22 CFR 41.107 - Visa fees.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Visa fees. 41.107 Section 41.107 Foreign Relations DEPARTMENT OF STATE VISAS VISAS: DOCUMENTATION OF NONIMMIGRANTS UNDER THE IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT, AS AMENDED Application for Nonimmigrant Visa § 41.107 Visa fees. (a) Fees based on...

22 CFR 41.27 - Official visas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Official visas. 41.27 Section 41.27 Foreign Relations DEPARTMENT OF STATE VISAS VISAS: DOCUMENTATION OF NONIMMIGRANTS UNDER THE IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT, AS AMENDED Foreign Government Officials § 41.27 Official visas. (a) Definition. Official visa...

Validation of the VISA-A questionnaire for Turkish language: the VISA-A-Tr study.

PubMed

Dogramaci, Yunus; Kalaci, Aydiner; Kücükkübas, Nigar; Inandi, Taceddin; Esen, Erdinc; Yanat, A Nedim

2011-04-01

To evaluate the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment-Achilles (VISA-A) questionnaire for patients with Achilles tendinopathy. Fifty-five patients with a diagnosis of Achilles tendinopathy and 55 healthy subjects were included in the study. VISA-A questionnaires were translated and culturally adapted into Turkish. The final Turkish version (VISA-A-Tr) was tested for reliability on healthy individuals and patients. Tests for internal consistency, validity and structure were performed on 55 patients. The VISA-A-Tr showed good test-retest reliability (Pearson's r=0.99, p<0.001). The patients with Achilles tendinopathy had a significantly lower score (p<0.001) than the healthy individuals. The VISA-A-Tr score correlated significantly with the Stanish tendon grading system (Spearman's r=-0.86; p<0.001). The VISA-A-Tr is a valid and reliable tool for evaluating the severity of Achilles tendinopathy.

In vitro pharmacodynamics of human simulated exposures of ceftaroline and daptomycin against MRSA, hVISA, and VISA with and without prior vancomycin exposure.

PubMed

Bhalodi, Amira A; Hagihara, Mao; Nicolau, David P; Kuti, Joseph L

2014-01-01

The effects of prior vancomycin exposure on ceftaroline and daptomycin therapy against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) have not been widely studied. Humanized free-drug exposures of vancomycin at 1 g every 12 h (q12h), ceftaroline at 600 mg q12h, and daptomycin at 10 mg/kg of body weight q24h were simulated in a 96-h in vitro pharmacodynamic model against three MRSA isolates, including one heteroresistant vancomycin-intermediate S. aureus (hVISA) isolate and one VISA isolate. A total of five regimens were tested: vancomycin, ceftaroline, and daptomycin alone for the entire 96 h, and then sequential therapy with vancomycin for 48 h followed by ceftaroline or daptomycin for 48 h. Microbiological responses were measured by the changes in log10 CFU during 96 h from baseline. Control isolates grew to 9.16 ± 0.32, 9.13 ± 0.14, and 8.69 ± 0.28 log10 CFU for MRSA, hVISA, and VISA, respectively. Vancomycin initially achieved ≥3 log10 CFU reductions against the MRSA and hVISA isolates, followed by regrowth beginning at 48 h; minimal activity was observed against VISA. The change in 96-h log10 CFU was largest for sequential therapy with vancomycin followed by ceftaroline (-5.22 ± 1.2, P = 0.010 versus ceftaroline) and for sequential therapy with vancomycin followed by ceftaroline (-3.60 ± 0.6, P = 0.037 versus daptomycin), compared with daptomycin (-2.24 ± 1.0), vancomycin (-1.40 ± 1.8), and sequential therapy with vancomycin followed by daptomycin (-1.32 ± 1.0, P > 0.5 for the last three regimens). Prior exposure of vancomycin at 1 g q12h reduced the initial microbiological response of daptomycin, particularly for hVISA and VISA isolates, but did not affect the response of ceftaroline. In the scenario of poor vancomycin response for high-inoculum MRSA infection, a ceftaroline-containing regimen may be preferred.

22 CFR 42.72 - Validity of visas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... Relations DEPARTMENT OF STATE VISAS VISAS: DOCUMENTATION OF IMMIGRANTS UNDER THE IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT, AS AMENDED Issuance of Immigrant Visas § 42.72 Validity of visas. (a) Period of validity. With the exception indicated herein, the period of validity of an immigrant visa shall not exceed six...

Opium and Afghanistan: Reassessing U.S. Counter-Narcotics Strategy

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-03-30

and effective governance of Afghanistan.”3 This paper examines the nature of the opium problem in Afghanistan and analyzes the current strategy to...Opium is also refined for use in legal prescription painkillers such as OxyContin and Vicodin.14 However, Australia and France currently produce about...is simply inadequate to carry out an effective counter-narcotics campaign. While some regions of Afghanistan are relatively stable and free of

22 CFR 41.112 - Validity of visa.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Validity of visa. 41.112 Section 41.112 Foreign Relations DEPARTMENT OF STATE VISAS VISAS: DOCUMENTATION OF NONIMMIGRANTS UNDER THE IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT, AS AMENDED Issuance of Nonimmigrant Visa § 41.112 Validity of visa. (a) Significance of...

22 CFR 41.112 - Validity of visa.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Validity of visa. 41.112 Section 41.112 Foreign Relations DEPARTMENT OF STATE VISAS VISAS: DOCUMENTATION OF NONIMMIGRANTS UNDER THE IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT, AS AMENDED Issuance of Nonimmigrant Visa § 41.112 Validity of visa. (a) Significance of...

22 CFR 41.112 - Validity of visa.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Validity of visa. 41.112 Section 41.112 Foreign Relations DEPARTMENT OF STATE VISAS VISAS: DOCUMENTATION OF NONIMMIGRANTS UNDER THE IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT, AS AMENDED Issuance of Nonimmigrant Visa § 41.112 Validity of visa. (a) Significance of...

22 CFR 41.112 - Validity of visa.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Validity of visa. 41.112 Section 41.112 Foreign Relations DEPARTMENT OF STATE VISAS VISAS: DOCUMENTATION OF NONIMMIGRANTS UNDER THE IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT, AS AMENDED Issuance of Nonimmigrant Visa § 41.112 Validity of visa. (a) Significance of...

22 CFR 41.112 - Validity of visa.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Validity of visa. 41.112 Section 41.112 Foreign Relations DEPARTMENT OF STATE VISAS VISAS: DOCUMENTATION OF NONIMMIGRANTS UNDER THE IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT, AS AMENDED Issuance of Nonimmigrant Visa § 41.112 Validity of visa. (a) Significance of...

22 CFR 42.72 - Validity of visas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Validity of visas. 42.72 Section 42.72 Foreign Relations DEPARTMENT OF STATE VISAS VISAS: DOCUMENTATION OF IMMIGRANTS UNDER THE IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT, AS AMENDED Issuance of Immigrant Visas § 42.72 Validity of visas. (a) Period of validity. With...

22 CFR 42.72 - Validity of visas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Validity of visas. 42.72 Section 42.72 Foreign Relations DEPARTMENT OF STATE VISAS VISAS: DOCUMENTATION OF IMMIGRANTS UNDER THE IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT, AS AMENDED Issuance of Immigrant Visas § 42.72 Validity of visas. (a) Period of validity. With...

22 CFR 42.72 - Validity of visas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Validity of visas. 42.72 Section 42.72 Foreign Relations DEPARTMENT OF STATE VISAS VISAS: DOCUMENTATION OF IMMIGRANTS UNDER THE IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT, AS AMENDED Issuance of Immigrant Visas § 42.72 Validity of visas. (a) Period of validity. With...

22 CFR 42.72 - Validity of visas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Validity of visas. 42.72 Section 42.72 Foreign Relations DEPARTMENT OF STATE VISAS VISAS: DOCUMENTATION OF IMMIGRANTS UNDER THE IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT, AS AMENDED Issuance of Immigrant Visas § 42.72 Validity of visas. (a) Period of validity. With...

8 CFR 211.1 - Visas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... 8 Aliens and Nationality 1 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Visas. 211.1 Section 211.1 Aliens and...; WAIVERS § 211.1 Visas. (a) General. Except as provided in paragraph (b)(1) of this section, each arriving..., unexpired immigrant visa; (2) A valid, unexpired Form I-551, Permanent Resident Card, if seeking readmission...

8 CFR 211.1 - Visas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 8 Aliens and Nationality 1 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Visas. 211.1 Section 211.1 Aliens and...; WAIVERS § 211.1 Visas. (a) General. Except as provided in paragraph (b)(1) of this section, each arriving..., unexpired immigrant visa; (2) A valid, unexpired Form I-551, Permanent Resident Card, if seeking readmission...

8 CFR 211.1 - Visas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... 8 Aliens and Nationality 1 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Visas. 211.1 Section 211.1 Aliens and...; WAIVERS § 211.1 Visas. (a) General. Except as provided in paragraph (b)(1) of this section, each arriving..., unexpired immigrant visa; (2) A valid, unexpired Form I-551, Permanent Resident Card, if seeking readmission...

8 CFR 211.1 - Visas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... 8 Aliens and Nationality 1 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Visas. 211.1 Section 211.1 Aliens and...; WAIVERS § 211.1 Visas. (a) General. Except as provided in paragraph (b)(1) of this section, each arriving..., unexpired immigrant visa; (2) A valid, unexpired Form I-551, Permanent Resident Card, if seeking readmission...

Novel combinations of vancomycin plus ceftaroline or oxacillin against methicillin-resistant vancomycin-intermediate Staphylococcus aureus (VISA) and heterogeneous VISA.

PubMed

Werth, B J; Vidaillac, C; Murray, K P; Newton, K L; Sakoulas, G; Nonejuie, P; Pogliano, J; Rybak, M J

2013-05-01

We demonstrated a significant inverse correlation between vancomycin and beta-lactam susceptibilities in vancomycin-intermediate Staphylococcus aureus (VISA) and heterogeneous VISA (hVISA) isolates. Using time-kill assays, vancomycin plus oxacillin or ceftaroline was synergistic against 3 of 5 VISA and 1 of 5 hVISA isolates or 5 of 5 VISA and 4 of 5 hVISA isolates, respectively. Beta-lactam exposure reduced overall vancomycin-Bodipy (dipyrromethene boron difluoride [4,4-difluoro-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene] fluorescent dye) binding but may have improved vancomycin-cell wall interactions to improve vancomycin activity. Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanism behind vancomycin and beta-lactam synergy.

22 CFR 41.113 - Procedures in issuing visas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

.... (a) Visa evidenced by stamp placed in passport. Except as provided in paragraphs (b) of this section, a nonimmigrant visa shall be evidenced by a visa stamp placed in the alien's passport. The... visa. (b) Cases in which visa not placed in passport. In the following cases the visa shall be placed...

22 CFR 41.113 - Procedures in issuing visas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

.... (a) Visa evidenced by stamp placed in passport. Except as provided in paragraphs (b) of this section, a nonimmigrant visa shall be evidenced by a visa stamp placed in the alien's passport. The... visa. (b) Cases in which visa not placed in passport. In the following cases the visa shall be placed...

22 CFR 41.113 - Procedures in issuing visas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

.... (a) Visa evidenced by stamp placed in passport. Except as provided in paragraphs (b) of this section, a nonimmigrant visa shall be evidenced by a visa stamp placed in the alien's passport. The... visa. (b) Cases in which visa not placed in passport. In the following cases the visa shall be placed...

22 CFR 41.113 - Procedures in issuing visas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

.... (a) Visa evidenced by stamp placed in passport. Except as provided in paragraphs (b) of this section, a nonimmigrant visa shall be evidenced by a visa stamp placed in the alien's passport. The... visa. (b) Cases in which visa not placed in passport. In the following cases the visa shall be placed...

22 CFR 41.113 - Procedures in issuing visas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

.... (a) Visa evidenced by stamp placed in passport. Except as provided in paragraphs (b) of this section, a nonimmigrant visa shall be evidenced by a visa stamp placed in the alien's passport. The... visa. (b) Cases in which visa not placed in passport. In the following cases the visa shall be placed...

George Washington University Visa Project-Streamlining Our Visa and Immigration Systems for Scientists and Engineers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Teich, Albert H.

2014-03-01

Many scientists believe that current U.S. visa and immigration systems are out of sync with today's increasingly globalized science and technology. This talk will highlight specific proposals that would facilitate the recruitment of promising STEM students by U.S. universities and better enable international scientists and engineers to visit the United States for scientific conferences and research collaboration. Most of these proposals could be implemented without additional resources and without compromising U.S. security. The talk is based on the results of an 18 month study conducted at the George Washington University's Center for International Science & Technology Policy.

Progress toward poliomyelitis eradication--Afghanistan and Pakistan, 2008.

PubMed

2009-03-06

Afghanistan and Pakistan, two of the four remaining countries where wild poliovirus (WPV) transmission has never been interrupted, represent one epidemiologic reservoir. During 2008, both countries continued to conduct coordinated supplemental immunization activities (SIAs) against type 1 WPV (WPV1) and type 3 WPV (WPV3) using oral polio vaccine (OPV). Much of Afghanistan remained polio-free in 2008, with the exception of the conflict-affected South Region. In Pakistan, however, WPV transmission increased, particularly after WPV1 reintroduction into polio-free areas of Punjab Province. In total, 149 WPV cases (31 in Afghanistan and 118 in Pakistan) were confirmed in 2008, compared with 49 cases in 2007. Serious security problems in areas along the common border limited access by vaccination teams to large numbers of children in the two countries. In Pakistan, continued managerial and operational problems impeded full implementation of SIAs and adversely affected vaccination coverage in areas not affected by security problems. This report updates previous reports and describes polio eradication activities in Afghanistan and Pakistan during January--December 2008. Further progress toward interruption of WPV transmission in Afghanistan and Pakistan will require continued measures to overcome access problems in conflict-affected areas of both countries and improvements in the quality of SIAs and delivery of routine immunization services in Pakistan.

[Visa at a tertiary hospital].

PubMed

Martínez-Jiménez, S; Lluch-Colomer, A; Desongles-Corrales, T; Bernal-González, D; Santos-Rubio, M D; Alfaro-Lara, E R; Galván-Banqueri, M

2013-01-01

To analyze the visa application process and his activity at a tertiary hosipital. Descriptive study of the drug s visa activity during the period April 2011-April 2012. We designed a database and defined categories on the study variables: patients and recipes. For patients admitted to the Visa Unit, issues detected were recorded based on a previously established classification. 6738 patients were included. They involved the visa of 8,465 recipes. The visa was applied to 170 drugs and nutrition products different, being the majority Tacrolimus. During this period, we detected a total of 420 incidents being the most frequent «No clinical document» (46.67%) and the «Formal completion errors» (28.57%). This work has allowed a more detailed analysis of the activity, the types of incidents and the identification of areas for improvement. Copyright © 2013 SEFH. Published by AULA MEDICA. All rights reserved.

Current challenges and future achievements of blood transfusion service in Afghanistan.

PubMed

Cheraghali, A M; Sanei Moghaddam, E; Masoud, A; Faisal, H

2012-10-01

Afghanistan is a country with population of over 28 million. The long term conflicts have devastated country's qualified resources including human resources. ANBSTS was established by MoPH as the country national blood service. Currently in addition to central and regional blood centers of ANBSTS many other hospitals have their own transfusion services. Blood donation in Afghanistan mainly depends on replacement donors. Donor selection and donor interview are not very efficient. Most of the blood in Afghanistan is administered as fresh whole blood. Although blood transfusion services in Afghanistan require more efforts to be fully efficient, based on recent improvements in working procedures of ANBSTS a promising future for blood transfusion services in Afghanistan is predicted. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

22 CFR 42.82 - Revocation of visas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Revocation of visas. 42.82 Section 42.82 Foreign Relations DEPARTMENT OF STATE VISAS VISAS: DOCUMENTATION OF IMMIGRANTS UNDER THE IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT, AS AMENDED Refusal, Revocation, and Termination of Registration § 42.82 Revocation of visas...

22 CFR 42.82 - Revocation of visas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Revocation of visas. 42.82 Section 42.82 Foreign Relations DEPARTMENT OF STATE VISAS VISAS: DOCUMENTATION OF IMMIGRANTS UNDER THE IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT, AS AMENDED Refusal, Revocation, and Termination of Registration § 42.82 Revocation of visas...

22 CFR 42.82 - Revocation of visas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Revocation of visas. 42.82 Section 42.82 Foreign Relations DEPARTMENT OF STATE VISAS VISAS: DOCUMENTATION OF IMMIGRANTS UNDER THE IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT, AS AMENDED Refusal, Revocation, and Termination of Registration § 42.82 Revocation of visas...

22 CFR 41.122 - Revocation of visas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Revocation of visas. 41.122 Section 41.122 Foreign Relations DEPARTMENT OF STATE VISAS VISAS: DOCUMENTATION OF NONIMMIGRANTS UNDER THE IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT, AS AMENDED Refusals and Revocations § 41.122 Revocation of visas. (a) Grounds for...

22 CFR 41.122 - Revocation of visas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Revocation of visas. 41.122 Section 41.122 Foreign Relations DEPARTMENT OF STATE VISAS VISAS: DOCUMENTATION OF NONIMMIGRANTS UNDER THE IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT, AS AMENDED Refusals and Revocations § 41.122 Revocation of visas. (a) Grounds for...

22 CFR 41.122 - Revocation of visas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Revocation of visas. 41.122 Section 41.122 Foreign Relations DEPARTMENT OF STATE VISAS VISAS: DOCUMENTATION OF NONIMMIGRANTS UNDER THE IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT, AS AMENDED Refusals and Revocations § 41.122 Revocation of visas. (a) Grounds for...

22 CFR 42.82 - Revocation of visas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Revocation of visas. 42.82 Section 42.82 Foreign Relations DEPARTMENT OF STATE VISAS VISAS: DOCUMENTATION OF IMMIGRANTS UNDER THE IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT, AS AMENDED Refusal, Revocation, and Termination of Registration § 42.82 Revocation of visas...

22 CFR 41.122 - Revocation of visas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Revocation of visas. 41.122 Section 41.122 Foreign Relations DEPARTMENT OF STATE VISAS VISAS: DOCUMENTATION OF NONIMMIGRANTS UNDER THE IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT, AS AMENDED Refusals and Revocations § 41.122 Revocation of visas. (a) Grounds for...

22 CFR 41.122 - Revocation of visas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Revocation of visas. 41.122 Section 41.122 Foreign Relations DEPARTMENT OF STATE VISAS VISAS: DOCUMENTATION OF NONIMMIGRANTS UNDER THE IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT, AS AMENDED Refusals and Revocations § 41.122 Revocation of visas. (a) Grounds for...

22 CFR 42.82 - Revocation of visas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Revocation of visas. 42.82 Section 42.82 Foreign Relations DEPARTMENT OF STATE VISAS VISAS: DOCUMENTATION OF IMMIGRANTS UNDER THE IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT, AS AMENDED Refusal, Revocation, and Termination of Registration § 42.82 Revocation of visas...

22 CFR 42.73 - Procedure in issuing visas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... Foreign Relations DEPARTMENT OF STATE VISAS VISAS: DOCUMENTATION OF IMMIGRANTS UNDER THE IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT, AS AMENDED Issuance of Immigrant Visas § 42.73 Procedure in issuing visas. (a) Insertion of data. In issuing an immigrant visa, the issuing office shall insert the pertinent information in the...

22 CFR 41.111 - Authority to issue visa.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Authority to issue visa. 41.111 Section 41.111 Foreign Relations DEPARTMENT OF STATE VISAS VISAS: DOCUMENTATION OF NONIMMIGRANTS UNDER THE IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT, AS AMENDED Issuance of Nonimmigrant Visa § 41.111 Authority to issue visa. (a...

22 CFR 41.111 - Authority to issue visa.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Authority to issue visa. 41.111 Section 41.111 Foreign Relations DEPARTMENT OF STATE VISAS VISAS: DOCUMENTATION OF NONIMMIGRANTS UNDER THE IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT, AS AMENDED Issuance of Nonimmigrant Visa § 41.111 Authority to issue visa. (a...

22 CFR 41.111 - Authority to issue visa.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Authority to issue visa. 41.111 Section 41.111 Foreign Relations DEPARTMENT OF STATE VISAS VISAS: DOCUMENTATION OF NONIMMIGRANTS UNDER THE IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT, AS AMENDED Issuance of Nonimmigrant Visa § 41.111 Authority to issue visa. (a...

22 CFR 41.111 - Authority to issue visa.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Authority to issue visa. 41.111 Section 41.111 Foreign Relations DEPARTMENT OF STATE VISAS VISAS: DOCUMENTATION OF NONIMMIGRANTS UNDER THE IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT, AS AMENDED Issuance of Nonimmigrant Visa § 41.111 Authority to issue visa. (a...

22 CFR 41.111 - Authority to issue visa.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Authority to issue visa. 41.111 Section 41.111 Foreign Relations DEPARTMENT OF STATE VISAS VISAS: DOCUMENTATION OF NONIMMIGRANTS UNDER THE IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT, AS AMENDED Issuance of Nonimmigrant Visa § 41.111 Authority to issue visa. (a...

22 CFR 42.73 - Procedure in issuing visas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Procedure in issuing visas. 42.73 Section 42.73 Foreign Relations DEPARTMENT OF STATE VISAS VISAS: DOCUMENTATION OF IMMIGRANTS UNDER THE IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT, AS AMENDED Issuance of Immigrant Visas § 42.73 Procedure in issuing visas. (a) Insertion of...

22 CFR 42.73 - Procedure in issuing visas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Procedure in issuing visas. 42.73 Section 42.73 Foreign Relations DEPARTMENT OF STATE VISAS VISAS: DOCUMENTATION OF IMMIGRANTS UNDER THE IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT, AS AMENDED Issuance of Immigrant Visas § 42.73 Procedure in issuing visas. (a) Insertion of...

22 CFR 42.73 - Procedure in issuing visas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Procedure in issuing visas. 42.73 Section 42.73 Foreign Relations DEPARTMENT OF STATE VISAS VISAS: DOCUMENTATION OF IMMIGRANTS UNDER THE IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT, AS AMENDED Issuance of Immigrant Visas § 42.73 Procedure in issuing visas. (a) Insertion of...

22 CFR 42.73 - Procedure in issuing visas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Procedure in issuing visas. 42.73 Section 42.73 Foreign Relations DEPARTMENT OF STATE VISAS VISAS: DOCUMENTATION OF IMMIGRANTS UNDER THE IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT, AS AMENDED Issuance of Immigrant Visas § 42.73 Procedure in issuing visas. (a) Insertion of...

A mutation of RNA polymerase β' subunit (RpoC) converts heterogeneously vancomycin-intermediate Staphylococcus aureus (hVISA) into "slow VISA".

PubMed

Matsuo, Miki; Hishinuma, Tomomi; Katayama, Yuki; Hiramatsu, Keiichi

2015-07-01

Various mutations in the rpoB gene, which encodes the RNA polymerase β subunit, are associated with increased vancomycin (VAN) resistance in vancomycin-intermediate Staphylococcus aureus (VISA) and heterogeneously VISA (hVISA) strains. We reported that rpoB mutations are also linked to the expression of the recently found "slow VISA" (sVISA) phenotype (M. Saito, Y. Katayama, T. Hishinuma, A. Iwamoto, Y. Aiba, K Kuwahara-Arai, L. Cui, M. Matsuo, N. Aritaka, and K. Hiramatsu, Antimicrob Agents Chemother 58:5024-5035, 2014, http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/AAC.02470-13). Because RpoC and RpoB are components of RNA polymerase, we examined the effect of the rpoC(P440L) mutation on the expression of the sVISA phenotype in the Mu3fdh2*V6-5 strain (V6-5), which was derived from a previously reported hVISA strain with the VISA phenotype. V6-5 had an extremely prolonged doubling time (DT) (72 min) and high vancomycin MIC (16 mg/liter). However, the phenotype of V6-5 was unstable, and the strain frequently reverted to hVISA with concomitant loss of low growth rate, cell wall thickness, and reduced autolysis. Whole-genome sequencing of phenotypic revertant strain V6-5-L1 and comparison with V6-5 revealed a second mutation, F562L, in rpoC. Introduction of the wild-type (WT) rpoC gene using a multicopy plasmid resolved the sVISA phenotype of V6-5, indicating that the rpoC(P440L) mutant expressed the sVISA phenotype in hVISA. To investigate the mechanisms of resistance in the sVISA strain, we independently isolated an additional 10 revertants to hVISA and VISA. In subsequent whole-genome analysis, we identified compensatory mutations in the genes of three distinct functional categories: the rpoC gene itself as regulatory mutations, peptidoglycan biosynthesis genes, and relQ, which is involved in the stringent response. It appears that the rpoC(P440L) mutation causes the sVISA phenotype by augmenting cell wall peptidoglycan synthesis and through the control of the stringent response

22 CFR 41.121 - Refusal of individual visas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Refusal of individual visas. 41.121 Section 41.121 Foreign Relations DEPARTMENT OF STATE VISAS VISAS: DOCUMENTATION OF NONIMMIGRANTS UNDER THE IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT, AS AMENDED Refusals and Revocations § 41.121 Refusal of individual visas. (a...

22 CFR 41.121 - Refusal of individual visas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Refusal of individual visas. 41.121 Section 41.121 Foreign Relations DEPARTMENT OF STATE VISAS VISAS: DOCUMENTATION OF NONIMMIGRANTS UNDER THE IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT, AS AMENDED Refusals and Revocations § 41.121 Refusal of individual visas. (a...

22 CFR 41.121 - Refusal of individual visas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Refusal of individual visas. 41.121 Section 41.121 Foreign Relations DEPARTMENT OF STATE VISAS VISAS: DOCUMENTATION OF NONIMMIGRANTS UNDER THE IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT, AS AMENDED Refusals and Revocations § 41.121 Refusal of individual visas. (a...

22 CFR 41.121 - Refusal of individual visas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Refusal of individual visas. 41.121 Section 41.121 Foreign Relations DEPARTMENT OF STATE VISAS VISAS: DOCUMENTATION OF NONIMMIGRANTS UNDER THE IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT, AS AMENDED Refusals and Revocations § 41.121 Refusal of individual visas. (a...

22 CFR 41.121 - Refusal of individual visas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Refusal of individual visas. 41.121 Section 41.121 Foreign Relations DEPARTMENT OF STATE VISAS VISAS: DOCUMENTATION OF NONIMMIGRANTS UNDER THE IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT, AS AMENDED Refusals and Revocations § 41.121 Refusal of individual visas. (a...

22 CFR 42.81 - Procedure in refusing individual visas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Procedure in refusing individual visas. 42.81 Section 42.81 Foreign Relations DEPARTMENT OF STATE VISAS VISAS: DOCUMENTATION OF IMMIGRANTS UNDER THE... Procedure in refusing individual visas. (a) Issuance or refusal mandatory. When a visa application has been...

22 CFR 42.81 - Procedure in refusing individual visas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Procedure in refusing individual visas. 42.81 Section 42.81 Foreign Relations DEPARTMENT OF STATE VISAS VISAS: DOCUMENTATION OF IMMIGRANTS UNDER THE... Procedure in refusing individual visas. (a) Issuance or refusal mandatory. When a visa application has been...

22 CFR 42.81 - Procedure in refusing individual visas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Procedure in refusing individual visas. 42.81 Section 42.81 Foreign Relations DEPARTMENT OF STATE VISAS VISAS: DOCUMENTATION OF IMMIGRANTS UNDER THE... Procedure in refusing individual visas. (a) Issuance or refusal mandatory. When a visa application has been...

22 CFR 42.81 - Procedure in refusing individual visas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Procedure in refusing individual visas. 42.81 Section 42.81 Foreign Relations DEPARTMENT OF STATE VISAS VISAS: DOCUMENTATION OF IMMIGRANTS UNDER THE... Procedure in refusing individual visas. (a) Issuance or refusal mandatory. When a visa application has been...

22 CFR 42.81 - Procedure in refusing individual visas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Procedure in refusing individual visas. 42.81 Section 42.81 Foreign Relations DEPARTMENT OF STATE VISAS VISAS: DOCUMENTATION OF IMMIGRANTS UNDER THE... Procedure in refusing individual visas. (a) Issuance or refusal mandatory. When a visa application has been...

8 CFR 211.1 - Visas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... Nationality DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY IMMIGRATION REGULATIONS DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS: IMMIGRANTS..., unexpired immigrant visa; (2) A valid, unexpired Form I-551, Permanent Resident Card, if seeking readmission... issuance of an immigrant visa to his or her accompanying parent who applies for admission during the...

Combination of cephalosporins with vancomycin or teicoplanin enhances antibacterial effect of glycopeptides against heterogeneous vancomycin-intermediate Staphylococcus aureus (hVISA) and VISA.

PubMed

Lai, Chih-Cheng; Chen, Chi-Chung; Chuang, Yin-Ching; Tang, Hung-Jen

2017-01-31

Eight heterogeneous vancomycin-intermediate S. aureus (h-VISA) and seven VISA clinical isolates confirmed by the population analysis profile/area under the curve ratio (PAP/AUC) were collected. We further performed the PAP/AUC, time-killing methods and MIC tests using vancomycin/teicoplanin alone or combination with susceptible breakpoint concentrations of cefazolin, cefmetazole, cefotaxime, and cefepime for these isolates. The PAP/AUC MIC curve shifted left after addition of cephalosporins with vancomycin or teicoplanin for both h-VISA and VISA isolates. With the combination of different cephalosporins with vancomycin or teicoplanin, the AUC/Mu3 AUC ratio decreased to <0.9 for the standard Mu3 isolate which are compatible with the definition of vancomycin susceptible S. aureus. These decreases ranged between 1.81-2.02 and 2.37-2.85-fold for h-VISA treated with cephalosporins and vancomycin or teicoplanin, and 2.05-4.59, and 2.93-4,89-fold for VISA treated with cephalosporins with vancomycin or teicoplanin. As measured by time-killing assays, the combinations of different cephalosporins with vancomycin concentrations at 1/2 and 1/4 MIC, exhibited a bactericidal and bacteriostatic effect in VISA. The mean fold of MIC decline for vancomycin base combinations ranged from 1.81-3.83 and 2.71-9.33 for h-VISA and VISA, respectively. Overall, this study demonstrated the enhanced antibacterial activity of vancomycin/teicoplanin after adding cephalosporins against clinical h-VISA/VISA isolates.

Combination of cephalosporins with vancomycin or teicoplanin enhances antibacterial effect of glycopeptides against heterogeneous vancomycin-intermediate Staphylococcus aureus (hVISA) and VISA

PubMed Central

Lai, Chih-Cheng; Chen, Chi-Chung; Chuang, Yin-Ching; Tang, Hung-Jen

2017-01-01

Eight heterogeneous vancomycin-intermediate S. aureus (h-VISA) and seven VISA clinical isolates confirmed by the population analysis profile/area under the curve ratio (PAP/AUC) were collected. We further performed the PAP/AUC, time-killing methods and MIC tests using vancomycin/teicoplanin alone or combination with susceptible breakpoint concentrations of cefazolin, cefmetazole, cefotaxime, and cefepime for these isolates. The PAP/AUC MIC curve shifted left after addition of cephalosporins with vancomycin or teicoplanin for both h-VISA and VISA isolates. With the combination of different cephalosporins with vancomycin or teicoplanin, the AUC/Mu3 AUC ratio decreased to <0.9 for the standard Mu3 isolate which are compatible with the definition of vancomycin susceptible S. aureus. These decreases ranged between 1.81–2.02 and 2.37–2.85-fold for h-VISA treated with cephalosporins and vancomycin or teicoplanin, and 2.05–4.59, and 2.93–4,89-fold for VISA treated with cephalosporins with vancomycin or teicoplanin. As measured by time-killing assays, the combinations of different cephalosporins with vancomycin concentrations at 1/2 and 1/4 MIC, exhibited a bactericidal and bacteriostatic effect in VISA. The mean fold of MIC decline for vancomycin base combinations ranged from 1.81–3.83 and 2.71–9.33 for h-VISA and VISA, respectively. Overall, this study demonstrated the enhanced antibacterial activity of vancomycin/teicoplanin after adding cephalosporins against clinical h-VISA/VISA isolates. PMID:28139739

Go8 Note: Student Visas

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Group of Eight (NJ1), 2012

2012-01-01

An independent review of the Australian student visa program was completed in 2011. Several of the recommendations from the review have been implemented by the Australian government, including the introduction of streamlined visa processing for applicants enrolled at an Australian university and increased flexibility in working conditions for…

Afghanistan in Transition

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-01-01

These include: Afghanistan is the graveyard of empires ; efforts to centralize power in Afghanistan provoke local resistance; and Afghanistan is an...ethnically fragmented and decentralized country inca - pable of forming a unified state. Afghanistan in Transition Autumn 2010 7 The realities

22 CFR 40.67 - Student visa abusers.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Student visa abusers. 40.67 Section 40.67 Foreign Relations DEPARTMENT OF STATE VISAS REGULATIONS PERTAINING TO BOTH NONIMMIGRANTS AND IMMIGRANTS... Student visa abusers. An alien ineligible under the provisions of INA 212(a)(6)(G) shall not be issued a...

22 CFR 40.67 - Student visa abusers.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Student visa abusers. 40.67 Section 40.67 Foreign Relations DEPARTMENT OF STATE VISAS REGULATIONS PERTAINING TO BOTH NONIMMIGRANTS AND IMMIGRANTS... Student visa abusers. An alien ineligible under the provisions of INA 212(a)(6)(G) shall not be issued a...

22 CFR 40.67 - Student visa abusers.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Student visa abusers. 40.67 Section 40.67 Foreign Relations DEPARTMENT OF STATE VISAS REGULATIONS PERTAINING TO BOTH NONIMMIGRANTS AND IMMIGRANTS... Student visa abusers. An alien ineligible under the provisions of INA 212(a)(6)(G) shall not be issued a...

22 CFR 40.67 - Student visa abusers.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Student visa abusers. 40.67 Section 40.67 Foreign Relations DEPARTMENT OF STATE VISAS REGULATIONS PERTAINING TO BOTH NONIMMIGRANTS AND IMMIGRANTS... Student visa abusers. An alien ineligible under the provisions of INA 212(a)(6)(G) shall not be issued a...

22 CFR 40.67 - Student visa abusers.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Student visa abusers. 40.67 Section 40.67 Foreign Relations DEPARTMENT OF STATE VISAS REGULATIONS PERTAINING TO BOTH NONIMMIGRANTS AND IMMIGRANTS... Student visa abusers. An alien ineligible under the provisions of INA 212(a)(6)(G) shall not be issued a...

U.S. Visa Waiver Program Changes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

The U.S. State Department has just announced that a change to a new rule affecting citizens from visa waiver program countries. The rule, scheduled to go into effect on 1 October 2003, requires visitors from these countries to obtain non-immigrant visas to enter the United States if they do not have machine-readable passports. The change announced is that a visa waiver country can petition the U.S. government to delay the rule by one year. The State Department recommends that citizens of visa waiver program countries who are contemplating visiting the United States, and do not have machine-readable passports, contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate to find out if implementation of the rule has been temporarily waived for their countries.

Corruption in Conflict: Lessons from the U.S. Experience in Afghanistan

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-09-01

relations replicated throughout society.25 Post -2001 Afghanistan embodies many of the factors identified by the DFID study : Lines are often...corruption Description Bribery The offering, promising, giving, accepting, or soliciting of an advantage as an inducement for an action which is illegal...For example, a 2007 study by the Afghan NGO Integrity Watch Afghanistan (IWA) described a “bazaar economy” in which “every position, favor, and

75 FR 39323 - Amendment to the Biometric Visa Program

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-07-08

... DEPARTMENT OF STATE [Public Notice: 7047] Amendment to the Biometric Visa Program AGENCY: Department of State. ACTION: Notice of Amendment to the Biometric Visa Program. This public notice announces an amendment to the Biometric Visa Program. Section 303 of the Enhanced Border Security and Visa...

Modulating activity of vancomycin and daptomycin on the expression of autolysis cell-wall turnover and membrane charge genes in hVISA and VISA strains.

PubMed

Cafiso, Viviana; Bertuccio, Taschia; Spina, Daniela; Purrello, Simona; Campanile, Floriana; Di Pietro, Cinzia; Purrello, Michele; Stefani, Stefania

2012-01-01

Glycopeptides are still the gold standard to treat MRSA (Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus) infections, but their widespread use has led to vancomycin-reduced susceptibility [heterogeneous Vancomycin-Intermediate-Staphylococcus aureus (hVISA) and Vancomycin-Intermediate-Staphylococcus aureus (VISA)], in which different genetic loci (regulatory, autolytic, cell-wall turnover and cell-envelope positive charge genes) are involved. In addition, reduced susceptibility to vancomycin can influence the development of resistance to daptomycin. Although the phenotypic and molecular changes of hVISA/VISA have been the focus of different papers, the molecular mechanisms responsible for these different phenotypes and for the vancomycin and daptomycin cross-resistance are not clearly understood. The aim of our study was to investigate, by real time RT-PCR, the relative quantitative expression of genes involved in autolysis (atl-lytM), cell-wall turnover (sceD), membrane charges (mprF-dltA) and regulatory mechanisms (agr-locus-graRS-walKR), in hVISA and VISA cultured with or without vancomycin and daptomycin, in order to better understand the molecular basis of vancomycin-reduced susceptibility and the modulating activity of vancomycin and daptomycin on the expression of genes implicated in their reduced susceptibility mechanisms. Our results show that hVISA and VISA present common features that distinguish them from Vancomycin-Susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (VSSA), responsible for the intermediate glycopeptide resistance i.e. an increased cell-wall turnover, an increased positive cell-wall charge responsible for a repulsion mechanism towards vancomycin and daptomycin, and reduced agr-functionality. Indeed, VISA emerges from hVISA when VISA acquires a reduced autolysis caused by a down-regulation of autolysin genes, atl/lytM, and a reduction of the net negative cell-envelope charge via dltA over-expression. Vancomycin and daptomycin, acting in a similar manner in hVISA

Development and validation of a VISA tendinopathy questionnaire for greater trochanteric pain syndrome, the VISA-G.

PubMed

Fearon, A M; Ganderton, C; Scarvell, J M; Smith, P N; Neeman, T; Nash, C; Cook, J L

2015-12-01

Greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS) is common, resulting in significant pain and disability. There is no condition specific outcome score to evaluate the degree of severity of disability associated with GTPS in patients with this condition. To develop a reliable and valid outcome measurement capable of evaluating the severity of disability associated with GTPS. A phenomenological framework using in-depth semi structured interviews of patients and medical experts, and focus groups of physiotherapists was used in the item generation. Item and format clarification was undertaken via piloting. Multivariate analysis provided the basis for item reduction. The resultant VISA-G was tested for reliability with the inter class co-efficient (ICC), internal consistency (Cronbach's Alpha), and construct validity (correlation co-efficient) on 52 naïve participants with GTPS and 31 asymptomatic participants. The resultant outcome measurement tool is consistent in style with existing tendinopathy outcome measurement tools, namely the suite of VISA scores. The VISA-G was found to be have a test-retest reliability of ICC2,1 (95% CI) of 0.827 (0.638-0.923). Internal consistency was high with a Cronbach's Alpha of 0.809. Construct validity was demonstrated: the VISA-G measures different constructs than tools previously used in assessing GTPS, the Harris Hip Score and the Oswestry Disability Index (Spearman Rho:0.020 and 0.0205 respectively). The VISA-G did not demonstrate any floor or ceiling effect in symptomatic participants. The VISA-G is a reliable and valid score for measuring the severity of disability associated GTPS. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Development and validation of a new visa questionnaire (VISA-H) for patients with proximal hamstring tendinopathy.

PubMed

Cacchio, Angelo; De Paulis, Fosco; Maffulli, Nicola

2014-03-01

There is a need for a patient-reported outcome (PRO) questionnaire to evaluate patients with proximal hamstring tendinopathy (PHT). To develop a PRO questionnaire based on VISA questionnaire forms for patients with PHT. Item generation, item reduction, item scaling and evaluation of the psychometric properties were used to develop a questionnaire to assess the severity of symptoms, function and ability to play sports in patients with PHT and healthy subjects. The final version, named Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment-Proximal Hamstring Tendons (VISA-H), consisted of eight questions that measured the domains of pain, function and sporting activity. The psychometric properties of a questionnaire were estimated in a population of non-surgical (n=20) and surgical (n=10) patients, as well as in healthy subjects (n=30). The VISA-H questionnaire displayed a high degree of internal consistency, with a Cronbach α of 0.84. (The test-retest reliability was high for all groups of participants with an intraclass correlation coefficient ranging from 0.90 to 0.95.) The VISA-H exhibited a high correlation with the Nirschl phase rating scale (r ranging from -0.75 to -0.89) and a generic tendon grading system proposed by Curwin and Stanish (r ranging from -0.70 to -0.88). Also, the responsiveness was higher for the VISA-H questionnaire with an area under the curve of 0.90 and a minimum clinically important difference of 22 points. The VISA-H is a PRO questionnaire with high psychometric properties for measuring pain, function and sporting activity in patients with PHT.

22 CFR 42.52 - Post records of visa applications.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Post records of visa applications. 42.52 Section 42.52 Foreign Relations DEPARTMENT OF STATE VISAS VISAS: DOCUMENTATION OF IMMIGRANTS UNDER THE IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT, AS AMENDED Numerical Controls and Priority Dates § 42.52 Post records of visa...

22 CFR 42.52 - Post records of visa applications.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Post records of visa applications. 42.52 Section 42.52 Foreign Relations DEPARTMENT OF STATE VISAS VISAS: DOCUMENTATION OF IMMIGRANTS UNDER THE IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT, AS AMENDED Numerical Controls and Priority Dates § 42.52 Post records of visa...

22 CFR 42.52 - Post records of visa applications.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Post records of visa applications. 42.52 Section 42.52 Foreign Relations DEPARTMENT OF STATE VISAS VISAS: DOCUMENTATION OF IMMIGRANTS UNDER THE IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT, AS AMENDED Numerical Controls and Priority Dates § 42.52 Post records of visa...

22 CFR 42.52 - Post records of visa applications.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Post records of visa applications. 42.52 Section 42.52 Foreign Relations DEPARTMENT OF STATE VISAS VISAS: DOCUMENTATION OF IMMIGRANTS UNDER THE IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT, AS AMENDED Numerical Controls and Priority Dates § 42.52 Post records of visa...

22 CFR 42.52 - Post records of visa applications.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Post records of visa applications. 42.52 Section 42.52 Foreign Relations DEPARTMENT OF STATE VISAS VISAS: DOCUMENTATION OF IMMIGRANTS UNDER THE IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT, AS AMENDED Numerical Controls and Priority Dates § 42.52 Post records of visa...

76 FR 41861 - Voluntary Intermodal Sealift Agreement (VISA)

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-07-15

... DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Maritime Administration Voluntary Intermodal Sealift Agreement (VISA) AGENCY: Maritime Administration, DOT. ACTION: Notice of open season for enrollment in the VISA program. Introduction The VISA program was established pursuant to section 708 of the Defense Production Act of 1950, as...

75 FR 52594 - Voluntary Intermodal Sealift Agreement (VISA)

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-08-26

... DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Maritime Administration Voluntary Intermodal Sealift Agreement (VISA) AGENCY: Maritime Administration, DOT. ACTION: Notice of open season for enrollment in the VISA program. Introduction The VISA program was established pursuant to section 708 of the Defense Production Act of 1950, as...

77 FR 53963 - Voluntary Intermodal Sealift Agreement (VISA)

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-09-04

... DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Maritime Administration Voluntary Intermodal Sealift Agreement (VISA) AGENCY: Maritime Administration, DOT. ACTION: Notice of open season for enrollment in the VISA program. Introduction The VISA program was established pursuant to section 708 of the Defense Production Act of 1950, as...

22 CFR 42.74 - Issuance of new or replacement visas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... Section 42.74 Foreign Relations DEPARTMENT OF STATE VISAS VISAS: DOCUMENTATION OF IMMIGRANTS UNDER THE IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT, AS AMENDED Issuance of Immigrant Visas § 42.74 Issuance of new or replacement visas. (a) New immigrant visa for a special immigrant under INA 101(a)(27)(A) and (B). (1) The consular...

8 CFR 215.9 - Temporary Worker Visa Exit Program.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 8 Aliens and Nationality 1 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Temporary Worker Visa Exit Program. 215.9... ALIENS DEPARTING FROM THE UNITED STATES § 215.9 Temporary Worker Visa Exit Program. An alien admitted on certain temporary worker visas at a port of entry participating in the Temporary Worker Visa Exit Program...

8 CFR 215.9 - Temporary Worker Visa Exit Program.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 8 Aliens and Nationality 1 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Temporary Worker Visa Exit Program. 215.9... ALIENS DEPARTING FROM THE UNITED STATES § 215.9 Temporary Worker Visa Exit Program. An alien admitted on certain temporary worker visas at a port of entry participating in the Temporary Worker Visa Exit Program...

8 CFR 215.9 - Temporary Worker Visa Exit Program.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... 8 Aliens and Nationality 1 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Temporary Worker Visa Exit Program. 215.9... ALIENS DEPARTING FROM THE UNITED STATES § 215.9 Temporary Worker Visa Exit Program. An alien admitted on certain temporary worker visas at a port of entry participating in the Temporary Worker Visa Exit Program...

8 CFR 215.9 - Temporary Worker Visa Exit Program.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... 8 Aliens and Nationality 1 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Temporary Worker Visa Exit Program. 215.9... ALIENS DEPARTING FROM THE UNITED STATES § 215.9 Temporary Worker Visa Exit Program. An alien admitted on certain temporary worker visas at a port of entry participating in the Temporary Worker Visa Exit Program...

8 CFR 215.9 - Temporary Worker Visa Exit Program.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... 8 Aliens and Nationality 1 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Temporary Worker Visa Exit Program. 215.9... ALIENS DEPARTING FROM THE UNITED STATES § 215.9 Temporary Worker Visa Exit Program. An alien admitted on certain temporary worker visas at a port of entry participating in the Temporary Worker Visa Exit Program...

