care were the most frequently studied conditions, in contrast to noncommunicable diseases. In terms of geographical distribution, most research was conducted on Java island, with very few in outside Java. Important findings are a model of Indonesian care-seeking pathways, an understanding of determinants of people's care choices, and the role of sociocultural beliefs. The findings from this narrative review provide insight to what and how Indonesians make decisions to manage their illness and why. This makes an important contribution to understanding the problem of underutilization of medical services despite the government's extensive efforts to improve accessibility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Wahyuni Widayanti
- School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.,Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - James A Green
- School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.,School of Allied Health and Physical Activity for Health, Health Research Institute (HRI), University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Susan Heydon
- School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Pauline Norris
- School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Green JA, Jouybari MY, Aranda D, Improta R, Santoro F. Nonadiabatic Absorption Spectra and Ultrafast Dynamics of DNA and RNA Photoexcited Nucleobases. Molecules 2021; 26:1743. [PMID: 33804640 PMCID: PMC8003674 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26061743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Revised: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
We have recently proposed a protocol for Quantum Dynamics (QD) calculations, which is based on a parameterisation of Linear Vibronic Coupling (LVC) Hamiltonians with Time Dependent (TD) Density Functional Theory (TD-DFT), and exploits the latest developments in multiconfigurational TD-Hartree methods for an effective wave packet propagation. In this contribution we explore the potentialities of this approach to compute nonadiabatic vibronic spectra and ultrafast dynamics, by applying it to the five nucleobases present in DNA and RNA. For all of them we computed the absorption spectra and the dynamics of ultrafast internal conversion (100 fs timescale), fully coupling the first 2-3 bright states and all the close by dark states, for a total of 6-9 states, and including all the normal coordinates. We adopted two different functionals, CAM-B3LYP and PBE0, and tested the effect of the basis set. Computed spectra are in good agreement with the available experimental data, remarkably improving over pure electronic computations, but also with respect to vibronic spectra obtained neglecting inter-state couplings. Our QD simulations indicate an effective population transfer from the lowest energy bright excited states to the close-lying dark excited states for uracil, thymine and adenine. Dynamics from higher-energy states show an ultrafast depopulation toward the more stable ones. The proposed protocol is sufficiently general and automatic to promise to become useful for widespread applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James A. Green
- CNR—Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini (IBB-CNR), Via Mezzocannone 16, I-80136 Napoli, Italy;
| | - Martha Yaghoubi Jouybari
- CNR—Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche, Istituto di Chimica dei Composti Organo Metallici (ICCOM-CNR), SS di Pisa, Area Della Ricerca, Via G. Moruzzi 1, I-56124 Pisa, Italy; (M.Y.J.); (D.A.)
| | - Daniel Aranda
- CNR—Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche, Istituto di Chimica dei Composti Organo Metallici (ICCOM-CNR), SS di Pisa, Area Della Ricerca, Via G. Moruzzi 1, I-56124 Pisa, Italy; (M.Y.J.); (D.A.)
| | - Roberto Improta
- CNR—Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini (IBB-CNR), Via Mezzocannone 16, I-80136 Napoli, Italy;
| | - Fabrizio Santoro
- CNR—Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche, Istituto di Chimica dei Composti Organo Metallici (ICCOM-CNR), SS di Pisa, Area Della Ricerca, Via G. Moruzzi 1, I-56124 Pisa, Italy; (M.Y.J.); (D.A.)
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Ciernia LA, Perry GA, Smith MF, Rich JJ, Northrop EJ, Perkins SD, Green JA, Zezeski AL, Geary TW. Effect of estradiol preceding and progesterone subsequent to ovulation on proportion of postpartum beef cows pregnant. Anim Reprod Sci 2021; 227:106723. [PMID: 33621845 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2021.106723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Two experiments were conducted to examine the effect of plasma concentrations of 17β-estradiol (E2) preceding and progesterone (P4) subsequent to ovulation on proportions of beef cows pregnant following embryo transfer. Timing of ovulation (d 0) among postpartum cows was synchronized and cows that expressed estrus were removed from each study. In Experiment 1, plasma E2 concentration on d 0 was used to classify cows (n = 353) into Low, Medium, and High E2 groups. Pregnancy rate for cows with Low, Medium, or High E2 concentrations were different (P < 0.05). In Experiment 2, there were multiple administrations of PGF2α to evaluate the independent effects of Low or High E2 before ovulation and Low or Normal (no treatment) P4 after ovulation on proportions of cows pregnant. Treatment groups in Experiment 2, therefore, were: Low E2-Low P4 (LL; n = 71), Low E2-Normal P4 (LN; n = 69), High E2-Low P4 (HL; n = 74), and High E2-Normal P4 (HN; n = 73). Concentrations of P4 on d 7 subsequent to ovulation were less (P < 0.05) in cows of the HL compared to HN, and in LL compared to LN groups. Concentrations of E2 on d -2, 0, and change in E2 (d -2 to d 0) had a positive effect (P < 0.008) on pregnancy rates. In summary, relatively greater E2 concentrations preceding ovulation; and relatively greater P4 concentrations subsequent to ovulation combined with lesser E2 concentrations preceding ovulation had a positive effect on proportions of postpartum cows pregnant.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - G A Perry
- South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD, USA
| | - M F Smith
- University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - J J Rich
- South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD, USA
| | - E J Northrop
- South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD, USA
| | - S D Perkins
- South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD, USA
| | - J A Green
- University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - A L Zezeski
- USDA-ARS, Fort Keogh Livestock and Range Research Lab, Miles City, MT, USA
| | - T W Geary
- USDA-ARS, Fort Keogh Livestock and Range Research Lab, Miles City, MT, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Green JA, Asha H, Santoro F, Improta R. Excitonic Model for Strongly Coupled Multichromophoric Systems: The Electronic Circular Dichroism Spectra of Guanine Quadruplexes as Test Cases. J Chem Theory Comput 2021; 17:405-415. [PMID: 33378185 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jctc.0c01100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
We here propose a general and flexible approach, based on fragment diabatization, which incorporates charge transfer states and significantly increases the reliability of excitonic Hamiltonians for systems where the chromophores are very close. This model (FrDEx) is used to compute the electronic circular dichroism and absorption spectra of two prototype guanine-rich DNA sequences folded in quadruple helices (GQs), i.e., a fragment of the human telomeric sequence (Tel21, antiparallel), and (TGGGGT)4 (TG4T, parallel). Calculations on different subsets of Tel21 and TG4T, from dimers to tetramers, show that FrDEx provides spectra close to the reference full quantum mechanical (QM) ones (obtained with time-dependent density functional theory), with significant improvements with respect to "standard" excitonic Hamiltonians. Furthermore, these tests enable the most cost-effective procedure for the whole GQ to be determined. FrDEx spectra of Tel21 and TG4T are also in good agreement with the QM and experimental ones and give access to interesting insights into the chemical-physical effects modulating the spectral signals. FrDEx could be profitably used to investigate many other biological and nanotechnological materials, from DNA to (opto)electronic polymers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James A Green
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini (IBB-CNR), via Mezzocannone 16, I-80136 Napoli, Italy
| | - Haritha Asha
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini (IBB-CNR), via Mezzocannone 16, I-80136 Napoli, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Santoro
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Chimica dei Composti Organo Metallici (ICCOM-CNR), SS di Pisa, Area della Ricerca, via G. Moruzzi 1, I-56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Roberto Improta
