Analysis of the piezo- and pyroelectric response of PVDF foils as fast particle detectors in pulsed supersonic jets.

We report the design and performance of a new, rugged, general-purpose particle detector consisting of a stretched foil of polyvinylidene difluoride. Several detectors have been built and evaluated for applications in pulsed supersonic jet experiments where, , particle density shall be measured with high time resolution. The working principle is that a directed bunch of particles, moving in vacuum, collides with the sensitive detector area and generates an electric charge.

Intake of Blueberries, Anthocyanins, and Risk of Eye Disease in Women.

Background: Blueberries and anthocyanins, their key bioactive component, may improve eye health. However, few long-term studies have examined blueberries and anthocyanins with cataract and age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Objectives: To investigate the prospective association between blueberry and anthocyanin intake with incident cataract, total AMD, and visually significant AMD among middle-aged and older women.

Effects of Vitamin D and Marine Omega-3 Fatty Acids Supplementation on Biomarkers of Systemic Inflammation: 4-Year Findings from the VITAL Randomized Trial.

Background: The VITAL study was a nationwide, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 2 × 2 factorial trial of vitamin D3 (2000 IU/day) and marine n-3 FAs (1 g/day) supplements. We recently reported that vitamin D supplementation with or without omega 3 fatty acids reduced autoimmune disease by 22% in the VITAL study. Objective: To investigate the effects of vitamin D3 and/or n-3 FAs on changes in systemic inflammatory biomarkers including pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines over a 4-year period in the VITAL sub-cohort with in-person evaluations at the Center for Clinical Investigations (CCI) in Boston.

Efficacy of Marine ω-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation vs Placebo in Reducing Incidence of Dry Eye Disease in Healthy US Adults: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Results of several small randomized clinical trials have suggested that supplements of marine ω-3 fatty acids may be beneficial in treating signs and symptoms of dry eye disease (DED). However, randomized clinical trial data to examine whether ω-3 fatty acid supplements can prevent DED are lacking.

Objective: To evaluate whether long-term daily supplementation with marine ω-3 fatty acids prevents the development of DED.

Long-term Outcomes of Adding Lutein/Zeaxanthin and ω-3 Fatty Acids to the AREDS Supplements on Age-Related Macular Degeneration Progression: AREDS2 Report 28.

Importance: After the Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2) study, the beta carotene component was replaced by lutein/zeaxanthin for the development of the revised AREDS supplement. However, it is unknown if the increased risk of lung cancer observed in those assigned beta carotene persists beyond the conclusion of the AREDS2 trial and if there is a benefit of adding lutein/zeaxanthin to the original AREDS supplement that can be observed with long-term follow-up.

Objective: To assess 10-year risk of developing lung cancer and late age-related macular degeneration (AMD).