Regulations of 28 April 1989 on the issuance of visas.

PubMed

1989-01-01

These Venezuelan Regulations set forth the rules on the issuance of tourist visas, temporary visas, temporary business visas, temporary student visas, temporary labor visas, and transit visas. In order to obtain a tourist visa a person must have a passport and in certain cases be able to prove that he or she has sufficient financial resources to cover the costs of staying in Venezuela. In order to obtain a temporary visa a person must have a passport, an officially certified police record, proof of civil status, and proof of a satisfactory medical examination. In order to obtain a temporary business visa a person must have a passport, documents proving his or her business objectives, and, when applicable, documents showing that he or she owns a business. In order to obtain a temporary student visa a person must have a passport, proof of sufficient economic resources, proof of a satisfactory medical examination, and documents attesting admittance to an educational program; he or she must also state that he will not engage in paid activities. In order to obtain a temporary labor visa a person must have documents proving employment, a document from the business or person employing him or her stating that it will cover the costs of the person's residence and departure, proof of satisfactory medical examination, and an officially certified police record; in addition, the employer must ask the authorities for permission to hire him or her. In order to obtain a transit visa a person must have a passport, confirmed passage to a 3rd country, and transportation documents. This visa is valid for 72 hours; all other visas are valid for 1 year.

Mutation of RNA polymerase beta subunit (rpoB) promotes hVISA-to-VISA phenotypic conversion of strain Mu3.

PubMed

Matsuo, Miki; Hishinuma, Tomomi; Katayama, Yuki; Cui, Longzhu; Kapi, Maria; Hiramatsu, Keiichi

2011-09-01

The clinical vancomycin-intermediate Staphylococcus aureus (VISA) strain Mu50 carries two mutations in the vraSR and graRS two-component regulatory systems (TCRSs), namely, vraS(I5N) and graR(N197S) (hereinafter designated graR). The clinical heterogeneously vancomycin-intermediate S. aureus (hVISA) strain Mu3 shares with Mu50 the mutation in vraS that encodes the VraS two-component histidine kinase. Previously, we showed that introduction of the plasmid pgraR, carrying the mutated two-component response regulator graR, converted the hVISA strain Mu3 into VISA (vancomycin MIC = 4 mg/liter). Subsequently, however, we found that the introduction of a single copy of graR into the Mu3 chromosome by a gene replacement method did not confer on Mu3 the VISA phenotype. The gene-replaced strain Mu3graR thus obtained remained hVISA (MIC ≤ 2 mg/liter), although a small increase in vancomycin MIC was observed compared to that of the parent strain Mu3. Reevaluation of the Mu3 and Mu50 genomes revealed the presence of another mutation responsible for the expression of the VISA phenotype in Mu50. Here, we demonstrate that in addition to the two regulator mutations, a third mutation found in the Mu50 rpoB gene, encoding the RNA polymerase β subunit, was required for Mu3 to achieve the level of vancomycin resistance of Mu50. The selection of strain Mu3graR with rifampin gave rise to rpoB mutants with various levels of increased vancomycin resistance. Furthermore, 3 (33%) of 10 independently isolated VISA strains established from the heterogeneous subpopulations of Mu3graR were found to possess rpoB mutations with or without an accompanying rifampin-resistance phenotype. The data indicate that a sizable proportion of the resistant hVISA cell subpopulations is composed of spontaneous rpoB mutants with various degrees of increased vancomycin resistance.

14 CFR 1260.63 - Customs clearance and visas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 5 2011-01-01 2010-01-01 true Customs clearance and visas. 1260.63 Section 1260.63 Aeronautics and Space NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION GRANTS AND COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS General Special Conditions § 1260.63 Customs clearance and visas. Customs Clearance and Visas (For...

14 CFR 1260.63 - Customs clearance and visas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 5 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Customs clearance and visas. 1260.63 Section 1260.63 Aeronautics and Space NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION GRANTS AND COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS General Special Conditions § 1260.63 Customs clearance and visas. Customs Clearance and Visas (For...

14 CFR 1260.63 - Customs clearance and visas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 5 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Customs clearance and visas. 1260.63 Section 1260.63 Aeronautics and Space NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION GRANTS AND COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS General Special Conditions § 1260.63 Customs clearance and visas. Customs Clearance and Visas (For...

14 CFR 1260.63 - Customs clearance and visas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 5 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Customs clearance and visas. 1260.63 Section 1260.63 Aeronautics and Space NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION GRANTS AND COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS General Special Conditions § 1260.63 Customs clearance and visas. Customs Clearance and Visas (For...

β-Lactam Combinations with Vancomycin Show Synergistic Activity against Vancomycin-Susceptible Staphylococcus aureus, Vancomycin-Intermediate S. aureus (VISA), and Heterogeneous VISA.

PubMed

Tran, Kieu-Nhi; Rybak, Michael J

2018-06-01

Increasing utilization of vancomycin due to the high prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections has led to the emergence of vancomycin-intermediate S. aureus (VISA) and heterogeneous VISA (hVISA) strains. In vitro data suggest the potential for potent synergy between several beta-lactams and vancomycin. The objective of this study is to evaluate the synergy between beta-lactams and vancomycin against MRSA that is vancomycin susceptible, vancomycin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (VSSA), hVISA, and VISA. Fifty randomly selected clinical MRSA strains with various susceptibility levels to vancomycin were evaluated for vancomycin alone and vancomycin in combination with various concentrations of cefazolin (CFZ), cefepime (FEP), ceftaroline (CPT), and nafcillin (NAF). The potential for synergy was assessed by 24-h time-kill studies. Beta-lactams reduced vancomycin MIC values against all strains (4- to 16-fold reduction). In time-kill studies against MRSA, CFZ, FEP, CPT, and NAF all demonstrated similar degrees of killing at 24 h, and all showed synergistic activity with vancomycin against VSSA, hVISA, and VISA. Each of these combinations was also superior to any single agent against isolates of all three phenotypes, and each was bactericidal ( P < 0.001 for all comparisons). All single-agent exposures demonstrated no activity at 24 h. The combination of vancomycin and beta-lactams significantly improved antibacterial activity against VSSA, hVISA, and VISA strains compared to the activity of any agent alone, supporting the potential use of vancomycin-beta-lactam combination therapy in infections caused by MRSA. Further clinical research is warranted to investigate the synergy of vancomycin against these Staphylococcus strains. Copyright © 2018 American Society for Microbiology.

19 CFR 10.23 - Standards, quotas, and visas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 19 Customs Duties 1 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Standards, quotas, and visas. 10.23 Section 10.23... Abroad with United States Components § 10.23 Standards, quotas, and visas. All requirements and... properties, quotas, and visas, apply to assembled articles eligible for the exemption in the same manner as...

19 CFR 10.23 - Standards, quotas, and visas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 19 Customs Duties 1 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Standards, quotas, and visas. 10.23 Section 10.23... Abroad with United States Components § 10.23 Standards, quotas, and visas. All requirements and... properties, quotas, and visas, apply to assembled articles eligible for the exemption in the same manner as...

19 CFR 10.23 - Standards, quotas, and visas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... 19 Customs Duties 1 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Standards, quotas, and visas. 10.23 Section 10.23... Abroad with United States Components § 10.23 Standards, quotas, and visas. All requirements and... properties, quotas, and visas, apply to assembled articles eligible for the exemption in the same manner as...

19 CFR 10.23 - Standards, quotas, and visas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 19 Customs Duties 1 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Standards, quotas, and visas. 10.23 Section 10.23... Abroad with United States Components § 10.23 Standards, quotas, and visas. All requirements and... properties, quotas, and visas, apply to assembled articles eligible for the exemption in the same manner as...

19 CFR 10.23 - Standards, quotas, and visas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 19 Customs Duties 1 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Standards, quotas, and visas. 10.23 Section 10.23... Abroad with United States Components § 10.23 Standards, quotas, and visas. All requirements and... properties, quotas, and visas, apply to assembled articles eligible for the exemption in the same manner as...

Predicting gravity and sediment thickness in Afghanistan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jung, W.; Brozena, J.; Peters, M.

2013-02-01

The US Naval Research Laboratory conducted comprehensive high-altitude (7 km above mean sea level) aero-geophysical surveys over Afghanistan in 2006 (Rampant Lion I). The surveys were done in collaboration with the US Geological Survey and upon the request of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Ministry of Mines. In this study, we show that a best fitting admittance between topography and airborne gravity in western Afghanistan can be used to predict airborne gravity for the no-data area of eastern Afghanistan where the mountains are too high to conduct airborne surveys, due to the threat of ground fire. The differences between the airborne and the predicted gravity along a tie-track through the no-data area were found to be within ±12 mGal range with rms difference 7.3 mGal, while those between the predicted gravity from a simple Airy model (with compensation depth of 32 km and crustal density of 2.67 g cm-3) and the airborne gravity were within ±22 mGal range with rms difference 10.3 mGal. A combined airborne free-air anomaly has been constructed by merging the predicted gravity with the airborne data. We also demonstrate that sediment thickness can be estimated for basin areas where surface topography and airborne free-air anomaly profiles do not show a correlation presumably because of thick sediments. In order to estimate sediment thickness, we first determine a simple linear relationship from a scatter plot of the airborne gravity points and the interpolated Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) topography along the Rampant Lion I tracks, and computed corresponding quasi-topography tracks by multiplying the linear relationship with the airborne free-air anomalies. We then take the differences between the SRTM and quasi-topography as a first-order estimate of sediment thickness. A global gravity model (GOCO02S), upward continued to the same altitude (7 km above mean sea level) as the data collection, was compared with the low-pass filtered (with cutoff

22 CFR 42.74 - Issuance of new or replacement visas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Issuance of new or replacement visas. 42.74 Section 42.74 Foreign Relations DEPARTMENT OF STATE VISAS VISAS: DOCUMENTATION OF IMMIGRANTS UNDER THE IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT, AS AMENDED Issuance of Immigrant Visas § 42.74 Issuance of new or replacement...

22 CFR 42.74 - Issuance of new or replacement visas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Issuance of new or replacement visas. 42.74 Section 42.74 Foreign Relations DEPARTMENT OF STATE VISAS VISAS: DOCUMENTATION OF IMMIGRANTS UNDER THE IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT, AS AMENDED Issuance of Immigrant Visas § 42.74 Issuance of new or replacement...

22 CFR 42.74 - Issuance of new or replacement visas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Issuance of new or replacement visas. 42.74 Section 42.74 Foreign Relations DEPARTMENT OF STATE VISAS VISAS: DOCUMENTATION OF IMMIGRANTS UNDER THE IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT, AS AMENDED Issuance of Immigrant Visas § 42.74 Issuance of new or replacement...

22 CFR 42.74 - Issuance of new or replacement visas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Issuance of new or replacement visas. 42.74 Section 42.74 Foreign Relations DEPARTMENT OF STATE VISAS VISAS: DOCUMENTATION OF IMMIGRANTS UNDER THE IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT, AS AMENDED Issuance of Immigrant Visas § 42.74 Issuance of new or replacement...

22 CFR 41.59 - Professionals under the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Professionals under the North American Free Trade Agreement. 41.59 Section 41.59 Foreign Relations DEPARTMENT OF STATE VISAS VISAS: DOCUMENTATION OF NONIMMIGRANTS UNDER THE IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT, AS AMENDED Business and Media Visas § 41.59 Professionals under the North American Free...

14 CFR § 1260.63 - Customs clearance and visas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 5 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Customs clearance and visas. § 1260.63... COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS General Special Conditions § 1260.63 Customs clearance and visas. Customs Clearance and Visas (For grants or cooperative agreements with foreign organizations, this clause will be developed on...

48 CFR 52.222-29 - Notification of visa denial.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 2 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Notification of visa....222-29 Notification of visa denial. As prescribed in 22.810(g), insert the following clause: Notification of Visa Denial (JUN 2003) It is a violation of Executive Order 11246 for a Contractor to refuse to...

48 CFR 52.222-29 - Notification of visa denial.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 2 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Notification of visa....222-29 Notification of visa denial. As prescribed in 22.810(g), insert the following clause: Notification of Visa Denial (JUN 2003) It is a violation of Executive Order 11246 for a Contractor to refuse to...

48 CFR 52.222-29 - Notification of visa denial.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 2 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Notification of visa....222-29 Notification of visa denial. As prescribed in 22.810(g), insert the following clause: Notification of Visa Denial (JUN 2003) It is a violation of Executive Order 11246 for a Contractor to refuse to...

48 CFR 52.222-29 - Notification of visa denial.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 2 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Notification of visa....222-29 Notification of visa denial. As prescribed in 22.810(g), insert the following clause: Notification of Visa Denial (JUN 2003) It is a violation of Executive Order 11246 for a Contractor to refuse to...

48 CFR 52.222-29 - Notification of visa denial.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 2 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Notification of visa....222-29 Notification of visa denial. As prescribed in 22.810(g), insert the following clause: Notification of Visa Denial (JUN 2003) It is a violation of Executive Order 11246 for a Contractor to refuse to...

Clinical features and treatment outcomes of vancomycin-intermediate Staphylococcus aureus (VISA) and heteroresistant vancomycin-intermediate Staphylococcus aureus (hVISA) in a tertiary care institution in Singapore.

PubMed

Fong, R K C; Low, J; Koh, T H; Kurup, A

2009-08-01

This retrospective case-control study was undertaken to review the clinical features associated with heteroresistant vancomycin-intermediate Staphylococcus aureus (hVISA) and vancomycin-intermediate S. aureus (VISA) infections and the local impact they have on clinical outcome. Compared with vancomycin-susceptible S. aureus (n = 30), hVISA and VISA infections (n = 10) are found to be associated with a longer period of prior glycopeptide use (P = 0.01), bone/joint (P < 0.01) and prosthetic infections (P = 0.04), as well as treatment failure, as evidenced by longer bacteremic (P < 0.01) and culture positivity (P < 0.01) periods. This was observed to have resulted in longer hospital length of stay (P < 0.01) and total antibiotic therapy duration (P = 0.01). There was, however, no significant difference in the overall patient mortality or the hospitalization cost (P = 0.12) in both groups. Clinicians should be cognizant of the association between hVISA/VISA with high bacterial load deep-seated infections. We recommend targeted and even universal screening for hVISA/VISA in methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) infections.

National Academy of Sciences: Helping Scientists Navigate & Troubleshoot Visa Issues

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bailey, Kathie

2014-03-01

The International Visitors Office (IVO) is a program operated by the Board on International Scientific Organizations of the National Academy of Sciences. The IVO serves as a resource on visa-related issues for scientists and students traveling to the United States for professional activities. The speaker will address visa issues for international scientists wishing to visit the United States, tips for trouble-shooting visa issues, and statistics on the current visa system.

Interactive Model Visualization for NET-VISA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kuzma, H. A.; Arora, N. S.

2013-12-01

NET-VISA is a probabilistic system developed for seismic network processing of data measured on the International Monitoring System (IMS) of the Comprehensive nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO). NET-VISA is composed of a Generative Model (GM) and an Inference Algorithm (IA). The GM is an explicit mathematical description of the relationships between various factors in seismic network analysis. Some of the relationships inside the GM are deterministic and some are statistical. Statistical relationships are described by probability distributions, the exact parameters of which (such as mean and standard deviation) are found by training NET-VISA using recent data. The IA uses the GM to evaluate the probability of various events and associations, searching for the seismic bulletin which has the highest overall probability and is consistent with a given set of measured arrivals. An Interactive Model Visualization tool (IMV) has been developed which makes 'peeking into' the GM simple and intuitive through a web-based interfaced. For example, it is now possible to access the probability distributions for attributes of events and arrivals such as the detection rate for each station for each of 14 phases. It also clarifies the assumptions and prior knowledge that are incorporated into NET-VISA's event determination. When NET-VISA is retrained, the IMV will be a visual tool for quality control both as a means of testing that the training has been accomplished correctly and that the IMS network has not changed unexpectedly. A preview of the IMV will be shown at this poster presentation. Homepage for the IMV IMV shows current model file and reference image.

48 CFR 752.7023 - Required visa form for USAID participants.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 5 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Required visa form for... Clauses 752.7023 Required visa form for USAID participants. For use in any USAID direct contract which involves training of USAID participants. Required Visa Form for USAID Participants (APR 1984) The...

48 CFR 752.7023 - Required visa form for USAID participants.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 5 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Required visa form for... Clauses 752.7023 Required visa form for USAID participants. For use in any USAID direct contract which involves training of USAID participants. Required Visa Form for USAID Participants (APR 1984) The...

48 CFR 752.7023 - Required visa form for USAID participants.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 5 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Required visa form for... Clauses 752.7023 Required visa form for USAID participants. For use in any USAID direct contract which involves training of USAID participants. Required Visa Form for USAID Participants (APR 1984) The...

48 CFR 752.7023 - Required visa form for USAID participants.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 5 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Required visa form for... Clauses 752.7023 Required visa form for USAID participants. For use in any USAID direct contract which involves training of USAID participants. Required Visa Form for USAID Participants (APR 1984) The...

48 CFR 752.7023 - Required visa form for USAID participants.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 5 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Required visa form for... Clauses 752.7023 Required visa form for USAID participants. For use in any USAID direct contract which involves training of USAID participants. Required Visa Form for USAID Participants (APR 1984) The...

Novel function of Trim44 promotes an antiviral response by stabilizing VISA.

PubMed

Yang, Bo; Wang, Jie; Wang, Yanming; Zhou, Haiyan; Wu, Xiaodong; Tian, Zhigang; Sun, Bing

2013-04-01

Virus-induced signaling adaptor (VISA) functions as a critical adaptor in the regulation of both the production of type I IFNs and the subsequent control of the innate antiviral response. In this study, we demonstrate that tripartite motif (Trim)44 interacts with VISA and promotes VISA-mediated antiviral responses. The overexpression of Trim44 enhances the cellular response to viral infection, whereas Trim44 knockdown yields the opposite effect. Trim44 stabilizes VISA by preventing VISA ubiquitination and degradation. These findings suggest that Trim44 functions as a positive regulator of the virus-triggered immune response by enhancing the stability of VISA.

Multimodal biometric digital watermarking on immigrant visas for homeland security

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sasi, Sreela; Tamhane, Kirti C.; Rajappa, Mahesh B.

2004-08-01

Passengers with immigrant Visa's are a major concern to the International Airports due to the various fraud operations identified. To curb tampering of genuine Visa, the Visa's should contain human identification information. Biometric characteristic is a common and reliable way to authenticate the identity of an individual [1]. A Multimodal Biometric Human Identification System (MBHIS) that integrates iris code, DNA fingerprint, and the passport number on the Visa photograph using digital watermarking scheme is presented. Digital Watermarking technique is well suited for any system requiring high security [2]. Ophthalmologists [3], [4], [5] suggested that iris scan is an accurate and nonintrusive optical fingerprint. DNA sequence can be used as a genetic barcode [6], [7]. While issuing Visa at the US consulates, the DNA sequence isolated from saliva, the iris code and passport number shall be digitally watermarked in the Visa photograph. This information is also recorded in the 'immigrant database'. A 'forward watermarking phase' combines a 2-D DWT transformed digital photograph with the personal identification information. A 'detection phase' extracts the watermarked information from this VISA photograph at the port of entry, from which iris code can be used for identification and DNA biometric for authentication, if an anomaly arises.

VISA is required for B cell expression of TLR7.

PubMed

Xu, Liang-Guo; Jin, Lei; Zhang, Bi-Cheng; Akerlund, Linda J; Shu, Hong-Bing; Cambier, John C

2012-01-01

B cells play a critical role in the initialization and development of the systemic lupus erythematosus that is dependent on the expression of the endosomal ssRNA receptor TLR7. Previous studies have established that B cell expression of TLR7 is controlled by the type I IFN secreted by plasmacytoid dendritic cells. In this article, we report that VISA, also known as MAVS, IPS-1, and CardIf, essential for RIG-I/MDA5-mediated signaling following sensing of cytosolic RNA, regulate B cell expression of TLR7 and CD23. We found that B cells from a VISA(-/-) mouse express reduced TLR7 but normal basal levels of type I IFN. We also show that although IFN-β and TLR7 agonists synergize to promote TLR7 expression in VISA(-/-) B cells, they do not fully complement the defect seen in VISA(-/-) cells. Cell transfer experiments revealed that the observed effects of VISA(-/-) are B cell intrinsic. The reduced TLR7 expression in B cells is correlated with impaired TLR7 agonist-induced upregulation of activation markers CD69 and CD86, cell proliferation, production of IFN-α, TNF, and IL-12, and NF-κB activation. Finally, studies indicate that genetic background may influence the observed phenotype of our VISA(-/-) mice, because VISA(-/-) B cells differ in CD23 and TLR7 expression when on C57BL/6 versus 129Sv-C57BL/6 background. Thus, our findings suggest an unexpected link between VISA-mediated cytosolic RLR signaling and autoimmunity.

Visas and Immigration | NREL

Science.gov Websites

U.S. techniques, methodologies, business practices, and expertise, which increase mutual understanding not support the pursuance of a waiver of the J-1 Exchange Visitor's Visa. NREL does not generally

22 CFR 40.205 - Applicant for immigrant visa under INA 203(c).

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Applicant for immigrant visa under INA 203(c). 40.205 Section 40.205 Foreign Relations DEPARTMENT OF STATE VISAS REGULATIONS PERTAINING TO BOTH... § 40.205 Applicant for immigrant visa under INA 203(c). An alien shall be ineligible to receive a visa...

22 CFR 40.205 - Applicant for immigrant visa under INA 203(c).

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Applicant for immigrant visa under INA 203(c). 40.205 Section 40.205 Foreign Relations DEPARTMENT OF STATE VISAS REGULATIONS PERTAINING TO BOTH... § 40.205 Applicant for immigrant visa under INA 203(c). An alien shall be ineligible to receive a visa...

22 CFR 40.205 - Applicant for immigrant visa under INA 203(c).

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Applicant for immigrant visa under INA 203(c). 40.205 Section 40.205 Foreign Relations DEPARTMENT OF STATE VISAS REGULATIONS PERTAINING TO BOTH... § 40.205 Applicant for immigrant visa under INA 203(c). An alien shall be ineligible to receive a visa...

22 CFR 40.205 - Applicant for immigrant visa under INA 203(c).

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Applicant for immigrant visa under INA 203(c). 40.205 Section 40.205 Foreign Relations DEPARTMENT OF STATE VISAS REGULATIONS PERTAINING TO BOTH... § 40.205 Applicant for immigrant visa under INA 203(c). An alien shall be ineligible to receive a visa...

Prevalence of vancomycin-intermediate Staphylococcus aureus (VISA) and heterogeneous VISA among methicillin-resistant S. aureus with high vancomycin minimal inhibitory concentrations in Taiwan: A multicenter surveillance study, 2012-2013.

PubMed

Huang, Sung-Hsi; Chen, Yee-Chun; Chuang, Yin-Ching; Chiu, Sheng-Kang; Fung, Chang-Phone; Lu, Po-Liang; Wang, Lih-Shinn; Wu, Tsu-Lan; Wang, Jann-Tay

2016-10-01

Intermediate-resistance and heteroresistance to vancomycin in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is reported worldwide. A surveillance study in 2003 showed that the prevalence rates of vancomycin-intermediate S. aureus (VISA) and heterogeneous VISA (hVISA) in Taiwan were 0.2% and 0.7%, respectively. This study aimed to investigate the updated prevalence of VISA and hVISA in Taiwan. MRSA isolates from sterile sites with minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 1 μg/mL or more to vancomycin were collected from 15 participating hospitals in Taiwan. Enrolled MRSA isolates were submitted to antimicrobial susceptibility testing, staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) element typing, and multilocus sequence typing. Isolates with vancomycin MIC of 1 μg/mL or 2 μg/mL were screened for vancomycin heterogeneous resistance by Etest glycopeptide-resistance detection (GRD). Those with positive GRD screening results were then analyzed by modified population analysis profiling-area under the curve method for confirmation of vancomycin heteroresistance. Between 2012 and 2013, a total of 622 MRSA isolates from sterile sites with vancomycin MIC of 1 μg/mL or more were studied. The prevalence rates of hVISA and VISA among these isolates were 10.0% and 2.7%, respectively. The hVISA prevalence increased significantly compared to that in 2003. Compared with vancomycin-susceptible S. aureus, hVISA and VISA isolates were less susceptible to ciprofloxacin, clindamycin, daptomycin, gentamicin, rifampin, and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, and are thus, more likely to have SCCmec II or III element. A twofold increase in either vancomycin or teicoplanin MIC doubled the probability of being hVISA. Growing hVISA prevalence was highly suspected. Longitudinal surveillance of this phenomenon and monitoring of its clinical impact are necessary. Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Running the Visa Gauntlet.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sementelli, Arthur J.

2002-01-01

Illustrates current challenges of obtaining a visa, explains the legal processes, addresses issues associated with family members who also desire residence, and provides a set of strategies to use as a checklist throughout the process. (EV)

45 CFR 50.7 - Personal hardship, persecution and visa extension considerations.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... 45 Public Welfare 1 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Personal hardship, persecution and visa extension... Personal hardship, persecution and visa extension considerations. (a) It is not within the Department's... not responsible for considering requests to extend visas. (c) Inquiries concerning the above should be...

45 CFR 50.7 - Personal hardship, persecution and visa extension considerations.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... 45 Public Welfare 1 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Personal hardship, persecution and visa extension... Personal hardship, persecution and visa extension considerations. (a) It is not within the Department's... not responsible for considering requests to extend visas. (c) Inquiries concerning the above should be...

45 CFR 50.7 - Personal hardship, persecution and visa extension considerations.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... 45 Public Welfare 1 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Personal hardship, persecution and visa extension... Personal hardship, persecution and visa extension considerations. (a) It is not within the Department's... not responsible for considering requests to extend visas. (c) Inquiries concerning the above should be...

45 CFR 50.7 - Personal hardship, persecution and visa extension considerations.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 45 Public Welfare 1 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Personal hardship, persecution and visa extension... Personal hardship, persecution and visa extension considerations. (a) It is not within the Department's... not responsible for considering requests to extend visas. (c) Inquiries concerning the above should be...

45 CFR 50.7 - Personal hardship, persecution and visa extension considerations.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 45 Public Welfare 1 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Personal hardship, persecution and visa extension... Personal hardship, persecution and visa extension considerations. (a) It is not within the Department's... not responsible for considering requests to extend visas. (c) Inquiries concerning the above should be...

Afghanistan: A Regional Geography.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Palka, Eugene J., Ed.

Afghanistan and its people are not well known or understood by the United States, yet many U.S. people now consider the U.S. and Afghanistan to be at war. How is it possible to know the enemy? This book offers a complete, but not exhaustive source of information about Afghanistan, the land and its people. The book is intended as a guide for anyone…

22 CFR 42.1 - Aliens not required to obtain immigrant visas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Aliens not required to obtain immigrant visas... Immigrants § 42.1 Aliens not required to obtain immigrant visas. An immigrant within any of the following categories is not required to obtain an immigrant visa: (a) Aliens lawfully admitted for permanent residence...

22 CFR 42.1 - Aliens not required to obtain immigrant visas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Aliens not required to obtain immigrant visas... Immigrants § 42.1 Aliens not required to obtain immigrant visas. An immigrant within any of the following categories is not required to obtain an immigrant visa: (a) Aliens lawfully admitted for permanent residence...

22 CFR 42.1 - Aliens not required to obtain immigrant visas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Aliens not required to obtain immigrant visas... Immigrants § 42.1 Aliens not required to obtain immigrant visas. An immigrant within any of the following categories is not required to obtain an immigrant visa: (a) Aliens lawfully admitted for permanent residence...

22 CFR 42.1 - Aliens not required to obtain immigrant visas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Aliens not required to obtain immigrant visas... Immigrants § 42.1 Aliens not required to obtain immigrant visas. An immigrant within any of the following categories is not required to obtain an immigrant visa: (a) Aliens lawfully admitted for permanent residence...

22 CFR 42.1 - Aliens not required to obtain immigrant visas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Aliens not required to obtain immigrant visas... Immigrants § 42.1 Aliens not required to obtain immigrant visas. An immigrant within any of the following categories is not required to obtain an immigrant visa: (a) Aliens lawfully admitted for permanent residence...

77 FR 74490 - Implementation of Immigrant Visa DHS Domestic Processing Fee

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-12-14

... Docket No. USCIS-2009-0033] RIN 1615-ZB13 Implementation of Immigrant Visa DHS Domestic Processing Fee... will begin to collect a $165 Immigrant Visa DHS Domestic Processing Fee (USCIS Immigrant Fee) from individuals who have been issued immigrant visas by the U.S. Department of State (DOS) and are applying for...

Defense.gov Special Report: Afghanistan

Science.gov Websites

Support Soldiers FORWARD OPERATING BASE SHARANA, Afghanistan, May 24, 2011 - Army Lt. Col. Dave Preston BASE TILLMAN, Afghanistan, May 23, 2011 - Where and how you live as a soldier deployed to Afghanistan 14-hour firefight with insurgents. Story Chaplains Prepare for Redeployment FORWARD OPERATING BASE

77 FR 6137 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Agreement

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-02-07

... Activities: Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Agreement AGENCY: U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of... comment on an information collection requirement concerning the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Agreement (CBP Form... information collection: Title: Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Agreement. OMB Number: 1651-0126. Form Number: CBP Form I...

77 FR 34056 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Information

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-06-08

... Activities: Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Information AGENCY: U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of... review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act: Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Information... techniques or other forms of information. Title: Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Information. OMB Number: 1651-0109...

VISA is an adapter protein required for virus-triggered IFN-beta signaling.

PubMed

Xu, Liang-Guo; Wang, Yan-Yi; Han, Ke-Jun; Li, Lian-Yun; Zhai, Zhonghe; Shu, Hong-Bing

2005-09-16

Viral infection or stimulation of TLR3 triggers signaling cascades, leading to activation of the transcription factors IRF-3 and NF-kappaB, which collaborate to induce transcription of type I interferon (IFN) genes. In this study, we identified a protein termed VISA (for virus-induced signaling adaptor) as a critical component in the IFN-beta signaling pathways. VISA recruits IRF-3 to the cytoplasmic viral dsRNA sensor RIG-I. Depletion of VISA inhibits virus-triggered and RIG-I-mediated activation of IRF-3, NF-kappaB, and the IFN-beta promoter, suggesting that VISA plays a central role in virus-triggered TLR3-independent IFN-beta signaling. Our data also indicate that VISA interacts with TRIF and TRAF6 and mediates bifurcation of the TLR3-triggered NF-kappaB and IRF-3 activation pathways. These findings suggest that VISA is critically involved in both virus-triggered TLR3-independent and TLR3-mediated antiviral IFN signaling.

8 CFR 211.3 - Expiration of immigrant visa or other travel document.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... 8 Aliens and Nationality 1 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Expiration of immigrant visa or other... REGULATIONS DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS: IMMIGRANTS; WAIVERS § 211.3 Expiration of immigrant visa or other travel document. An immigrant visa, reentry permit, refugee travel document, or a permanent resident card shall be...

8 CFR 211.3 - Expiration of immigrant visa or other travel document.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... 8 Aliens and Nationality 1 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Expiration of immigrant visa or other... REGULATIONS DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS: IMMIGRANTS; WAIVERS § 211.3 Expiration of immigrant visa or other travel document. An immigrant visa, reentry permit, refugee travel document, or a permanent resident card shall be...

8 CFR 211.3 - Expiration of immigrant visa or other travel document.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... 8 Aliens and Nationality 1 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Expiration of immigrant visa or other... REGULATIONS DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS: IMMIGRANTS; WAIVERS § 211.3 Expiration of immigrant visa or other travel document. An immigrant visa, reentry permit, refugee travel document, or a permanent resident card shall be...

77 FR 19304 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Information

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-03-30

... Activities: Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Information AGENCY: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Department of... requirement concerning the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Information (CBP Form I-736). This request for comment is...: Title: Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Information. OMB Number: 1651-0109. Form Number: CBP Form I-736. Abstract...

VraR Binding to the Promoter Region of agr Inhibits Its Function in Vancomycin-Intermediate Staphylococcus aureus (VISA) and Heterogeneous VISA.

PubMed

Dai, Yuanyuan; Chang, Wenjiao; Zhao, Changcheng; Peng, Jing; Xu, Liangfei; Lu, Huaiwei; Zhou, Shusheng; Ma, Xiaoling

2017-05-01

Acquisition of vancomycin resistance in Staphylococcus aureus is often accompanied by a reduction in virulence, but the mechanisms underlying this change remain unclear. The present study was undertaken to investigate this process in a clinical heterogeneous vancomycin-intermediate S. aureus (hVISA) strain, 10827; an hVISA reference strain, Mu3; and a VISA reference strain, Mu50, along with their respective series of vancomycin-induced resistant strains. In these strains, increasing MICs of vancomycin were associated with increased expression of the vancomycin resistance-associated regulator gene ( vraR ) and decreased expression of virulence genes ( hla , hlb , and coa ) and virulence-regulated genes (RNAIII, agrA , and saeR ). These results suggested that VraR might have a direct or indirect effect on virulence in S. aureus In electrophoretic mobility shift assays, VraR did not bind to promoter sequences of hla , hlb , and coa genes, but it did bind to the agr promoter region. In DNase I footprinting assays, VraR protected a 15-nucleotide (nt) sequence in the intergenic region between the agr P2 and P3 promoters. These results indicated that when S. aureus is subject to induction by vancomycin, expression of vraR is upregulated, and VraR binding inhibits the function of the Agr quorum-sensing system, causing reductions in the virulence of VISA/hVISA strains. Our results suggested that VraR in S. aureus is involved not only in the regulation of vancomycin resistance but also in the regulation of virulence. Copyright © 2017 American Society for Microbiology.

76 FR 31470 - Taliban (Afghanistan) Sanctions Regulations

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-06-01

... DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY Office of Foreign Assets Control 31 CFR Part 545 Taliban (Afghanistan... Regulations the Taliban (Afghanistan) Sanctions Regulations, 31 CFR part 545, as a result of the termination... Taliban in Afghanistan, in allowing territory under its control in Afghanistan to be used as a safe haven...

Cross-cultural adaptation of VISA-P score for patellar tendinopathy in Turkish population.

PubMed

Çelebi, Mehmet Mesut; Köse, Serdal Kenan; Akkaya, Zehra; Zergeroglu, Ali Murat

2016-01-01

VISA-P questionnaire assesses to severity of symptoms and treatment effects in athletes with patellar tendinopathy. The purpose of this study was to translated VISA-P questionnaire into Turkish language and to determine its validity and reliability. The English version of VISA-P questionnaire was translated into Turkish according to the internationally recommended guidelines. Test-retest reliability was determined on 89 participants with time interval 24 h. To determine validity of Turkish VISA-P, 31 (17 male, 14 female) healthy students, 34 (20 male, 14 female) patients with patellar tendinopathy (diagnosed by physical examination and ultrasonography) and 24 (16 male, 8 female) volleyball players (at risk populations) were completed VISA-P-Tr. Internal consistency was determined with Cronbach's alpha. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were calculated to analyse test-retest reliability. To assessment of discrimination, VISA-P-Tr scores compared all groups using the Mann-Whitney-U test. The VISA-P-Tr questionnaire showed good test-retest reliability (The Cronbach's alpha was 0.79 and 0.78 respectively and ICC was 0.96). The VISA-P-Tr score (mean ± SD) were 93.7 ± 8.9 and 94.0 ± 8.1 for healthy students, 81.1 ± 13.7 and 80.7 ± 13.4 for volleyball players, 58.8 ± 12.1 and 58.5 ± 11.0 for athletes with patellar tendinopathy. The translated Turkish version of VISA-P has good internal consistency and good reliability and validity. Therefore VISA-P-Tr is useful to evaluate symptoms and follow the treatment effect in athletes with patellar tendinopathy.

22 CFR 40.205 - Applicant for immigrant visa under INA 203(c).

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Applicant for immigrant visa under INA 203(c... NONIMMIGRANTS AND IMMIGRANTS UNDER THE IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT, AS AMENDED Failure to Comply with INA § 40.205 Applicant for immigrant visa under INA 203(c). An alien shall be ineligible to receive a visa...

Visa Process Keeps Iraqi Students out of U.S.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Labi, Aisha

2008-01-01

This article reports that American visa procedures have prevented graduate students from taking advantage of the Iraqi government's program to study in the United States. Iraqi students seeking to come to American colleges on full scholarships from the Iraqi government face so many hurdles in obtaining a visa that few are able to enter the…

[Validation of the VISA-A-G questionnaire for German-speaking patients suffering from Haglund's disease].

PubMed

Lohrer, H; Nauck, T

2010-06-01

The VISA-A questionnaire is currently the only valid, reliable, and disease specific patient administered questionnaire for research in Achilles tendinopathy. To perform multinational and multilingual investigations this instrument was already adapted to several languages. According to the "guidelines for the process of cross-cultural adaptation of self-report measures" we already translated and validated the VISA-A questionnaire for patients with Achilles tendinopathy. To cross-culturally adapt and validate the VISA-A Questionnaire for German-speaking patients suffering from Haglund's disease. The VISA-A-G questionnaire was tested for reliability, validity, and internal consistency in 39 Haglund's disease patients and 79 asymptomatic persons. For concurrent validity the VISA-A-G was compared with the Curwin and Stanish tendon grading system and with the Percy and Conochie classification system for the effect of pain on athletic performance. VISA-A-G results in Haglund's disease were additionally compared with VISA-A-G results obtained from Achilles tendinopathy patients and with VISA-A results presented in the international literature. ICC for the VISA-A-G questionnaire in conservatively treated Haglund's disease patients was 0.96. In asymptomatic students and joggers ICC was 0.97 and 0.60. When correlated with the grading system of Curwin and Stanish and with the Percy and Conochie classification rho was -0.95 and 0.94, respectively. Internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) for the total VISA-A-G scores of the patients was calculated to be 0.87. Compared with VISA-A-G results obtained from Achilles tendinopathy patients there was no relevant difference discernible. Compared with VISA-A results presented in the original publication no difference was found statistically for students, healthy people, conservative, and preoperative patients, respectively. This study confirms that the VISA-A-G is a valid and reliable measure for German-speaking patients suffering from

Validity and reliability of the French translation of the VISA-A questionnaire for Achilles tendinopathy.

PubMed

Kaux, Jean-François; Delvaux, François; Oppong-Kyei, Julian; Dardenne, Nadia; Beaudart, Charlotte; Buckinx, Fanny; Croisier, Jean-Louis; Forthomme, Bénédicte; Crielaard, Jean-Michel; Bruyère, Oliver

2016-12-01

The Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment - Achilles tendinopathy questionnaire (VISA-A) evaluates the clinical severity of Achilles tendinopathy. The aim of this study was to translate the VISA-A into French and to study the reliability and validity of this French version, the VISA-AF. The VISA-A was translated into French to produce the VISA-AF using a validated methodology in six steps. Thereafter, several psychometric properties of this French version such as test-retest reliability, internal consistency, construct validity and floor and ceiling effects were evaluated. Therefore, we recruited 116 subjects, distributed into 3 groups: pathological patients (n = 31), at-risk athletes (n = 63) and healthy people (n = 22). The final version of the VISA-AF was approved by an expert committee. On a scale ranging from 0 to 100, the average scores of the VISA-AF obtained were 59 (± 18) for the pathological group, 99 (± 1) for the healthy group and 94 (± 7) for the at-risk group. The VISA-AF shows excellent reliability, low correlations with the discriminant subscales of the SF-36 and moderate correlations with the convergent subscales of the SF-36. The French version of the VISA-A is equivalent to its original version and is a reliable and valid questionnaire for French-speaking patients with Achilles tendinopathy. Implication for Rehabilitation The VISA-AF questionnaire is a reliable translation of the original VISA-A, from English into French, which is one of the most widespread languages in the world. The VISA-AF questionnaire is now a valid instrument that can be used by clinicians and researchers to assess the severity of pain and disability of French-speaking subjects with Achilles tendinopathy. The VISA-AF is a questionnaire to assess the severity of Achilles tendinopathy symptoms but is not a diagnostic tool.

Surma eye cosmetic in Afghanistan: a potential source of lead toxicity in children.

PubMed

McMichael, J R; Stoff, B K

2018-02-01

Surma is a traditional eye cosmetic used as an eyeliner for infants in Afghanistan, as well as in many other countries in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. Surma has been reported to contain lead and to be a potential source of lead toxicity in children, which can lead to permanent damage to multiple organ systems. To our knowledge, assessment for lead in surma found in Afghanistan has not been performed. We determined the quantitative lead content of a convenience sample of 10 surma products acquired in Afghanistan. Analysis revealed that 70% of surma samples contained high levels of lead (range 35-83%). The remaining samples contained low levels of lead (range 0.04-0.17%). The majority of surma samples contained very high levels of lead, a troubling finding that could potentially correlate with lead toxicity in Afghan children. Making available lead-free surma alternatives and providing health education, for both healthcare professionals and the general population, in locations where surma use is prevalent and for those involved in care of refugees and immigrants from Afghanistan, may be strategies to prevent lead poisoning in children. What is Known: • Surma is a traditional cosmetic used as an eyeliner for infants in Afghanistan as well as in many countries in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. • Surma has been reported to contain lead and to be a source of lead toxicity in children. What is New: • Assessment for lead content in surma found in Afghanistan has not been performed. • In this convenience sample of 10 surma products acquired in Afghanistan, 70% contained very high levels of lead.

78 FR 77771 - 60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Nonimmigrant Visa Application

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-12-24

...: Nonimmigrant Visa Application ACTION: Notice of request for public comment. SUMMARY: The Department of State is...: Nonimmigrant Visa Application OMB Control Number: 1405-0018 Type of Request: Extension of Currently Approved Collection Originating Office: CA/VO/L/R Form Number: DS-156 Respondents: All Nonimmigrant Visa Applicants...

Change in visa status amongst Mandaean refugees: relationship to psychological symptoms and living difficulties.

PubMed

Nickerson, Angela; Steel, Zachary; Bryant, Richard; Brooks, Robert; Silove, Derrick

2011-05-15

Policies of deterrence, including the use of detention and temporary visas, have been widely implemented to dissuade asylum seekers from seeking protection in Western countries. The present study examined the impact of visa status change on the mental health of 97 Mandaean refugees resettled in Australia. At the time of the first survey (2004), 68 (70%) participants held temporary protection visas (TPVs) and 29 (30%) held permanent residency (PR) status, whereas by the second survey (2007), 97 (100%) participants held PR status. We tested a meditational model to determine whether the relationship between change in visa status and change in psychological symptoms was mediated by change in living difficulties associated with the visa categories. The conversion of visa status from TPV to PR status was associated with significant improvements in PTSD and depression symptoms, and increases in mental health-related quality of life (MHR-QOL). The relationship between change in visa status and reduced PTSD and depression symptoms was mediated by reductions in living difficulties. In contrast, the relationship between change in visa status and increased MHR-QOL was not mediated by changes in living difficulties. These results suggest that restriction of rights and access to services related to visa status negatively affect the mental health of refugees. Implications for government policies regarding refugees are discussed. Copyright © 2010. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.

Spotlight: Afghanistan.

PubMed

Felt, J C

1988-05-01

Afghanistan is a landlocked country approximately the size of Texas with an estimated population of 14.5 million. The fertility level (6.7 children per women) is estimated to be very high, as is the mortality rate (183 infant deaths/1,000 live births). Demographic data sources are scarce, and current estimates are based on a 1972-1974 series of surveys and a 1979 census which enumerated only 55-60% of the population. The government of Afghanistan, a Marxist state, has asked for international aid to improve data collection and analysis. Compounding the problems of accurate data collection is the state of civil war that has existed in Afghanistan since the Marxist coup in in 1978 and Soviet occupation in 1979. The war impelled the emigration of 5 million refugees, who live in camps in neighboring Pakistan and Iran. Although the population decline that resulted from this emigration is significant, the repatriation of the refugees will play a role in determining the population dynamics for the next decade, as will the withdrawal of Soviet troops -- expected in 1990. Because of Afghanistan's central-Asia location, there is a unique ethnic and linguistic mixture of tribes. The largest group is the Pushtus, who make up 40% of the population. Afghan Persian and Pushtu are the dominant languages, and 98% of all Afghans are Moslem. The economy is largely agricultural and half the cultivated land must be irrigated. 85% of the population live in rural areas and another 2.5 million are nomads. The low status of women and female children, low levels of health care, and high fertility contribute to the lower life expectancy of females over males. Although the government supports contraceptive services, such services are inadequate, and sterilization is illegal. The withdrawal of Soviet troops and the possible end to civil war between the Kabul government and the rebel factions, and the effects of repatriation of refugees will determine the direction of Afghanistan's future

The effect of the physician J-1 visa waiver on rural Wisconsin.

PubMed

Crouse, Byron J; Munson, Randy L

2006-10-01

One strategy to increase the number of physicians in rural and other underserved areas grants a waiver to foreign physicians in this country on a J-1 education visa allowing them to stay in the United States if they practice in designated underserved areas. The goal of this study is to evaluate the retention and acceptance of the J-1 Visa Waiver physicians in rural Wisconsin. Sites in Wisconsin at which physicians with a J-1 Visa Waiver practiced between 1996 and 2002 were identified. A 12-item survey that assessed the acceptance and retention of these physicians was sent to leaders of institutions that had participated in this program. Retention of J-1 Visa Waiver physicians was compared to other physicians recruited to rural Wisconsin practices by the Wisconsin Office of Rural Health during the same time period. While there was a general perception that the communities were well satisfied with the care provided and the physicians worked well with the medical community, there was a lower satisfaction with physician integration into the community-at-large. This was found to correlate with the poor retention rate of physicians with a J-1 Visa Waiver. Physicians participating in a placement program without J-1 Visa Waivers entering practice in rural communities had a significantly higher retention rate. Physicians with J-1 Visa Waivers appear to provide good care and work well in health care environments while fulfilling the waiver requirements. To keep these physicians practicing in these communities, successful integration into the community is important.