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini (IBB-CNR), via Mezzocannone 16, I-80136 Napoli, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Nair D, Green JA, Marra CA. Pharmacists of the future: What determines graduates' desire to engage in patient-centred services? Res Social Adm Pharm 2020; 17:545-552. [PMID: 32482588 DOI: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2020.04.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2019] [Revised: 04/05/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pharmacists increasingly need to provide patient centred activities like medicine management (e.g., medicine use review/home medicine review), screening for chronic illness (e.g., point of care testing for cardiovascular diseases including hypertension and hypercholesterolemia), treatment for chronic conditions (e.g., warfarin for thrombotic prophylaxis), and primary care treatment (trimethoprim, emergency contraceptive pill, and sildenafil). However, the adoption of patient-centred services into practice is still low, and it not known which pharmacist characteristics are associated with the adoption of these services. OBJECTIVE The primary objective of this study was to investigate whether personality and other characteristics of pharmacy graduates are associated with their intention to provide patient-centred services in the future. METHODS The study design was a cross-sectional survey of pharmacy graduates from the University of Otago at the end of 2017. The web-based survey involved several potential determinants: (1) the Achievement Goals Questionnaire (Revised), (2) five-factor ('Big Five') model of personality, (3) decision-making style using the Rational Experiential inventory, (4) general self-efficacy, (5) sense of belonging to the pharmacy profession. Additionally, interest in provision of services was assessed. RESULTS A total of 83 graduates completed the survey (response rate 63%, female 64%, age 22.5 years, SD: 1.7). Intention to provide patient-centred services was associated with higher: conscientiousness, agreeableness, and extraversion; mastery-approach; self-efficacy; and sense of belonging to the profession. Relative to the New Zealand population norms, these students were higher in conscientiousness and lower in neuroticism. Graduates were more interested in providing new patient-centred roles than more traditional services. CONCLUSION Overall, pharmacy graduates were very positive regarding their future involvement in patient-centred services. Pharmacy graduates' sense of self-efficacy and a sense of belonging in the profession were associated with interest in patient-centred roles. Increasing their self-efficacy and sense of belonging to the profession and building on their enthusiasm as new graduates are key to greater provision of patient-centred activities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dhanya Nair
- School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, New Zealand
| | - James A Green
- School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, New Zealand; School of Allied Health and Physical Activity for Health Research Cluster, Health Research Institute (HRI), University of Limerick, Ireland
| | - Carlo A Marra
- School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, New Zealand.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Abstract
Cognitive scientists have firmly established that memory is vulnerable to decay and distortion. Yet laypeople - who may be required to evaluate memory evidence as jurors - have shown less awareness of memory fallibility. Although we might expect laypeople's knowledge of memory to have improved over time, research has yet to explore this issue while accounting for possible age-related changes. We administered a modified version of the Beliefs about Memory Survey (BAMS) to a community sample, investigating patterns of beliefs relating to memory permanence, repression of traumatic memories, and memory reconstruction. Older participants were more likely than younger participants to believe that traumatic memories can be repressed, while younger participants were more likely than their older counterparts to believe that memory is permanent, but also that memory is malleable. We assessed whether these beliefs were stable over time, by comparing our data to a sample of data collected 25 years earlier. Although contemporary beliefs about the repression of traumatic memories and memory reconstruction were more aligned with expert opinion than those of 25 years ago, beliefs about memory permanence were not. These findings highlight the need for continued education about memory and its shortcomings. We discuss ways of improving decisions about memory evidence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kimberley Wake
- Department of Psychology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - James A Green
- School of Allied Health and Physical Activity for Health Research Cluster, Health Research Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Rachel Zajac
- Department of Psychology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Widayanti AW, Norris P, Green JA, Heydon S. Is expanding service through an outreach programme enough to improve immunisation uptake? A qualitative study in Indonesia. Glob Public Health 2020; 15:1168-1181. [PMID: 32290768 DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2020.1751229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
In 1983, the Indonesian government established Pos Pelayanan Terpadu (Integrated Health Post) - commonly known as Posyandu, an outreach programme for improving mothers' and children's health, including immunisation. However, child immunisation coverage is still far below national and world targets. There is also wide variation among regions, with low rates found in areas outside Java. This study aimed to explore mothers' experiences in immunising their children through Posyandu in East Nusa Tenggara, and West Sumatera, two provinces located outside Java Island. Fifty-three mothers were involved in six Focus Group Discussion (FGDs). The discussions were recorded and transcribed verbatim in the original language. The transcripts were translated into English, coded with Nvivo, and analysed for common themes. This study showed that the success of the immunisation programme through Posyandu relied on the role of community-based health workers. Their ability to integrate with the community increased people's trust. This trust encouraged mothers to immunise their children, despite their limited knowledge about immunisation. The other barrier often encountered by the mothers in immunising their children was that the fathers did not allow them to do so. Therefore, collaborative work with the whole community is needed to improve the performance of an outreach programme.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Wahyuni Widayanti
- School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.,Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Pauline Norris
- School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - James A Green
- School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.,School of Allied Health and Physical Activity for Health Cluster, Health Research Institute (HRI), University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Susan Heydon
- School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Abstract
We compute at the anharmonic level the vibrational spectra of the Watson-Crick dimer formed by guanosine (G) and cytidine (C) in chloroform, together with those of G, C and the most populated GG dimer. The spectra for deuterated and partially deuterated GC are also computed. We use DFT calculations, with B3LYP and CAM-B3LYP as reference functionals. Solvent effects from chloroform are included via the Polarizable Continuum Model (PCM), and by performing tests on models including up two chloroform molecules. Both B3LYP and CAM-B3LYP calculations reproduce the shape of the experimental spectra well in the fingerprint region (1500-1700 cm-1) and in the N-H stretching region (2800-3600 cm-1), with B3LYP providing better quantitative agreement with experiments. According to our calculations, the N-H amido streching mode of G falls at ∼2900 cm-1, while the N-H amino of G and C falls at ∼3100 cm-1 when hydrogen-bonded, or ∼3500 cm-1 when free. Overtone and combination bands strongly contribute to the absorption band at ∼3300 cm-1. Inclusion of bulk solvent effects significantly increases the accuracy of the computed spectra, while solute-solvent interactions have a smaller, though still noticeable, effect. Some key aspects of the anharmonic treatment of strongly vibrationally coupled supermolecular systems and the related methodological issues are also discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James A Green
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini-CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16, I-80134 Napoli, Italy.
| | - Roberto Improta
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini-CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16, I-80134 Napoli, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Widayanti AW, Heydon S, Norris P, Green JA. Lay perceptions and illness experiences of people with type 2 diabetes in Indonesia: a qualitative study. Health Psychol Behav Med 2019; 8:1-15. [PMID: 34040859 PMCID: PMC8114388 DOI: 10.1080/21642850.2019.1699101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2019] [Accepted: 11/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Understanding perceptions and experiences of people with diabetes is important before establishing effective interventions. Previous research indicates that socio-cultural characteristics influence people's views about diabetes. Objective: This study aimed at understanding diabetes from the perspective of people with diabetes in the Indonesian cultural context. Methods: Six focus group discussions involving 45 people with diabetes were conducted in East Nusa Tenggara and West Sumatera. The discussions were recorded, transcribed verbatim in their original language, translated into English, and analysed for common themes. Results: This study showed that participants tried to understand diabetes based on their personal experiences. They also saw the disease in a broader context of cultural identity and changes in their cultural environment. In coping with the disease, three strategies were identified: seeing it as beyond their control, normalising their condition, and resignation to God. People who used the first and second methods of coping tended to have a more negative response to diabetes treatment. People with strong religious beliefs coped more positively with diabetes. Conclusions: People with diabetes conceptualised the disease into their own narratives. These lay concepts influenced their strategies of coping and their behaviours in managing the disease. Understanding people's lay perceptions and experiences are important to develop personalised strategies of diabetes management that may influence people's responses to their disease and treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Wahyuni Widayanti
- School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Susan Heydon
- School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Pauline Norris
- School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - James A. Green
- School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- School of Allied Health and Physical Activity for Health, Health Research Institute (HRI), University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Widayanti AW, Norris P, Heydon S, Green JA. Medicine taking behaviours of people with type 2 diabetes in Indonesia: a qualitative study. Int J Clin Pharm 2019; 42:31-39. [PMID: 31701339 DOI: 10.1007/s11096-019-00933-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2019] [Accepted: 11/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Background Medicine-taking behaviour of people in Indonesia is particularly complex because of Indonesia's pluralistic health system, in which public and private medical services co-exist with traditional and alternative treatments. Objective This study aimed to explore medicine-taking behaviours of people with type 2 diabetes in Indonesia. Setting Rural and urban communities in East Nusa Tenggara and West Sumatera Provinces. Method Qualitative study with focus group discussions. Six focus groups, involving 45 diabetes patients, were conducted. The discussions were recorded and transcribed verbatim in the original language. The transcripts were translated into English and analysed for common themes. Main outcome measure People's medicine-taking behaviours after being diagnosed with diabetes. Results Medicine-taking behaviours of diabetes participants aligned with the concept of resistance to medicine taking and a therapeutic decision model. It varied based on individual lay evaluation processes. After being diagnosed, participants commonly took the prescribed medicines for some period. They then self-evaluated the effectiveness of the prescribed medicines. Based on the self-evaluation, patients either continued to take the prescribed medicines or made a variety of changes: they discontinued taking the prescribed medicines, combined or alternated prescribed medicines with traditional medicines, or occasionally took medicines they bought without prescription. Reasons mentioned by participants for choosing traditional medicines including perceived ineffectiveness or side effect of the prescribed-medicines. Long-term medicine taking burdened the participants as the notion of being fed up with taking medicines was frequently mentioned. Problems of inaccessibility of the prescribed-medicines also emerged. Conclusion Diabetes patients' medicine-taking behaviours and their reasons for decision-making need to be acknowledged to improve adherence to medicine. Health professionals should assist patients on how to evaluate effectiveness, manage side effects, and reduce the medicine-related burden.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Wahyuni Widayanti
- School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin, 9054, New Zealand. .,Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Sekip Utara, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
| | - Pauline Norris
- School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin, 9054, New Zealand
| | - Susan Heydon
- School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin, 9054, New Zealand
| | - James A Green
- School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin, 9054, New Zealand.,School of Allied Health and Physical Activity for Health Cluster, University of Limerick, Limerick, V94 T9PX, Ireland.,Health Research Institute (HRI), University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Marra CA, Houle SKD, Green JA. Are entry year pharmacy students created equally? A comparison between New Zealand and Canada. Res Social Adm Pharm 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2019.03.136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
|
29
|
Zadeh NK, Robertson K, Green JA. Lifestyle determinants of behavioural outcomes triggered by direct-to-consumer advertising of prescription medicines: a cross-sectional study. Aust N Z J Public Health 2019; 43:190-196. [PMID: 30830719 DOI: 10.1111/1753-6405.12883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2018] [Revised: 12/01/2018] [Accepted: 01/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Direct-to-consumer advertising of prescription medicines encourages individuals to search for or request advertised medicines, can stimulate taking medications rather than making lifestyle behaviour changes, and may target individuals with poorer demographic and socioeconomic status and riskier health-related behaviours. This study thus explored whether responses to medicine advertising vary as a function of lifestyle behaviours, and demographic and socioeconomic factors. METHODS Data were collected through an online survey of a nationally representative sample of 2,057 adults in New Zealand. Multivariate binary logistic regressions were used to explore whether lifestyle behaviours, including nutritional habits, alcohol consumption, illegal drug consumption, physical activity, attitudes towards doing exercise, as well as demographic and socioeconomic status were associated with self-reported behavioural responses to medicine advertising. RESULTS Individuals who had unhealthier lifestyle behaviours were more likely to respond to medicine advertising. CONCLUSIONS The findings raise concerns regarding the misuse or overuse of medications for diseases that may otherwise be improved by a healthier lifestyle. Implications for public health: To improve public health and wellbeing of society, we call for regulatory changes regarding advertising of medicines. Where applicable, lifestyle changes should be advertised as potential substitutes for the advertised medicines. Interprofessional collaboration is also recommended to educate individuals and convey the value of health behaviour changes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Neda Khalil Zadeh
- School of Business, and School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, New Zealand
| | | | - James A Green
- School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, New Zealand.,School of Allied Health, University of Limerick, Ireland.,Health Research Institute (HRI), University of Limerick, Ireland
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Green JA, Zerhouni O, Gauchet A. Contrasting implicit and explicit measures of attitudes to complementary and alternative medicines. Complement Ther Clin Pract 2019; 34:105-108. [PMID: 30712711 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2018.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2018] [Revised: 09/29/2018] [Accepted: 11/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
We aimed to contrast implicit and explicit measures of attitudes towards complementary and alternative medicines, to determine which best predicts medicine adherence. 117 participants from Université Grenoble Alpes completed online measures of attitudes towards complementary and alternative medicines, including implicit measures (Affect Misattribution Procedure (AMP); Implicit Association Test (IAT)), and explicit measures (Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire (BMQ), modified explicit AMP); and self-reported medicine adherence (Medication Adherence Scale (MARS); Probabilistic Medication Adherence Scale (ProMAS)). AMP measures of implicit and explicit attitudes predicted beliefs toward medicine and medicines adherence. Models including implicit measures were stronger than models with explicit measures alone. Further, the AMP predicted beliefs toward medicine as well as medicine adherence, and the AMP was a stronger predictor compared to the IAT, although the IAT predicted adherence. These preliminary findings suggest that 'hot' implicit attitudes are a useful predictor of people's medicine choices, and that the AMP outperforms the IAT.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James A Green
- School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand; School of Allied Health, University of Limerick, Ireland; Health Research Institute, University of Limerick, Ireland.