22 CFR 40.4 - Furnishing records and information from visa files for court proceedings.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Furnishing records and information from visa files for court proceedings. 40.4 Section 40.4 Foreign Relations DEPARTMENT OF STATE VISAS REGULATIONS... Provisions § 40.4 Furnishing records and information from visa files for court proceedings. Upon receipt of a...

22 CFR 40.4 - Furnishing records and information from visa files for court proceedings.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Furnishing records and information from visa files for court proceedings. 40.4 Section 40.4 Foreign Relations DEPARTMENT OF STATE VISAS REGULATIONS... Provisions § 40.4 Furnishing records and information from visa files for court proceedings. Upon receipt of a...

22 CFR 40.4 - Furnishing records and information from visa files for court proceedings.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Furnishing records and information from visa files for court proceedings. 40.4 Section 40.4 Foreign Relations DEPARTMENT OF STATE VISAS REGULATIONS... Provisions § 40.4 Furnishing records and information from visa files for court proceedings. Upon receipt of a...

22 CFR 40.4 - Furnishing records and information from visa files for court proceedings.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Furnishing records and information from visa files for court proceedings. 40.4 Section 40.4 Foreign Relations DEPARTMENT OF STATE VISAS REGULATIONS... Provisions § 40.4 Furnishing records and information from visa files for court proceedings. Upon receipt of a...

Rehabilitating Afghanistan's natural resources

Treesearch

George Hernandez

2011-01-01

The Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in late 1979. During the next 23 years, the war between the Mujahideen Resistance and the Soviet forces, the ensuing civil war, and eventual take over by the Taliban caused enormous harm to the natural resources of Afghanistan. In 2003, the USDA Forest Service (USFS) was asked by the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service to provide...

75 FR 54690 - 60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: DS-160, Online Application for Nonimmigrant Visa

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-09-08

... Collection: DS-160, Online Application for Nonimmigrant Visa ACTION: Notice of request for public comments... Nonimmigrant Visa. OMB Control Number: 1405-0182. Type of Request: Revision. Originating Office: Bureau of Consular Affairs, Visa Services (CA/VO). Form Number: DS-160. Respondents: All nonimmigrant visa applicants...

78 FR 73233 - 60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Online Application for Nonimmigrant Visa

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-12-05

... Application for Nonimmigrant Visa AGENCY: Department of State. ACTION: Notice of request for public comment...: Title of Information Collection: Online Application for Nonimmigrant Visa OMB Control Number: 1405-0182...: DS-160 Respondents: All Nonimmigrant Visa Applicants Estimated Number of Respondents: 11,100,276...

78 FR 41971 - 30-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Electronic Diversity Visa Entry Form

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-07-12

...: Electronic Diversity Visa Entry Form ACTION: Notice of request for public comment and submission to OMB of... collection instrument and supporting documents, to Sydney Taylor, Visa Services, U.S. [[Page [email protected] SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title of Information Collection: Electronic Diversity Visa...

U.S. announces one-year delay for visa waiver program change

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

The U.S. State Department has announced that it is delaying by one year a new rule affecting citizens from visa waiver program countries. The new rule, which was scheduled to go into effect on 1 October 2003, requires visitors from these countries to obtain non-immigrant visas to enter the United States if they do not have machine-readable passports. The announced delay means that this rule will now go into effect 26 October 2004 instead.The delay does not apply to five visa waiver countries—Andorra, Brunei, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, and Slovenia—because most of the citizens of these nations already carry passports that are machine-readable.

Afghanistan [Education Sector Fact Sheet

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

US Agency for International Development, 2015

2015-01-01

Three decades of conflict devastated Afghanistan's education systems and institutions. In 2002, an estimated 900,000 boys attended school, while women and girls were almost completely excluded from educational opportunities. Since then, the Afghan government, USAID, and international donors have worked closely to rebuild Afghanistan's education…

Seismicity of Afghanistan and vicinity

USGS Publications Warehouse

Dewey, James W.

2006-01-01

This publication describes the seismicity of Afghanistan and vicinity and is intended for use in seismic hazard studies of that nation. Included are digital files with information on earthquakes that have been recorded in Afghanistan and vicinity through mid-December 2004. Chapter A provides an overview of the seismicity and tectonics of Afghanistan and defines the earthquake parameters included in the 'Summary Catalog' and the 'Summary of Macroseismic Effects.' Chapter B summarizes compilation of the 'Master Catalog' and 'Sub-Threshold Catalog' and documents their formats. The 'Summary Catalog' itself is presented as a comma-delimited ASCII file, the 'Summary of Macroseismic Effects' is presented as an html file, and the 'Master Catalog' and 'Sub-Threshold Catalog' are presented as flat ASCII files. Finally, this report includes as separate plates a digital image of a map of epicenters of earthquakes occurring since 1964 (Plate 1) and a representation of areas of damage or strong shaking from selected past earthquakes in Afghanistan and vicinity (Plate 2).

75 FR 5099 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Visa Waiver Program Carrier Agreement (Form I-775)

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-02-01

... Activities: Visa Waiver Program Carrier Agreement (Form I-775) AGENCY: U.S. Customs and Border Protection... and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act: Visa Waiver... other technological techniques or other forms of information. Title: Visa Waiver Program Carrier...

8 CFR 211.3 - Expiration of immigrant visas, reentry permits, refugee travel documents, and Form I-551.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 8 Aliens and Nationality 1 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Expiration of immigrant visas, reentry... Expiration of immigrant visas, reentry permits, refugee travel documents, and Form I-551. An immigrant visa... holder embarked or enplaned before the expiration of his or her immigrant visa, reentry permit, or...

Development of OCR system for portable passport and visa reader

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Visilter, Yury V.; Zheltov, Sergey Y.; Lukin, Anton A.

1999-01-01

The modern passport and visa documents include special machine-readable zones satisfied the ICAO standards. This allows to develop the special passport and visa automatic readers. However, there are some special problems in such OCR systems: low resolution of character images captured by CCD-camera (down to 150 dpi), essential shifts and slopes (up to 10 degrees), rich paper texture under the character symbols, non-homogeneous illumination. This paper presents the structure and some special aspects of OCR system for portable passport and visa reader. In our approach the binarization procedure is performed after the segmentation step, and it is applied to the each character site separately. Character recognition procedure uses the structural information of machine-readable zone. Special algorithms are developed for machine-readable zone extraction and character segmentation.

78 FR 12132 - 60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Electronic Diversity Visa Entry Form

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-02-21

...: Electronic Diversity Visa Entry Form ACTION: Notice of request for public comment. SUMMARY: The Department of... page. Email: [email protected] . Mail: Chief, Legislation and Regulations Division, Visa... Taylor, Visa Services, U.S. Department of State, 2401 E Street NW., L-603, Washington, DC 20522, who may...

Heat shock cognate 71 (HSC71) regulates cellular antiviral response by impairing formation of VISA aggregates.

PubMed

Liu, Zhigang; Wu, Shu-Wen; Lei, Cao-Qi; Zhou, Qian; Li, Shu; Shu, Hong-Bing; Wang, Yan-Yi

2013-05-01

In response to viral infection, RIG-I-like RNA helicases detect viral RNA and signal through the mitochondrial adapter protein VISA. VISA activation leads to rapid activation of transcription factors IRF3 and NF-κB, which collaborate to induce transcription of type I interferon (IFN) genes and cellular antiviral response. It has been demonstrated that VISA is activated by forming prion-like aggregates. However, how this process is regulated remains unknown. Here we show that overexpression of HSC71 resulted in potent inhibition of virus-triggered transcription of IFNB1 gene and cellular antiviral response. Consistently, knockdown of HSC71 had opposite effects. HSC71 interacted with VISA, and negatively regulated virus-triggered VISA aggregation. These findings suggest that HSC71 functions as a check against VISA-mediated antiviral response.

Crystal structure of human IPS-1/MAVS/VISA/Cardif caspase activation recruitment domain.

PubMed

Potter, Jane A; Randall, Richard E; Taylor, Garry L

2008-02-28

IPS-1/MAVS/VISA/Cardif is an adaptor protein that plays a crucial role in the induction of interferons in response to viral infection. In the initial stage of the intracellular antiviral response two RNA helicases, retinoic acid inducible gene-I (RIG-I) and melanoma differentiation-association gene 5 (MDA5), are independently able to bind viral RNA in the cytoplasm. The 62 kDa protein IPS-1/MAVS/VISA/Cardif contains an N-terminal caspase activation and recruitment (CARD) domain that associates with the CARD regions of RIG-I and MDA5, ultimately leading to the induction of type I interferons. As a first step towards understanding the molecular basis of this important adaptor protein we have undertaken structural studies of the IPS-1 MAVS/VISA/Cardif CARD region. The crystal structure of human IPS-1/MAVS/VISA/Cardif CARD has been determined to 2.1A resolution. The protein was expressed and crystallized as a maltose-binding protein (MBP) fusion protein. The MBP and IPS-1 components each form a distinct domain within the structure. IPS-1/MAVS/VISA/Cardif CARD adopts a characteristic six-helix bundle with a Greek-key topology and, in common with a number of other known CARD structures, contains two major polar surfaces on opposite sides of the molecule. One face has a surface-exposed, disordered tryptophan residue that may explain the poor solubility of untagged expression constructs. The IPS-1/MAVS/VISA/Cardif CARD domain adopts the classic CARD fold with an asymmetric surface charge distribution that is typical of CARD domains involved in homotypic protein-protein interactions. The location of the two polar areas on IPS-1/MAVS/VISA/Cardif CARD suggest possible types of associations that this domain makes with the two CARD domains of MDA5 or RIG-I. The N-terminal CARD domains of RIG-I and MDA5 share greatest sequence similarity with IPS-1/MAVS/VISA/Cardif CARD and this has allowed modelling of their structures. These models show a very different charge profile for the

Immigration Visa Issuances and Grounds for Exclusion: Policy and Trends

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-03-10

Protection (CBP) is tasked with inspecting all people who enter the United States. The Attorney General and DOJ’s Executive Office for Immigration Review...Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) sets policy on the health -related grounds for inadmissibility, as discussed below. Immigration Visa...inadmissibility of the INA, which include criminal, terrorist, and public health grounds for exclusion, discussed below.10 Trends The number of immigrant visas

Suicide and deliberate self-harm in Afghanistan.

PubMed

Paiman, Mohammad Akbar; Khan, Murad Moosa

2017-04-01

Suicide and deliberate self-harm (DSH) are major public health problems globally. There is limited information on suicide and DSH from Afghanistan. To review available literature on suicide and DSH in Afghanistan. Using online resources and literature on suicidal behavior (suicide, DSH and suicidal ideation) was searched. There were only seven published studies identified on suicidal behavior in Afghanistan. Six of these have been published since 2003 and majority has focused on suicidal behavior in women. Both DSH and suicide are underreported and understudied subjects in Afghanistan. There is need for more research in this area. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

SIGAR Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-04-30

supported Ministry of Agriculture program. (USAID photo) 4 REPRIORITIZING AFGHANISTAN SPECIAL INSPECTOR GENERAL I AFGHANISTAN RECONSTRUCTION The new...suppliers of agricultural products from Kabul, Kandahar, and Herat. (USAID photo) 7 REPRIORITIZING AFGHANISTAN REPORT TO THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS I...that was part of an agency effort to rebuild Afghan agricultural markets. That 2006 audit found that the contractor had not completed all its tasks

76 FR 10082 - 60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: DS-157, Supplemental Nonimmigrant Visa Application

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-02-23

... Information Collection: DS-157, Supplemental Nonimmigrant Visa Application ACTION: Notice of request for...: Supplemental Nonimmigrant Visa Application. OMB Control Number: 1405-0134. Type of Request: Extension of a...). Form Number: DS-157. Respondents: Nonimmigrant visa applicants legally required to provide additional...

Terrorism, Insurgency, and Afghanistan

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-02-01

movements—throughout Afghanistan and its neighbors are the primary source of terrorism in this country. This is not meant to suggest that Afghan groups, such...as the Tal- iban, are not directly responsible for terrorism in Afghanistan. Rather, it is to suggest that the Taliban are encouraged, enabled...funded, and driven by foreign sources and interests and are outsourcing their logistics and suicide missions via regional networks. To view them merely as

Meeting EFA: Afghanistan Community Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Balwanz; David

2007-01-01

From 1979 to 2002, Afghanistan was in a near constant state of war and exhibited some of the lowest levels of development in the world. While local conflicts and Taliban remnants continue to challenge Afghanistan's reconstruction and stabilization, significant progress has been made since the 2001 U.S. led invasion and subsequent fall of the…

U.S. Geological Survey and Afghanistan Ministry of Mines and Industry cooperative assessment of Afghanistan's undiscovered oil and gas

USGS Publications Warehouse

Wandrey, Craig J.; Ulmishek, Gregory; Agena, Warren; Klett, Timothy R.; ,

2006-01-01

Results of the U.S. Geological Survey and Afghanistan Ministry of Mines and Industry cooperative assessment of undiscovered petroleum resources of northern Afghanistan were first released through this presentation on March 14, 2006, at the Afghan Embassy in Washington, D.C. On March 15 the results were presented in Kabul, Afghanistan. The purpose of the assessment and release of the results is to provide energy data required to implement the rebuilding and development of Afghanistan's energy infrastructure. This presentation includes a summary of the goals, process, methodology, results, and accomplishments of the assessment. It provides context for Fact Sheet 2006-3031, a summary of assessment results provided in the presentations.

75 FR 66412 - 60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: DS-156, Nonimmigrant Visa Application, OMB...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-10-28

..., Nonimmigrant Visa Application, OMB Control Number 1405-0018 ACTION: Notice of request for public comments... the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. Title of Information Collection: Nonimmigrant Visa Application.... Originating Office: Bureau of Consular Affairs (CA/VO). Form Number: DS-156. Respondents: Nonimmigrant visa...

78 FR 19726 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Visa Waiver Program Carrier Agreement (CBP Form I-775)

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-04-02

... Activities: Visa Waiver Program Carrier Agreement (CBP Form I-775) AGENCY: U.S. Customs and Border Protection... information collection requirement concerning the Visa Waiver Program Carrier Agreement (CBP Form I-775). This... concerning the following information collection: Title: Visa Waiver Program Carrier Agreement. OMB Number...

76 FR 20070 - 30-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: DS-156, Nonimmigrant Visa Application, OMB...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-04-11

..., Nonimmigrant Visa Application, OMB Control Number 1405-0018 ACTION: Notice of request for public comment and... accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. Title of Information Collection: Nonimmigrant Visa.... Originating Office: Bureau of Consular Affairs (CA/VO). Form Number: DS-156. Respondents: Nonimmigrant visa...

76 FR 62494 - 30-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: DS-157, Supplemental Nonimmigrant Visa Form...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-10-07

..., Supplemental Nonimmigrant Visa Form, OMB Control Number 1405-0134 ACTION: Notice of request for public comment...: Supplemental Nonimmigrant Visa Application. OMB Control Number: 1405-0134. Type of Request: Extension of a...). Form Number: DS-157. Respondents: Nonimmigrant visa applicants legally required to provide additional...

Study Calls for Improvements to U.S. Visa Process for Students, Scholars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Showstack, Randy

2004-03-01

U.S. federal agencies are implementing some measures to reduce delays in providing foreign scientists and students with non-immigrant visas, although additional steps could help to improve the cumbersome process, according to a government study released on 25 February by the U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO). The study, which was requested by the House of Representatives Science Committee, reviewed the issuance of F-1 and J-1 visas in light of national security measures put in place after September 11, 2001. The committee has expressed concerns about whether new security measures are detrimental to scientific research by unnecessarily delaying the issuance of visas to foreign students and scholars.

78 FR 23623 - 60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Nonimmigrant Fiancé(e) Visa Application

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-04-19

...: Nonimmigrant Fianc[eacute](e) Visa Application ACTION: Notice of request for public comment. SUMMARY: The... Results page. Email: [email protected] . Mail: Chief, Legislation and Regulation Division, Visa... documents, to Sydney Taylor, Visa Services, U.S. Department of State, 2401 E Street NW., L-603, Washington...

31 CFR 560.505 - Importation of certain Iranian-origin services authorized; activities related to certain visa...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... services authorized; activities related to certain visa categories authorized. 560.505 Section 560.505...; activities related to certain visa categories authorized. (a) The importation of Iranian-origin services into... with that purpose. (b) Persons otherwise qualified for a non-immigrant visa under categories A-3 and G...

31 CFR 560.505 - Importation of certain Iranian-origin services authorized; activities related to certain visa...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... services authorized; activities related to certain visa categories authorized. 560.505 Section 560.505...; activities related to certain visa categories authorized. (a) The importation of Iranian-origin services into... with that purpose. (b) Persons otherwise qualified for a non-immigrant visa under categories A-3 and G...

31 CFR 560.505 - Importation of certain Iranian-origin services authorized; activities related to certain visa...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... services authorized; activities related to certain visa categories authorized. 560.505 Section 560.505...; activities related to certain visa categories authorized. (a) The importation of Iranian-origin services into... with that purpose. (b) Persons otherwise qualified for a non-immigrant visa under categories A-3 and G...

The Afghanistan National Institute of Music

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Forrest, David

2013-01-01

In this article, David Forrest probes Ahmad Sarmast (Founder and Director of the Afghanistan National Institute of Music, Ministry of Education, Afghanistan) about the development of the Institute, its sponsorship, the range of local musicians and music educators that work there, and the student population.

Afghanistan Glacier Diminution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shroder, J. F.; Bishop, M.; Haritashya, U.; Olsenholler, J.

2008-12-01

Glaciers in Afghanistan represent a late summer - early fall source of melt water for late season crop irrigation in a chronically drought-torn region. Precise river discharge figures associated with glacierized drainage basins are generally unavailable because of the destruction of hydrological gauging stations built in pre-war times although historic discharge data and prior (1960s) mapped glacier regions offer some analytical possibilities. The best satellite data sets for glacier-change detection are declassified Cornona and Keyhole satellite data sets, standard Landsat sources, and new ASTER images assessed in our GLIMS (Global Land Ice Measurements from Space) Regional Center for Southwest Asia (Afghanistan and Pakistan). The new hyperspectral remote sensing survey of Afghanistan completed by the US Geological Survey and the Afghanistan Ministry of Mines offers potential for future detailed assessments. Long-term climate change in southwest Asia has decreased precipitation for millennia so that glaciers, rivers and lakes have all declined from prehistoric and historic highs. As many glaciers declined in ice volume, they increased in debris cover until they were entirely debris-covered or became rock glaciers, and the ice was protected thereby from direct solar radiation, to presumably reduce ablation rates. We have made a preliminary assessment of glacier location and extent for the country, with selected, more-detailed, higher-resolution studies underway. In the Great Pamir of the Wakhan Corridor where the largest glaciers occur, we assessed fluctuations of a randomly selected 30 glaciers from 1976 to 2003. Results indicate that 28 glacier-terminus positions have retreated, and the largest average retreat rate was 36 m/yr. High albedo, non-vegetated glacier forefields formed prior to 1976, and geomorphological evidence shows apparent glacier-surface downwasting after 1976. Climatic conditions and glacier retreat have resulted in disconnection of tributary

The victorian institute of sports assessment - achilles questionnaire (visa-a) - a reliable tool for measuring achilles tendinopathy.

PubMed

Iversen, Jonas Vestergård; Bartels, Else Marie; Langberg, Henning

2012-02-01

Achilles tendinopathy (AT) is a common pathology and the aetiology is unknown. For valid and reliable assessment The Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment has designed a self-administered Achilles questionnaire, the VISA-A. The aim of the present study was to evaluate VISA-A as an outcome measure in patients with AT. A systematic search of the literature was conducted using MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PEDro, Web of Science, and Cochrane Controlled trials to identify trials using VISA-A for patients with AT. This was followed by data mining and analysis of the obtained data. Twenty-six clinical trials containing 1336 individuals were included. Overall mean VISA-A scores ranged from 24 (severe AT) to 100 (healthy). Mean VISA-A scores in patients with AT ranged from 24 to 96.6. Healthy subjects scored a minimum of 96. Only two groups of participants from two different studies had a post-VISA-A score as high as healthy individuals, indicating full recovery of the AT. A VISA-A score lower than 24 is rarely attained in AT. Only few patients with AT reach an equivalent VISA-A score compared to uninjured healthy subjects following treatment. The VISA-A is a reliable tool when assessing AT patients, providing a good assessment of the actual condition from very poor, (score around 24) to excellent (a score of 90), which based on this systematic review and previous studies could be considered full recovery from AT.

In Brief: Assessing Afghanistan's mineral resources

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Showstack, Randy

2007-12-01

Afghanistan has significant amounts of undiscovered nonfuel mineral resources, with copper and iron ore having the most potential for extraction, according to a new U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) assessment. The assessment, done cooperatively with the Afghanistan Geological Survey of the Afghanistan Ministry of Mines, also found indications of significant deposits of colored stones and gemstones (including emeralds, rubies, and sapphires), gold, mercury, sulfur, chromite, and other resources. ``Mineral resource assessments provide government decision-makers and potential private investors with objective, unbiased information on where undiscovered mineral resources may be located, what kinds of resources are likely to occur, and how much of each mineral commodity may exist in them,'' said USGS director Mark Myers. The USGS, in cooperation with the Afghan government, released an oil and gas resources assessment in March 2006 and an earthquake hazards assessment in May 2007. For more information, visit the Web sites: http://afghanistan.cr.usgs.gov and http://www.bgs.ac.uk/afghanminerals/.

"Slow VISA," a novel phenotype of vancomycin resistance, found in vitro in heterogeneous vancomycin-intermediate Staphylococcus aureus strain Mu3.

PubMed

Saito, Michie; Katayama, Yuki; Hishinuma, Tomomi; Iwamoto, Akira; Aiba, Yoshifumi; Kuwahara-Arai, Kyoko; Cui, Longzhu; Matsuo, Miki; Aritaka, Nanae; Hiramatsu, Keiichi

2014-09-01

Heterogeneous vancomycin-intermediate Staphylococcus aureus (hVISA) clinical strain Mu3 spontaneously generates VISA strains at an extremely high frequency (≥1×10(-6)). The generated VISA strains usually grow more slowly than does the parent hVISA strain, but they form colonies on vancomycin-containing agar plates before 48 h of incubation. However, we noticed a curious group of VISA strains, designated "slow VISA" (sVISA), whose colonies appear only after 72 h of incubation. They have extremely prolonged doubling times but have vancomycin MICs of 8 to ∼24 mg/liter when determined after 72 to ∼144 h of incubation. We established strain Mu3-6R-P (6R-P), which has a vancomycin MIC of 16 mg/liter (at 72 h), as a representative sVISA strain. Its cell wall was thickened and autolytic activity was decreased compared to the respective qualities of the parent hVISA strain Mu3. Whole-genome sequencing of 6R-P revealed only one mutation, encoded by rpoB (R512P), which replaced the 512th arginine of the RNA polymerase β-subunit with proline. Its VISA phenotype was unstable, and the strain frequently reverted to hVISA with concomitant losses of pinpoint colony morphology and cell wall thickness and reduced autolytic activity. Sequencing of the rpoB genes of the phenotypic revertant strains revealed mutations affecting the 512th codon, where the proline of 6R-P was replaced with leucine, serine, or histidine. Slow VISA generated in the tissues of an infected patient serves as a temporary shelter for hVISA to survive vancomycin therapy. The sVISA strain spontaneously returns to hVISA when the threat of vancomycin is lifted. The rpoB(R512P) mutation may be regarded as a regulatory mutation that switches the reversible phenotype of sVISA on and off. Copyright © 2014, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

The Prolonged Downfall of the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-05-22

Afghanistan (London, UK: Pluto Press, 2001); Gilles Dorronsoro, Revolution Unending: Afghanistan, 1979 to the Present, trans. John King (New York, NY...2 (May 2007): 235-61. Griffin, Michael. Reaping the Whirlwind: The Taliban Movement in Afghanistan. London, UK: Pluto Press, 2001. Jalali, Ali

Danish VISA-A questionnaire with validation and reliability testing for Danish-speaking Achilles tendinopathy patients.

PubMed

Iversen, J V; Bartels, E M; Jørgensen, J E; Nielsen, T G; Ginnerup, C; Lind, M C; Langberg, H

2016-12-01

The VISA-A questionnaire has proven to be a valid and reliable tool for assessing severity of Achilles tendinopathy (AT). The aim was to translate and cross-culturally adapt the VISA-A questionnaire for a Danish-speaking AT population, and subsequently perform validity and reliability tests. Translation and following cross-cultural adaptation was performed as translation, synthesis, reverse translation, expert review, and pretesting. The final Danish version (VISA-A-DK) was tested for reliability on healthy controls (n = 75) and patients (n = 36). Tests for internal consistency, validity, and structure were performed on 71 patients. VISA-A-DK showed good reliability for patients (r = 0.80 ICC = 0.79) and healthy individuals (r = 0.98 ICC = 0.97). Internal consistency was 0.73 (Cronbach's alpha). The mean VISA-A-DK score in AT patients was 51 [47-55]. This was significantly lower than healthy controls with a score of 93 (90-95). Criterion validity was considered good when comparing the scores of the Danish version with the original version in both healthy individuals and patients. VISA-A-DK is a valid and reliable instrument and has shown compatible to the original version in assessment of AT patients. VISA-A-DK is a useful tool in the assessment of AT, both in research and in a clinical setting. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

ECSIT bridges RIG-I-like receptors to VISA in signaling events of innate antiviral responses.

PubMed

Lei, Cao-Qi; Zhang, Yu; Li, Mi; Jiang, Li-Qun; Zhong, Bo; Kim, Yong Ho; Shu, Hong-Bing

2015-01-01

Upon binding to RNA structures from invading viruses, RIG-I and MDA5 are recruited to mitochondria to interact with VISA and initiate antiviral type I interferon (IFN) responses. How this process is mediated is less understood. In this report, we demonstrate that ECSIT is an essential scaffolding protein that mediates the association of VISA and RIG-I or MDA5. Overexpression of ECSIT potentiated virus-triggered activation of IFN-regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) and expression of IFNB1, whereas knockdown of ECSIT impaired viral infection-induced activation of IRF3 and expression of IFNB1 as well as cellular antiviral responses. Mechanistically, ECSIT was associated with VISA on mitochondria and important for bridging RIG-I and MDA5 to VISA. Our findings suggest that ECSIT mediates virus-triggered type I IFN induction by bridging RIG-I and MDA5 to the VISA complex, and provide new insights into the molecular events of innate antiviral immune responses. © 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel.

75 FR 25024 - 30-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: DS-5501, Electronic Diversity Visa Entry Form...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-05-06

...-5501, Electronic Diversity Visa Entry Form, OMB Control Number 1405-0153 ACTION: Notice of request for... Collection: Electronic Diversity Visa Entry Form. OMB Control Number: 1405-0153. Type of Request: Extension of Currently Approved Collection. Originating Office: Bureau of Consular Affairs, Office of Visa...

8 CFR 211.3 - Expiration of immigrant visas, reentry permits, refugee travel documents, and Form I-551.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 8 Aliens and Nationality 1 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Expiration of immigrant visas, reentry... OF HOMELAND SECURITY IMMIGRATION REGULATIONS DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS: IMMIGRANTS; WAIVERS § 211.3 Expiration of immigrant visas, reentry permits, refugee travel documents, and Form I-551. An immigrant visa...

Smurf2 negatively modulates RIG-I-dependent antiviral response by targeting VISA/MAVS for ubiquitination and degradation.

PubMed

Pan, Yu; Li, Rui; Meng, Jun-Ling; Mao, He-Ting; Zhang, Yu; Zhang, Jun

2014-05-15

VISA (also known as MAVS, Cardif, IPS-1) is the essential adaptor protein for virus-induced activation of IFN regulatory factors 3 and 7 and production of type I IFNs. Understanding the regulatory mechanisms for VISA will provide detailed insights into the positive or negative regulation of innate immune responses. In this study, we identified Smad ubiquitin regulatory factor (Smurf) 2, one of the Smad ubiquitin regulator factor proteins, as an important negative regulator of virus-triggered type I IFN signaling, which targets at the VISA level. Overexpression of Smurf2 inhibits virus-induced IFN-β and IFN-stimulated response element activation. The E3 ligase defective mutant Smurf2/C716A loses the ability to suppress virus-induced type I IFN signaling, suggesting that the negative regulation is dependent on the ubiquitin E3 ligase activity of Smurf2. Further studies demonstrated that Smurf2 interacted with VISA and targeted VISA for K48-linked ubiquitination, which promoted the degradation of VISA. Consistently, knockout or knockdown of Smurf2 expression therefore promoted antiviral signaling, which was correlated with the increase in protein stability of VISA. Our findings suggest that Smurf2 is an important nonredundant negative regulator of virus-triggered type I IFN signaling by targeting VISA for K48-linked ubiquitination and degradation.

Afghanistan: Reconstituting a Collapsed State

DTIC Science & Technology

2005-04-01

tool in Afghanistan’s deeply religious culture. Persuading the EU to relax its Common Agricultural Policy to accept Afghan agricultural products...Afghanistan, representing 95 percent of its heroin consumption, it is in the EU’s best interests to relax some provisions of its Common Agricultural ... Policy (CAP), permitting Afghan agricultural products into the EU.45 In this case, the EU could collaborate with Afghanistan 10 to import a high

77 FR 6167 - 30-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: DS-230, Application for Immigrant Visa and...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-02-07

..., Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration, OMB Number 1405- 0015 ACTION: Notice of request for... Collection: Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration. OMB Control Number: 1405-0015. Type of... Form DS-230 (Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration), in conjunction with a personal...

75 FR 4901 - 60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: DS-5501, Electronic Diversity Visa Entry Form...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-01-29

...-5501, Electronic Diversity Visa Entry Form, OMB Control Number 1405-0153 ACTION: Notice of request for... Visa Entry Form. OMB Control Number: 1405-0153. Type of Request: Extension of currently approved collection. Originating Office: Bureau of Consular Affairs, Office of Visa Services (CA/VO). Form Number: DS...

77 FR 32711 - 30-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: DS-234, Special Immigrant Visa Biodata Form...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-06-01

..., Special Immigrant Visa Biodata Form, OMB Number 1405-0203 ACTION: Notice of request for public comment and... of Information Collection: Special Immigrant Visa Biodata Form. OMB Control Number: 1405-0203. Type... Special Immigrant Visa Applicants. Estimated Number of Respondents: 12,000 per year. Estimated Number of...

Afghanistan, history and beyond - GIS based application tool

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Swamy, Rahul Chidananda

The emphasis of this tool is to provide an insight into the history of Afghanistan. Afghanistan has been a warring nation for decades; this tool provides a brief account of the reasons behind the importance of Afghanistan, which led to its invasion by Britain, Russia and USA. The timeline for this thesis was set from 1879 to 1990 which ranges from Barakzai Dynasty to the soviet invasion. Maps are used judiciously to show battles during the British invasion. Maps that show roads, rivers, lakes and provinces are incorporated into the tool to provide an overview of the present situation. The user has options to filter this data by using the timeline and a filtering tool. To quench the users thirst for more information, HTML pages are used judiciously. HTML pages are embedded in key events to provide detailed insight into these events with the help of pictures and videos. An intuitive slider is used to show the people who played a significant role in Afghanistan. The user interface was made intuitive and easy to use, keeping in mind the novice user. A help menu is provided to guide the user on the tool. Spending time researching about Afghanistan has helped me again a new perspective on Afghanistan and its people. With this tool, I hope I can provide a valuable channel for people to understand Afghanistan and gain a fresh perspective into this war ridden nation.

Validity and reliability of the Dutch translation of the VISA-P questionnaire for patellar tendinopathy.

PubMed

Zwerver, Johannes; Kramer, Tamara; van den Akker-Scheek, Inge

2009-08-11

The VISA-P questionnaire evaluates severity of symptoms, knee function and ability to play sports in athletes with patellar tendinopathy. This English-language self-administered brief patient outcome score was developed in Australia to monitor rehabilitation and to evaluate outcome of clinical studies. Aim of this study was to translate the questionnaire into Dutch and to study the reliability and validity of the Dutch version of the VISA-P. The questionnaire was translated into Dutch according to internationally recommended guidelines. Test-retest reliability was determined in 99 students with a time interval of 2.5 weeks. To determine discriminative validity of the Dutch VISA-P, 18 healthy students, 15 competitive volleyball players (at-risk population), 14 patients with patellar tendinopathy, 6 patients who had surgery for patellar tendinopathy, 17 patients with knee injuries other than patellar tendinopathy, and 9 patients with symptoms unrelated to their knees completed the Dutch VISA-P. The Dutch VISA-P questionnaire showed satisfactory test-retest reliability (ICC=0.74). The mean (+/-SD) VISA-P scores were 95 (+/-9) for the healthy students, 89 (+/-11) for the volleyball players, 58 (+/-19) for patients with patellar tendinopathy, and 56 (+/-21) for athletes who had surgery for patellar tendinopathy. Patients with other knee injuries or symptoms unrelated to the knee scored 62 (+/-24) and 77 (+/-24). The translated Dutch version of the VISA-P questionnaire is equivalent to its original version, has satisfactory test-retest reliability and is a valid score to evaluate symptoms, knee function and ability to play sports of Dutch athletes with patellar tendinopathy.

Afghanistan, poppies, and the global pain crisis.

PubMed

Clark, Peter A; Sillup, George P; Capo, Joseph A

2010-03-01

The World Health Organization has reported that somewhere between 30-86 million people suffer from moderate to severe pain due to cancer, HIV/AIDS, burns, wounds and other illnesses annually and do not have access to proper opiate anesthetics to control the pain [1]. The vast majority of these people live in poor nations where medicinal opiates are either too expensive or not readily available. In this paper, it is argued that access to adequate healthcare is a human right and that adequate healthcare includes management of pain. The solution to this problem may be in Afghanistan, a country now overwhelmed with poverty and war. Afghanistan is the world's leading producer of heroin. The increase in heroin production in Afghanistan has caused the United States and the international community to begin to eradicate Afghanistan's poppy fields leading to increased poverty among poppy farmers. This paper proposed a paradigm that can be implemented in Afghanistan which would allow for Afghan farmers to continue growing their poppy crop for medicinal opiates like morphine for poor nations. The paradigm covers all parameters of medicinal opiates production including licensing, security, cultivation, harvest, and factory production of medicinal opiates. The paradigm proposed is less expensive than eradication, brings honest income to Afghan farmers and the new Afghan nation, and can eventually lead to Afghanistan acquiring a respectable role in the world community. In closing, a full ethical analysis of the paradigm is included to justify the arguments made in the paper.

Impact of Visa Issues on an International Physics Graduate Student in the U.S.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Keivani, Azadeh

2011-03-01

More than 35 percent of the physics graduate students in the US are temporary visa holders. Many of these students work in large international collaborations and must travel abroad for research and international conferences, sometimes more than once a year. In many cases, students have to reapply for their visas in order to return to the U.S., a process that can be time-consuming and costly. Furthermore, many international students cannot leave the U.S. even in the case of an emergency because a slow visa process may mean deferring for a semester or losing financial support. Thus visa issues affect not only the scholastic life of students but also their personal lives. Finding ways to resolve these issues could positively affect the quality of graduate research by eliminating these extra hurdles to the progress of international physics graduate students.

78 FR 51801 - 30-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Application for A, G, or NATO Visa

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-08-21

...: Application for A, G, or NATO Visa ACTION: Notice of request for public comment and submission to OMB of... proposed collection instrument and supporting documents, to Sydney Taylor, Visa Services, U.S. Department... Visas OMB Control Number: 1405-0100 Type of Request: Extension of a Currently Approved Collection...

76 FR 10084 - 60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: DS-3035, J-1 Visa Waiver Recommendation...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-02-23

... Information Collection: DS-3035, J-1 Visa Waiver Recommendation Application ACTION: Notice of request for... accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. Title of Information Collection: J-1 Visa Waiver.... Respondents: J-1 visa holders applying for a waiver of the two-year foreign residence requirement. Estimated...

76 FR 35506 - 30-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: DS-3035, J-1 Visa Waiver Recommendation...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-06-17

..., J-1 Visa Waiver Recommendation Application ACTION: Notice of request for public comment and... accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. Title of Information Collection: J-1 Visa Waiver...). Form Number: DS-3035. Respondents: J-1 visa holders applying for a waiver of the two-year foreign...

Opium and Afghanistan: Reassessing U.S. Counternarcotics Strategy

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-10-01

term security, development, and effective governance of Afghanistan.”3 This paper examines the nature of the opium problem in Afghanistan and...worldwide from opium for medical purposes.12 Opium is also refined for use in legal prescription painkillers such as OxyContin and Vicodin.13 However...will now be explored in detail. Lack of Security. The security situation in much of Afghanistan is simply inadequate to carry out an effective

Petroleum resource potential GIS of northern Afghanistan

USGS Publications Warehouse

Steinshouer, Douglas W.; Klett, Timothy R.; Ulmishek, Gregory F.; Wandrey, Craig J.; Wahl, Ronald R.; Hill, Ronald J.; Pribil, Michael J.; Pawlewicz, Mark J.; King, J. David; Agena, Warren F.; Taylor, David J.; Amirzada, Abdulla; Selab, Amir Mohammad; Mutteh, Abdul-Salam; Haidari, Ghulam Naqshband; Wardak, Moeengul Gullabudeen

2006-01-01

The CD-ROM contains an ESRI ArcReader format GIS project presenting the results of a petroleum resource assessment of Northern Afghanistan, and other data used in the petroleum assessment. Geologic, structural, field, well, political, and other GIS layers covering Afghanistan, Northern Afghanistan and adjacent areas, along with associated geochemical and other data tables pertinent to a petroleum assessment are included. The purpose of this GIS is to provide the basic data layers and tables required to support the petroleum assessment, data for further exploration and development, and an index of known data.

India’s Changing Afghanistan Policy: Regional and Global Implications

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-12-01

in the coming years if there is to be any hope of keeping Afghanistan a stable entity post-2014. 1 INDIA’S CHANGING AFGHANISTAN POLICY: REGIONAL AND...immediate neighborhood more meaningfully and emerges as a net provider of regional peace and stability. Even as India continues to struggle with its...The SCO could provide the regional framework for the stabilization of Afghanistan, as all 23 neighbors of Afghanistan, except Turkmenistan, are

Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the VISA-A questionnaire for German-speaking achilles tendinopathy patients.

PubMed

Lohrer, Heinz; Nauck, Tanja

2009-10-30

Achilles tendinopathy is the predominant overuse injury in runners. To further investigate this overload injury in transverse and longitudinal studies a valid, responsive and reliable outcome measure is demanded. Most questionnaires have been developed for English-speaking populations. This is also true for the VISA-A score, so far representing the only valid, reliable, and disease specific questionnaire for Achilles tendinopathy. To internationally compare research results, to perform multinational studies or to exclude bias originating from subpopulations speaking different languages within one country an equivalent instrument is demanded in different languages. The aim of this study was therefore to cross-cultural adapt and validate the VISA-A questionnaire for German-speaking Achilles tendinopathy patients. According to the "guidelines for the process of cross-cultural adaptation of self-report measures" the VISA-A score was cross-culturally adapted into German (VISA-A-G) using six steps: Translation, synthesis, back translation, expert committee review, pretesting (n = 77), and appraisal of the adaptation process by an advisory committee determining the adequacy of the cross-cultural adaptation. The resulting VISA-A-G was then subjected to an analysis of reliability, validity, and internal consistency in 30 Achilles tendinopathy patients and 79 asymptomatic people. Concurrent validity was tested against a generic tendon grading system (Percy and Conochie) and against a classification system for the effect of pain on athletic performance (Curwin and Stanish). The "advisory committee" determined the VISA-A-G questionnaire as been translated "acceptable". The VISA-A-G questionnaire showed moderate to excellent test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.60 to 0.97). Concurrent validity showed good coherence when correlated with the grading system of Curwin and Stanish (rho = -0.95) and for the Percy and Conochie grade of severity (rho 0.95). Internal consistency (Cronbach

Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the VISA-A questionnaire for German-speaking Achilles tendinopathy patients

PubMed Central

Lohrer, Heinz; Nauck, Tanja

2009-01-01

Background Achilles tendinopathy is the predominant overuse injury in runners. To further investigate this overload injury in transverse and longitudinal studies a valid, responsive and reliable outcome measure is demanded. Most questionnaires have been developed for English-speaking populations. This is also true for the VISA-A score, so far representing the only valid, reliable, and disease specific questionnaire for Achilles tendinopathy. To internationally compare research results, to perform multinational studies or to exclude bias originating from subpopulations speaking different languages within one country an equivalent instrument is demanded in different languages. The aim of this study was therefore to cross-cultural adapt and validate the VISA-A questionnaire for German-speaking Achilles tendinopathy patients. Methods According to the "guidelines for the process of cross-cultural adaptation of self-report measures" the VISA-A score was cross-culturally adapted into German (VISA-A-G) using six steps: Translation, synthesis, back translation, expert committee review, pretesting (n = 77), and appraisal of the adaptation process by an advisory committee determining the adequacy of the cross-cultural adaptation. The resulting VISA-A-G was then subjected to an analysis of reliability, validity, and internal consistency in 30 Achilles tendinopathy patients and 79 asymptomatic people. Concurrent validity was tested against a generic tendon grading system (Percy and Conochie) and against a classification system for the effect of pain on athletic performance (Curwin and Stanish). Results The "advisory committee" determined the VISA-A-G questionnaire as been translated "acceptable". The VISA-A-G questionnaire showed moderate to excellent test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.60 to 0.97). Concurrent validity showed good coherence when correlated with the grading system of Curwin and Stanish (rho = -0.95) and for the Percy and Conochie grade of severity (rho 0

76 FR 61776 - 60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: DS-230, Application for Immigrant Visa and...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-10-05

..., Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration, OMB Number 1405- 0015 ACTION: Notice of request for... Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration. OMB Control Number: 1405-0015. Type of Request: Revision of a... collection: The DS-230 is used to determine the eligibility of aliens applying for immigrant visas that have...

The state and challenges of conservation nurseries in Afghanistan

Treesearch

John T. Harrington; John G. Mexal; A. M. Wagner; Tammy Parsons

2012-01-01

Afghanistan is a semi-arid, mountainous country with a climate similar to New Mexico. Unfortunately, much of the country has been deforested by unsustainable fuelwood harvesting, overgrazing, and even concerns over security. The senior author was invited to assess the Afghanistan forestry situation in 6 provinces as part of the Afghanistan Water, Agriculture, and...

78 FR 32696 - 60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Application for A, G, or NATO Visa

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-05-31

...: Application for A, G, or NATO Visa ACTION: Notice of request for public comment. SUMMARY: The Department of... Regulations Division, Visa Services Office--DS-1648, 2401 E Street NW., Washington, DC 20520- 30106. You must... instrument and supporting documents, to Sydney Taylor, Visa Services, U.S. Department of State, 2401 E Street...

Permanent Visas and Temporary Jobs: Evidence from Postdoctoral Participation of Foreign PhDs in the United States

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lan, Xiaohuan

2012-01-01

About 75 percent of U.S.-trained, noncitizen PhDs in science and engineering work in the United States after graduation, and 54 percent of those who stay take postdoctoral positions. The probability of postdoctoral participation is substantially higher for temporary visa holders than for permanent visa holders because of visa-related restrictions…

Credentialing and retention of visa trainees in post-graduate medical education programs in Canada.

PubMed

Mathews, Maria; Kandar, Rima; Slade, Steve; Yi, Yanqing; Beardall, Sue; Bourgeault, Ivy; Buske, Lynda

2017-06-12

Visa trainees are international medical graduates (IMG) who come to Canada to train in a post-graduate medical education (PGME) program under a student or employment visa and are expected to return to their country of origin after training. We examined the credentialing and retention of visa trainees who entered PGME programs between 2005 and 2011. Using the Canadian Post-MD Education Registry's National IMG Database linked to Scott's Medical Database, we examined four outcomes: (1) passing the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination Part 2 (MCCQE2), (2) obtaining a specialty designation (CCFP, FRCPC/SC), and (3) working in Canada after training and (4) in 2015. The National IMG Database is the most comprehensive source of information on IMG in Canada; data were provided by physician training and credentialing organizations. Scott's Medical Database provides data on physician locations in Canada. There were 233 visa trainees in the study; 39.5% passed the MCCQE2, 45.9% obtained a specialty designation, 24.0% worked in Canada after their training, and 53.6% worked in Canada in 2015. Family medicine trainees (OR = 8.33; 95% CI = 1.69-33.33) and residents (OR = 3.45; 95% CI = 1.96-6.25) were more likely than other specialist and fellow trainees, respectively, to pass the MCCQE2. Residents (OR = 7.69; 95% CI = 4.35-14.29) were more likely to obtain a specialty credential than fellows. Visa trainees eligible for a full license were more likely than those not eligible for a full license to work in Canada following training (OR = 3.41; 95% CI = 1.80-6.43) and in 2015 (OR = 3.34; 95% CI = 1.78-6.27). Visa training programs represent another route for IMG to qualify for and enter the physician workforce in Canada. The growth in the number of visa trainees and the high retention of these physicians warrant further consideration of the oversight and coordination of visa trainee programs in provincial and in pan

Cross-cultural adaptation of VISA-P score for patellar tendinopathy in Spanish population.

PubMed

Hernandez-Sanchez, Sergio; Hidalgo, Maria Dolores; Gomez, Antonia

2011-08-01

Clinical measurement. To adapt the VISA-P questionnaire into Spanish and to assess its psychometric properties. Health status questionnaires and scales to report outcomes are increasingly used in medical research and clinical practice. Validated versions of these tools are necessary to avoid bias during use in different languages and cultures. We followed international recommendations to perform cross-cultural adaptation. The Spanish VISA-P (VISA-P-Sp) questionnaire and the Short Form (36) Health Survey (SF-36) were administered to 150 individuals: 40 healthy students, 40 professional players in sports requiring jumping, 40 athletes with patellar tendinopathy, and 30 athletes with knee injuries other than patellar tendinopathy. Participants were assessed at baseline and after 1 week. Athletes with tendinopathy also completed questionnaires and other knee measures (the Kujala Scoring Questionnaire and the Cincinnati Knee Rating Scale) after physiotherapy treatment, which consisted of rest, ice, eccentric exercise, electrotherapy, and manual therapy. The VISA-P-Sp showed high reliability for both temporal stability (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] = 0.994; 95% CI: 0.992, 0.996) and internal consistency (Cronbach α = 0.885). Based on a factor analysis, a 2-factor solution explained 76.1% of the variance. The VISA-P-Sp score in the tendinopathy group was significantly correlated with scores on other knee scales (Kujala score [Spearman rho = 0.897; P<.001] and Cincinnati scale [Spearman rho = 0.782, P<.001]) and with SF-36 physical components score (Spearman rho>0.6, P<.001). The standardized size effect was 1.14, and the standardized response mean was 1.17. The VISA-P-Sp questionnaire proved to be a valid and reliable instrument, sensitive to clinical changes and comparable to the original English-language version.

Afghanistan irrigation system assessment using remote sensing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Haack, Barry

1997-01-01

The Helmand-Arghandab Valley irrigation system in southern Afghanistan is one of the country's most important capital resources. Prior to the civil and military conflict that has engulfed Afghanistan for more than 15 years, agricultural lands irrigated by the system produced a large proportion of the country's food grains and cotton. This study successfully employed Landsat satellite imagery, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Global Positioning Systems (GPS), and field surveys to assess changes that have occurred in this system since 1973 as a consequence of the war. This information is a critical step in irrigation rehabilitation for restoration of Afghanistan's agricultural productivity.

INITIAL GAIN MEASUREMENTS OF A 800 NM SASE FEL, VISA.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

FRIGOLA,P.; MUROKH,A.; ET AL

2000-08-13

The VISA (Visible to Infrared SASE Amplifier) FEL is designed to obtain high gain at a radiation wavelength of 800nm. The FEL uses the high brightness electron beam of the Accelerator Test Facility (ATF), with energy of 72MeV. VISA uses a novel, 4 m long, strong focusing undulator with a gap of 6mm and a period of 1.8cm. To obtain large gain the beam and undulator axis have to be aligned to better than 50{micro}m. Results from initial measurements on the alignment, gain, and spectrum will be presented and compared to theoretical calculations and simulations.

Understanding the Historical Role of Central Governance in Afghanistan

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-12-01

22 Afghan regional leaders recognized that if Afghanistan were broken into smaller pieces, Afghan territories could potentially be more easily...system, these Durrani khans established quasi -independent baronies. Doing so effectively preserved the relative autonomy of the khans while...Richard S. Newell , The Politics of Afghanistan (Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 1972), 44. 82 Fletcher, Afghanistan: Highway of Conquest, 142. 83

Comparative in vitro activities of dalbavancin and seven comparator agents against 41 Staphylococcus species cultured from osteomyelitis infections and 18 VISA and hVISA strains.

PubMed

Citron, Diane M; Tyrrell, Kerin L; Goldstein, Ellie J C

2014-08-01

Due to a high rate of relapse, osteomyelitis remains difficult to treat, requiring prolonged parenteral therapy. MICs for 41 consecutive Staphylococcus species recovered from patients with osteomyelitis were determined for dalbavancin, daptomycin, doxycycline, levofloxacin, linezolid, vancomycin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, rifampin, and vancomycin. Strains of vancomycin-intermediate Staphylococcus aureus (VISA) and heteroresistant VISA were included for additional comparison. Except for rifampin, dalbavancin was the most active agent tested. Dalbavancin is given once a week, making treatment of infections such as osteomyelitis potentially more convenient and thus could help reduce the rate of hospitalizations and outpatient costs. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

iRhom2 is essential for innate immunity to RNA virus by antagonizing ER- and mitochondria-associated degradation of VISA.

PubMed

Luo, Wei-Wei; Li, Shu; Li, Chen; Zheng, Zhou-Qin; Cao, Pan; Tong, Zhen; Lian, Huan; Wang, Su-Yun; Shu, Hong-Bing; Wang, Yan-Yi

2017-11-01

VISA (also known as MAVS, IPS-1 and Cardif) is an essential adaptor protein in innate immune response to RNA virus. The protein level of VISA is delicately regulated before and after viral infection to ensure the optimal activation and timely termination of innate antiviral response. It has been reported that several E3 ubiquitin ligases can mediate the degradation of VISA, but how the stability of VISA is maintained before and after viral infection remains enigmatic. In this study, we found that the ER-associated inactive rhomboid protein 2 (iRhom2) plays an essential role in mounting an efficient innate immune response to RNA virus by maintaining the stability of VISA through distinct mechanisms. In un-infected and early infected cells, iRhom2 mediates auto-ubiquitination and degradation of the E3 ubiquitin ligase RNF5 and impairs the assembly of VISA-RNF5-GP78 complexes, thereby antagonizes ER-associated degradation (ERAD) of VISA. In the late phase of viral infection, iRhom2 mediates proteasome-dependent degradation of the E3 ubiquitin ligase MARCH5 and impairs mitochondria-associated degradation (MAD) of VISA. Maintenance of VISA stability by iRhom2 ensures efficient innate antiviral response at the early phase of viral infection and ready for next round of response. Our findings suggest that iRhom2 acts as a checkpoint for the ERAD/MAD of VISA, which ensures proper innate immune response to RNA virus.

iRhom2 is essential for innate immunity to RNA virus by antagonizing ER- and mitochondria-associated degradation of VISA

PubMed Central

Luo, Wei-Wei; Li, Shu; Cao, Pan; Tong, Zhen; Lian, Huan; Wang, Su-Yun; Shu, Hong-Bing

2017-01-01

VISA (also known as MAVS, IPS-1 and Cardif) is an essential adaptor protein in innate immune response to RNA virus. The protein level of VISA is delicately regulated before and after viral infection to ensure the optimal activation and timely termination of innate antiviral response. It has been reported that several E3 ubiquitin ligases can mediate the degradation of VISA, but how the stability of VISA is maintained before and after viral infection remains enigmatic. In this study, we found that the ER-associated inactive rhomboid protein 2 (iRhom2) plays an essential role in mounting an efficient innate immune response to RNA virus by maintaining the stability of VISA through distinct mechanisms. In un-infected and early infected cells, iRhom2 mediates auto-ubiquitination and degradation of the E3 ubiquitin ligase RNF5 and impairs the assembly of VISA-RNF5-GP78 complexes, thereby antagonizes ER-associated degradation (ERAD) of VISA. In the late phase of viral infection, iRhom2 mediates proteasome-dependent degradation of the E3 ubiquitin ligase MARCH5 and impairs mitochondria-associated degradation (MAD) of VISA. Maintenance of VISA stability by iRhom2 ensures efficient innate antiviral response at the early phase of viral infection and ready for next round of response. Our findings suggest that iRhom2 acts as a checkpoint for the ERAD/MAD of VISA, which ensures proper innate immune response to RNA virus. PMID:29155878

THE VICTORIAN INSTITUTE OF SPORTS ASSESSMENT – ACHILLES QUESTIONNAIRE (VISA-A) – A RELIABLE TOOL FOR MEASURING ACHILLES TENDINOPATHY

PubMed Central

Bartels, Else Marie; Langberg, Henning

2012-01-01

Background: Achilles tendinopathy (AT) is a common pathology and the aetiology is unknown. For valid and reliable assessment The Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment has designed a self-administered Achilles questionnaire, the VISA-A. The aim of the present study was to evaluate VISA-A as an outcome measure in patients with AT. Methods: A systematic search of the literature was conducted using MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PEDro, Web of Science, and Cochrane Controlled trials to identify trials using VISA-A for patients with AT. This was followed by data mining and analysis of the obtained data. Results: Twenty-six clinical trials containing 1336 individuals were included. Overall mean VISA-A scores ranged from 24 (severe AT) to 100 (healthy). Mean VISA-A scores in patients with AT ranged from 24 to 96.6. Healthy subjects scored a minimum of 96. Only two groups of participants from two different studies had a post-VISA-A score as high as healthy individuals, indicating full recovery of the AT. Conclusions: A VISA-A score lower than 24 is rarely attained in AT. Only few patients with AT reach an equivalent VISA-A score compared to uninjured healthy subjects following treatment. The VISA-A is a reliable tool when assessing AT patients, providing a good assessment of the actual condition from very poor, (score around 24) to excellent (a score of 90), which based on this systematic review and previous studies could be considered full recovery from AT. PMID:22319681

Coming home from prison: Adapting military resilience training to enhance successful community reintegration for justice-involved Iraq-Afghanistan veterans.

PubMed

Sreenivasan, Shoba; Rosenthal, Joel; Smee, Daniel E; Wilson, Keith; McGuire, Jim

2018-05-01

We propose a veteran-centric justice model of resilience training developed by the military for assisting service members coming home from war and modify it to assist Iraq/Afghanistan veterans coming home from prison. Incarceration has been identified as a stress aftereffect of the prolonged Iraq and Afghanistan combat deployments. Notably, the rate of Iraq and Afghanistan-era incarcerated veterans increased from 4% to 13% between 2004 and 2012 for all incarcerated veterans. Successful reentry to the community from prison incarceration is difficult, with rearrest and reincarceration a frequent occurrence. Moreover, combat stress conditions may weaken the justice-involved Iraq/Afghanistan's veteran's ability to face challenges posed by the return home from prison. As in the war zone, the return home from prison may be idealized with unrealistic expectations and/or goals, thus setting up the returning veteran for disappointment, anger, deepening of alienation and disconnection from larger civilian society, and the risk of return to maladaptive mechanisms for coping. Resilience training can be provided in psychoeducational venues prior to prison release and with follow-up postrelease. Resilience building offers promise as an intervention to enhance the justice-involved veteran's successful community reentry. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved).

22 CFR 40.4 - Furnishing records and information from visa files for court proceedings.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Furnishing records and information from visa files for court proceedings. 40.4 Section 40.4 Foreign Relations DEPARTMENT OF STATE VISAS REGULATIONS PERTAINING TO BOTH NONIMMIGRANTS AND IMMIGRANTS UNDER THE IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT, AS AMENDED General...

Assessment of Electrical Safety in Afghanistan

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-07-24

effectiveness of command efforts to ensure the electrical safety of Department of Defense occupied and constructed facilities in Afghanistan. We...March 31, 2009, we announced the Assessment of Electrical Safety in Afghanistan. The objective of this assessment was to review the effectiveness of...used contractors to review and identify electrical deficiencies to include life, health , and safety issues at FOBs. According to TF POWER

Airpower, Afghanistan, and the Future of Warfare: An Alternative View

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-11-01

Air War, 15. 19. Beaumont et al., “Rout of the Taliban.” 20. Bonin , “First Year,” 30. 21. Ibid. 22. Ricks and Struck, “US Troops Coordinating...over 1,000 US conventional forces in Afghanistan when the Taliban fell. Bonin , “First Year,” 33; and Stewart, US Army in Afghanistan. 30. Secretary of... Bonin , “First Year,” 34; and Stewart, US Army in Afghanistan, 24. 50. Haas to the author, letter. 51. Stewart, US Army in Afghanistan, 24. 52. Glasser

Afghanistan's gender apartheid.

PubMed

Carlisle, D

This paper discusses the aftermath of gender apartheid in Afghanistan and its implications on the health care situation. Since 1996, when the radical Islamic Taliban movement took over two-thirds of Afghanistan, the country has faced severe restrictions. Women were told to stop working. Girls¿ schools were closed and access to health care was denied. To address this problem, Emma Bonino, the outspoken head of the European Community Humanitarian Office, has started an international campaign. Over the past 2 years the health care situation has somewhat improved. Women are now allowed to go to hospitals, provided that there are segregated male and female wards. In addition, female nurses are working in Afghan hospitals under certain conditions. The Taliban leaders have also allowed the health education program to continue.

22 CFR 41.1 - Exemption by law or treaty from passport and visa requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Exemption by law or treaty from passport and... OF NONIMMIGRANTS UNDER THE IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT, AS AMENDED Passport and Visas Not Required for Certain Nonimmigrants § 41.1 Exemption by law or treaty from passport and visa requirements...

22 CFR 41.1 - Exemption by law or treaty from passport and visa requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Exemption by law or treaty from passport and... OF NONIMMIGRANTS UNDER THE IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT, AS AMENDED Passport and Visas Not Required for Certain Nonimmigrants § 41.1 Exemption by law or treaty from passport and visa requirements...

22 CFR 41.1 - Exemption by law or treaty from passport and visa requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Exemption by law or treaty from passport and... OF NONIMMIGRANTS UNDER THE IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT, AS AMENDED Passport and Visas Not Required for Certain Nonimmigrants § 41.1 Exemption by law or treaty from passport and visa requirements...

22 CFR 41.1 - Exemption by law or treaty from passport and visa requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Exemption by law or treaty from passport and... OF NONIMMIGRANTS UNDER THE IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT, AS AMENDED Passport and Visas Not Required for Certain Nonimmigrants § 41.1 Exemption by law or treaty from passport and visa requirements...

22 CFR 41.1 - Exemption by law or treaty from passport and visa requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Exemption by law or treaty from passport and... OF NONIMMIGRANTS UNDER THE IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT, AS AMENDED Passport and Visas Not Required for Certain Nonimmigrants § 41.1 Exemption by law or treaty from passport and visa requirements...

75 FR 57543 - 30-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Form DS-156K, Nonimmigrant Fiance(e) Visa...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-09-21

... DS-156K, Nonimmigrant Fiance(e) Visa Application, OMB Control Number 1405-0096 ACTION: Notice of... Reduction Act of 1995. Title of Information Collection: Nonimmigrant Fiance(e) Visa Application. OMB Control... applying for a nonimmigrant visa to enter the U.S. as the fianc[eacute](e) of a U.S. citizen Estimated...

“Slow VISA,” a Novel Phenotype of Vancomycin Resistance, Found In Vitro in Heterogeneous Vancomycin-Intermediate Staphylococcus aureus Strain Mu3

PubMed Central

Saito, Michie; Katayama, Yuki; Hishinuma, Tomomi; Iwamoto, Akira; Aiba, Yoshifumi; Kuwahara-Arai, Kyoko; Cui, Longzhu; Matsuo, Miki; Aritaka, Nanae

2014-01-01

Heterogeneous vancomycin-intermediate Staphylococcus aureus (hVISA) clinical strain Mu3 spontaneously generates VISA strains at an extremely high frequency (≥1 × 10−6). The generated VISA strains usually grow more slowly than does the parent hVISA strain, but they form colonies on vancomycin-containing agar plates before 48 h of incubation. However, we noticed a curious group of VISA strains, designated “slow VISA” (sVISA), whose colonies appear only after 72 h of incubation. They have extremely prolonged doubling times but have vancomycin MICs of 8 to ∼24 mg/liter when determined after 72 to ∼144 h of incubation. We established strain Mu3-6R-P (6R-P), which has a vancomycin MIC of 16 mg/liter (at 72 h), as a representative sVISA strain. Its cell wall was thickened and autolytic activity was decreased compared to the respective qualities of the parent hVISA strain Mu3. Whole-genome sequencing of 6R-P revealed only one mutation, encoded by rpoB (R512P), which replaced the 512th arginine of the RNA polymerase β-subunit with proline. Its VISA phenotype was unstable, and the strain frequently reverted to hVISA with concomitant losses of pinpoint colony morphology and cell wall thickness and reduced autolytic activity. Sequencing of the rpoB genes of the phenotypic revertant strains revealed mutations affecting the 512th codon, where the proline of 6R-P was replaced with leucine, serine, or histidine. Slow VISA generated in the tissues of an infected patient serves as a temporary shelter for hVISA to survive vancomycin therapy. The sVISA strain spontaneously returns to hVISA when the threat of vancomycin is lifted. The rpoB(R512P) mutation may be regarded as a regulatory mutation that switches the reversible phenotype of sVISA on and off. PMID:24841271

Afghanistan: Post-Taliban Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-10-19

Bank (ADB) has also been playing a major role in Afghanistan. One of its projects in Afghanistan was funding the paving of a road from Qandahar to...freight railway ( in conjunction with the Asian Development Bank project above); and a road from the project to Kabul. However, work on the mine...conditions on the ground, as determined, in large part, by a formal DOD-led review of the Afghanistan

INTRA-UNDULATOR MEASUREMENTS AT VISA FEL.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

MUROKH,A.; FRIGOLA,P.; ET AL

2000-08-13

We describe a diagnostics system developed, to measure exponential gain properties and the electron beam dynamics inside the strong focusing 4-m long undulator for the VISA (Visible to Infrared SASE Amplifier) FEL. The technical challenges included working inside the small undulator gap, optimizing the electron beam diagnostics in the high background environment of the spontaneous undulator radiation, multiplexing and transporting the photon beam. Initial results are discussed.

Intra-undulator measurements at VISA FEL

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Murokh, A; Frigola, P; Pellegrini, C

2000-08-10

We describe a diagnostics system developed, to measure exponential gain properties and the electron beam dynamics inside the strong focusing 4-m long undulator for the VISA (Visible to Infrared SASE Amplifier) FEL. The technical challenges included working inside the small undulator gap, optimizing the electron beam diagnostics in the high background environment of the spontaneous undulator radiation, multiplexing and transporting the photon beam. Initial results are discussed.

Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the VISA-P questionnaire for German-speaking patients with patellar tendinopathy.

PubMed

Lohrer, Heinz; Nauck, Tanja

2011-03-01

Clinical measurement study. To cross-culturally adapt and validate the Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment Patellar Tendinopathy Questionnaire (VISA-P) for German-speaking patients. Like most questionnaires, the VISA-P was developed for English-speaking patients. There is a need to adapt the scale for German-speaking patients and thereby add to the total body of psychometric evidence relating to this instrument. The VISA-P questionnaire was translated and cross-culturally adapted into German (VISA-P-G) in 6 steps: translation, synthesis, back translation, expert committee review, pretesting, and advisory committee appraisal. The psychometric properties of the VISA-P-G were determined using 23 patients with patellar tendinopathy and 57 active healthy persons (32 sport students and 25 basketball players). Reliability was evaluated by applying the questionnaire twice within a week to all 80 participants. Known group validity was calculated using a 1-way analysis of variance. Additionally, VISA-P-G results were correlated with the Blazina classification system for patellar tendinopathy, using the Spearman rank correlation coefficient. VISA-P-G ratings from the present study groups were further compared with respective data published in the original English, Dutch, and Swedish versions by a 2-sample t test. Internal consistency for the individual items of the questionnaire was determined within the patient group using a Cronbach alpha. Test-retest revealed excellent reliability for the patient and the asymptomatic control group (ICC = 0.88 and 0.87, respectively). Internal consistency for the patients was 0.88. Concurrent validity was almost perfect (ρ = -0.81; P<.001). The VISA-P-G is a reliable and valid questionnaire for the self-assessment of pain, symptoms, and function in German-speaking patients with patellar tendinopathy. Its psychometric properties are comparable with the original English and international adaptations (Swedish, Dutch, and Italian).

78 FR 66813 - Visas: Regulatory Exception to Permit Compliance With the United Nations Headquarters Agreement...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-11-06

... Visa Classifications; Final Rule #0;#0;Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 215 / Wednesday, November 6... Family'' for Certain Nonimmigrant Visa Classifications AGENCY: Department of State. ACTION: Final rule... classifications and also applies to foreign government officials who may be admitted in immediate and continuous...

78 FR 31398 - Visas: Documentation of Immigrants Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, as Amended

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-05-24

... Immigrants Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, as Amended AGENCY: Department of State. ACTION: Final... method of recording an alien's entitlement to an immigrant visa classification. Due to the availability of automated systems at all immigrant visa-issuing posts, this entitlement is now recorded...

75 FR 25910 - 60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: DS-1648, Application for A, G, or NATO Visa...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-05-10

...-1648, Application for A, G, or NATO Visa, OMB No. 1405-0100 ACTION: Notice of request for public... NATO Visa. OMB Control Number: 1405-0100. Type of Request: Revision of a Currently Approved Collection. Originating Office: Bureau of Consular Affairs, Office of Visa Services. Form Number: DS-1648. Respondents...

75 FR 82242 - Visas: Waiver for Ineligible Nonimmigrants Under the Immigration and Nationality Act

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-12-30

... against a waiver for an alien who is ineligible for a nonimmigrant visa under INA 212(a)(3)(E) with a bar against a waiver for an alien who is ineligible for a nonimmigrant visa under clauses (i) or (ii) of INA... economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. This regulates individual aliens who are...

Responsiveness of the VISA-P scale for patellar tendinopathy in athletes.

PubMed

Hernandez-Sanchez, Sergio; Hidalgo, Ma Dolores; Gomez, Antonia

2014-03-01

Patient-reported outcome measures are increasingly used in sports medicine to assess results after treatment, but interpretability of change for many instruments remains unclear. To define the minimum clinically important difference (MCID) for the Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment scale (VISA-P) in athletes with patellar tendinopathy (PT) who underwent conservative treatment. Ninety-eight athletes with PT were enrolled in the study. Each participant completed the VISA-P at admission, after 1 week, and at the final visit. Athletes also assessed their clinical change at discharge on a 15-point Likert scale. We equated important change with a score of ≥3 (somewhat better). Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and mean change score were used to determine MCID. Minimal detectable change was calculated. The effect of baseline scores on MCID and different criteria used to define important change were investigated. A Bayesian analysis was used to establish the posterior probability of reporting clinical changes related to MCID value. Athletes with PT who showed an absolute change greater than 13 points in the VISA-P score or 15.4-27% of relative change achieved a minimal important change in their clinical status. This value depended on baseline scores. The probability of a clinical change in a patient was 98% when this threshold was achieved and 45% when MCID was not achieved. Definition of the MCID will enhance the interpretability of changes in the VISA-P score in the athletes with PT, but caution is required when these values are used.

75 FR 45475 - Visas: Documentation of Immigrants Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, as Amended

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-08-03

... alien registration, to offer a completely electronic application procedure as an alternative to submission of Form DS-230, the Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration. DATES: This rule is..., Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration. While the Department will continue to accept the DS-230...

The Prevalence of Vancomycin-Intermediate Staphylococcus aureus and Heterogeneous VISA Among Methicillin-Resistant Strains Isolated from Pediatric Population in a Turkish University Hospital.

PubMed

Mirza, Hasan Cenk; Sancak, Banu; Gür, Deniz

2015-10-01

There are limited data regarding the prevalence of vancomycin-intermediate Staphylococcus aureus (VISA)/heterogeneous VISA (hVISA) among pediatric population. Our objective was to determine the distribution of vancomycin and daptomycin minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and explore the phenomenon of vancomycin MIC creep and the VISA/hVISA prevalence among the methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains belonging to pediatric population by population analysis profile-area under the curve (PAP-AUC) and Etest macromethod. Vancomycin and daptomycin susceptibilities of 94 pediatric isolates of MRSA were tested by broth microdilution (BMD) and Etest methods. To determine the prevalence of VISA/hVISA, Etest macromethod and PAP-AUC was performed on all isolates. All isolates were susceptible to vancomycin and daptomycin by both BMD and Etest methods. Twenty-eight (29.8%) isolates had vancomycin MICs of 2 μg/ml by BMD. No increase in vancomycin MICs was observed over time. There were no VISA among 94 MRSA tested but 20 (21.3%) hVISA isolates were identified by PAP-AUC. Results of Etest macromethod were compared to PAP-AUC. Etest macromethod was 60.0% sensitive and 90.5% specific. The hVISA isolates represented 53.6% of isolates with vancomycin MICs of 2 μg/ml. Also, 75% of hVISA isolates had vancomycin MICs of 2 μg/ml. To our knowledge, this is the first study investigating the prevalence of VISA/hVISA among MRSA isolated from pediatric patients by PAP-AUC method. Based on our findings, MRSA isolates, which have vancomycin MIC of 2 μg/ml can be investigated for the presence of hVISA. In this study, daptomycin showed potent activity against all isolates and may represent a therapeutic option for MRSA infections.

75 FR 57543 - 30-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: DS-1648, Application for A, G, or NATO Visa...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-09-21

...-1648, Application for A, G, or NATO Visa, OMB No. 1405-0100 ACTION: Notice of request for public...: Application for A, G, or NATO Visa. OMB Control Number: 1405-0100. Type of Request: Revision of a Currently Approved Collection. Originating Office: Bureau of Consular Affairs, Office of Visa Services. Form Number...

GPATCH3 negatively regulates RLR-mediated innate antiviral responses by disrupting the assembly of VISA signalosome.

PubMed

Nie, Ying; Ran, Yong; Zhang, Hong-Yan; Huang, Zhe-Fu; Pan, Zhao-Yi; Wang, Su-Yun; Wang, Yan-Yi

2017-04-01

Upon viral infection, retinoic acid-inducible gene I-like receptors (RLRs) recognize viral RNA and trigger a series of signaling events, leading to the induction of type I interferons (IFNs). These processes are delicately regulated to prevent excessive and harmful immune responses. In this study, we identified G patch domain-containing protein 3 (GPATCH3) as a negative regulator of RLR-mediated antiviral signaling pathways. Overexpression of GPATCH3 impaired RNA virus- triggered induction of downstream antiviral genes, whereas its knockdown had opposite effects and attenuated viral replication. In addition, GPATCH3-deficient cells had higher IFNB1 mRNA level compared with control cells after RNA virus infection. Mechanistically, GPATCH3 was recruited to VISA in a viral infection dependent manner and the assembly of VISA/TRAF6/TBK1 signalosome was impaired in GPATCH3-overexpressing cells. In contrast, upon viral infection, the recruitment of TRAF6 and TBK1 to VISA was enhanced in GPATCH3 deficient cells. Taking together, our findings demonstrate that GPATCH3 interacts with VISA and disrupts the assembly of virus-induced VISA signalosome therefore acts as a negative regulator of RLR-mediated innate antiviral immune responses.

GPATCH3 negatively regulates RLR-mediated innate antiviral responses by disrupting the assembly of VISA signalosome

PubMed Central

Nie, Ying; Ran, Yong; Zhang, Hong-Yan; Huang, Zhe-Fu; Wang, Su-Yun

2017-01-01

Upon viral infection, retinoic acid–inducible gene I–like receptors (RLRs) recognize viral RNA and trigger a series of signaling events, leading to the induction of type I interferons (IFNs). These processes are delicately regulated to prevent excessive and harmful immune responses. In this study, we identified G patch domain-containing protein 3 (GPATCH3) as a negative regulator of RLR-mediated antiviral signaling pathways. Overexpression of GPATCH3 impaired RNA virus- triggered induction of downstream antiviral genes, whereas its knockdown had opposite effects and attenuated viral replication. In addition, GPATCH3-deficient cells had higher IFNB1 mRNA level compared with control cells after RNA virus infection. Mechanistically, GPATCH3 was recruited to VISA in a viral infection dependent manner and the assembly of VISA/TRAF6/TBK1 signalosome was impaired in GPATCH3-overexpressing cells. In contrast, upon viral infection, the recruitment of TRAF6 and TBK1 to VISA was enhanced in GPATCH3 deficient cells. Taking together, our findings demonstrate that GPATCH3 interacts with VISA and disrupts the assembly of virus-induced VISA signalosome therefore acts as a negative regulator of RLR-mediated innate antiviral immune responses. PMID:28414768

75 FR 25909 - 60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Form DS-156K, Nonimmigrant Fiancé(e) Visa...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-05-10

...-156K, Nonimmigrant Fianc[eacute](e) Visa Application, OMB Control Number 1405-0096 ACTION: Notice of...: Nonimmigrant Fianc[eacute](e) Visa Application. OMB Control Number: 1405-0096. Type of Request: Extension of a... State (CA/VO). Form Number: DS-156K. Respondents: Aliens applying for a nonimmigrant visa to enter the U...

22 CFR 41.3 - Waiver by joint action of consular and immigration officers of passport and/or visa requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... immigration officers of passport and/or visa requirements. 41.3 Section 41.3 Foreign Relations DEPARTMENT OF... Passport and Visas Not Required for Certain Nonimmigrants § 41.3 Waiver by joint action of consular and immigration officers of passport and/or visa requirements. Under the authority of INA 212(d)(4), the...

22 CFR 41.3 - Waiver by joint action of consular and immigration officers of passport and/or visa requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... immigration officers of passport and/or visa requirements. 41.3 Section 41.3 Foreign Relations DEPARTMENT OF... Passport and Visas Not Required for Certain Nonimmigrants § 41.3 Waiver by joint action of consular and immigration officers of passport and/or visa requirements. Under the authority of INA 212(d)(4), the...

22 CFR 41.3 - Waiver by joint action of consular and immigration officers of passport and/or visa requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... immigration officers of passport and/or visa requirements. 41.3 Section 41.3 Foreign Relations DEPARTMENT OF... Passport and Visas Not Required for Certain Nonimmigrants § 41.3 Waiver by joint action of consular and immigration officers of passport and/or visa requirements. Under the authority of INA 212(d)(4), the...

22 CFR 41.3 - Waiver by joint action of consular and immigration officers of passport and/or visa requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... immigration officers of passport and/or visa requirements. 41.3 Section 41.3 Foreign Relations DEPARTMENT OF... Passport and Visas Not Required for Certain Nonimmigrants § 41.3 Waiver by joint action of consular and immigration officers of passport and/or visa requirements. Under the authority of INA 212(d)(4), the...

22 CFR 41.3 - Waiver by joint action of consular and immigration officers of passport and/or visa requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... immigration officers of passport and/or visa requirements. 41.3 Section 41.3 Foreign Relations DEPARTMENT OF... Passport and Visas Not Required for Certain Nonimmigrants § 41.3 Waiver by joint action of consular and immigration officers of passport and/or visa requirements. Under the authority of INA 212(d)(4), the...

Simulating the Afghanistan-Pakistan opium supply chain

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Watkins, Jennifer H; MacKerrow, Edward P; Merritt, Terence M

2010-04-08

This paper outlines an opium supply chain using the Hilmand province of Afghanistan as exemplar. The opium supply chain model follows the transformation of opium poppy seed through cultivation and chemical alteration to brown heroin base. The purpose of modeling and simulating the Afghanistan-Pakistan opium supply chain is to discover and test strategies that will disrupt this criminal enterprise.

Adits, Caves, Karizi-Qanats, and Tunnels in Afghanistan: An Annotated Bibliography

DTIC Science & Technology

2005-11-30

Amphipoden from underground water in Afghanistan) (Betr. Höhlenfunde) (Studi sui Crostacei anfipodi LIII).” Memorie del Museo Civico de Storia Naturale ...Tunnels In Afghanistan 3/6/2006 51 Schmitz, H. 1959. “Contribution à l’Étude de la Faune d’Afghanistan. 19. Phoridae.” Broteria: Serie Ciencias

78 FR 22937 - 60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Application for Additional Visa Pages or...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-04-17

...: Application for Additional Visa Pages or Miscellaneous Passport Services ACTION: Notice of request for public... Information Collection: Application for Additional Visa Pages or Miscellaneous Passport Services. OMB Control...: Bureau of Consular Affairs, Passport Services, Office of Program Management and Operational Support...

Drugs in Afghanistan: The Challenges With Implementing U.S. Strategy

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-03-13

governance, allow Islamic extremists to turn a poisonous ideology into a global movement. —Robert M . Gates1 The U.S. National Security Strategy...detoxify the country of Afghanistan and sever its ties to the insurgency. Endnotes 1 Robert M . Gates, “Munich Conference on Security Policy...State, “Background Note: Afghanistan.” 8 Antonio Donini , Humanitarian Agenda 2015 Afghanistan Country Study, Briefing Paper (Medford, MA: Feinstein

Reliability and Validity of the Korean Version VISA-P Questionnaire for Patellar Tendinopathy in Adolescent Elite Volleyball Athletes.

PubMed

Park, Byung-Hyun; Seo, Jeong-Hwan; Ko, Myoung-Hwan; Park, Sung-Hee

2013-10-01

To translate the English Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment for patellar tendinopathy (VISA-P) questionnaire into a Korean version and to determine the reliability and validity of the Korean version. The English VISA-P questionnaire was translated into Korean according to the internationally recommended guidelines. Then, 28 adolescent elite volleyball athletes (average age, 16 years; range, 14 to 19 years) were asked to complete the questionnaire three times (before examination, after examination, and 1 week later) for reliability. They were evaluated through a physical examination and ultrasonography to diagnosis patellar tendinopathy. The internal consistency of the VISA-P questionnaire by Cronbach's alpha was 0.80 for the first, 0.78 for the second, and 0.79 for the third assessment. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) between the first and second assessments was 0.97. The ICC between the second and third assessments was 0.96. The mean VISA-P scores were 67.6±15.7 for the patellar tendinopathy group (n=23) and 92.6±8.6 for the normal group (n=5). There were significantly lower VISA-P scores in the patellar tendinopathy group compared to the normal group. The translated Korean version VISA-P questionnaire has good internal consistency, test-retest reliability and validity. In addition, this study indicated that most adolescent elite volleyball athletes had patellar tendon problems. Therefore, the Korean version VISA-P is a useful self-administered outcome score of athletes with patellar tendinopathy.

Trouble in the Backyard: Soviet Media Reporting on the Afghanistan Conflict.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Downing, John D. H.

1988-01-01

Presents a qualitative analysis of Soviet media coverage of Afghanistan from 1979 to 1986, showing that several familiar themes, from unpopular guerrillas to national security, are used to justify the Soviet presence in Afghanistan. Compares Soviet press coverage of Afghanistan with U.S. coverage of El Salvador, revealing several parallels. (ARH)

Afghanistan and Stability in Central Asia

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-03-23

St ra te gy Re se ar ch Pr oj ec t AFGHANISTAN AND STABILITY IN CENTRAL ASIA BY LIEUTENANT COLONEL ABDULLAH HALIM Afghan Army U.S. Army War College...2. REPORT TYPE 3. DATES COVERED 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE Afghanistan and Stability in Central Asia 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER 5b. GRANT NUMBER 5c...STABILITY IN CENTRAL ASIA by Lieutenant Colonel Abdullah Halim Afghan Army Colonel David A. Kelley Project Adviser Only a work of the United States

Database of Geoscientific References Through 2007 for Afghanistan, Version 2

USGS Publications Warehouse

Eppinger, Robert G.; Sipeki, Julianna; Scofield, M.L. Sco

2007-01-01

This report describes an accompanying database of geoscientific references for the country of Afghanistan. Included is an accompanying Microsoft? Access 2003 database of geoscientific references for the country of Afghanistan. The reference compilation is part of a larger joint study of Afghanistan's energy, mineral, and water resources, and geologic hazards, currently underway by the U.S. Geological Survey, the British Geological Survey, and the Afghanistan Geological Survey. The database includes both published (n = 2,462) and unpublished (n = 174) references compiled through September, 2007. The references comprise two separate tables in the Access database. The reference database includes a user-friendly, keyword-searchable, interface and only minimum knowledge of the use of Microsoft? Access is required.

A population-based assessment of women's mental health and attitudes toward women's human rights in Afghanistan.

PubMed

Amowitz, Lynn L; Heisler, Michele; Iacopino, Vincent

2003-01-01

To assess the health status of Afghan women and attitudes of these women and their male relatives during the period of Taliban rule toward women's rights and community development needs in Afghanistan. In household residences in two regions in Afghanistan (one Taliban controlled and the other not under the Taliban) and a refugee camp and repatriation center in Pakistan, structured interviews were conducted among a random sample of women and men exposed to Taliban policy and women living in a non-Taliban controlled area (724 Afghan women and 553 male relatives). Major depression was far more prevalent among women exposed to Taliban policies (73%-78%) than among women living in a non-Taliban controlled area (28%). Sixty-five percent of women living in a Taliban-controlled area and 73% of women in Pakistan exposed to Taliban policies expressed suicidal ideation at the time of the study, compared with 18% of those in a non-Taliban controlled area. More than 90% of both women and men expressed support for equal work and educational opportunities, free expression, protection of women's rights, participation of women in government, and the inclusion of women's human rights concerns in peace talks. A majority of both women and men believed that guaranteeing civil and political rights (69%) and meeting basic needs (90%) were important for the health and development of their communities. In Afghanistan under the Taliban, policies restricting women's rights were not the product of years of tradition or of social and economic deprivation. Instead, they were man-made policies as easily and swiftly revoked as they were instituted. Depression rates among women in Afghanistan, especially in Taliban-controlled areas, were extraordinarily high. Current efforts to rebuild Afghanistan must address these high rates of depression and other mental health problems to ensure women's full participation in development.

PKACs attenuate innate antiviral response by phosphorylating VISA and priming it for MARCH5-mediated degradation

PubMed Central

Yan, Bing-Ru; Zhou, Lu; Hu, Ming-Ming; Li, Mi; Lin, Heng; Yang, Yan; Wang, Yan-Yi

2017-01-01

Sensing of viral RNA by RIG-I-like receptors initiates innate antiviral response, which is mediated by the central adaptor VISA. How the RIG-I-VISA-mediated antiviral response is terminated at the late phase of infection is enigmatic. Here we identified the protein kinase A catalytic (PKAC) subunits α and β as negative regulators of RNA virus-triggered signaling in a redundant manner. Viral infection up-regulated cellular cAMP levels and activated PKACs, which then phosphorylated VISA at T54. This phosphorylation abrogated virus-induced aggregation of VISA and primed it for K48-linked polyubiquitination and degradation by the E3 ligase MARCH5, leading to attenuation of virus-triggered induction of downstream antiviral genes. PKACs-deficiency or inactivation by the inhibitor H89 potentiated innate immunity to RNA viruses in cells and mice. Our findings reveal a critical mechanism of attenuating innate immune response to avoid host damage at the late phase of viral infection by the house-keeping PKA kinase. PMID:28934360

PKACs attenuate innate antiviral response by phosphorylating VISA and priming it for MARCH5-mediated degradation.

PubMed

Yan, Bing-Ru; Zhou, Lu; Hu, Ming-Ming; Li, Mi; Lin, Heng; Yang, Yan; Wang, Yan-Yi; Shu, Hong-Bing

2017-09-01

Sensing of viral RNA by RIG-I-like receptors initiates innate antiviral response, which is mediated by the central adaptor VISA. How the RIG-I-VISA-mediated antiviral response is terminated at the late phase of infection is enigmatic. Here we identified the protein kinase A catalytic (PKAC) subunits α and β as negative regulators of RNA virus-triggered signaling in a redundant manner. Viral infection up-regulated cellular cAMP levels and activated PKACs, which then phosphorylated VISA at T54. This phosphorylation abrogated virus-induced aggregation of VISA and primed it for K48-linked polyubiquitination and degradation by the E3 ligase MARCH5, leading to attenuation of virus-triggered induction of downstream antiviral genes. PKACs-deficiency or inactivation by the inhibitor H89 potentiated innate immunity to RNA viruses in cells and mice. Our findings reveal a critical mechanism of attenuating innate immune response to avoid host damage at the late phase of viral infection by the house-keeping PKA kinase.

THE MINIMUM CLINICALLY IMPORTANT DIFFERENCE ON THE VISA-A AND LEFS FOR PATIENTS WITH INSERTIONAL ACHILLES TENDINOPATHY.

PubMed

McCormack, Joshua; Underwood, Frank; Slaven, Emily; Cappaert, Thomas

2015-10-01

Cohort study of subjects with insertional Achilles tendinopathy (IAT). The purpose of this study was to establish the minimum clinically important difference (MCID) on the Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment - Achilles Questionnaire (VISA-A) and the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS) for patients with IAT. The VISA-A and LEFS are two measures commonly utilized for patients with IAT. Previous authors have estimated the MCID for the VISA-A, but a MCID has not been formally established. The MCID for the LEFS has been established for patients with lower extremity conditions in general, but it is not clear if this MCID is applicable to patients with IAT. Fifteen subjects participating in a randomized controlled trial studying the effectiveness of intervention for IAT over a 12-week period were included in this study. Subjects completed the VISA-A and LEFS forms at baseline and 12 weeks after the initiation of treatment. All subjects also completed a 15-point global rating of change (GROC) questionnaire at 12 weeks after the initiation of treatment. Subjects were classified as improved or stable based on their GROC scores. The area under the curve (AUC) for the VISA-A was 0.97 and a MCID of 6.5 points was identified. The AUC for the LEFS was 0.97 and a MCID of 12 points was identified. The VISA-A and LEFS are both useful outcome measures to assess response in patients with IAT. 3.

Monkey bites among US military members, Afghanistan, 2011.

PubMed

Mease, Luke E; Baker, Katheryn A

2012-10-01

Bites from Macaca mulatta monkeys, native to Afghanistan, can cause serious infections. To determine risk for US military members in Afghanistan, we reviewed records for September-December 2011. Among 126 animal bites and exposures, 10 were monkey bites. Command emphasis is vital for preventing monkey bites; provider training and bite reporting promote postexposure treatment.

48 CFR 252.225-7023 - Preference for products or services from Iraq or Afghanistan.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... services from Iraq or Afghanistan. 252.225-7023 Section 252.225-7023 Federal Acquisition Regulations System... from Iraq or Afghanistan. As prescribed in 225.7703-5(a), use the following provision: Requirement for Products or Services from Iraq or Afghanistan (APR 2010) (a) Definitions. Product from Iraq or Afghanistan...

Availability of Water in the Kabul Basin, Afghanistan

USGS Publications Warehouse

Mack, Thomas J.; Chornack, Michael P.; Coplen, T.B.; Plummer, Niel; Rezai, M.T.; Verstraeten, Ingrid M.

2010-01-01

The availability of water resources is vital to the social and economic well being and rebuilding of Afghanistan. Kabul City currently (2010) has a population of nearly 4 million and is growing rapidly as a result of periods of relative security and the return of refugees. Population growth and recent droughts have placed new stresses on the city's limited water resources and have caused many wells to become contaminated, dry, or inoperable in recent years. The projected vulnerability of Central and West Asia to climate change (Cruz and others, 2007; Milly and others, 2005) and observations of diminishing glaciers in Afghanistan (Molnia, 2009) have heightened concerns for future water availability in the Kabul Basin of Afghanistan.

Aeromagnetic Survey in Afghanistan: A Website for Distribution of Data

USGS Publications Warehouse

Abraham, Jared D.; Anderson, Eric D.; Drenth, Benjamin J.; Finn, Carol A.; Kucks, Robert P.; Lindsay, Charles R.; Phillips, Jeffrey D.; Sweeney, Ronald E.

2007-01-01

Afghanistan's geologic setting indicates significant natural resource potential While important mineral deposits and petroleum resources have been identified, much of the country's potential remains unknown. Airborne geophysical surveys are a well accepted and cost effective method for obtaining information of the geological setting of an area without the need to be physically located on the ground. Due to the security situation and the large areas of the country of Afghanistan that has not been covered with geophysical exploration methods a regional airborne geophysical survey was proposed. Acting upon the request of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Ministry of Mines, the U.S. Geological Survey contracted with the Naval Research Laboratory to jointly conduct an airborne geophysical and remote sensing survey of Afghanistan.

76 FR 66692 - Executive-Led Trade Mission to Afghanistan

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-10-27

... business development trade mission to Kabul, Afghanistan in February 2012. This mission will be led by a..., architecture, transportation and logistics, and infrastructure); mining (including equipment, technology, and.... companies explore long-term business opportunities in Afghanistan and enhance U.S.--Afghan commercial...

Khyber Pass, Afghanistan-Pakistan

NASA Image and Video Library

2010-11-08

The ASTER instrument onboard NASA Terra spacecraft imaged the Khyber Pass, a mountain pass that links Afghanistan and Pakistan. Throughout its history it has been an important trade route between Central Asia and South Asia.

Preliminary Earthquake Hazard Map of Afghanistan

USGS Publications Warehouse

Boyd, Oliver S.; Mueller, Charles S.; Rukstales, Kenneth S.

2007-01-01

Introduction Earthquakes represent a serious threat to the people and institutions of Afghanistan. As part of a United States Agency for International Development (USAID) effort to assess the resource potential and seismic hazards of Afghanistan, the Seismic Hazard Mapping group of the United States Geological Survey (USGS) has prepared a series of probabilistic seismic hazard maps that help quantify the expected frequency and strength of ground shaking nationwide. To construct the maps, we do a complete hazard analysis for each of ~35,000 sites in the study area. We use a probabilistic methodology that accounts for all potential seismic sources and their rates of earthquake activity, and we incorporate modeling uncertainty by using logic trees for source and ground-motion parameters. See the Appendix for an explanation of probabilistic seismic hazard analysis and discussion of seismic risk. Afghanistan occupies a southward-projecting, relatively stable promontory of the Eurasian tectonic plate (Ambraseys and Bilham, 2003; Wheeler and others, 2005). Active plate boundaries, however, surround Afghanistan on the west, south, and east. To the west, the Arabian plate moves northward relative to Eurasia at about 3 cm/yr. The active plate boundary trends northwestward through the Zagros region of southwestern Iran. Deformation is accommodated throughout the territory of Iran; major structures include several north-south-trending, right-lateral strike-slip fault systems in the east and, farther to the north, a series of east-west-trending reverse- and strike-slip faults. This deformation apparently does not cross the border into relatively stable western Afghanistan. In the east, the Indian plate moves northward relative to Eurasia at a rate of about 4 cm/yr. A broad, transpressional plate-boundary zone extends into eastern Afghanistan, trending southwestward from the Hindu Kush in northeast Afghanistan, through Kabul, and along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border

75 FR 35119 - 60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Form DS-4085 Application for Additional Visa...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-06-21

... DS-4085 Application for Additional Visa Pages or Miscellaneous Passport Services, OMB Control Number... of Information Collection: Application for Additional Visa Pages or Miscellaneous Passport Services.... Originating Office: Bureau of Consular Affairs, Passport Services CA/PPT. Form Number: DS-4085. Respondents...

Monkey Bites among US Military Members, Afghanistan, 2011

PubMed Central

Baker, Katheryn A.