| | - Oulmann Zerhouni
- Laboratoire Parisien de Psychologie Sociale, Département de Psychologie, Nanterre, France
| | - Aurélie Gauchet
- Laboratoire Interuniversitaire de Psychologie (LIP/PC2S), Université Grenoble Alpes, Département de Psychologie, Grenoble, France
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Symonds CC, Makhov DV, Cole-Filipiak NC, Green JA, Stavros VG, Shalashilin DV. Ultrafast photodissociation dynamics of pyrazole, imidazole and their deuterated derivatives using ab initio multiple cloning. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2019; 21:9987-9995. [DOI: 10.1039/c9cp00039a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Fully quantum nonadiabatic dynamics calculation of photodissociation of azoles shows good agreement with experiment and foreshadows the predictive ability of the method.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Dmitry V. Makhov
- School of Chemistry
- University of Leeds
- Leeds LS2 9JT
- UK
- School of Mathematics
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
32
|
Green JA, Makhov DV, Cole-Filipiak NC, Symonds C, Stavros VG, Shalashilin DV. Ultrafast photodissociation dynamics of 2-ethylpyrrole: adding insight to experiment with ab initio multiple cloning. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2019; 21:3832-3841. [DOI: 10.1039/c8cp06359a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Fully quantum nonadiabatic dynamics calculation of 2-ethylpyrrole photodissociation shows the experimentally obtained ultrafast time-constant has two components.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Dmitry V. Makhov
- School of Chemistry
- University of Leeds
- Leeds
- UK
- School of Mathematics
| | - Neil C. Cole-Filipiak
- Department of Chemistry
- University of Warwick
- Coventry CV4 7AL
- UK
- Combustion Research Facility
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
33
|
Robertson K, Thyne M, Green JA. Supporting a sugar tax in New Zealand: Sugar sweetened beverage ('fizzy drink') consumption as a normal behaviour within the obesogenic environment. PeerJ 2018; 6:e5821. [PMID: 30364491 PMCID: PMC6197038 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.5821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2018] [Accepted: 09/25/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Excessive intake of sugar sweetened beverages (SSBs) is a preventable cause of death. While some countries have implemented a tax on SSBs, other countries, such as New Zealand, rely on industry self-regulation and individual responsibility, such as referring to labels, to control one's own sugar intake from SSBs. The present study examines whether SSB consumers consciously control their diet and therefore interventions such as better labelling might be effective, or alternatively, whether SSB consumers engage in a general pattern of unhealthy eating, and in which case government regulation would be advisable. Aim To explore self-reported dietary consumption and conscious healthy eating behaviours of New Zealand consumers who had consumed SSBs over a 24 hour period. Method A cross-sectional survey of a representative sample of 2007 New Zealanders, measuring their food and beverage intake over a 24 hour period and self-reported intentions to eat healthily. Within this was a measurement of SSB consumption in the 24 hour period. Results Multivariable logistic regression revealed that compared to non-SSB consumers, SSB consumers were more likely to have eaten the following: confectionery; fast food; pre-prepared food; biscuits, cakes or pastries; takeaways; ice-cream/dessert. SSB consumption was also associated with a lower likelihood of referring to food labels, less conscious effort to eat healthily, and to less likely to avoid: sugar; fat; calories; food additives; pre-prepared food. SSB consumers were also less likely to have eaten breakfast, or made a meal at home made from scratch. Conclusion SSB consumers were more likely than non-SSB consumers to demonstrate a general pattern of unhealthy eating and were less likely to report consciously controlling their diet. The findings raise significant concerns regarding the efficacy of individual and industry self-regulation and lend support to stronger government targeted interventions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Maree Thyne
- Department of Marketing, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - James A Green
- School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.,School of Allied Health, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.,Health Research Institute (HRI), University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Meaney KD, Kim Y, Herrmann HW, Young CY, Archuleta TA, Hamilton CE, Duke DL, Haines TJ, Corredor AC, Green JA, Fegenbush L, Kaufman MI, Malone RM, Baker SA, Richardson S, Zier J, Engelbrecht J, Culver A. Characterization of the Mercury pulsed power x-ray source spectrum using multichannel density aerogel Cherenkov detectors. Rev Sci Instrum 2018; 89:10F113. [PMID: 30399895 DOI: 10.1063/1.5038745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2018] [Accepted: 08/02/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The Aerogel Cherenkov Detector for Cygnus (ACD/C) is a time-dependent, x-ray spectral detector that uses SiO2 aerogels spanning an index of refraction (n = 1.02-1.07) corresponding to a 1.1-2.3 MeV x-ray energy threshold. The ACD/C was developed for pulsed power x-ray sources like Cygnus located at the Nevada National Site and Mercury located at the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL). Aerogels sit between the measurement capabilities of gas (>2 MeV) and solids such as fused silica (>0.3 MeV). The detector uses an aluminum converter to Compton scatter incoming x-rays and create relativistic electrons, which produce Cherenkov light in an aerogel or a fused silica medium. The ACD/C was fielded at the NRL when Mercury was tuned to produce up to 4.8 MeV endpoint bremsstrahlung. Despite a high radiation and electromagnetic interference background, the ACD/C was able to achieve high signal over noise across five aerogel densities and fused silica, including a signal to noise for a 1.1 MeV aerogel threshold. Previous experiments at Cygnus observed a signal that was comparable to the noise (1×) at the same threshold. The ACD/C observed time-resolved rise and fall times for different energy thresholds of the photon spectrum. Monte Carlo simulations of the ACD/C's aerogel response curves were folded with a simulation of Mercury's photon energy spectrum and agree within the error to the observed result.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- K D Meaney
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, USA
| | - Y Kim
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, USA
| | - H W Herrmann
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, USA
| | - C Y Young
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, USA
| | - T A Archuleta
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, USA
| | - C E Hamilton
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, USA
| | - D L Duke
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, USA
| | - T J Haines
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, USA
| | - A C Corredor
- Mission Support and Test Services, Las Vegas, Nevada 89193, USA
| | - J A Green
- Mission Support and Test Services, Las Vegas, Nevada 89193, USA
| | - L Fegenbush
- Mission Support and Test Services, Las Vegas, Nevada 89193, USA