2012-01-01

Bites from Macaca mulatta monkeys, native to Afghanistan, can cause serious infections. To determine risk for US military members in Afghanistan, we reviewed records for September–December 2011. Among 126 animal bites and exposures, 10 were monkey bites. Command emphasis is vital for preventing monkey bites; provider training and bite reporting promote postexposure treatment. PMID:23017939

Defense.gov - Special Report - On Location in Afghanistan

Science.gov Websites

team in Afghanistan’s Paktia province safe as it travels around the region meeting with local leaders FORWARD OPERATING BASE GARDEZ, Afghanistan, Feb. 19, 2009 – A provincial reconstruction team is working are working with the Paktia Provincial Reconstruction Team to help convince villagers to reject the

Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-04-30

SIGAR SPECIAL INSPECTOR GENERAL FOR AFGHANISTAN RECONSTRUCTION 2530 Crystal Drive Arlington, VA 22202 SIG A R | Q U A R TE R LY R E P O R T TO...TH E U N ITE D STA TE S C O N G R E SS | A P R 30, 2012 Special Inspector General for Afghanistan ReconstructionSIGAR APR 302012 QUARTERLY REPORT...population. (© AFP 2012, Johannes Eisele) An Afghan schoolboy washes his face at a water-pump in Mazar- e Sharif in Balkh prov- ince on April 9. Last

Stabilization Success in Afghanistan: The Challenges Within

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-12-01

areas ( SIKa ) program are examples of multiyear projects that had total estimated costs of more than a billion dollars, so at first glance one...2011, or 2012 regarding the CDP, afghanistan Stabilization Initiative, or SIKa projects would be incorrect if it stated that uSaID has little...Kunduz and 27 in Baghlan. the program in northern afghanistan will now begin its own transition to something new. uSaID will implement the SIKa

Resource Assessment for Afghanistan and Alleviation of Terrorism

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shroder, J. F.

2002-05-01

Mineral and water resources in Afghanistan may be the best means by which redevelopment of the country can be used to alleviate future terrorism. Remote-sensing analysis of snow, ice, resources, and topography in Afghanistan, and development of digital elevation models with ASTER imagery and previously classified, large scale topographic maps from the Department of Defense enable better assessment and forecasting resources in the country. Adequate resource assessment and planning is viewed as critical to alleviation of one cause of the problems associated with the fertilization of terrorism in Afghanistan. Long-term diminution of meltwater resources in Afghanistan is exemplified by the disastrous and famine-inducing droughts of the present time and three decades prior, as well as by the early Landsat assessment of glacier resources sponsored by USGS and now brought up-to-date with current imagery. Extensive cold-war projects undertaken by both the USSR and USA generated plentiful essential mineral, hydrocarbon, hydrogeological, and hydrological data, including an extensive stream gauging and vital irrigation network now adversly affected or destroyed entirely by decades of war. Analysis, measurement, prediction, rehabilitation, and reconstruction of critical resource projects are regarded as most critical elements in the war on terrorism in this portion of the world. The GLIMS (Global Land Ice Measurements from Space) Project, initially sponsored by USGS, has established our group as the Regional Center for Afghanistan and Pakistan, in which the above concepts serve as guiding research precepts.

Immigrants' Language Skills and Visa Category. Discussion Paper.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chiswick, Barry R.; Lee, Yew Liang; Miller, Paul W.

This study examines the impact of visa category on the English language skills of recent immigrants to Australia, focusing on the extent to which immigration selection criteria have an impact on language skills and noting the extent to which this impact is over and above that attributable to age, skills, and behavioral factors. The study followed…

Afghanistan Multi-Risk Assessment to Natural Hazards

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Diermanse, Ferdinand; Daniell, James; Pollino, Maurizio; Glover, James; Bouwer, Laurens; de Bel, Mark; Schaefer, Andreas; Puglisi, Claudio; Winsemius, Hessel; Burzel, Andreas; Ammann, Walter; Aliparast, Mojtaba; Jongman, Brenden; Ranghieri, Federica; Fallesen, Ditte

2017-04-01

The geographical location of Afghanistan and years of environmental degradation in the country make Afghanistan highly prone to intense and recurring natural hazards such as flooding, earthquakes, snow avalanches, landslides, and droughts. These occur in addition to man-made disasters resulting in the frequent loss of live, livelihoods, and property. Since 1980, disasters caused by natural hazards have affected 9 million people and caused over 20,000 fatalities in Afghanistan. The creation, understanding and accessibility of hazard, exposure, vulnerability and risk information is key for effective management of disaster risk. This is especially true in Afghanistan, where reconstruction after recent natural disasters and military conflicts is on-going and will continue over the coming years. So far, there has been limited disaster risk information produced in Afghanistan, and information that does exist typically lacks standard methodology and does not have uniform geo-spatial coverage. There are currently no available risk assessment studies that cover all major natural hazards in Afghanistan, which can be used to assess the costs and benefits of different resilient reconstruction and disaster risk reduction strategies. As a result, the Government of Afghanistan has limited information regarding current and future disaster risk and the effectiveness of policy options on which to base their reconstruction and risk reduction decisions. To better understand natural hazard and disaster risk, the World Bank and Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR) are supporting the development of new fluvial flood, flash flood, drought, landslide, avalanche and seismic risk information in Afghanistan, as well as a first-order analysis of the costs and benefits of resilient reconstruction and risk reduction strategies undertaken by the authors. The hazard component is the combination of probability and magnitude of natural hazards. Hazard analyses were carried out

Progress Toward Poliomyelitis Eradication - Afghanistan, January 2016-June 2017.

PubMed

Martinez, Maureen; Shukla, Hemant; Nikulin, Joanna; Wadood, Mufti Zubair; Hadler, Stephen; Mbaeyi, Chukwuma; Tangermann, Rudolph; Jorba, Jaume; Ehrhardt, Derek

2017-08-18

Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Nigeria remain the only countries where the transmission of endemic wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) continues (1). This report describes polio eradication activities, progress, and challenges in Afghanistan during January 2016-June 2017 and updates previous reports (2,3). Thirteen WPV1 cases were confirmed in Afghanistan in 2016, a decrease of seven from the 20 cases reported in 2015. From January to June 2017, five WPV1 cases were reported, compared with six during the same period in 2016. The number of affected districts declined from 23 (including WPV1-positive acute flaccid paralysis [AFP] cases and positive environmental sewage samples) in 2015 to six in 2016. To achieve WPV1 eradication, it is important that Afghanistan's polio program continue to collaborate with that of neighboring Pakistan to track and vaccinate groups of high-risk mobile populations and strengthen efforts to reach children in security-compromised areas.

Respiratory symptoms necessitating spirometry among soldiers with Iraq/Afghanistan war lung injury.

PubMed

Szema, Anthony M; Salihi, Walid; Savary, Khalil; Chen, John J

2011-09-01

New-onset asthma rates are higher among US soldiers deployed to Iraq/Afghanistan than stateside, but overall respiratory symptom and spirometry rates among soldiers returning from Iraq/Afghanistan have not yet been addressed. We determined these rates in soldiers deployed to Iraq/Afghanistan versus troops stationed elsewhere. Retrospective review of active-duty soldiers (2004 to 2010) registered at Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Northport, New York, with Long Island/New York City zip codes. Subjects were examined by physicians or physicians' assistants. We counted number of spirometries, which required respiratory symptoms, and the provider was required to submit a diagnosis as part of the request process. Twenty-five percent of 7151 troops went to Iraq/Afghanistan (n = 1816) and 75% went elsewhere (n = 5335), with more smokers in the Iraq/Afghanistan group (16.1% vs 3.3%). Rates of symptoms and spirometry were 14.5% and 1.8%, for Iraq/Afghanistan, versus troops deployed elsewhere, respectively (P < 0.001). Both groups had similar forced expired volume in 1 second/forced vital capacity ratios (78%). New-onset Iraq/Afghanistan war lung injury is common and rates of symptoms leading to a diagnosis requiring spirometry are high. (C)2011The American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Radiometric Survey in Western Afghanistan: A Website for Distribution of Data

USGS Publications Warehouse

Sweeney, Ronald E.; Kucks, Robert P.; Hill, Patricia L.; Finn, Carol A.

2007-01-01

Radiometric (uranium content, thorium content, potassium content, and gamma-ray intensity) and related data were digitized from radiometric and survey route location maps of western Afghanistan published in 1976. The uranium content data were digitized along contour lines from 33 maps in a series entitled 'Map of Uranium (Radium) Contents of Afghanistan (Western Area),' compiled by V. N. Kirsanov and R. S. Dershimanov. The thorium content data were digitized along contour lines from 33 maps in a series entitled 'Map of Thorium Contents of Afghanistan (Western Area),' compiled by V. N. Kirsanov and R. S. Dershimanov. The potassium content data were digitized along contour lines from 33 maps in a series entitled 'Map of Potassium Contents of Afghanistan (Western Area),' compiled by V. N. Kirsanov and R. S. Dershimanov. The gamma-ray intensity data were digitized along contour lines from 33 maps in a series entitled 'Map of Gamma-Field of Afghanistan (Western Area),' compiled by V. N. Kirsanov and R. S. Dershimanov. The survey route location data were digitized along flight-lines located on 33 maps in a series entitled 'Survey Routes Location and Contours of Flight Equal Altitudes. Western Area of Afghanistan,' compiled by Z. A. Alpatova, V. G. Kurnosov, and F. A. Grebneva.

At American U. of Afghanistan, Turmoil at the Top

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Labi, Aisha

2008-01-01

Billed as the country's first independent university, the American University of Afghanistan was established in 2004 with financial support from the highest levels of the American and Afghan governments. But its development has been rockier than anticipated, even taking into account Afghanistan's growing instability. A number of current and former…

Overseas Contingency Operations: Observations on the Use of Force Management Levels in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-12-01

relating to security force assistance activities and readiness of U.S. Special Operations Forces. • Increased Use of Contractors and Personnel on...Temporary Duty. DOD relies on contractors to support a wide range of military operations and free up uniformed personnel to directly support mission...needs. During operations in Afghanistan and Iraq contractor personnel played a critical role in supporting U.S. troops and sometimes exceeded the

Immigration Status, Visa Types, and Body Weight Among New Immigrants in the United States.

PubMed

Yeh, Ming-Chin; Parikh, Nina S; Megliola, Alison E; Kelvin, Elizabeth A

2018-03-01

To investigate the relationship between immigration-related factors and body mass index (BMI) among immigrants. Secondary analyses of cross-sectional survey data. The New Immigrant Survey (NIS-2003) contains data from in-person or telephone interviews between May and November 2003, with a probability sample of immigrants granted legal permanent residency in the United States. A total of 8573 US immigrants. The NIS-2003 provided data on sociobehavioral domains, including migration history, education, employment, marital history, language, and health-related behaviors. The visa classifications are as follows: (1) family reunification, (2) employment, (3) diversity, (4) refugee, and (5) legalization. Nested multivariable linear regression analysis was used to estimate the independent relationships between BMI and the variables of interest. Overall, 32.6% of participants were overweight and 11.3% were obese (mean BMI = 25). Participants who were admitted to the United States with employment, refugee, or legalization visas compared with those who came with family reunion visas had a significantly higher BMI ( P < .001, P < .001, P < .01, respectively). Duration in the United States predicted BMI, with those immigrants in the United States longer having a higher BMI ( P < .001). Our findings suggest that immigrants who obtain particular visa categorizations and immigration status might have a higher risk of being overweight or obese. Immigrants need to be targeted along with the rest of the US population for weight management interventions.

Men behind the Women of Educational Leadership in Afghanistan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Reilly, Elizabeth C.

2015-01-01

On nearly any international index of those nations where women suffer the greatest, Afghanistan remains consistently identified within the top ten year after year. Afghanistan stands at a crossroad as the country makes the transition from reliance on extensive support for security from the international community to its own police forces and…

Seismotectonic Map of Afghanistan and Adjacent Areas

USGS Publications Warehouse

Wheeler, Russell L.; Rukstales, Kenneth S.

2007-01-01

Introduction This map is part of an assessment of Afghanistan's geology, natural resources, and natural hazards. One of the natural hazards is from earthquake shaking. One of the tools required to address the shaking hazard is a probabilistic seismic-hazard map, which was made separately. The information on this seismotectonic map has been used in the design and computation of the hazard map. A seismotectonic map like this one shows geological, seismological, and other information that previously had been scattered among many sources. The compilation can show spatial relations that might not have been seen by comparing the original sources, and it can suggest hypotheses that might not have occurred to persons who studied those scattered sources. The main map shows faults and earthquakes of Afghanistan. Plate convergence drives the deformations that cause the earthquakes. Accordingly, smaller maps and text explain the modern plate-tectonic setting of Afghanistan and its evolution, and relate both to patterns of faults and earthquakes.

Job characteristics and work safety climate among North Carolina farmworkers with H-2A visas.

PubMed

Arcury, Thomas A; Summers, Phillip; Talton, Jennifer W; Nguyen, Ha T; Chen, Haiying; Quandt, Sara A

2015-01-01

ABSTRACT Migrant farmworkers are a vulnerable population. Migrant farmworkers with H-2A visas are the only agricultural workers with temporary work permits. Little research has directly focused on the job characteristics and work safety of workers with H-2A visas. This analysis (1) describes their personal and job characteristics, job hazards, and stressors; (2) describes their perceived work safety climate; and (3) examines associations of perceived work safety climate with job characteristics, job hazards, and stressors. Data are from a cross-sectional component of a larger study of farmworker pesticide exposure; in 2012 interviews were conducted with 163 migrant farmworkers with H-2A visas in North Carolina. The sample was limited to men aged 30 to 70 years. Migrant farmworkers with H-2A visas experience the same hazards as do other farmworkers. Their mean score on the Perceived Work Safety Climate Scale 25.5 (SD = 3.7) is similar to that of other farmworkers and other immigrant workers. Perceived work safety climate is associated with hours worked per week (P = .02), precarious employment (P < .001), planting and cultivating (P = .002), topping tobacco (P = .0012), and stress (P = .02). Perceived work safety climate is particularly important for migrant farmworkers with H-2A visas because their labor contracts limit their options to change employers. Additional research on the status of work safety climate among agricultural workers is needed, as well as on the factors that affect work safety climate and on the safety characteristics that are affected by work safety climate. Policy changes that lead to improved work safety climate should be considered.

Job Characteristics and Work Safety Climate among North Carolina Farmworkers with H-2A Visas

PubMed Central

Arcury, Thomas A.; Summers, Phillip; Talton, Jennifer W.; Nguyen, Ha T.; Chen, Haiying; Quandt, Sara A.

2016-01-01

Migrant farmworkers are a vulnerable population. Migrant farmworkers with H-2A visas are the only agricultural workers with temporary work permits. Little research has directly focused on the job characteristics and work safety of workers with H-2A visas. This analysis (1) describes their personal and job characteristics, job hazards, and stressors; (2) describes their perceived work safety climate; and (3) examines associations of perceived work safety climate with job characteristics, job hazards, and stressors. Data are from a cross-sectional component of a larger study of farmworker pesticide exposure; in 2012 interviews were conducted with 163 migrant farmworkers with H-2A visas in North Carolina. The sample was limited to men aged 30 to 70 years. Migrant farmworkers with H-2A visas experience the same hazards as do other farmworkers. Their mean score on the perceived work safety climate scale 25.5 (SD=3.7) is similar to that of other farmworkers and other immigrant workers. Perceived work safety climate is associated with hours worked per week (p=0.02), precarious employment (p<0.001), planting and cultivating (p=0.002); topping tobacco (p=0.0012), and stress (p=0.02). Perceived work safety climate is particularly important for migrant farmworkers with H-2A visas because their labor contracts limit their options to change employers. Additional research on the status of work safety climate among agricultural workers is needed, as well as on the factors that affect work safety climate and on the safety characteristics that are affected by work safety climate. Policy changes that lead to improved work safety climate should be considered. PMID:25635744

Back to School in Afghanistan: Determinants of School Enrollment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Guimbert, Stephane; Miwa, Keiko; Nguyen, Duc Thanh

2008-01-01

One of the first achievements of post-conflict Afghanistan was to bring almost 4 million children back to school. Issues remain daunting, however, with low primary enrollment especially for girls and in rural areas and very weak learning achievements. We review some key features of the education system in Afghanistan. By matching household and…

Rule of Law in Afghanistan -- Time for a New Approach?

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-03-17

accessed November 7 2008) 139 Gates, Robert M. Afghanistan Command Restructuring Worthy of Consideration. Texarkana , Texas, May 2, 2008 By Donna Miles...products/GAO-08-661 (accessed November 2 2008) Gates, Robert M. Afghanistan Command Restructuring Worthy of Consideration. Texarkana , Texas, May

Possible association of VISA gene polymorphisms with susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus in Chinese population.

PubMed

Liu, Xiaowen; Jiao, Yulian; Wen, Xin; Wang, Laicheng; Ma, Chunyan; Gao, Xuejun; Chen, Zi-Jiang; Zhao, Yueran

2011-10-01

Virus-induced signaling adapter (VISA), an important adaptor protein linking both RIG-I and MDA-5 to downstream signaling events, may mediates the activation of NF kappaB and IRFs and the induction of type I IFN. As the evidence has showed that Toll-like receptors (TLRs), I-IFN and IFN-inducible genes contribute to the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the aim of the current study was to investigate the possible associations between the VISA gene and SLE. Four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), rs17857295, rs2326369, rs7262903, and rs7269320, in VISA gene were genotyped in 123 SLE patients and 95 healthy controls. Genotyping was performed using direct sequencing the purified PCR products. Associations were analyzed by using the chi-square test and Fisher's exact test. Haplotype analysis was performed using haploview and PHASE2.1. None of the four SNPs was found to be associated with SLE. The four-SNPs haplotype analysis showed different effect between cases and controls. While the SNPs, rs17857295 and rs2326369, were found to be associated with the renal nephritis and arthritis of SLE patient, respectively. The SNPs rs7269320 showed associations with different manifestations. Our data reveal that polymorphisms in the VISA gene may be related to disease susceptibility and manifestations of SLE.

Vancomycin intermediate-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VISA) isolated from a patient who never received vancomycin treatment.

PubMed

Zhu, Xuhui; Liu, Cailin; Gao, Sui; Lu, Yanfang; Chen, Zhongju; Sun, Ziyong

2015-04-01

With the abuse of antibiotics, the methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strain became prevalent. Furthermore, Staphylococcus aureus with a character of vancomycin intermediate-resistance (VISA) has been found globally since the first report in Japan. The main objectives of this study were to report a case of VISA isolated from a Chinese patient who had never undergone Vancomycin treatment, and to determine its molecular character. A total of 9 strains were recovered from a patient during the therapeutic process. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed to determine their antibiotic susceptibility patterns. To detect the VISA strain's molecular epidemiological features, growth and morphological characters, we used multilocus sequence typing, autolysis assay and transmission electric microscope tests. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) was performed to characterize the heterogeneities of all isolates. One isolate was found to exhibit vancomycin intermediated-resistant with MIC of 8 μg/ml. It was ST239-T030-agr-1, had thickened cell wall, and displayed a slower growth rate and reduced susceptibility to Triton X-100-induced autolysis than other strains. All 9 strains exhibited the same PFGE pattern. This is the first report of VISA found in central China from a patient who had never received vancomycin treatment. Copyright © 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Consanguineous marriages in Afghanistan.

PubMed

Saify, Khyber; Saadat, Mostafa

2012-01-01

The present cross-sectional study was done in order to illustrate the prevalence and types of consanguineous marriages among Afghanistan populations. Data on types of marriages were collected using a simple questionnaire. The total number of couples in the study was 7140 from the following provinces: Badakhshan, Baghlan, Balkh, Bamyan, Kabul, Kunduz, Samangan and Takhar. Consanguineous marriages were classified by the degree of relationship between couples: double first cousins, first cousins, first cousins once removed, second cousins and beyond second cousins. The coefficient of inbreeding (F) was calculated for each couple and the mean coefficient of inbreeding (α) estimated for each population. The proportion of consanguineous marriages in the country was 46.2%, ranging from 38.2% in Kabul province to 51.2% in Bamyan province. The equivalent mean inbreeding coefficient (α) was 0.0277, and ranged from 0.0221 to 0.0293 in these two regions. There were significant differences between provinces for frequencies of different types of marriages (p<0.001). First cousin marriages (27.8%) were the most common type of consanguineous marriages, followed by double first cousin (6.9%), second cousin (5.8%), beyond second cousin (3.9%) and first cousin once removed (1.8%). There were significant differences between ethnic groups for the types of marriages (χ2=177.6, df=25, p<0.001). Tajiks (Soni) and Turkmens (also Pashtuns) showed the lowest (α=0.0250) and highest (α=0.0297) mean inbreeding coefficients, respectively, among the ethnic groups in Afghanistan. The study shows that Afghanistan's populations, like other Islamic populations, have a high level of consanguinity.

Highly Pathogenic Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus Nsp4 Cleaves VISA to Impair Antiviral Responses Mediated by RIG-I-like Receptors.

PubMed

Huang, Chen; Du, Yinping; Yu, Zhibin; Zhang, Qiong; Liu, Yihao; Tang, Jun; Shi, Jishu; Feng, Wen-Hai

2016-06-22

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is one of the most significant etiological agents in the swine industry worldwide. It has been reported that PRRSV infection can modulate host immune responses, and innate immune evasion is thought to play a vital role in PRRSV pathogenesis. In this study, we demonstrated that highly pathogenic PRRSV (HP-PRRSV) infection specifically down-regulated virus-induced signaling adaptor (VISA), a unique adaptor molecule that is essential for retinoic acid induced gene-I (RIG-I) and melanoma differentiation associated gene 5 (MDA5) signal transduction. Moreover, we verified that nsp4 inhibited IRF3 activation induced by signaling molecules, including RIG-I, MDA5, VISA, and TBK1, but not IRF3. Subsequently, we demonstrated that HP-PRRSV nsp4 down-regulated VISA and suppressed type I IFN induction. Importantly, VISA was cleaved by nsp4 and released from mitochondrial membrane, which interrupted the downstream signaling of VISA. However, catalytically inactive mutant of nsp4 abolished its ability to cleave VISA. Interestingly, nsp4 of typical PRRSV strain CH-1a had no effect on VISA. Taken together, these findings reveal a strategy evolved by HP-PRRSV to counteract anti-viral innate immune signaling, which complements the known PRRSV-mediated immune-evasion mechanisms.

Highly Pathogenic Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus Nsp4 Cleaves VISA to Impair Antiviral Responses Mediated by RIG-I-like Receptors

PubMed Central

Huang, Chen; Du, Yinping; Yu, Zhibin; Zhang, Qiong; Liu, Yihao; Tang, Jun; Shi, Jishu; Feng, Wen-hai

2016-01-01

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is one of the most significant etiological agents in the swine industry worldwide. It has been reported that PRRSV infection can modulate host immune responses, and innate immune evasion is thought to play a vital role in PRRSV pathogenesis. In this study, we demonstrated that highly pathogenic PRRSV (HP-PRRSV) infection specifically down-regulated virus-induced signaling adaptor (VISA), a unique adaptor molecule that is essential for retinoic acid induced gene-I (RIG-I) and melanoma differentiation associated gene 5 (MDA5) signal transduction. Moreover, we verified that nsp4 inhibited IRF3 activation induced by signaling molecules, including RIG-I, MDA5, VISA, and TBK1, but not IRF3. Subsequently, we demonstrated that HP-PRRSV nsp4 down-regulated VISA and suppressed type I IFN induction. Importantly, VISA was cleaved by nsp4 and released from mitochondrial membrane, which interrupted the downstream signaling of VISA. However, catalytically inactive mutant of nsp4 abolished its ability to cleave VISA. Interestingly, nsp4 of typical PRRSV strain CH-1a had no effect on VISA. Taken together, these findings reveal a strategy evolved by HP-PRRSV to counteract anti-viral innate immune signaling, which complements the known PRRSV-mediated immune-evasion mechanisms. PMID:27329948

8 CFR 1214.3 - Certain spouses and children of lawful permanent residents; aliens in proceedings; V visas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... 8 Aliens and Nationality 1 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Certain spouses and children of lawful permanent residents; aliens in proceedings; V visas. 1214.3 Section 1214.3 Aliens and Nationality EXECUTIVE... visas. An alien who is already in immigration proceedings and believes that he or she may have become...

8 CFR 1214.3 - Certain spouses and children of lawful permanent residents; aliens in proceedings; V visas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 8 Aliens and Nationality 1 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Certain spouses and children of lawful permanent residents; aliens in proceedings; V visas. 1214.3 Section 1214.3 Aliens and Nationality EXECUTIVE... visas. An alien who is already in immigration proceedings and believes that he or she may have become...

8 CFR 1214.3 - Certain spouses and children of lawful permanent residents; aliens in proceedings; V visas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... 8 Aliens and Nationality 1 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Certain spouses and children of lawful permanent residents; aliens in proceedings; V visas. 1214.3 Section 1214.3 Aliens and Nationality EXECUTIVE... visas. An alien who is already in immigration proceedings and believes that he or she may have become...

8 CFR 1214.3 - Certain spouses and children of lawful permanent residents; aliens in proceedings; V visas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 8 Aliens and Nationality 1 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Certain spouses and children of lawful permanent residents; aliens in proceedings; V visas. 1214.3 Section 1214.3 Aliens and Nationality EXECUTIVE... visas. An alien who is already in immigration proceedings and believes that he or she may have become...

8 CFR 1214.3 - Certain spouses and children of lawful permanent residents; aliens in proceedings; V visas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... 8 Aliens and Nationality 1 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Certain spouses and children of lawful permanent residents; aliens in proceedings; V visas. 1214.3 Section 1214.3 Aliens and Nationality EXECUTIVE... visas. An alien who is already in immigration proceedings and believes that he or she may have become...

Microvascular volume in symptomatic Achilles tendons is associated with VISA-A score.

PubMed

Praet, S F E; Ong, J H; Purdam, C; Welvaert, M; Lovell, G; Dixon, L; Gaida, J E; Anglim, J; Manzanero, S; Vlahovich, N; Hughes, D; Waddington, G

2018-05-15

The role of neovascularisation in tendinopathy is still poorly understood, potentially due to technical limitations of conventional power Doppler ultrasound. This study aimed to investigate the association between contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) microvascular volume (MV), Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment-Achilles (VISA-A) scores and intrinsic Achilles tendon tenderness, as well as two different Power Doppler modes. Cross-sectional study. 20 individuals with uni- or bilateral Achilles tendinopathy completed a VISA-A questionnaire, and underwent microvascular volume measurements of the Achilles tendon mid-portion using both conventional, ultrasensitive (SMI™) power Doppler ultrasound and CEUS. Intrinsic tendon tenderness was assessed with sensation detection threshold to extracorporeal shock waves (ESW). Linear Mixed Model analysis was used to determine the association between microvascular volume (MV), VISA-A, and ESW-detection threshold for both symptomatic and asymptomatic Achilles tendons. There was a significant association between VISA-A and MV (B=-5.3, 95%CI=[-8.5; -2.0], P=0.0004), and between MV and symptom duration (B=-1.7, 95%CI=[-3.2; -5.0], P=0.023). No significant associations were found between power Doppler ultrasound and CEUS-based MV or between CEUS-based MV and ESW-detection threshold. In comparison with conventional power Doppler ultrasound, SMI™ showed on average similar detection capacity for neovessels in the mid-portion of the Achilles tendon, whilst being superior for detecting neovessels within Kager's fat pad (t=3.46, 95%CI=[0.27; 1.03], P<0.005). Our results indicate that CEUS-based MV of the Achilles tendon is moderately associated with Achilles tendon symptoms. In accordance, CEUS-detected MV could be a novel target for treatment as it seems to be more sensitive than PDU and is correlated with symptoms. Copyright © 2018 Sports Medicine Australia. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Afghanistan: Post-Taliban Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-06-06

9 U.S. and International Civilian Policy Structure ...Afghanistan. However, some warned that a post-Soviet power structure in Afghanistan could be adverse to U.S. interests because much of the covert aid was...appointments, priorities, the future of the governing structure , and Ghani’s outreach to Pakistan—to the point where some senior officials have resigned

77 FR 71668 - 30-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Choice of Address and Agent for Immigrant Visa...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-12-03

... of Address and Agent for Immigrant Visa Applicants AGENCY: Department of State. ACTION: Notice of... Agent for Immigrant Visa Applicants. OMB Control Number: 1405-0126. Type of Request: Extension of Currently Approved Collection. Originating Office: CA/VO/L/R. Form Number: DS-3032. Respondents: Immigrant...

Deploying the ODIS robot in Iraq and Afghanistan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smuda, Bill; Schoenherr, Edward; Andrusz, Henry; Gerhart, Grant

2005-05-01

The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have shown the importance of robotic technology as a force multiplier and a tool for moving soldiers out of harms way. Situations on the ground make soldiers performing checkpoint operations easy targets for snipers and suicide bombers. Robotics technology reduces risk to soldiers and other personnel at checkpoints. Early user involvement in innovative and aggressive development and acquisition strategies are the key to moving robotic and associated technology into the hands of the user. This paper updates activity associated with rapid development of the Omni-Directional Inspection System (ODIS) robot for under vehicle inspection and reports on our field experience with robotics in Iraq and Afghanistan. In February of 2004, two TARDEC Engineers departed for a mission to Iraq and Afghanistan with ten ODIS Robots. Six robots were deployed in the Green Zone in Baghdad. Two Robots were deployed at Kandahar Army Airfield and two were deployed at Bagram Army Airfield in Afghanistan. The TARDEC Engineers who performed this mission trained the soldiers and provided initial on site support. They also trained Exponent employees assigned to the Rapid Equipping Force in ODIS repair. We will discuss our initial deployment, lessons learned and future plans.

Landsat ETM+ False-Color Image Mosaics of Afghanistan

USGS Publications Warehouse

Davis, Philip A.

2007-01-01

In 2005, the U.S. Agency for International Development and the U.S. Trade and Development Agency contracted with the U.S. Geological Survey to perform assessments of the natural resources within Afghanistan. The assessments concentrate on the resources that are related to the economic development of that country. Therefore, assessments were initiated in oil and gas, coal, mineral resources, water resources, and earthquake hazards. All of these assessments require geologic, structural, and topographic information throughout the country at a finer scale and better accuracy than that provided by the existing maps, which were published in the 1970's by the Russians and Germans. The very rugged terrain in Afghanistan, the large scale of these assessments, and the terrorist threat in Afghanistan indicated that the best approach to provide the preliminary assessments was to use remotely sensed, satellite image data, although this may also apply to subsequent phases of the assessments. Therefore, the first step in the assessment process was to produce satellite image mosaics of Afghanistan that would be useful for these assessments. This report discusses the production of the Landsat false-color image database produced for these assessments, which was produced from the calibrated Landsat ETM+ image mosaics described by Davis (2006).

Factors influencing non-institutional deliveries in afghanistan: secondary analysis of the afghanistan mortality survey 2010.

PubMed

Azimi, Mohammad Daud; Najafizada, Said Ahmad Maisam; Khaing, Inn Kynn; Hamajima, Nobuyuki

2015-02-01

Home delivery in unhygienic environments is common among Afghan women; only one third of births are delivered at health facilities. Institutional delivery is central to reducing maternal mortality. The factors associated with place of delivery among women in Afghanistan were examined using the Afghanistan Mortality Survey 2010 (AMS 2010), which was open to researchers. The AMS 2010 data were collected through an interviewer-led questionnaire from 18,250 women. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of non-institutional delivery were estimated by logistic regression analysis. When age at survey, education, parity, residency, antenatal care frequency, remoteness, wealth and regions were adjusted, the OR of non-institutional delivery was 8.37 (95% CI, 7.47-9.39) for no antenatal care relative to four or more antenatal care visits, 4.07 (95% CI, 3.45-4.80) for poorest household relative to women from richest household, 2.02 (95% CI, 1.43-2.84) for no education relative to higher education, 1.78 (95% CI, 1.52-2.09) for six or more deliveries relative to one delivery, and 1.50 (95% CI, 1.36-1.67) for rural relative to urban residency. Since antenatal care was strongly associated with non-institutional delivery after adjustment of the other factors, antenatal care service may promote institutional deliveries, which can reduce maternal mortality ratio in Afghanistan.

Culturally competent care: emphasis on understanding the people of Afghanistan, Afghanistan Americans, and Islamic culture and religion.

PubMed

Giger, J Newman; Davidhizar, R

2002-06-01

Since the attacks in New York and Washington, DC, in September 2001, increased racial and religious animosity has left Arabs, other Middle Easterners, Muslims, and those who bear physical resemblance to members of these groups, fearful. This article provides information about the people of Afghanistan, Afghanistan Americans, and Islamic culture and religion, which can greatly assist the nurse who is confronted with persons from diverse cultures during the provision of care. The Giger & Davidhizar Transcultural Assessment Model was first published in the International Nursing Review in 1990. This model is now used worldwide and provides an assessment model to assist in understanding cultural phenomena and individuals from different cultures.

Cross-cultural adaptation of the VISA-P questionnaire for Greek-speaking patients with patellar tendinopathy.

PubMed

Korakakis, Vasileios; Patsiaouras, Asterios; Malliaropoulos, Nikos

2014-12-01

To cross-culturally adapt the VISA-P questionnaire for Greek-speaking patients and evaluate its psychometric properties. The VISA-P was developed in the English language to evaluate patients with patellar tendinopathy. The validity and use of self-administered questionnaires in different language and cultural populations require a specific procedure in order to maintain their content validity. The VISA-P questionnaire was translated and cross-culturally adapted according to specific guidelines. The validity and reliability were tested in 61 healthy recreational athletes, 64 athletes at risk from different sports, 32 patellar tendinopathy patients and 30 patients with other knee injuries. Participants completed the questionnaire at baseline and after 15-17 days. The questionnaire's face and content validity were judged as good by the expert committee, and the participants. Concurrent validity was almost perfect (ρ=-0.839, p<0.001). Also, factorial validity testing revealed a two-factor solution, which explained 85.6% of the total variance. A one-factor solution explained 80.8% of the variance when the other knee injury group was excluded. Known group validity was demonstrated by significant differences between patients compared with the asymptomatic groups (p<0.001). The VISA-P-GR exhibited very good test-retest reliability (ICC=0.818, p<0.001; 95% CI 0.758 to 0.864) and internal consistency since Cronbach's α analysis ranged from α=0.785 to 0.784 following a 15-17 days interval. The translated VISA-P-GR is a valid and reliable questionnaire and its psychometric properties are comparable with the original and adapted versions. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.

75 FR 51615 - Establishment of Pakistan and Afghanistan Support Office

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-08-23

... Establishment of Pakistan and Afghanistan Support Office By the authority vested in me as President by the... 3161 of title 5, United States Code, a temporary organization to be known as the Pakistan and... strengthening the governments in Afghanistan and Pakistan, enhancing the capacity of those governments to resist...

Cross-cultural Adaptation of the Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment-Achilles (VISA-A) Questionnaire for Spanish Athletes With Achilles Tendinopathy.

PubMed

Hernández-Sánchez, Sergio; Poveda-Pagán, Emilio José; Alakhdar-Mohmara, Yasser; Hidalgo, Maria Dolores; Fernández-de-Las-Peñas, César; Arias-Buría, José L

2018-02-01

Study Design Clinical measurement study. Background Achilles tendinopathy is a prevalent sport-related injury. The Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment-Achilles (VISA-A) questionnaire is a widely used patient-reported outcome to assess the severity of symptoms for this injury. Objective To adapt the VISA-A questionnaire into Spanish and to assess its psychometric properties. Methods Cross-cultural adaptation was conducted according to recommended guidelines. The Spanish VISA-A (VISA-A-Sp) questionnaire was administered to 210 subjects: 70 healthy students, 70 active at-risk subjects (participating in running and jumping), and 70 patients diagnosed with Achilles tendinopathy. Participants were assessed at baseline and after 3 to 5 days. The injured subjects were also evaluated with a quality-of-life questionnaire (Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey [SF-36]) and at discharge. The final VISA-A-Sp was evaluated for reliability, validity, and responsiveness. Results Cronbach alpha for the VISA-A-Sp was greater than .8. The intraclass correlation coefficient (model 2,1) was 0.993 (95% confidence interval: 0.991, 0.995; P<.05). In the confirmatory factor analysis, a 1-factor solution obtained a relatively good fit. Subjects with Achilles tendinopathy scored significantly lower than the other 2 groups (P<.001). The VISA-A-Sp score within the Achilles tendinopathy group showed significant correlations with SF-36 physical components (Spearman rho>0.5, P<.001). The standard error of the measurement was 2.53, and the minimal detectable change at the 95% confidence level was 7 points. The responsiveness indicators included an effect size of 2.16 and a standardized response mean of 1.92. Conclusion The VISA-A-Sp showed satisfactory psychometric properties that were comparable to the original English-language version. Therefore, it can be recommended for use in clinical practice and research for assessing the severity of symptoms in Spanish

Future Tense: Lessons from the Best and Worst Cases in Afghanistan from Pakistan’s Perspective

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-03-01

10 to 15 or more years, would likely be the key to success in the Afghanistan end game . Otherwise, Afghanistan will slip back into a situation much...more years, would likely be the key to success in the Afghanistan end game . Otherwise, Afghanistan will slip back into a situation much like the...treasure hunt, or what has been referred to as the “New Great Game .” The history of Afghanistan reaches back into centuries—and is full of wars. As

ViSA: a neurodynamic model for visuo-spatial working memory, attentional blink, and conscious access.

PubMed

Simione, Luca; Raffone, Antonino; Wolters, Gezinus; Salmas, Paola; Nakatani, Chie; Belardinelli, Marta Olivetti; van Leeuwen, Cees

2012-10-01

Two separate lines of study have clarified the role of selectivity in conscious access to visual information. Both involve presenting multiple targets and distracters: one simultaneously in a spatially distributed fashion, the other sequentially at a single location. To understand their findings in a unified framework, we propose a neurodynamic model for Visual Selection and Awareness (ViSA). ViSA supports the view that neural representations for conscious access and visuo-spatial working memory are globally distributed and are based on recurrent interactions between perceptual and access control processors. Its flexible global workspace mechanisms enable a unitary account of a broad range of effects: It accounts for the limited storage capacity of visuo-spatial working memory, attentional cueing, and efficient selection with multi-object displays, as well as for the attentional blink and associated sparing and masking effects. In particular, the speed of consolidation for storage in visuo-spatial working memory in ViSA is not fixed but depends adaptively on the input and recurrent signaling. Slowing down of consolidation due to weak bottom-up and recurrent input as a result of brief presentation and masking leads to the attentional blink. Thus, ViSA goes beyond earlier 2-stage and neuronal global workspace accounts of conscious processing limitations. PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved.

An experiment with community health funds in Afghanistan.

PubMed

Rao, Krishna D; Waters, Hugh; Steinhardt, Laura; Alam, Sahibullah; Hansen, Peter; Naeem, Ahmad Jan

2009-07-01

As Afghanistan rebuilds its health system, it faces key challenges in financing health services. To reduce dependence on donor funds, it is important to develop sustainable local financing mechanisms. A second challenge is to reduce high levels of out-of-pocket payments. Community-based health insurance (CBHI) schemes offer the possibility of raising revenues from communities and at the same time providing financial protection. This paper describes the performance of one type of CBHI scheme, the Community Health Fund (CHF), which was piloted for the first time in five provinces of Afghanistan between June 2005 and October 2006. The performance of the CHF programme demonstrates that complex community-based health financing schemes can be implemented in post-conflict settings like Afghanistan, except in areas of high insecurity. The funds raised from the community, via premiums and user fees, enabled the pilot facilities to overcome temporary shortages of drugs and supplies, and to conduct outreach services via mobile clinics. However, enrolment and cost-recovery were modest. The median enrolment rate for premium-paying households was 6% of eligible households in the catchment areas of the clinics. Cost recovery rates ranged up to 16% of total operating costs and 32% of non-salary operating costs. No evidence of reduced out-of-pocket health expenditures was observed at the community level, though CHF members had markedly higher utilization of health services. The main reasons among non-members for not enrolling were being unaware of the programme; high premiums; and perceived low quality of services at the CHF clinics. The performance of Afghanistan's CHF was similar to other CHF-type programmes operating at the primary care level internationally. The solution to building local capacity to finance health services lies in a combination of financing sources rather than any single mechanism. In this context, it is critical that international assistance for Afghanistan

Tethys and the evolution in Afghanistan: tectonics and mineral resources

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Okaya, N.; Onishi, C. T.; Mooney, W. D.

2009-12-01

The tectonic history and mineral resources of Afghanistan are related to the closing of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean and the opening of the Neo-Tethys Ocean. As part of this process, oceanic sediments and continental fragments were accreted onto northern Afghanistan during the Mesozoic Cimmerian orogeny. Deposits in the Paleo-Tethys Ocean iare presently represented by a thick sequence of Paleozoic sedimentary rocks within the Tajik/Turan block, part of the Eurasian continent in northern Afghanistan. The accreted micro-continents of the Cimmerian orogeny include: (1) the Farah block, (2) the Helmand block and (3) the exotic Kabul block. Later, during the Cretaceous, the East Nuristan island arc and the intra-oceanic island arc of Kohistan were sutured. Major faults in Afghanistan include: (1) the Herat fault, an E-W suture zone between the Eurasia continent and the terrains of the Cimmerian orogeny; (2) the N-S Punjao suture located between the Farah and Helmand blocks; and (3) the NE-SW oriented Chaman fault, part of a transpressional plate boundary located near the border with Pakistan. Such a complex blend of geology and tectonics gives host to abundant mineral resources. We summarize the tectonic evolution of Afghanistan in a series of lithospheric cross-sections, beginning at about 400 Ma., and identify the mineral resources in the context of the regional tectonics.

Progress toward poliomyelitis eradication - Afghanistan, January 2012-September 2013.

PubMed

2013-11-22

Since 2012, transmission of indigenous wild poliovirus (WPV) has been limited to three countries: Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Nigeria. This report describes polio eradication activities and progress in Afghanistan during January 2012-September 2013 and updates previous reports. During 2012, 37 WPV type 1 (WPV1) cases were confirmed in Afghanistan, compared with 80 cases in 2011; nine WPV1 cases were confirmed during January-September, 2013, compared with 26 WPV1 cases during the same period in 2012. Since November 2012, no WPV1 cases have been reported from the Southern Region, previously the main WPV reservoir in Afghanistan; all nine polio cases in 2013 were in the Eastern Region and caused by WPV1 that originated in Pakistan. From October 2012 to March 2013, 14 polio cases caused by circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) were detected in the Southern Region. During 2012-2013, strategies to improve supplemental immunization activity (SIA)§ effectiveness in 11 low-performing districts (LPDs) in the Southern Region included increasing staff and supervisory training, implementing short-interval-additional-dose (SIAD) campaigns, placing transit vaccination teams at the borders of districts inaccessible because of insecurity, and establishing permanent polio vaccination teams to vaccinate children quarterly. From March 2012 to August 2013, the percentage of children unreached during SIAs declined by 43% in the Southern Region but increased by 122% in the Eastern Region. Despite ongoing challenges, the government of Afghanistan continues to expand the application of innovative solutions to reach unvaccinated children in accessible and inaccessible districts.

SIG-VISA: Signal-based Vertically Integrated Seismic Monitoring

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moore, D.; Mayeda, K. M.; Myers, S. C.; Russell, S.

2013-12-01

Traditional seismic monitoring systems rely on discrete detections produced by station processing software; however, while such detections may constitute a useful summary of station activity, they discard large amounts of information present in the original recorded signal. We present SIG-VISA (Signal-based Vertically Integrated Seismic Analysis), a system for seismic monitoring through Bayesian inference on seismic signals. By directly modeling the recorded signal, our approach incorporates additional information unavailable to detection-based methods, enabling higher sensitivity and more accurate localization using techniques such as waveform matching. SIG-VISA's Bayesian forward model of seismic signal envelopes includes physically-derived models of travel times and source characteristics as well as Gaussian process (kriging) statistical models of signal properties that combine interpolation of historical data with extrapolation of learned physical trends. Applying Bayesian inference, we evaluate the model on earthquakes as well as the 2009 DPRK test event, demonstrating a waveform matching effect as part of the probabilistic inference, along with results on event localization and sensitivity. In particular, we demonstrate increased sensitivity from signal-based modeling, in which the SIGVISA signal model finds statistical evidence for arrivals even at stations for which the IMS station processing failed to register any detection.

Area Handbook for Afghanistan.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Smith, Harvey H.; And Others

This handbook is one of a series prepared by Foreign Area Studies (FAS) of The American University as a convenient compilation of basic fact for American military and other personnel overseas. It deals with the political, social, economic, and military developments since 1959, which have contributed to Afghanistan's continuing national stability…

Targeted expression of miR-34a using the T-VISA system suppresses breast cancer cell growth and invasion.

PubMed

Li, Laisheng; Xie, Xinhua; Luo, Jinmei; Liu, Min; Xi, Shaoyan; Guo, Jiaoli; Kong, Yanan; Wu, Minqing; Gao, Jie; Xie, Zeming; Tang, Jun; Wang, Xi; Wei, Weidong; Yang, Mingtian; Hung, Mien-Chie; Xie, Xiaoming

2012-12-01

Recurrence and metastasis result in a poor prognosis for breast cancer patients. Recent studies have demonstrated that microRNAs (miRNAs) play vital roles in the development and metastasis of breast cancer. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic potential of miR-34a in breast cancer. We found that miR-34a is downregulated in breast cancer cell lines and tissues, compared with normal cell lines and the adjacent nontumor tissues, respectively. To explore the therapeutic potential of miR-34a, we designed a targeted miR-34a expression plasmid (T-VISA-miR-34a) using the T-VISA system, and evaluated its antitumor effects, efficacy, mechanism of action, and systemic toxicity. T-VISA-miR-34a induced robust, persistent expression of miR-34a, and dramatically suppressed breast cancer cell growth, migration, and invasion in vitro by downregulating the protein expression levels of the miR-34a target genes E2F3, CD44, and SIRT1. In an orthotopic mouse model of breast cancer, intravenous injection of T-VISA-miR-34a:liposomal complex nanoparticles significantly inhibited tumor growth, prolonged survival, and did not induce systemic toxicity. In conclusion, T-VISA-miR-34a lead to robust, specific overexpression of miR-34a in breast cancer cells and induced potent antitumor effects in vitro and in vivo. T-VISA-miR-34a may provide a potentially useful, specific, and safe-targeted therapeutic approach for breast cancer.

The impact of visa status and Medicare eligibility on people diagnosed with HIV in Western Australia: a qualitative report.

PubMed

Herrmann, Susan; Wardrop, Joan; John, Mina; Gaudieri, Silvana; Lucas, Michaela; Mallal, Simon; Nolan, David

2012-11-01

In Australia, temporary visa holders are ineligible for Medicare and subsidised antiretroviral drugs. Additionally, HIV testing is not mandatory for visas unless applicants seek work in the health sector. We sought to understand the impact of HIV and issues of access and adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) in people holding temporary visas and permanent residents. Data were gathered from interviews with 22 participants. Information concerning medication adherence, side effects, CD4 T-cell count, viral load and rate of response to generic drugs were collected. The mean age was 33.4 years (±s.d.=6.0), 21 out of 22 were from HIV-prevalent areas in East Africa and Asia, 14 out of 22 were on temporary visas, 12 were ineligible for Medicare, 14 out of 22 were diagnosed during health screening, 19 out of 22 risk exposures were in country of origin, 8 out of 17 were taking generic ART at an average cost of $180 per month, adherence was excellent and self-reported side-effects were relatively infrequent. Participants applying for visa continuations and permanent residency were fearful, believing their HIV serostatus would prejudice their applications. Patients cited belief in ART efficacy, were motivated to maintain therapy and were anxious about lack of access to treatment in their countries of origin. Adherence to antiretroviral drugs in Medicare-ineligible HIV-infected individuals is excellent despite limited access to treatment. The threat of visa non-renewal and the likely failure of applications for permanent residency result in considerable anxiety and confidentiality concerns.

Targeted Expression of miR-34a Using the T-VISA System Suppresses Breast Cancer Cell Growth and Invasion

PubMed Central

Li, Laisheng; Xie, Xinhua; Luo, Jinmei; Liu, Min; Xi, Shaoyan; Guo, Jiaoli; Kong, Yanan; Wu, Minqing; Gao, Jie; Xie, Zeming; Tang, Jun; Wang, Xi; Wei, Weidong; Yang, Mingtian; Hung, Mien-Chie; Xie, Xiaoming

2012-01-01

Recurrence and metastasis result in a poor prognosis for breast cancer patients. Recent studies have demonstrated that microRNAs (miRNAs) play vital roles in the development and metastasis of breast cancer. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic potential of miR-34a in breast cancer. We found that miR-34a is downregulated in breast cancer cell lines and tissues, compared with normal cell lines and the adjacent nontumor tissues, respectively. To explore the therapeutic potential of miR-34a, we designed a targeted miR-34a expression plasmid (T-VISA-miR-34a) using the T-VISA system, and evaluated its antitumor effects, efficacy, mechanism of action, and systemic toxicity. T-VISA-miR-34a induced robust, persistent expression of miR-34a, and dramatically suppressed breast cancer cell growth, migration, and invasion in vitro by downregulating the protein expression levels of the miR-34a target genes E2F3, CD44, and SIRT1. In an orthotopic mouse model of breast cancer, intravenous injection of T-VISA-miR-34a:liposomal complex nanoparticles significantly inhibited tumor growth, prolonged survival, and did not induce systemic toxicity. In conclusion, T-VISA-miR-34a lead to robust, specific overexpression of miR-34a in breast cancer cells and induced potent antitumor effects in vitro and in vivo. T-VISA-miR-34a may provide a potentially useful, specific, and safe-targeted therapeutic approach for breast cancer. PMID:23032974

Visa refusal following compulsory hospital admission under the Mental Health Act 1983 (England and Wales): fact or fiction?

PubMed

Ashmore, R

2015-08-01

Historically, compulsory hospital admission led to discrimination for service users. For example, until recently detention under the Mental Health Act 1983 (England and Wales) would disqualify a person from being a Member of Parliament. There is a belief among mental health professionals that compulsory hospital admission will result in service users being refused a tourist visa. However, there is a paucity of literature on this topic, particularly from an international perspective. Based on the information reviewed in this study, there is no evidence to support this belief. Of 262 travel destinations, 96 (36.6%) require British citizens to obtain a tourist visa. Six (2.3%) destinations require applicants to declare a mental health condition in order to obtain a tourist visa. None of these destinations ask applicants to declare a history of compulsory hospital admission. However, the possibility exists that anyone declaring a mental health problem may be asked to provide further information about their condition before a visa is granted. Mental health nurses require education to ensure that their knowledge of mental health legislation is up to date. This education should include information on the potential consequences of compulsory hospital admission for the service user's social life following discharge. Service users and their families should be provided with written information on the potential social impact of detention along with a list of organizations that can provide advice on specific issues. This study sought to establish whether a history of compulsory hospital admission prevented a person from obtaining a tourist visa. A visa application form and/or other relevant information were obtained for 262 travel destinations visited by British citizens. Ninety-six (36.6%) destinations require British citizens to obtain a tourist visa. All visas are issued subject to travellers meeting a number of conditions, for example being in possession of travel insurance

BRAC in Afghanistan: Building South-South Partnerships in Teacher Training

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Islam, Mir Nazmul; Anwar, Arif

2012-01-01

Training paraprofessionals such as teachers is one of many significant challenges facing Afghanistan's educational system. This case study focuses on the innovations offered in that regard by BRAC, a large NGO based in Bangladesh that brought its many years of development experience to Afghanistan in 2002 and established itself there as the…

A report on the first case of vancomycin-intermediate Staphylococcus aureus (VISA) in Hawai'i.

PubMed

Chaiwongkarjohn, Suttirak; Pramyothin, Pornpoj; Suwantarat, Nuntra; Bankowski, Matthew J; Koyamatsu, Terrie; Seifried, Steven E; Bello, Erlaine F

2011-11-01

The state of Hawai'i has the highest prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection in the United States. Since vancomycin is the most frequently-prescribed antibiotic for healthcare-associated MRSA infection, there is concern for development of vancomycin resistance. We report on a 61 year-old woman with history of previous successful treatments of MRSA bacteremia with vancomycin. She was later hospitalized for catheter-related MRSA bacteremia that persisted despite vancomycin treatment. The vancomycin minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was initially 1-2 µg/ml, suggesting susceptibility, but changed to 4 µg/ml. At this level, the organism was classified as a vancomycin-intermediate Staphylococcus aureus (VISA). Therapy was changed from vancomycin to daptomycin, and the patient's blood cultures were sterilized. High suspicion of VISA should be raised in MRSA-infected patients who fail or have a history of vancomycin therapy so that additional susceptibility testing and appropriate antibiotic therapy can be promptly commenced to reduce the morbidity associated with VISA infection.

48 CFR 252.225-7024 - Requirement for products or services from Iraq or Afghanistan.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... or services from Iraq or Afghanistan. 252.225-7024 Section 252.225-7024 Federal Acquisition... products or services from Iraq or Afghanistan. As prescribed in 225.7703-5(b), use the following clause: Requirement for Products or Services From Iraq or Afghanistan (SEP 2008) (a) Definitions. As used in this...

Preliminary Mineral Resource Assessment of Selected Mineral Deposit Types in Afghanistan

USGS Publications Warehouse

Ludington, Steve; Orris, Greta J.; Bolm, Karen S.; Peters, Stephen G.; ,

2007-01-01

INTRODUCTION Wise decision-making and management of natural resources depend upon credible and reliable scientific information about the occurrence, distribution, quantity and quality of a country's resource base. Economic development decisions by governments require such information to be part of a Mineral Resource Assessment. Such Mineral Assessments are also useful to private citizens and international investors, consultants, and companies prior to entry and investment in a country. Assessments can also be used to help evaluate the economic risks and impact on the natural environment associated with development of resources. In February 2002, at the request of the Department of State and the then U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan (Robert P. Finn), the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) prepared a detailed proposal addressing natural resources issues critical to the reconstruction of Afghanistan. The proposal was refined and updated in December 2003 and was presented as a 5-year work plan to USAID-Kabul in February 2004. USAID-Kabul currently funds this plan and this report presents a part of the preliminary results obligated for fiscal year 2006. A final Preliminary Assessment of the Non Fuel Mineral Resource of Afghanistan will be completed and delivered at the end of fiscal year 2007. Afghanistan has abundant metallic and non-metallic resources, but the potential resources have never been systematically assessed using modern methods. Much of the existing mineral information for Afghanistan was gathered during the 1950s and continued in the late 1980s until the departure of the geologic advisors from the Soviet Union. During this period, there were many mineral-related activities centered on systematic geologic mapping of the country, collection of geochemical and rock samples, implementation of airborne geophysical surveys, and exploration focused on the discovery of large mineral deposits. Many reports, maps, charts, and tables were produced at that time. Some of

A User-Friendly, Keyword-Searchable Database of Geoscientific References Through 2007 for Afghanistan

USGS Publications Warehouse

Eppinger, Robert G.; Sipeki, Julianna; Scofield, M.L. Sco

2008-01-01

This report includes a document and accompanying Microsoft Access 2003 database of geoscientific references for the country of Afghanistan. The reference compilation is part of a larger joint study of Afghanistan?s energy, mineral, and water resources, and geologic hazards currently underway by the U.S. Geological Survey, the British Geological Survey, and the Afghanistan Geological Survey. The database includes both published (n = 2,489) and unpublished (n = 176) references compiled through calendar year 2007. The references comprise two separate tables in the Access database. The reference database includes a user-friendly, keyword-searchable interface and only minimum knowledge of the use of Microsoft Access is required.

When Opportunity Only Knocks Once: Lessons From Gen Petraeus In Iraq And Afghanistan

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-03-01

Afghanistan because of the unfavorable contextual elements including the lack of both popular and political support at home and abroad, the tribal...decades-long, war ravaged land in Afghanistan. Different contextual environments and battlefield elements can stymie a war effort of an otherwise...37th Commandant of the U.S.M.C. GEN David Petraeus’ counterinsurgency (COIN) efforts failed in Afghanistan because of the unfavorable contextual

31 CFR 545.407 - Services performed in the territory of Afghanistan controlled by the Taliban.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... of Afghanistan controlled by the Taliban. 545.407 Section 545.407 Money and Finance: Treasury... TREASURY TALIBAN (AFGHANISTAN) SANCTIONS REGULATIONS Interpretations § 545.407 Services performed in the territory of Afghanistan controlled by the Taliban. The prohibitions on transactions involving blocked...

White House Unveils America's College Promise Proposal: Tuition-Free Community College for Responsible Students. Fact Sheet

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

The White House, 2015

2015-01-01

In January, 2015, the President unveiled the America's College Promise proposal, which would make two years of community college free for responsible students, letting students earn the first half of a bachelor's degree and earn skills needed in the workforce at no cost. This proposal will require everyone to do their part: community colleges must…

Afghanistan.

PubMed

1983-05-01

In this discussion of Afghanistan, attention focuses on: the history of the country's demographic situation; the government's overall approach to population problems; population data systems and development planning; institutional arrangements for the integration of population within development objectives; population size, growth, and natural increase; morbidity and mortality; fertility; international migration; and spatial distribution. Only recently has there been a population census in the country; consequently, there has been relatively little reliable demographic information available, especially in a historical context. Afghanistan's total population was officially estimated at nearly 16 million in late 1967. According to UN estimates, the population totaled 8.3 million in 1960 and increased to 9.8 and 12.3 million in the following 2 decades to over 14 million by 1975. The rate of population growth, as estimated by the UN, is reported to have increased from 1.6% during 1950-55 to 2.4% by the following decade, reaching 2.9% during 1970-75. The crude birthrate declined slightly from 50.4 births/1000 during 1950-55 to 49.2 during 1970-75. The crude death rate declined from 34.6/1000 to 23.4 deaths/1000 during the same period. Although the rate of population growth is considered to be fairly high, the government does not perceive this as presenting a population problem for the country as a whole since the overall population density is relatively low (approximately 20 persons per square kilometer). A national statistical information system has been developed in Afghanistan over the past decades. The government has no explicit population policy, and a clear association between population and development issues has not been expressed. Policies in the area of population distribution indicate the government's concern with settlement and resettlement of certain segments of the population in connection with the overall economic and social development of sparsely

Sustainable Construction in Afghanistan

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-09-01

structures. 114 Conrad Schetter, “Ethnoscapes, National Territorialisation , and the Afghan War...Ethnoscapes, National Territorialisation , and the Afghan War,” 63. 117 Szabo, Barfield, and Sekler, Afghanistan: An Atlas of Indigenous Domestic...2004. Schetter, Conrad. “Ethnoscapes, National Territorialisation , and the Afghan War.” Geopolitics 10, no. 1 (2005): 64. Schwartz, Moshe

Remote Sensing for Food Security Monitoring in Afghanistan

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brown, Molly E.

2008-01-01

Two decades of war have severely weakened Afghanistan s economy and infrastructure. Along with larger impacts on civil stability, education and health care, the current conflict in Afghanistan has resulted in widespread hunger and destitution. The 2005 National Risk and Vulnerability Assessment conducted by the United Nations found that 6.6 million Afghans do not meet their minimum food requirements and approximately 400,000 people each year are seriously affected by natural disasters, such as droughts, floods and extreme weather conditions. Given the poor security situation in the country, systems that will enable remote observations of variations of climate and their impacts on food production are critical for providing an appropriate and timely response. This chapter describes the remote sensing systems and food security analyses that the US Agency for International Development s Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) conducts in Afghanistan to monitor and provide information to international donors to ensure that adequate assistance is provided during this time of development and recovery.

Progress toward poliomyelitis eradication - Afghanistan and Pakistan, January 2011-August 2012.

PubMed

2012-10-05

In 1988, the World Health Assembly resolved to eradicate polio, which led to the establishment of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI). In 2012, however, the transmission of indigenous wild poliovirus (WPV) continued uninterrupted in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Nigeria, leading the World Health Assembly to declare completion of polio eradication a programmatic emergency for global public health. This report updates previous reports and describes polio eradication activities and progress in Afghanistan and Pakistan during January 2011-August 2012, as of September 9, 2012. During 2011, 80 WPV cases were confirmed in Afghanistan, compared with 25 WPV cases in 2010; 17 WPV cases were confirmed during January-August 2012, compared with 34 WPV cases for the same period in 2011. In Pakistan, 198 WPV cases were confirmed in 2011, compared with 144 WPV cases in 2010; 30 WPV cases were confirmed during January-August 2012, compared with 88 WPV cases during the same period in 2011. During January 2011-August 2012, no WPV type 3 (WPV3) cases were confirmed in Afghanistan, and four confirmed WPV3 cases and one case with coinfection of WPV3 and WPV type 1 (WPV1) were reported in Pakistan. Violence targeting vaccinators has occurred previously in Afghanistan and recently in Pakistan. To progress further toward interruption of WPV transmission within their countries and across their shared border, the governments of Afghanistan and Pakistan might consider reviewing the implementation of their national emergency action plans and determine how to enhance the safety of vaccination teams within conflict-affected areas of both countries.

WDR5 is essential for assembly of the VISA-associated signaling complex and virus-triggered IRF3 and NF-kappaB activation.

PubMed

Wang, Yan-Yi; Liu, Li-Juan; Zhong, Bo; Liu, Tian-Tian; Li, Ying; Yang, Yan; Ran, Yong; Li, Shu; Tien, Po; Shu, Hong-Bing

2010-01-12

Viral infection causes activation of the transcription factors NF-kappaB and IRF3, which collaborate to induce type I interferons (IFNs) and cellular antiviral response. The mitochondrial outer membrane protein VISA acts as a critical adapter for assembling a virus-induced complex that signals NF-kappaB and IRF3 activation. Using a biochemical purification approach, we identified the WD repeat protein WDR5 as a VISA-associated protein. WDR5 was recruited to VISA in a viral infection dependent manner. Viral infection also caused translocation of WDR5 from the nucleus to mitochondria. Knockdown of WDR5 impaired the formation of virus-induced VISA-associated complex. Consistently, knockdown of WDR5 inhibited virus-triggered activation of IRF3 and NF-kappaB as well as transcription of the IFNB1 gene. These findings suggest that WDR5 is essential in assembling a virus-induced VISA-associated complex and plays an important role in virus-triggered induction of type I IFNs.

Technology, FID, and Afghanistan: A Model for Aviation Capacity

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-04-05

Force. Through case study, it analyzes how FID definitions and goals eroded under political pressure. Following this, Afghanistan is used to show...national aviation technology capacity, where these nations are weak, and which societal strengths to leverage. Case studies demonstrate how it can be...the other way around. In the case of Afghanistan, the U.S. Air Force (USAF) attempted to cultivate advanced aviation capabilities within a low

Intermediate-type vancomycin resistance (VISA) in genetically-distinct Staphylococcus aureus isolates is linked to specific, reversible metabolic alterations.

PubMed

Alexander, Elizabeth L; Gardete, Susana; Bar, Haim Y; Wells, Martin T; Tomasz, Alexander; Rhee, Kyu Y

2014-01-01

Intermediate (VISA-type) vancomycin resistance in Staphylococcus aureus has been associated with a range of physiologic and genetic alterations. Previous work described the emergence of VISA-type resistance in two clonally-distinct series of isolates. In both series (the first belonging to MRSA clone ST8-USA300, and the second to ST5-USA100), resistance was conferred by a single mutation in yvqF (a negative regulator of the vraSR two-component system associated with vancomycin resistance). In the USA300 series, resistance was reversed by a secondary mutation in vraSR. In this study, we combined systems-level metabolomic profiling with statistical modeling techniques to discover specific, reversible metabolic alterations associated with the VISA phenotype.

Keeping the Promise

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Whissemore, Tabitha

2016-01-01

Since its launch in September 2015, Heads Up America has collected information on nearly 125 promise programs across the country, many of which were instituted long before President Barack Obama announced the America's College Promise (ACP) plan in 2015. At least 27 new free community college programs have launched in states, communities, and at…

Enhancing the European Union’s Development Strategy in Afghanistan

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-06-01

REE Rare Earth Element SCA Swedish Committee for Afghanistan SIDA Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency SIGAR Special Inspector...member states such as Ireland’s Development Cooperation Ireland (DCI), Sweden’s Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency ( SIDA ), and the...Command and General Staff College, June 2008.) 71. 142 Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, “Afghanistan Sida Country Report 2005

Why Is Afghanistan Important?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Salter, Cathy

2010-01-01

As a former Peace Corps volunteer, avid traveler, classroom geography teacher, and writer, the author has been interested in Afghanistan for decades. Sparked by her own travel experiences in Kabul in February 1970, she made certain that her ninth grade World History/Geography students in south Central Los Angeles not only knew where Afghanistan…

Calibrated Landsat ETM+ nonthermal-band image mosaics of Afghanistan

USGS Publications Warehouse

Davis, Philip A.

2006-01-01

In 2005, the U.S. Agency for International Development and the U.S. Trade and Development Agency contracted with the U.S. Geological Survey to perform assessments of the natural resources within Afghanistan. The assessments concentrate on the resources that are related to the economic development of that country. Therefore, assessments were initiated in oil and gas, coal, mineral resources, water resources, and earthquake hazards. All of these assessments require geologic, structural, and topographic information throughout the country at a finer scale and better accuracy than that provided by the existing maps, which were published in the 1970s by the Russians and Germans. The very rugged terrain in Afghanistan, the large scale of these assessments, and the terrorist threat in Afghanistan indicated that the best approach to provide the preliminary assessments was to use remotely sensed, satellite image data, although this may also apply to subsequent phases of the assessments. Therefore, the first step in the assessment process was to produce satellite image mosaics of Afghanistan that would be useful for these assessments. This report discusses the production and characteristics of the fundamental satellite image databases produced for these assessments, which are calibrated image mosaics of all six Landsat nonthermal (reflected) bands.

Success in reducing maternal and child mortality in Afghanistan.

PubMed

Rasooly, Mohammad Hafiz; Govindasamy, Pav; Aqil, Anwer; Rutstein, Shea; Arnold, Fred; Noormal, Bashiruddin; Way, Ann; Brock, Susan; Shadoul, Ahmed

2014-01-01

After the collapse of the Taliban regime in 2002, Afghanistan adopted a new development path and billions of dollars were invested in rebuilding the country's economy and health systems with the help of donors. These investments have led to substantial improvements in maternal and child health in recent years and ultimately to a decrease in maternal and child mortality. The 2010 Afghanistan Mortality Survey (AMS) provides important new information on the levels and trends in these indicators. The AMS estimated that there are 327 maternal deaths for every 100,000 live births (95% confidence interval = 260-394) and 97 deaths before the age of five years for every 1000 children born. Decreases in these mortality rates are consistent with changes in key determinants of mortality, including an increasing age at marriage, higher contraceptive use, lower fertility, better immunisation coverage, improvements in the percentage of women delivering in health facilities and receiving antenatal and postnatal care, involvement of community health workers and increasing access to the Basic Package of Health Services. Despite the impressive gains in these areas, many challenges remain. Further improvements in health services in Afghanistan will require sustained efforts on the part of both the Government of Afghanistan and international donors.

31 CFR 545.311 - Territory of Afghanistan controlled by the Taliban.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 31 Money and Finance: Treasury 3 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Territory of Afghanistan controlled by the Taliban. 545.311 Section 545.311 Money and Finance: Treasury Regulations Relating to Money and Finance (Continued) OFFICE OF FOREIGN ASSETS CONTROL, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY TALIBAN (AFGHANISTAN...

Assessment of bauxite, clay, and laterite deposits in Afghanistan

USGS Publications Warehouse

Renaud, Karine M.; Wardlaw, Bruce R.; Hubbard, Bernard E.

2015-01-01

Although some bauxite occurrences were sampled in the course of reconnaissance exploration by Soviet workers in the 1960s and 1970s, the bauxite areas in Afghanistan generally are underexplored. The Obatu Sheila area is a known field of bauxite deposits of Late Jurassic age that had been studied in more detail than other known bauxite deposits and occurrences in Afghanistan. Obatu Sheila has an estimated reserve of 7.2 million tons.

A Microgrant Supported Poppy Cultivation Renouncement Program for Afghanistan

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-02-17

the program will reduce the amount of opium produced. 2 History of Afghanistan Opium Production Poppy and opium have long played a role in Afghanistan’s...make enough money from growing wheat, saffron , or traditional farm crops to replace the income made from growing poppy. Farming education and attempts at...must run the program in order to build credibility for the government. History has shown that the population of Afghanistan does not support foreign

Airborne Gravity Survey and Ground Gravity in Afghanistan: A Website for Distribution of Data

USGS Publications Warehouse

Abraham, Jared D.; Anderson, Eric D.; Drenth, Benjamin J.; Finn, Carol A.; Kucks, Robert P.; Lindsay, Charles R.; Phillips, Jeffrey D.; Sweeney, Ronald E.

2008-01-01

Afghanistan?s geologic setting suggests significant natural resource potential. Although important mineral deposits and petroleum resources have been identified, much of the country?s potential remains unknown. Airborne geophysical surveys are a well- accepted and cost-effective method for remotely obtaining information of the geological setting of an area. A regional airborne geophysical survey was proposed due to the security situation and the large areas of Afghanistan that have not been covered using geophysical exploration methods. Acting upon the request of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Ministry of Mines, the U.S. Geological Survey contracted with the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory to jointly conduct an airborne geophysical and remote sensing survey of Afghanistan. Data collected during this survey will provide basic information for mineral and petroleum exploration studies that are important for the economic development of Afghanistan. Additionally, use of these data is broadly applicable in the assessment of water resources and natural hazards, the inventory and planning of civil infrastructure and agricultural resources, and the construction of detailed maps. The U.S. Geological Survey is currently working in cooperation with the U.S. Agency of International Development to conduct resource assessments of the country of Afghanistan for mineral, energy, coal, and water resources, and to assess geologic hazards. These geophysical and remote sensing data will be used directly in the resource and hazard assessments.

Pakistan and Afghanistan Librarianship.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Harvey, John F.

In March and April 1968, the author was a guest of the U.S. Information Service on a two week trip to Pakistan and Afghanistan. During this stay, 30 libraries in five cities were visited. This paper describes this trip and relates the library happenings in these countries. It was obvious that Pakistan librarianship had advanced beyond the…

PEO EIS Delivers Information Dominance to Soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-01-01

PEO EIS Delivers Information Dominance to Soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan Jill Finnie In the business world, it is common knowledge that superior...COVERED 00-00-2009 to 00-00-2009 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE PEO EIS Delivers Information Dominance to Soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan 5a. CONTRACT

75 FR 15991 - Designation of Greece for the Visa Waiver Program

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-03-31

... of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of State, designated Greece as a country... Security, Office of Policy, (202) 282-8732. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background A. The Visa Waiver... of Homeland Security (the Secretary), in consultation with the Secretary of State, may designate...

Civil Military Operations: Afghanistan. Observations on Civil Military Operations During the First Year of Operation Enduring Freedom

DTIC Science & Technology

2004-03-23

operations, and security. • Provide fi scal fl exibility for commanders. Commanders should be free to use O& M monies, conduct MEDCAP and pay claims when...contingencies. Doctrinally, the AC Civil Affairs component provides the initial ( M Day) “generalist” capability, while the RC provides the “functional” CA...expertise at M +30 to 60 days. However, the situation in Afghanistan demanded early RC expertise. Partial mobilizations had to be done to obtain key

48 CFR 252.225-7026 - Acquisition Restricted to Products or Services from Iraq or Afghanistan.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... Products or Services from Iraq or Afghanistan. 252.225-7026 Section 252.225-7026 Federal Acquisition... to Products or Services from Iraq or Afghanistan. As prescribed in 225.7703-5(c), use the following clause: Acquisition Restricted to Products or Services From Iraq or Afghanistan (APR 2010) (a...

Importation of malaria into the USSR from Afghanistan, 1981-89.

PubMed Central

Sergiev, V. P.; Baranova, A. M.; Orlov, V. S.; Mihajlov, L. G.; Kouznetsov, R. L.; Neujmin, N. I.; Arsenieva, L. P.; Shahova, M. A.; Glagoleva, L. A.; Osipova, M. M.

1993-01-01

Between 1981 and 1989, a total of 7683 cases of Plasmodium vivax [corrected] malaria were imported into the USSR from Afghanistan, mainly by demobilized military personnel. For 23.8% of these cases the clinical manifestations appeared within a month of returning to the USSR, for 22.5% after 1-3 months, for 20% after 4-6 months, for 2% after > 1 year, and for 0.6% after > 2 years. For 13 patients the clinical manifestations of malaria appeared 3 years after returning from Afghanistan (up to 38 months). Nearly 69% of the patients did not take malaria prophylaxis at all while they were in Afghanistan, and 19% took chloroquine irregularly. Only 12.5% of the patients received a full course of prophylactic treatment with primaquine before leaving Afghanistan. A total of 56% of the cases were detected during the period most favourable for malaria transmission in the USSR (May-September) and of these, half were imported into formerly malarious areas of the country. Activation of a surveillance system greatly reduced the consequences of the massive importation of malaria, to which the local vectors were susceptible. PMID:8324858

New and little-known species of the genus Lacon Laporte, 1838 (Coleoptera: Elateridae) of Afghanistan and adjacent countries.

PubMed

Prosvirov, Alexander S

2016-09-15

Two new species of the genus Lacon Laporte, 1838 are described: L. elegantissimus sp. nov. (Afghanistan, India) and L. kabakovi sp. nov. (Afghanistan). L. caeruleus Schimmel, 1998 is recorded for the first time in Afghanistan, presence of L. funebris (Solsky, 1881) in Afghanistan is confirmed. In addition, some taxonomic and morphological notes on the Lacon species of Afghanistan and adjacent countries are given.

77 FR 64409 - Designation of Taiwan for the Visa Waiver Program

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-10-22

... and passport holders from designated Visa Waiver Program countries \\1\\ may apply for admission to the... for nationals of the country; (2) a government certification that it issues machine-readable passports... about the theft or loss of passports; (5) the government acceptance for repatriation any citizen, former...

Structural violence in Afghanistan: gendered memory, narratives, and food.

PubMed

Dossa, Parin

2013-01-01

Afghanistan has been subject to political amnesia by the occupying powers of the United States and its North Atlantic Treaty Organization allies. Using the Taliban as a reference point, they have ensured that they are not implicated in the everyday and structural violence to which the people of Afghanistan have been subject over the past three decades. But Afghan women remember. Based on my ethnographic research in Kabul (in fall 2008 and 2009), I show how women in Afghanistan engage in memory work through narratives and food preparation within spaces of devastation. I argue that through these mediums, structural violence becomes knowable. I also argue that memory work is a politicized enterprise through which people remember to seek justice, in the process evoking the attention of a listening audience. This focus fosters a conversation on how the anthropology of violence can engage with issues of representation and engaged accountability.

Glacier Change Detection in the Hindu Kush of Afghanistan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shroder, J. F.; Bishop, M. P.

2004-12-01

A half century of intermittently collected cryospheric and hydrologic data in Afghanistan has involved diverse field surveys, aerial photography, and satellite imagery that enable change detection in the war-torn, drought-stricken region. Afghanistan relies heavily upon snow-and ice-melt for vital irrigation and ground-water recharge, yet the past two decades of war have only exacerbated the originally already deficient information collection and analysis of such data. Glacier field studies and base-line inventory work initiated in the pre-war 1960-1970 period are now providing limited change detection information for the vital physical analysis necessary in the reconstruction of the country. Five case study areas were selected for renewed assessment over the intervening half century, from the western-most ice masses of the Koh-i-Foladi region in central Afghanistan, through the Mir Samir and Sakhi regions of the central Hindu Kush, to the Keshnikhan and Pamir areas of the Wakhan Corridor. Certain incompatibilities or ambiguities exist between Soviet-era and Western-derived data sets. In general, however, glaciers of Afghanistan are continuing to downwaste and retreat, with smaller ice masses disappearing altogether, presumably as the climatic snowline continues to rise above the peaks, a trend first noticed in the 1960s. Glacier survival in the lower central areas is now in part determined by topographic shielding from solar radiation high in shadowed cirques, or being preserved beneath increasing debris covers, whereas in the higher regions to the northeast, fewer changes to the larger, higher altitude glaciers are apparent. Renewed assessment of all Afghanistan glaciers is now underway as a part of the USGS- and NASA-supported GLIMS (Global Land-Ice Measurements from Space) project, and is viewed as an important element in the primary geodata collection and hazard assessment necessary for aiding in rebuilding the infrastructure of the beleaguered nation.

Progress toward poliomyelitis eradication - Afghanistan and Pakistan, 2009.

PubMed

2010-03-12

Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, and Nigeria are the four remaining countries where indigenous wild poliovirus (WPV) transmission has never been interrupted. This report updates previous reports and describes polio eradication activities in Afghanistan and Pakistan during January-December 2009 and proposed activities in 2010 to address challenges. During 2009, both countries continued to conduct coordinated supplemental immunization activities (SIAs) and used multiple strategies to reach previously unreached children. These strategies included 1) use of short interval additional dose (SIAD) SIAs to administer a dose of oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV) within 1-2 weeks after a prior dose during negotiated periods of security; 2) systematic engagement of local leaders; 3) negotiations with conflict parties; and 4) increased engagement of nongovernmental organizations delivering basic health services. However, security problems continued to limit access by vaccination teams to large numbers of children. In Afghanistan, poliovirus transmission during 2009 predominantly occurred in 12 high-risk districts in the conflict-affected South Region; 38 WPV cases were confirmed in 2009, compared with 31 in 2008. In Pakistan, 89 WPV cases were confirmed in 2009, compared with 118 in 2008, but transmission persisted both in security-compromised areas and in accessible areas, where managerial and operational problems continued to affect immunization coverage. Continued efforts to enhance safe access of vaccination teams in insecure areas will be required for further progress toward interruption of WPV transmission in Afghanistan and Pakistan. In addition, substantial improvements in subnational accountability and oversight are needed to improve immunization activities in Pakistan.

Strengthening Environmental Engineering Education in Afghanistan through Cooperating Military Academies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Christ, J. A.; Mahbob, M.; Seely, G. E.; Ressler, S. J.

2007-12-01

Many developing countries suffer from substandard employment of environmental engineering and science principles, which leads to poor management of natural and cultural resources, increased public health concerns, and limitations on economic investment and growth. Thus, prior to the implementation of well-intentioned programs designed to promote development, methods for sustaining basic needs, which are the focus of most environmental engineering disciplines, must be designed into the social fabric of the developing culture. Education is a promising method for fostering this development across cultures. Recently, the US Air Force Academy (USAFA) partnered with the US Military Academy (USMA) to implement a Civil Engineering Program at the National Military Academy of Afghanistan (NMAA), Kabul, Afghanistan. This work will outline the process followed during course development, deployment, and implementation, paying particular attention to challenges and benefits at each stage in the process. This cooperation may serve as a model for future implementation of science, technology, engineering and mathematics education programs in developing countries. Consistent with US Civil Engineering programs, the NMAA Civil Engineering program introduces students to a broad range of introductory-level civil engineering subjects--environmental, hydraulic, geotechnical, structural, construction, and transportation engineering. Basic environmental engineering and science principles are addressed through the implementation of an introductory environmental engineering course. Course development followed a three-stage process: (1) course development by US faculty at their home institution, (2) imbedding of US Faculty at the NMAA, and (3) implementation of the course within the NMAA Civil Engineering curriculum using adjunct Afghan faculty hired from Kabul University. An existing environmental engineering course taught at USAFA was used as a model for course development. Although this

Staphylococcus aureus colonization of healthy military service members in the United States and Afghanistan.

PubMed

Vento, Todd J; Calvano, Tatjana P; Cole, David W; Mende, Katrin; Rini, Elizabeth A; Tully, Charla C; Landrum, Michael L; Zera, Wendy; Guymon, Charles H; Yu, Xin; Beckius, Miriam L; Cheatle, Kristelle A; Murray, Clinton K

2013-07-16

Staphylococcus aureus [methicillin-resistant and methicillin-susceptible (MRSA/MSSA)] is a leading cause of infections in military personnel, but there are limited data regarding baseline colonization of individuals while deployed. We conducted a pilot study to screen non-deployed and deployed healthy military service members for MRSA/MSSA colonization at various anatomic sites and assessed isolates for molecular differences. Colonization point-prevalence of 101 military personnel in the US and 100 in Afghanistan was determined by swabbing 7 anatomic sites. US-based individuals had received no antibiotics within 30 days, and Afghanistan-deployed personnel were taking doxycycline for malaria prophylaxis. Isolates underwent identification and testing for antimicrobial resistance, virulence factors, and pulsed-field type (PFT). 4 individuals in the US (4 isolates- 3 oropharynx, 1 perirectal) and 4 in Afghanistan (6 isolates- 2 oropharynx, 2 nare, 1 hand, 1 foot) were colonized with MRSA. Among US-based personnel, 3 had USA300 (1 PVL+) and 1 USA700. Among Afghanistan-based personnel, 1 had USA300 (PVL+), 1 USA800 and 2 USA1000. MSSA was present in 40 (71 isolates-25 oropharynx, 15 nare) of the US-based and 32 (65 isolates- 16 oropharynx, 24 nare) of the Afghanistan-based individuals. 56 (79%) US and 41(63%) Afghanistan-based individuals had MSSA isolates recovered from extra-nare sites. The most common MSSA PFTs were USA200 (9 isolates) in the US and USA800 (7 isolates) in Afghanistan. MRSA/MSSA isolates were susceptible to doxycycline in all but 3 personnel (1 US, 2 Afghanistan; all were MSSA isolates that carried tetM). MRSA and MSSA colonization of military personnel was not associated with deployment status or doxycycline exposure. Higher S. aureus oropharynx colonization rates were observed and may warrant changes in decolonization practices.

Staphylococcus aureus colonization of healthy military service members in the United States and Afghanistan

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background Staphylococcus aureus [methicillin-resistant and methicillin-susceptible (MRSA/MSSA)] is a leading cause of infections in military personnel, but there are limited data regarding baseline colonization of individuals while deployed. We conducted a pilot study to screen non-deployed and deployed healthy military service members for MRSA/MSSA colonization at various anatomic sites and assessed isolates for molecular differences. Methods Colonization point-prevalence of 101 military personnel in the US and 100 in Afghanistan was determined by swabbing 7 anatomic sites. US-based individuals had received no antibiotics within 30 days, and Afghanistan-deployed personnel were taking doxycycline for malaria prophylaxis. Isolates underwent identification and testing for antimicrobial resistance, virulence factors, and pulsed-field type (PFT). Results 4 individuals in the US (4 isolates- 3 oropharynx, 1 perirectal) and 4 in Afghanistan (6 isolates- 2 oropharynx, 2 nare, 1 hand, 1 foot) were colonized with MRSA. Among US-based personnel, 3 had USA300 (1 PVL+) and 1 USA700. Among Afghanistan-based personnel, 1 had USA300 (PVL+), 1 USA800 and 2 USA1000. MSSA was present in 40 (71 isolates-25 oropharynx, 15 nare) of the US-based and 32 (65 isolates- 16 oropharynx, 24 nare) of the Afghanistan-based individuals. 56 (79%) US and 41(63%) Afghanistan-based individuals had MSSA isolates recovered from extra-nare sites. The most common MSSA PFTs were USA200 (9 isolates) in the US and USA800 (7 isolates) in Afghanistan. MRSA/MSSA isolates were susceptible to doxycycline in all but 3 personnel (1 US, 2 Afghanistan; all were MSSA isolates that carried tetM). Conclusion MRSA and MSSA colonization of military personnel was not associated with deployment status or doxycycline exposure. Higher S. aureus oropharynx colonization rates were observed and may warrant changes in decolonization practices. PMID:24060181

United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan: Background and Policy Issues

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-12-14

mainly through U.N. agencies and NGOs. 6 In 2007, Afghanistan placed 174th out of 178 countries on global rankings of the Human Development Index ( HDI ...and other insurgents to reestablish control of some areas of the country have slowed the pace and extent of economic development and the expansion of...improvement throughout the country . The international recovery and reconstruction effort in Afghanistan is immense and complicated and, in coordination

Prevention of postpartum hemorrhage at home birth in Afghanistan.

PubMed

Sanghvi, Harshadkumar; Ansari, Nasratullah; Prata, Ndola J V; Gibson, Hannah; Ehsan, Aftab T; Smith, Jeffrey M

2010-03-01

To test the safety, acceptability, feasibility, and effectiveness of community-based education and distribution of misoprostol for prevention of postpartum hemorrhage at home birth in Afghanistan. A nonrandomized experimental control design in rural Afghanistan. A total of 3187 women participated: 2039 in the intervention group and 1148 in the control group. Of the 1421 women in the intervention group who took misoprostol, 100% correctly took it after birth, including 20 women with twin pregnancies. Adverse effect rates were unexpectedly lower in the intervention group than in the comparison group. Among women in the intervention group, 92% said they would use misoprostol in their next pregnancy. In the intervention area where community-based distribution of misoprostol was introduced, near-universal uterotonic coverage (92%) was achieved compared with 25% coverage in the control areas. In Afghanistan, community-based education and distribution of misoprostol is safe, acceptable, feasible, and effective. This strategy should be considered for other countries where access to skilled attendance is limited.

Strategic Review of the Student Visa Program 2011. Go8 Response

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Group of Eight (NJ1), 2011

2011-01-01

The current and first independent review of Australia's student visa program by The Honorable Michael Knight AO is a welcome indication of the Government's recognition of the importance of international education to Australian society. It represents a crucial opportunity for reform to ensure Australian education institutions can compete for the…

Evaluating the impact a proposed family planning model would have on maternal and infant mortality in Afghanistan.

PubMed

Rahmani, Ahmad Masoud; Wade, Benjamin; Riley, William

2015-01-01

This study aimed to assess the potential impact a proposed family planning model would have on reducing maternal and infant mortality in Afghanistan. Afghanistan has a high total fertility rate, high infant mortality rate, and high maternal mortality rate. Afghanistan also has tremendous socio-cultural barriers to and misconceptions about family planning services. We applied predictive statistical models to a proposed family planning model for Afghanistan to better understand the impact increased family planning can have on Afghanistan's maternal mortality rate and infant mortality rate. We further developed a sensitivity analysis that illustrates the number of maternal and infant deaths that can be averted over 5 years according to different increases in contraceptive prevalence rates. Incrementally increasing contraceptive prevalence rates in Afghanistan from 10% to 60% over the course of 5 years could prevent 11,653 maternal deaths and 317,084 infant deaths, a total of 328,737 maternal and infant deaths averted. Achieving goals in reducing maternal and infant mortality rates in Afghanistan requires a culturally relevant approach to family planning that will be supported by the population. The family planning model for Afghanistan presents such a solution and holds the potential to prevent hundreds of thousands of deaths. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Tuberculosis Among Temporary Visa Holders Working in the Tourism Industry - United States, 2012-2014.

PubMed

Weinberg, Meghan P; Cherry, Cara; Lipnitz, Julie; Nienstadt, Linus; King-Todd, April; Haddad, Maryam B; Russell, Michelle; Wong, David; Davidson, Peter; McFadden, Jevon; Miller, Corinne

2016-03-25

Tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious bacterial disease of global concern. During 2013, an estimated nine million incident TB cases occurred worldwide (1). The majority (82%) were diagnosed in 22 countries, including South Africa and the Philippines, where annual incidence was 860 TB cases per 100,000 persons and 292 TB cases per 100,000 persons, respectively (1). The 2013 TB incidence in the United States was three cases per 100,000 persons (2). Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, TB screening is required for persons seeking permanent residence in the United States (i.e., immigrants and refugees), but it is not routinely required for nonimmigrants who are issued temporary visas for school or work (3). A portion of the U.S. tourism industry relies on temporary visa holders to accommodate seasonal and fluctuating demand for service personnel (4). This report describes three foreign-born persons holding temporary visas who had infectious TB while working at tourist destinations in the United States during 2012-2014. Multiple factors, including dormitory-style housing, transient work patterns, and diagnostic delays might have contributed to increased opportunity for TB transmission. Clinicians in seasonally driven tourist destinations should be aware of the potential for imported TB disease in foreign-born seasonal workers and promptly report suspected cases to health officials.

Advanced studies at the VISA FEL in the SASE and seeded modes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Andonian, G.; Dunning, M.; Hemsing, E.; Murokh, A.; Pellegrini, C.; Reiche, S.; Rosenzweig, J.; Babzien, M.; Yakimenko, V.

2008-08-01

The VISA (Visible to Infrared SASE Amplifier) program has been in operation at the BNL ATF since the year 2000. The program has produced numerous results including, demonstrated saturation at 840 nm with a gain length of 18 cm, chirped beam amplification with the observation of anomalously large bandwidth of the emitted radiation, and successful benchmarking of a start-to-end simulation suite to measured results. This paper will review the prior results of the VISA program and discuss planned novel measurements, including detuning studies of a 1 μm seeded amplifier, and measurements of the orbital angular momentum of the emitted radiation. The installation of a dedicated chicane bunch compressor followed by an x-band linac to mitigate energy spread will allow for high-current operations (reduced saturation length, and deep-saturation studies). Other measurements, such as coherent transition undulator radiation, are also proposed.

Earth observation data for assessment of nationwide land cover and long-term deforestation in Afghanistan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sudhakar Reddy, C.; Saranya, K. R. L.

2017-08-01

This study has generated a national level spatial database of land cover and changes in forest cover of Afghanistan for the 1975-1990, 1990-2005 and 2005-2014 periods. Using these results we have analysed the annual deforestation rates, spatial changes in forests, forest types and fragmentation classes over a period of 1975 to 2014 in Afghanistan. The land cover map of 2014 provides distribution of forest (dry evergreen, moist temperate, dry temperate, pine, sub alpine) and non-forest (grassland, scrub, agriculture, wetlands, barren land, snow and settlements) in Afghanistan. The largest land cover, barren land, contributes to 56% of geographical area of country. Forest is distributed mostly in eastern Afghanistan and constitutes an area of 1.02% of geographical area in 2014. The annual deforestation rate in Afghanistan's forests for the period from 1975 to 1990 estimated as 0.06% which was declined significantly from 2005 to 2014. The predominant forest type in Afghanistan is moist temperate which shows loss of 80 km2 of area during the last four decades of the study period. At national level, the percentage of large core forest area was calculated as 52.20% in 2014.

Risking NATO: Testing the Limits of the Alliance in Afghanistan

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-01-01

Boston Globe, September 12, 2002; Glenn Kessler , “Diplomatic Gap Between U.S., Its Allies Widens,” Washington Post, September 1, 2002. 10 Secretary...partnership with Afghanistan 14 See Seth G. Jones, “The State of the Afghan Insurgency,” testimony presented before the Canadian Senate National Security...concerns about merging the NATO peacekeep- ing and U.S. combat missions in Afghanistan. See Seth G. Jones, In the Graveyard of Empires: America’s War in

Assessment of Undiscovered Petroleum Resources of Southern and Western Afghanistan, 2009

USGS Publications Warehouse

Wandrey, C.J.; Kosti, Amir Zada; Selab, Amir Mohammad; Omari, Mohammad Karim; Muty, Salam Abdul; Nakshband, Haidari Gulam; Hosine, Abdul Aminulah; Wahab, Abdul; Hamidi, Abdul Wasy; Ahmadi, Nasim; Agena, Warren F.; Charpentier, Ronald R.; Cook, Troy; Drenth, B.J.

2009-01-01

Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey--Afghanistan Ministry of Mines Joint Oil and Gas Resource Assessment Team estimated mean undiscovered resource volumes of 21.55 million barrels of oil, 44.76 billion cubic feet of non-associated natural gas, and 0.91 million barrels of natural gas liquids in the western Afghanistan Tirpul Assessment Unit (AU) (80230101).