| | - M I Kaufman
- Mission Support and Test Services, Las Vegas, Nevada 89193, USA
| | - R M Malone
- Mission Support and Test Services, Las Vegas, Nevada 89193, USA
| | - S A Baker
- Mission Support and Test Services, Las Vegas, Nevada 89193, USA
| | - S Richardson
- Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, District of Columbia 20375, USA
| | - J Zier
- Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, District of Columbia 20375, USA
| | - J Engelbrecht
- Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, District of Columbia 20375, USA
| | - A Culver
- Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, District of Columbia 20375, USA
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Green JA, Ephraim PL, Hill-Briggs FF, Browne T, Strigo TS, Hauer CL, Stametz RA, Darer JD, Patel UD, Lang-Lindsey K, Bankes BL, Bolden SA, Danielson P, Ruff S, Schmidt L, Swoboda A, Woods P, Vinson B, Littlewood D, Jackson G, Pendergast JF, St Clair Russell J, Collins K, Norfolk E, Bucaloiu ID, Kethireddy S, Collins C, Davis D, dePrisco J, Malloy D, Diamantidis CJ, Fulmer S, Martin J, Schatell D, Tangri N, Sees A, Siegrist C, Breed J, Medley A, Graboski E, Billet J, Hackenberg M, Singer D, Stewart S, Alkon A, Bhavsar NA, Lewis-Boyer L, Martz C, Yule C, Greer RC, Saunders M, Cameron B, Boulware LE. Putting patients at the center of kidney care transitions: PREPARE NOW, a cluster randomized controlled trial. Contemp Clin Trials 2018; 73:98-110. [PMID: 30218818 PMCID: PMC6679594 DOI: 10.1016/j.cct.2018.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2018] [Revised: 08/28/2018] [Accepted: 09/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Care for patients transitioning from chronic kidney disease to kidney failure often falls short of meeting patients' needs. The PREPARE NOW study is a cluster randomized controlled trial studying the effectiveness of a pragmatic health system intervention, 'Patient Centered Kidney Transition Care,' a multi-component health system intervention designed to improve patients' preparation for kidney failure treatment. Patient-Centered Kidney Transition Care provides a suite of new electronic health information tools (including a disease registry and risk prediction tools) to help providers recognize patients in need of Kidney Transitions Care and focus their attention on patients' values and treatment preferences. Patient-Centered Kidney Transition Care also adds a 'Kidney Transitions Specialist' to the nephrology health care team to facilitate patients' self-management empowerment, shared-decision making, psychosocial support, care navigation, and health care team communication. The PREPARE NOW study is conducted among eight [8] outpatient nephrology clinics at Geisinger, a large integrated health system in rural Pennsylvania. Four randomly selected nephrology clinics employ the Patient Centered Kidney Transitions Care intervention while four clinics employ usual nephrology care. To assess intervention effectiveness, patient reported, biomedical, and health system outcomes are collected annually over a period of 36 months via telephone questionnaires and electronic health records. The PREPARE NOW Study may provide needed evidence on the effectiveness of patient-centered health system interventions to improve nephrology patients' experiences, capabilities, and clinical outcomes, and it will guide the implementation of similar interventions elsewhere. TRIAL REGISTRATION NCT02722382.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J A Green
- Department of Nephrology, Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, Danville, PA, USA; Kidney Health Research Institute, Geisinger, Danville, PA, USA.
| | - P L Ephraim
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA; Welch Center for Prevention, Epidemiology and Clinical Research, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - F F Hill-Briggs
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - T Browne
- College of Social Work, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA.
| | - T S Strigo
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA.
| | - C L Hauer
- Center for Clinical Innovation, Institute for Advanced Application, Geisinger, Danville, PA, USA.
| | - R A Stametz
- Center for Clinical Innovation, Institute for Advanced Application, Geisinger, Danville, PA, USA.
| | - J D Darer
- Decision Support Siemens Healthineers Malvern, PA, USA.
| | - U D Patel
- Division of Nephrology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA; Gilead Sciences, Inc., Foster City, CA, USA.
| | - K Lang-Lindsey
- Department of Social Work, Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL, USA.
| | - B L Bankes
- Patient stakeholder co-author, Bloomsburg, PA, USA
| | - S A Bolden
- Patient stakeholder co-author, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - P Danielson
- Patient stakeholder co-author, Portland, OR, USA
| | - S Ruff
- Patient stakeholder co-author, Mooresville, NC, USA
| | - L Schmidt
- Patient stakeholder co-author, Liberty, Illinois, USA
| | - A Swoboda
- Patient stakeholder co-author, Edgewater, MD, USA
| | - P Woods
- Patient stakeholder co-author, Hartsdale, New York, NY, USA
| | - B Vinson
- Quality Insights Renal Network 5, Richmond, VA, USA.
| | - D Littlewood
- The Care Centered Collaborative, Pennsylvania Medical Society, Harrisburg, PA, USA.
| | - G Jackson
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA.
| | - J F Pendergast
- Department of Biostatistics & Bioinformatics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA.
| | - J St Clair Russell
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA.
| | - K Collins
- Patient Services, National Kidney Foundation, New York, NY, USA.
| | - E Norfolk
- Department of Nephrology, Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, Danville, PA, USA.
| | - I D Bucaloiu
- Department of Nephrology, Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, PA, USA.
| | - S Kethireddy
- Critical Care Medicine, Northeast Georgia Health System, Gainesville, GA, USA
| | - C Collins
- Adult Psychology and Behavioral Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Geisinger, Danville, PA, USA.
| | - D Davis
- Center for Translational Bioethics and Health Care Policy, Geisinger, Danville, PA, USA.
| | - J dePrisco
- Center for Clinical Innovation, Institute for Advanced Application, Geisinger, Danville, PA, USA.
| | - D Malloy
- Center for Clinical Innovation, Institute for Advanced Application, Geisinger, Danville, PA, USA.
| | - C J Diamantidis
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA; Division of Nephrology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA.
| | - S Fulmer
- Geisinger Health Plan, Danville, PA, USA.
| | - J Martin
- Program Development, National Kidney Foundation, New York, NY, USA.
| | - D Schatell
- Medical Education Institute, Madison, WI, USA.
| | - N Tangri
- Department of Medicine, Section of Nephrology, University of Manitoba, 66 Chancellors Cir, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada; Chronic Disease Innovation Center, Seven Oaks General Hospital, 2300 Mcphillips St, Winnipeg, MB R2V 3M3, Canada.
| | - A Sees
- Anthem, Inc., Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - C Siegrist
- Center for Clinical Innovation, Institute for Advanced Application, Geisinger, Danville, PA, USA.
| | - J Breed
- Center for Clinical Innovation, Institute for Advanced Application, Geisinger, Danville, PA, USA.
| | - A Medley
- Geisinger Health Plan, Danville, PA, USA.
| | - E Graboski
- Kidney Health Research Institute, Geisinger, Danville, PA, USA.
| | - J Billet
- Center for Clinical Innovation, Institute for Advanced Application, Geisinger, Danville, PA, USA.
| | - M Hackenberg
- Center for Clinical Innovation, Institute for Advanced Application, Geisinger, Danville, PA, USA.
| | - D Singer
- Renal Physicians Association, Rockville, MD, USA.
| | - S Stewart
- Council of Nephrology Social Workers, National Kidney Foundation, New York, NY, USA.
| | - A Alkon
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA.
| | - N A Bhavsar
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA.
| | - L Lewis-Boyer
- Welch Center for Prevention, Epidemiology and Clinical Research, Baltimore, MD, USA; Division of General Internal Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - C Martz
- Geisinger Health Plan, Danville, PA, USA.
| | - C Yule
- Kidney Health Research Institute, Geisinger, Danville, PA, USA.
| | - R C Greer
- Welch Center for Prevention, Epidemiology and Clinical Research, Baltimore, MD, USA; Division of General Internal Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - M Saunders
- Section of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - B Cameron
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA.
| | - L E Boulware
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Kharjul MD, Green JA, Braund R. The influence of pharmacist-led adherence support on glycaemic control in people with type 2 diabetes. Res Social Adm Pharm 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2018.05.091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
|
37
|
Trausch N, Green JA. Direct observation of telephone communication between community pharmacies and prescribers in New Zealand. Int J Clin Pharm 2018; 40:1005-1009. [PMID: 30051229 DOI: 10.1007/s11096-018-0687-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2017] [Accepted: 07/05/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Background Phone calls between pharmacists and prescribers play an important role in resolving potential errors and other issues. Despite their importance in patient care, and sometimes causing frustration for pharmacists, there is little research on these calls. Objective To quantify how long calls between pharmacists and prescribers are, how often phone calls occur, why calls are made, and who is called. Method An observational study was conducted with 130.5 h observed in 11 community pharmacies over 8 weeks in Dunedin, New Zealand, recording information about all incoming and outgoing calls. Data captured included information on length, date, time, reason for call, pharmacy staff involved, health professionals involved, and the place being called. We also surveyed pharmacists' perceptions of this communication. Results Data on 95 phone calls was captured. The mean length was 110 s (95% CI 88-133), at an average of 0.7 calls per hour. The most frequent reasons for calling were clarifications and dose inquiries. Conclusion Calling prescribers is perceived as a frustrating; however the frequency of calls we observed was low, but some were long. The amount of time spent for pharmacist interventions may be reduced using alternative communication methods but these need further study.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nastassja Trausch
- School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin, 9054, New Zealand
| | - James A Green
- School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin, 9054, New Zealand.
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The factors determining individuals' self-reported behavioural responses to direct to consumer advertising of prescription drugs were explored with an emphasis on 'at-risk' individuals' responses. DESIGN Nationally representative cross-sectional survey. SETTING Community living adults in New Zealand. PARTICIPANTS 2057 adults (51% women). PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES Self-reported behavioural responses to drug advertising (asking a physician for a prescription, asking a physician for more information about an illness, searching the internet for more information regarding an illness and asking a pharmacist for more information about a drug). METHODS Multivariate logistic regressions determined whether participants' self-reported behavioural responses to drug advertising were predicted by attitudes towards advertising and drug advertising, judgements about safety and effectiveness of advertised drugs, self-reported health status, materialism, online search behaviour as well as demographic variables. RESULTS Identifying as Indian and to a less extent Chinese, Māori and 'other' ethnicities were the strongest predictors of one or more self-reported responses (ORs 1.76-5.00, Ps<0.05). Poorer self-reported health status (ORs 0.90-0.94, all Ps<0.05), favourable attitude towards drug advertising (ORs 1.34-1.61, all Ps<0.001) and searching for medical information online (ORs 1.32-2.35, all Ps<0.01) predicted all self-reported behavioural outcomes. Older age (ORs 1.01-1.02, Ps<0.01), less education (OR 0.89, P<0.01), lower income (ORs 0.89-0.91, Ps<0.05) and higher materialism (ORs 1.02-1.03, Ps<0.01) also predicted one or more self-reported responses. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, the findings suggest individuals, especially those who are 'at-risk' (ie, with poorer self-reported health status, older, less educated, lower income and ethnic minorities), may be more vulnerable to drug advertising and may make uninformed decisions accordingly. The outcomes raise significant concerns relating to the ethicality of drug advertising and suggest a need for stricter guidelines to ensure that drug advertisements provided by pharmaceutical companies are ethical.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Neda Khalil Zadeh
- Department of Marketing, School of Business, University of Otago, Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand
- School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand
| | - Kirsten Robertson
- Department of Marketing, School of Business, University of Otago, Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand
| | - James A Green
- School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Prevalence of symptoms in everyday life and how people respond to these symptoms is little studied outside Western culture and developed countries. We sought to use modified diary methods to explore the prevalence of and responses to symptoms in Pakistan. DESIGN Prospective daily survey of symptoms and response. SETTING 8 cities across four provinces in Pakistan. PARTICIPANTS Stratified intercept in each city to recruit 153 participants of which 151 completed. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES Each day for 30 days, participants were prompted by text message (short message service (SMS)) to complete a symptom diary. On days where symptoms were experienced, participants also reported how they responded. Prevalence was adjusted to population age and gender distributions. RESULTS 92% of participants experienced symptoms (adjusted prevalence 94%, 95% CI 91% to 97%), with musculoskeletal pain (83%, adj. 84%, 95% CI 84% to 90%) and respiratory symptoms (75%, adj. 77%, 95% CI 71% to 84%) the most prevalent types of symptoms. Self-medication and use of home remedies and traditional medicines were the most common responses. Seeking professional help or using conventional medicine were less common, and self-medication responses included the use of antibiotics without prescription. The range of home remedies and traditional medicines was very diverse. CONCLUSIONS While symptom experience in Pakistan was similar to Western countries, home remedies were much more frequently used to respond to symptoms. Understanding how people respond and manage their experience of symptoms outside formal healthcare is important for designing effective policy and interventions, and this needs to be understood within the broader context including the cultural and economic setting, the health system and other structural determinants of health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mudassir Anwar
- School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - James A Green
- School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Pauline Norris
- School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | | |
Collapse
|
40
|
Gustafson GE, Bisson JB, MacDonald JM, Green JA. Affective reactivity to cry sounds predicts young women's reactivity and behavior in a simulated caregiving task. Infant Behav Dev 2017; 56:101193. [PMID: 28917387 DOI: 10.1016/j.infbeh.2017.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2017] [Revised: 07/01/2017] [Accepted: 08/18/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Different populations of adults (experienced vs. inexperienced caregivers, men vs. women, abusive vs. nonabusive parents, etc.) have been reported to differ in their affective reactions to the sounds of infant crying. These differences are thought to impact caregiving behavior and, in some instances, to affect long-term outcomes for infants. There can be great intra-group variation, however, even when group differences are significant; modeling developmental process will require a finer grained approach. We have undertaken a pair of studies intended to validate the Negative Affect Scale (NA) from the PANAS as a measure of individuals' affective reactivity to cry sounds. In Study 1, 306 young women who were not yet mothers listened either to infant crying or to birdsong. The results supported the NA as a measure of reactivity to crying. In Study 2, a new sample of 301 young women listened to crying in a screening task; a group of "high reactors" (n = 21) and a group of "low reactors" (n = 22) then participated in a simulated caregiving situation. Individuals' affective reactivity to the caregiving simulation mirrored their affective reactivity in the screening task, and rates and overall organization of caregiving behavior differed between the groups. Changes in negative affect, then, appear to be both a result of infant crying and a determinant of some aspects of caregiving behavior. Further studies will extend these laboratory results to real infants and their caregivers, and further validate the NA as a measure of individual differences in reactivity to cry sounds.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gwen E Gustafson
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA.
| | | | - Jillian M MacDonald
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - James A Green
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Hung-Chu Lin
- Department of Psychology; University of Louisiana at Lafayette
| | - James A. Green
- Department of Psychological Sciences; University of Connecticut
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Roper DR, De la Salle B, Soni V, Fletcher K, Green JA. Abrogation of red blood cell G6PD enzyme activity through Heat treatment: development of survey material for the UK NEQAS G6PD scheme. Int J Lab Hematol 2017; 39:308-316. [PMID: 28318100 DOI: 10.1111/ijlh.12627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2016] [Accepted: 12/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Participation in external quality assessment (EQA) is central to the maintenance of high-quality laboratory results in patient diagnosis and clinical trials. Laboratories in the TAF112582 DETECTIVE study (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01376167) are enrolled in the United Kingdom National Quality Assessment Scheme (UK NEQAS) for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) quantitative assay, which utilizes ovine (sheep) blood as a readily available source of apparently G6PD-deficient survey material. A substitute for sheep blood was sought because some non-UK sites in the study encountered participation difficulties due to the strict regulations on the import of sheep blood into their countries. METHODS G6PD activity in normal human donor blood was abrogated by the action of heat under controlled conditions. Residual G6PD activity in the heated samples was measured by UK NEQAS using the Trinity Biotech 345 kit (Trinity Biotech) and a Jenway 6715 UV/Vis spectrophotometer with external temperature control to monitor enzyme kinetics and linearity over a set time. Heat-treated material was also assayed for G6PD activity and assessed for its acceptability as EQA survey material by selected UK laboratories. RESULTS Blood heated at 45 °C for 15 h showed a reduction in G6PD activity of 76.3 ± 4.6% (n = 6) and was considered acceptable as EQA material in terms of appearance and behaviour by the majority of UK sites in the trial. CONCLUSIONS We have developed a simple heat-treatment procedure to produce EQA survey material with low/intermediate G6PD activity, similar to that found in females heterozygous for G6PD deficiency.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D R Roper
- GlaxoSmithKline, Uxbridge, UK.,UK NEQAS Haematology, Watford, UK
| | | | - V Soni
- UK NEQAS Haematology, Watford, UK
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
43
|
Parr WV, Valentin D, Reedman P, Grose C, Green JA. Expectation or Sensorial Reality? An Empirical Investigation of the Biodynamic Calendar for Wine Drinkers. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0169257. [PMID: 28046047 PMCID: PMC5207694 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0169257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2016] [Accepted: 12/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The study’s aim was to investigate a central tenet of biodynamic philosophy as applied to wine tasting, namely that wines taste different in systematic ways on days determined by the lunar cycle. Nineteen New Zealand wine professionals tasted blind 12 Pinot noir wines at times determined within the biodynamic calendar for wine drinkers as being favourable (Fruit day) and unfavourable (Root day) for wine tasting. Tasters rated each wine four times, twice on a Fruit day and twice on a Root day, using 20 experimenter-provided descriptors. Wine descriptors spanned a range of varietal-relevant aroma, taste, and mouthfeel characteristics, and were selected with the aim of elucidating both qualitative and quantitative aspects of each wine’s perceived aromatic, taste, and structural aspects including overall wine quality and liking. A post-experimental questionnaire was completed by each participant to determine their degree of knowledge about the purpose of the study, and their awareness of the existence of the biodynamic wine drinkers’ calendar. Basic wine physico-chemical parameters were determined for the wines tasted on each of a Fruit day and a Root day. Results demonstrated that the wines were judged differentially on all attributes measured although type of day as determined by the biodynamic calendar for wine drinkers did not influence systematically any of the wine characteristics evaluated. The findings highlight the importance of testing experimentally practices that are based on anecdotal evidence but that lend themselves to empirical investigation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wendy V. Parr
- AGLS Faculty, Lincoln University, Christchurch, New Zealand
- * E-mail:
| | - Dominique Valentin
- Centre des Sciences du Goût et de l’Alimentation. CNRS, INRA, Université de Bourgogne Franche Comté, Dijon, France
| | | | - Claire Grose
- Institute of Plant and Food Research, Marlborough, New Zealand
| | | |
Collapse
|
44
|
Horswill C, Ratcliffe N, Green JA, Phillips RA, Trathan PN, Matthiopoulos J. Unravelling the relative roles of top-down and bottom-up forces driving population change in an oceanic predator. Ecology 2016; 97:1919-1928. [PMID: 27859185 PMCID: PMC5008121 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.1452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2015] [Accepted: 02/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
In the open ocean ecosystem, climate and anthropogenic changes have driven biological change at both ends of the food chain. Understanding how the population dynamics of pelagic predators are simultaneously influenced by nutrient‐driven processes acting from the “bottom‐up” and predator‐driven processes acting from the “top‐down” is therefore considered an urgent task. Using a state‐space demographic model, we evaluated the population trajectory of an oceanic predator, the Macaroni Penguin (Eudyptes chrysolophus), and numerically assessed the relative importance of bottom‐up and top‐down drivers acting through different demographic rates. The population trajectory was considerably more sensitive to changes in top‐down control of survival compared to bottom‐up control of survival or productivity. This study integrates a unique set of demographic and covariate data and highlights the benefits of using a single estimation framework to examine the links between covariates, demographic rates and population dynamics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C Horswill
- British Antarctic Survey, High Cross, Cambridge, CB3 0ET, United Kingdom.,Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, United Kingdom
| | - N Ratcliffe
- British Antarctic Survey, High Cross, Cambridge, CB3 0ET, United Kingdom
| | - J A Green
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 3GP, United Kingdom
| | - R A Phillips
- British Antarctic Survey, High Cross, Cambridge, CB3 0ET, United Kingdom
| | - P N Trathan
- British Antarctic Survey, High Cross, Cambridge, CB3 0ET, United Kingdom
| | - J Matthiopoulos
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Affiliation(s)
- James A. Green
- School of Chemistry, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom
| | - Adriano Grigolo
- Instituto de Física “Gleb Wataghin,” Universidade Estadual de Campinas, 13083-859 Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Miklos Ronto
- School of Chemistry, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom
| | | |
Collapse
|
46
|
Pohler KG, Pereira MHC, Lopes FR, Lawrence JC, Keisler DH, Smith MF, Vasconcelos JLM, Green JA. Circulating concentrations of bovine pregnancy-associated glycoproteins and late embryonic mortality in lactating dairy herds. J Dairy Sci 2015; 99:1584-1594. [PMID: 26709163 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2015-10192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2015] [Accepted: 10/17/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The objectives of these experiments were as follows: (1) to determine the association between circulating concentrations of pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAG) and late embryonic mortality (EM) in lactating dairy cattle following fixed-time artificial insemination (TAI) on d 0 or timed embryo transfer (TET) on d 7, (2) to identify a circulating concentration of PAG on d 31 below which late EM would be likely to occur, and (3) to identify when during gestation (d 31-59) late EM is occurring. Cows were diagnosed pregnant on d 31 of gestation based on presence of a fetal heartbeat and reconfirmed to be pregnant on d 59 of gestation. Late EM occurred when a cow had a viable embryo on d 31 of gestation but not on d 59 following TAI or TET. Only pregnant cows on d 31 were included in the analysis (TAI-maintained, n=413; TAI-EM, n=77; TET-maintained, n=238; TET-EM, n=47). Cows that were pregnant at d 31 of gestation and maintained the pregnancy until d 59 had significantly higher circulating concentrations of PAG at d 31 of gestation compared with cows that experienced late EM between d 31 and 59 of gestation in both TAI and TET. To conduct a more stringent test of the effectiveness of a single circulating PAG concentration (d 31) to predict EM, a receiver-operating characteristic curve was generated to identify a PAG concentration on d 31 that would predict EM with ≥95% accuracy in cows that received TAI or TET. Based on positive and negative predicative value analysis, a circulating concentration of PAG below 1.4 ng/mL (TAI; minimal detectable level 0.28 ng/mL) and 1.85 ng/mL (TET) was 95% accurate in predicting EM (between d 31 and 59) at d 31 of gestation, respectively. Following TET, embryonic loss was tracked by Doppler ultrasound, progesterone, and PAG from d 24 to 59 of gestation, with more than 50% of the loss occurring between d 31 and 38 of gestation. In summary, circulating concentrations of PAG on d 31 of gestation may provide a good marker for predicting EM between d 31 and 59 of gestation, and the data suggest that this model could help predict which cows will undergo late EM.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- K G Pohler
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia 65211
| | - M H C Pereira
- Departamento de Produção Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil 18168-000
| | - F R Lopes
- Departamento de Produção Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil 18168-000
| | | | - D H Keisler
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia 65211
| | - M F Smith
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia 65211
| | - J L M Vasconcelos
- Departamento de Produção Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil 18168-000
| | - J A Green
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia 65211.
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
|
48
|
Anwar M, Green JA, Norris P, Bukhari NI. Self-medication, home remedies, and spiritual healing: common responses to everyday symptoms in Pakistan. Health Psychol Behav Med 2015. [DOI: 10.1080/21642850.2015.1088387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
|
49
|
Green JA. The effect of English proficiency and ethnicity on academic performance and progress. Adv Health Sci Educ Theory Pract 2015; 20:219-28. [PMID: 24988998 DOI: 10.1007/s10459-014-9523-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2013] [Accepted: 05/28/2014] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Non-local ethnicity or nationality and lower English proficiency have been linked with poor performance in health professional education. This study sought to compare the relative contributions of ethnicity and English proficiency, and to do so in a context where students had not been selected via interviews or some other proxy for language proficiency. Ethnicity, citizenship, and demographic data, as well as academic performance and progress were obtained for three successive cohorts (entering in 2007, 2008 and 2009) into a three-year pharmacy programme, following a common first-year. Complete data was available for all 297 students entering via this path. By the end of the programme, controlling for grades at entry, students from some non-local ethnic backgrounds (p < .001) underperformed local students, as did males (p < .001) and those who had been identified as having low English proficiency in year 1 (p < .01). Males (p < .01) and one non-local ethnic group (p < .01) were also more likely to have to repeat a year of study. Ethnicity was a stronger predictor than English proficiency or acculturation, but English proficiency was still independently and additively predictive. This suggests that targeted support strategies for students with lower English language proficiency are still important, but that cultural differences should not be underestimated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James A Green
- School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin, 9054, New Zealand,
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Pohler KG, Green JA, Geary TW, Peres RFG, Pereira MHC, Vasconcelos JLM, Smith MF. Predicting Embryo Presence and Viability. Adv Anat Embryol Cell Biol 2015; 216:253-70. [PMID: 26450503 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-15856-3_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Pregnancy establishment, followed by birth of live offspring, is essential to all mammals. The biological processes leading up to pregnancy establishment, maintenance, and birth are complex and dependent on the coordinated timing of a series of events at the molecular, cellular, and physiological level. The ability to ovulate a competent oocyte, which is capable of undergoing fertilization, is only the initial step in achieving a successful pregnancy. Once fertilization has occurred and early embryonic development is initiated, early pregnancy detection is critical to provide proper prenatal care (humans) or appropriate management (domestic livestock). However, the simple presence of an embryo, early in gestation, does not guarantee the birth of a live offspring. Pregnancy loss (embryonic mortality, spontaneous abortions, etc.) has been well documented in all mammals, especially in humans and domestic livestock species, and is a major cause of reproductive loss. It has been estimated that only about 25-30% of all fertilized oocytes in humans result in birth of a live offspring; however, identifying the embryos that will not survive to parturition has not been an easy task. Therefore, investigators have focused the identification of products in maternal circulation that permit the detection of an embryo and assessment of its well-being. This review will focus on the advances in predicting embryonic presence and viability, in vivo.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- K G Pohler
- Department of Animal Science, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA.
| | - J A Green
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - T W Geary
- USDA-ARS, Fort Keogh Livestock and Range Research Laboratory, Miles City, MT, USA
| | - R F G Peres
- Departamento de Produção Animal, Faculdade de MedicinaVeterinária e Zootecnia-UNESP, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - M H C Pereira
- Departamento de Produção Animal, Faculdade de MedicinaVeterinária e Zootecnia-UNESP, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - J L M Vasconcelos
- Departamento de Produção Animal, Faculdade de MedicinaVeterinária e Zootecnia-UNESP, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - M F Smith
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| |
Collapse
|