NET-VISA, a Bayesian method next-generation automatic association software. Latest developments and operational assessment.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Le Bras, Ronan; Kushida, Noriyuki; Mialle, Pierrick; Tomuta, Elena; Arora, Nimar

2017-04-01

The Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) has been developing a Bayesian method and software to perform the key step of automatic association of seismological, hydroacoustic, and infrasound (SHI) parametric data. In our preliminary testing in the CTBTO, NET_VISA shows much better performance than its currently operating automatic association module, with a rate for automatic events matching the analyst-reviewed events increased by 10%, signifying that the percentage of missed events is lowered by 40%. Initial tests involving analysts also showed that the new software will complete the automatic bulletins of the CTBTO by adding previously missed events. Because products by the CTBTO are also widely distributed to its member States as well as throughout the seismological community, the introduction of a new technology must be carried out carefully, and the first step of operational integration is to first use NET-VISA results within the interactive analysts' software so that the analysts can check the robustness of the Bayesian approach. We report on the latest results both on the progress for automatic processing and for the initial introduction of NET-VISA results in the analyst review process

Aeromagnetic surveys in Afghanistan: An updated website for distribution of data

USGS Publications Warehouse

Shenwary, Ghulam Sakhi; Kohistany, Abdul Hakim; Hussain, Sardar; Ashan, Said; Mutty, Abdul Salam; Daud, Mohammad Ahmad; Wussow, Michael D.; Sweeney, Ronald E.; Phillips, Jeffrey D.; Lindsay, Charles R.; Kucks, Robert P.; Finn, Carol A.; Drenth, Benjamin J.; Anderson, Eric D.; Abraham, Jared D.; Liang, Robert T.; Jarvis, James L.; Gardner, Joan M.; Childers, Vicki A.; Ball, David C.; Brozena, John M.

2011-01-01

Because of its geologic setting, Afghanistan has the potential to contain substantial natural resources. Although valuable mineral deposits and petroleum resources have been identified, much of the country's potential remains unknown. Airborne geophysical surveys are a well accepted and cost effective method for obtaining information about the geological setting of an area without the need to be physically located on the ground. Owing to the current security situation and the large areas of the country that have not been evaluated by geophysical exploration methods, a regional airborne geophysical survey was proposed. Acting upon the request of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Ministry of Mines, the U.S. Geological Survey contracted with the Naval Research Laboratory to jointly conduct an airborne geophysical and remote sensing survey of Afghanistan.

Multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria colonization of healthy US military personnel in the US and Afghanistan.

PubMed

Vento, Todd J; Cole, David W; Mende, Katrin; Calvano, Tatjana P; Rini, Elizabeth A; Tully, Charla C; Zera, Wendy C; Guymon, Charles H; Yu, Xin; Cheatle, Kristelle A; Akers, Kevin S; Beckius, Miriam L; Landrum, Michael L; Murray, Clinton K

2013-02-05

The US military has seen steady increases in multidrug-resistant (MDR) gram-negative bacteria (GNB) infections in casualties from Iraq and Afghanistan. This study evaluates the prevalence of MDR GNB colonization in US military personnel. GNB colonization surveillance of healthy, asymptomatic military personnel (101 in the US and 100 in Afghanistan) was performed by swabbing 7 anatomical sites. US-based personnel had received no antibiotics within 30 days of specimen collection, and Afghanistan-based personnel were receiving doxycycline for malaria chemoprophylaxis at time of specimen collection. Isolates underwent genotypic and phenotypic characterization. The only colonizing MDR GNB recovered in both populations was Escherichia coli (p=0.01), which was seen in 2% of US-based personnel (all perirectal) and 11% of Afghanistan-based personnel (10 perirectal, 1 foot+groin). Individuals with higher off-base exposures in Afghanistan did not show a difference in overall GNB colonization or MDR E. coli colonization, compared with those with limited off-base exposures. Healthy US- and Afghanistan-based military personnel have community onset-MDR E. coli colonization, with Afghanistan-based personnel showing a 5.5-fold higher prevalence. The association of doxycycline prophylaxis or other exposures with antimicrobial resistance and increased rates of MDR E. coli colonization needs further evaluation.

Multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria colonization of healthy US military personnel in the US and Afghanistan

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background The US military has seen steady increases in multidrug-resistant (MDR) gram-negative bacteria (GNB) infections in casualties from Iraq and Afghanistan. This study evaluates the prevalence of MDR GNB colonization in US military personnel. Methods GNB colonization surveillance of healthy, asymptomatic military personnel (101 in the US and 100 in Afghanistan) was performed by swabbing 7 anatomical sites. US-based personnel had received no antibiotics within 30 days of specimen collection, and Afghanistan-based personnel were receiving doxycycline for malaria chemoprophylaxis at time of specimen collection. Isolates underwent genotypic and phenotypic characterization. Results The only colonizing MDR GNB recovered in both populations was Escherichia coli (p=0.01), which was seen in 2% of US-based personnel (all perirectal) and 11% of Afghanistan-based personnel (10 perirectal, 1 foot+groin). Individuals with higher off-base exposures in Afghanistan did not show a difference in overall GNB colonization or MDR E. coli colonization, compared with those with limited off-base exposures. Conclusion Healthy US- and Afghanistan-based military personnel have community onset-MDR E. coli colonization, with Afghanistan-based personnel showing a 5.5-fold higher prevalence. The association of doxycycline prophylaxis or other exposures with antimicrobial resistance and increased rates of MDR E. coli colonization needs further evaluation. PMID:23384348

Progress and Pain in Afghanistan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zoepf, Katherine

2006-01-01

Academics in Afghanistan, with help from abroad, are struggling to repair the damage done to the country's higher-education system by decades of occupation, civil war, and fundamentalist Taliban rule. However, sporadic foreign aid, a lack of basic resources, and overwhelming demand leave plenty of room for improvement in the otherwise remarkable…

General surgery residency after graduation from U.S. medical schools: visa-related challenges for the international citizen.

PubMed

Datta, Jashodeep; Zaydfudim, Victor; Terhune, Kyla P

2013-03-01

International-United States medical graduates (I-USMGs) are non-US citizen graduates of U.S. medical schools. Although academically equivalent to US-citizen peers, they are subject to the same visa requirements as non-US citizen international medical graduates. We hypothesized that visa sponsorship policies of general surgery programs (GSPs) may be discordant with the enrollment patterns of I-USMGs. A total of 196 GSPs participated in a telephone survey regarding visa sponsorship policies. Whereas GSPs preferred J-1 to H-1B sponsorship (64.2% vs. 32.6%), I-USMG enrollment favored programs supporting H-1B sponsorship (72.1% vs. 7.5%) (P = .01). University-affiliated programs were more likely to sponsor H1-Bs than independent programs (39.6% vs. 24.4%) (P = .03) and trained a greater proportion of I-USMGs than independent programs (40.6% vs. 14.0%) (P < .01). Restrictive policies against H-1B sponsorship may limit GSPs' I-USMG applicant pool and restrict I-USMGs' surgical training options.

Mapping irrigated areas in Afghanistan over the past decade using MODIS NDVI

USGS Publications Warehouse

Pervez, Md Shahriar; Budde, Michael; Rowland, James

2014-01-01

the severe drought conditions in those years, whereas 2009, 2012 and 2013 registered the largest irrigated area (~ 2.5 million hectares) due to record snowpack and snowmelt in the region. The model holds promise the ability to provide near-real-time (by the end of the growing seasons) estimates of irrigated area, which are beneficial for food security monitoring as well as subsequent decision making for the country. While the model is developed for Afghanistan, it can be adopted with appropriate adjustments in the derived threshold values to map irrigated areas elsewhere.

31 CFR 545.516 - Certain payments to or from the territory of Afghanistan controlled by the Taliban.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... territory of Afghanistan controlled by the Taliban. 545.516 Section 545.516 Money and Finance: Treasury... TREASURY TALIBAN (AFGHANISTAN) SANCTIONS REGULATIONS Licenses, Authorizations and Statements of Licensing Policy § 545.516 Certain payments to or from the territory of Afghanistan controlled by the Taliban. (a...

Ballistic trauma: lessons learned from iraq and afghanistan.

PubMed

Shin, Emily H; Sabino, Jennifer M; Nanos, George P; Valerio, Ian L

2015-02-01

Management of upper extremity injuries secondary to ballistic and blast trauma can lead to challenging problems for the reconstructive surgeon. Given the recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, advancements in combat-casualty care, combined with a high-volume experience in the treatment of ballistic injuries, has led to continued advancements in the treatment of the severely injured upper extremity. There are several lessons learned that are translatable to civilian trauma centers and future conflicts. In this article, the authors provide an overview of the physics of ballistic injuries and principles in the management of such injuries through experience gained from military involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Ballistic Trauma: Lessons Learned from Iraq and Afghanistan

PubMed Central

Shin, Emily H.; Sabino, Jennifer M.; Nanos, George P.; Valerio, Ian L.

2015-01-01

Management of upper extremity injuries secondary to ballistic and blast trauma can lead to challenging problems for the reconstructive surgeon. Given the recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, advancements in combat-casualty care, combined with a high-volume experience in the treatment of ballistic injuries, has led to continued advancements in the treatment of the severely injured upper extremity. There are several lessons learned that are translatable to civilian trauma centers and future conflicts. In this article, the authors provide an overview of the physics of ballistic injuries and principles in the management of such injuries through experience gained from military involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan. PMID:25685099

Lived Experiences of Diversity Visa Lottery Immigrants in the United States

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hailu, Tekleab Elos; Mendoza, Bernadette M.; Lahman, Maria K. E.; Richard, Veronica M.

2012-01-01

Every year approximately 50,000 people immigrate to the United States through the avenue referred to as the Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery. In this article, the authors present a literature review of immigration to the U.S. through the DV Lottery, reflect on their own immigration histories, and utilize phenomenology to investigate and describe…

Repatriation and the reconstruction of Afghanistan: the role of women.

PubMed

Wali, S

1994-01-01

This update on the consequences of the 14 years of war in Afghanistan and refugee repatriation points out the possible need for humanitarian intervention. The political situation is described as lacking in platform leadership and lacking in leaders' commitment to the people. The US has reduced interests in Afghanistan. The UN and other international agencies rarely mention Afghanistan and repatriation. Pakistan is exercising its self-interests in the country. Saudi Arabia is described as opposing the rising Iranian brand of religious ideology and supplying mercenaries. The formation of the Commonwealth of Independent States has reduced USSR involvement to the increasing flow of Tajik refugees into Afghanistan. Islam is described as a historically strong and positive force in the formation of social and political values. Afghani needs are described as restoration of peace, security, and self-determination and a return to the former Islamic principles and practices. A "new imported ideology packaged as religion" is viewed as detrimental. The international community is urged to commit its resources to supporting a process aimed at creating a popularly elected platform of leadership committed to democratic values and principles and with respect for human rights and equity. Successful repatriation is considered dependent on internal security and financial resources from the international community. Repatriation is hampered by the extensive land mines (estimated to be at least 23 million) scattered across the countryside. At least 75% of the over 3 million refugees in Pakistan and the 2.5 million in Iran are estimated to be women and children. 14 years of political and economic instability resulted in little social development for refugee women and children. The UN urged donations of $45.1 million for repatriation and reconstruction. Only $13.7 million were received. These small sums in foreign aid are viewed as inconsequential when compared to the estimated US military

Faust and the Padshah Sphinx: Reshaping the NATO Alliance to Win in Afghanistan

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-02-24

Afghanistan is one of the most complex environments to combat. Its history, independent tribes, diverse ethnicities (Hazaaras, Pashtuns, Uzbeks and...reporting this statistic to the CJ2. 20 This occurred at the SHAPE Afghanistan Intelligence Conference, Krakow, Poland , May 2008. 21 Anders Fogh

Groundwater levels in the Kabul Basin, Afghanistan, 2004-2013

USGS Publications Warehouse

Taher, Mohammad R.; Chornack, Michael P.; Mack, Thomas J.

2014-01-01

The Afghanistan Geological Survey, with technical assistance from the U.S. Geological Survey, established a network of wells to measure and monitor groundwater levels to assess seasonal, areal, and potentially climatic variations in groundwater characteristics in the Kabul Basin, Afghanistan, the most populous region in the country. Groundwater levels were monitored in 71 wells in the Kabul Basin, Afghanistan, starting as early as July 2004 and continuing to the present (2013). The monitoring network is made up exclusively of existing production wells; therefore, both static and dynamic water levels were recorded. Seventy wells are in unconsolidated sediments, and one well is in bedrock. Water levels were measured periodically, generally monthly, using electric tape water-level meters. Water levels in well 64 on the grounds of the Afghanistan Geological Survey building were measured more frequently. This report provides a 10-year compilation of groundwater levels in the Kabul Basin prepared in cooperation with the Afghanistan Geological Survey. Depths to water below land surface range from a minimum of 1.47 meters (m) in the Shomali subbasin to a maximum of 73.34 m in the Central Kabul subbasin. The Logar subbasin had the smallest range in depth to water below land surface (1.5 to 12.4 m), whereas the Central Kabul subbasin had the largest range (2.64 to 73.34 m). Seasonal water-level fluctuations can be estimated from the hydrographs in this report for wells that have depth-to-water measurements collected under static conditions. The seasonal water-level fluctuations range from less than 1 m to a little more than 7 m during the monitoring period. In general, the hydrographs for the Deh Sabz, Logar, Paghman and Upper Kabul, and Shomali subbasins show relatively little change in the water-level trend during the period of record, whereas hydrographs for the Central Kabul subbasin show water level decreases of several meters to about 25 m.

Search for OIE-listed ruminant mycoplasma diseases in Afghanistan.

PubMed

Bahir, W; Omar, O; Rosales, R S; Hlusek, M; Ziay, G; Schauwers, W; Whatmore, A M; Nicholas, R A J

2017-05-30

Little is known about the occurrence of important diseases of ruminants in Afghanistan because of the conflict affecting the country over the last 40 years. To address this discrepancy, ruminant herds in Afghanistan were screened for OIE-listed mycoplasma diseases, contagious bovine (CBPP) and caprine pleuropneumonias (CCPP). Of the 825 samples from 24 provinces tested for serological evidence of CBPP caused by Mycoplasma mycoides subsp.mycoides, 20 (3.4%) had ELISA values greater than the positive threshold of 50% though all were less than 55%. Repeat testing of these suspect sera gave values below 50. A smaller number of sera (330) from cattle in nine provinces were also tested by the rapid latex agglutination test (LAT) for CBPP, 10 of which were considered suspect. However, no positive bands were seen when immunoblotting was carried out on all sera that gave suspect results. Serological evidence of Mycoplasma bovis was detected in half of 28 herds in eight provinces. The cause of CCPP, M. capricolum subsp. capripneumoniae was not detected in any of the 107 nasal swabs and lung tissue collected from goats in seven provinces though sample handling and storage were not optimal. However, strong serological evidence was detected in goat herds in several villages near Kabul some of which were over 50% seropositive by LAT and ELISAs for CCPP; immunoblotting confirmed positive results on a selection of these sera. The data presented here provide a first assessment of the occurrence of the two OIE listed mycoplasma diseases in Afghanistan. From the results of the testing bovine sera from the majority of provinces there is no evidence of the presence of CBPP in Afghanistan. However the samples tested represented only 0.03% of the cattle population so a larger survey is required to confirm these findings. Serological, but not bacterial, evidence was produced during this investigation to show that CCPP is highly likely to be present in parts of Afghanistan.

CCHF virus variants in Pakistan and Afghanistan: Emerging diversity and epidemiology.

PubMed

Khurshid, Adnan; Hassan, Mukhtiar; Alam, Muhammad Masroor; Aamir, Uzma Bashir; Rehman, Lubna; Sharif, Salmaan; Shaukat, Shahzad; Rana, Muhammad Suleman; Angez, Mehar; Zaidi, Syed Sohail Zahoor

2015-06-01

Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) has been reported from more than 30 countries in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe and Middle East. The disease is considered endemic in Pakistan and neighboring countries like Iran and Afghanistan. This study aimed to explore the genetic diversity of CCHF virus (CCHFV) detected in Pakistan and Afghanistan based on analysis of partial S-segment sequences. During 2011, one hundred samples satisfying the CCHF case definition were tested by (ELISA) and RT-PCR for detection of IgM antibodies and viral RNA, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis was carried out on partial S-segment nucleotide sequences using MEGA 5.0. Out of one hundred collected during 2011, 49 (49%) were positive for CCHF either by ELISA/RT-PCR or both. The mean age of the CCHFV positive cases was 30.32 years (range 18-56 years) and overall mortality rate was 20.4%. All CCHF virus isolates from this study clustered with strains previously reported from Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan within the Asia-1 genogroup. Four distinct sub-clades were found circulating within Asia-1 genogroup. Six CCHFV strains found in Pakistan and Afghanistan grouped into a new sub-clade-D. Data from this study shows that endemic foci of CCHFV span the international border between Pakistan and Afghanistan with genetically diverse variants circulating in this region. Our findings emphasize to establish a laboratory based surveillance program and devise health policy measures to control CCHF infection especially in Baluchistan. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Summaries of important areas for mineral investment and production opportunities of nonfuel minerals in Afghanistan

USGS Publications Warehouse

Peters, Stephen G.; King, Trude V.V.; Mack, Thomas J.; Chornack, Michael P.

2011-01-01

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the U.S. Department of Defense Task Force for Business and Stability Operations (TFBSO) entered into an agreement with the Afghanistan Geological Survey to study and assess the fuel and nonfuel mineral resources of Afghanistan from October 2009 to September 2011 so that these resources could be economically extracted to expand the economy of Afghanistan. This report summarizes the results of joint studies on 24 important areas of interest (AOIs) of nonfuel mineral resources that were identified for mineral investment and production opportunities in Afghanistan. This report is supported by digital data and archival and non-USGS reports on each AOI, and these data are available from the Afghanistan Geological Survey Data Center in Kabul (http://mom.gov.af/en/ and http://www.bgs.ac.uk/afghanminerals/) and for viewing and download on the USGS public Web site and in a separate viewer at http://mapdss2.er.usgs.gov/.

Distinct Circulating Recombinant HIV-1 Strains Among Injecting Drug Users and Sex Workers in Afghanistan

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-05-01

Kabul, and Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan. This cross-sectional study conducted between September 2006 and January 2008 surveyed SWs from Kabul...nonmonetary gift of hy- giene and grooming supplies (e.g., shampoo , toothpaste), whereas IDU participants received a small nonmonetary gift of hygiene...Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC): Afghanistan Drug Use Survey 2005. Kabul, Afghanistan. 2005. 10. Sanders-Buell E, Saad MD, Abed AS, et al

Progress Toward Poliomyelitis Eradication--Afghanistan, January 2014‒August 2015.

PubMed

Mbaeyi, Chukwuma; Saatcioglu, Akif; Tangermann, Rudolf H; Hadler, Stephen; Ehrhardt, Derek

2015-10-23

Despite recent progress toward global polio eradication, endemic transmission of wild poliovirus (WPV) continues to be reported in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The Afghanistan program must overcome many challenges to remain on track toward achieving the objectives set in the 2013–2018 strategic plan of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI). Cross-border transmission of WPV type 1 (WPV1) continues to occur among children traveling to and from Pakistan. The country's routine immunization system remains weak and unable to reach recommended benchmarks in most regions; hence, the national Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI) relies mainly on providing children aged <5 years with oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV), administered during supplementary immunization activities (SIAs). Because of ongoing conflict and insecurity, some children continue to be missed during SIAs in areas not under government control; however, the majority of missed children live in accessible areas and are often unreached because of a failure to plan, implement, and supervise SIAs efficiently. This report describes polio eradication activities and progress in Afghanistan during January 2014‒August 2015 and updates previous reports. During 2014, a total of 28 WPV1 cases were reported in Afghanistan, compared with 14 cases in 2013; nine cases were reported during January‒August 2015, the same number as during the same period in 2014. To eliminate poliovirus transmission in Afghanistan, emergency operations centers (EOCs) need to be established at the national level and in critical regions without delay to improve overall coordination and oversight of polio eradication activities. The recently revised National Emergency Action Plan for polio eradication needs to be fully implemented, including detailed microplanning and enhanced monitoring and supervision of SIAs, as well as improved cross-border coordination with Pakistan.

Polio eradication initiative in Afghanistan, 1997-2013.

PubMed

Simpson, Diane M; Sadr-Azodi, Nahad; Mashal, Taufiq; Sabawoon, Wrishmeen; Pardis, Ajmal; Quddus, Arshad; Garrigos, Carmen; Guirguis, Sherine; Zahoor Zaidi, Syed Sohail; Shaukat, Shahzad; Sharif, Salmaan; Asghar, Humayan; Hadler, Stephen C

2014-11-01

This article reviews the epidemiology of polio, acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance, and the implementation of supplemental immunization activities (SIAs) in Afghanistan from 1997 thru 2013. Published reports and unpublished national data on polio cases, AFP surveillance, and SIAs were analyzed. Recommendations from independent advisory groups and Afghan government informed the conclusions. From 1997 thru 2013, the annual number of confirmed polio cases fluctuated from a low of 4 in 2004 to a high of 80 in 2011. Wild poliovirus types 2 and 3 were last reported in 1997 and 2010, respectively. Circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 emerged in 2009. AFP surveillance quality in children aged <15 years improved over time, achieving rates>8 per 100,000 population. Since 2001, at least 6 SIAs have been conducted annually. Afghanistan has made progress moving closer to eliminating polio. The program struggles to reach all children because of management and accountability problems in the field, inaccessible populations, and inadequate social mobilization. Consequently, too many children are missed during SIAs. Afghanistan adopted a national emergency action plan in 2012 to address these issues, but national elimination will require consistent and complete implementation of proven strategies. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Infectious Diseases Society of America 2014. This work is written by (a) US Government employee(s) and is in the public domain in the US.

Quality of groundwater resources in Afghanistan.

PubMed

Hayat, Ehsanullah; Baba, Alper

2017-07-01

Water is the main source of energy production and economy in Afghanistan where agriculture accounts for more than 50% of the country's gross domestic product (GDP). Access to safe drinking water is still a problem in the country, which has caused different health issues and even child mortality especially in rural areas. Groundwater is the main source of drinking water in the country. However, little knowledge is available about the quality of groundwater throughout the entire country, and its quality has not been investigated extensively yet like in other countries in the world. While most people think that consuming groundwater is a reliable and safe source of drinking water for health, the United Nations (UN) agencies report various kinds of waterborne diseases and even child mortalities due to drinking water quality in the country. In this article, significant geogenic and anthropogenic factors that play a vital role in groundwater contamination of the country are identified and explained. Different geogenic contaminations such as arsenic, fluoride, sulfate, and boron occur in several areas of Afghanistan that have a direct effect on human health. The water quality mapping for Afghanistan is completed for half of the country, which shows that groundwater is plagued by high levels of fluoride and arsenic in some areas. The water quality mapping of the other half of the country cannot be completed due to security concerns currently. Also, there are different kinds of waterborne diseases such as diarrhea, cholera, and dysentery that can be seen in different parts of the country because of anthropogenic activities which continuously deteriorate groundwater.

Pediatric inpatient humanitarian care in combat: Iraq and Afghanistan 2002 to 2012.

PubMed

Edwards, Mary J; Lustik, Michael; Burnett, Mark W; Eichelberger, Martin

2014-05-01

The purpose of this study was to define the scope of combat- and noncombat-related inpatient pediatric humanitarian care provided from 2002 to 2012 by the United States (US) Military in Iraq and Afghanistan. A review of the Patient Administration Systems and Biostatistics Activity (PASBA) database for all admissions from 2002 to 2012 by US military hospitals in Afghanistan and Iraq for children 14 years of age and younger provided data to analyze the use of medical care. North Atlantic Treaty Organization Standardization Agreement (STANAG) injury codes provided injury cause and the ICD-codes provided diagnosis. In-hospital mortality, blood usage, number of invasive procedures, and hospital stay were analyzed by country and injury category. There were 6,273 admissions that met inclusion criteria. In Afghanistan, there were more than twice as many pediatric noncombat-related admissions (2,197) as pediatric combat-related admissions (1,095). In Iraq, the difference was minimal (1,391 noncombat vs 1,590 combat). The most common cause of noncombat-related admission in both countries was injury: primarily motor vehicle related and burns, which varied significantly by age. Older patients (older than 8 years in Afghanistan and older than 4 years in Iraq) were more likely combat victims. Mortality was highest for combat trauma in Iraq (11%) and noncombat trauma in Afghanistan (8%). The in-hospital mortality in both countries was 5% for admissions unrelated to trauma. Resource use was highest for combat trauma in both countries. Noncombat-related medical care was the primary reason for pediatric humanitarian admissions to United States military combat hospitals in Iraq and Afghanistan from 2002 to 2012. Combat-related injuries have a higher mortality than noncombat injuries or other admissions. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis among expatriates subjected to medical visa screening in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

PubMed

Al Hosani, Farida I; Yahia, Ghada A

2013-03-01

All applicants for work and/or residence in Abu Dhabi are screened for tuberculosis at the time of issuing or renewing their residence visa. The purpose of this study is to assess the prevalence of TB among visa applicants and the likelihood of testing positive among different subgroups. Data from the electronic visa screening system was used for a total of 948,504 applicants screened for residence in Abu Dhabi from January to December 2010. The screening identified 4577 suspected cases of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB); 1558 people with chest X-ray findings suggestive of prior PTB; 235 smear-positives; and 132 culture-positive cases. The prevalence of active PTB was 39/100,000, with new applicants significantly more likely to test positive compared with renewals (OR: 2.05, 95% CI: 1.5-2.7, P<.001). People coming from African countries had the highest prevalence of TB compared with people from other regions (OR: 21.25, 95% CI: 6.72-67.17, P<.001). The number of active PTB cases among applicants for visa screening is still of a real concern. Without a rigorous screening system, the disease can spread to the community and hit other people. Certain subgroups were more likely to have the disease; this could provide the scientific foundation for future amendments in the screening requirements. Copyright © 2012 Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Spatial Epidemiology of Plasmodium vivax, Afghanistan

PubMed Central

Leslie, Toby; Kolaczinski, Kate; Mohsen, Engineer; Mehboob, Najeebullah; Saleheen, Sarah; Khudonazarov, Juma; Freeman, Tim; Clements, Archie; Rowland, Mark; Kolaczinski, Jan

2006-01-01

Plasmodium vivax is endemic to many areas of Afghanistan. Geographic analysis helped highlight areas of malaria risk and clarified ecologic risk factors for transmission. Remote sensing enabled development of a risk map, thereby providing a valuable tool to help guide malaria control strategies. PMID:17176583

Evaluating the Success of the Commanders Emergency Response Program in Herat Province, Afghanistan

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-12-01

Afghanistan. The thesis uses a qualitative approach, gathering information and observations from CERP projects completed in Herat Province...Province, Afghanistan. The thesis uses a qualitative approach, gathering information and observations from CERP projects completed in Herat Province...HERAT TEACHER TRAINING CENTER ...................................................................................................33  F.  SUCCESSFUL

USGS Training in Afghanistan: Modern Earthquake Hazards Assessments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Medlin, J. D.; Garthwaite, M.; Holzer, T.; McGarr, A.; Bohannon, R.; Bergen, K.; Vincent, T.

2007-05-01

Afghanistan is located in a tectonically active region where ongoing deformation has generated rugged mountainous terrain, and where large earthquakes occur frequently. These earthquakes can present a significant hazard, not only from strong ground shaking, but also from liquefaction and extensive land sliding. The magnitude 6.1 earthquake of March 25, 2002 highlighted the vulnerability of Afghanistan to such hazards, and resulted in over 1000 fatalities. The USGS has provided the first of a series of Earth Science training courses to the Afghan Geological Survey (AGS). This course was concerned with modern earthquake hazard assessments, and is an integral part of a larger USGS effort to provide a comprehensive seismic-hazard assessment for Afghanistan. Funding for these courses is provided by the US Agency for International Development Afghanistan Reconstruction Program. The particular focus of this training course, held December 2-6, 2006 in Kabul, was on providing a background in the seismological and geological methods relevant to preparing for future earthquakes. Topics included identifying active faults, modern tectonic theory, geotechnical measurements of near-surface materials, and strong-motion seismology. With this background, participants may now be expected to educate other members of the community and be actively involved in earthquake hazard assessments themselves. The December, 2006, training course was taught by four lecturers, with all lectures and slides being presented in English and translated into Dari. Copies of the lectures were provided to the students in both hardcopy and digital formats. Class participants included many of the section leaders from within the AGS who have backgrounds in geology, geophysics, and engineering. Two additional training sessions are planned for 2007, the first entitled "Modern Concepts in Geology and Mineral Resource Assessments," and the second entitled "Applied Geophysics for Mineral Resource Assessments."

Mental Health Advisory Team (MHAT) 6 -- Operation Enduring Freedom 2009 Afghanistan

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-11-06

Mental Health Advisory Team (MHAT) 6 Operation Enduring Freedom 2009 Afghanistan 6 November 2009 Office o f the Command Surgeon US Forces...Afghanistan (USFOR-A) and Office o f The Surgeon General United States Army Medical Command The results and opinions presented in this report are...United States Army, or the Office of The Surgeon General. The MHAT 6 team would like to acknowledge the active involvement and in-theater support

Afghanistan 2012 and Beyond: Clearing, Holding, and Building with Transition Teams

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-05-10

Afghan population, towards achieving those goals. However, given the time already spent in Afghanistan, the constant changes of command and rotation...messages from the White House and apathy of the Afghan government, the pressure is on commanders to expedite the COIN strategy. One problem that...prevents commanders from moving quicker towards transitioning to ANSF is that the definition of success in Afghanistan is difficult to define. In 2009

Head and neck trauma in Iraq and Afghanistan: different war, different surgery, lessons learned.

PubMed

Brennan, Joseph

2013-10-01

The objectives are to compare and contrast the head and neck trauma experience in Iraq and Afghanistan and to identify trauma lessons learned that are applicable to civilian practice. A retrospective review of one head and neck surgeon's operative experience in Iraq and Afghanistan was performed using operative logs and medical records. The surgeon's daily operative log book with patient demographic data and operative reports was reviewed. Also, patient medical records were examined to identify the preoperative and postoperative course of care. The head and neck trauma experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan were very different, with a higher percentage of emergent cases performed in Iraq. In Iraq, only 10% of patients were pretreated at a facility with surgical capabilities. In Afghanistan, 93% of patients were pretreated at such facilities. Emergent neck exploration for penetrating neck trauma and emergent airway surgery were more common in Iraq, which most likely accounted for the increased perioperative mortality also seen in Iraq (5.3% in Iraq vs. 1.3% in Afghanistan). Valuable lessons regarding soft tissue trauma repair, midface fracture repair, and mandible fracture repair were learned. The head and neck trauma experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan were very different, and the future training for mass casualty trauma events should reflect these differences. Furthermore, valuable head and neck trauma lessons learned in both war zones are applicable to the civilian practice of trauma. Level 4. Copyright © 2013 The American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society, Inc.

Governance in Afghanistan: Context and Possibilities

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-05-19

Nathaniel. Russia in Central Asia in 1889 & the Anglo-Russian Question. London: Longmans, Green , and Co., 1889. Drage, Geoffrey. Russian Affairs. New York...Richard Bentley, 1839. Gray, John Alfred. At the Court of the Amir of Afghanistan. New York: Kegan Paul, 2002. Holdich, T. Hungerford. Through Central

Cross-cultural adaptation and measurement properties of the Brazilian Portuguese Version of the Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment-Patella (VISA-P) scale.

PubMed

Wageck, Bruna Borges; de Noronha, Marcos; Lopes, Alexandre Dias; da Cunha, Ronaldo Alves; Takahashi, Ricardo Hisayoshi; Costa, Leonardo Oliveira Pena

2013-03-01

Clinical measurement. To translate, adapt, and test the measurement properties of the Brazilian Portuguese version of the Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment-Patella (VISA-P) questionnaire. It is important to objectively measure symptoms and functional limitations related to patellar tendinopathy using outcome measures that have been validated in the language of the target population. Cross-cultural adaptations are also useful to enhance the understanding of the measurement properties of an assessment tool, regardless of the target language. The VISA-P questionnaire was translated into Brazilian Portuguese, culturally adapted, and titled VISA-P Brazil. It was then administered on 2 occasions with a 24- to 48-hour interval between them, and a third time after a month of physical therapy treatment. The following measurement properties were analyzed: internal consistency, test-retest reliability, agreement, construct validity, floor and ceiling effects, and responsiveness. The VISA-P Brazil had high internal consistency (Cronbach α = .76; if item deleted, Cronbach α = .69-.78), excellent reliability and agreement (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.91; 95% confidence interval: 0.85, 0.95; standard error of measurement, 5.2 points; minimal detectable change at the 90% confidence level, 12.2 points), and good construct validity (Pearson r = 0.60 compared to Lysholm). No ceiling and floor effects were detected for the VISA-P Brazil, and the responsiveness, based on 32 patients receiving physical therapy intervention for 1 month, demonstrated a large effect size of 0.97 (95% confidence interval: 0.68, 1.25). The VISA-P Brazil is a reproducible and responsive tool and can be used in clinical practice and research to assess the severity of pain and disability of patients with patellar tendinopathy.

Preliminary interpretation of regional gravity and magnetic data over southwest Afghanistan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Drenth, B. J.; Finn, C. A.

2008-12-01

The U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, and Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Ministry of Mines and Industries conducted a regional airborne geophysical survey over much of Afghanistan during the summer of 2006. These data were merged with higher resolution existing data. The resulting gravity and magnetic data provide new clues to the subsurface geology of southwest Afghanistan that can be used to aid resource and hazard assessments of the country, as well as help unravel its tectonic history. The gravity data can be used to map basins critical for petroleum and hydrologic studies. The magnetic data can be used to infer accreted arc terranes, Precambrian crystalline basement, and regional magmatic trends of interest to mineral resource studies. The most striking observation in the gravity data is the lack of an expected large gravity low over the Helmand basin. Instead there are a few 30-60 km diameter, 10-30 mGal isostatic residual gravity lows that may be interpreted as small basins or as a southwestern extension of the large Arghandab batholith. This suggests that the oil and gas potential could be lower than previously thought. Instead, shallow crystalline basement indicated by the magnetic data suggests the possibility of a continuation of arc volcanic rocks associated with carbonatites in the central Helmand basin and copper deposits across the southern border with Pakistan. Most of Afghanistan, with the exception of Northern Afghanistan, which is part of the Eurasian plate, is composed of accreted Gondwanan terranes. The pseudo- gravity map complements the long-wavelength component of the magnetic data and appears to show these tectonic domains.

Keeping Promises

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Howell, Gregory A.

2005-01-01

Commitments are between people, not schedules. Project management as practiced today creates a "commitment-free zone," because it assumes that people will commit to centrally managed schedules without providing a mechanism to ensure their work can be done. So they give it their best, but something always seems to come up ..."I tried, but you know how it is." This form of project management does not provide a mechanism to ensure that what should be done, can in fact be done at the required moment. Too often, promises reliable promise. made in coordination meetings are conditional and unreliable. It has been my experience that at times trust can be low and hard to build in this environment. The absence of reliable promises explains why on well-run projects, people are often only completing 30-50 percent of the deliverables they d promised for the week. We all know what a promise is; we have plenty of experience making them and receiving them from others. So what s the problem? The sad fact is that the project environment-like many other work environments- is often so filled with systemic dishonesty, that we don t expect promises that are reliable. Project managers excel when they manage their projects as networks of commitments and help their people learn to elicit and make reliable promises.

Deconstructing Afghanistan: How Does America’s Past Inform Afghanistan’s Future?

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-06-01

1204, Arlington VA 22202-4302. Respondents should be aware that notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person shall be subject to a penalty for... TYPE 3. DATES COVERED 00-00-2013 to 00-00-2013 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE Deconstructing Afghanistan: How Does America’s Past Inform Afghanistan’s...SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF: 17. LIMITATION OF ABSTRACT Same as Report (SAR) 18. NUMBER OF PAGES 113 19a. NAME OF RESPONSIBLE PERSON a. REPORT

Russian Organizational Learning in the Context of the Afghanistan and Chechnya Counterinsurgencies

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-12-04

Russian Organizational Learning in the Context of the Afghanistan and Chechnya Counterinsurgencies A Monograph By MAJ Anthony M. Roh...SUBTITLE 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER Russian Organizational Learning in the Context of the Afghanistan and Chechnya Counterinsurgencies 5b...not view this as a significant challenge to their military model. Then, when presented a similar situation in Chechnya , instead of approaching the

Afghanistan from a Y-chromosome perspective.

PubMed

Lacau, Harlette; Gayden, Tenzin; Regueiro, Maria; Chennakrishnaiah, Shilpa; Bukhari, Areej; Underhill, Peter A; Garcia-Bertrand, Ralph L; Herrera, Rene J

2012-10-01

Central Asia has served as a corridor for human migrations providing trading routes since ancient times. It has functioned as a conduit connecting Europe and the Middle East with South Asia and far Eastern civilizations. Therefore, the study of populations in this region is essential for a comprehensive understanding of early human dispersal on the Eurasian continent. Although Y- chromosome distributions in Central Asia have been widely surveyed, present-day Afghanistan remains poorly characterized genetically. The present study addresses this lacuna by analyzing 190 Pathan males from Afghanistan using high-resolution Y-chromosome binary markers. In addition, haplotype diversity for its most common lineages (haplogroups R1a1a*-M198 and L3-M357) was estimated using a set of 15 Y-specific STR loci. The observed haplogroup distribution suggests some degree of genetic isolation of the northern population, likely due to the Hindu Kush mountain range separating it from the southern Afghans who have had greater contact with neighboring Pathans from Pakistan and migrations from the Indian subcontinent. Our study demonstrates genetic similarities between Pathans from Afghanistan and Pakistan, both of which are characterized by the predominance of haplogroup R1a1a*-M198 (>50%) and the sharing of the same modal haplotype. Furthermore, the high frequencies of R1a1a-M198 and the presence of G2c-M377 chromosomes in Pathans might represent phylogenetic signals from Khazars, a common link between Pathans and Ashkenazi groups, whereas the absence of E1b1b1a2-V13 lineage does not support their professed Greek ancestry.

77 FR 65245 - Privacy Act; System of Records: Visa Records, State-39

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-10-25

... appropriate, and the court has certified it needs such information in the interest of the ends of justice in a... user no longer needs access, the user's account is disabled. RETENTION AND DISPOSAL: These records will... to adjudicate visas. The system is also utilized for dealing with problems of a legal, enforcement...

Curriculum and Civil Society in Afghanistan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jones, Adele

2009-01-01

Although research has traditionally discussed the ways in which societies in conflict develop educational practices, only recently have scholars begun to examine the role of education in creating or sustaining conflict. In Afghanistan, changing regimes have had an impact on state-sanctioned curricula over the past fifty years, drastically altering…

TTLL12 Inhibits the Activation of Cellular Antiviral Signaling through Interaction with VISA/MAVS.

PubMed

Ju, Lin-Gao; Zhu, Yuan; Lei, Pin-Ji; Yan, Dong; Zhu, Kun; Wang, Xiang; Li, Qing-Lan; Li, Xue-Jing; Chen, Jian-Wen; Li, Lian-Yun; Wu, Min

2017-02-01

Upon virus infection, host cells use retinoic-acid-inducible geneI I (RIG-I)-like receptors to recognize viral RNA and activate type I IFN expression. To investigate the role of protein methylation in the antiviral signaling pathway, we screened all the SET domain-containing proteins and identified TTLL12 as a negative regulator of RIG-I signaling. TTLL12 contains SET and TTL domains, which are predicted to have lysine methyltransferase and tubulin tyrosine ligase activities, respectively. Exogenous expression of TTLL12 represses IFN-β expression induced by Sendai virus. TTLL12 deficiency by RNA interference and CRISPR-gRNA techniques increases the induced IFN-β expression and inhibits virus replication in the cell. The global gene expression profiling indicated that TTLL12 specifically inhibits the expression of the downstream genes of innate immunity pathways. Cell fractionation and fluorescent staining indicated that TTLL12 is localized in the cytosol. The mutagenesis study suggested that TTLL12's ability to repress the RIG-I pathway is probably not dependent on protein modifications. Instead, TTLL12 directly interacts with virus-induced signaling adaptor (VISA), TBK1, and IKKε, and inhibits the interactions of VISA with other signaling molecules. Taken together, our findings demonstrate TTLL12 as a negative regulator of RNA-virus-induced type I IFN expression by inhibiting the interaction of VISA with other proteins. Copyright © 2017 by The American Association of Immunologists, Inc.

How visas shape and make visible the geopolitical architecture of the planet

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ausloos, Marcel; Saeedian, Meghdad; Jamali, Tayeb; Farahani, S. Vasheghani; Jafari, G. Reza

2017-10-01

The aim of the present study is to provide a picture for geopolitical globalization: the role of all world countries together with their contribution towards globalization is highlighted. In the context of the present study, every country owes its efficiency and therefore its contribution towards structuring the world by the position it holds in a complex global network. The location in which a country is positioned on the network is shown to provide a measure of its "contribution" and "importance". As a matter of fact, the visa status conditions between countries reflect their contribution towards geopolitical globalization. Based on the visa status of all countries, community detection reveals the existence of 4 + 1 main communities. The community constituted by the developed countries has the highest clustering coefficient equal to 0.9. In contrast, the community constituted by the European eastern blocks plus some middle eastern countries has the lowest clustering coefficient, approximately equal to 0.65. PR China is the exceptional case. Thus, the picture of the globe issued in this study contributes towards understanding "how the world works".

Afghanistan: U.S. Foreign Assistance

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-07-14

private sector, through micro and small business loans and by promoting bank reform to ease establishment of private banks. The Treasury Department...national land registry, and micro and small business credit activities. Funding of administration and oversight of these programs amounted to $25 million...Summary The U.S. program of assistance to Afghanistan is intended to stabilize and strengthen the Afghan economic, social , political, and security

A comprehensive population dataset for Afghanistan constructed using GIS-based dasymetric mapping methods

USGS Publications Warehouse

Thompson, Allyson L.; Hubbard, Bernard E.

2014-01-01

This report summarizes the application of dasymetric methods for mapping the distribution of population throughout Afghanistan. Because Afghanistan's population has constantly changed through decades of war and conflict, existing vector and raster GIS datasets (such as point settlement densities and intensities of lights at night) do not adequately reflect the changes. The purposes of this report are (1) to provide historic population data at the provincial and district levels that can be used to chart population growth and migration trends within the country and (2) to provide baseline information that can be used for other types of spatial analyses of Afghanistan, such as resource and hazard assessments; infrastructure and capacity rebuilding; and assisting with international, regional, and local planning.

Hepatitis B virus X protein suppresses virus-triggered IRF3 activation and IFN-beta induction by disrupting the VISA-associated complex.

PubMed

Wang, Xianmiao; Li, Ying; Mao, Aiping; Li, Chao; Li, Yongkui; Tien, Po

2010-09-01

Viral RNAs produced during viral infection are recognized by the cytoplasmic RNA helicases retinoic acid-inducible gene-I (RIG-I) and melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5). A central adapter protein downstream of RIG-I and MDA5 is the mitochondrial membrane protein virus-induced signaling adaptor (VISA), which mediates the induction of type I interferons (IFNs) through the activation of transcription factors such as nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) and IFN-regulatory factor-3 (IRF3). Here we found that hepatitis B virus (HBV)-encoded X protein (HBx) acts as an inhibitor of virus-triggered IRF3 activation and IFN-beta induction. Reporter and plaque assays indicate that HBx inhibits signaling by components upstream but not downstream of VISA. Immunoprecipitation experiments indicate that HBx interacts with VISA and disrupts the association of VISA with its upstream and downstream components. These findings suggest that HBx acts as a suppressor of virus-triggered induction of type I IFNs, which explains the observation that HBV causes transient and chronic infection in hepatocytes but fails to activate the pattern recognition receptor-mediated IFN induction pathways.

78 FR 54947 - Waiver of Restriction on Assistance to the Central Government of Afghanistan

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-09-06

... DEPARTMENT OF STATE [Public Notice 8452] Waiver of Restriction on Assistance to the Central Government of Afghanistan Pursuant to Section 7031(b)(3) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and... prior year Acts with respect to Afghanistan and I hereby waive this restriction. This determination and...

76 FR 36167 - Waiver of Restriction on Assistance to the Central Government of Afghanistan

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-06-21

... DEPARTMENT OF STATE [Public Notice: 7506] Waiver of Restriction on Assistance to the Central Government of Afghanistan Pursuant to Section 7086(c)(2) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and... respect to Afghanistan, and I hereby waive such restriction. This determination shall be reported to the...

Baculovirus vectors expressing F proteins in combination with virus-induced signaling adaptor (VISA) molecules confer protection against respiratory syncytial virus infection.

PubMed

Zhang, Yuan; Qiao, Lei; Hu, Xiao; Zhao, Kang; Zhang, Yanwen; Chai, Feng; Pan, Zishu

2016-01-04

Baculovirus has been exploited for use as a novel vaccine vector. To investigate the feasibility and efficacy of recombinant baculoviruses (rBVs) expressing respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) fusion (F) proteins, four constructs (Bac-tF/64, Bac-CF, Bac-CF/tF64 and Bac-CF/tF64-VISA) were generated. Bac-tF64 displays the F ectodomain (tF) on the envelope of rBVs, whereas Bac-CF expresses full-length F protein in transduced mammalian cells. Bac-CF/tF64 not only displays tF on the envelope but also expresses F in cells. Bac-CF/tF64-VISA comprises Bac-CF/tF64 harboring the virus-induced signaling adaptor (VISA) gene. After administration to BALB/c mice, all four vectors elicited RSV neutralizing antibody (Ab), systemic Ab (IgG, IgG1, and IgG2a), and cytokine responses. Compared with Bac-tF64, mice inoculated with Bac-CF and Bac-CF/tF64 exhibited an increased mixed Th1/Th2 cytokine response, increased ratios of IgG2a/IgG1 antibody responses, and reduced immunopathology upon RSV challenge. Intriguingly, co-expression of VISA reduced Th2 cytokine (IL-4, IL-5, and IL-10) production induced by Bac-CF/tF64, thus relieving lung pathology upon a subsequent RSV challenge. Our results indicated that the Bac-CF/tF64 vector incorporated with the VISA molecule may provide an effective vaccine strategy for protection against RSV. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Who owns the peace? Aid, reconstruction, and peacebuilding in Afghanistan.

PubMed

Goodhand, Jonathan; Sedra, Mark

2010-01-01

It is unclear how international donors' stated commitment to ownership and partnership 'translates' in fragile state or 'post-conflict' settings. The very notion of ownership is violently contested in Afghanistan and donors have to negotiate with, and choose between, multiple state and non-state interlocutors. The developmentalist principles outlined in the 2005 Paris Declaration may carry little meaning in such contexts and their application can have paradoxical effects that impede the emergence of broad-based ownership. The limitations of, and alternatives to, developmentalist approaches in fragile states, are explored here with reference to donor policies and practices in Afghanistan, focusing on the period following the 2001 Bonn Agreement. This paper examines how aid policies and programmes have become part of a complex bargaining game involving international actors, domestic elites, and societal groups. It argues that international donors' failure to appreciate or engage sensitively and strategically with these bargaining processes, when combined with contradictory intervention objectives, has contributed to the steady unravelling of a fragile war-to-peace transition in Afghanistan.

Progress in the blood supply of Afghanistan.

PubMed

Riley, William J; McCullough, Terri Konstenius; Rhamani, Ahmad Masoud; McCullough, Jeffrey

2017-07-01

The blood supply system in Afghanistan was badly damaged by years of conflict. In 2009, the Afghanistan National Blood Safety and Transfusion Service (ANBSTS) was established. For 6 years, we collaborated to assist with policy and infrastructure development; blood bank operations; blood collection, testing, and component production; transfusion practices; and training of technicians, nurses, midwives, and physicians. Policies were established, infrastructure was strengthened, and capable staff was acquired and trained. Standard operating procedures were developed, testing was improved, and quality systems were established. Thirty trainings were held for blood center staff. Four additional formal trainings were held for 39 physicians, 36 nurses and/or midwives, and 38 laboratory technicians. During 5 years of this project, blood collection increased by 40%. The ANBSTS has made impressive progress developing infrastructure, personnel, procedures, quality systems, and training programs and increasing blood collection. Knowledge of transfusion medicine was improved through structured training. © 2017 AABB.

22 CFR 41.59 - Professionals under the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... Trade Agreement. 41.59 Section 41.59 Foreign Relations DEPARTMENT OF STATE VISAS VISAS: DOCUMENTATION OF NONIMMIGRANTS UNDER THE IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT, AS AMENDED Business and Media Visas § 41.59...) Visa validity. The period of validity of a visa issued pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section may...

Fine-Scale Event Location and Error Analysis in NET-VISA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arora, N. S.; Russell, S.

2016-12-01

NET-VISA is a generative probabilistic model for the occurrence of seismic, hydro, and atmospheric events, and the propagation of energy from these events through various mediums and phases before being detected, or misdetected, by IMS stations. It is built on top of the basic station, and arrival detection processing at the IDC, and is currently being tested in the IDC network processing pipelines. A key distinguishing feature of NET-VISA is that it is easy to incorporate prior scientific knowledge and historical data into the probabilistic model. The model accounts for both detections and mis-detections when forming events, and this allows it to make more accurate event hypothesis. It has been continuously evaluated since 2012, and in each year it makes a roughly 60% reduction in the number of missed events without increasing the false event rate as compared to the existing GA algorithm. More importantly the model finds large numbers of events that have been confirmed by regional seismic bulletins but missed by the IDC analysts using the same data. In this work we focus on enhancements to the model to improve the location accuracy, and error ellipses. We will present a new version of the model that focuses on the fine scale around the event location, and present error ellipses and analysis of recent important events.

Social Determinants of Maternal Health in Afghanistan: A Review

PubMed Central

Najafizada, Said Ahmad Maisam; Bourgeault, Ivy Lynn; Labonté, Ronald

2017-01-01

Introduction: Afghanistan has a high maternal mortality rate of 400 per 100,000 live births. Although direct causes of maternal morbidity and mortality in Afghanistan include hemorrhage, obstructed labor, infection, high blood pressure, and unsafe abortion, the high burden of diseases responsible for maternal mortality arises in large part due to social determinants of health. The focus of this literature review is to examine the impact of various social determinants of health on maternal health in Afghanistan, filling an important gap in the existing literature. Methods: This narrative review was conducted using Arksey and O’Malley’s framework of (1) defining the question, (2) searching the literature, (3) assessing the studies, (4) synthesizing selected evidence in context, and (5) summarizing potential programmatic implication of the context. We searched Medline, CABI global health database, and Google Scholar for relevant publications. Results: A total of 38 articles/reports were included in this review. We found that social determinants such as maternal education, sociocultural practices, and social infrastructure have a significant impact on maternal health. Health care may be the immediate determinant, but it is influenced by other determinants that must be addressed in order to alleviate the burden on health care, as well as to achieve long-term reduction in maternal mortality. Conclusion: Because of the importance of social factors for maternal health outcomes, committed involvement of multiple government sectors (i.e. education, labor and social affairs, information and culture, transport and rural development among others, alongside health care) is the long-term solution to the maternal health problems in Afghanistan. National and international organizations’ long-term commitment to social investment such as education, local economy, cultural change, and social infrastructure is recommended for Afghanstan and globally. PMID:29138735

Structural Investigations of Afghanistan Deduced from Remote Sensing and Potential Field Data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saibi, Hakim; Azizi, Masood; Mogren, Saad

2016-08-01

This study integrates potential gravity and magnetic field data with remotely sensed images and geological data in an effort to understand the subsurface major geological structures in Afghanistan. Integrated analysis of Landsat SRTM data was applied for extraction of geological lineaments. The potential field data were analyzed using gradient interpretation techniques, such as analytic signal (AS), tilt derivative (TDR), horizontal gradient of the tilt derivative (HG-TDR), Euler Deconvolution (ED) and power spectrum methods, and results were correlated with known geological structures. The analysis of remote sensing data and potential field data reveals the regional geological structural characteristics of Afghanistan. The power spectrum analysis of magnetic and gravity data suggests shallow basement rocks at around 1 to 1.5 km depth. The results of TDR of potential field data are in agreement with the location of the major regional fault structures and also the location of the basins and swells, except in the Helmand region (SW Afghanistan) where many high potential field anomalies are observed and attributed to batholiths and near-surface volcanic rocks intrusions. A high-resolution airborne geophysical survey in the data sparse region of eastern Afghanistan is recommended in order to have a complete image of the potential field anomalies.

Agriculture and stability in Afghanistan

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-05-21

national wealth are due to good political institutions. 16 He believes that geographical factors, including disproportionate disease burdens on human... Celia W. Dugger, “Ending Famine, Simply by Ignoring the Experts,” New York Times, December 2, 2007. 87 Dugger, Ending Famine, p 1. 88 J. Brian Atwood...is multidimensional, as well as a symptom of insecurity, corruption and poor governance. The Islamic Government of Afghanistan describes the opium

Addressing maternal and child health in post-conflict Afghanistan: the way forward.

PubMed

Singh, P K; Rai, R K; Alagarajan, M

2013-09-01

Afghanistan's maternal and child mortality rates are among the highest in the world. The country faces challenges to meet the Millennium Development Goals set for 2015 which can be attributed to multiple causes related to accessibility, affordability and availability of health-care services. This report addresses the challenges in strengthening maternal and child health care in Afghanistan, as well discussing the areas to be prioritized. In order to ensure sound maternal and child health care in Afghanistan, policy-makers must prioritize monitoring and surveillance systems, integrating maternal and child health care with rights-based family planning methods, building human resources, offering incentives (such as the provision of a conditional cash transfer to women) and promoting action-oriented, community-based interventions. On a wider scale, the focus must be to improve the health infrastructure, organizing international collaboration and expanding sources of funding.

Water resources activities of the U.S. Geological Survey in Afghanistan from 2004 through 2014

USGS Publications Warehouse

Mack, Thomas J.; Chornack, Michael P.; Vining, Kevin C.; Amer, Saud A.; Zaheer, Mohammad F.; Medlin, Jack H.

2014-01-01

Safe and reliable supply of water, for irrigation and domestic consumption, is one of Afghanistan’s critical needs for the country’s growing population. Water is also needed for mining and mineral processing and the associated business and community development, all of which contribute to the country’s economic growth and stability. Beginning in 2004, U.S. Geological Survey scientists have aided efforts to rebuild Afghanistan’s capacity to monitor water resources, working largely with scientists in the Afghanistan Geological Survey of the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum as well as with scientists in the Afghanistan Ministry of Energy and Water, the Afghanistan Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock, and nongovernmental organizations in Afghanistan. Considerable efforts were undertaken by the U.S. Geological Survey to compile or recover hydrologic data on Afghanistan’s water resources. These collaborative efforts have assisted Afghan scientists in developing the data collection networks necessary for improved understanding, managing these resources, and monitoring critical changes that may affect future water supplies and conditions. The U.S. Geological Survey, together with Afghan scientists, developed a regional groundwater flow model to assist with water resource planning in the Kabul Basin. Afghan scientists are now independently developing the datasets and conducting studies needed to assess water resources in other population centers of Afghanistan.

Comparing post-deployment mental health services utilization in soldiers deployed to Balkan, Iraq and Afghanistan.

PubMed

Madsen, T; Sadowa Vedtofte, M; Nordentoft, M; Ravnborg Nissen, L; Bo Andersen, S

2017-06-01

Insight on how different missions have impacted rates of mental health service (MHS) utilization is unexplored. We compared postdeployment MHS utilization in a national cohort of first-time deployed to missions in Balkan, Iraq, and Afghanistan respectively. A prospective national cohort study of 13 246 first-time deployed in the period 1996 through 2012 to missions in Balkan area, Iraq, or Afghanistan respectively. Soldiers 'MHS utilization was also compared with a 5:1 sex-, age-, and calendar year-matched never-deployed background population. Postdeployment utilization of MHS was retrieved from national coverage registers. Using Cox survival analyses, participants were followed and compared with regard to receiving three different types of psychiatric services: (i) admission to psychiatric hospital, (ii) psychiatric outpatient contact, and (iii) prescriptions of psychotropics. Utilizing of psychiatric outpatient services and psychotropics was significantly higher in first-time deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan compared with deployed to Balkan. However, the rate of postdeployment admission to psychiatric hospital did not differ between missions. Postdeployment rates of psychiatric admission and psychiatric outpatient treatment were significantly higher in Afghanistan-deployed personnel compared with the background population. Utilization of MHS differed significantly between mission areas and was highest after the latest mission to Afghanistan. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Violence against children in Afghanistan: Concerns and opportunities for positive change.

PubMed

O'Leary, Patrick; Cameron, Cate M; Lakhani, Ali; Osborne, Jodie M; de Souza, Luana; Hope, Kristen; Naimi, Mohammad S; Khan, Hassan; Jawad, Qazi S; Majidi, Sabir

2018-02-01

Violence against children (VAC) in Afghanistan is a serious issue in the context of many decades of conflict and poverty. To date, limited studies have explored the extent of VAC in Afghanistan and the settings where VAC takes place. To understand (i) the extent of VAC, (ii) settings where VAC takes place, (iii) parental forms of VAC and (iv) regional differences, an interview administered cross-sectional survey was employed among a community sample of 145 children and 104 parents living within Kabul, Torkham, and Jalalabad. Demographic information was collected as well as items from the International Child Abuse Screening Tool (ICAST-CH). In this study, 71% of children reported experiencing physical violence is some form in the past year. Home was the most likely location of violence. The overwhelming majority of parents reported using physical violence as a discipline method. Parents who attained higher levels of education and had more skilled occupations used violence less as a discipline method. However, consistent with international research, children cited their parents as their preferred source of support in situations of violence. Interestingly, parents did not see violent forms of discipline as more effective than non-violent strategies. The results offer a disturbing yet 'on the ground' insight into VAC in Afghanistan from the experience of children and parents. The results have important implications for programming design and provide a focus for stopping and preventing VAC in Afghanistan and similar contexts. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Afghanistan's population: planning to avoid a crisis.

PubMed

Rosenthal, J E

1973-07-09

Though the population of Afghanistan is exploding (AID estimates net growth rate at 2.5%), private, governmental, and foreign efforts should avert a crisis. The family-planning situation in this developing nation is discussed. The Afghan Family Guidance Association (AFGA), formed in July 1968, is a private organization but has semi-official status. AFGA runs 6 clinics in Kabul and 13 in the provinces. AFGA family Guides talk of mothers about their health and their children's health and about the desirability and methods of spacing children. In a pilot project several male Family Guides approach husbands with information about family planning. The Afghan government's family-planning program, scheduled to begin this year, has had its way paved by the work of the AFGA. The government plans to establish 280 basic health centers within 5 years. AID gives $1 million annually for family-planning projects, supplies, and services in Afghanistan. AID also is providing $1.7 million to finance the first demographic study of the nation.

Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction Quarterly Report to the United States Congress

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-10-30

RECONSTRUCTION INITIATIVES AFGHANISTAN RECONSTRUCTION INITIATIVES Framework for Current U.S. Funding Current U.S. support to Afghanistan...reconstruction is based on the Foreign Assistance Framework as set forth in the Department of State’s most recent Congressional Budget Justi cation for 2008 and...Humanitarian Assistance • The Framework supports the goal of aiding in the development of “democratic, well-governed states that respond to the

Spatio-Temporal History of HIV-1 CRF35_AD in Afghanistan and Iran.

PubMed

Eybpoosh, Sana; Bahrampour, Abbas; Karamouzian, Mohammad; Azadmanesh, Kayhan; Jahanbakhsh, Fatemeh; Mostafavi, Ehsan; Zolala, Farzaneh; Haghdoost, Ali Akbar

2016-01-01

HIV-1 Circulating Recombinant Form 35_AD (CRF35_AD) has an important position in the epidemiological profile of Afghanistan and Iran. Despite the presence of this clade in Afghanistan and Iran for over a decade, our understanding of its origin and dissemination patterns is limited. In this study, we performed a Bayesian phylogeographic analysis to reconstruct the spatio-temporal dispersion pattern of this clade using eligible CRF35_AD gag and pol sequences available in the Los Alamos HIV database (432 sequences available from Iran, 16 sequences available from Afghanistan, and a single CRF35_AD-like pol sequence available from USA). Bayesian Markov Chain Monte Carlo algorithm was implemented in BEAST v1.8.1. Between-country dispersion rates were tested with Bayesian stochastic search variable selection method and were considered significant where Bayes factor values were greater than three. The findings suggested that CRF35_AD sequences were genetically similar to parental sequences from Kenya and Uganda, and to a set of subtype A1 sequences available from Afghan refugees living in Pakistan. Our results also showed that across all phylogenies, Afghan and Iranian CRF35_AD sequences formed a monophyletic cluster (posterior clade credibility> 0.7). The divergence date of this cluster was estimated to be between 1990 and 1992. Within this cluster, a bidirectional dispersion of the virus was observed across Afghanistan and Iran. We could not clearly identify if Afghanistan or Iran first established or received this epidemic, as the root location of this cluster could not be robustly estimated. Three CRF35_AD sequences from Afghan refugees living in Pakistan nested among Afghan and Iranian CRF35_AD branches. However, the CRF35_AD-like sequence available from USA diverged independently from Kenyan subtype A1 sequences, suggesting it not to be a true CRF35_AD lineage. Potential factors contributing to viral exchange between Afghanistan and Iran could be injection drug

Spatio-Temporal History of HIV-1 CRF35_AD in Afghanistan and Iran

PubMed Central

Eybpoosh, Sana; Bahrampour, Abbas; Karamouzian, Mohammad; Azadmanesh, Kayhan; Jahanbakhsh, Fatemeh; Mostafavi, Ehsan; Zolala, Farzaneh; Haghdoost, Ali Akbar

2016-01-01

HIV-1 Circulating Recombinant Form 35_AD (CRF35_AD) has an important position in the epidemiological profile of Afghanistan and Iran. Despite the presence of this clade in Afghanistan and Iran for over a decade, our understanding of its origin and dissemination patterns is limited. In this study, we performed a Bayesian phylogeographic analysis to reconstruct the spatio-temporal dispersion pattern of this clade using eligible CRF35_AD gag and pol sequences available in the Los Alamos HIV database (432 sequences available from Iran, 16 sequences available from Afghanistan, and a single CRF35_AD-like pol sequence available from USA). Bayesian Markov Chain Monte Carlo algorithm was implemented in BEAST v1.8.1. Between-country dispersion rates were tested with Bayesian stochastic search variable selection method and were considered significant where Bayes factor values were greater than three. The findings suggested that CRF35_AD sequences were genetically similar to parental sequences from Kenya and Uganda, and to a set of subtype A1 sequences available from Afghan refugees living in Pakistan. Our results also showed that across all phylogenies, Afghan and Iranian CRF35_AD sequences formed a monophyletic cluster (posterior clade credibility> 0.7). The divergence date of this cluster was estimated to be between 1990 and 1992. Within this cluster, a bidirectional dispersion of the virus was observed across Afghanistan and Iran. We could not clearly identify if Afghanistan or Iran first established or received this epidemic, as the root location of this cluster could not be robustly estimated. Three CRF35_AD sequences from Afghan refugees living in Pakistan nested among Afghan and Iranian CRF35_AD branches. However, the CRF35_AD-like sequence available from USA diverged independently from Kenyan subtype A1 sequences, suggesting it not to be a true CRF35_AD lineage. Potential factors contributing to viral exchange between Afghanistan and Iran could be injection drug

Antimicrobial Activity of Galangin and Its Effects on Murein Hydrolases of Vancomycin-Intermediate Staphylococcus aureus (VISA) Strain Mu50.

PubMed

Ouyang, Jing; Sun, Fengjun; Feng, Wei; Xie, Yonghong; Ren, Lijuan; Chen, Yongchuan

2018-01-01

Backgroud: Antibiotic treatment for infections caused by vancomycin-intermediate Staphylococcus aureus (VISA) strains is challenging, and only a few effective and curative methods have been developed to combat these strains. This study aimed to investigate the antimicrobial activity of galangin against S. aureus and its effects on the murein hydrolases of VISA strain Mu50. This is the first report on these effects of galangin, and it may help to improve the treatment for VISA infections by demonstrating the effective use of galangin. Firstly, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and growth curve were used to investigate the antimicrobial activity of galangin against S. aureus. Secondly, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to observe morphological changes of VISA strain Mu50. Thirdly, Triton X-100-induced autolysis and cell wall hydrolysis assays were performed to determine the activities of the murein hydrolases of Mu50. Finally, fluorescence real-time quantitative PCR was used to investigate the expression of the murein hydrolase-related Mu50 genes. The results indicated that the MIC of galangin was 32 μg/mL against ATCC25293, N315, and Mu50, and galangin could significantly suppress the bacterial growth (p < 0.05) with concentrations of 4, 8 and 16 μg/mL, compared with control group (0 μg/mL). To explore the possible reasons of bacteriostatic effects of galangin, we observed morphological changes using TEM which showed that the division of Mu50 daughter cells treated with galangin was obviously inhibited. Considering the vital role of murein hydrolases in cellular division, assays were performed, and galangin markedly decreased Triton X-100-induced autolysis and cell wall hydrolysis. Galangin also significantly inhibited the expression of the murein hydrolase genes (atl, lytM, and lytN) and their regulatory genes (cidR, cidA, and cidB). Our findings indicated that galangin can effectively inhibit murein hydrolase activity as well as the

Reasons for medical evacuations of soldiers serving in International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) operation in Afghanistan.

PubMed

Korzeniewski, Krzysztof; Gregulski, Robert

2014-01-01

The article presents the results of a research study into the reasons for medical evacuations of Polish military personnel taking part in the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) operation in Afghanistan from 2007 to 2013. The authors have analysed medical records of 485 soldiers who were medically evacuated out of a combat zone in Afghanistan for battle injuries, non-battle injuries and diseases. Each medically evacuated Polish soldier was subjected to statistical analysis. The study population comprised 25,974 soldiers assigned to the Polish Military Contingent Afghanistan in the given period. From 2007 to 2013, 1.9% of the Polish military personnel (n = 485) participating in the ISAF operation in Afghanistan were evacuated for medical reasons before the scheduled termination of their contract. 40.6% of all medical evacuations were due to battle injuries, 32.4% due to non-battle injuries, and 27.0% due to diseases. ISAF is an example of a combat operation, in which battle injuries remain the leading health problem in mission participants. 3 of 4 Polish soldiers who were medically evacuated from Afghanistan were no longer fit for military service in the area of operations due to the traumas they had suffered.

A cross-platform GUI to control instruments compliant with SCPI through VISA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Roach, Eric; Liu, Jing

2015-10-01

In nuclear physics experiments, it is necessary and important to control instruments from a PC, which automates many tasks that require human operations otherwise. Not only does this make long term measurements possible, but it also makes repetitive operations less error-prone. We created a graphical user interface (GUI) to control instruments connected to a PC through RS232, USB, LAN, etc. The GUI is developed using Qt Creator, a cross-platform integrated development environment, which makes it portable to various operating systems, including those commonly used in mobile devices. NI-VISA library is used in the back end so that the GUI can be used to control instruments connected through various I/O interfaces without any modification. Commonly used SCPI commands can be sent to different instruments using buttons, sliders, knobs, and other various widgets provided by Qt Creator. As an example, we demonstrate how we set and fetch parameters and how to retrieve and display data from an Agilent Digital Storage Oscilloscope X3034A with the GUI. Our GUI can be easily used for other instruments compliant with SCPI and VISA with little or no modification.

Prevalence of antifolate resistance mutations in Plasmodium falciparum isolates in Afghanistan

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background Artesunate plus sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine (AS+SP) is now first-line treatment for Plasmodium falciparum infection in several south Asian countries, including Afghanistan. Molecular studies provide a sensitive means to investigate the current state of drug susceptibility to the SP component, and can also provide information on the likely efficacy of other potential forms of artemisinin-combination therapy. Methods During the years 2007 to 2010, 120 blood spots from patients with P. falciparum malaria were obtained in four provinces of Afghanistan. PCR-based methods were used to detect drug-resistance mutations in dhfr, dhps, pfcrt and pfmdr1, as well as to determine copy number of pfmdr1. Results The majority (95.5%) of infections had a double mutation in the dhfr gene (C59R, S108N); no mutations at dhfr positions 16, 51 or 164 were seen. Most isolates were wild type across the dhps gene, but five isolates from the provinces of Kunar and Nangarhar in eastern Afghanistan had the triple mutation A437G / K540E / A581G; all five cases were successfully treated with three receiving AS+SP and two receiving dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine. All isolates showed the pfcrt SVNMT chloroquine resistance haplotype. Five of 79 isolates had the pfmdr1 N86Y mutation, while 52 had pfmdr1 Y184F; positions 1034, 1042 and 1246 were wild type in all isolates. The pfmdr1 gene was not amplified in any sample. Conclusions This study indicates that shortly after the adoption of AS+SP as first-line treatment in Afghanistan, most parasites had a double mutation haplotype in dhfr, and a small number of isolates from eastern Afghanistan harboured a triple mutation haplotype in dhps. The impact of these mutations on the efficacy of AS+SP remains to be assessed in significant numbers of patients, but these results are clearly concerning since they suggest a higher degree of SP resistance than previously detected. Further focused molecular and clinical studies in this region are urgently

Afghanistan: Politics, Elections, and Government Performance

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-11-30

Kenneth Katzman Specialist in Middle Eastern Affairs November 30, 2012 Congressional Research Service 7-5700 www.crs.gov RS21922 Report...ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) The Library of Congress ,Congressional Research Service,101 Independence Ave, SE,Washington,DC,20540 8. PERFORMING...Afghanistan: Politics, Elections, and Government Performance Congressional Research Service Summary The capacity and transparency of Afghan governance

Defense.gov - Special Report: Afghanistan Buildup

Science.gov Websites

Multimedia/Photos Leaders DoD Web Sites Contact Us Special Report From the Secretary Let’s be clear that the Afghan Forces McChrystal Calls Guard’s Effort ‘Extraordinary’ Afghanistan Success Attainable, Petraeus Says McChrystal Calls Afghan Training Crucial to Mission Success Eikenberry Stresses Civilian Component

Enhancing Security and Stability in Afghanistan

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-12-01

developing Afghan institutional capacity to enhance security and stability across Afghanistan. During the June 1 through November 30, 2015, reporting...aerial fires. Nonetheless, the AAF will require coalition support for several years in order to build institutional functions and continue development...during this reporting period have been positive steps towards institutional change within the ministries. After a government-wide overhaul of the

Soviet Logistics in the Afghanistan War

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-04-05

Hammond, Red Flag Over Afghanistan, pp. 5-6. 2. Mahnaz Z. Ispahani, Roads and Rivals, p. 86. 3. Ibid., p. 127. 4. Ibid., p. 110 5. Ibid., p. 91. 6. Ibid...Publishing Co., 1939. Isby, Dav’id C. Weapons and Tactics of the Soviet L\\r__. London: Jane’s Publishing Co., 1988. Ispahani, Mahnaz Z. Roads and Rivals

75 FR 69047 - Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Questionnaire on Business-Related Visa Processes

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-11-10

... Request; Questionnaire on Business-Related Visa Processes AGENCY: International Trade Administration... five years. The DOC will request that U.S. industry and trade associations use the questionnaire to... questionnaires is critical to enabling DOC to ascertain the economic impact, if any, of current U.S. business...

Spinal Stabilization Using Orthopedic Extremity Instrumentation Sets During Operation Enduring Freedom-Afghanistan.

PubMed

Ravindra, Vijay M; Wallace, Scott A; Vaidya, Rahul; Fox, W Christopher; Klugh, Arnett R; Puskas, David; Park, Min S

2016-02-01

The Role III, Multinational Medical Unit at Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan, was established to provide combat casualty care in theater for International Security Assistance Forces, Afghanistan National Security Forces, and local nationals during Operation Enduring Freedom-Afghanistan. The authors describe their experience of treating unstable lumbar spine fractures with orthopedic extremity instrumentation sets from January 2007 to January 2008 and November 2010 to May 2011. During the study periods, 15 patients comprising Afghanistan National Security Forces and local nationals presented to the medical facility for treatment of unstable lumbar spine fractures. The patients underwent surgery for either anterior corpectomy and instrumented fusion (n = 5) or posterior instrumented fusion (n = 10). Because of periodic scarcity of spinal instrumentation sets, orthopedic extremity instrumentation sets were used (Synthes Large Fragment LCP Instrument and Implant Set) for spinal stabilization. Immediate postoperative standing and sitting plain radiographs demonstrated no evidence of fracture progression or immediate hardware failure. One patient was seen in follow-up at 4 weeks and demonstrated construct stability on follow-up radiographs. In the combat environment with sparse resources, unstable spine fractures may potentially be treated using instrumentation not specifically designed for spinal implantation. This is an off-label use, and the authors do not recommend the use of these techniques as standard treatment in most medical environments. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Afghanistan's Ethnic Groups Share a Y-Chromosomal Heritage Structured by Historical Events

PubMed Central

Haber, Marc; Platt, Daniel E.; Ashrafian Bonab, Maziar; Youhanna, Sonia C.; Soria-Hernanz, David F.; Martínez-Cruz, Begoña; Douaihy, Bouchra; Ghassibe-Sabbagh, Michella; Rafatpanah, Hoshang; Ghanbari, Mohsen; Whale, John; Balanovsky, Oleg; Wells, R. Spencer; Comas, David; Tyler-Smith, Chris; Zalloua, Pierre A.

2012-01-01

Afghanistan has held a strategic position throughout history. It has been inhabited since the Paleolithic and later became a crossroad for expanding civilizations and empires. Afghanistan's location, history, and diverse ethnic groups present a unique opportunity to explore how nations and ethnic groups emerged, and how major cultural evolutions and technological developments in human history have influenced modern population structures. In this study we have analyzed, for the first time, the four major ethnic groups in present-day Afghanistan: Hazara, Pashtun, Tajik, and Uzbek, using 52 binary markers and 19 short tandem repeats on the non-recombinant segment of the Y-chromosome. A total of 204 Afghan samples were investigated along with more than 8,500 samples from surrounding populations important to Afghanistan's history through migrations and conquests, including Iranians, Greeks, Indians, Middle Easterners, East Europeans, and East Asians. Our results suggest that all current Afghans largely share a heritage derived from a common unstructured ancestral population that could have emerged during the Neolithic revolution and the formation of the first farming communities. Our results also indicate that inter-Afghan differentiation started during the Bronze Age, probably driven by the formation of the first civilizations in the region. Later migrations and invasions into the region have been assimilated differentially among the ethnic groups, increasing inter-population genetic differences, and giving the Afghans a unique genetic diversity in Central Asia. PMID:22470552

Communication Management Guidelines for Software Organizations in Pakistan with clients from Afghanistan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arif Shah, Muhammad; Hashim, Rathiah; Shah, Adil Ali; Farooq Khattak, Umar

2016-11-01

Developing software through Global Software Development (GSD) became very common now days in the software industry. Pakistan is one of the countries where projects are taken and designed from different countries including Afghanistan. The purpose of this paper is to identify and provide an analysis on several communication barriers that can have a negative impact on the project and to provide management guidelines for medium size software organizations working in Pakistan with clients from Afghanistan and to overcome these communication barriers and challenges organizations face when coordinating with client. Initially we performed a literature review to identify different communication barriers and to check if there are any standardized communications management guidelines for medium size software houses provided in the past. The second stage of the research paper involves guidelines with vendor's perspective that include interviews and focus group discussions with different stakeholders and employees of software houses with clients from Afghanistan. Based on those interviews and discussions we established communication management guidelines in order to overcome the communication problems and barriers working with clients from Afghanistan. As a result of the literature review, we have identified that barriers such as cultural barriers and language barrier were one of the main reasons behind the project failure and suggested that software organizations working in Pakistan should follow certain defined communication guidelines in order to overcome communication barriers that affect the project directly.

Afghanistan's ethnic groups share a Y-chromosomal heritage structured by historical events.

PubMed

Haber, Marc; Platt, Daniel E; Ashrafian Bonab, Maziar; Youhanna, Sonia C; Soria-Hernanz, David F; Martínez-Cruz, Begoña; Douaihy, Bouchra; Ghassibe-Sabbagh, Michella; Rafatpanah, Hoshang; Ghanbari, Mohsen; Whale, John; Balanovsky, Oleg; Wells, R Spencer; Comas, David; Tyler-Smith, Chris; Zalloua, Pierre A

2012-01-01

Afghanistan has held a strategic position throughout history. It has been inhabited since the Paleolithic and later became a crossroad for expanding civilizations and empires. Afghanistan's location, history, and diverse ethnic groups present a unique opportunity to explore how nations and ethnic groups emerged, and how major cultural evolutions and technological developments in human history have influenced modern population structures. In this study we have analyzed, for the first time, the four major ethnic groups in present-day Afghanistan: Hazara, Pashtun, Tajik, and Uzbek, using 52 binary markers and 19 short tandem repeats on the non-recombinant segment of the Y-chromosome. A total of 204 Afghan samples were investigated along with more than 8,500 samples from surrounding populations important to Afghanistan's history through migrations and conquests, including Iranians, Greeks, Indians, Middle Easterners, East Europeans, and East Asians. Our results suggest that all current Afghans largely share a heritage derived from a common unstructured ancestral population that could have emerged during the Neolithic revolution and the formation of the first farming communities. Our results also indicate that inter-Afghan differentiation started during the Bronze Age, probably driven by the formation of the first civilizations in the region. Later migrations and invasions into the region have been assimilated differentially among the ethnic groups, increasing inter-population genetic differences, and giving the Afghans a unique genetic diversity in Central Asia.

78 FR 72851 - Proposed Priority-Promise Zones

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-12-04

... Federal Register. Free Internet access to the official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of... Relay Service (FRS), toll free, at 1- 800-877-8339. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background: The Promise..., which is available free at the site. You may also access documents of the Department published in the...

Phosphate occurrence and potential in the region of Afghanistan, including parts of China, Iran, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan

USGS Publications Warehouse

Orris, Greta J.; Dunlap, Pamela; Wallis, John; Wynn, Jeff

2015-01-01

As part of a larger study, the U.S. Geological Survey undertook a study to identify the potential for phosphate deposits in Afghanistan. As part of this study, a geographic information system was constructed containing a database of phosphate occurrences in Afghanistan and adjacent countries, and a database of potential host lithologies compiled from 1:1,000,000 scale maps. Within Afghanistan, a handful of known occurrences and reports indicate the presence of phosphate in Permian, Cretaceous, and Paleogene sediments and in carbonatite. With the exception of the Khanneshin carbonatite, very little is known about these occurrences. In the countries surrounding Afghanistan, economic phosphate is known to occur in Cambrian, Devonian, and Paleogene sediments and in Kiruna-type Fe-apatite deposits. Many of the host units may extend into Afghanistan or equivalent units may be present. Although the possibility of economic phosphate deposits exist for Afghanistan, the need for detailed exploration for phosphate, the remoteness of some locations, and the probability that a deposit would not be exposed at the surface mean that one or more deposits are not likely to be identified in the near future. Even if a phosphate-bearing deposit is identified in Afghanistan, it is not clear if the probable size, thickness, and grade ranges would allow economic development of the hypothesized resource.

Surface Water Investigations in Afghanistan: A Summary of Activities from 1952 to 1969. Appendix 5: End of Tour Report. United States Operations Mission to Afghanistan; International Cooperation Administration, Lashkar Gah, Afghanistan

DTIC Science & Technology

1966-05-01

Royal Government of Afghanistan under the auspices of the United States Agency for International Development. 18 appendices. 15. SUBJECT TERMS...village leaders; third, the transfer to Kob-ol of Kr. Chulan Shell t;ho, altliou^o. a ’ . S* graduate engineer (at AID espenoe), has no interest in

Are Marines a Better Fit for Afghanistan

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-03-01

FOR AFGHANISTAN? by Lieutenant Colonel William M. Tart Unites States Air Force Colonel John A. Terrell Project Adviser This SRP is submitted in...December 2007. 7 Telephone interview with Lt Col James Kendall, USMC, USMC PP&O, 11 Jan 08. 8 Anne Flaherty, “Marine Commandant Says He Is Concerned Iraq

Day-by-Day: Higher Education in Afghanistan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Roof, David J.

2015-01-01

This paper examines higher education in Afghanistan. Based on qualitative research, including interviews with key policymakers and stakeholders, the paper examines the primary issues, challenges, progress, and future vision for higher education in the country. The research reveals that one of the most significant issues in the country in the…

Assessment of undiscovered technically recoverable conventional petroleum resources of northern Afghanistan

USGS Publications Warehouse

Klett, T.R.; Ulmishek, G.F.; Wandrey, C.J.; Agena, Warren F.; Steinshouer, Douglas

2006-01-01

Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey - Afghanistan Ministry of Mines and Industry Joint Oil and Gas Resource Assessment Team estimated mean volumes of undiscovered petroleum in northern Afghanistan; the resulting estimates are 1.6 billion barrels (0.2 billion metric tons) of crude oil, 16 trillion cubic feet (0.4 trillion cubic meters) of natural gas, and 0.5 billion barrels (0.8 billion metric tons) of natural gas liquids. Most of the undiscovered crude oil is in the Afghan-Tajik Basin and most of the undiscovered natural gas is in the Amu Darya Basin. Four total petroleum systems were identified, and these were subdivided into eight assessment units for the purpose of this resource assessment. The area with the greatest potential for undiscovered natural gas accumulations is in Upper Jurassic carbonate and reef reservoirs beneath an impermeable salt layer in relatively unexplored parts of northern Afghanistan. The Afghan-Tajik Basin has the greatest potential for undiscovered crude oil accumulations, and these are potentially in Cretaceous to Paleogene carbonate reservoir rocks associated with thrust faulting and folding.

The Limits of Soviet Airpower: The Bear Versus the Mujahideen in Afghanistan, 1979-1989

DTIC Science & Technology

1997-06-01

satellite imagery identified Soviet TMS-65 decontamination vehicles and AGV-3 detox chambers in the vicinity of combat areas. In addition, the...Vladislav Tamarov, Afghanistan: Soviet Vietnam, trans. Naomi Marcus, Marianne Clarke Trangen, and Vladislav Tamarov (San Francisco: Mercury House...Tamarov. San Francisco: Mercury House, 1992. Turbiville, Graham. Ambush! The Road War in Afghanistan. Fort Leavenworth, KS: Soviet Army Studies Office

The Value of Visa-Score and Colour Flow Imaging in the Follow-Up of Non-Athletes Operated for Jumpers Knee.

PubMed

Salvesen, Eirik S; Holen, Ketil J

2016-12-01

The objective of this study was to assess if the Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment (VISA) questionnaire was suitable in the evaluation of patients from a mixed population with normal levels of sports activity, and if neovascularization of the patellar tendon demonstrated by color flow imaging (CFI) was more frequent in patients with lasting symptoms after surgical treatment for jumpers knee (JK). This study was conducted at St. Olavs Hospital, University Hospital of Trondheim, Norway, and included 21 men and 18 women who were operated for JK. Symptoms were assessed using the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) and VISA questionnaires. Clinical and ultrasonographic examinations of the knees, including CFI, were done at a mean follow-up duration of 82 (range, 16-136) months after surgery. Patients with positive CFI also had significantly lower KOOS scores, whereas the total VISA-P (Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment - Patella) score showed no association. Patients with a positive clinical examination had significantly more frequent positive CFI findings than did patients with negative examinations. The operated patellar tendon was significantly thicker and had more frequent hypoechoic signal in the proximal part than the contralateral unoperated tendon. The post-operative VISA-P score seems less valuable in the evaluation of patients from a mixed population with normal levels of sports activity. CFI may be a valuable diagnostic tool in the evaluation of patients operated for JK.

75 FR 71079 - Determination on Use of Cooperative Threat Reduction Funds in Pakistan and Afghanistan Under...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-11-22

... DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Office of the Secretary Determination on Use of Cooperative Threat Reduction Funds in Pakistan and Afghanistan Under Section 1308 of the National Defense Authorization Act for... Threat Reduction (CTR) funds for the implementation of CTR programs in Pakistan and Afghanistan will...

The Rehabilitation Paradox: Street-Working Children in Afghanistan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Williams, Christopher; Yazdani, Farzaneh

2009-01-01

International humanitarian intervention in Afghanistan reflects a policy discourse of "rehabilitation," which is very evident in relation to nongovernmental organization (NGO) projects for street-working children. Through analysing national and international policy, professional perceptions of the children, and field visits to see how…

Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) Negotiation Skill Requirements in Afghanistan: Afghanistan Security Issues Final Research Paper

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-01-01

culture shock” that soldiers experienced as “the anxiety and physical and emotional discomfort that can occur when a person moves to an unfa- miliar...Afghanistan. Don‟t Believe it.” Newsweek, 14 December 2009, 48. Jalali, Ali A. “The Future of Security Institutions.” In Warfare Studies AY10 Coursebook ...62-69. Rubin, Barnett R. “The Transformation of the Afghan State.” In Warfare Studies AY10 Coursebook , edited by Sharon McBride, 351-356. Maxwell

Surveillance of Disease and Nonbattle Injuries During US Army Operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.

PubMed

Hauret, Keith G; Pacha, Laura; Taylor, Bonnie J; Jones, Bruce H

2016-01-01

Disease and nonbattle injury (DNBI) are the leading causes of morbidity during wars and military operations. However, adequate medical data were never before available to service public health centers to conduct DNBI surveillance during deployments. This article describes the process, results and lessons learned from centralized DNBI surveillance by the US Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine, predecessor of the US Army Public Health Command, during operations in Afghanistan and Iraq (2001-2013).The surveillance relied primarily on medical evacuation records and in-theater hospitalization records. Medical evacuation rates (per 1,000 person-years) for DNBI were higher (Afghanistan: 56.7; Iraq: 40.2) than battle injury rates (Afghanistan: 12.0; Iraq: 7.7). In Afghanistan and Iraq, respectively, the leading diagnostic categories for medical evacuations were nonbattle injury (31% and 34%), battle injury (20% and 16%), and behavioral health (12% and 10%). Leading causes of medically evacuated nonbattle injuries were sports/physical training (22% and 24%), falls (23% and 26%) and military vehicle accidents (8% and 11%). This surveillance demonstrated the feasibility, utility, and benefits of centralized DNBI surveillance during military operations.

Landslide susceptibility mapping in three selected target zones in Afghanistan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schwanghart, Wolfgang; Seegers, Joe; Zeilinger, Gerold

2015-04-01

In May 2014, a large and mobile landslide destroyed the village Ab Barek, a village in Badakshan Province, Afghanistan. The landslide caused several hundred fatalities and once again demonstrated the vulnerability of Afghanistan's population to extreme natural events following more than 30 years of civil war and violent conflict. Increasing the capacity of Afghanistan's population by strengthening the disaster preparedness and management of responsible government authorities and institutions is thus a major component of international cooperation and development strategies. Afghanistan is characterized by high relief and widely varying rock types that largely determine the spatial distribution as well as emplacement modes of mass movements. The major aim of our study is to characterize this variability by conducting a landslide susceptibility analysis in three selected target zones: Greater Kabul Area, Badakhshan Province and Takhar Province. We expand on an existing landslide database by mapping landforms diagnostic for landslides (e.g. head scarps, normal faults and tension cracks), and historical landslide scars and landslide deposits by visual interpretation of high-resolution satellite imagery. We conduct magnitude frequency analysis within subregional physiogeographic classes based on geological maps, climatological and topographic data to identify regional parameters influencing landslide magnitude and frequency. In addition, we prepare a landslide susceptibility map for each area using the Weight-of-Evidence model. Preliminary results show that the three selected target zones vastly differ in modes of landsliding. Low magnitude but frequent rockfall events are a major hazard in the Greater Kabul Area threatening buildings and infrastructure encroaching steep terrain in the city's outskirts. Mass movements in loess covered areas of Badakshan are characterized by medium to large magnitudes. This spatial variability of characteristic landslide magnitudes and

Towards malaria risk prediction in Afghanistan using remote sensing.

PubMed

Adimi, Farida; Soebiyanto, Radina P; Safi, Najibullah; Kiang, Richard

2010-05-13

Malaria is a significant public health concern in Afghanistan. Currently, approximately 60% of the population, or nearly 14 million people, live in a malaria-endemic area. Afghanistan's diverse landscape and terrain contributes to the heterogeneous malaria prevalence across the country. Understanding the role of environmental variables on malaria transmission can further the effort for malaria control programme. Provincial malaria epidemiological data (2004-2007) collected by the health posts in 23 provinces were used in conjunction with space-borne observations from NASA satellites. Specifically, the environmental variables, including precipitation, temperature and vegetation index measured by the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission and the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectoradiometer, were used. Regression techniques were employed to model malaria cases as a function of environmental predictors. The resulting model was used for predicting malaria risks in Afghanistan. The entire time series except the last 6 months is used for training, and the last 6-month data is used for prediction and validation. Vegetation index, in general, is the strongest predictor, reflecting the fact that irrigation is the main factor that promotes malaria transmission in Afghanistan. Surface temperature is the second strongest predictor. Precipitation is not shown as a significant predictor, as it may not directly lead to higher larval population. Autoregressiveness of the malaria epidemiological data is apparent from the analysis. The malaria time series are modelled well, with provincial average R2 of 0.845. Although the R2 for prediction has larger variation, the total 6-month cases prediction is only 8.9% higher than the actual cases. The provincial monthly malaria cases can be modelled and predicted using satellite-measured environmental parameters with reasonable accuracy. The Third Strategic Approach of the WHO EMRO Malaria Control and Elimination Plan is aimed to develop a cost

Toward Malaria Risk Prediction in Afghanistan Using Remote Sensing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Safi, N.; Adimi, F.; Soebiyanto, R. P.; Kiang, R. K.

2010-01-01

Malaria causes more than one million deaths every year worldwide, with most of the mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa. It is also a significant public health concern in Afghanistan, with approximately 60% of the population, or nearly 14 million people, living in a malaria-endemic area. Malaria transmission has been shown to be dependent on a number of environmental and meteorological variables. For countries in the tropics and the subtropics, rainfall is normally the most important variable, except for regions with high altitude where temperature may also be important. Afghanistan s diverse landscape contributes to the heterogeneous malaria distribution. Understanding the environmental effects on malaria transmission is essential to the effective control of malaria in Afghanistan. Provincial malaria data gathered by Health Posts in 23 provinces during 2004-2007 are used in this study. Remotely sensed geophysical parameters, including precipitation from TRMM, and surface temperature and vegetation index from MODIS are used to derive the empirical relationship between malaria cases and these geophysical parameters. Both neural network methods and regression analyses are used to examine the environmental dependency of malaria transmission. And the trained models are used for predicting future transmission. While neural network methods are intrinsically more adaptive for nonlinear relationship, the regression approach lends itself in providing statistical significance measures. Our results indicate that NDVI is the strongest predictor. This reflects the role of irrigation, instead of precipitation, in Afghanistan for agricultural production. The second strongest prediction is surface temperature. Precipitation is not shown as a significant predictor, contrary to other malarious countries in the tropics or subtropics. With the regression approach, the malaria time series are modelled well, with average R2 of 0.845. For cumulative 6-month prediction of malaria cases, the

22 CFR 41.59 - Professionals under the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... Trade Agreement. 41.59 Section 41.59 Foreign Relations DEPARTMENT OF STATE VISAS VISAS: DOCUMENTATION OF NONIMMIGRANTS UNDER THE IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT, AS AMENDED Business and Media Visas § 41.59... classified and is accompanying or following to join the principal alien. (b) Visa validity. The period of...

22 CFR 41.59 - Professionals under the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... Trade Agreement. 41.59 Section 41.59 Foreign Relations DEPARTMENT OF STATE VISAS VISAS: DOCUMENTATION OF NONIMMIGRANTS UNDER THE IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT, AS AMENDED Business and Media Visas § 41.59... classified and is accompanying or following to join the principal alien. (b) Visa validity. The period of...

22 CFR 41.59 - Professionals under the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR