Standardized morbidity ratios of four chronic health conditions among World Trade Center responders: Comparison to the National Health Interview Survey.

PubMed

Kim, Hyun; Kriebel, David; Liu, Bian; Baron, Sherrry; Mongin, Steven; Baidwan, Navneet K; Moline, Jacqueline M

2018-05-01

We conducted external comparisons for the prevalence of asthma, hypertension, diabetes, and cancer among World Trade Center (WTC) general responders using the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) as the reference, along with internal comparisons for the incidence of asthma. Standardized Morbidity Ratios (SMRs) were calculated for the prevalence of the health conditions, and risk ratios (RRs) for asthma incidence. Relative to the NHIS, asthma prevalence was in excess in responders over the study years (age-adjusted SMRs = 1.3-2.8). Hypertension prevalence began to exceed expected from 2006 while diabetes was lower than expected. An upward trend towards excess cancer prevalence was observed. Internal comparisons showed elevated asthma incidence among protective service and utility workers compared to construction workers; while those who arrived at the WTC site in the morning of 9/11 had a lower asthma risk than those who arrived in the afternoon. The use of NHIS data as a reference population demonstrates and reconfirms several important patterns of excess risk in WTC responders. External comparisons are an alternative for disaster cohorts without an established comparison group. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

About feeding children: mealtimes in child-care centers in four western states.

PubMed

Sigman-Grant, Madeleine; Christiansen, Elizabeth; Branen, Laurel; Fletcher, Janice; Johnson, Susan L

2008-02-01

This study was conducted to describe mealtimes and explore routines, policies, and training in child-care centers. Following an intensive review of mealtimes, staff and director questionnaires were created. Using a stratified random sampling protocol and following the Tailored Design Method, directors and staff from licensed child-care centers from California, Colorado, Idaho, and Nevada were surveyed. Center and staff characteristics were compared among the four states and three census areas using analysis of variance and chi(2) analyses, as appropriate. To adjust for multiple comparisons, a stringent P value of <0.001 was used for post hoc comparisons. Responses were received from 568 centers (representing 1,190 staff and 464 directors). Mealtimes generally occurred in the classroom, where an adult sat at the table with the children, served some food, poured the drinks, and ate some of the center-provided food. Less than half of centers reported using "family-style" service, although this style allows children the opportunity to self-serve food. Staff received substantially less training on feeding children (42%) than on nutrition (68%) and child development (95%). These findings bring focus to the need to educate child-care staff and directors about the impact of mealtime environments on child health and development.

Comparison of Traditional Instruction on Reflection and Rotation in a Nepalese High School with an ICT-Rich, Student-Centered, Investigative Approach

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mainali, Bhesh Raj; Heck, André

2017-01-01

A teacher-centered, examination-driven instructional approach emphasizing knowledge of facts and standard methods through drill-and-practice without use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is still dominant in Nepalese high schools. In this article, we present a classroom study in which the traditional instructional approach has…

Developmental Investigation of the Domain-Specific Nature of the Life Satisfaction Construct across the Post-School Transition

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chen, Xidan; Morin, Alexandre J. S.; Parker, Philip D.; Marsh, Herbert W.

2015-01-01

This study evaluated the nature of the life satisfaction construct with an emphasis on the comparison between a global or domain-specific operationalization during the transition from adolescence to adulthood. A combination of person-centered and variable-centered methods were used to analyze 7 waves of data covering the postschool transition from…

WHY THEY CAME TO THE EAST-WEST CENTER, A COMPARISON OF ASIAN PACIFIC AND AMERICAN GRANTEES.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

MEREDITH, GERALD M.

MAJOR COMPONENTS IN REASONS GIVEN BY ASIAN-PACIFIC AND AMERICAN GRANTEES FOR THE DECISION TO ATTEND THE EAST-WEST CENTER ARE IDENTIFIED. THE STUDY HELPED TO--(1) IDENTIFY MAJOR FACTORS IN REASONS GIVEN FOR ATTENDANCE, (2) CLARIFY THE SELF-REPORTED MOTIVATIONAL STRUCTURE BEHIND EDUCATIONAL-VOCATIONAL DECISIONS, AND (3) EXAMINE THE RELATIONSHIP OF…

Míranos! Look at us, we are healthy! An environmental approach to early childhood obesity prevention.

PubMed

Yin, Zenong; Parra-Medina, Deborah; Cordova, Alberto; He, Meizi; Trummer, Virginia; Sosa, Erica; Gallion, Kipling J; Sintes-Yallen, Amanda; Huang, Yaling; Wu, Xuelian; Acosta, Desiree; Kibbe, Debra; Ramirez, Amelie

2012-10-01

Obesity prevention research is sparse in young children at risk for obesity. This study tested the effectiveness of a culturally tailored, multicomponent prevention intervention to promote healthy weight gain and gross motor development in low-income preschool age children. Study participants were predominantly Mexican-American children (n = 423; mean age = 4.1; 62% in normal weight range) enrolled in Head Start. The study was conducted using a quasi-experimental pretest/posttest design with two treatment groups and a comparison group. A center-based intervention included an age-appropriate gross motor program with structured outdoor play, supplemental classroom activities, and staff development. A combined center- and home-based intervention added peer-led parent education to create a broad supportive environment in the center and at home. Primary outcomes were weight-based z-scores and raw scores of gross motor skills of the Learning Achievement Profile Version 3. Favorable changes occurred in z-scores for weight (one-tailed p < 0.04) for age and gender among children in the combined center- and home-based intervention compared to comparison children at posttest. Higher gains of gross motor skills were found in children in the combined center- and home-based (p < 0.001) and the center-based intervention (p < 0.01). Children in both intervention groups showed increases in outdoor physical activity and consumption of healthy food. Process evaluation data showed high levels of protocol implementation fidelity and program participation of children, Head Start staff, and parents. The study demonstrated great promise in creating a health-conducive environment that positively impacts weight and gross motor skill development in children at risk for obesity. Program efficacy should be tested in a randomized trial.

Comparison of QuikSCAT and GPS-Derived Ocean Surface Winds

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Axelrad, Penina

2001-01-01

The Colorado Center for Astrodynamics has completed a study comparing ocean surface winds derived from GPS bistatic measurements with QuikSCAT wind fields. We have also compiled an extensive database of the bistatic GPS flight data collected by NASA Langley Research Center over the last several years. The GPS data are augmented with coincident data from QuikSCAT, buoys, TOPEX, and ERS.

Implementing the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics: A Comparison of Current District Content in 41 States. Working Paper #32

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cogan, Leland; Schmidt, William; Houang, Richard

2013-01-01

Beginning in the spring of 2011 the Center for the Study of Curriculum at Michigan State University conducted a survey of school district curriculum directors/supervisors in the 41 states that had officially adopted the new Common Core State Standards for Mathematics (CCSSM). The Center's goal was to provide baseline information to inform and…

Lexical Decision with Left, Right and Center Visual Field Presentation: A Comparison between Dyslexic and Regular Readers by Means of Electrophysiological and Behavioral Measures

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shaul, Shelley

2012-01-01

This study examined the differences in processing between regular and dyslexic readers in a lexical decision task in different visual field presentations (left, right, and center). The research utilized behavioral measures that provide information on accuracy and reaction time and electro-physiological measures that permit the examination of brain…

A Preliminary Test of a Student-Centered Intervention on Increasing Physical Activity in Underserved Adolescents

PubMed Central

Wilson, Dawn K.; Evans, Alexandra E.; Williams, Joel; Mixon, Gary; Sirard, John R.; Pate, Russell

2008-01-01

Background Previous studies have shown that choice and self-initiated behavior change are important for increasing intrinsic motivation and physical activity (PA), however, little of this research has focused on underserved adolescents. Purpose This study examined the effects of a 4-week student-centered intervention on increasing PA in underserved adolescents. Methods Twenty-eight students in the intervention school were matched (on race, percentage on free or reduced-price lunch program, gender, and age) with 20 students from another school who served as the comparison group (30 girls, 18 boys; ages 10–12 years; 83% African American; 83% on free or reduced-price lunch). The student-centered intervention was consistent with self-determination (motivation) theory and social cognitive theory in that it emphasized increasing intrinsic motivation and behavioral skills for PA. Intervention adolescents took ownership in selecting a variety of PA activities in which to participate, and they generated coping strategies for making effective PA behavior changes. Results Intervention participants showed greater increases in accelerometer estimates of time spent in moderate PA, moderate-to-vigorous PA, and vigorous PA from baseline to Week 4 of the intervention than the comparison group. Intervention participants also showed greater increases in PA motivation and positive self-concept for PA than comparison adolescents. Conclusions This study provides preliminary evidence that increasing adolescent involvement and choice of activities may be important in developing future PA interventions for underserved adolescents. PMID:16173908

Comparison of ISS, NISS, and RTS score as predictor of mortality in pediatric fall.

PubMed

Soni, Kapil Dev; Mahindrakar, Santosh; Gupta, Amit; Kumar, Subodh; Sagar, Sushma; Jhakal, Ashish

2017-01-01

Studies to identify an ideal trauma score tool representing prediction of outcomes of the pediatric fall patient remains elusive. Our study was undertaken to identify better predictor of mortality in the pediatric fall patients. Data was retrieved from prospectively maintained trauma registry project at level 1 trauma center developed as part of Multicentric Project-Towards Improving Trauma Care Outcomes (TITCO) in India. Single center data retrieved from a prospectively maintained trauma registry at a level 1 trauma center, New Delhi, for a period ranging from 1 October 2013 to 17 February 2015 was evaluated. Standard anatomic scores Injury Severity Score (ISS) and New Injury Severity Score (NISS) were compared with physiologic score Revised Trauma Score (RTS) using receiver operating curve (ROC). Heart rate and RTS had a statistical difference among the survivors to nonsurvivors. ISS, NISS, and RTS were having 50, 50, and 86% of area under the curve on ROCs, and RTS was statistically significant among them. Physiologically based trauma score systems (RTS) are much better predictors of inhospital mortality in comparison to anatomical based scoring systems (ISS and NISS) for unintentional pediatric falls.

High Speed Vessels to Market : Comparative Case Studies in the Passenger Trade

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2001-08-01

The Volpe Center chose to study several existing catamarans and high speed monohulls in comparison to representative SWATH family craft, including the SLICE 400 (passenger) and SLICE 600 (passenger/90 car) variants, the former similar in size and per...

A Brief Study on Autonomous Learning Mode in Self-study Center Based on Web

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tian, Xian Zhi

In the paper, the author has studied the autonomous learning ability and its reform of linguistic-major students. All of the studies are based on web in self-study center. As for the author, she has used the method of comparison and at the same time, she also used showing examples. In order to show the views clearly, the author has made investigation in English major and law major students. Thus she thinks that teaching reform is necessary for development of students and some effective ways can be used in improving teaching efficiency.

Lunar Transportation Facilities and Operations Study, option 2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1992-01-01

During the Option 2 period of the Lunar Transportation Facilities and Operations Study (LTFOS), a joint McDonnell Douglas Space Systems Company Kennedy Space Center (MDSSC-KSC) and National Aeronautics and Space Administration Kennedy Space Center (NASA-KSC) Study team conducted a comparison of the functional testing of the RL-10 and Space Shuttle Main Engine, a quick-look impact assessment of the Synthesis Group Report, and a detailed assessment of the Synthesis Group Report. The results of these KSC LTFOS team efforts are included. The most recent study task effort was a detailed assessment of the Synthesis Group Report. The assessment was conducted to determine the impact on planetary launch and landing facilities and operations. The result of that effort is a report entitled 'Analysis of the Synthesis Group Report, its Architectures and their Impacts on PSS Launch and Landing Operations' and is contained in Appendix A. The report is structured in a briefing format with facing pages as opposed to a narrative style. A quick-look assessment of the Synthesis Group Report was conducted to determine the impact of implementing the recommendations of the Synthesis Group on KSC launch facilities and operations. The data was documented in a presentation format as requested by Kennedy Space Center Technology and Advanced Projects Office and is included in Appendix B. Appendix C is a white paper on the comparison of the functional testing of the RL-10 and Space Shuttle Main Engine. The comparison was undertaken to provide insight regarding common test requirements that would be applicable to Lunar and Mars Excursion Vehicles (LEV and MEV).

Prospective multi-center study of an automatic online seizure detection system for epilepsy monitoring units.

PubMed

Fürbass, F; Ossenblok, P; Hartmann, M; Perko, H; Skupch, A M; Lindinger, G; Elezi, L; Pataraia, E; Colon, A J; Baumgartner, C; Kluge, T

2015-06-01

A method for automatic detection of epileptic seizures in long-term scalp-EEG recordings called EpiScan will be presented. EpiScan is used as alarm device to notify medical staff of epilepsy monitoring units (EMUs) in case of a seizure. A prospective multi-center study was performed in three EMUs including 205 patients. A comparison between EpiScan and the Persyst seizure detector on the prospective data will be presented. In addition, the detection results of EpiScan on retrospective EEG data of 310 patients and the public available CHB-MIT dataset will be shown. A detection sensitivity of 81% was reached for unequivocal electrographic seizures with false alarm rate of only 7 per day. No statistical significant differences in the detection sensitivities could be found between the centers. The comparison to the Persyst seizure detector showed a lower false alarm rate of EpiScan but the difference was not of statistical significance. The automatic seizure detection method EpiScan showed high sensitivity and low false alarm rate in a prospective multi-center study on a large number of patients. The application as seizure alarm device in EMUs becomes feasible and will raise the efficiency of video-EEG monitoring and the safety levels of patients. Copyright © 2014 International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Immediate percutaneous sacroiliac screw insertion for unstable pelvic fractures: is it safe enough?

PubMed

Acker, A; Perry, Z H; Blum, S; Shaked, G; Korngreen, A

2018-04-01

The purpose of this study was to compare the results of immediate and delayed percutaneous sacroiliac screws surgery for unstable pelvic fractures, regarding technical results and complication rate. Retrospective study. The study was conducted at the Soroka University Medical center, Beer Sheva, Israel, which is a level 1 trauma Center. 108 patients with unstable pelvic injuries were operated by the orthopedic department at the Soroka University Medical Center between the years 1999-2010. A retrospective analysis found 50 patients with immediate surgery and 58 patients with delayed surgery. Preoperative and postoperative imaging were analyzed and data was collected regarding complications. All patients were operated on by using the same technique-percutaneous fixation of sacroiliac joint with cannulated screws. The study's primary outcome measure was the safety and quality of the early operation in comparison with the late operation. A total of 156 sacroiliac screws were inserted. No differences were found between the immediate and delayed treatment groups regarding technical outcome measures (P value = 0.44) and complication rate (P value = 0.42). The current study demonstrated that immediate percutaneous sacroiliac screw insertion for unstable pelvic fractures produced equally good technical results, in comparison with the conventional delayed operation, without additional complications.

A Comparison of Final Grades Awarded by Full-Time Faculty and Part-Time Faculty by Academic Center for Winter Term 1997.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

MacFarland, Thomas W.

This study examined differences in final course grades awarded by full-time and part-time faculty by academic center at Nova Southeastern University (Florida). Course data were obtained on 387 full-time and 812 part-time faculty and 63 administrators who taught one or more standard courses during winter term 1997. It was found that 87 percent of…

21 CFR 314.126 - Adequate and well-controlled studies.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... permits a valid comparison with a control to provide a quantitative assessment of drug effect. The... data analyses performed. (c) The Director of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research may, on the...

21 CFR 314.126 - Adequate and well-controlled studies.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... permits a valid comparison with a control to provide a quantitative assessment of drug effect. The... data analyses performed. (c) The Director of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research may, on the...

21 CFR 314.126 - Adequate and well-controlled studies.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... permits a valid comparison with a control to provide a quantitative assessment of drug effect. The... data analyses performed. (c) The Director of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research may, on the...

21 CFR 314.126 - Adequate and well-controlled studies.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... permits a valid comparison with a control to provide a quantitative assessment of drug effect. The... data analyses performed. (c) The Director of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research may, on the...

21 CFR 314.126 - Adequate and well-controlled studies.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... permits a valid comparison with a control to provide a quantitative assessment of drug effect. The... data analyses performed. (c) The Director of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research may, on the...

Counselor Attitudes toward and Use of Evidence-Based Practices in Private Substance Use Disorder Treatment Centers: A Comparison of Social Workers and Non-Social Workers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bride, Brian E.; Kintzle, Sara; Abraham, Amanda J.; Roman, Paul M.

2012-01-01

The purpose of this study was to examine factors that may be associated with variation in social workers' perceptions of effectiveness, perceptions of acceptability, and use of psychosocial evidence-based practices (EBPs) for the treatment of substance use disorders (SUD) in comparison to other SUD counselors who are non-social workers. A national…

Family-Centered Care in Juvenile Justice Institutions: A Mixed Methods Study Protocol.

PubMed

Simons, Inge; Mulder, Eva; Rigter, Henk; Breuk, René; van der Vaart, Wander; Vermeiren, Robert

2016-09-12

Treatment and rehabilitation interventions in juvenile justice institutions aim to prevent criminal reoffending by adolescents and to enhance their prospects of successful social reintegration. There is evidence that these goals are best achieved when the institution adopts a family-centered approach, involving the parents of the adolescents. The Academic Workplace Forensic Care for Youth has developed two programs for family-centered care for youth detained in groups for short-term and long-term stay, respectively. The overall aim of our study is to evaluate the family-centered care program in the first two years after the first steps of its implementation in short-term stay groups of two juvenile justice institutions in the Netherlands. The current paper discusses our study design. Based on a quantitative pilot study, we opted for a study with an explanatory sequential mixed methods design. This pilot is considered the first stage of our study. The second stage of our study includes concurrent quantitative and qualitative approaches. The quantitative part of our study is a pre-post quasi-experimental comparison of family-centered care with usual care in short-term stay groups. The qualitative part of our study involves in-depth interviews with adolescents, parents, and group workers to elaborate on the preceding quantitative pilot study and to help interpret the outcomes of the quasi-experimental quantitative part of the study. We believe that our study will result in the following findings. In the quantitative comparison of usual care with family-centered care, we assume that in the latter group, parents will be more involved with their child and with the institution, and that parents and adolescents will be more motivated to take part in therapy. In addition, we expect family-centered care to improve family interactions, to decrease parenting stress, and to reduce problem behavior among the adolescents. Finally, we assume that adolescents, parents, and the staff of the institutions will be more satisfied with family-centered care than with usual care. In the qualitative part of our study, we will identify the needs and expectations in family-centered care as well as factors influencing parental participation. Insight in these factors will help to further improve our program of family-centered care and its implementation in practice. Our study results will be published over the coming years. A juvenile justice institution is a difficult setting to evaluate care programs. A combination of practice-based research methods is needed to address all major implementation issues. The study described here takes on the challenge by means of practice-based research. We expect the results of our study to contribute to the improvement of care for adolescents detained in juvenile justice institutions, and for their families.

Comparison of air-driven vs electric torque control motors on canal centering ability by ProTaper NiTi rotary instruments.

PubMed

Zarei, Mina; Javidi, Maryam; Erfanian, Mahdi; Lomee, Mahdi; Afkhami, Farzaneh

2013-01-01

Cleaning and shaping is one of the most important phases in root canal therapy. Various rotary NiTi systems minimize accidents and facilitate the shaping process. Todays NiTi files are used with air-driven and electric handpieces. This study compared the canal centering after instrumentation using the ProTaper system using Endo IT, electric torque-control motor, and NSK air-driven handpiece. This ex vivo randomized controlled trial study involved 26 mesial mandibular root canals with 10 to 35° curvature. The roots were randomly divided into 2 groups of 13 canals each. The roots were mounted in an endodontic cube with acrylic resin, sectioned horizontally at 2, 6 and 10 mm from the apex and then reassembled. The canals were instrumented according to the manufacturer's instructions using ProTaper rotary files and electric torque-control motors (group 1) or air-driven handpieces (group 2). Photographs of the cross-sections included shots before and after instrumentation, and image analysis was performed using Photoshop software. The centering ability and canal transportation was also evaluated. Repeated measurement and independent t-test provided statistical analysis of canal transportation. The comparison of the rate of transportation toward internal or external walls between the two groups was not statistically significant (p = 0.62). Comparison of the rate of transportation of sections within one group was not significant (p = 0.28). Use of rotary NiTi file with either electric torquecontrol motor or air-driven handpiece had no effect on canal centering. NiTi rotary instruments can be used with air-driven motors without any considerable changes in root canal anatomy, however it needs the clinician to be expert.

Literature review of outcome parameters used in studies of Geriatric Fracture Centers.

PubMed

Liem, I S L; Kammerlander, C; Suhm, N; Kates, S L; Blauth, M

2014-02-01

A variety of multidisciplinary treatment models have been described to improve outcome after osteoporotic hip fractures. There is a tendency toward better outcomes after implementation of the most sophisticated model with a shared leadership for orthopedic surgeons and geriatricians; the Geriatric Fracture Center. The purpose of this review is to evaluate the use of outcome parameters in published literature on the Geriatric Fracture Center evaluation studies. A literature search was performed using Medline and the Cochrane Library to identify Geriatric Fracture Center evaluation studies. The outcome parameters used in the included studies were evaluated. A total of 16 outcome parameters were used in 11 studies to evaluate patient outcome in 8 different Geriatric Fracture Centers. Two of these outcome parameters are patient-reported outcome measures and 14 outcome parameters were objective measures. In-hospital mortality, length of stay, time to surgery, place of residence and complication rate are the most frequently used outcome parameters. The patient-reported outcomes included activities of daily living and mobility scores. There is a need for generally agreed upon outcome measures to facilitate comparison of different care models.

An education initiative modifies opinions of hemodialysis nurses towards home dialysis.

PubMed

Phillips, Matthew; Wile, Colleen; Bartol, Carolyn; Stockman, Cynthia; Dhir, Minakshi; Soroka, Steven D; Hingwala, Jay; Bargman, Joanne M; Chan, Christopher T; Tennankore, Karthik K

2015-01-01

It has been shown that in-center hemodialysis (HD) nurses prefer in-center HD for patients with certain characteristics; however it is not known if their opinions can be changed. To determine if an education initiative modified the perceptions of in-center HD nurses towards home dialysis. Cross-sectional survey of in-center HD nurses before and after a three hour continuing nursing education (CNE) initiative. Content of the CNE initiative included a didactic review of benefits of home dialysis, common misconceptions about patient eligibility, cost comparisons of different modalities and a home dialysis patient testimonial video. All in-center HD nurses (including those working in satellite dialysis units) affiliated with a single academic institution. Survey themes included perceived barriers to home dialysis, preferred modality (home versus in-center HD), ideal modality distribution in the local program, awareness of home dialysis and patient education about home modalities. Paired comparisons of responses before and after the CNE initiative. Of the 115 in-center HD nurses, 100 registered for the CNE initiative and 89 completed pre and post surveys (89% response rate). At baseline, in-center HD nurses perceived that impaired cognition, poor motor strength and poor visual acuity were barriers to peritoneal dialysis and home HD. In-center HD was preferred for availability of multidisciplinary care and medical personnel in case of catastrophic events. After the initiative, perceptions were more in favor of home dialysis for all patient characteristics, and most patient/system factors. Home dialysis was perceived to be underutilized both at baseline and after the initiative. Finally, in-center HD nurses were more aware of home dialysis, felt better informed about its benefits and were more comfortable teaching in-center HD patients about home modalities after the CNE session. Single-center study. CNE initiatives can modify the opinions of in-center HD nurses towards home modalities and should complement the multitude of strategies aimed at promoting home dialysis.

Comparison of Node-Centered and Cell-Centered Unstructured Finite-Volume Discretizations. Part 1; Viscous Fluxes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Diskin, Boris; Thomas, James L.; Nielsen, Eric J.; Nishikawa, Hiroaki; White, Jeffery A.

2009-01-01

Discretization of the viscous terms in current finite-volume unstructured-grid schemes are compared using node-centered and cell-centered approaches in two dimensions. Accuracy and efficiency are studied for six nominally second-order accurate schemes: a node-centered scheme, cell-centered node-averaging schemes with and without clipping, and cell-centered schemes with unweighted, weighted, and approximately mapped least-square face gradient reconstruction. The grids considered range from structured (regular) grids to irregular grids composed of arbitrary mixtures of triangles and quadrilaterals, including random perturbations of the grid points to bring out the worst possible behavior of the solution. Two classes of tests are considered. The first class of tests involves smooth manufactured solutions on both isotropic and highly anisotropic grids with discontinuous metrics, typical of those encountered in grid adaptation. The second class concerns solutions and grids varying strongly anisotropically over a curved body, typical of those encountered in high-Reynolds number turbulent flow simulations. Results from the first class indicate the face least-square methods, the node-averaging method without clipping, and the node-centered method demonstrate second-order convergence of discretization errors with very similar accuracies per degree of freedom. The second class of tests are more discriminating. The node-centered scheme is always second order with an accuracy and complexity in linearization comparable to the best of the cell-centered schemes. In comparison, the cell-centered node-averaging schemes are less accurate, have a higher complexity in linearization, and can fail to converge to the exact solution when clipping of the node-averaged values is used. The cell-centered schemes using least-square face gradient reconstruction have more compact stencils with a complexity similar to the complexity of the node-centered scheme. For simulations on highly anisotropic curved grids, the least-square methods have to be amended either by introducing a local mapping of the surface anisotropy or modifying the scheme stencil to reflect the direction of strong coupling.

Comparison of the distribution of large magmatic centers on Earth, Venus, and Mars

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Crumpler, L. S.

1993-01-01

Volcanism is widely distributed over the surfaces of the major terrestrial planets: Venus, Earth, and Mars. Anomalous centers of magmatic activity occur on each planet and are characterized by evidence for unusual concentrations of volcanic centers, long-lived activity, unusual rates of effusion, extreme size of volcanic complexes, compositionally unusual magmatism, and evidence for complex geological development. The purpose of this study is to compare the characteristics and distribution of these magmatic anomalies on Earth, Venus, and Mars in order to assess these characteristics as they may relate to global characteristics and evolution of the terrestrial planets.

A Comparison of the Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization Specialists (SADBUS’) Role at Navy Regional Contracting Center (NRCC) philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Navy Regional Contracting Center (NRCC) San Diego, California Detachment Long Beach

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-12-31

NAVAL POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL Monterey, California ITan THESIS A comparison of the Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization Specialists (SADBUS...8217A -Approved for public release: distribution is unlimited A Comparison of the small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization-Specialists (SADBUSI) Role...I D TIC ufst Spcati1 ABSTRACT This thesis analyzes the role of the Small and Disadvantaged Business Utii4zati6n Specialist (SADBUS) at the Navy

Analyzing quality of colorectal cancer care through registry statistics: a small community hospital example.

PubMed

Hopewood, Ian

2011-01-01

As the quantity of elderly Americans requiring oncologic care grows, and as cancer treatment and medicine become more advanced, assessing quality of cancer care becomes a necessary and advantageous practice for any facility.' Such analysis is especially practical in small community hospitals, which may not have the resources of their larger academic counterparts to ensure that the care being provided is current and competitive in terms of both technique and outcome. This study is a comparison of the colorectal cancer care at one such center, Falmouth Community Hospital (FCH)--located in Falmouth, Massachusetts, about an hour and a half away from the nearest metropolitan center--to the care provided at a major nearby Boston Tertiary Center (BTC) and at teaching and research facilities across New England and the United States. The metrics used to measure performance encompass both outcome (survival rate data) as well as technique, including quality of surgery (number of lymph nodes removed) and the administration of adjuvant treatments, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, as per national guidelines. All data for comparison between FCH and BTC were culled from those hospitals' tumor registries. Data for the comparison between FCH and national tertiary/referral centers were taken from the American College of Surgeons' Commission on Cancer, namely National Cancer Data Base (NCDB) statistics, Hospital Benchmark Reports and Practice Profile Reports. The results showed that, while patients at FCH were diagnosed at both a higher age and at a more advanced stage of colorectal cancer than their BTC counterparts, FCH stands up favorably to BTC and other large centers in terms of the metrics referenced above. Quality assessment such as the analysis conducted here can be used at other community facilities to spotlight, and ultimately eliminate, deficiencies in cancer programs.

Evaluation of spatial, radiometric and spectral Thematic Mapper performance for coastal studies

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Klemas, V.; Ackleson, S. G.; Hardisky, M. A.

1985-01-01

On 31 March 1983, the University of Delaware's Center for Remote Sensing initiated a study to evaluate the spatial, radiometric and spectral performance of the LANDSAT Thematic Mapper for coastal and estuarine studies. The investigation was supported by Contract NAS5-27580 from the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. The research was divided into three major subprojects: (1) a comparison of LANDSAT TM to MSS imagery for detecting submerged aquatic vegetation in Chesapeake Bay; (2) remote sensing of submerged aquatic vegetation - a radiative transfer approach; and (3) remote sensing of coastal wetland biomass using Thematic Mapper wavebands.

Seeking Humanizing Care in Patient-Centered Care Process: A Grounded Theory Study.

PubMed

Cheraghi, Mohammad Ali; Esmaeili, Maryam; Salsali, Mahvash

Patient-centered care is both a goal in itself and a tool for enhancing health outcomes. The application of patient-centered care in health care services globally however is diverse. This article reports on a study that sought to introduce patient-centered care. The aim of this study is to explore the process of providing patient-centered care in critical care units. The study used a grounded theory method. Data were collected on 5 critical care units in Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Purposive and theoretical sampling directed the collection of data using 29 semistructured interviews with 27 participants (nurses, patients, and physician). Data obtained were analyzed according to the analysis stages of grounded theory and constant comparison to identify the concepts, context, and process of the study. The core category of this grounded theory is "humanizing care," which consisted of 4 interrelated phases, including patient acceptance, purposeful patient assessment and identification, understanding patients, and patient empowerment. A core category of humanizing care integrated the theory. Humanizing care was an outcome and process. Patient-centered care is a dynamic and multifaceted process provided according to the nurses' understanding of the concept. Patient-centered care does not involve repeating routine tasks; rather, it requires an all-embracing understanding of the patients and showing respect for their values, needs, and preferences.

An Intercenter Comparison of Dental Arch Relationships and Craniofacial Form Including a Center Using Nasoalveolar Molding.

PubMed

Peanchitlertkajorn, Supakit; Mercado, Ana; Daskalogiannakis, John; Hathaway, Ronald; Russell, Kathleen; Semb, Gunvor; Shaw, William; Lamichane, Manish; Fessler, Jennifer; Long, Ross E

2018-01-01

Objective To compare dental arch relationship and craniofacial morphology of patients with CUCLP in pre-adolescence from five cleft centers including a center using NAM. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Five cleft centers in North America. Patients One hundred eighty-two subjects with repaired CUCLP from the five cleft centers participated in the craniofacial form study. One hundred forty-eight subjects from four of the five centers participated in the dental arch relationship study. Methods Digital dental models were assessed using the GOSLON Yardstick. Eighteen cephalometric measurements were performed. Measurement means, by center, were compared. Analysis of variance and Tukey-Kramer analysis were used to compare GOSLON scores and cephalometric measurements. Results The center that performed neither PSOT (including NAM) nor primary bone grafting exhibited the most favorable mean GOSLON score. The same center also showed the highest mean SNA, ANB, and ANS-N-Pg angles. However, the mean ANB and ANS-N-Pg angles were not significantly different from those of the center using NAM. No statistically significant differences were seen for mandibular prominence, vertical dimensions, or dental inclinations. The center with NAM also showed a significantly smaller nasoform angle than two of the four other centers. Conclusion The centers that used NAM and other forms of PSOT did not have better dental arch relationships or craniofacial morphology compared with the centers that performed only primary lip repair. However, this study was not designed to investigate the cause-and-effect relationship between specific outcomes and particular features of those protocols.

Cesarean Outcomes in US Birth Centers and Collaborating Hospitals: A Cohort Comparison.

PubMed

Thornton, Patrick; McFarlin, Barbara L; Park, Chang; Rankin, Kristin; Schorn, Mavis; Finnegan, Lorna; Stapleton, Susan

2017-01-01

High rates of cesarean birth are a significant health care quality issue, and birth centers have shown potential to reduce rates of cesarean birth. Measuring this potential is complicated by lack of randomized trials and limited observational comparisons. Cesarean rates vary by provider type, setting, and clinical and nonclinical characteristics of women, but our understanding of these dynamics is incomplete. We sought to isolate labor setting from other risk factors in order to assess the effect of birth centers on the odds of cesarean birth. We generated low-risk cohorts admitted in labor to hospitals (n = 2527) and birth centers (n = 8776) using secondary data obtained from the American Association of Birth Centers (AABC). All women received prenatal care in the birth center and midwifery care in labor, but some chose hospital admission for labor. Analysis was intent to treat according to site of admission in spontaneous labor. We used propensity score adjustment and multivariable logistic regression to control for cohort differences and measured effect sizes associated with setting. There was a 37% (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 0.63; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.50-0.79) to 38% (adjusted OR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.49-0.79) decreased odds of cesarean in the birth center cohort and a remarkably low overall cesarean rate of less than 5% in both cohorts. These findings suggest that low rates of cesarean in birth centers are not attributable to labor setting alone. The entire birth center care model, including prenatal preparation and relationship-based midwifery care, should be studied, promoted, and implemented by policy makers interested in achieving appropriate cesarean rates in the United States. © 2016 by the American College of Nurse-Midwives.

Dimentions of Counselee Responses over Several Therapy Sessions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zimmer, Jules M.; And Others

1972-01-01

The results of the current study, as well as the Zimmer and Cowles (1972) study using quite different procedures, involved a comparison of client-centered, gestalt, and rational therapies and do not support the conclusion that therapeutic relationships tend to be characteristically the same. Theoretical orientation as operationalized by…

A Comparison of Online and Traditional Instructional Delivery Methods on Learning in College Macroeconomics Courses

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rivas, Rodolfo R.

2009-01-01

This exploratory study centered its investigation in the participants' responses provided in 2 different instructional teaching delivery methods (traditional and online) that utilized active-like teaching learning techniques (case studies, group projects, threaded discussions, class discussions, office hours, lectures, computerized assignments,…

Space Shuttle hypersonic aerodynamic and aerothermodynamic flight research and the comparison to ground test results

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Iliff, Kenneth W.; Shafer, Mary F.

1993-01-01

Aerodynamic and aerothermodynamic comparisons between flight and ground test for the Space Shuttle at hypersonic speeds are discussed. All of the comparisons are taken from papers published by researchers active in the Space Shuttle program. The aerodynamic comparisons include stability and control derivatives, center-of-pressure location, and reaction control jet interaction. Comparisons are also discussed for various forms of heating, including catalytic, boundary layer, top centerline, side fuselage, OMS pod, wing leading edge, and shock interaction. The jet interaction and center-of-pressure location flight values exceeded not only the predictions but also the uncertainties of the predictions. Predictions were significantly exceeded for the heating caused by the vortex impingement on the OMS pods and for heating caused by the wing leading-edge shock interaction.

The Willowbrook futures project: a longitudinal analysis of person-centered planning.

PubMed

Holburn, Steve; Jacobson, John W; Schwartz, Allen A; Flory, Michael J; Vietze, Peter M

2004-01-01

We conducted a longitudinal comparative evaluation of person-centered planning processes and outcomes for 20 individuals with intellectual disabilities and problem behavior (former residents of Willowbrook) and a matched contrast group, who received traditional interdisciplinary service planning (ISP). At the inception of the study, all participants were living in one of four other developmental centers (institutions) in New York City. Process and outcome data obtained from questionnaires completed by team members approximately every 8 months at four time periods showed that the rate of improvement in both person-centered planning process and outcomes for the intervention group was significantly greater than that of the comparison group. Eighteen of 19 person-centered planning participants moved to community living arrangements, as did 5 of 18 in the contrast group.

Comparison of CyTOF assays across sites: Results of a six-center pilot study.

PubMed

Leipold, Michael D; Obermoser, Gerlinde; Fenwick, Craig; Kleinstuber, Katja; Rashidi, Narges; McNevin, John P; Nau, Allison N; Wagar, Lisa E; Rozot, Virginie; Davis, Mark M; DeRosa, Stephen; Pantaleo, Giuseppe; Scriba, Thomas J; Walker, Bruce D; Olsen, Lars R; Maecker, Holden T

2018-02-01

For more than five years, high-dimensional mass cytometry has been employed to study immunology. However, these studies have typically been performed in one laboratory on one or few instruments. We present the results of a six-center study using healthy control human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and commercially available reagents to test the intra-site and inter-site variation of mass cytometers and operators. We used prestained controls generated by the primary center as a reference to compare against samples stained at each individual center. Data were analyzed at the primary center, including investigating the effects of two normalization methods. All six sites performed similarly, with CVs for both Frequency of Parent and median signal intensity (MSI) values<30%. Increased background was seen when using the premixed antibody cocktail aliquots at each site, suggesting that cocktails are best made fresh. Both normalization methods tested performed adequately for normalizing MSI values between centers. Clustering algorithms revealed slight differences between the prestained and the sites-stained samples, due mostly to the increased background of a few antibodies. Therefore, we believe that multicenter mass cytometry assays are feasible. Copyright © 2017 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Evaluating multicenter DTI data in Huntington's disease on site specific effects: An ex post facto approach.

PubMed

Müller, Hans-Peter; Grön, Georg; Sprengelmeyer, Reiner; Kassubek, Jan; Ludolph, Albert C; Hobbs, Nicola; Cole, James; Roos, Raymund A C; Duerr, Alexandra; Tabrizi, Sarah J; Landwehrmeyer, G Bernhard; Süssmuth, Sigurd D

2013-01-01

Assessment of the feasibility to average diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) metrics of MRI data acquired in the course of a multicenter study. Sixty-one early stage Huntington's disease patients and forty healthy controls were studied using four different MR scanners at four European sites with acquisition protocols as close as possible to a given standard protocol. The potential and feasibility of averaging data acquired at different sites was evaluated quantitatively by region-of-interest (ROI) based statistical comparisons of coefficients of variation (CV) across centers, as well as by testing for significant group-by-center differences on averaged fractional anisotropy (FA) values between patients and controls. In addition, a whole-brain based statistical between-group comparison was performed using FA maps. The ex post facto statistical evaluation of CV and FA-values in a priori defined ROIs showed no differences between sites above chance indicating that data were not systematically biased by center specific factors. Averaging FA-maps from DTI data acquired at different study sites and different MR scanner types does not appear to be systematically biased. A suitable recipe for testing on the possibility to pool multicenter DTI data is provided to permit averaging of DTI-derived metrics to differentiate patients from healthy controls at a larger scale.

Comparison of Six Highway Air Pollution Dispersion Models Using Synthetic Data

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1977-09-01

This is the second of two studies conducted by the Transportation Systems Center (TSC) to test the performance of highway air pollution dispersion models, using synthetic data (i.e., either measured or artificially constructed input data for models, ...

Impact of support groups on well-being of older women.

PubMed

Segrist, Kathleen A

2008-01-01

The goal of this study was to determine whether differences in incidence of depression and level of well-being are manifested between older women, aged 60 and older, who attend either (a) a peer-run support group, (b) a staff-run support group, or (c) a comparison group (i.e., who do not attend a support group). Thirty-six women participating in peer-run and staff-run support groups and 9 women receiving nongroup support were administered the Geriatric Depression Scale and the Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale. Separate analyses of variance were employed on each scale to determine the significance of differences in scores according to facilitator type (i.e., peer-run vs. staff-run vs. comparison group). Analysis of scores on the Geriatric Depression Scale indicated significant differences between women in the peer-run groups and women in the comparison group, but no significant differences between women in the peer-run groups and women in the staff-run groups or between women in the staff-run groups and women in the comparison group. Analysis of scores on the Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale did not indicate any significant differences between women based on facilitator type. Results of this study have implications for those who run face-to-face support groups for older adults, for those who train peer group facilitators, and for community agencies that desire to initiate a support group system for their clientele.

Quasi-experimental Study of Systematic Screening for Family Planning Services among Postpartum Women Attending Village Health and Nutrition Days in Jharkhand, India.

PubMed

Balasubramaniam, Sudharsanam; Kumar, Somesh; Sethi, Reena; Charurat, Elaine; Lalchandani, Kamlesh; Schuster, Anne; Sood, Bulbul

2018-01-25

Systematic screening helps increase family planning uptake through integration with other services, including immunization. Though successfully demonstrated at health facilities, this strategy has not been demonstrated in communities. This study assessed the effectiveness of systematic screening to increase postpartum family planning use during community health days in India without adversely affecting immunization services. The study was conducted during 180 individual Village Health and Nutrition Days in Jharkhand, India. All health workers were trained in postpartum family planning counseling. Intervention providers were also trained in systematic screening. 217 postpartum women aged 15-49 years participated in baseline and endline exit interviews and routine service statistics were analyzed from 2,485 facility visits at affiliated health centers. No difference in family planning service use was found in the intervention group, but significantly fewer interviewed women reported receiving family planning services at endline in the comparison group (p = 0.014). Family planning acceptance at affiliated health centers increased significantly in intervention areas (p < 0.001) but not in comparison areas, while immunization service use increased in both groups (p = 0.002 intervention, p < 0.001 comparison). The use of the postpartum systematic screening tool appears to increase acceptance of family planning services when integrated with community-based services in Jharkhand.

Acquisition of delayed matching in the pigeon.

PubMed

Berryman, R; Cumming, W W; Nevin, J A

1963-01-01

Pigeons were exposed to three successive matching-to-sample procedures. On a given trial, the sample (red, green or blue light) appeared on a center key; observing responses to this key produced the comparison stimuli on two side keys. Seven different experimental conditions could govern the temporal relations between the sample and comparison stimuli. In the "simultaneous" condition, the center key response was followed immediately by illumination of the side key comparison stimuli, with the center key remaining on. In "zero delay" the center key response simultaneously turned the side keys on and the center key off, while in the "variable delay" conditions, intervals of 1, 2, 4, 10, and 24 sec were interposed between the offset of the sample and the appearance of the comparison stimuli on the side keys. In all conditions, a response to the side key of matching hue produced reinforcement, while a response to the non-matching side key was followed by a blackout. In procedure I all seven experimental conditions were presented in randomly permutated order. After nine sessions of exposure (at 191 trials per session, for a total of 1719 trials) the birds gave no evidence of acquisition in any of the conditions. They were therefore transferred to Procedure II, which required them to match only in the "simultaneous" condition, with both the sample and comparison stimuli present at the same time. With the exception of one bird, all subjects acquired this performance to near 100% levels. Next, in Procedure III, they were once more exposed to presentation of all seven experimental conditions in random order. In contrast to Procedure I, they now acquired the delay performance, and were able to match effectively at delays of about 4 sec.

Health Care Use and Spending for Medicaid Enrollees in Federally Qualified Health Centers Versus Other Primary Care Settings

PubMed Central

Lee, Sang Mee; Sharma, Ravi; Ngo-Metzger, Quyen; Mukamel, Dana B.; Gao, Yue; White, Laura M.; Shi, Leiyu; Chin, Marshall H.; Laiteerapong, Neda; Huang, Elbert S.

2016-01-01

Objectives. To compare health care use and spending of Medicaid enrollees seen at federally qualified health centers versus non–health center settings in a context of significant growth. Methods. Using fee-for-service Medicaid claims from 13 states in 2009, we compared patients receiving the majority of their primary care in federally qualified health centers with propensity score–matched comparison groups receiving primary care in other settings. Results. We found that health center patients had lower use and spending than did non–health center patients across all services, with 22% fewer visits and 33% lower spending on specialty care and 25% fewer admissions and 27% lower spending on inpatient care. Total spending was 24% lower for health center patients. Conclusions. Our analysis of 2009 Medicaid claims, which includes the largest sample of states and more recent data than do previous multistate claims studies, demonstrates that the health center program has provided a cost-efficient setting for primary care for Medicaid enrollees. PMID:27631748

A comparison of health behaviors of women in centering pregnancy and traditional prenatal care.

PubMed

Shakespear, Kaylynn; Waite, Phillip J; Gast, Julie

2010-03-01

Researchers sought to determine the difference in health behaviors between women who receive prenatal care via the Centering Pregnancy approach and those involved in traditional prenatal care. Using a cross-sectional design, adult pregnant women (n = 125) were surveyed from at least 28 weeks gestation to delivery. The sample was comprised of primarily white low income women. Using multiple linear regression it was determined that women in Centering Pregnancy had significantly lower index health behavior scores compared with the traditional care group showing that those in Centering Pregnancy reported engaging in fewer health promoting behaviors. Furthermore, no differences were observed for smoking or weight gain behaviors between groups. Additionally, those in Centering Pregnancy reported a lower perceived value of prenatal care. The results of this study suggest that Centering Pregnancy is not adequately aiding its patients in adopting healthy behaviors during pregnancy.

Early Childhood Intervention and Educational Attainment: Age 22 Findings from the Chicago Longitudinal Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ou, Suh-Ruu; Reynolds, Arthur J.

2006-01-01

This study investigated whether participation in the Chicago Child-Parent Center (CPC) Preschool Program associated with higher educational attainment (high school completion, highest grade completed, and college attendance) at age 22. The study sample included 1,334 youth (869 in the preschool group and 465 in the comparison group) from the…

COMPARISON OF PREDICTED AND OBSERVED PLUME TRENDS AT CONTAMINATED SITES

EPA Science Inventory

Over 45 natural attenuation treatability studies (TSs) were performed from 1993 to 1999 by Parsons Corporation (Parsons) for the Technology Transfer Division of the Air Force Center for Environmental Excellence (AFCEE/ERT) in conjunction with researchers from the US EPA - NRMRL. ...

Three Interaction Patterns on Asynchronous Online Discussion Behaviours: A Methodological Comparison

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jo, I.; Park, Y.; Lee, H.

2017-01-01

An asynchronous online discussion (AOD) is one format of instructional methods that facilitate student-centered learning. In the wealth of AOD research, this study evaluated how students' behavior on AOD influences their academic outcomes. This case study compared the differential analytic methods including web log mining, social network analysis…

A New Comparison of Active Learning Strategies to Traditional Lectures for Teaching College Astronomy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

LoPresto, Michael C.; Slater, Timothy F.

2016-01-01

Although traditional lectures are still the dominant form of undergraduate instruction, there have been relatively few studies comparing various learner-centered and active learning teaching strategies to one another in order to guide professors in making informed instructional decisions. To study the impact of different active learning…

The Geography of Political Communication: Effects of Regional Variations in Campaign Advertising on Citizen Communication

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cho, Jaeho

2011-01-01

This study explores whether and how campaign-induced changes in local information environments influence citizens' everyday communication activities. The empirical analysis in this study centers on a comparison of two New Jersey media markets that showed idiosyncratic differences in the amount of political advertising during the 2000 presidential…

Loss of Life, Evacuation and Emergency Management: Comparison and Application to Case Studies in the USA

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-01-22

eK ay a nd M cC le lla nd G ra ha m Katrina HEC -FIA LifeSim Figure 1: Comparison of loss of life models (based on Johnstone et al., 2005...Katrina HEC FIA Lifesim Application: flood types Levee breaching, river , coastal Levee breaching, river , coastal levee breaching, dam failure...Mortality – Overtopping with breach Center Side of American River (OTSC) Figure 31: Mortality for the HEC -FIA method for the two

Comparison of Node-Centered and Cell-Centered Unstructured Finite-Volume Discretizations: Viscous Fluxes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Diskin, Boris; Thomas, James L.; Nielsen, Eric J.; Nishikawa, Hiroaki; White, Jeffery A.

2010-01-01

Discretization of the viscous terms in current finite-volume unstructured-grid schemes are compared using node-centered and cell-centered approaches in two dimensions. Accuracy and complexity are studied for four nominally second-order accurate schemes: a node-centered scheme and three cell-centered schemes - a node-averaging scheme and two schemes with nearest-neighbor and adaptive compact stencils for least-square face gradient reconstruction. The grids considered range from structured (regular) grids to irregular grids composed of arbitrary mixtures of triangles and quadrilaterals, including random perturbations of the grid points to bring out the worst possible behavior of the solution. Two classes of tests are considered. The first class of tests involves smooth manufactured solutions on both isotropic and highly anisotropic grids with discontinuous metrics, typical of those encountered in grid adaptation. The second class concerns solutions and grids varying strongly anisotropically over a curved body, typical of those encountered in high-Reynolds number turbulent flow simulations. Tests from the first class indicate the face least-square methods, the node-averaging method without clipping, and the node-centered method demonstrate second-order convergence of discretization errors with very similar accuracies per degree of freedom. The tests of the second class are more discriminating. The node-centered scheme is always second order with an accuracy and complexity in linearization comparable to the best of the cell-centered schemes. In comparison, the cell-centered node-averaging schemes may degenerate on mixed grids, have a higher complexity in linearization, and can fail to converge to the exact solution when clipping of the node-averaged values is used. The cell-centered schemes using least-square face gradient reconstruction have more compact stencils with a complexity similar to that of the node-centered scheme. For simulations on highly anisotropic curved grids, the least-square methods have to be amended either by introducing a local mapping based on a distance function commonly available in practical schemes or modifying the scheme stencil to reflect the direction of strong coupling. The major conclusion is that accuracies of the node centered and the best cell-centered schemes are comparable at equivalent number of degrees of freedom.

A conceptual study of the rotor systems research aircraft

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1972-01-01

The analytical comparison of the two candidate Rotor Systems Research Aircraft (RSRA) configurations selected by the Government at the completion of Part 1 of the RSRA Conceptual Predesign Study is presented. The purpose of the comparison was to determine the relative suitability of both vehicles for the RSRA missions described in the Government Statement of Work, and to assess their versatility in the testing of new rotor concepts. The analytical comparison was performed primarily with regard to performance and stability and control. A weights, center-of-gravity, and inertia computation was performed for each iteration in the analysis process. The dynamics investigation was not concerned so much with a comparison of the two vehicles, but explored the dynamic problems attending operation of any RSRA operating with large rotor RPM and diameter ranges over large forward speed ranges. Several means of isolating in- and out-of-plane rotor vibrations were analyzed. An optimum isolation scheme was selected.

Flight Test Results of an Axisymmetric Channeled Center Body Supersonic Inlet at Off-Design Conditions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

St. John, Clinton W.; Frederick, Michael Alan

2013-01-01

Flight-testing of a channeled center-body axisymmetric supersonic inlet design concept was conducted at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Dryden Flight Research Center in collaboration with the NASA Glenn Research Center (Cleveland, Ohio) and TechLand Research, Inc. (North Olmsted, Ohio). This testing utilized the Propulsion Flight Test Fixture, flown on the NASA F-15B research test bed airplane (NASA tail number 836) at local experiment Mach numbers up to 1.50. The translating channeled center-body inlet was designed by TechLand Research, Inc. (U.S. Patent No. 6,276,632 B1) to allow for a novel method of off-design flow matching, with original test planning conducted under a NASA Small Business Innovative Research study. Data were collected in flight at various off-design Mach numbers for fixed-geometry representations of both the channeled center-body design and an equivalent area smooth center-body design for direct comparison of total pressure recovery and limited distortion measurements.

Administrators' Understanding and Use of Family-Centered Practices

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mandell, Colleen J.; Murray, Mary M.

2009-01-01

Employing qualitative methods, administrators' understanding and use of family-centered practices were examined. Results indicate differences in role perceptions and service delivery based on their level of understanding. Administrators with a comprehensive understanding of family-centered practices, in comparison to administrators with limited or…

Evaluation and Comparison of Changes in Microhardness of Primary and Permanent Enamel on Exposure to Acidic Center-filled Chewing Gum: An in vitro Study

PubMed Central

Muppa, Radhika; Srinivas, NCH; Kumar, Duddu Mahesh

2014-01-01

ABSTRACT Objectives: The study is to evaluate changes in microhardness of enamel after exposure to acidic center filled chewing gum on primary and permanent teeth. Methods: Thirty primary and 30 permanent molar extracted teeth were painted with acid resistant varnish except a small window over buccal surface. Teeth were divided into four groups according to type of teeth and type of chewing gum (Center fresh and Bubbaloo) (D1, P1, D2 and P2); each tooth was exposed to whole chewing gum mashed with 5 ml of artificial saliva for five minutes at room temperature twice a day for 5 days. After the exposure, teeth were stored in deionized water and submitted for microhardness tests. Results: Paired t-test and independent sample t-test were used for statistical analysis. A significant reduction in microhardness was found between exposed and unexposed areas in all groups. There was no statistically significant difference in reduction of microhardness to chewing gums, and between primary and permanent enamel. Conclusion: There is a definite reduction in microhardness in all groups exposed to chewing gums. Both the chewing gums are equally erosive; both permanent and primary teeth were affected. How to cite this article: Mudumba VL, Muppa R, Srinivas NCH, Kumar DM. Evaluation and Comparison of Changes in Microhardness of Primary and Permanent Enamel on Exposure to Acidic Center-filled Chewing Gum: An in vitro Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2014;7(1):24-29. PMID:25206233

Interactions with Three-Month-Old Infants: A Comparison between Greek Mothers and Institutional Caregivers.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Roe, Joy M.; And Others

This study investigated whether the interactions of biological mothers and their offspring differ from those of institutional caregivers and infants in their charge. The subjects--43 three-month full-time Greek infants (22 home-reared infants and 21 from the institution, Babies' Center Metera) were studied while interacting with their primary…

(FRANCE) USING THE QUIC MODEL (QUICK URBAN AND INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX) TO STUDY AIR FLOW AND DISPERSION PATTERNS IN DESERTS

EPA Science Inventory

As part of its continuing development and evaluation, the QUIC model (Quick Urban & Industrial Complex) was used to study flow and dispersion in complex terrain for two cases. First, for a small area of lower Manhattan near the World Trade Center site, comparisons were made bet...

USING THE QUIC MODEL (QUICK URBAN AND INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX) TO STUDY AIR FLOW AND DISPERSION PATTERNS IN DESERTS

EPA Science Inventory

As part of its continuing development and evaluation, the QUIC model (Quick Urban & Industrial Complex) was used to study flow and dispersion in complex terrain for two cases. First, for a small area of lower Manhattan near the World Trade Center site, comparisons were made bet...

Comparison of Motor Development in Preschool Children.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bohren, Judy M.; Vlahov, Eric

This study investigated the gross motor development of children at two day care centers, one with a movement-oriented physical education program and the other with an unstructured free play period. Also studied were the biological factors of age and sex. A total of 146 children were tested during a 3-year period. During the last two years,…

Between Trauma and Perpetration: Psychoanalytical and Social Psychological Perspectives on Difficult Histories in the Israeli Context

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Goldberg, Tsafrir

2017-01-01

This study explores the applicability of psychoanalytic trauma-centered perspectives and social psychological intergroup comparison perspectives to difficult histories of the Israeli context. The study describes 2 test cases of difficult histories in the Jewish-Israeli context at the levels of curriculum policy, teachers, and learners. The first…

Numerical Modeling of Propellant Boiloff in Cryogenic Storage Tank

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Majumdar, A. K.; Steadman, T. E.; Maroney, J. L.

2007-01-01

This Technical Memorandum (TM) describes the thermal modeling effort undertaken at Marshall Space Flight Center to support the Cryogenic Test Laboratory at Kennedy Space Center (KSC) for a study of insulation materials for cryogenic tanks in order to reduce propellant boiloff during long-term storage. The Generalized Fluid System Simulation program has been used to model boiloff in 1,000-L demonstration tanks built for testing the thermal performance of glass bubbles and perlite insulation. Numerical predictions of boiloff rate and ullage temperature have been compared with the measured data from the testing of demonstration tanks. A satisfactory comparison between measured and predicted data has been observed for both liquid nitrogen and hydrogen tests. Based on the experience gained with the modeling of the demonstration tanks, a numerical model of the liquid hydrogen storage tank at launch complex 39 at KSC was built. The predicted boiloff rate of hydrogen has been found to be in good agreement with observed field data. This TM describes three different models that have been developed during this period of study (March 2005 to June 2006), comparisons with test data, and results of parametric studies.

Using archived ITS data for sensitivity analyses in the estimation of mobile source emissions

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2000-12-01

The study described in this paper demonstrates the use of archived ITS data from San Antonio's TransGuide traffic management center (TMC) for sensitivity analyses in the estimation of on-road mobile source emissions. Because of the stark comparison b...

Using archived ITS data for sensitivity analysis in the estimation of mobile source emissions

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2000-12-01

The study described in this paper demonstrates the use of archived ITS data from San Antonio's TransGuide traffic management center (TMC) for sensitivity analyses in the estimation of on-road mobile source emissions. Because of the stark comparison b...

Evaluating multicenter DTI data in Huntington's disease on site specific effects: An ex post facto approach☆

PubMed Central

Müller, Hans-Peter; Grön, Georg; Sprengelmeyer, Reiner; Kassubek, Jan; Ludolph, Albert C.; Hobbs, Nicola; Cole, James; Roos, Raymund A.C.; Duerr, Alexandra; Tabrizi, Sarah J.; Landwehrmeyer, G. Bernhard; Süssmuth, Sigurd D.

2013-01-01

Purpose Assessment of the feasibility to average diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) metrics of MRI data acquired in the course of a multicenter study. Materials and methods Sixty-one early stage Huntington's disease patients and forty healthy controls were studied using four different MR scanners at four European sites with acquisition protocols as close as possible to a given standard protocol. The potential and feasibility of averaging data acquired at different sites was evaluated quantitatively by region-of-interest (ROI) based statistical comparisons of coefficients of variation (CV) across centers, as well as by testing for significant group-by-center differences on averaged fractional anisotropy (FA) values between patients and controls. In addition, a whole-brain based statistical between-group comparison was performed using FA maps. Results The ex post facto statistical evaluation of CV and FA-values in a priori defined ROIs showed no differences between sites above chance indicating that data were not systematically biased by center specific factors. Conclusion Averaging FA-maps from DTI data acquired at different study sites and different MR scanner types does not appear to be systematically biased. A suitable recipe for testing on the possibility to pool multicenter DTI data is provided to permit averaging of DTI-derived metrics to differentiate patients from healthy controls at a larger scale. PMID:24179771

Alternative Fuels Data Center

Science.gov Websites

on AddThis.com... Fuel Properties Search Fuel Properties Comparison Create a custom chart comparing Custom Chart Fuel Chart Icon Download the complete fuel comparison chart. More fuel information

Lidar Wind Profiler Comparison to Weather Balloon for Support of Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle Landings

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Houtas, Franzeska F.; Teets, Edward H.

2010-01-01

A comparison study by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Dryden Flight Research Center (Edwards, California) and the Naval Post Graduate School Center for Interdisciplinary Remotely-Piloted Aircraft Studies (Marina, California) was conducted to show the advantages of an airborne wind profiling light detection and ranging (lidar) system in reducing drift uncertainty along a reentry vehicle descent trajectory. This effort was in support of the once planned Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle ground landing. A Twin Otter Doppler Wind Lidar was flown on multiple flights along the approximate ground track of each ascending weather balloon launched from the Marina Municipal Airport (Marina, California). The airborne lidar used was a 5-mJ, 2-micron infrared laser with a 10-cm telescope and a two-axis scanner. Each lidar wind profile contains data for an altitude range between the surface and flight altitude of 2.7 km, processed on board every 20 s. In comparison, a typical weather balloon would traverse that same altitude range with a similar data set available in approximately 15 to 20 min. These tests were conducted on November 15 and 16, 2007. Results show a best-case absolute difference of 0.18 m/s (0.35 knots) in speed and 1 degree in direct

[Pay for performance in rehabilitation after stroke - results of a pilot project 2001-2008].

PubMed

Gerdes, N; Funke, U-N; Schüwer, U; Kunze, H; Walle, E; Kleinfeld, A; Reiland, M; Jäckel, W H

2009-08-01

The project aimed at developing and testing a new payment system which provides financial incentives for rehabilitation centers to achieve the best outcomes possible for their patients but does not create additional costs for the insurance funds. The system is conceived as a "quality competition" organized by the centers among themselves with a scientific institute acting as a "referee". Centers with outcomes above average receive a bonus financed by a corresponding malus from the centers below average. In a stepwise process which started in 2001 and was continually accompanied by a scientific institute, we developed the methodological and organizational prerequisites for the new payment system and tested them in two multicentric studies with large case numbers (n=1,058 and n=700, respectively). As a first step, a new assessment instrument (SINGER) was developed and validated in order to measure the outcomes in a reliable, valid, and change-sensitive way. In the second phase, we developed a regression analytic model which predicted the central outcome variable with >84% variance explained. With this model, the different case-mix in the participating centers can be controlled, so that comparisons of outcomes across centers can take place under fair conditions. In the recently completed third phase, we introduced an internet-based programme SINGER-online into which the centers can enter all relevant data. This programme ensures a high quality of all data and makes comparisons of outcomes across all centers possible at any chosen time. The programme contains a special module accessible to the medical services of the health insurance only, which allows sample checks of the data entered by the clinics and helps to ensure that all centers keep to the principles of a fair competition for better quality for their patients. After successful testing of these elements, a functioning model of pay-for-performance in rehabilitation after stroke is now available. (c) Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart, New York.

Activities of the Population Centre during 1979-80: a retrospect.

PubMed

Talwar, P P

1980-01-01

Activities of the Population Center in Lucknow are described. Studies designed to identify factors hindering the progress of the family welfare program are of 4 types. 1) Studies of operational and managerial aspects of the family welfare program service units include work on such topics as the determinants of effectiveness of subcenters in Uttar Pradesh, standardization of materials at rural service centers, factors affecting utilization and performance of primary health centers and subcenters, and effectiveness of auxiliary nurse midwives in delivering maternal and child health services. 2) Studies of effectiveness of program services include such topics as attitude toward vasectomy during the Emergency Period, collection of vital statistics by Community Health Volunteers, and comparisons of Lippes Loop insertions by doctors and paramedics. 3) Studies of education and communication activities include research into mass radio listening and newspaper reading habits and use of local first aid workers to motivate family planning acceptors. 4) Studies of involvement of different organizations in family welfare activities. Another group of studies conducted at the center was designed to evaluate the impact of the India Population Project and included surveys and analysis of secondary data. Population Center collaboration with other organizations and participation in professional meetings is also described, as is the proposed work for 1980-81.

Digital database architecture and delineation methodology for deriving drainage basins, and a comparison of digitally and non-digitally derived numeric drainage areas

USGS Publications Warehouse

Dupree, Jean A.; Crowfoot, Richard M.

2012-01-01

The drainage basin is a fundamental hydrologic entity used for studies of surface-water resources and during planning of water-related projects. Numeric drainage areas published by the U.S. Geological Survey water science centers in Annual Water Data Reports and on the National Water Information Systems (NWIS) Web site are still primarily derived from hard-copy sources and by manual delineation of polygonal basin areas on paper topographic map sheets. To expedite numeric drainage area determinations, the Colorado Water Science Center developed a digital database structure and a delineation methodology based on the hydrologic unit boundaries in the National Watershed Boundary Dataset. This report describes the digital database architecture and delineation methodology and also presents the results of a comparison of the numeric drainage areas derived using this digital methodology with those derived using traditional, non-digital methods. (Please see report for full Abstract)

Consistency of seven different GNSS global ionospheric mapping techniques during one solar cycle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Roma-Dollase, David; Hernández-Pajares, Manuel; Krankowski, Andrzej; Kotulak, Kacper; Ghoddousi-Fard, Reza; Yuan, Yunbin; Li, Zishen; Zhang, Hongping; Shi, Chuang; Wang, Cheng; Feltens, Joachim; Vergados, Panagiotis; Komjathy, Attila; Schaer, Stefan; García-Rigo, Alberto; Gómez-Cama, José M.

2018-06-01

In the context of the International GNSS Service (IGS), several IGS Ionosphere Associated Analysis Centers have developed different techniques to provide global ionospheric maps (GIMs) of vertical total electron content (VTEC) since 1998. In this paper we present a comparison of the performances of all the GIMs created in the frame of IGS. Indeed we compare the classical ones (for the ionospheric analysis centers CODE, ESA/ESOC, JPL and UPC) with the new ones (NRCAN, CAS, WHU). To assess the quality of them in fair and completely independent ways, two assessment methods are used: a direct comparison to altimeter data (VTEC-altimeter) and to the difference of slant total electron content (STEC) observed in independent ground reference stations (dSTEC-GPS). The main conclusion of this study, performed during one solar cycle, is the consistency of the results between so many different GIM techniques and implementations.

A "Thinking Journey" to the Planets Using Scientific Visualization Technologies: Implications to Astronomy Education.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yair, Yoav; Schur, Yaron; Mintz, Rachel

2003-01-01

Presents a novel approach to teaching astronomy and planetary sciences centered on visual images and simulations of planetary objects. Focuses on the study of the moon and the planet Mars by means of observations, interpretation, and comparison to planet Earth. (Contains 22 references.) (Author/YDS)

[The effects of psychosocial rehabilitation programs on the levels of self-efficacy for mentally disabled persons].

PubMed

Park, Hyun Sook; Bae, Sung-Woo; Kim, Yi Young

2008-10-01

This study investigated the effects of psychosocial rehabilitation programs provided by a psychosocial rehabilitation center on the levels of self-efficacy for mentally disabled persons. We followed the study subjects for 2 yr in order to examine whether the psychosocial rehabilitation programs had a positive impact on their levels of self-efficacy. There were 18 subjects in the experimental group and they received all the psychosocial rehabilitation services available at the psychosocial rehabilitation center for 2 yr. In the comparison group, there were 17 participants who voluntarily refused to participate in the psychosocial rehabilitation programs. The results indicated that the psychosocial rehabilitation programs were effective in increasing the levels of the self-efficacy total score and specific self-efficacy score. The overall study results indicated that psychosocial rehabilitation programs provided by a psychosocial rehabilitation center had a positive impact on increasing the levels of self-efficacy for mentally disabled persons.

Los Angeles International Airport Runway Incursion Studies: Phase III--Center-Taxiway Simulation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Madson, Michael D.

2004-01-01

Phase III of the Los Angeles International Airport Runway Incursion Studies was conducted, under an agreement with HNTB Corporation, at the NASA Ames FutureFlight Central (FFC) facility in June 2003. The objective of the study was the evaluation of a new center-taxiway concept at LAX. This study is an extension of the Phase I and Phase II studies previously conducted at FFC. This report presents results from Phase III of the study, in which a center-taxiway concept between runways 25L and 25R was simulated and evaluated. Phase III data were compared objectively against the Baseline data. Subjective evaluations by participating LAX controllers were obtained with regard to workload, efficiency, and safety criteria. To facilitate a valid comparison between Baseline and Phase III data, the same scenarios were used for Phase III that were tested during Phases I and II. This required briefing participating controllers on differences in airport and airline operations between 2001 and today.

An Analysis of Errors Committed by Saudi Non-English Major Students in the English Paragraph Writing: A Study of Comparisons

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nuruzzaman, Mohammed; Islam, A. B. M. Shafiqul; Shuchi, Israt Jahan

2018-01-01

The present study investigates the writing errors of ninety Saudi non-English major undergraduate students of different proficiency levels from three faculties, who studied English as a foundation course at the English Language Center in the College of Languages &Translation at King Khalid University, Saudi Arabia in the academic year 2016-17.…

Radiometric Measurement Comparison Using the Ocean Color Temperature Scanner (OCTS) Visible and Near Infrared Integrating Sphere

PubMed Central

Johnson, B. Carol; Sakuma, F.; Butler, J. J.; Biggar, S. F.; Cooper, J. W.; Ishida, J.; Suzuki, K.

1997-01-01

As a part of the pre-flight calibration and validation activities for the Ocean Color and Temperature Scanner (OCTS) and the Sea-viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor (SeaWiFS) ocean color satellite instruments, a radiometric measurement comparison was held in February 1995 at the NEC Corporation in Yokohama, Japan. Researchers from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration/Goddard Space Flight Center (NASA/GSFC), the University of Arizona Optical Sciences Center (UA), and the National Research Laboratory of Metrology (NRLM) in Tsukuba, Japan used their portable radiometers to measure the spectral radiance of the OCTS visible and near-infrared integrating sphere at four radiance levels. These four levels corresponded to the configuration of the OCTS integrating sphere when the calibration coefficients for five of the eight spectral channels, or bands, of the OCTS instrument were determined. The measurements of the four radiometers differed by −2.7 % to 3.9 % when compared to the NEC calibration of the sphere and the overall agreement was within the combined measurement uncertainties. A comparison of the measurements from the participating radiometers also resulted in agreement within the combined measurement uncertainties. These results are encouraging and demonstrate the utility of comparisons using laboratory calibration integrating sphere sources. Other comparisons will focus on instruments that are scheduled for spacecraft in the NASA study of climate change, the Earth Observing System (EOS). PMID:27805113

The Teaching of Afro-Asian Literature: A Comparison between the Nonconventional Learner-Centered and the Conventional Teacher-Centered Approaches

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wong Gonzales, Wilkinson Daniel O.

2014-01-01

In the past few decades, nonconventional learner-centered (NLC) trends in ELT have emerged amidst the current and probably dominant conventional teacher-centered (CTC) approaches used by majority of private and public schools in the Philippines. With the implementation of the K-12 curriculum, Afro-Asian literature remained the focus of the eighth…

Computers for real time flight simulation: A market survey

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bekey, G. A.; Karplus, W. J.

1977-01-01

An extensive computer market survey was made to determine those available systems suitable for current and future flight simulation studies at Ames Research Center. The primary requirement is for the computation of relatively high frequency content (5 Hz) math models representing powered lift flight vehicles. The Rotor Systems Research Aircraft (RSRA) was used as a benchmark vehicle for computation comparison studies. The general nature of helicopter simulations and a description of the benchmark model are presented, and some of the sources of simulation difficulties are examined. A description of various applicable computer architectures is presented, along with detailed discussions of leading candidate systems and comparisons between them.

Comparison of Fire Model Predictions with Experiments Conducted in a Hangar With a 15 Meter Ceiling

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Davis, W. D.; Notarianni, K. A.; McGrattan, K. B.

1996-01-01

The purpose of this study is to examine the predictive capabilities of fire models using the results of a series of fire experiments conducted in an aircraft hangar with a ceiling height of about 15 m. This study is designed to investigate model applicability at a ceiling height where only a limited amount of experimental data is available. This analysis deals primarily with temperature comparisons as a function of distance from the fire center and depth beneath the ceiling. Only limited velocity measurements in the ceiling jet were available but these are also compared with those models with a velocity predictive capability.

Alcohol Brand Use and Injury in the Emergency Department: A Pilot Study.

PubMed

Jernigan, David H; Cukier, Samantha; Ross, Craig; Ahmed, Syed Rafay; Stolbach, Andrew

2013-08-01

In an urban emergency department on weekend nights in 2010 and 2011, 105 interviews assessed feasibility of collecting alcohol brand consumption data from injured patients who drank within 6 h of presentation, with responses to the orally administered survey specifying 331 alcohol brands recorded on a netbook computer. A Kruskal-Wallis test adjusted for tied ranks assessed demographic differences; confidence intervals were created around comparisons with national brand shares. The study found collection of such information feasible; limitations include comparison of national brand market share data with a local sample of drinkers. Funding was provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Finite Element Analysis and Test Results Comparison for the Hybrid Wing Body Center Section Test Article

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Przekop, Adam; Jegley, Dawn C.; Rouse, Marshall; Lovejoy, Andrew E.

2016-01-01

This report documents the comparison of test measurements and predictive finite element analysis results for a hybrid wing body center section test article. The testing and analysis efforts were part of the Airframe Technology subproject within the NASA Environmentally Responsible Aviation project. Test results include full field displacement measurements obtained from digital image correlation systems and discrete strain measurements obtained using both unidirectional and rosette resistive gauges. Most significant results are presented for the critical five load cases exercised during the test. Final test to failure after inflicting severe damage to the test article is also documented. Overall, good comparison between predicted and actual behavior of the test article is found.

Acoustic results from tests of a 36-inch (0.914 m) diameter statorless lift fan

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stimpert, D. L.

1973-01-01

A statorless, turbotip lift fan was tested statically outdoors to determine its acoustic characteristics. Spectral and directivity results are presented with comparison to data from the same family of lift fan designs having stator vanes. Modifications to the fan were tested to evaluate circular inlet guide vanes and exhaust treatment. A comparison was made of results obtained at General Electric Edwards Flight Test Center and NASA Ames Research Center with regards to test data and differences in site characteristics.

The Latitudinal Analysis of Secondary School Students' Motivations towards Science Course

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Aydin, Suleyman; Keles, Pinar Ural

2017-01-01

The aim of this research was to investigate the comparison of different categories of secondary schools students' motivations for science lessons. In this research, the case study method was used latitudinally and it was carried out in the center schools of Agri in 2015-2016 academic years. The sample of the study was composed of totally 649…

Prehospital helicopter transport and survival of patients with traumatic brain injury.

PubMed

Bekelis, Kimon; Missios, Symeon; Mackenzie, Todd A

2015-03-01

To investigate the association of helicopter transport with survival of patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI), in comparison with ground emergency medical services (EMS). Helicopter utilization and its effect on the outcomes of TBI remain controversial. We performed a retrospective cohort study involving patients with TBI who were registered in the National Trauma Data Bank between 2009 and 2011. Regression techniques with propensity score matching were used to investigate the association of helicopter transport with survival of patients with TBI, in comparison with ground EMS. During the study period, there were 209,529 patients with TBI who were registered in the National Trauma Data Bank and met the inclusion criteria. Of these patients, 35,334 were transported via helicopters and 174,195 via ground EMS. For patients transported to level I trauma centers, 2797 deaths (12%) were recorded after helicopter transport and 8161 (7.8%) after ground EMS. Multivariable logistic regression analysis demonstrated an association of helicopter transport with increased survival [OR (odds ratio), 1.95; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.81-2.10; absolute risk reduction (ARR), 6.37%]. This persisted after propensity score matching (OR, 1.88; 95% CI, 1.74-2.03; ARR, 5.93%). For patients transported to level II trauma centers, 1282 deaths (10.6%) were recorded after helicopter transport and 5097 (7.3%) after ground EMS. Multivariable logistic regression analysis demonstrated an association of helicopter transport with increased survival (OR, 1.81; 95% CI, 1.64-2.00; ARR 5.17%). This again persisted after propensity score matching (OR, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.55-1.94; ARR, 4.69). Helicopter transport of patients with TBI to level I and II trauma centers was associated with improved survival, in comparison with ground EMS.

Prehospital Helicopter Transport and Survival of Patients With Traumatic Brain Injury

PubMed Central

Mackenzie, Todd A.

2015-01-01

Objective To investigate the association of helicopter transport with survival of patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI), in comparison with ground emergency medical services (EMS). Background Helicopter utilization and its effect on the outcomes of TBI remain controversial. Methods We performed a retrospective cohort study involving patients with TBI who were registered in the National Trauma Data Bank between 2009 and 2011. Regression techniques with propensity score matching were used to investigate the association of helicopter transport with survival of patients with TBI, in comparison with ground EMS. Results During the study period, there were 209,529 patients with TBI who were registered in the National Trauma Data Bank and met the inclusion criteria. Of these patients, 35,334 were transported via helicopters and 174,195 via ground EMS. For patients transported to level I trauma centers, 2797 deaths (12%) were recorded after helicopter transport and 8161 (7.8%) after ground EMS. Multivariable logistic regression analysis demonstrated an association of helicopter transport with increased survival [OR (odds ratio), 1.95; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.81–2.10; absolute risk reduction (ARR), 6.37%]. This persisted after propensity score matching (OR, 1.88; 95% CI, 1.74–2.03; ARR, 5.93%). For patients transported to level II trauma centers, 1282 deaths (10.6%) were recorded after helicopter transport and 5097 (7.3%) after ground EMS. Multivariable logistic regression analysis demonstrated an association of helicopter transport with increased survival (OR, 1.81; 95% CI, 1.64–2.00; ARR 5.17%). This again persisted after propensity score matching (OR, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.55–1.94; ARR, 4.69). Conclusions Helicopter transport of patients with TBI to level I and II trauma centers was associated with improved survival, in comparison with ground EMS. PMID:24743624

Referral bias in ALS epidemiological studies.

PubMed

Logroscino, Giancarlo; Marin, Benoit; Piccininni, Marco; Arcuti, Simona; Chiò, Adriano; Hardiman, Orla; Rooney, James; Zoccolella, Stefano; Couratier, Philippe; Preux, Pierre-Marie; Beghi, Ettore

2018-01-01

Despite concerns about the representativeness of patients from ALS tertiary centers as compared to the ALS general population, the extent of referral bias in clinical studies remains largely unknown. Using data from EURALS consortium we aimed to assess nature, extent and impact of referral bias. Four European ALS population-based registries located in Ireland, Piedmont, Puglia, Italy, and Limousin, France, covering 50 million person-years, participated. Demographic and clinic characteristics of ALS patients diagnosed in tertiary referral centers were contrasted with the whole ALS populations enrolled in registries in the same geographical areas. Patients referred to ALS centers were younger (with difference ranging from 1.1 years to 2.4 years), less likely to present a bulbar onset, with a higher proportion of familial antecedents and a longer survival (ranging from 11% to 15%) when compared to the entire ALS population in the same geographic area. A trend for referral bias is present in cohorts drawn from ALS referral centers. The magnitude of the possible referral bias in a particular tertiary center can be estimated through a comparison with ALS patients drawn from registry in the same geographic area. Studies based on clinical cohorts should be cautiously interpreted. The presence of a registry in the same area may improve the complete ascertainment in the referral center.

Referral bias in ALS epidemiological studies

PubMed Central

Marin, Benoit; Piccininni, Marco; Arcuti, Simona; Chiò, Adriano; Hardiman, Orla; Rooney, James; Zoccolella, Stefano; Couratier, Philippe; Preux, Pierre-Marie; Beghi, Ettore

2018-01-01

Background Despite concerns about the representativeness of patients from ALS tertiary centers as compared to the ALS general population, the extent of referral bias in clinical studies remains largely unknown. Using data from EURALS consortium we aimed to assess nature, extent and impact of referral bias. Methods Four European ALS population-based registries located in Ireland, Piedmont, Puglia, Italy, and Limousin, France, covering 50 million person-years, participated. Demographic and clinic characteristics of ALS patients diagnosed in tertiary referral centers were contrasted with the whole ALS populations enrolled in registries in the same geographical areas. Results Patients referred to ALS centers were younger (with difference ranging from 1.1 years to 2.4 years), less likely to present a bulbar onset, with a higher proportion of familial antecedents and a longer survival (ranging from 11% to 15%) when compared to the entire ALS population in the same geographic area. Conclusions A trend for referral bias is present in cohorts drawn from ALS referral centers. The magnitude of the possible referral bias in a particular tertiary center can be estimated through a comparison with ALS patients drawn from registry in the same geographic area. Studies based on clinical cohorts should be cautiously interpreted. The presence of a registry in the same area may improve the complete ascertainment in the referral center. PMID:29659621

Latent Profile and Cluster Analysis of Infant Temperament: Comparisons across Person-Centered Approaches

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gartstein, Maria A.; Prokasky, Amanda; Bell, Martha Ann; Calkins, Susan; Bridgett, David J.; Braungart-Rieker, Julia; Leerkes, Esther; Cheatham, Carol L.; Eiden, Rina D.; Mize, Krystal D.; Jones, Nancy Aaron; Mireault, Gina; Seamon, Erich

2017-01-01

There is renewed interest in person-centered approaches to understanding the structure of temperament. However, questions concerning temperament types are not frequently framed in a developmental context, especially during infancy. In addition, the most common person-centered techniques, cluster analysis (CA) and latent profile analysis (LPA),…

Advancing Symptom Science Through Use of Common Data Elements.

PubMed

Redeker, Nancy S; Anderson, Ruth; Bakken, Suzanne; Corwin, Elizabeth; Docherty, Sharron; Dorsey, Susan G; Heitkemper, Margaret; McCloskey, Donna Jo; Moore, Shirley; Pullen, Carol; Rapkin, Bruce; Schiffman, Rachel; Waldrop-Valverde, Drenna; Grady, Patricia

2015-09-01

Use of common data elements (CDEs), conceptually defined as variables that are operationalized and measured in identical ways across studies, enables comparison of data across studies in ways that would otherwise be impossible. Although healthcare researchers are increasingly using CDEs, there has been little systematic use of CDEs for symptom science. CDEs are especially important in symptom science because people experience common symptoms across a broad range of health and developmental states, and symptom management interventions may have common outcomes across populations. The purposes of this article are to (a) recommend best practices for the use of CDEs for symptom science within and across centers; (b) evaluate the benefits and challenges associated with the use of CDEs for symptom science; (c) propose CDEs to be used in symptom science to serve as the basis for this emerging science; and (d) suggest implications and recommendations for future research and dissemination of CDEs for symptom science. The National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR)-supported P20 and P30 Center directors applied published best practices, expert advice, and the literature to identify CDEs to be used across the centers to measure pain, sleep, fatigue, and affective and cognitive symptoms. We generated a minimum set of CDEs to measure symptoms. The CDEs identified through this process will be used across the NINR Centers and will facilitate comparison of symptoms across studies. We expect that additional symptom CDEs will be added and the list will be refined in future work. Symptoms are an important focus of nursing care. Use of CDEs will facilitate research that will lead to better ways to assist people to manage their symptoms. © 2015 Sigma Theta Tau International.

Alternative Fuels Data Center: Maps and Data

Science.gov Websites

emissions comparison of heavy duty vehicles as captured by the Clean Cities Program. Last update February emissions comparison of light duty vehicles as captured by the Clean Cities Program. Last update February

Alternative Fuels Data Center: Maps and Data

Science.gov Websites

gas emissions comparison of heavy duty vehicles as captured by the Clean Cities Program. Last update gas emissions comparison of light duty vehicles as captured by the Clean Cities Program. Last update

Capability Extension to the Turbine Off-Design Computer Program AXOD With Applications to the Highly Loaded Fan-Drive Turbines

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chen, Shu-cheng S.

2011-01-01

The axial flow turbine off-design computer program AXOD has been upgraded to include the outlet guide vane (OGV) into its acceptable turbine configurations. The mathematical bases and the techniques used for the code implementation are described and discussed in lengths in this paper. This extended capability is verified and validated with two cases of highly loaded fan-drive turbines, designed and tested in the V/STOL Program of NASA. The first case is a 4 1/2-stage turbine with an average stage loading factor of 4.66, designed by Pratt & Whitney Aircraft. The second case is a 3 1/2-stage turbine with an average loading factor of 4.0, designed in-house by the NASA Lewis Research Center (now the NASA Glenn Research Center). Both cases were experimentally tested in the turbine facility located at the Glenn Research Center. The processes conducted in these studies are described in detail in this paper, and the results in comparison with the experimental data are presented and discussed. The comparisons between the AXOD results and the experimental data are in excellent agreement.

Treatment of Pancreatic and Periampullary Cancers at a Community Hospital: Successful Application of Tertiary Care Treatment Standards

PubMed Central

Moesinger, Robert C.; Davis, Jan W.; Hill, Britani; Johnston, W. Cory; Gray, Carl; Johnson, Harold; Ingersoll, Leslye; Whipple, Gary; Reilly, Mark; Harris, Robert; Hansen, Vincent

2011-01-01

Background. The treatment of pancreatic cancer and other periampullary neoplasms is complex and challenging. Major high-volume cancer centers can provide excellent multidisciplinary care of these patients but almost two-thirds of pancreatic cancer patients are treated at low volume centers. There is very little published data from low volume community cancer programs in regards to the treatment of periampullary cancer. In this study, a review of comprehensive periampullary cancer care at two low volume hospitals with comparison to national standards is presented. Methods. This is a retrospective review of 70 consecutive patients with periampullary neoplasms who underwent surgery over a 5-year period (2006–2010) at two community hospitals. Results. There were 51 successful resections of 70 explorations (73%) including 34 Whipple procedures. Mortality rate was 2.9%. Comparison of these patients to national standards was made in terms of operative mortality, resectability rate, administration of adjuvant therapy, clinical trial participation and overall survival. The results in these patients were comparable to national standards. Conclusions. With adequate commitment of resources and experienced surgical and oncologic practitioners, community cancer centers can meet national tertiary care standards in terms of pancreatic and periampullary cancer care. PMID:22312532

Using Qualitative Research to Inform Development of Professional Guidelines: A Case Study of the Society of Critical Care Medicine Family-Centered Care Guidelines.

PubMed

Coombs, Maureen A; Davidson, Judy E; Nunnally, Mark E; Wickline, Mary A; Curtis, J Randall

2017-08-01

To explore the importance, challenges, and opportunities using qualitative research to enhance development of clinical practice guidelines, using recent guidelines for family-centered care in the ICU as an example. In developing the Society of Critical Care Medicine guidelines for family-centered care in the neonatal ICU, PICU, and adult ICU, we developed an innovative adaptation of the Grading of Recommendations, Assessments, Development and Evaluations approach to explicitly incorporate qualitative research. Using Grading of Recommendations, Assessments, Development and Evaluations and the Council of Medical Specialty Societies principles, we conducted a systematic review of qualitative research to establish family-centered domains and outcomes. Thematic analyses were undertaken on study findings and used to support Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome question development. We identified and employed three approaches using qualitative research in these guidelines. First, previously published qualitative research was used to identify important domains for the Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome questions. Second, this qualitative research was used to identify and prioritize key outcomes to be evaluated. Finally, we used qualitative methods, member checking with patients and families, to validate the process and outcome of the guideline development. In this, a novel report, we provide direction for standardizing the use of qualitative evidence in future guidelines. Recommendations are made to incorporate qualitative literature review and appraisal, include qualitative methodologists in guideline taskforce teams, and develop training for evaluation of qualitative research into guideline development procedures. Effective methods of involving patients and families as members of guideline development represent opportunities for future work.

A Comparison of Ambulatory Surgery Center Production Costs and Medicare Payments: Evidence on Colonoscopy and Endoscopy.

PubMed

Mitchell, Jean M; Carey, Kathleen

2016-02-01

Ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) are freestanding facilities that specialize in surgical and diagnostic procedures that do not require an overnight stay. While it is generally assumed that ASCs are less costly than hospital outpatient surgery departments, there is sparse empirical evidence regarding their relative production costs. To estimate ASC production costs using financial and claims records for procedures performed by surgery centers that specialize in gastroenterology procedures (colonoscopy and endoscopy). We estimate production costs in ASCs that specialize in gastroenterology procedures using financial cost and patient discharge data from Pennsylvania for the time period 2004-2013. We focus on the 2 primary procedures (colonoscopies and endoscopies) performed at each ASC. We use our estimates to predict average costs for each procedure and then compare predicted costs to Medicare ACS payments for these procedures. Comparisons of the costs of each procedure with 2013 national Medicare ASC payment rates suggest that Medicare payments exceed production costs for both colonoscopy and endoscopy. This study demonstrated that it is feasible to estimate production costs for procedures performed in freestanding surgery centers. The procedure-specific cost estimates can then be compared with ASC payment rates to ascertain if payments are aligned with costs. This approach can serve as an evaluation template for CMS and private insurers who are concerned that ASC facility payments for specific procedures may be excessive.

Evaluation of 5-year-old children with complete cleft lip and palate: Multicenter study. Part 1: Lip and nose aesthetic results.

PubMed

Dissaux, Caroline; Bodin, Frédéric; Grollemund, Bruno; Picard, Arnaud; Vazquez, Marie-Paule; Morand, Béatrice; James, Isabelle; Kauffmann, Isabelle; Bruant-Rodier, Catherine

2015-12-01

Cleft surgery is marked by all the controversies and the multiplication of protocols, as it has been shown by the Eurocleft study. The objective of this pilot study is to start a comparison and analyzing procedure between primary surgical protocols in French centers. Four French centers with different primary surgical protocols for cleft lip and palate repair, have accepted to be involved in this retrospective study. In each center, 20 consecutive patients with complete cleft lip and palate (10 UCLP and 10 BCLP per center), non syndromic, have been evaluated at a mean age of 5 [4,6]. In this first part, the aesthetic results of nose and lip repair were assessed based on the scale established by Mortier et al. (1997). Considering nose outcome, primary cleft repair surgery including a nasal dissection gives a statistically significant benefit in terms of septum deviation. Considering lip result, muscular dehiscence rate is significantly higher in BCLP patients with a two-stage lip closure. The centers using Millard one-stage lip closure do not have uniform results. For UCLP patients, the quality of scar is not statistically different between Skoog and Millard techniques. Primary results based on a simple, reproducible evaluation protocol. Extension to other centers required. Therapeutic study. Level III/retrospective multicenter comparative study. Copyright © 2015 European Association for Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Transport coefficients of dense fluids composed of globular molecules. Equilibrium molecular dynamics investigations using more-center Lennard-Jones potentials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hoheisel, C.

1988-09-01

Equilibrium molecular dynamics calculations with constraints have been performed for model liquids SF6 and CF4. The computations were carried out with four- and six-center Lennard-Jones potentials and up to 2×105 integration steps. Shear, bulk viscosity and the thermal conductivity have been calculated with use of Green-Kubo relations in the formulation of ``molecule variables.'' Various thermodynamic states were investigated. For SF6, a detailed comparison with experimental data was possible. For CF4, the MD results could only be compared with experiment for one liquid state. For the latter liquid, a complementary comparison was performed using MD results obtained with a one-center Lennard-Jones potential. A limited test of the particle number dependence of the results is presented. Partial and total correlations functions are shown and discussed with respect to findings obtained for the one-center Lennard-Jones liquid.

A Comparison of Burnout Levels of Preschool Teachers in Terms of Having Integration Students in Their Classes or Not

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sahbaz, Ümit; Koyutürk Koçer, Nazife

2017-01-01

The aim of the present study is to compare burnout levels of preschool teachers who have integration students in their classes and those who do not. The sample of the study consists of 185 preschool teachers working in Isparta city and town centers. The data of the study were collected using the Burnout Inventory developed by Maslach and Jackson…

Usual and Virtual Reality Video Game-Based Physiotherapy for Children and Youth with Acquired Brain Injuries

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Levac, Danielle; Miller, Patricia; Missiuna, Cheryl

2012-01-01

Little is known about how therapists promote learning of functional motor skills for children with acquired brain injuries. This study explores physiotherapists' description of these interventions in comparison to virtual reality (VR) video game-based therapy. Six physiotherapists employed at a children's rehabilitation center participated in…

A Comparison of Constructivist and Traditional Instruction in Mathematics

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Alsup, John

2004-01-01

The researcher in this study theorized that preservice elementary teachers who had taken a semester-long mathematics course emphasizing a constructivist approach to instruction would realize a decreased level of math anxiety and gains in perceived teaching efficacy and autonomy over those who had taken a teacher-centered course based on a more…

A COMPARISON OF INTER-ANALYST DIFFERENCES IN THE CLASSIFICATION OF A LANDSAT TEM+ SCENE IN SOUTH-CENTRAL VIRGINIA

EPA Science Inventory

This study examined inter-analyst classification variability based on training site signature selection only for six classifications from a 10 km² Landsat ETM+ image centered over a highly heterogeneous area in south-central Virginia. Six analysts classified the image...

Therapeutic OQ-45 Outcome Differences: A Native American and Caucasian Comparison

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Limb, Gordon E.; Baker, Courtney L.; Wood, David S.; Hooley, Cole

2017-01-01

Purpose: The purpose of this exploratory study was to determine whether Native American clients seen at a University Counseling Center had different treatment outcomes than did Caucasian clients according to the Outcome Questionnaire-45 (OQ) given at the first and final sessions. Methods: Participants included self-identified 21 Native American…

The Emergence of Civilization [and] Case Studies in the Emergence of Civilization.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ellison, Jack

This secondary level anthropology textbook emphasizes the comparison of the patterns of culture change which resulted in complex societies (civilizations) in six different areas around the world. The textbook stresses problem-solving and is centered around three questions: In what manner and through what stages did these civilizations evolve? What…

A Comparison of Tuition Disparities among City, Suburban, Town, and Rural Public Community Colleges

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Glover, Louis Charles

2009-01-01

The purpose of this study was to examine differences in tuition rates and college affordability indexes (CAIs) between and among U.S. public community colleges formulated upon urbanization criteria extracted from the Integrated Post Secondary Data System (IPEDS) maintained by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), which operates…

A Comparison of Two Function-Based Interventions: NCR vs. DRO in Preschool Classrooms

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

LaBrot, Zachary C.; Dufrene, Brad; Pasqua, Jamie; Radley, Keith C., III; Olmi, Joe; Bates-Brantley, Kayla; Helbig, Kate; Melendez, Marian; Murphy, Ashley

2018-01-01

The purpose of this study was to determine the relative efficacy of non-contingent reinforcement (NCR) and differential reinforcement of other behavior (DRO) after behavioral functions were identified through indirect, descriptive, and experimental assessment. Participants included three preschool-age children in three center-based classrooms in a…

EFFECTS OF METHYLMERCURY ON REPRODUCTION IN AMERICAN KESTRELS AND COMPARISON TO EFFECTS OBSERVED IN OTHER AVIAN SPECIES

EPA Science Inventory

A study of the effects of methylmercury on reproduction in American kestrels was conducted in conjunction with the USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center as part of a larger project to improve our understanding of the effects of mercury exposure in the environment to avian popula...

The impact of drop-in centers on the health of street children in New Delhi, India: A cross-sectional study.

PubMed

Nath, Ronita; Shannon, Harry; Georgiades, Kathy; Sword, Wendy; Raina, Parminder

2016-12-01

(1) To determine whether street children who visit drop-in centers experience better physical and mental health, and engage in less substance use than street children who do not visit centers. (2) To determine whether the duration of attendance at a center has an impact on the above outcomes. We conducted a cross-sectional study with 69 street children from two drop-in centers in New Delhi, India (attenders) and a comparison group of 65 street children who did not visit drop-in centers (non-attenders). We used pretested questionnaires to assess their physical health, substance use status and mental health. Attenders experienced fewer ill health outcomes, engaged in less substance use, and had better mental health outcomes than non-attenders (p<0.01). For every month of attendance at a drop-in center, street children experienced 2.1% (95% CI 0% to 4.1%, p=0.05) fewer ill health outcomes per month and used 4.6% (95% CI 1.3% to 8%, p=0.01) fewer substances. Street children were also less likely to have been a current substance user than a never substance user for every additional month of attendance at a center (OR: 0.79, 95% CI: 0.66-0.96, p=0.02). Duration of drop-in center attendance was not a significant factor in predicting mental health problems. Drop-in centers may improve the physical health of street children and reduce their substance abuse. Rigorous longitudinal studies are needed to better determine if drop-in centers impact the health and substance use status of street children in LMICs. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The Impact of Wireless Technology on Order Selection Audits at an Auto Parts Distribution Center

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Goomas, David T.

2012-01-01

Audits of store order pallets or totes performed by auditors at five distribution centers (two experimental and three comparison distribution centers) were used to check for picking accuracy prior to being loaded onto a truck for store delivery. Replacing the paper audits with wireless handheld computers that included immediate auditory and visual…

Comparison of Symptom Severity between Clients at a University Counseling Center and a Community Mental Health Agency

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gunn, Joshua E.; Grieve, Frederick G.; Greer, Richard M.; Thomas, Adrian

2005-01-01

University counseling centers have been in a constant state of transition since their inception. Many variables, including economics, the social and political climate on and off campus, staff interests, and changing consumer needs have driven the direction of the modern counseling center. Throughout the more than 70 years that university…

Northern Hemisphere winter storm track trends since 1959 derived from multiple reanalysis datasets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chang, Edmund K. M.; Yau, Albert M. W.

2016-09-01

In this study, a comprehensive comparison of Northern Hemisphere winter storm track trend since 1959 derived from multiple reanalysis datasets and rawinsonde observations has been conducted. In addition, trends in terms of variance and cyclone track statistics have been compared. Previous studies, based largely on the National Center for Environmental Prediction-National Center for Atmospheric Research Reanalysis (NNR), have suggested that both the Pacific and Atlantic storm tracks have significantly intensified between the 1950s and 1990s. Comparison with trends derived from rawinsonde observations suggest that the trends derived from NNR are significantly biased high, while those from the European Center for Medium Range Weather Forecasts 40-year Reanalysis and the Japanese 55-year Reanalysis are much less biased but still too high. Those from the two twentieth century reanalysis datasets are most consistent with observations but may exhibit slight biases of opposite signs. Between 1959 and 2010, Pacific storm track activity has likely increased by 10 % or more, while Atlantic storm track activity has likely increased by <10 %. Our analysis suggests that trends in Pacific and Atlantic basin wide storm track activity prior to the 1950s derived from the two twentieth century reanalysis datasets are unlikely to be reliable due to changes in density of surface observations. Nevertheless, these datasets may provide useful information on interannual variability, especially over the Atlantic.

Starburst clusters in the Galactic center

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Habibi, Maryam

2014-09-01

The central region of the Galaxy is the most active site of star formation in the Milky Way, where massive stars have formed very recently and are still forming today. The rich population of massive stars in the Galactic center provide a unique opportunity to study massive stars in their birth environment and probe their initial mass function, which is the spectrum of stellar masses at their birth. The Arches cluster is the youngest among the three massive clusters in the Galactic center, providing a collection of high-mass stars and a very dense core which makes this cluster an excellent site to address questions about massive star formation, the stellar mass function and the dynamical evolution of massive clusters in the Galactic center. In this thesis, I perform an observational study of the Arches cluster using K_{s}-band imaging obtained with NAOS/CONICA at the VLT combined with Subaru/Cisco J-band data to gain a full understanding of the cluster mass distribution out to its tidal radius for the first time. Since the light from the Galactic center reaches us through the Galactic disc, the extinction correction is crucial when studying this region. I use a Bayesian method to construct a realistic extinction map of the cluster. It is shown in this study that the determination of the mass of the most massive star in the Arches cluster, which had been used in previous studies to establish an upper mass limit for the star formation process in the Milky Way, strongly depends on the assumed slope of the extinction law. Assuming the two regimes of widely used infrared extinction laws, I show that the difference can reach up to 30% for individually derived stellar masses and Δ A_{Ks}˜ 1 magnitude in acquired K_{s}-band extinction, while the present-day mass function slope changes by ˜ 0.17 dex. The present-day mass function slope derived assuming the more recent extinction law, which suggests a steeper wavelength dependence for the infrared extinction law, reveals an overpopulation of massive stars in the core (r<0.2 pc) with a flat slope of α_{Nishi}=-1.50 ±0.35 in comparison to the Salpeter slope of α=-2.3. The slope of the mass function increases to α_{Nishi}=-2.21 ±0.27 in the intermediate annulus (0.2

An Intercenter Comparison of Nasolabial Appearance Including a Center Using Nasoalveolar Molding.

PubMed

Peanchitlertkajorn, Supakit; Mercado, Ana; Daskalogiannakis, John; Hathaway, Ronald; Russell, Kathleen; Semb, Gunvor; Shaw, William; Lamichane, Manish; Cohen, Marilyn; Long, Ross E

2018-05-01

To compare nasolabial appearance outcomes of patients with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate (CUCLP) in preadolescence from 4 cleft centers including a center using nasoalveolar molding (NAM) and primary nasal reconstruction. Retrospective cohort study. Four cleft centers in North America. 135 subjects with repaired CUCLP. Frontal and profile facial pictures were assessed using the Asher-McDade rating scale. Intra- and interrater reliability were tested using weighted Kappa statistics. Median scores by center were compared with Kruskal-Wallis statistics. Intrarater reliability scores were moderate to good. Interrater reliability scores were moderate. Significant differences ( P < .05) among centers were found. For nasal form, center G (median = 2.83) had better scores than centers C and D (C median = 3.33, D median = 3.17). For nose symmetry, center G had better scores (median = 2.33) than all other centers (B median = 2.67, C median = 2.83, D median = 2.83). For vermillion border, center G had better scores (median = 2.58) than centers B and C (B median = 3.17, C median = 3.17). For nasolabial profile, center G (median score = 2.67) had better scores than center C (median = 3.00). For total nasolabial score, center G (median = 2.67) had better scores than all other centers (B median = 2.83, C median = 3, D median = 2.83). The protocol followed by center G, the only center that performed NAM and primary nasal reconstruction, produced better results in all categories when compared to center C, the only center that did not perform presurgical orthopedics or lip/nose revisions. When compared to centers that performed traditional presurgical orthopedics and surgical revisions (B and D), center G was not consistently better in all categories. As with other uncontrolled, retrospective intercenter studies, it is not possible to attribute the outcomes to a specific protocol component.

Sound Diffraction Modeling of Rotorcraft Noise Around Terrain

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stephenson, James H.; Sim, Ben W.; Chitta, Subhashini; Steinhoff, John

2017-01-01

A new computational technique, Wave Confinement (WC), is extended here to account for sound diffraction around arbitrary terrain. While diffraction around elementary scattering objects, such as a knife edge, single slit, disc, sphere, etc. has been studied for several decades, realistic environments still pose significant problems. This new technique is first validated against Sommerfeld's classical problem of diffraction due to a knife edge. This is followed by comparisons with diffraction over three-dimensional smooth obstacles, such as a disc and Gaussian hill. Finally, comparisons with flight test acoustics data measured behind a hill are also shown. Comparison between experiment and Wave Confinement prediction demonstrates that a Poisson spot occurred behind the isolated hill, resulting in significantly increased sound intensity near the center of the shadowed region.

Report on Advanced Life Support Activities at Kennedy Space Center

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wheeler, Raymond M.

2004-01-01

Plant studies at Kennedy Space Center last year focused on selecting cultivars of lettuce, tomato, and pepper for further testing as crops for near-term space flight applications. Other testing continued with lettuce, onion, and radish plants grown at different combinations of light (PPF), temperature, and CO2 concentration. In addition, comparisons of mixed versus mono culture approaches for vegetable production were studied. Water processing testing focused on the development and testing of a rotating membrane bioreactor to increase oxygen diffusion levels for reducing total organic carbon levels and promoting nitrification. Other testing continued to study composting testing for food wastes (NRA grant) and the use of supplemental green light with red/blue LED lighting systems for plant production (NRC fellowship).

Preliminary results of VISX excimer laser myopic photorefractive keratectomy at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maguen, Ezra I.; Berlin, Michael S.; Hofbauer, John; Macy, Jonathan I.; Nesburn, Anthony B.; Papaioannou, Thanassis; Salz, James J.

1992-08-01

Sixty-two eyes underwent excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) for the correction of myopia at Cedars-Sinai-Medical-Center. The first group of 12 patients are presented with follow up data of ten months postoperatively. The second group of 50 patients are presented with follow up data of three months postoperatively. An in-depth comparison of pre and postoperative refractive data is presented. Comparisons between pre and postoperative corrected and uncorrected Snellen visual acuities are provided in order to asses the functional visual result of the procedure.

Evaluation and comparison of health care Work Environment Scale in military settings.

PubMed

Maloney, J P; Anderson, F D; Gladd, D L; Brown, D L; Hardy, M A

1996-05-01

The purpose of this study was to describe health care providers' perceptions of their work environment at a large U.S. Army medical center, and to compare the findings to other military medical centers. The sample (N = 112) consisted of the professional nursing staff working on the nine inpatient units. The Work Environmental Scale (WES) was used to measure perceptions of the workplace relative to gender, position (head nurses, staff nurses, and agency nurses), specialty nursing (intensive care unit [ICU] versus non-ICU), education (MSN, BSN, and ADN), and patterns of differences between the WES subscales of four military medical centers. Results of the study indicate that there were no significant gender differences. Head nurses, non-ICU nurses, and MSN nurses perceived their environment more positively. There were significant differences in the WES subscales between the military hospitals. Implications for nursing using the WES were recommended.

A comparison of methods and results in recruiting white and black women into reproductive studies: the MMC-PSU cooperative center on reproduction experience.

PubMed

Sweet, Stephanie; Legro, Richard S; Coney, PonJola

2008-07-01

Establishing a holistic approach for the enrollment of subjects into clinical trials that includes strategies for the recruitment of non-traditional and minority populations has been an elusive task. The existence of such a design, that is understood and embraced by investigators and the target communities, would streamline the current level of commitment of time, energy and resources. This is necessary to successfully encourage individual and community participation in research studies. The Center for Research in Reproduction at Meharry set out to recruit a large number of African American women volunteers of reproductive age into clinical trials. The experience, of recruiting volunteers from the African American community for clinical trials in the Meharry Medical College/Pennsylvania State University (MMC/PSU)'s Cooperative Center for Research in Reproduction at Meharry, is presented.

Observations and analysis of lunar radio emission at 3.09 mm wavelength

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ulich, B. L.; Cogdell, J. R.; Davis, J. H.; Calvert, T. A.

1974-01-01

An analysis of data on lunar radio emission at 3.09 mm wavelength is presented. The data were obtained during a single lunation in a manner that facilitates their comparison with a calculated model. Specific regions of the moon (Copernicus, Sea of Serenity, Sea of Tranquillity, Ocean of Storms, and an highland region near the mean center) were studied with enough angular resolution to distinguish between different types of terrain. The data were absolutely calibrated and yield a new measurement of the lunation average brightness temperature of the center of the moon.

The USGS National Wildlife Health Center: Advancing wildlife and ecosystem health

USGS Publications Warehouse

Moede Rogall, Gail; Sleeman, Jonathan M.

2017-01-11

In 1975, the Federal government responded to the need for establishing national expertise in wildlife health by creating the National Wildlife Health Center (NWHC), a facility within the Department of the Interior; the NWHC is the only national center dedicated to wildlife disease detection, control, and prevention. Its mission is to provide national leadership to safeguard wildlife and ecosystem health through active partnerships and exceptional science. Comparisons are often made between the NWHC, which strives to protect the health of our Nation’s wildlife, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which strive to protect public health. The NWHC, a science center of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) with specialized laboratories, works to safeguard the Nation’s wildlife from diseases by studying the causes and drivers of these threats, and by developing strategies to prevent and manage them. In addition to the main campus, located in Madison, Wisconsin, the NWHC also operates the Honolulu Field Station that addresses wildlife health issues in Hawaii and the Pacific Region.

The catalytic center of ferritin regulates iron storage via Fe(II)-Fe(III) displacement.

PubMed

Honarmand Ebrahimi, Kourosh; Bill, Eckhard; Hagedoorn, Peter-Leon; Hagen, Wilfred R

2012-11-01

A conserved iron-binding site, the ferroxidase center, regulates the vital iron storage role of the ubiquitous protein ferritin in iron metabolism. It is commonly thought that two Fe(II) simultaneously bind the ferroxidase center and that the oxidized Fe(III)-O(H)-Fe(III) product spontaneously enters the cavity of ferritin as a unit. In contrast, in some bacterioferritins and in archaeal ferritins a persistent di-iron prosthetic group in this center is believed to mediate catalysis of core formation. Using a combination of binding experiments and isotopically labeled (57)Fe(II), we studied two systems in comparison: the ferritin from the hyperthermophilic archaeal anaerobe Pyrococcus furiosus (PfFtn) and the eukaryotic human H ferritin (HuHF). The results do not support either of the two paradigmatic models; instead they suggest a unifying mechanism in which the Fe(III)-O-Fe(III) unit resides in the ferroxidase center until it is sequentially displaced by Fe(II).

Supersonic Retropropulsion CFD Validation with Ames Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel Test Data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schauerhamer, Daniel G.; Zarchi, Kerry A.; Kleb, William L.; Edquist, Karl T.

2013-01-01

A validation study of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) for Supersonic Retropropulsion (SRP) was conducted using three Navier-Stokes flow solvers (DPLR, FUN3D, and OVERFLOW). The study compared results from the CFD codes to each other and also to wind tunnel test data obtained in the NASA Ames Research Center 90 70 Unitary PlanWind Tunnel. Comparisons include surface pressure coefficient as well as unsteady plume effects, and cover a range of Mach numbers, levels of thrust, and angles of orientation. The comparisons show promising capability of CFD to simulate SRP, and best agreement with the tunnel data exists for the steadier cases of the 1-nozzle and high thrust 3-nozzle configurations.

Beck Depression Inventory--II: College population study.

PubMed

O'Hara, M M; Sprinkle, S D; Ricci, N A

1998-06-01

This study expands on the normative data available for the newly revised Beck Depression Inventory-II. Data from both an outpatient, counseling-center sample (n = 152: 106 women, 46 men) and a classroom sample (n = 152: 79 women, 65 men) of college students are presented, including sex differences on the inventory. Means and standard deviations of individual items and total scores are reported, along with statistical tests of differences between groups. Comparisons of these data with norms reported by the authors of the inventory (Beck, Steer, & Brown, 1996) are offered. The lack of sex differences found in comparison of total scores for both samples is presented. Implications for the use of the inventory with college populations are discussed.

Space shuttle orbiter trimmed center-of-gravity extension study. Volume 3: Impact of retrofits for center-of-gravity extension on orbiter thermal-protection system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dunavant, J. C.

1979-01-01

Heat transfer studies were conducted at Mach 10.3 on space shuttle orbiter models with the S-2 fillet and C-4 canard retrofit moldlines which were generated in aerodynamic and system design studies to increase the allowable c.g. range of the orbiter. Areas of orbiter most strongly affected were the sides where a shear layer which separated along the wing leading edge impinged. Analytical studies of the heating effect on the thermal-protection system were made which indicated that scar weight on the orbiter sides due to allowances for retrofits of the S-2 fillet and C-4 canard is small (less than about 90 kg (200 lbs) in comparison to the total weight of the retrofit).

A Unit on "Fahrenheit 451" That Uses Cooperative Learning (Resources and Reviews).

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ebbers, Frances A.

1991-01-01

Provides a curriculum unit using the novel "Fahrenheit 451" to provide student-centered activities based on solid pedagogical methodology. Emphasizes value-centered analysis of the novel, comparison of alternative arguments, and integration of cooperative learning activities. (PRA)

Comparison of Ramadan-specific education level in patients with diabetes seen at a Primary and a Tertiary care center of Karachi-Pakistan.

PubMed

Masood, Shabeen Naz; Alvi, Syed Faraz Danish; Ahmedani, Muhammad Yakoob; Kiran, Shazia; Zeeshan, Nimra Fatima; Basit, Abdul; Shera, A Samad

2014-01-01

To compare Ramadan-specific education level in fasting patients with diabetes at a Primary and a Tertiary care center. An observational study was conducted in the Outpatient departments of a Primary care center and a Tertiary care center in Karachi-Pakistan. Recruitment of patients started at the end of Ramadan 2011 and continued till three months after Ramadan 2011. All patients with diabetes who observed fast during the month of Ramadan 2011 were included in the study. In Primary care center, patients were attended by physicians only, while at Tertiary care center patients were seen by physicians, diabetes educator and dietician. For data collection, standardized questionnaire based interview was conducted on one to one basis by trained healthcare professionals. Same questionnaire was used at both the centers. A total of 392 and 199 patients with diabetes recruited at Primary and Tertiary care centers, respectively. Ramadan-specific diabetes education received by 213 (55%) and 123 (61.80%) patients with diabetes at Primary and Tertiary care centers, respectively. Compared to Primary care center, patients at Tertiary care centers were more aware about components of Ramadan-specific diabetes education such as signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia, dose of medicines/insulin during Ramadan fasting, dose of medicines/insulin when not fasting, self-monitoring of blood glucose, dietary modifications, physical activity, adequate nutrition and adequate hydration during Ramadan (p<0.05). It was observed that Ramadan-specific education level of patients at Tertiary care center was significantly better compared to patients at Primary care center. Copyright © 2014 Diabetes India. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Next-generation optical wireless communications for data centers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arnon, Shlomi

2015-01-01

Data centers collect and process information with a capacity that has been increasing from year to year at an almost exponential pace. Traditional fiber/cable data center network interconnections suffer from bandwidth overload, as well as flexibility and scalability issues. Therefore, a technology-shift from the fiber and cable to wireless has already been initiated in order to meet the required data-rate, flexibility and scalability demands for next-generation data center network interconnects. In addition, the shift to wireless reduces the volume allocated to the cabling/fiber and increases the cooling efficiency. Optical wireless communication (OWC), or free space optics (FSO), is one of the most effective wireless technologies that could be used in future data centers and could provide ultra-high capacity, very high cyber security and minimum latency, due to the low index of refraction of air in comparison to fiber technologies. In this paper we review the main concepts and configurations for next generation OWC for data centers. Two families of technologies are reviewed: the first technology regards interconnects between rack units in the same rack and the second technology regards the data center network that connects the server top of rack (TOR) to the switch. A comparison between different network technologies is presented.

A Comparison of Year 1 and Year 6 Students' Conceptions of Evaporation and Condensation: Dimensions of Conceptual Progression.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tytler, Russell

2000-01-01

Describes a study of a range of challenging activities centered on evaporation and condensation done with elementary school children. Analyzes children's explanations in light of the existing literature. Finds that older children display a surer sense of ontological categories, greater epistemological sophistication, greater precision in language…

Crosswalk Analysis of Deeper Learning Skills to Common Core State Standards

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Conley, David T.

2011-01-01

The Educational Policy Improvement Center (EPIC) conducted a crosswalk between the Deeper Learning Skills (DLS) and the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). The purpose of the crosswalk was to understand the ways in which strategies for deeper learning relate to the CCSS. This comparison was not solely or simply an alignment study, although some…

Consumer Health Information Provision in Rural Public Libraries: A Comparison of Two Library Systems

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Flaherty, Mary Grace

2013-01-01

To better understand health information provision in the public library setting, two cooperative library systems that serve primarily rural populations in upstate New York were studied. The central library in one of those systems established a consumer health information center (CHIC) in 1999. In the other system, the central library does not have…

Rapport, Motivation, Participation, and Perceptions of Learning in U.S. and Turkish Student Classrooms: A Replication and Cultural Comparison

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Frisby, Brandi N.; Slone, Amanda R.; Bengu, Elif

2017-01-01

Building on previous rapport research, Hofstede's dimensions of culture, and calls for culture-centered instructional research, this study examined instructor-student rapport in U.S. and Turkish college classrooms. U.S. participants (N = 143) and Turkish participants (N = 185) completed measures of rapport, state motivation, participation, and…

Gravity Influences the Visual Representation of Object Tilt in Parietal Cortex

PubMed Central

Angelaki, Dora E.

2014-01-01

Sensory systems encode the environment in egocentric (e.g., eye, head, or body) reference frames, creating inherently unstable representations that shift and rotate as we move. However, it is widely speculated that the brain transforms these signals into an allocentric, gravity-centered representation of the world that is stable and independent of the observer's spatial pose. Where and how this representation may be achieved is currently unknown. Here we demonstrate that a subpopulation of neurons in the macaque caudal intraparietal area (CIP) visually encodes object tilt in nonegocentric coordinates defined relative to the gravitational vector. Neuronal responses to the tilt of a visually presented planar surface were measured with the monkey in different spatial orientations (upright and rolled left/right ear down) and then compared. This revealed a continuum of representations in which planar tilt was encoded in a gravity-centered reference frame in approximately one-tenth of the comparisons, intermediate reference frames ranging between gravity-centered and egocentric in approximately two-tenths of the comparisons, and in an egocentric reference frame in less than half of the comparisons. Altogether, almost half of the comparisons revealed a shift in the preferred tilt and/or a gain change consistent with encoding object orientation in nonegocentric coordinates. Through neural network modeling, we further show that a purely gravity-centered representation of object tilt can be achieved directly from the population activity of CIP-like units. These results suggest that area CIP may play a key role in creating a stable, allocentric representation of the environment defined relative to an “earth-vertical” direction. PMID:25339732

2008 GEM Modeling Challenge: Metrics Study of the Dst Index in Physics-Based Magnetosphere and Ring Current Models and in Statistical and Analytic Specifications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rastaetter, L.; Kuznetsova, M.; Hesse, M.; Pulkkinen, A.; Glocer, A.; Yu, Y.; Meng, X.; Raeder, J.; Wiltberger, M.; Welling, D.;

Polar motion excitation analysis due to global continental water redistribution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fernandez, L.; Schuh, H.

2006-10-01

We present the results obtained when studying the hydrological excitation of the Earth‘s wobble due to global redistribution of continental water storage. This work was performed in two steps. First, we computed the hydrological angular momentum (HAM) time series based on the global hydrological model LaD (Land Dynamics model) for the period 1980 till 2004. Then, we compared the effectiveness of this excitation by analysing the residuals of the geodetic time series after removing atmospheric and oceanic contributions with the respective hydrological ones. The emphasis was put on low frequency variations. We also present a comparison of HAM time series from LaD with respect to that one from a global model based on the assimilated soil moisture and snow accumulation data from NCEP/NCAR (The National Center for Environmental Prediction/The National Center for Atmospheric Research) reanalysis. Finally, we evaluate the performance of LaD model in closing the polar motion budget at seasonal periods in comparison with the NCEP and the Land Data Assimilation System (LDAS) models.

A comparison of center-based vs. home-based daily hemodialysis for patients with end-stage renal disease.

PubMed

Kraus, Michael; Burkart, John; Hegeman, Rebecca; Solomon, Richard; Coplon, Norman; Moran, John

2007-10-01

Home hemodialysis has been a therapeutic option for almost 4 decades. The complexity of dialysis equipment has been a factor-limiting adoption of this modality. We performed a feasibility study to demonstrate the safety of center-based vs. home-based daily hemodialysis with the NxStage System One portable hemodialysis device. We also performed a retrospective analysis to determine if clinical effects previously associated with short-daily dialysis were also seen using this novel device. We conducted a prospective, 2-treatment, 2-period, open-label, crossover study of in-center hemodialysis vs. home hemodialysis in 32 patients treated at 6 U.S. centers. The 8-week In-Center Phase (6 days/week) was followed by a 2-week transition period and then followed by the 8-week Home Phase (6 days/week). We retrospectively collected data on hemodialysis treatment parameters immediately preceding the study in a subset of patients. Twenty-six out of 32 patients (81%) successfully completed the study. Successful delivery of at least 90% of prescribed fluid volume (primary endpoint) was achieved in 98.5% of treatments in-center and 97.3% at home. Total effluent volume as a percentage of prescribed volume was between 94% and 100% for all study weeks. The composite rate of intradialytic and interdialytic adverse events per 100 treatments was significantly higher for the In-Center Phase (5.30) compared with the Home Phase (2.10; p=0.007). Compared with the period immediately preceding the study, there were reductions in blood pressure, antihypertensive medications, and interdialytic weight gain. Daily home hemodialysis with a small, easy-to-use hemodialysis device is a viable dialysis option for end-stage renal disease patients capable of self/partner-administered dialysis.

Lunar phases and crisis center telephone calls.

PubMed

Wilson, J E; Tobacyk, J J

1990-02-01

The lunar hypothesis, that is, the notion that lunar phases can directly affect human behavior, was tested by time-series analysis of 4,575 crisis center telephone calls (all calls recorded for a 6-month interval). As expected, the lunar hypothesis was not supported. The 28-day lunar cycle accounted for less than 1% of the variance of the frequency of crisis center calls. Also, as hypothesized from an attribution theory framework, crisis center workers reported significantly greater belief in lunar effects than a non-crisis-center-worker comparison group.

Research Vessel Meteorological and Oceanographic Systems Support Satellite and Model Validation Studies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smith, S. R.; Lopez, N.; Bourassa, M. A.; Rolph, J.; Briggs, K.

2012-12-01

The research vessel data center at the Florida State University routinely acquires, quality controls, and distributes underway surface meteorological and oceanographic observations from vessels. The activities of the center are coordinated by the Shipboard Automated Meteorological and Oceanographic System (SAMOS) initiative in partnership with the Rolling Deck to Repository (R2R) project. The data center evaluates the quality of the observations, collects essential metadata, provides data quality feedback to vessel operators, and ensures the long-term data preservation at the National Oceanographic Data Center. A description of the SAMOS data stewardship protocols will be provided, including dynamic web tools that ensure users can select the highest quality observations from over 30 vessels presently recruited to the SAMOS initiative. Research vessels provide underway observations at high-temporal frequency (1 min. sampling interval) that include navigational (position, course, heading, and speed), meteorological (air temperature, humidity, wind, surface pressure, radiation, rainfall), and oceanographic (surface sea temperature and salinity) samples. Recruited vessels collect a high concentration of data within the U.S. continental shelf and also frequently operate well outside routine shipping lanes, capturing observations in extreme ocean environments (Southern Ocean, Arctic, South Atlantic and Pacific). The unique quality and sampling locations of research vessel observations and there independence from many models and products (RV data are rarely distributed via normal marine weather reports) makes them ideal for validation studies. We will present comparisons between research vessel observations and model estimates of the sea surface temperature and salinity in the Gulf of Mexico. The analysis reveals an underestimation of the freshwater input to the Gulf from rivers, resulting in an overestimation of near coastal salinity in the model. Additional comparisons between surface atmospheric products derived from satellite observations and the underway research vessel observations will be shown. The strengths and limitations of research observations for validation studies will be highlighted through these case studies.

Annual Research Progress Report (William Beaumont Army Medical Center) FY 1983

DTIC Science & Technology

1994-03-23

Algeo, Dept of Radiology) .............................................. 58 Pacheco, EJ: 93/53 (0) Phase II Study of Interferon-Modulated Indium- Il 1 ...76 Lutz, P: 92/68 ( 1 ) Nursing Effects on Mastectomy Patients’ Perception of Self Esteem ............................ 77 Nufer, E: 93/08 (C) Cardiac...15 1 Kravitz, MB: 93/49 (0) A Comparison Study of Midazolam and Pentobarbital Versus Pentobarbital A),=e in the Effective Sedation of

Human Issues in Manufacturing Technology

DTIC Science & Technology

1992-09-01

with the following comparison to make his point. Both plants are modern, automated, machine- centered production systems. General Motors ’ Hamtramck...The MIT text draws from 116 research monographs prepared by affiliates of the International Motor Vehicle Program. The study is replete with empirical...Japanese industrial culture. The target for their study was the state-of-the-art Mazda plant in Flat Rock, Michigan. In addition to their treatment of the

Metabolism of isoniazid by neutrophil myeloperoxidase leads to isoniazid-NAD(+) adduct formation: A comparison of the reactivity of isoniazid with its known human metabolites.

PubMed

Khan, Saifur R; Morgan, Andrew G M; Michail, Karim; Srivastava, Nutan; Whittal, Randy M; Aljuhani, Naif; Siraki, Arno G

2016-04-15

The formation of isonicotinyl-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (INH-NAD(+)) via the mycobacterial catalase-peroxidase enzyme, KatG, has been described as the major component of the mode of action of isoniazid (INH). However, there are numerous human peroxidases that may catalyze this reaction. The role of neutrophil myeloperoxidase (MPO) in INH-NAD(+) adduct formation has never been explored; this is important, as neutrophils are recruited at the site of tuberculosis infection (granuloma) through infected macrophages' cell death signals. In our studies, we showed that neutrophil MPO is capable of INH metabolism using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spin-trapping and UV-Vis spectroscopy. MPO or activated human neutrophils (by phorbol myristate acetate) catalyzed the oxidation of INH and formed several free radical intermediates; the inclusion of superoxide dismutase revealed a carbon-centered radical which is considered to be the reactive metabolite that binds with NAD(+). Other human metabolites, including N-acetyl-INH, N-acetylhydrazine, and hydrazine did not show formation of carbon-centered radicals, and either produced no detectable free radicals, N-centered free radicals, or superoxide, respectively. A comparison of these free radical products indicated that only the carbon-centered radical from INH is reducing in nature, based on UV-Vis measurement of nitroblue tetrazolium reduction. Furthermore, only INH oxidation by MPO led to a new product (λmax=326nm) in the presence of NAD(+). This adduct was confirmed to be isonicotinyl-NAD(+) using LC-MS analysis where the intact adduct was detected (m/z=769). The findings of this study suggest that neutrophil MPO may also play a role in INH pharmacological activity. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Cost-Effectiveness of High Dose Hemodialysis in Comparison to Conventional In-Center Hemodialysis in the Netherlands.

PubMed

Beby, Anna Trisia; Cornelis, Tom; Zinck, Raymund; Liu, Frank Xiaoqing

2016-11-01

In the Netherlands, the current standard of care for treating patients with end-stage renal disease is three sessions of in-center hemodialysis (conventional ICHD). However, the literature indicates that high dose hemodialysis (high dose HD) may provide better health outcome such as survival and quality of life. The objective of this study was to determine the cost-effectiveness of high dose HD, both in-center and at home, in comparison to conventional ICHD from a Dutch payer's perspective over a 5 year period. Additionally, the cost-effectiveness of conventional HD at home in comparison to conventional ICHD will be analysed. A Markov model was developed assuming 28-day treatment cycles and was populated with data from Dutch and international renal registries, official tariffs and medical literature. Univariable and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed to test the robustness of the results. Using publicly available tariffs from the Dutch Healthcare Authority (Nederlandse Zorgautoriteit) of 2015, doing high dose ICHD instead of conventional ICHD shows an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of €275,747 per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained. In contrast, the ICER of high dose HD at home in comparison to conventional ICHD is €3248 per gained QALY. The final analysis shows that conventional HD at home is less costly per patient (-€3063) than conventional ICHD and results in health benefit improvement (+0.249 QALYs), and is therefore regarded as cost saving. Treating dialysis patients with conventional HD at home shows to be cost saving in comparison to conventional ICHD. However, the magnitude of clinical benefit of high dose HD at home is over two times greater than the clinical benefit of conventional HD at home. According to our analysis, from a payer's perspective, high dose HD should be offered as a home therapy to obtain its clinical benefits in a cost-effective manner. Future research should consider our findings alongside societal factors, such as patient preference, monitoring cost for the home patient, productivity loss and capacity. Baxter BV, The Netherlands.

Impact evaluation of a healthy lifestyle intervention to reduce cardiovascular disease risk in health centers in San José, Costa Rica and Chiapas, Mexico.

PubMed

Fort, Meredith P; Murillo, Sandra; López, Erika; Dengo, Ana Laura; Alvarado-Molina, Nadia; de Beausset, Indira; Castro, Maricruz; Peña, Liz; Ramírez-Zea, Manuel; Martínez, Homero

2015-12-28

Previous healthy lifestyle interventions based on the Salud para Su Corazón curriculum for Latinos in the United States, and a pilot study in Guatemala, demonstrated improvements in patient knowledge, behavior, and clinical outcomes for adults with hypertension. This article describes the implementation of a healthy lifestyle group education intervention at the primary care health center level in the capital cities of Costa Rica and Chiapas, Mexico for patients with hypertension and/or type 2 diabetes and presents impact evaluation results. Six group education sessions were offered to participants at intervention health centers from November 2011 to December 2012 and participants were followed up for 8 months. The study used a prospective, longitudinal, nonequivalent pretest-posttest comparison group design, and was conducted in parallel in the two countries. Cognitive and behavioral outcome measures were knowledge, self-efficacy, stage-of-change, dietary behavior and physical activity. Clinical outcomes were: body mass index, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and fasting blood glucose. Group by time differences were assessed using generalized estimating equation models, and a dose-response analysis was conducted for the intervention group. The average number of group education sessions attended in Chiapas was 4 (SD: 2.2) and in Costa Rica, 1.8 (SD: 2.0). In both settings, participation in the study declined by 8-month follow-up. In Costa Rica, intervention group participants showed significant improvements in systolic and diastolic blood pressure and borderline significant improvement for fasting glucose, and significant improvement in the stages-of-change measure vs. the comparison group. In Chiapas, the intervention group showed significant improvement in the stages-of-change measure in relation to the comparison group. Significant improvements were not observed for knowledge, self-efficacy, dietary behavior or physical activity. In Chiapas only, a significant dose-response relationship was observed for systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Group education interventions at health centers have the potential to improve stage-of-change activation, and may also improve clinical outcomes. In the future, it will be essential to dedicate resources to understand ways to reach a representative group of the patient population, tailor the intervention so that patients are engaged to participate, and consider the broader family and community context that influences patients' capacity to manage their condition.

Variation in hospital costs and reimbursement for endovascular aneurysm repair: A Vascular Quality Initiative pilot project.

PubMed

Lemmon, Gary W; Neal, Dan; DeMartino, Randall R; Schneider, Joseph R; Singh, Tej; Kraiss, Larry; Scali, Salvatore; Tassiopoulos, Apostolos; Hoel, Andrew; Cronenwett, Jack L

2017-10-01

Comparing costs between centers is difficult because of the heterogeneity of vascular procedures contained in broad diagnosis-related group (DRG) billing categories. The purpose of this pilot project was to develop a mechanism to merge Vascular Quality Initiative (VQI) clinical data with hospital billing data to allow more accurate cost and reimbursement comparison for endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) procedures across centers. Eighteen VQI centers volunteered to submit UB04 billing data for 782 primary, elective infrarenal EVAR procedures performed by 108 surgeons in 2014. Procedures were categorized as standard or complex (with femoral-femoral bypass or additional arterial treatment) and without or with complications (arterial injury or embolectomy; bowel or leg ischemia; wound infection; reoperation; or cardiac, pulmonary, or renal complications), yielding four clinical groups for comparison. MedAssets, Inc, using cost to charge ratios, calculated total hospital costs and cost categories. Cost variation analyzed across centers was compared with DRG 237 (with major complication or comorbidity) and 238 (without major complication or comorbidity) coding. A multivariable model to predict DRG 237 coding was developed using VQI clinical data. Of the 782 EVAR procedures, 56% were standard and 15% had complications, with wide variation between centers. Mean total costs ranged from $31,100 for standard EVAR without complications to $47,400 for complex EVAR with complications and varied twofold to threefold among centers. Implant costs for standard EVAR without complications varied from $8100 to $28,200 across centers. Average Medicare reimbursement was less than total cost except for standard EVAR without complications. Only 9% of all procedures with complications in the VQI were reported in the higher reimbursed DRG 237 category (center range, 0%-21%). There was significant variation in hospitals' coding of DRG 237 compared with their expected rates. VQI clinical data accurately predict current DRG coding (C statistic, 0.87). VQI data allow a more precise EVAR cost comparison by identifying comparable clinical groups compared with DRG-based calculations. Total costs exceeded Medicare reimbursement, especially for patients with complications, although this varied by center. Implant costs also varied more than expected between centers for comparable cases. Incorporation of VQI data elements documenting EVAR case complexity into billing data may allow centers to better align respective DRG reimbursement to total costs. Copyright © 2017 Society for Vascular Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Serum perfluoroalkyl substances and cardiometabolic consequences in adolescents exposed to the World Trade Center disaster and a matched comparison group.

PubMed

Koshy, Tony T; Attina, Teresa M; Ghassabian, Akhgar; Gilbert, Joseph; Burdine, Lauren K; Marmor, Michael; Honda, Masato; Chu, Dinh Binh; Han, Xiaoxia; Shao, Yongzhao; Kannan, Kurunthachalam; Urbina, Elaine M; Trasande, Leonardo

2017-12-01

Large amounts of various chemical contaminants, including perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), were released at the time of the World Trade Center (WTC) disaster. Thousands of children who lived and/or attended school near the disaster site were exposed to these substances but few studies have examined the possible consequences related to these exposures. To examine the relationship of PFASs serum levels with cardiometabolic profile in children and adolescents enrolled in the World Trade Center Health Registry (WTCHR) and a matched comparison group. We evaluated WTCHR enrollees who resided in New York City and were born between September 11, 1993 and September 10, 2001, and a matched comparison group consisting of individuals who were ineligible for WTCHR participation upon distance of their home, school or work from the WTC and lack of participation in rescue and recovery activities. Matching was based on date of birth, sex, race, ethnicity, and income. We assessed exposure to PFASs, as measured by serum levels and association with cardiometabolic profile as measured by arterial wall stiffness, body mass index, insulin resistance, fasting total cholesterol, HDL, LDL and triglycerides. A total of 402 participants completed the study and serum samples were analyzed from 308 participants, 123 in the WTCHR group and 185 in the comparison group. In multivariable regression analysis, after adjusting for relevant confounders, we observed a significant, positive association of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) with triglycerides (beta coefficient=0.14, 95% CI: 0.02, 0.27, 15.1% change), total cholesterol (beta coefficient=0.09, 95% CI: 0.04, 0.14, 9.2% change), and LDL cholesterol (beta coefficient=0.11, 95% CI: 0.03, 0.19, 11.5% change). Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid levels were associated with decreased insulin resistance (beta coefficient=-0.09, 95% CI: -0.18, -0.003, -8.6% change); PFOA and perfluorononanoic acid were associated with increased brachial artery distensibility. This research adds to our knowledge of the physical health impacts in a large group of children exposed to the WTC disaster. Abnormal lipid levels in young adults might be an early marker of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases and our findings highlight the importance of conducting longitudinal studies in this population. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Study of Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center utility systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Redding, T. E.; Huber, W. C.

1977-01-01

The results of an engineering study of potential energy saving utility system modifications for the NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center are presented. The objective of the study was to define and analyze utility options that would provide facility energy savings in addition to the approximately 25 percent already achieved through an energy loads reduction program. A systems engineering approach was used to determine total system energy and cost savings resulting from each of the ten major options investigated. The results reported include detailed cost analyses and cost comparisons of various options. Cost are projected to the year 2000. Also included are a brief description of a mathematical model used for the analysis and the rationale used for a site survey to select buildings suitable for analysis.

OOSTT: a Resource for Analyzing the Organizational Structures of Trauma Centers and Trauma Systems

PubMed Central

Utecht, Joseph; Judkins, John; Otte, J. Neil; Colvin, Terra; Rogers, Nicholas; Rose, Robert; Alvi, Maria; Hicks, Amanda; Ball, Jane; Bowman, Stephen M.; Maxson, Robert T.; Nabaweesi, Rosemary; Pradhan, Rohit; Sanddal, Nels D.; Tudoreanu, M. Eduard; Winchell, Robert J.; Brochhausen, Mathias

2017-01-01

Organizational structures of healthcare organizations has increasingly become a focus of medical research. In the CAFÉ project we aim to provide a web-service enabling ontology-driven comparison of the organizational characteristics of trauma centers and trauma systems. Trauma remains one of the biggest challenges to healthcare systems worldwide. Research has demonstrated that coordinated efforts like trauma systems and trauma centers are key components of addressing this challenge. Evaluation and comparison of these organizations is essential. However, this research challenge is frequently compounded by the lack of a shared terminology and the lack of effective information technology solutions for assessing and comparing these organizations. In this paper we present the Ontology of Organizational Structures of Trauma systems and Trauma centers (OOSTT) that provides the ontological foundation to CAFÉ's web-based questionnaire infrastructure. We present the usage of the ontology in relation to the questionnaire and provide the methods that were used to create the ontology. PMID:28217041

Effectiveness of the Lunch is in the Bag program on communication between the parent, child and child-care provider around fruits, vegetables and whole grain foods: a group-randomized controlled trial

PubMed Central

Rashid, Tasnuva; Ranjit, Nalini; Byrd-Williams, Courtney; Chuang, Ru-Jye; Roberts-Gray, Cindy; Briley, Margaret; Sweitzer, Sara; Hoelscher, Deanna M.

2015-01-01

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of the parent- and early care education (ECE) center-based Lunch is in the Bag program on communication between parent, child, and their ECE center providers around fruits, vegetables and whole grain foods (FVWG). Method A total of n=30 ECE center; 577 parent-child dyads participated in this group-randomized controlled trial conducted from 2011–2013 in Texas (n=15 ECE center, 327 dyads intervention group; n=15 ECE center, 250 dyads comparison group). Parent-child and parent-ECE center provider communication was measured using a parent-reported survey administered at baseline and end of the five-week intervention period. Multilevel linear regression analysis was used to compare the pre-to-post intervention changes in the parent-child and parent-ECE center provider communication scales. Significance was set at p<0.05. Results At baseline, parent-child and parent-ECE center provider communication scores were low. There was a significant increase post-intervention in the parent-ECE center provider communication around vegetables (Adjusted β = 0.78, 95%CI: 0.13, 1.43, p=0.002), and around fruit (Adjusted β = 0.62, 95%CI: 0.04, 0.20, p=0.04) among the parents in the intervention group as compared to those in the comparison group. There were no significant intervention effects on parent-child communication. Conclusion Lunch is in the Bag had significant positive effects on improving communication between the parents and ECE center providers around FVWG. PMID:26190371

Evaluation of 5-year-old children with complete cleft lip and palate: Multicenter study. Part 2: Functional results.

PubMed

Dissaux, Caroline; Grollemund, Bruno; Bodin, Frédéric; Picard, Arnaud; Vazquez, Marie-Paule; Morand, Béatrice; James, Isabelle; Kauffmann, Isabelle; Bruant-Rodier, Catherine

2016-02-01

Cleft surgery is marked by all the controversies and the multiplication of protocols, as it has been shown by the Eurocleft study. The objective of this pilot study is to start a comparison and analyzing procedure between primary surgical protocols in French centers. Four French centers with different primary surgical protocols for cleft lip and palate repair, have accepted to be involved in this retrospective study. In each center, 20 consecutive patients with complete cleft lip and palate (10 UCLP, 10 BCLP per center), non syndromic, have been evaluated at a mean age of 5 [range, 4-6]. In this second part, maxillary growth and palatine morphology were assessed on clinical examination and on dental casts (Goslon score). Speech was also evaluated clinically (Borel-maisonny classification) and by Aerophonoscope. Veau-Wardill-Killner palatoplasty involves a higher rate of transversal maxillary deficiency and retromaxillary. The fistula rate is statistically lower with tibial periosteum graft hard palate closure but this technique seems to give retromaxillary. Malek and Talmant two-stage-palatoplasty techniques reach Goslon scores of 1 or 2. Considering speech, Sommerlad intravelar veloplasty got higher outcomes. Primary results. Extension to other centers required. The two-stage palatoplasty, including a Sommerlad intravelar veloplasty seems to have the less negative impact on maxillary growth, and to give good speech outcomes. Therapeutic study. Level III/retrospective multicenter comparative study. Copyright © 2015 European Association for Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Pulse Detonation Rocket Engine Research at NASA Marshall

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Morris, Christopher I.

2003-01-01

This viewgraph representation provides an overview of research being conducted on Pulse Detonation Rocket Engines (PDRE) by the Propulsion Research Center (PRC) at the Marshall Space Flight Center. PDREs have a theoretical thermodynamic advantage over Steady-State Rocket Engines (SSREs) although unsteady blowdown processes complicate effective use of this advantage in practice; PRE is engaged in a fundamental study of PDRE gas dynamics to improve understanding of performance issues. Topics covered include: simplified PDRE cycle, comparison of PDRE and SSRE performance, numerical modeling of quasi 1-D rocket flows, time-accurate thrust calculations, finite-rate chemistry effects in nozzles, effect of F-R chemistry on specific impulse, effect of F-R chemistry on exit species mole fractions and PDRE performance optimization studies.

Photogenerated radical intermediates of vitamin K 1: a time-resolved resonance Raman study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Balakrishnan, G.; Umapathy, S.

1999-01-01

Quinones play a vital role in the process of electron transfer in bacterial photosynthetic reaction centers. It is of interest to investigate the photochemical reactions involving quinones with a view to elucidating the structure-function relationships in the biological processes. Resonance Raman spectra of radical anions and the time-resolved resonance Raman spectra of vitamin K 1 (model compound for Q A in Rhodopseudomonas viridis, a bacterial photosynthetic reception center) are presented. The photochemical intermediates of vitamin K 1, viz. radical anion, ketyl radical and o-quinone methide have been identified. The vibrational assignments of all these intermediates are made on the basis of comparison with our earlier TR3 studies on radical anions of naphthoquinone and menaquinone.

Seismic fragility assessment of low-rise stone masonry buildings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abo-El-Ezz, Ahmad; Nollet, Marie-José; Nastev, Miroslav

2013-03-01

Many historic buildings in old urban centers in Eastern Canada are made of stone masonry reputed to be highly vulnerable to seismic loads. Seismic risk assessment of stone masonry buildings is therefore the first step in the risk mitigation process to provide adequate planning for retrofit and preservation of historical urban centers. This paper focuses on development of analytical displacement-based fragility curves reflecting the characteristics of existing stone masonry buildings in Eastern Canada. The old historic center of Quebec City has been selected as a typical study area. The standard fragility analysis combines the inelastic spectral displacement, a structure-dependent earthquake intensity measure, and the building damage state correlated to the induced building displacement. The proposed procedure consists of a three-step development process: (1) mechanics-based capacity model, (2) displacement-based damage model and (3) seismic demand model. The damage estimation for a uniform hazard scenario of 2% in 50 years probability of exceedance indicates that slight to moderate damage is the most probable damage experienced by these stone masonry buildings. Comparison is also made with fragility curves implicit in the seismic risk assessment tools Hazus and ELER. Hazus shows the highest probability of the occurrence of no to slight damage, whereas the highest probability of extensive and complete damage is predicted with ELER. This comparison shows the importance of the development of fragility curves specific to the generic construction characteristics in the study area and emphasizes the need for critical use of regional risk assessment tools and generated results.

Outcomes of antiretroviral treatment: a comparison between hospitals and health centers in Ethiopia.

PubMed

Balcha, Taye T; Jeppsson, Anders

2010-01-01

the objective of this study was to compare the outcomes of antiretroviral therapy (ART) between hospital and health center levels in Ethiopia. medical records of 1709 ART patients followed for 24 months at 2 hospitals and 3 health centers in the Oromia region of Ethiopia were reviewed. Noted outcomes of ART were currently alive and on treatment; lost to follow-up (LTFU); transferred out (TO); and died (D). of 1709 HIV-positive patients started on ART between September 2006 and February 2007, 1044 (61%) remained alive and were on treatment after 24-month follow-up. In all, 835 (57%) of ART patients at hospitals and 209 (83%) at health centers were retained in the program. Of those who were alive and receiving ART, 79% of patients at health centers and 72% at hospitals were clinically or immunologically improving. In addition, 331 (23%) patients at hospitals were LFTU as compared to 24 (10%) of patients at health centers (relative risk [RR] at 95% confidence interval [CI]: .358 [.231-.555]). While 11% was the mortality rate at hospitals, 5% of patients at health centers also died (RR at 95% CI: .360 [.192-.673]). antiretroviral therapy at health centers was associated with more favorable outcomes than at hospitals.

Collaboratively Enabling Reanalysis Intercomparison Using the Earth System Grid Federation (ESGF): A Case Study.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Potter, G. L.; Bosilovich, M. G.; Carriere, L.; McInerney, M.; Nadeau, D.; Shen, Y.

2014-12-01

The NASA Climate Model Data Service (CDS) and the NASA Center for Climate Simulation (NCCS) are collaborating to provide an end-to-end system for the comparative study of the major reanalysis projects: ECMWF ERA-Interim, NASA/GMAO MERRA, NOAA/NCEP CFSR, NOAA/ESRL 20CR, JMA JRA25, and JRA55. These reanalyses have been repackaged to adhere to the CMIP5 standards and published on the ESGF. Reanalysis centers provide interfaces to the various reanalyses, but each data set requires some effort to either compare with other reanalyses or with atmospheric model output. The repackaging for ESGF required reformatting, restructuring and modifications to the metadata to facilitate the ESGF search capabilities. Once this was done, the data structure is the same as used by the very successful CMIP3 and CMIP5 making comparison among reanalyses and climate models a relatively easy exercise. The data can now be accessed using WGET, OPENDAP, or HTTPServer at https://earthsystemcog.org/projects/ana4mips/ . An example using this interface will be shown including comparison of the reanalyses portrayal of the surface heat balance during the 2010 Russian heat wave. We have found that although the difference reanalyses produce very similar atmospheric features of the heat wave, the surface energy balance terms such as latent and sensible heat show considerable differences. This comparison helps point out systematic differences in the reanalyses surface moisture and may lead to a better understanding of the differences.

Geospace environment modeling 2008--2009 challenge: Dst index

USGS Publications Warehouse

Rastätter, L.; Kuznetsova, M.M.; Glocer, A.; Welling, D.; Meng, X.; Raeder, J.; Wittberger, M.; Jordanova, V.K.; Yu, Y.; Zaharia, S.; Weigel, R.S.; Sazykin, S.; Boynton, R.; Wei, H.; Eccles, V.; Horton, W.; Mays, M.L.; Gannon, J.

2013-01-01

This paper reports the metrics-based results of the Dst index part of the 2008–2009 GEM Metrics Challenge. The 2008–2009 GEM Metrics Challenge asked modelers to submit results for four geomagnetic storm events and five different types of observations that can be modeled by statistical, climatological or physics-based models of the magnetosphere-ionosphere system. We present the results of 30 model settings that were run at the Community Coordinated Modeling Center and at the institutions of various modelers for these events. To measure the performance of each of the models against the observations, we use comparisons of 1 hour averaged model data with the Dst index issued by the World Data Center for Geomagnetism, Kyoto, Japan, and direct comparison of 1 minute model data with the 1 minute Dst index calculated by the United States Geological Survey. The latter index can be used to calculate spectral variability of model outputs in comparison to the index. We find that model rankings vary widely by skill score used. None of the models consistently perform best for all events. We find that empirical models perform well in general. Magnetohydrodynamics-based models of the global magnetosphere with inner magnetosphere physics (ring current model) included and stand-alone ring current models with properly defined boundary conditions perform well and are able to match or surpass results from empirical models. Unlike in similar studies, the statistical models used in this study found their challenge in the weakest events rather than the strongest events.

Improving Staff Productivity in Mental Health Centers.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Southern Regional Education Board, Atlanta, GA.

This guide is concerned with productivity measurement and improvement in mental health centers, and focuses on the relationship between service outputs and available clinical staff, i.e., staff productivity. Staff productivity measures are described as useful in identifying existing levels of productivity, making comparisons to determine the…

Active Presurgical Infant Orthopedics for Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate: Intercenter Outcome Comparison of Latham, Modified McNeil, and Nasoalveolar Molding.

PubMed

Kornbluth, Michelle; Campbell, Richard E; Daskalogiannakis, John; Ross, Elizabeth J; Glick, Patricia H; Russell, Kathleen A; Doucet, Jean-Charles; Hathaway, Ronald R; Long, Ross E; Sitzman, Thomas J

2018-05-01

To compare dental arch relationship, craniofacial form, and nasolabial aesthetic outcomes among cleft centers using distinct methods of presurgical infant orthopedics (PSIO). Retrospective cohort study. Four cleft centers in North America. One hundred ninety-one children with repaired complete unilateral cleft lip and palate (CUCLP). Dental arch relationship was assessed using the GOSLON Yardstick. Craniofacial form was assessed by 12 cephalometric measurements. Nasolabial aesthetics were assessed using the Asher-McDade system. Assessments were performed between 6 and 12 years of age. The center that used no PSIO achieved the most favorable dental arch relationship and maxillomandibular relationship, with a median GOSLON score of 2.3 ( P < .01) and an ANB angle of 5.1° ( P < .05). The proportion of children assigned a GOSLON score of 4 or 5, predictive of the need for orthognathic surgery in adolescence, was 16% at the center that used no PSIO and no secondary surgery, compared to 76% at the centers that used the Latham appliance and early secondary lip and nose surgery ( P < .01). The center that used no PSIO and no secondary surgery achieved significantly less favorable nasolabial aesthetic outcomes than the centers using Latham appliance or nasoalveolar molding (NAM) ( P < .01). Effects of active PSIO are multifaceted and intertwined with use of revision surgery. In our study, centers using either the Latham appliance combined with early revision surgery or the NAM appliance without revision surgery achieved better nasolabial aesthetic outcomes but worse maxillary growth, compared to a center using no PSIO and secondary surgery.

Performance, Accuracy, Data Delivery, and Feedback Methods in Order Selection: A Comparison of Voice, Handheld, and Paper Technologies

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ludwig, Timothy D.; Goomas, David T.

2007-01-01

Field study was conducted in auto-parts after-market distribution centers where selectors used handheld computers to receive instructions and feedback about their product selection process. A wireless voice-interaction technology was then implemented in a multiple baseline fashion across three departments of a warehouse (N = 14) and was associated…

Households' Use of Public and Other Types of Libraries: 2002. E.D. TAB. NCES 2007-327

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Glander, Mark; Dam, Thuy

2007-01-01

This report provides a variety of measures of households' use of public libraries and notes some interesting comparisons. It is a product of the Library Statistics Program at the National Center for Education Statistics. The data for this study were collected as part of the October 2002 Current Population Survey (CPS) Library Supplement.…

A partly albino Wilson's Warbler (Wilsonia pusilla)

Treesearch

Wang Yong; Deborah M. Finch

1997-01-01

On 20 September 1995 at 11:15 MST, during routine mist-netting for a study investigating the use of the middle Rio Grande riparian habitat by migratory land birds at Rio Grande Nature Center, Bernalillo County, New Mexico, we were surprised to discover a light yellowish warbler in one of the nets. After careful examination and comparison, the bird was identified as a...

Efficacy of a Group Intervention for Adult Women Survivors of Sexual Abuse

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hebert, Martine; Bergeron, Manon

2007-01-01

This study evaluates the effects of a group intervention for women sexually abused in childhood or adulthood. The sample consisted of 41 women involved in a group intervention based on a feminist approach offered by help centers for sexual assault victims in Quebec and 11 women in a wait-list comparison group. Results reveal that the group…

A SCALE-UP Mock-Up: Comparison of Student Learning Gains in High- and Low-Tech Active-Learning Environments

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Soneral, Paula A. G.; Wyse, Sara A.

2017-01-01

Student-centered learning environments with upside-down pedagogies (SCALE-UP) are widely implemented at institutions across the country, and learning gains from these classrooms have been well documented. This study investigates the specific design feature(s) of the SCALE-UP classroom most conducive to teaching and learning. Using pilot survey…

A Comparison of Three Types of Day Care and Nursery School-Home Care.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Prescott, Elizabeth

A study was conducted comparing young children's experiences in three types of day care--closed structure, open structure and family--with their experiences in home care supplemented by part-time nursery school. A total of 112 children, aged 2 to 5, were observed, each for 180-200 minutes. Eighty-four were selected from 15 day care centers, half…

A Comparison of Multi-Age and Homogeneous Age Grouping in Early Childhood Centers.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Freedman, Paula

Studies from several countries are described in this review of literature pertinent to assigning day care children to multi-age or homogeneous age groups. Three issues are discussed in this regard: (1) What difference does it make how one groups children? The answer is that a profound difference to children, staff, and parents may occur in terms…

Psychosocial Outcomes of "Lunch Is in the Bag", a Parent Program for Packing Healthful Lunches for Preschool Children

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sweitzer, Sara J.; Briley, Margaret E.; Roberts-Gray, Cindy; Hoelscher, Deanna M.; Harrist, Ronald B.; Staskel, Deanna M.; Almansour, Fawaz D.

2011-01-01

Objective: This pilot study evaluated effects of "Lunch is in the Bag" on behavioral constructs and their predictive relationship to lunch-packing behaviors of parents of young children. Methods: Six child care centers were pair-matched and randomly assigned to intervention (n = 3) and comparison (n = 3) groups. Parent/child dyads participated.…

College Readiness vs College Admissions: Will We Resolve the Chasm between K-12 and Higher Education?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Camara, Wayne

2008-01-01

Presented at the conference for USC Center for Enrollment Research, Policy and Practice (CERRP). This provides an overview of the various studies currently underway to establish the validity of noncognitive measures of success as a supplement to current cognitive measures which are used. Comparisons between what is defined as college readiness and…

Open Skies Project Computational Fluid Dynamic Analysis

DTIC Science & Technology

1994-03-01

109 -. -_ _ 9 . CONCLUSIONSI1 f 10. LIST OF REFERENCES _________ ___________112 APPENDIX A: Transition Prediction __________________116 B...Behind the Open Skies Plate 20 8. VSAERO Results on the Alternate Fairing 21 9 . Centerline Cp Comparisons 22 10. VSAERO Wing Effects Study Centerline C...problems. The assistance Mrs. Mary Ann Mages, at Kirtland Supercomputer Center ( PL /SCPR) gave by setting a precedent for supercomputer account

Microgravity

NASA Image and Video Library

1998-10-10

Breast tissue specimens in traditional sample dishes. NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) is sponsoring research with Bioreactors, rotating wall vessels designed to grow tissue samples in space, to understand how breast cancer works. This ground-based work studies the growth and assembly of human mammary epithelial cells (HMEC) from breast cancer susceptible tissue. Radiation can make the cells cancerous, thus allowing better comparisons of healthy vs. tunourous tissues.

Microgravity

NASA Image and Video Library

1998-10-10

Time-lapse exposure depicts Bioreactor rotation. NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) is sponsoring research with Bioreactors, rotating wall vessels designed to grow tissue samples in space, to understand how breast cancer works. This ground-based work studies the growth and assembly of human mammary epithelial cells (HMEC) from breast cancer susceptible tissue. Radiation can make the cells cancerous, thus allowing better comparisons of healthy vs. tunourous tissues.

Breast Cancer Research at NASA

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1998-01-01

Isolation of human mammary epithelial cells (HMEC) from breast cancer susceptible tissue. Isolate of long-term growth human mammary epithelial cells (HMEC) from outgrowth of duct element; cells shown soon after isolation and early in culture in a dish. NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) is sponsoring research with Bioreactors, rotating wall vessels designed to grow tissue samples in space, to understand how breast cancer works. This ground-based work studies the growth and assembly of human mammary epithelial cell (HMEC) from breast cancer susceptible tissue. Radiation can make the cells cancerous, thus allowing better comparisons of healthy vs. tunorous tissue. Credit: Dr. Robert Tichmond, NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC).

Microgravity

NASA Image and Video Library

1998-10-10

Isolation of human mammary epithelial cells (HMEC) from breast cancer susceptible tissue. Isolate of long-term growth human mammary epithelial cells (HMEC) from outgrowth of duct element; cells shown soon after isolation and early in culture in a dish. NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) is sponsoring research with Bioreactors, rotating wall vessels designed to grow tissue samples in space, to understand how breast cancer works. This ground-based work studies the growth and assembly of human mammary epithelial cell (HMEC) from breast cancer susceptible tissue. Radiation can make the cells cancerous, thus allowing better comparisons of healthy vs. tunorous tissue. Credit: Dr. Robert Tichmond, NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC).

Microgravity

NASA Image and Video Library

1998-10-10

Isolation of human mammary epithelial cells (HMEC) from breast cancer susceptible tissue. Outgrowth of cells from duct element in upper right corner cultured in a standard dish; most cells spontaneously die during early cell divisions, but a few will establish long-term growth. NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) is sponsoring research with Bioreactors, rotating wall vessels designed to grow tissue samples in space, to understand how breast cancer works. This ground-based work studies the growth and assembly of human mammary epithelial cell (HMEC) from breast cancer susceptible tissue. Radiation can make the cells cancerous, thus allowing better comparisons of healthy vs. tunorous tissue. Credit: Dr. Robert Tichmond, NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC).

Winds: intensity and power density simulated by RegCM4 over South America in present and future climate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reboita, Michelle Simões; Amaro, Tatiana Rocha; de Souza, Marcelo Rodrigues

2017-09-01

Since wind is an important source of renewable energy, it has attracted attention worldwide. Several studies have been developed in order to know favorable areas where wind farms can be implemented. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to project changes in wind intensity and in wind power density (PD), at 100 m high, over South America and adjacent oceans, by downscaling and ensemble techniques. Regional climate model version 4 (RegCM4) was nested in the output of three global climate models, considering the RCP8.5 scenario. RegCM4 ensemble in the present climate (1979-2005) was validated through comparisons with ERA-Interim reanalysis. The ensemble represents well the spatial pattern of the winds, but there are some differences in relation to the wind intensity registered by ERA-Interim, mainly in center-east Brazil and Patagonia. The comparison between the future climate (2020-2050 and 2070-2098) and the present one shows that there is an increase in wind intensity and PD on the north of SA, center-east Brazil (except in summer) and latitudes higher than 50°S. Such increase is more intense in the period 2070-2098.

A Comparison of Three Online Information Retrieval Services.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zais, Harriet W.

Three firms which offer online information retrieval are compared. The firms are Lockheed Information Service, System Development Corporation and the Western Research Application Center. Comparison tables provide information such as hours accessible, coverage, file update, search elements and cost figures for 15 data bases. In addition, general…

Gravity influences the visual representation of object tilt in parietal cortex.

PubMed

Rosenberg, Ari; Angelaki, Dora E

2014-10-22

Sensory systems encode the environment in egocentric (e.g., eye, head, or body) reference frames, creating inherently unstable representations that shift and rotate as we move. However, it is widely speculated that the brain transforms these signals into an allocentric, gravity-centered representation of the world that is stable and independent of the observer's spatial pose. Where and how this representation may be achieved is currently unknown. Here we demonstrate that a subpopulation of neurons in the macaque caudal intraparietal area (CIP) visually encodes object tilt in nonegocentric coordinates defined relative to the gravitational vector. Neuronal responses to the tilt of a visually presented planar surface were measured with the monkey in different spatial orientations (upright and rolled left/right ear down) and then compared. This revealed a continuum of representations in which planar tilt was encoded in a gravity-centered reference frame in approximately one-tenth of the comparisons, intermediate reference frames ranging between gravity-centered and egocentric in approximately two-tenths of the comparisons, and in an egocentric reference frame in less than half of the comparisons. Altogether, almost half of the comparisons revealed a shift in the preferred tilt and/or a gain change consistent with encoding object orientation in nonegocentric coordinates. Through neural network modeling, we further show that a purely gravity-centered representation of object tilt can be achieved directly from the population activity of CIP-like units. These results suggest that area CIP may play a key role in creating a stable, allocentric representation of the environment defined relative to an "earth-vertical" direction. Copyright © 2014 the authors 0270-6474/14/3414170-11$15.00/0.

Discussion of comparison study of hydraulic fracturing models -- Test case: GRI Staged Field Experiment No. 3

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

Cleary, M.P.

This paper provides comments to a companion journal paper on predictive modeling of hydraulic fracturing patterns (N.R. Warpinski et. al., 1994). The former paper was designed to compare various modeling methods to demonstrate the most accurate methods under various geologic constraints. The comments of this paper are centered around potential deficiencies in the former authors paper which include: limited actual comparisons offered between models, the issues of matching predictive data with that from related field operations was lacking or undocumented, and the relevance/impact of accurate modeling on the overall hydraulic fracturing cost and production.

Research on Subjective Response to Simulated Sonic Booms at NASA Langley Research Center

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sullivan, Brenda M.

2005-01-01

Over the past 15 years, NASA Langley Research Center has conducted many tests investigating subjective response to simulated sonic booms. Most tests have used the Sonic Boom Booth, an airtight concrete booth fitted with loudspeakers that play synthesized sonic booms pre-processed to compensate for the response of the booth/loudspeaker system. Tests using the Booth have included investigations of shaped booms, booms with simulated ground reflections, recorded booms, outdoor and indoor booms, booms with differing loudness for bow and tail shocks, and comparisons of aircraft flyover recordings with sonic booms. Another study used loudspeakers placed inside people s houses, so that they could experience the booms while in their own homes. This study investigated the reactions of people to different numbers of booms heard within a 24-hour period. The most recent Booth test used predicted boom shapes from candidate low-boom aircraft. At present, a test to compare the Booth with boom simulators constructed by Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation and Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company is underway. The Lockheed simulator is an airtight booth similar to the Langley booth; the Gulfstream booth uses a traveling wave method to create the booms. Comparison of "realism" as well as loudness and other descriptors is to be studied.

Linguistic adaptation, validation and comparison of 3 routinely used neuropathic pain questionnaires.

PubMed

Li, Jun; Feng, Yi; Han, Jisheng; Fan, Bifa; Wu, Dasheng; Zhang, Daying; Du, Dongping; Li, Hui; Lim, Jian; Wang, Jiashuang; Jin, Yi; Fu, Zhijian

2012-01-01

Neuropathic pain questionnaires are efficient diagnostic tools for neuropathic pain and play an important role in neuropathic pain epidemiologic studies in China. No comparison data was available in regards to the Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs (LANSS), the Neuropathic Pain Questionnaire (NPQ) and ID Pain within and among the same population. To achieve a linguistic adaptation, validation, and comparison of Chinese versions of the 3 neuropathic pain questionnaires (LANSS, NPQ and ID Pain). A nonrandomized, controlled, prospective, multicenter trial. Ten pain centers in China. Two forward translations followed by comparison and reconciliation of the translations. Comparison of the 2 backward translations with the original version was made to establish consistency and accuracy of the translations. Pilot testing and pain specialists' evaluations were also required. A total of 140 patients were enrolled in 10 centers throughout China: 70 neuropathic pain patients and 70 nociceptive pain patients. Reliability (Cronbach's alpha coefficients and Guttman split-half coefficients) and validity (sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, receiver operating characteristic [ROC] curves and the area under the ROC curves) of the 3 questionnaires were determined. ROC curves and the area under the ROC curves of the 3 questionnaires were also compared. Chinese versions of LANSS, NPQ and ID Pain had a good reliability (Cronbach's alpha coefficients and Guttman split-half coefficients were greater than 0.7). Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of the Chinese versions of LANSS and ID Pain were considerably high ( > 80%). The area under the ROC curves of LANSS and ID Pain was significantly higher than that of NPQ (P < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the area under the ROC curves of LANSS and ID Pain (P > 0.05). The study was based on patients with a high school degree or above, which limited the application of the 3 neuropathic pain questionnaires to patients with lower educational levels. The Chinese versions of LANSS and ID Pain developed and validated by this study can be used as a diagnostic tool in differentiating neuropathic pain in patients whose native language is Chinese (Mandarin).

Multi-vendor reliability of arterial spin labeling perfusion MRI using a near-identical sequence: implications for multi-center studies.

PubMed

Mutsaerts, Henri J M M; van Osch, Matthias J P; Zelaya, Fernando O; Wang, Danny J J; Nordhøy, Wibeke; Wang, Yi; Wastling, Stephen; Fernandez-Seara, Maria A; Petersen, E T; Pizzini, Francesca B; Fallatah, Sameeha; Hendrikse, Jeroen; Geier, Oliver; Günther, Matthias; Golay, Xavier; Nederveen, Aart J; Bjørnerud, Atle; Groote, Inge R

2015-06-01

A main obstacle that impedes standardized clinical and research applications of arterial spin labeling (ASL), is the substantial differences between the commercial implementations of ASL from major MRI vendors. In this study, we compare a single identical 2D gradient-echo EPI pseudo-continuous ASL (PCASL) sequence implemented on 3T scanners from three vendors (General Electric Healthcare, Philips Healthcare and Siemens Healthcare) within the same center and with the same subjects. Fourteen healthy volunteers (50% male, age 26.4±4.7years) were scanned twice on each scanner in an interleaved manner within 3h. Because of differences in gradient and coil specifications, two separate studies were performed with slightly different sequence parameters, with one scanner used across both studies for comparison. Reproducibility was evaluated by means of quantitative cerebral blood flow (CBF) agreement and inter-session variation, both on a region-of-interest (ROI) and voxel level. In addition, a qualitative similarity comparison of the CBF maps was performed by three experienced neuro-radiologists. There were no CBF differences between vendors in study 1 (p>0.1), but there were CBF differences of 2-19% between vendors in study 2 (p<0.001 in most gray matter ROIs) and 10-22% difference in CBF values obtained with the same vendor between studies (p<0.001 in most gray matter ROIs). The inter-vendor inter-session variation was not significantly larger than the intra-vendor variation in all (p>0.1) but one of the ROIs (p<0.001). This study demonstrates the possibility to acquire comparable cerebral CBF maps on scanners of different vendors. Small differences in sequence parameters can have a larger effect on the reproducibility of ASL than hardware or software differences between vendors. These results suggest that researchers should strive to employ identical labeling and readout strategies in multi-center ASL studies. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Asthma Outcomes at an Inner-City School-Based Health Center.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lurie, Nicole; Bauer, Ellen Jones; Brady, Cynthia

2001-01-01

Measured asthma outcomes after initiating an inner-city elementary school health center that emphasized asthma detection and treatment. Pre- and post-intervention comparison of students indicated that: hospitalization rates for asthma decreased; outpatient visits for care in the absence of symptoms doubled; numbers of students seeing an asthma…

Toward Neural Control of Prosthetic Devices

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-05-21

A direct comparison of eye-centered and limb -centered reference frames for reach planning in the dorsal aspect of the premotor cortex. Journal of... Neuroprosthetics : In search of the sixth sense. Nature News Feature, 442:125; Is this the bionic man? Nature Editorial 442:109, 2006). 8) Churchland MM, Yu BM, Ryu

Comparability of clinical wear measurements by optical 3D laser scanning in two different centers.

PubMed

Stober, Thomas; Heuschmid, Navina; Zellweger, Gaby; Rousson, Valentin; Rues, Stefan; Heintze, Siegward D

2014-05-01

The purpose of this study was to compare the use of different variables to measure the clinical wear of two denture tooth materials in two analysis centers. Twelve edentulous patients were provided with full dentures. Two different denture tooth materials (experimental material and control) were placed randomly in accordance with the split-mouth design. For wear measurements, impressions were made after an adjustment phase of 1-2 weeks and after 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. The occlusal wear of the posterior denture teeth of 11 subjects was assessed in two study centers by use of plaster replicas and 3D laser-scanning methods. In both centers sequential scans of the occlusal surfaces were digitized and superimposed. Wear was described by use of four different variables. Statistical analysis was performed after log-transformation of the wear data by use of the Pearson and Lin correlation and by use of a mixed linear model. Mean occlusal vertical wear of the denture teeth after 24 months was between 120μm and 212μm, depending on wear variable and material. For three of the four variables, wear of the experimental material was statistically significantly less than that of the control. Comparison of the two study centers, however, revealed correlation of the wear variables was only moderate whereas strong correlation was observed among the different wear variables evaluated by each center. Moderate correlation was observed for clinical wear measurements by optical 3D laser scanning in two different study centers. For the two denture tooth materials, wear measurements limited to the attrition zones led to the same qualitative assessment. Copyright © 2014 Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

PET Radiopharmaceuticals in Brazil and Belarus: Economic Comparison Using the Case of 18FDG.

PubMed

Brinkevich, Sviatoslav; Pires, Leonardo Paredes; Portilho, Filipe Leal; Santos-Oliveira, Ralph

2018-01-01

The production of radiopharmaceuticals, especially the PET ones, is a complex combination of economic and social factors. Despite the social aspects, that are essential, the economic issue must be considered and play an important parameter for the implementation and maintenance of producer centers around the world, with especial regards for countries which face economic crisis and/or belongs to aegis of under development countries. In order to evaluate this scenario with carried out this study, comparing a well-established producer center in Brazil and a new on in Belarus. The results showed that the producer center in Brazil face serious economic problems and all the production logistic must be re-done. On the other hand the new producer center in Belarus started following a new model of production and although it has not been profitable, the perspectives seem to be better than the Brazilian producer center. The Brazilian model for PET radiopharmaceutical productions should be revised in order to avoid waste and create a new perspective for the research area. Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.org.

Evolution of Triplet Paramagnetic Centers in Diamonds Obtained by Sintering of Detonation Nanodiamonds at High Pressure and Temperature

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Osipov, V. Yu.; Shames, A. I.; Efimov, N. N.; Shakhov, F. M.; Kidalov, S. V.; Minin, V. V.; Vul', A. Ya.

2018-04-01

The electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra of triplet centers in detonation nanodiamonds (DNDs) and diamond single crystals of submicrometer size, synthesized from those DNDs at high pressures and temperatures, are studied. In the EPR spectra of DNDs, signals from negatively charged nitrogen- vacancy centers (NV)/sup(-) with a g factor of g 1 = 4.24 and multivacancies with g 2 = 4.00 are observed. The signals from (NV)/sup(-) centers disappear in the spectra of diamond single crystals, and a quintet signal with g = 4.00 is detected at the position of the signal from multivacancies. Analysis of the shape and position of the quintet' lines showed that this ESR signal is due to the pairs of nitrogen substitution centers in diamond, separated from each other by distances not exceeding 0.7 nm, between which a strong exchange interaction takes place. A comparison of the experimental data and the simulation results allows determining the spin-Hamiltonian parameters of the exchange-coupled pairs of paramagnetic impurity nitrogen atoms.

{sup 19}F NMR measurements of NO production in hypertensive ISIAH and OXYS rats

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

Bobko, Andrey A.; Sergeeva, Svetlana V.; Bagryanskaya, Elena G.

2005-05-06

Recently we demonstrated the principal possibility of application of {sup 19}F NMR spin-trapping technique for in vivo {sup {center_dot}}NO detection [Free Radic. Biol. Med. 36 (2004) 248]. In the present study, we employed this method to elucidate the significance of {sup {center_dot}}NO availability in animal models of hypertension. In vivo {sup {center_dot}}NO-induced conversion of the hydroxylamine of the fluorinated nitronyl nitroxide (HNN) to the hydroxylamine of the iminonitroxide (HIN) in hypertensive ISIAH and OXYS rat strains and normotensive Wistar rat strain was measured. Significantly lower HIN/HNN ratios were measured in the blood of the hypertensive rats. The NMR data weremore » found to positively correlate with the levels of nitrite/nitrate evaluated by Griess method and negatively correlate with the blood pressure. In comparison with other traditionally used methods {sup 19}F NMR spectroscopy allows in vivo evaluation of {sup {center_dot}}NO production and provides the basis for in vivo {sup {center_dot}}NO imaging.« less

Can the national surgical quality improvement program provide surgeon-specific outcomes?

PubMed

Kuhnen, Angela H; Marcello, Peter W; Roberts, Patricia L; Read, Thomas E; Schoetz, David J; Rusin, Lawrence C; Hall, Jason F; Ricciardi, Rocco

2015-02-01

Efforts to improve the quality of surgical care and reduce morbidity and mortality have resulted in outcomes reporting at the service and institutional level. Surgeon-specific outcomes are not readily available. The aim of this study is to compare surgeon-specific outcomes from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program and 100% capture institutional quality data. We conducted a cohort study evaluating institutional and surgeon-specific outcomes following colorectal surgery procedures at 1 institution over 5 years. All patients who underwent an operation by a colorectal surgeon at Lahey Hospital & Medical Center from January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2012 were identified. Thirty-day mortality, reoperation, urinary tract infection, deep vein thrombosis, pneumonia, superficial surgical site infection, and organ space infection were the primary outcomes measured. We compared annual and 5-year institutional and surgeon-specific adverse event rates between the data sets. In addition, we categorized individual surgeons as low-outlier, average, or high-outlier in relation to aggregate averages and determined the concordance between the data sets in identifying outliers. Concordance was designated if the 2 databases classified outlier status similarly for the same adverse event category. In the 100% capture institutional data, 6459 operative encounters were identified in comparison with 1786 National Surgical Quality Improvement Program encounters (28% sampled). Annual aggregate adverse event rates were similar between the institutional data and the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program. For annual surgeon-specific comparisons, concordance in identifying outliers between the 2 data sets was 51.4%, and gross discordance between outlier status was in 8.2%. Five-year surgeon-specific comparisons demonstrated 59% concordance in identifying outlier status with 8.2% gross discordance for the group. The inclusion of data from only 1 academic referral center is a limitation of this study. Each surgeon was identified as a "high outlier" in at least 1 adverse event category. Comparisons at the annual and 5-year points demonstrated poor concordance between our 100% capture institutional data and the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program data.

Effectiveness of the Lunch is in the Bag program on communication between the parent, child and child-care provider around fruits, vegetables and whole grain foods: A group-randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Sharma, Shreela V; Rashid, Tasnuva; Ranjit, Nalini; Byrd-Williams, Courtney; Chuang, Ru-Jye; Roberts-Gray, Cynthia; Briley, Margaret; Sweitzer, Sara; Hoelscher, Deanna M

2015-12-01

To evaluate the effectiveness of the parent- and early care education (ECE) center-based Lunch is in the Bag program on communication between parent, child, and their ECE center providers around fruits, vegetables and whole grain foods (FVWG). A total of n=30 ECE center; 577 parent-child dyads participated in this group-randomized controlled trial conducted from 2011 to 2013 in Texas (n=15 ECE center, 327 dyads intervention group; n=15 ECE center, 250 dyads comparison group). Parent-child and parent-ECE center provider communication was measured using a parent-reported survey administered at baseline and end of the five-week intervention period. Multilevel linear regression analysis was used to compare the pre-to-post intervention changes in the parent-child and parent-ECE center provider communication scales. Significance was set at p<0.05. At baseline, parent-child and parent-ECE center provider communication scores were low. There was a significant increase post-intervention in the parent-ECE center provider communication around vegetables (Adjusted β=0.78, 95%CI: 0.13, 1.43, p=0.002), and around fruit (Adjusted β=0.62, 95%CI: 0.04, 0.20, p=0.04) among the parents in the intervention group as compared to those in the comparison group. There were no significant intervention effects on parent-child communication. Lunch is in the Bag had significant positive effects on improving communication between the parents and ECE center providers around FVWG. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Services and information for sexually compulsive students on college counseling center websites: results from a national sample.

PubMed

Wright, Paul J; McKinley, Christopher J

2010-09-01

One factor that may prevent a small but significant percentage of college students from achieving sexual health is sexual compulsivity, a problem of sexual control that is associated with a number of negative health outcomes, including high HIV risk behavior. In this study we content analyzed a randomly selected stratified national sample of 203 4-year U.S. colleges' counseling center websites to assess the degree to which such sites feature information and reference services for sexually compulsive students. Results revealed that sexual compulsivity communications were rare, especially in comparison with communications for other mental health issues. For instance, less than 5% of counseling centers spoke of individual counseling opportunities for students struggling with sexual compulsivity, while between 60% and 80% of counseling centers advertised their capacity to provide individual counseling for students struggling with alcohol and substance abuse, depression, stress/anxiety, and pathological eating. Possible explanations for the paucity of sexual compulsivity messages are discussed.

The 2006 Kennedy Space Center Range Reference Atmosphere Model Validation Study and Sensitivity Analysis to the Performance of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Space Shuttle Vehicle

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Burns, Lee; Decker, Ryan; Harrington, Brian; Merry, Carl

2008-01-01

The Kennedy Space Center (KSC) Range Reference Atmosphere (RRA) is a statistical model that summarizes wind and thermodynamic atmospheric variability from surface to 70 km. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Space Shuttle program, which launches from KSC, utilizes the KSC RRA data to evaluate environmental constraints on various aspects of the vehicle during ascent. An update to the KSC RRA was recently completed. As part of the update, the Natural Environments Branch at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) conducted a validation study and a comparison analysis to the existing KSC RRA database version 1983. Assessments to the Space Shuttle vehicle ascent profile characteristics were performed by JSC/Ascent Flight Design Division to determine impacts of the updated model to the vehicle performance. Details on the model updates and the vehicle sensitivity analyses with the update model are presented.

Epidemiology, surgical management and early postoperative outcome in a cohort of gastric cancer patients of a tertiary referral center in relation to multi-center quality assurance studies.

PubMed

Garlipp, Benjamin; Schwalenberg, Jens; Adolf, Daniela; Lippert, Hans; Meyer, Frank

2011-03-01

The aim of the study was to analyze epidemiologic parameters, treatment-related data and prognostic factors in the management of gastric cancer patients of a university surgical center under conditions of routine clinical care before the onset of the era of multimodal therapies. By analyzing our data in relation with multi-center quality assurance trials [German Gastric Cancer Study - GGCS (1992) and East German Gastric Cancer Study - EGGCS (2004)] we aimed at providing an instrument of internal quality control at our institution as well as a base for comparison with future analyses taking into account the implementation of evolving (multimodal) therapies and their influence on treatment results. Retrospective analysis of prospectively gathered data of gastric cancer patients treated at a single institution during a defined 10-year time period with multivariate analysis of risk factors for early postoperative outcome. From 04/01/1993 through 03/31/2003, a total of 328 gastric cancer patients were treated. In comparison with the EGGCS cohort there was a larger proportion of patients with locally advanced and proximally located tumors. 272 patients (82.9%) underwent surgery with curative intent; in 88.4% of these an R0 resection was achieved (EGGCS/GGCS: 82.5%/71.5%). 68.2% of patients underwent preoperative endoluminal ultrasound (EUS) (EGGCS: 27.4%); the proportion of patients undergoing EUS increased over the study period. Diagnostic accuracy of EUS for T stage was 50.6% (EGGCS: 42.6%). 77.2% of operated patients with curative intent underwent gastrectomy (EGGCS/GGCS: 79.8%/71.1%). Anastomotic leaks at the esophagojejunostomy occurred slightly more frequently (8.8%) than in the EGGCS (5.9%) and GGCS (7.2%); however, postoperative morbidity (36.1%) and early postoperative mortality (5.3%) were not increased compared to the multi-center quality assurance study results (EGGCS morbidity, 45%); EGGCS/GGCS mortality, 8%/8.9%). D2 lymphadenectomy was performed in 72.6% of cases (EGGCS: 70.9%). Multivariate analysis revealed splenectomy as an independent risk factor for postoperative morbidity and ASA status 3 or 4 as an independent risk factor for early postoperative mortality. The rate of splenectomies performed during gastric cancer surgery decreased substantially during the study period. Preoperative diagnostics were able to accurately predict resectability in almost 90% of patients which is substantially more than the corresponding results of both the EGGCS and the GGCS. In the future, more wide-spread use of EUS will play an increasing role as stage-dependent differentiation of therapeutic concepts gains acceptance. However, diagnostic accuracy of EUS needs to be improved. Our early postoperative outcome data demonstrate that the quality standard of gastric cancer care established by the EGGCS is being fulfilled at our institution in spite of distinct characteristics placing our patients at higher surgical risk. Besides being a valuable instrument of internal quality control, our study provides a good base for comparison with ongoing analyses on future developments in gastric cancer therapy.

A comparison of white-collar jobs in regard to mental health consultation rates in a health care center operated by a Japanese company.

PubMed

Soeda, Shuji; Hayashi, Takeshi; Sugawara, Yoichi; Takano, Tomoki; Terao, Takeshi; Nakamura, Jun

2003-04-01

The aim of this study was to compare the consultation rates (CR) of workers performing several types of white-collar jobs. We collected data from the database inputted at the first consultation to a health care center from April 1996 to March 1999. We found that the CR of engineer group was 2.3 times higher than that of employees involved in research and development group. We speculate that this is partially due to the portion, which is not small, of computer systems engineer (SE) comprising this group; SE has previously been mentioned as a particularly stressful occupation in Japan. Since the result of this study is preliminary, we need to conduct a further study taking into account that multiple factors affect CR.

Automatic image acquisition processor and method

DOEpatents

Stone, William J.

1986-01-01

A computerized method and point location system apparatus is disclosed for ascertaining the center of a primitive or fundamental object whose shape and approximate location are known. The technique involves obtaining an image of the object, selecting a trial center, and generating a locus of points having a predetermined relationship with the center. Such a locus of points could include a circle. The number of points overlying the object in each quadrant is obtained and the counts of these points per quadrant are compared. From this comparison, error signals are provided to adjust the relative location of the trial center. This is repeated until the trial center overlies the geometric center within the predefined accuracy limits.

Automatic image acquisition processor and method

DOEpatents

Stone, W.J.

1984-01-16

A computerized method and point location system apparatus is disclosed for ascertaining the center of a primitive or fundamental object whose shape and approximate location are known. The technique involves obtaining an image of the object, selecting a trial center, and generating a locus of points having a predetermined relationship with the center. Such a locus of points could include a circle. The number of points overlying the object in each quadrant is obtained and the counts of these points per quadrant are compared. From this comparison, error signals are provided to adjust the relative location of the trial center. This is repeated until the trial center overlies the geometric center within the predefined accuracy limits.

The contribution of social rank and attachment theory to depression in a non clinical sample of adolescents.

PubMed

Puissant, Sylvia Pinna; Gauthier, Jean-Marie; Van Oirbeek, Robin

2011-11-01

This study explores the relative contribution of the overall quality of attachment to the mother, to the father and to peers (Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment scales), the style of attachment towards peers (Attachment Questionnaire for Children scale), the social rank variables (submissive behavior and social comparison), and sex and age variables in predicting the depression score (Center of Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale) on a non-psychiatric sample of 13-18 year old adolescents (n = 225). Results of our integrated model (adjusted R-Square of .50) show that attachment variables (overall quality of attachment to the father and to the mother), social rank variables (social comparison and submissive behavior), age and sex are important in predicting depressive symptoms during adolescence. Moreover, the attachment to peers variables (quality of attachment to peers, secure and ambivalent style of attachment) and sex are mediated by the social rank variables (social comparison and submissive behavior).

Comparison of CDE data in phacoemulsification between an open hospital-based ambulatory surgical center and a free-standing ambulatory surgical center

PubMed Central

Chen, Ming; Chen, Mindy

2010-01-01

Mean CDE (cumulative dissipated energy) values were compared for an open hospital- based surgical center and a free-standing surgical center. The same model of phacoemulsifier (Alcon Infiniti Ozil) was used. Mean CDE values showed that surgeons (individual private practice) at the free-standing surgical center were more efficient than surgeons (individual private practice) at the open hospital-based surgical center (mean CDE at the hospital-based surgical center 18.96 seconds [SD = 12.51]; mean CDE at the free-standing surgical center 13.2 seconds [SD = 9.5]). CDE can be used to monitor the efficiency of a cataract surgeon and surgical center in phacoemulsification. The CDE value may be used by institutions as one of the indicators for quality control and audit in phacoemulsification. PMID:21151334

Comparison of CDE data in phacoemulsification between an open hospital-based ambulatory surgical center and a free-standing ambulatory surgical center.

PubMed

Chen, Ming; Chen, Mindy

2010-11-12

Mean CDE (cumulative dissipated energy) values were compared for an open hospital- based surgical center and a free-standing surgical center. The same model of phacoemulsifier (Alcon Infiniti Ozil) was used. Mean CDE values showed that surgeons (individual private practice) at the free-standing surgical center were more efficient than surgeons (individual private practice) at the open hospital-based surgical center (mean CDE at the hospital-based surgical center 18.96 seconds [SD = 12.51]; mean CDE at the free-standing surgical center 13.2 seconds [SD = 9.5]). CDE can be used to monitor the efficiency of a cataract surgeon and surgical center in phacoemulsification. The CDE value may be used by institutions as one of the indicators for quality control and audit in phacoemulsification.

The Spanish Diagnostic Interview Schedule. Reliability and comparison with clinical diagnoses.

PubMed

Burnam, M A; Karno, M; Hough, R L; Escobar, J I; Forsythe, A B

1983-11-01

The National Institute of Mental Health Diagnostic Interview Schedule (DIS) was translated into Spanish. The reliability of the Spanish instrument, its equivalence to the English version, and its agreement with clinical diagnoses were examined in a study of 90 bilingual (English-and Spanish-speaking) and 61 monolingual (Spanish-speaking only) patients from a community mental health center. The study design involved two independent DIS administrations and one independent clinical evaluation of each subject.

Instructional Style and Learner-Centered Approach: A Cross-Institutional Examination of Modality Preference for Online Course Delivery in a Graduate Professional Program

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bonnici, Laurie J.; Maatta, Stephanie L.; Klose, M. Katherine; Julien, Heidi; Bajjaly, Stephen

2016-01-01

This case study examined student preference for delivery mode of online courses in two graduate degree programs in Library and Information Science. Within-group and between-groups comparisons indicated a distinct preference across the institutions. Findings from focus groups conducted with two cohorts of students enrolled in a federally funded…

Measurement of the hadronic final state in deep inelastic scattering at HERA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ahmed, T.; Andreev, V.; Andrieu, B.; Arpagaus, M.; Babaev, A.; Bärwolff, H.; Bán, J.; Baranov, P.; Barrelet, E.; Bartel, W.; Bassler, U.; Beck, G. A.; Beck, H. P.; Behrend, H.-J.; Belousov, A.; Berger, Ch.; Bergstein, H.; Bernardi, G.; Bernet, R.; Berthon, U.; Bertrand-Coremans, G.; Besançon, M.; Biddulph, P.; Binder, E.; Bizot, J. C.; Blobel, V.; Borras, K.; Bosetti, P. C.; Boudry, V.; Bourdarios, C.; Brasse, F.; Braun, U.; Braunschweig, W.; Brisson, V.; Bruncko, D.; Bürger, J.; Büsser, F. W.; Buniatian, A.; Burke, S.; Buschhorn, G.; Campbell, A. J.; Carli, T.; Charles, F.; Clarke, D.; Clegg, A. B.; Colombo, M.; Coughlan, J. A.; Courau, A.; Coutures, Ch.; Cozzika, G.; Criegee, L.; Cvach, J.; Dainton, J. B.; Danilov, M.; Dann, A. W. E.; Dau, W. D.; David, M.; Deffur, E.; Delcourt, B.; Del Buono, L.; Devel, M.; De Roeck, A.; Dingus, P.; Dollfus, C.; Dowell, J. D.; Dreis, H. B.; Drescher, A.; Duboc, J.; Düllmann, D.; Dünger, O.; Duhm, H.; Eberle, M.; Ebert, J.; Ebert, T. R.; Eckerlin, G.; Efremenko, V.; Egli, S.; Eichenberger, S.; Eichler, R.; Eisele, F.; Eisenhandler, E.; Ellis, N. N.; Ellison, R. J.; Elsen, E.; Erdmann, M.; Evrard, E.; Favart, L.; Fedotov, A.; Feeken, D.; Felst, R.; Feltesse, J.; Feng, Y.; Fensome, I. F.; Ferencei, J.; Ferrarotto, F.; Flauger, W.; Fleischer, M.; Flower, P. S.; Flügge, G.; Fomenko, A.; Fominykh, B.; Forbush, M.; Formánek, J.; Foster, J. M.; Franke, G.; Fretwurst, E.; Fuhrmann, P.; Gabathuler, E.; Gamerdinger, K.; Garvey, J.; Gayler, J.; Gellrich, A.; Gennis, M.; Gensch, U.; Genzel, H.; Gerhards, R.; Gillespie, D.; Godfrey, L.; Goerlach, U.; Goerlich, L.; Goldberg, M.; Goodall, A. M.; Gorelov, I.; Goritchev, P.; Grab, C.; Grässler, H.; Grässler, R.; Greenshaw, T.; Greif, H.; Grindhammer, G.; Gruber, C.; Haack, J.; Haidt, D.; Hajduk, L.; Hamon, O.; Handschuh, D.; Hanlon, E. M.; Hapke, M.; Haries, J.; Hartz, P.; Haydar, R.; Haynes, W. J.; Heatherington, J.; Hedberg, V.; Hedgecock, R.; Heinzelmann, G.; Henderson, R. C. W.; Henschel, H.; Herma, R.; Herynek, I.; Hildesheim, W.; Hill, P.; Hilton, C. D.; Hladký, J.; Hoeger, K. C.; Huet, Ph.; Hufnagel, H.; Huot, N.; Ibbotson, M.; Jabiol, M. A.; Jacholkowska, A.; Jacobsson, C.; Jaffre, M.; Jöhnsson, L.; Johannsen, K.; Johnson, D. P.; Johnson, L.; Jung, H.; Kalmus, P. I. P.; Kasarian, S.; Kaschowitz, R.; Kasselmann, P.; Kathage, U.; Kaufmann, H. H.; Kenyon, I. R.; Kermiche, S.; Kiesling, C.; Klein, M.; Kleinwort, C.; Knies, G.; Köhler, T.; Kolanoski, H.; Kole, F.; Kolya, S. D.; Korbel, V.; Korn, M.; Kostka, P.; Kotelnikov, S. K.; Krasny, M. W.; Krehbiel, H.; Krücker, D.; Krüger, U.; Kubenka, J. P.; Küster, H.; Kuhlen, M.; Kurça, T.; Kurzhöfer, J.; Kuznik, B.; Lander, R.; London, M. P. J.; Langkau, R.; Lanius, P.; Laporte, J. F.; Lebedev, A.; Lebedev, A.; Leuschner, A.; Leverenz, C.; Levin, D.; Levonian, S.; Ley, Ch.; Lindner, A.; Lindström, G.; Loch, P.; Lohmander, H.; Lopez, G. C.; Lüers, D.; Magnussen, N.; Malinovski, E.; Mani, S.; Marage, P.; Marks, J.; Marshall, R.; Martens, J.; Martin, R.; Martyn, H.-U.; Martyniak, J.; Masson, S.; Mavroidis, A.; Maxfield, S. J.; McMahon, S. J.; Mehta, A.; Meier, K.; Merz, T.; Meyer, C. A.; Meyer, H.; Meyer, J.; Mikocki, S.; Milone, V.; Monnier, E.; Moreau, F.; Moreels, J.; Morris, J. V.; Morton, J. M.; Müller, K.; Murín, P.; Murray, S. A.; Nagovizin, V.; Naroska, B.; Naumann, Th.; Newton, D.; Nguyen, H. K.; Niebergall, F.; Nisius, R.; Nowak, G.; Noyes, G. W.; Nyberg, M.; Oberlack, H.; Obrock, U.; Olsson, J. E.; Orenstein, S.; Ould-Saada, F.; Pascaud, C.; Patel, G. D.; Peppel, E.; Peters, S.; Phillips, H. T.; Phillips, J. P.; Pichler, Ch.; Pilgram, W.; Pitzl, D.; Prosi, R.; Raupach, F.; Rauschnabel, K.; Reimer, P.; Ribarics, P.; Riech, V.; Riedlberger, J.; Rietz, M.; Robertson, S. M.; Robmann, P.; Roosen, R.; Rostovtsev, A.; Royon, C.; Rudowicz, M.; Ruffer, M.; Rusakov, S.; Rybicki, K.; Ryseck, E.; Sacton, J.; Sahlmann, N.; Sanchez, E.; Sankey, D. P. C.; Savitsky, M.; Schacht, P.; Schleper, P.; von Schlippe, W.; Schmidt, C.; Schmidt, D.; Schmitz, W.; Schröder, V.; Schulz, M.; Schwind, A.; Scobel, W.; Seehausen, U.; Sell, R.; Seman, M.; Semenov, A.; Shekelyan, V.; Sheviakov, I.; Shooshtari, H.; Siegmon, G.; Siewert, U.; Sirois, Y.; Skillicorn, I. O.; Smirnov, P.; Smith, J. R.; Smolik, L.; Soloviev, Y.; Spitzer, H.; Staroba, P.; Steenbock, M.; Steffen, P.; Steinberg, R.; Steiner, H.; Stella, B.; Stephens, K.; Stier, J.; Strachota, J.; Straumann, U.; Struczinski, W.; Sutton, J. P.; Taylor, R. E.; Thompson, G.; Thompson, R. J.; Tichomirov, I.; Trenkel, C.; Truöl, P.; Tchernyshov, V.; Turnau, J.; Tutas, J.; Urban, L.; Usik, A.; Valkar, S.; Valkarova, A.; Vallee, C.; Van Esch, P.; Vartapetian, A.; Vazdik, Y.; Vecko, M.; Verrecchia, P.; Vick, R.; Villet, G.; Vogel, E.; Wacker, K.; Walker, I. W.; Walther, A.; Weber, G.; Wegener, D.; Wegner, A.; Wellisch, H. P.; Willard, S.; Winde, M.; Winter, G.-G.; Wolff, Th.; Womersley, L. A.; Wright, A. E.; Wulff, N.; Yiou, T. P.; Ząçek, J.; Závada, P.; Zeitnitz, C.; Ziaeepour, H.; Zimmer, M.; Zimmermann, W.; Zomer, F.; H1 Collaboration

1993-01-01

We report on the first experimental study of the hadronic final state in deep inelastic electron-proton scattering with the H1 detector at HERA. Energy flow and transverse momentum characteristics are measured and presented both in the laboratory and in the hadronic center of mass frames. Comparison is made with QCD models distinguished by their different treatment of parton emission.

Breast Cancer Research at NASA

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1998-01-01

Breast tissue specimens in traditional sample dishes. NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) is sponsoring research with Bioreactors, rotating wall vessels designed to grow tissue samples in space, to understand how breast cancer works. This ground-based work studies the growth and assembly of human mammary epithelial cells (HMEC) from breast cancer susceptible tissue. Radiation can make the cells cancerous, thus allowing better comparisons of healthy vs. tunourous tissues.

Breast Cancer Research at NASA

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1998-01-01

Time-lapse exposure depicts Bioreactor rotation. NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) is sponsoring research with Bioreactors, rotating wall vessels designed to grow tissue samples in space, to understand how breast cancer works. This ground-based work studies the growth and assembly of human mammary epithelial cells (HMEC) from breast cancer susceptible tissue. Radiation can make the cells cancerous, thus allowing better comparisons of healthy vs. tunourous tissues.

Comparison of Paper-and-Pencil versus Web Administration of the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS): Risk Behavior Prevalence Estimates

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Eaton, Danice K.; Brener, Nancy D.; Kann, Laura; Denniston, Maxine M.; McManus, Tim; Kyle, Tonja M.; Roberts, Alice M.; Flint, Katherine H.; Ross, James G.

2010-01-01

The authors examined whether paper-and-pencil and Web surveys administered in the school setting yield equivalent risk behavior prevalence estimates. Data were from a methods study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in spring 2008. Intact classes of 9th- or 10th-grade students were assigned randomly to complete a…

Comparison of Test Scores Obtained by Eighth Graders on Illustrated and Abstract Content Questions: A Quantitative

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Aksakalli, Ayhan; Turgut, Umit; Salar, Riza

2016-01-01

The purpose of this study is to investigate whether students are more successful on abstract or illustrated test questions. To this end, the questions on an abstract test were changed into a visual format, and these tests were administered every three days to a total of 240 students at six middle schools located in the Erzurum city center and…

Class, Family, Education and the Process of Status Attainment: A Comparison of American and British Women College Graduates.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Baker, Therese L.

This study of women college graduates in the United States and Great Britain analyzes the effect of social origins and familial factors on educational attainment. The sample consisted of 1,435 American and 1,805 British females who graduated in 1961 and 1960 respectively. Longitudinal data were drawn from the National Opinion Research Center and a…

A comparison of parent satisfaction in an open-bay and single-family room neonatal intensive care unit.

PubMed

Stevens, Dennis C; Helseth, Carol C; Khan, M Akram; Munson, David P; Reid, E J

2011-01-01

The purpose of this research was to test the hypothesis that parental satisfaction with neonatal intensive care is greater in a single-family room facility as compared with a conventional open-bay neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). This investigation was a prospective cohort study comparing satisfaction survey results for parents who responded to a commercially available parent NICU satisfaction survey following the provision of NICU care in open-bay and single-family room facilities. A subset of 16 items indicative of family-centered care was also computed and compared for these two NICU facilities. Parents whose babies received care in the single-family room facility expressed significantly improved survey responses in regard to the NICU environment, overall assessment of care, and total survey score than did parents of neonates in the open-bay facility. With the exception of the section on nursing in which scores in both facilities were high, nonsignificant improvement in median scores for the sections on delivery, physicians, discharge planning, and personal issues were noted. The total median item score for family-centered care was significantly greater in the single-family room than the open-bay facility. Parental satisfaction with care in the single-family room NICU was improved in comparison with the traditional open-bay NICU. The single-family room environment appears more conducive to the provision of family-centered care. Improved parental satisfaction with care and the potential for enhanced family-centered care need to be considered in decisions made regarding the configuration of NICU facilities in the future.

Improving Pain Care with Project ECHO in Community Health Centers.

PubMed

Anderson, Daren; Zlateva, Ianita; Davis, Bennet; Bifulco, Lauren; Giannotti, Tierney; Coman, Emil; Spegman, Douglas

2017-10-01

Pain is an extremely common complaint in primary care, and patient outcomes are often suboptimal. This project evaluated the impact of Project ECHO Pain videoconference case-based learning sessions on knowledge and quality of pain care in two Federally Qualified Health Centers. Quasi-experimental, pre-post intervention, with comparison group. Two large, multisite federally qualified health centers in Connecticut and Arizona. Intervention (N = 10) and comparison (N = 10) primary care providers. Primary care providers attended 48 weekly Project ECHO Pain sessions between January and December 2013, led by a multidisciplinary pain specialty team. Surveys and focus groups assessed providers' pain-related knowledge and self-efficacy. Electronic health record data were analyzed to evaluate opioid prescribing and specialty referrals. Compared with control, primary care providers in the intervention had a significantly greater increase in pain-related knowledge and self-efficacy. Providers who attended ECHO were more likely to use formal assessment tools and opioid agreements and refer to behavioral health and physical therapy compared with control providers. Opioid prescribing decreased significantly more among providers in the intervention compared with those in the control group. Pain is an extremely common and challenging problem, particularly among vulnerable patients such as those cared for at the more than 1,200 Federally Qualified Health Centers in the United States. In this study, attendance at weekly Project ECHO Pain sessions not only improved knowledge and self-efficacy, but also altered prescribing and referral patterns, suggesting that knowledge acquired during ECHO sessions translated into practice changes. © 2017 American Academy of Pain Medicine.

Conventional over-the-top-aiming devices with short offset fail to hit the center of the human femoral ACL footprint in medial portal technique, whereas medial-portal-aiming devices with larger offset hit the center reliably.

PubMed

Domnick, Christoph; Herbort, Mirco; Raschke, Michael J; Bremer, Susanne; Schliemann, Benedikt; Petersen, Wolf; Zantop, Thore

2016-04-01

Aim of this study was to investigate the accuracy of a conventional over-the-top-guide (OTG) with a typically short offset to hit the center of the native femoral ACL footprint through the anteromedial portal in comparison to a specific medial-portal-aimer (MPA) with larger offset. In 20 matched human cadaveric knees, insertion sites of the ACL were marked in medial arthrotomy. An OTG with an offset of 5.5 mm, respectively, the MPA with 9 mm offset was used in a medial portal approach to locate the center of a single bundle ACL reconstruction tunnel with k-wires. Distances from the footprint center, the OTG drilling and the MPA drilling to the roof of the intercondylar notch and to the deep cartilage margin were determined. After positioning of radiological markers, radiographic analysis was performed according to the quadrant technique as described by Bernard and Hertel. The distance from ACL origin to the roof of the notch was 10.3 (±2.1) mm, in the OTG group 6.7 (±1.5) mm and in the MPA group 9.6 (±1.9) mm. The distance to the deep cartilage margin was 9.5 (±1.7) mm from ACL origin, 4.8 (±1.3) mm with OTG and 8.7 (±1.4) mm with MPA. There were statistically significant differences between the distances of the footprint center and the OTG group after measuring and also after radiographic analysis (p < 0.0001). Using the MPA, no significant different distances in comparison to the anatomical ACL center were found (p > 0.0001). There was an increased risk for femoral blow (9/10 vs. 0/10) in the OTG group after overdrilling with a 9 mm drill. Short (5.5 mm) offset femoral aiming devices fail to locate the native ACL footprint center in medial portal approach with an increased risk for femoral blowout when overdrilling. The special medial-portal-aiming device with 9 mm offset hit the center reliably.

External validation and comparison of two nomograms predicting the probability of Gleason sum upgrading between biopsy and radical prostatectomy pathology in two patient populations: a retrospective cohort study.

PubMed

Utsumi, Takanobu; Oka, Ryo; Endo, Takumi; Yano, Masashi; Kamijima, Shuichi; Kamiya, Naoto; Fujimura, Masaaki; Sekita, Nobuyuki; Mikami, Kazuo; Hiruta, Nobuyuki; Suzuki, Hiroyoshi

2015-11-01

The aim of this study is to validate and compare the predictive accuracy of two nomograms predicting the probability of Gleason sum upgrading between biopsy and radical prostatectomy pathology among representative patients with prostate cancer. We previously developed a nomogram, as did Chun et al. In this validation study, patients originated from two centers: Toho University Sakura Medical Center (n = 214) and Chibaken Saiseikai Narashino Hospital (n = 216). We assessed predictive accuracy using area under the curve values and constructed calibration plots to grasp the tendency for each institution. Both nomograms showed a high predictive accuracy in each institution, although the constructed calibration plots of the two nomograms underestimated the actual probability in Toho University Sakura Medical Center. Clinicians need to use calibration plots for each institution to correctly understand the tendency of each nomogram for their patients, even if each nomogram has a good predictive accuracy. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

X-ray crystal structure and theoretical study of a new dinuclear Cu(II) complex with two different geometry centers bridged with an oxo group

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Golbedaghi, Reza; Azimi, Saeid; Molaei, Atefeh; Hatami, Masoud; Notash, Behrouz

2017-10-01

A new Schiff base ligand HL, 1,3-bis(2-((Z)-(2-aminoethylimino)methyl)phenoxy)ethylene di amine, has been synthesized from the reaction of a new aldehyde and ethylenediamine. After preparation the Schiff base, a new dinuclear Cu(II) complex with two different geometry for each metal ion was synthesized. Single crystal X-ray structure analysis of the complex Cu(II) showed that the complex is binuclear and all nitrogen and oxygen atoms of ligand (N4O3) are coordinated to two Cu(II) center ions. The crystal structure studying shows, a perchlorate ion has been coordinated to the two Cu(II) metal centers as bridged and another perchlorate coordinated to the one of Cu(II) ion as terminal. However, two interesting structures square pyramidal and distorted octahedral Cu(II) ions are bridged asymmetrically by a perchlorate ion and oxygen of hydroxyl group of Schiff base ligand. In addition, we had a theoretical study to have a comparison of experimental and theoretical results we determined the HOMO and LUMO orbitals.

Interindividual uniformity and variety of the "Writing center": a functional MRI study.

PubMed

Sugihara, Genichi; Kaminaga, Tatsuro; Sugishita, Morihiro

2006-10-01

Our aim is to investigate the neural substrates for writing using fMRI (twenty right-handed subjects). We assumed that common areas involved in both writing with right and left hands are crucial to the central process of writing. We employed Japanese phonograms (Kana), in which phoneme-grapheme conversion would be extremely simple. Brain activation was examined under three conditions: (1) written naming with the right hand (WR), (2) written naming with the left hand (WL), and (3) naming silently (NA). While the comparison of WR to NA (WR>NA) exhibited activation only in the left frontoparietal area, the WL>NA comparison exhibited broader activation than the WR>NA comparison, i.e., the left frontoparietal area except the motor and sensory areas and the right frontoparietal area. A conjunction analysis in SPM2 revealed common areas of activation across the WR>NA and WL>NA comparisons, which are assumed to be crucial to writing. In the group analysis, three areas were found to be activated: the posterior end of the left superior frontal gyrus, which is superior and posterior to Exner's center; the anterior part of the left superior parietal lobule; and the lower part of the anterior limb of the left supramarginal gyrus. In the single-subject analysis, whereas the first two of the above three areas were found to be crucial for writing in all individuals, an interindividual inconsistency of involvement with writing was observed in three areas: the lower part of the anterior limb of the left supramarginal gyrus (60% involved); the right frontal region (47%); and the right intraparietal sulcus (47%).

NASA-Langley Research Center's participation in a round-robin comparison between some current crack-propagation prediction methods

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hudson, C. M.; Lewis, P. E.

1979-01-01

A round-robin study was conducted which evaluated and compared different methods currently in practice for predicting crack growth in surface-cracked specimens. This report describes the prediction methods used by the Fracture Mechanics Engineering Section, at NASA-Langley Research Center, and presents a comparison between predicted crack growth and crack growth observed in laboratory experiments. For tests at higher stress levels, the correlation between predicted and experimentally determined crack growth was generally quite good. For tests at lower stress levels, the predicted number of cycles to reach a given crack length was consistently higher than the experimentally determined number of cycles. This consistent overestimation of the number of cycles could have resulted from a lack of definition of crack-growth data at low values of the stress intensity range. Generally, the predicted critical flaw sizes were smaller than the experimentally determined critical flaw sizes. This underestimation probably resulted from using plane-strain fracture toughness values to predict failure rather than the more appropriate values based on maximum load.

Stress in air traffic controllers : comparison of two air route traffic control centers on different shift rotation patterns.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1975-01-01

Stress in 23 air traffic controllers (ATCS) at Atlanta Air Route Traffic Control Center (ATL) on the straight 5-day shift rotation schedule was compared with stress in 23 ATCS's on the 2-2-1 shift rotation schedule at Fort Worth Air Route Traffic Con...

Using Learner-Centered Education to Improve Fruit and Vegetable Intake in California WIC Participants

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gerstein, Dana E.; Martin, Anna C.; Crocker, Nancy; Reed, Heather; Elfant, Michael; Crawford, Pat

2010-01-01

Objective: To examine the effectiveness of learner-centered education in conveying the message to change participants' fruit and vegetable consumption. Design: Focus groups were conducted with sites participating in the Finding the Teacher Within (FTW) program and comparison sites 4-6 months after participants attended the Special Supplemental…

A Comparison of Two Methods for Online Delivery of Biorenewable Resources and Technology Course Content

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jarboe, Darren H.

2012-01-01

In 2007, a Virtual Education Center for Biorenewable Resources was initiated (Raman, Brown, Brumm, Anex, Euken, Nokes, Crofcheck, Van Gerpen, and He, 2006). The Center offered three courses through distance education, including Biorenewable Resources and Technology (BRT) 501--Fundamentals of Biorenewable Resources and Technology. The main…

Comparative study of publications performed on psychosis in the Spanish psychology and psychiatry journals.

PubMed

Díaz, L; Buela-Casal, G

2010-01-01

The objective of this study was to examine the article production on psychosis from the main spanish journals of psychology and psychiatry, as well as to make comparisons among them. 16 journals of psychology and 5 of psychiatry were selected and a period of revision of four years settled down (2003-2006). The sample was constituted by 183 articles. For the comparison of the journals four index were used: proportion of articles on psychosis in relation to the total of generated articles; used type of methodology; used type of sample; and aspect of the psychosis in whose investigation it is centered. The results show that little is investigated, that most of the studies is theoretical or ex- post facto, that more the frequently studied subjects are those with psychosis and that the taken care of aspects more are related to the etiology and the treatment of the disease.

Comparison of graphite, aluminum, and TransHab shielding material characteristics in a high-energy neutron field

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Badhwar, G. D.; Huff, H.; Wilkins, R.; Thibeault, Sheila

2002-01-01

Space radiation transport models clearly show that low atomic weight materials provide a better shielding protection for interplanetary human missions than high atomic weight materials. These model studies have concentrated on shielding properties against charged particles. A light-weight, inflatable habitat module called TransHab was built and shown to provide adequate protection against micrometeoroid impacts and good shielding properties against charged particle radiation in the International Space Station orbits. An experiment using a tissue equivalent proportional counter, to study the changes in dose and lineal energy spectra with graphite, aluminum, and a TransHab build-up as shielding, was carried out at the Los Alamos Nuclear Science Center neutron facility. It is a continuation of a previous study using regolith and doped polyethylene materials. This paper describes the results and their comparison with the previous study. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.

Some Tests of Response Membership in Acquired Equivalence Classes

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Urcuioli, Peter J.; Lionello-DeNolf, Karen; Michalek, Sarah; Vasconcelos, Marco

2006-01-01

Pigeons were trained on many-to-one matching in which pairs of samples, each consisting of a visual stimulus and a distinctive pattern of center-key responding, occasioned the same reinforced comparison choice. Acquired equivalence between the visual and response samples then was evaluated by reinforcing new comparison choices to one set of…

Comparison of canal transportation and centering ability of twisted files, Pathfile-ProTaper system, and stainless steel hand K-files by using computed tomography.

PubMed

Gergi, Richard; Rjeily, Joe Abou; Sader, Joseph; Naaman, Alfred

2010-05-01

The purpose of this study was to compare canal transportation and centering ability of 2 rotary nickel-titanium (NiTi) systems (Twisted Files [TF] and Pathfile-ProTaper [PP]) with conventional stainless steel K-files. Ninety root canals with severe curvature and short radius were selected. Canals were divided randomly into 3 groups of 30 each. After preparation with TF, PP, and stainless steel files, the amount of transportation that occurred was assessed by using computed tomography. Three sections from apical, mid-root, and coronal levels of the canal were recorded. Amount of transportation and centering ability were assessed. The 3 groups were statistically compared with analysis of variance and Tukey honestly significant difference test. Less transportation and better centering ability occurred with TF rotary instruments (P < .0001). K-files showed the highest transportation followed by PP system. PP system showed significant transportation when compared with TF (P < .0001). The TF system was found to be the best for all variables measured in this study. Copyright (c) 2010 American Association of Endodontists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Glacial isostatic adjustment on the Northern Hemisphere - new results from GRACE

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mueller, J.; Steffen, H.; Gitlein, O.; Denker, H.; Timmen, L.

2007-12-01

The Earth's gravity field mapped by the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) satellite mission shows variations due to the integral effect of mass variations in the atmosphere, hydrosphere and geosphere. The Earth's gravity field is provided in form of monthly solutions by several institutions, e.~g. GFZ Potsdam, CSR and JPL. During the GRACE standard processing of these analysis centers, oceanic and atmospheric contributions as well as tidal effects are reduced. The solutions of the analysis centers differ slightly, which is due the application of different reduction models and center-specific processing schemes. We present our investigation of mass variations in the areas of glacial isostatic adjustment (GIA) in North America and Northern Europe from GRACE data. One key issue is the separation of GIA parts and the reduction of the observed quantities by applying dedicated filters (e.~g. isotropic, non-isotropic, and destriping filters) and global models of hydrological variations (e.~g. WGHM, LaDWorld, GLDAS). In a further step, we analyze the results of both regions regarding their reliability, and finally present a comparison to results of a geodynamical modeling and absolute gravity measurements. Our results clearly show that the quality of the GRACE-derived gravity- change signal benefits from improved reduction models and chosen analysis techniques. Nevertheless, the comparison to results of geodynamic models still reveals differences, and thus further studies are in progress.

Protein structure, electron transfer and evolution of prokaryotic photosynthetic reaction centers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Blankenship, R. E.

1994-01-01

Photosynthetic reaction centers from a variety of organisms have been isolated and characterized. The groups of prokaryotic photosynthetic organisms include the purple bacteria, the filamentous green bacteria, the green sulfur bacteria and the heliobacteria as anoxygenic representatives as well as the cyanobacteria and prochlorophytes as oxygenic representatives. This review focuses on structural and functional comparisons of the various groups of photosynthetic reaction centers and considers possible evolutionary scenarios to explain the diversity of existing photosynthetic organisms.

Prevalence of nosocomial infection in long-term-care Veterans Administration medical centers.

PubMed

Steinmiller, A M; Robb, S S; Muder, R R

1991-06-01

Prevention and control of nosocomial infections are major goals of institutional risk-management programs. However, variations in criteria and denominator parameters make comparison of rates across settings difficult. This study addressed those problems by reporting criteria used to identify infections and applying the same denominator across long-term-care facilities. Findings demonstrated a 9.8% prevalence rate for nosocomial infections in four long-term-care VA facilities. Most of the identified infections were consistent with Centers for Disease Control definitions of nosocomial infections. The most frequent indicators of nosocomial infections that did not fully meet those definitions were (1) documented symptoms, (2) antibiotic therapy, and (3) physician diagnosis.

Breast Cancer Research at NASA

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1998-01-01

NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) is sponsoring research with Bioreactors, rotating wall vessels designed to grow tissue samples in space, to understand how breast cancer works. This ground-based work studies the growth and assembly of human mammary epithelial cells (HMEC) from breast cancer susceptible tissue. Radiation can make the cells cancerous, thus allowing better comparisons of healthy vs. tunourous tissues. Here, two High-Aspect Ratio Vessels turn at about 12 rmp to keep breast tissue constructs suspended inside the culture media. Syringes allow scientists to pull for analysis during growth sequences. The tube in the center is a water bubbler that dehumidifies the air to prevent evaporation of the media and thus the appearance of destructive bubbles in the bioreactor.

Breast Cancer Research at NASA

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1998-01-01

Isolation of human mammary epithelial cells (HMEC) from breast cancer susceptible tissue. Outgrowth of cells from duct element in upper right corner cultured in a standard dish; most cells spontaneously die during early cell divisions, but a few will establish long-term growth. NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) is sponsoring research with Bioreactors, rotating wall vessels designed to grow tissue samples in space, to understand how breast cancer works. This ground-based work studies the growth and assembly of human mammary epithelial cell (HMEC) from breast cancer susceptible tissue. Radiation can make the cells cancerous, thus allowing better comparisons of healthy vs. tunorous tissue. Credit: Dr. Robert Tichmond, NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC).

Breast Cancer Research at NASA

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1998-01-01

Isolation of human mammary epithelial cells (HMEC) from breast cancer susceptible tissue. Same long-term growth human mammary epithelial cells (HMEC), but after 3 weeks in concinuous culture. Note attempts to reform duct elements, but this time in two dimensions in a dish rather that in three demensions in tissue. NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) is sponsoring research with Bioreactors, rotating wall vessels designed to grow tissue samples in space, to understand how breast cancer works. This ground-based work studies the growth and assembly of human mammary epithelial cell (HMEC) from breast cancer susceptible tissue. Radiation can make the cells cancerous, thus allowing better comparisons of healthy vs. tunorous tissue. Credit: Dr. Robert Tichmond, NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC).

Microgravity

NASA Image and Video Library

1998-10-10

NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) is sponsoring research with Bioreactors, rotating wall vessels designed to grow tissue samples in space, to understand how breast cancer works. This ground-based work studies the growth and assembly of human mammary epithelial cells (HMEC) from breast cancer susceptible tissue. Radiation can make the cells cancerous, thus allowing better comparisons of healthy vs. tunourous tissues. Here, two High-Aspect Ratio Vessels turn at about 12 rmp to keep breast tissue constructs suspended inside the culture media. Syringes allow scientists to pull for analysis during growth sequences. The tube in the center is a water bubbler that dehumidifies the air to prevent evaporation of the media and thus the appearance of destructive bubbles in the bioreactor.

Microgravity

NASA Image and Video Library

1998-10-10

Isolation of human mammary epithelial cells (HMEC) from breast cancer susceptible tissue. Same long-term growth human mammary epithelial cells (HMEC), but after 3 weeks in concinuous culture. Note attempts to reform duct elements, but this time in two dimensions in a dish rather that in three demensions in tissue. NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) is sponsoring research with Bioreactors, rotating wall vessels designed to grow tissue samples in space, to understand how breast cancer works. This ground-based work studies the growth and assembly of human mammary epithelial cell (HMEC) from breast cancer susceptible tissue. Radiation can make the cells cancerous, thus allowing better comparisons of healthy vs. tunorous tissue. Credit: Dr. Robert Tichmond, NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC).

Accounting for center in the Early External Cephalic Version trials: an empirical comparison of statistical methods to adjust for center in a multicenter trial with binary outcomes.

PubMed

Reitsma, Angela; Chu, Rong; Thorpe, Julia; McDonald, Sarah; Thabane, Lehana; Hutton, Eileen

2014-09-26

Clustering of outcomes at centers involved in multicenter trials is a type of center effect. The Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials Statement recommends that multicenter randomized controlled trials (RCTs) should account for center effects in their analysis, however most do not. The Early External Cephalic Version (EECV) trials published in 2003 and 2011 stratified by center at randomization, but did not account for center in the analyses, and due to the nature of the intervention and number of centers, may have been prone to center effects. Using data from the EECV trials, we undertook an empirical study to compare various statistical approaches to account for center effect while estimating the impact of external cephalic version timing (early or delayed) on the outcomes of cesarean section, preterm birth, and non-cephalic presentation at the time of birth. The data from the EECV pilot trial and the EECV2 trial were merged into one dataset. Fisher's exact method was used to test the overall effect of external cephalic version timing unadjusted for center effects. Seven statistical models that accounted for center effects were applied to the data. The models included: i) the Mantel-Haenszel test, ii) logistic regression with fixed center effect and fixed treatment effect, iii) center-size weighted and iv) un-weighted logistic regression with fixed center effect and fixed treatment-by-center interaction, iv) logistic regression with random center effect and fixed treatment effect, v) logistic regression with random center effect and random treatment-by-center interaction, and vi) generalized estimating equations. For each of the three outcomes of interest approaches to account for center effect did not alter the overall findings of the trial. The results were similar for the majority of the methods used to adjust for center, illustrating the robustness of the findings. Despite literature that suggests center effect can change the estimate of effect in multicenter trials, this empirical study does not show a difference in the outcomes of the EECV trials when accounting for center effect. The EECV2 trial was registered on 30 July 30 2005 with Current Controlled Trials: ISRCTN 56498577.

Reference Charts for Height and Weight of School Children from West Malaysia in Comparison with the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

PubMed Central

Bong, YB; Shariff, AA; Majid, AM; Merican, AF

2012-01-01

Background: Reference charts are widely used in healthcare as a screening tool. This study aimed to produce reference growth charts for school children from West Malaysia in comparison with the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) chart. Methods: A total of 14,360 school children ranging from 7 to 17 years old from six states in West Malaysia were collected. A two-stage stratified random sampling technique was used to recruit the subjects. Curves were adjusted using Cole’s LMS method. The LOWESS method was used to smooth the data. Results: The means and standard deviations for height and weight for both genders are presented. The results showed good agreement with growth patterns in other countries, i.e., males tend to be taller and heavier than females for most age groups. Height and weight of females reached a plateau at 17 years of age; however, males were still growing at this age. The growth charts for West Malaysian school children were compared with the CDC 2000 growth charts for school children in the United States. Conclusion: The height and weight for males and females at the start of school-going ages were almost similar. The comparison between the growth charts from this study and the CDC 2000 growth charts indicated that the growth patterns of West Malaysian school children have improved, although the height and weight of American school children were higher than those for West Malaysian school children. PMID:23113132

A peer-based intervention to educate liver transplant candidates about living donor liver transplantation.

PubMed

Delair, Samantha; Feeley, Thomas Hugh; Kim, Hyunjung; Del Rio Martin, Juan; Kim-Schluger, Leona; Lapointe Rudow, Dianne; Orloff, Mark; Sheiner, Patricia A; Teperman, Lewis

2010-01-01

The number of liver donors has not measurably increased since 2004 and has begun to decrease. Although many waitlisted patients may be suitable candidates to receive a living donor graft, they are often reticent to discuss living donation with close friends and family, partly because of a lack of knowledge about donor health and quality of life outcomes after donation. The objective of this study was to test the effectiveness of an educational intervention that uses testimonials and self-report data from living donors in New York State. The study had an independent sample pretest (n = 437) and posttest (n = 338) design with posttest, between-subjects comparison for intervention exposure. All waitlisted patients at 5 liver transplant centers in New York were provided a peer-based educational brochure and DVD either by mail or at the clinic. The outcome measures were liver candidates' knowledge and self-efficacy to discuss living donation with family and friends. The number and proportion of individuals who presented to centers for living liver donation evaluation were also measured. Liver transplant candidates' self-efficacy to discuss living donation and their knowledge increased from the pretest period to the posttest period. Those exposed to the peer-based intervention reported significantly greater knowledge, a greater likelihood of discussing donation, and increased self-efficacy in comparison with those not exposed to the intervention. The results did not differ by age, length of time on the waiting list, education, or ethnicity. In comparison with the preintervention period, living donation increased 42%, and the number of individuals who presented for donation evaluation increased by 74%.

Three dimensional viscous analysis of a hypersonic inlet

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Reddy, D. R.; Smith, G. E.; Liou, M.-F.; Benson, Thomas J.

1989-01-01

The flow fields in supersonic/hypersonic inlets are currently being studied at NASA Lewis Research Center using 2- and 3-D full Navier-Stokes and Parabolized Navier-Stokes solvers. These tools have been used to analyze the flow through the McDonnell Douglas Option 2 inlet which has been tested at Calspan in support of the National Aerospace Plane Program. Comparisons between the computational and experimental results are presented. These comparisons lead to better overall understanding of the complex flows present in this class of inlets. The aspects of the flow field emphasized in this work are the 3-D effects, the transition from laminar to turbulent flow, and the strong nonuniformities generated within the inlet.

A Multi-center Comparison of the Safety of Oral versus Intravenous Acetylcysteine for Treatment of Acetaminophen Overdose

PubMed Central

2010-01-01

Oral and intravenous (IV) acetylcysteine are used for treatment of acetaminophen poisoning. The objective of this multi-center study was to compare the safety of these two routes of administration. METHODS We conducted a multi-center chart review of all patients treated with acetylcysteine for acetaminophen poisoning. The primary safety outcome was the percentage of patients with of acetylcysteine-related adverse events. RESULTS A total of 503 subjects were included in the safety analysis (306 IV only, 145 oral only and 52 both routes).There were no serious adverse events related to acetylcysteine for either route. Nausea and vomiting were the most common related adverse events and were more common with oral treatment (23% vs 9%). Anaphylactoid reactions were more common with IV administration (6% vs 2%). Conclusions Intravenous and oral acetylcysteine are both associated with minimal side effects and are safe for treatment of acetaminophen toxicity. PMID:20524832

Evaluation of infrastructure, equipment and training of 28 burn units/burn centers in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

PubMed

Vogt, Peter M; Busche, Marc N

2011-03-01

Treatment of burn patients requires special training and skills, and an adequate infrastructure. In the United States, burn center referral criteria and requirements of burn centers are defined by the American Burn Association (ABA) in the Guidelines for the Operation of Burn Centers, and in Germany, by the German Society for Burn Treatment (DGV). The European Burn centers in Austria and the German-speaking part of Switzerland share the standards in the setting of the German-speaking Association for Burn Therapy (DAV) with some modifications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the current infrastructure of burn centers in the three German-speaking countries with respect to the existing guidelines. Therefore, guidelines for burn center referral criteria and burn center requirements were compared between the USA (ABA) and Germany (DGV). In addition, a questionnaire was sent to all burn centers in Germany, Austria and the German-speaking part of Switzerland, in order to collect current information regarding the architectural and medical infrastructure, available equipment and care-providing personnel. The comparison of guidelines for the USA and Germany revealed similar burn center referral criteria for both countries. With respect to burn center requirements, both the USA and Germany have similar requirements, albeit with different focus points. In Germany, the main focus lies on the infrastructural requirements for burn centers, while in the US, the main focus lies on the requirements for medical and nursing personnel. Critical review of the responses from the burn centers of German-speaking countries revealed that the biggest infrastructural differences among centers were observed in burn units providing pediatric care, as compared to adult burn centers. In summary, the DGV guidelines for German-speaking countries reflect an overall adoption of the ABA guidelines, and the burn centers included in this study met those requirements. As a result of the positive experience and effective treatment of burn patients in German-speaking countries, we recommend an adoption of the ABA guidelines to those countries and societies that are in need of appropriate standards of burn care. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd and ISBI. All rights reserved.

An innovative approach to achieve re-centering and ductility of cement mortar beams through randomly distributed pseudo-elastic shape memory alloy fibers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shajil, N.; Srinivasan, S. M.; Santhanam, M.

2012-04-01

Fibers can play a major role in post cracking behavior of concrete members, because of their ability to bridge cracks and distribute the stress across the crack. Addition of steel fibers in mortar and concrete can improve toughness of the structural member and impart significant energy dissipation through slow pull out. However, steel fibers undergo plastic deformation at low strain levels, and cannot regain their shape upon unloading. This is a major disadvantage in strong cyclic loading conditions, such as those caused by earthquakes, where self-centering ability of the fibers is a desired characteristic in addition to ductility of the reinforced cement concrete. Fibers made from an alternative material such as shape memory alloy (SMA) could offer a scope for re-centering, thus improving performance especially after a severe loading has occurred. In this study, the load-deformation characteristics of SMA fiber reinforced cement mortar beams under cyclic loading conditions were investigated to assess the re-centering performance. This study involved experiments on prismatic members, and related analysis for the assessment and prediction of re-centering. The performances of NiTi fiber reinforced mortars are compared with mortars with same volume fraction of steel fibers. Since re-entrant corners and beam columns joints are prone to failure during a strong ground motion, a study was conducted to determine the behavior of these reinforced with NiTi fiber. Comparison is made with the results of steel fiber reinforced cases. NiTi fibers showed significantly improved re-centering and energy dissipation characteristics compared to the steel fibers.

Specialized stroke rehabilitation services in seven countries: Preliminary results from nine rehabilitation centers.

PubMed

Langhammer, Birgitta; Becker, Frank; Sunnerhagen, Katharina S; Zhang, Tong; Du, Xiaoxia; Bushnik, Tamara; Panchenko, Maria; Keren, Ofer; Banura, Samir; Elessi, Khamis; Luzon, Fuad; Lundgren-Nilsson, Åsa; Li, Xie; Sällström, Susanne; Stanghelle, Johan Kvalvik

2015-12-01

There is a lack of defined levels of rehabilitation, indicating possibly random content and access to specialized services. The aim of the study was to perform a multinational descriptive study of specialized rehabilitation in persons with stroke, to elucidate what the different centers define as prerequisites for specialized rehabilitation, and to analyze whether these descriptions map to currently applied standards or constructs of specialized rehabilitation. A secondary aim was to look for similarities and differences between therapies and services for persons with stroke in the sub-acute stage in the different institutions. Descriptive data of the collaborating centers regarding structure and processes of services were recorded and compared with the British Society of Rehabilitation Medicine and Specialized Services National Definitions sets. Comparisons of the definitions showed that all centers admitted severely disabled persons with stroke, in need of complex rehabilitation, and provided high levels of physical services, with specialized equipment and facilities. However, funding, size, university affiliation, quality accreditation, staffing levels, specialist training, cognitive and vocational services, coordination of the professional teams, admission procedures, time and type of therapies, estimated length of stay, and follow-up procedures differed between the centers. This multinational study of specialized stroke rehabilitation centers shows that a universal definition of specialized rehabilitation is possible, even in quite different countries and settings, in terms of general principles. There were however differences in structures and procedures, which may influence patients' outcomes, indicating a need for refinement of the definitions to be globally applicable. © 2015 World Stroke Organization.

Martian sedimentary deposits

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dehon, Rene

1992-01-01

The objectives are characterization of flow through outflow channels, sedimentation associated with Martian outflow systems, and documentation of Martian lakes. Over the period of the grant much, but not all, of the study centered on the Maja Valles outflow. Maja served as an example in which the effects of multiple channel routing and ponding could be studied. Maja Valles also served as the test case for calculating flow through an outflow system. Applying the lessons learned in Maja Valles and comparisons and contrast required a scrutiny of other channels.

Data Quality Assessment of In Situ and Altimeter Observations Through Two-Way Intercomparison Methods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guinehut, Stephanie; Valladeau, Guillaume; Legeais, Jean-Francois; Rio, Marie-Helene; Ablain, Michael; Larnicol, Gilles

2013-09-01

This proceeding presents an overview of the two-way inter-comparison activities performed at CLS for both space and in situ observation agencies and why this activity is a required step to obtain accurate and homogenous data sets that can then be used together for climate studies or in assimilation/validation tools. We first describe the work performed in the frame of the SALP program to assess the stability of altimeter missions through SSH comparisons with tide gauges (GLOSS/CLIVAR network). Then, we show how the SSH comparison between the Argo array and altimeter time series allows the detection of drifts or jumps in altimeter (SALP program) but also for some Argo floats (Ifremer/Coriolis center). Lastly, we describe how the combine use of altimeter and wind observations helps the detection of drogue loss of surface drifting buoys (GDP network) and allow the computation of a correction term for wind slippage.

A Comparative Evaluation of Public Health Centers with Private Health Training Centers on Primary Healthcare Parameters in India: a Study by Data Envelopment Analysis Technique

PubMed Central

Davey, Sanjeev; Raghav, Santosh Kumar; Singh, Jai Vir; Davey, Anuradha; Singh, Nirankar

2015-01-01

Background: The evaluation of primary healthcare services provided by health training centers of a private medical college has not been studied in comparison with government health facilities in Indian context. Data envelopment analysis (DEA) is one such technique of operations research, which can be used on health facilities for identifying efficient operating practices and strategies for relatively efficient or inefficient health centers by calculating their efficiency scores. Materials and Methods: This study was carried out by DEA technique by using basic radial models (constant ratio to scale (CRS)) in linear programming via DEAOS free online Software among four decision making units (DMUs; by comparing efficiency of two private health centers of a private medical college of India with two public health centers) in district Muzaffarnagar of state Uttar Pradesh. The input and output records of all these health facilities (two from private and two from Government); for 6 months duration from 1st Jan 2014 to 1st July 2014 was taken for deciding their efficiency scores. Results: The efficiency scores of primary healthcare services in presence of doctors (100 vs 30%) and presence of health staff (100 vs 92%) were significantly better from government health facilities as compared to private health facilities (P < 0.0001). Conclusions: The evaluation of primary healthcare services delivery by DEA technique reveals that the government health facilities group were more efficient in delivery of primary healthcare services as compared to private training health facilities group, which can be further clarified in by more in-depth studies in future. PMID:26435598

Initial Comparison of Single Cylinder Stirling Engine Computer Model Predictions with Test Results

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tew, R. C., Jr.; Thieme, L. G.; Miao, D.

1979-01-01

A Stirling engine digital computer model developed at NASA Lewis Research Center was configured to predict the performance of the GPU-3 single-cylinder rhombic drive engine. Revisions to the basic equations and assumptions are discussed. Model predictions with the early results of the Lewis Research Center GPU-3 tests are compared.

Research and Clinical Center for Child Development Annual Report, 1998-1999. No. 22.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chen, Shing-Jen, Ed.; Furutsuka, Takashi, Ed.; Shirotani, Yukari, Ed.

This annual report presents several articles related to the work of the Clinical Center for Child Development at Hokkaido University in Sapporo, Japan. The articles are: (1) "Maternal Speech and Behavior during Mother-Infant Play: Comparison between the United States and Japan" (Sueko Toda, Marc H. Bornstein, and Hiroshi Azuma); (2)…

A Study of Coronal-Interplanetary Coupling Mechanisms

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-04-30

Magnetic Feild in Astrophys. J., Vol. 344, 478-493, 1989. 111.3. Reflection and Trapping of Transient Alfven Waves Propagating in an Isothermal...1990. VI.4. A Comparison Between Progressive Extension Method (PEM) and Iterative Method (IM) for Magnetic Feild Extrapolations in the Solar...Flight Center. Representative results are shown in the upper left panel of Figure 1 in which (a) shows the observed vector magnetic field at photospheric

Microgravity

NASA Image and Video Library

1998-10-10

Dr. Robert Richmond extracts breast cell tissue from one of two liquid nitrogen dewars. NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) is sponsoring research with Bioreactors, rotating wall vessels designed to grow tissue samples in space, to understand how breast cancer works. This ground-based work studies the growth and assembly of human mammary epithelial cells (HMEC) from breast cancer susceptible tissue. Radiation can make the cells cancerous, thus allowing better comparisons of healthy vs. tunourous tissues.

Properties of jets measured from tracks in proton-proton collisions at center-of-mass energy s = 7 TeV with the ATLAS detector

DOE PAGES

Aad, G.; Abbott, B.; Abdallah, J.; ...

2011-09-20

Jets are identified and their properties studied in center-of-mass energy √s = 7 TeV proton-proton collisions at the Large Hadron Collider using charged particles measured by the ATLAS inner detector. Events are selected using a minimum bias trigger, allowing jets at very low transverse momentum to be observed and their characteristics in the transition to high-momentum fully perturbative jets to be studied. Jets are reconstructed using the anti-k t algorithm applied to charged particles with two radius parameter choices, 0.4 and 0.6. An inclusive charged jet transverse momentum cross section measurement from 4 GeV to 100 GeV is shown formore » four ranges in rapidity extending to 1.9 and corrected to charged particle-level truth jets. The transverse momenta and longitudinal momentum fractions of charged particles within jets are measured, along with the charged particle multiplicity and the particle density as a function of radial distance from the jet axis. Comparison of the data with the theoretical models implemented in existing tunings of Monte Carlo event generators indicates reasonable overall agreement between data and Monte Carlo. In conclusion, these comparisons are sensitive to Monte Carlo parton showering, hadronization, and soft physics models.« less

Total cost of care lower among Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries receiving care from patient-centered medical homes.

PubMed

van Hasselt, Martijn; McCall, Nancy; Keyes, Vince; Wensky, Suzanne G; Smith, Kevin W

2015-02-01

To compare health care utilization and payments between NCQA-recognized patient-centered medical home (PCMH) practices and practices without such recognition. Medicare Part A and B claims files from July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2010, 2009 Census, 2007 Health Resources and Services Administration and CMS Utilization file, Medicare's Enrollment Data Base, and the 2005 American Medical Association Physician Workforce file. This study used a longitudinal, nonexperimental design. Three annual observations (July 1, 2008-June 30, 2010) were available for each practice. We compared selected outcomes between practices with and those without NCQA PCMH recognition. Individual Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) beneficiaries and their claims and utilization data were assigned to PCMH or comparison practices based on where they received the plurality of evaluation and management services between July 1, 2007 and June 30, 2008. Relative to the comparison group, total Medicare payments, acute care payments, and the number of emergency room visits declined after practices received NCQA PCMH recognition. The decline was larger for practices with sicker than average patients, primary care practices, and solo practices. This study provides additional evidence about the potential of the PCMH model for reducing health care utilization and the cost of care. © Health Research and Educational Trust.

[STRATEGY OF USE AND MAINTENANCE OF CLINICAL HOSPITAL CENTER RIJEKA IN ACCORDANCE WITH KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS FOR STRATEGIC HEALTHCARE FACILITIES MAINTENANCE].

PubMed

Sjekavica, Mariela; Haller, Herman; Cerić, Anita

2015-01-01

Building usage is the phase in the building life cycle that is most time-consuming, most functional, most significant due to building purpose and often systematically ignored. Maintenance is the set of activities that ensure the planned duration of facility exploitation phase in accordance with the requirements for quality maintenance of a large number of important building features as well as other elements immanent to the nature of facilities' life. The aim of the study is to show the analysis of the current state of organized, planned and comprehensive managerial approach in hospital utilization and maintenance in the Republic of Croatia, given on the case study of Clinical hospital center in Rijeka. The methodology used consists of relevant literature section of theory of facility utilization, maintenance and management in general, hospital buildings especially, display of practice on case study, and comparison of key performance indicators values obtained through interview with those that author Igal M. Shohet defined in his study by field surveys and statistical analyses. Despite many positive indicators of Clinical hospital center Rijeka maintenance, an additional research is needed in order to define a more complete national hospital maintenance strategy.

A randomized multi-institutional crossover comparison of the GlideScope® Cobalt Video laryngoscope to the flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope in a Pierre Robin manikin.

PubMed

Fiadjoe, John E; Hirschfeld, Matthew; Wu, Stephan; Markley, James; Gurnaney, Harshad; Jawad, Abbas F; Stricker, Paul; Kilbaugh, Todd; Ross, Patrick; Kovatsis, Pete

2015-08-01

The GlideScope Cobalt Video laryngoscope is being used more often in children with challenging laryngoscopy. There are, however, no pediatric trials comparing it to flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy, the current accepted gold standard. This preliminary manikin study compares the first-attempt intubation success of the GlideScope Cobalt video laryngoscope to the flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope when performed by attending pediatric anesthesiologists at two major pediatric centers. This prospective randomized, crossover study evaluated 120 attempts (60 with each study device) to intubate the AirSim Pierre Robin manikin (PRM) with fiberoptic bronchoscopy and video laryngoscopy (VL). Attending pediatric anesthesiologists from two quaternary pediatric centers were eligible to participate. Each attending anesthesiologist randomly performed a single tracheal intubation attempt with one of the study devices followed by the alternate method. The primary outcome was the first-attempt success rate of tracheal intubation. Blinding was not feasible. We hypothesized that first-attempt success would be higher with fiberoptic bronchoscopy. Thirty anesthesiologists from each center were randomized to use one of the study devices followed by the alternate method. We analyzed all participants' data. There was no overall difference in first-attempt success between VL and fiberoptic bronchoscopy (88.3% vs 85% respectively, P = 0.59). There were significant institutional differences in first-attempt success using VL (76.7% vs 100%). There was no difference in first-attempt success of tracheal intubation using VL vs fiberoptic bronchoscopy when performed by attending anesthesiologists at two large pediatric centers. However, institutional differences exist in success rates with VL across the two centers. Results from single-center device evaluations should be verified by multi-center evaluations. A significant proportion of attending anesthesiologists lack experience with advanced airway devices; targeted education may enhance intubation success and patient safety. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Comparisons among Health Behavior Surveys: Implications for the Design of Informatics Infrastructures That Support Comparative Effectiveness Research.

PubMed

Yoon, Sunmoo; Wilcox, Adam B; Bakken, Suzanne

2013-01-01

To address the electronic health data fragmentation that is a methodological limitation of comparative effectiveness research (CER), the Washington Heights Inwood Informatics Infrastructure for Comparative Effectiveness Research (WICER) project is creating a patient-centered research data warehouse (RDW) by linking electronic clinical data (ECD) from New York Presbyterian Hospital's clinical data warehouse with ECD from ambulatory care, long-term care, and home health settings and the WICER community health survey (CHS). The purposes of the research were to identify areas of overlap between the WICER CHS and two other surveys that include health behavior data (the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) Survey and the New York City Community Health Survey (NYC CHS)) and to identify gaps in the current WICER RDW that have the potential to affect patient-centered CER. We compared items across the three surveys at the item and conceptual levels. We also compared WICER RDW (ECD and WICER CHS), BRFSS, and NYC CHS to the County Health Ranking framework. We found that 22 percent of WICER items were exact matches with BRFSS and that there were no exact matches between WICER CHS and NYC CHS items not also contained in BRFSS. The results suggest that BRFSS and, to a lesser extent, NYC CHS have the potential to serve as population comparisons for WICER CHS for some health behavior-related data and thus may be particularly useful for considering the generalizability of CER study findings. Except for one measure related to health behavior (motor vehicle crash deaths), the WICER RDW's comprehensive coverage supports the mortality, morbidity, and clinical care measures specified in the County Health Ranking framework but is deficient in terms of some socioeconomic factors and descriptions of the physical environment as captured in BRFSS. Linkage of these data in the WICER RDW through geocoding can potentially facilitate patient-centered CER that integrates important socioeconomic and physical environment influences on health outcomes. The research methods and findings may be relevant to others interested in either integrating health behavior data into RDWs to support patient-centered CER or conducting population-level comparisons.

Federal Health Care Center: VA and DOD Need to Address Ongoing Difficulties and Better Prepare for Future Integrations

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-02-01

Based on Small- Group Interviews with Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center (FHCC) Staff, April–May 2015 34 Figure 7: Comparison of...Effects of Workforce Integration on Staff Efficiency, Quality of Work, and Job Satisfaction between Civilian and Active Duty Staff, Based on Small- Group ...Integration on Daily Work Based on Small- Group Interviews with Captain Page iii GAO-16-280 VA and DOD Federal Health Care Center

Nature and origin of secondary mineral coatings on volcanic rocks of the Black Mountain, Stonewall Mountain, and Kane Springs Wash volcanic centers, southern, Nevada

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Taranik, James V.; Hsu, Liang C.; Spatz, David M.; Chenevey, Michael J.

1989-01-01

The following subject areas are covered: (1) genetic, spectral, and LANDSAT Thematic Mapper imagery relationship between desert varnish and tertiary volcanic host rocks, southern Nevada; (2) reconnaissance geologic mapping of the Kane Springs Wash Volcanic Center, Lincoln County, Nevada, using multispectral thermal infrared imagery; (3) interregional comparisons of desert varnish; and (4) airborne scanner (GERIS) imagery of the Kane Springs Wash Volcanic Center, Lincoln County, Nevada.

Current status of quality evaluation of nursing care through director review and reflection from the Nursing Quality Control Centers

PubMed Central

Duan, Xia; Shi, Yan

2014-01-01

Background: The quality evaluation of nursing care is a key link in medical quality management. It is important and worth studying for the nursing supervisors to know the disadvantages during the process of quality evaluation of nursing care and then to improve the whole nursing quality. This study was to provide director insight on the current status of quality evaluation of nursing care from Nursing Quality Control Centers (NQCCs). Material and Methods: This qualitative study used a sample of 12 directors from NQCCs who were recruited from 12 provinces in China to evaluate the current status of quality evaluation of nursing care. Data were collected by in-depth interviews. Content analysis method was used to analyze the data. Results: Four themes emerged from the data: 1) lag of evaluation index; 2) limitations of evaluation content; 3) simplicity of evaluation method; 4) excessive emphasis on terminal quality. Conclusion: It is of great realistic significance to ameliorate nursing quality evaluation criteria, modify the evaluation content based on patient needs-oriented idea, adopt scientific evaluation method to evaluate nursing quality, and scientifically and reasonably draw horizontal comparisons of nursing quality between hospitals, as well as longitudinal comparisons of a hospital’s nursing quality. These methods mentioned above can all enhance a hospital’s core competitiveness and benefit more patients. PMID:25419427

Comparison of Ratings by Mothers and Teachers on Preschool Children Using the Vineland Social Maturity Scale

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kaplan, Harriett E.; Alatishe, Moses

1976-01-01

Comparison of informants' ratings of 20 preschool children on the VSMS showed no significant correlations between either the social quotients or the rankings by mothers and daycare center teachers. Of significance was that the mothers consistently reported the social quotients of the children to be higher than did the teachers. (Author)

Attitudes on en route air traffic control training and work : a comparison of recruits initially trained at the FAA Academy and recruits initially trained at assigned centers.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1975-05-01

In this comparison, questionnaires concerning aspects of training-related and work-related attitudes were sent to 225 ATC trainees who represented groups of attritions and retentions in two En Route training programs; viz, programs that provided basi...

The changing nature of admissions to a spinal cord injury center: violence on the rise.

PubMed

Farmer, J C; Vaccaro, A R; Balderston, R A; Albert, T J; Cotler, J

1998-10-01

The purpose of this study was to analyze changing etiologies for admission to a spinal cord injury center. This study was designed to retrospectively analyze the etiology of admissions to a spinal cord injury center during a 15-year period, specifically gunshot versus nongunshot wound injuries. Gunshot wounds are a well-recognized cause of spinal cord injury. In some centers, up to 52% of admissions are due to this, and these trends are believed to be increasing. All patients with spinal cord injury admitted to our center between 1979 and 1993 were analyzed. Frequencies of specific etiologies were determined and then comparisons were made between gunshot wound and nongunshot wound groups. Factors analyzed included age, male/female ratio, ethnic make-up, marital status, employment status, level of injury, and neurologic status. One thousand eight hundred seventeen patients were included. Overall, gunshot wound spinal cord injuries compromised 16.9% of injuries. A clear trend of increasing numbers of admissions was seen between 1984 and 1993 because of this. Gunshot wounds and nongunshot wounds differed dramatically in terms of age, ethnic make-up, marital status, employment status, and neurologic status. Cost attributed to treating gunshot wound injuries at our center for 1993 was 5.4 million dollars. Gunshot wounds as a cause of spinal cord injury are increasing at an alarming rate. The demographics of the gunshot wounds and nongunshot wound spine cord injuries differ significantly.

SU-G-206-03: CTDI Per KV at Phantom Center and Periphery: Comparison Between Major CT Manufacturers

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

Al-Senan, R; Demirkaya, O

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to: 1) compare scanners output by measuring normalized CTDIw (mGy/100mAs) in different CT makes and models and at different kV’s, and 2) quantify the relationship between kV and CTDI and compare this relationship between the different manufacturers. Methods: Study included forty scanners of major CT manufacturers and of various models. Exposure was measured at center and 12 o’clock holes of head and body CTDI phantoms, at all available kV’s, and with the largest or second largest available collimation in each scanner. Average measured CTDI’s from each CT manufacturer were also plotted against kVmore » and the fitting equation: CTDIw (normalized) = a.kVb was calculated. The power (b) value may be considered as an indicator of spectral filtration, which affects the degree of beam hardening. Also, HVLs were measured at several scanners. Results: Results showed GE scanners, on average, had higher normalized CTDIw than those of Siemens and Philips, in both phantom sizes and at all kV’s. ANOVA statistic indicated the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Comparison between Philips and Siemens, however, was not statistically significant. Curve fitting showed b values ranged from 2.4 to 2.9 (for Head periphery and center, respectively); and was about 2.8 for Body phantom periphery, and 3.2 at the center of Body phantom. Fitting equations (kV vs. CTDI) will be presented and discussed. GE’s CTDIw vs. HVL showed very strong correlation (r > 0.99). Conclusion: Partial characterization of scanners output was performed which may be helpful in dose estimation to internal organs. The relatively higher output from GE scanners may be attributed to lower filtration. Work is still in progress to obtain CTDI values from other scanners as well as to measure their HVLs.« less

Non-physician communities in Japan: are they still disadvantaged?

PubMed

Kashima, S; Inoue, K; Matsumoto, M; Takeuchi, K

2014-01-01

Non-physician community' (NPC) is a policy term that indicates a medically underserved area in Japan. Designated NPCs are politically targeted as the foci of medical resource allocation. NPC is defined as a specified district where 50 or more persons dwell within a geographic diameter of 4 km and medical care is not easily accessible. The definition of NPC was first introduced in 1960 and has been unchanged for more than half a century despite radical social changes in rural Japan. This study examines whether designated NPCs are still more disadvantaged in terms of geographical access to healthcare in comparison to other communities. Hiroshima prefecture, which has the largest number of NPCs in terms of tertiary healthcare areas of Japan, was used as the study area. Targeted communities were all the NPCs in the prefecture, and, as controls, two community groups were selected: non-NPC adjacent to NPC, and municipal center. We measured driving time from NPCs and control communities to the nearest healthcare facilities, which were classified into the following two types: primary or secondary care facilities (n=2636) and tertiary care facilities (equal to tertiary emergency care centers; n=6). We further calculated the driving time to the nearest facilities for secondary emergency care (n=246) extracted from the 2636 primary or secondary care facilities. The median driving times to the nearest primary or secondary healthcare facility for NPC, non-NPC, and municipal center were 11 minutes, 11 minutes, and 1 minute, respectively; the times to a tertiary healthcare facility (equal to an accident and emergency care center) were 80 minutes, 84 minutes, and 68 minutes, respectively; and the times to a secondary emergency care facility were 24 minutes, 18 minutes, and 15 minutes, respectively. Although a municipal center was significantly more advantageous in driving time compared to a primary or secondary care facility, the disadvantage of a NPC in access was no more obvious than an adjacent non-NPC for any type of healthcare facility. NPCs had a disadvantage in access time to primary, secondary and tertiary medical care compared with a municipal center. NPCs, however, did not have a greater access disadvantage in comparison to adjacent rural communities for any type of medical facility. As such, future resource allocation policies in Japan need to redefine medically underserved communities.

A Comparison of Two Methods Used for Ranking Task Exposure Levels Using Simulated Multi-Task Data

DTIC Science & Technology

1999-12-17

OF OKLAHOMA HEALTH SCIENCES CENTER GRADUATE COLLEGE A COMPARISON OF TWO METHODS USED FOR RANKING TASK EXPOSURE LEVELS USING SIMULATED MULTI-TASK...COSTANTINO Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 1999 ^ooo wx °^ A COMPARISON OF TWO METHODS USED FOR RANKING TASK EXPOSURE LEVELS USING SIMULATED MULTI-TASK DATA... METHODS AND MATERIALS 9 TV. RESULTS 14 V. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION 28 LIST OF REFERENCES 31 APPENDICES 33 Appendix A JJ -in Appendix B Dl IV

Prospective Relations between Social Comparison Orientation and Weight Loss Outcomes.

PubMed

Arigo, Danielle; Butryn, Meghan L

2018-06-26

Maintenance of weight loss after behavioral intervention tends to be poor, and there is need for an improved understanding of factors that are associated with successful maintenance. Social comparison is known to be a powerful influence on treatment outcomes for group-based behavioral weight loss programs, but little is known about the role of individual differences in social comparison orientation (i.e., tendency to value comparison information) in this context. The goal of this study was to examine prospective relations between social comparison orientation and long-term weight loss outcomes (percent weight loss, aerobic-intensity physical activity) among participants in behavioral weight loss treatment. Participants (n = 161, M Age = 54, M BMI = 34.4░kg/m 2 ) completed a measure of social comparison orientation at pre-treatment baseline. Height and weight were measured in the research center and aerobic-intensity physical activity was assessed via accelerometer at baseline, mid- and end-of-treatment, and at 6 and 12 months post-treatment (representing maintenance). Multilevel models tested prospective relations between comparison orientation and treatment outcomes over time, with emphasis on differences during the post-treatment maintenance phase. Stronger (vs. weaker) general comparison orientation was associated with better maintenance of aerobic-intensity physical activity. However, stronger (vs. weaker) orientation toward comparisons with better-off others (i.e., upward comparison) was associated with less weight loss success during and after treatment. Social comparison orientation thus shows meaningful relations with long-term maintenance of key outcomes in group-based behavioral weight loss treatment, and warrants further investigation in this context.

Increased GABA Levels in Medial Prefrontal Cortex of Young Adults with Narcolepsy

PubMed Central

Kim, Seog Ju; Lyoo, In Kyoon; Lee, Yujin S.; Sung, Young Hoon; Kim, Hengjun J.; Kim, Jihyun H.; Kim, Kye Hyun; Jeong, Do-Un

2008-01-01

Study Objectives: To explore absolute concentrations of brain metabolites including gamma amino-butyric acid (GABA) in the medial prefrontal cortex and basal ganglia of young adults with narcolepsy. Design: Proton magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy centered on the medial prefrontal cortex and the basal ganglia was acquired. The absolute concentrations of brain metabolites including GABA and glutamate were assessed and compared between narcoleptic patients and healthy comparison subjects. Setting: Sleep and Chronobiology Center at Seoul National University Hospital; A high strength 3.0 Tesla MR scanner in the Department of Radiology at Seoul National University Hospital. Patients or Participants: Seventeen young adults with a sole diagnosis of HLA DQB1 0602 positive narcolepsy with cataplexy (25.1 ± 4.6 years old) and 17 healthy comparison subjects (26.8 ± 4.8 years old). Interventions: N/A. Measurements and Results: Relative to comparison subjects, narcoleptic patients had higher GABA concentration in the medial prefrontal cortex (t = 4.10, P <0.001). Narcoleptic patients with nocturnal sleep disturbance had higher GABA concentration in the medial prefrontal cortex than those without nocturnal sleep disturbance (t = 2.45, P= 0.03), but had lower GABA concentration than comparison subjects (t = 2.30, P = 0.03). Conclusions: The current study reports that young adults with narcolepsy had a higher GABA concentration in the medial prefrontal cortex, which was more prominent in patients without nocturnal sleep disturbance. Our findings suggest that the medial prefrontal GABA level may be increased in narcolepsy, and the increased medial prefrontal GABA might be a compensatory mechanism to reduce nocturnal sleep disturbances in narcolepsy. Citation: Kim SJ; Lyoo IK; Lee YS; Sung YH; Kim HJ; Kim JH; Kim KH; Jeong DU. Increased GABA levels in medial prefrontal cortex of young adults with narcolepsy. SLEEP 2008;31(3):342-347. PMID:18363310

Perceived job stress and health complaints at a bank call center: comparison between inbound and outbound services.

PubMed

Lin, Yen-Hui; Chen, Chih-Yong; Hong, Wei-Hsien; Lin, Yu-Chao

2010-01-01

This study investigated how perceived job stress and health status differ, as well as the relationships to inbound (incoming calls) versus outbound (outgoing calls) calling activities, for call center workers in a bank in Taiwan. The sample bank employed 289 call center workers at the time of the survey, ranging in age from 19 to 54 yr old. Data were obtained on individual factors, health complaints, perceived level job stress, and major job stressors. Overall, 33.5% of outbound operators and 27.1% of inbound operators reported frequently or always experiencing high stress at work, however, the differences between inbound and outbound operators were insignificant. "Having to deal with difficult customers" was the most frequent job stressor for all workers. Musculoskeletal discomfort, eye strain, and hoarse or sore throat were the most prevalent complaints among call center workers. The relationship between perceived job stress and health complaints indicated that workers who perceived higher job stress had significantly increased risk of multiple health problems, including eye strain, tinnitus, hoarse or sore throat, chronic cough with phlegm, chest tightness, irritable stomach or peptic ulcers, and musculoskeletal discomfort (with odds ratios ranging from 2.13 to 8.24). These analytical results suggest that perceived job stress in the call center profoundly affected worker health. This study identified main types of job stressors requiring further investigation.

Shopping-Center in deutschen Mittelstädten und ihr Einfluss auf die Zentralitätsentwicklung. Eine Untersuchung unter der Verwendung von Einzelhandelskennzahlen

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eckhardt, Yannick

2017-06-01

Shopping-centers have been subject to intense analysis from various angles. Due to by the growing number of shopping-centers located in medium-sized cities, a change of money flows within the municipal boundaries is expected. On a multi-level basis this article shows key retail figures of medium-sized cities with shopping-centers in comparison to ones without. The final result reveals that the retail turnover of medium-sized cities with a shopping-center reaches a significantly higher level than cities without a shopping-center. Furthermore, the evaluation of data shows a rise of the retail centrality in medium sized towns as a consequence of the opening of a shopping-center. This means the construction of shopping-centers doesn't only cause a shift of money flows within the city boundaries but also leads to an additional influx of money from outside the municipalities.

Comparison of Survival at Adult versus Pediatric Treatment Centers for Rare Pediatric Tumors in an Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Population in the State of Georgia

PubMed Central

Cash, Thomas; Qayed, Muna; Ward, Kevin C.; Mertens, Ann C.; Rapkin, Louis

2014-01-01

Background The type of treatment center where 15-21-year-old adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients with rare pediatric tumors achieve their best clinical outcome is unknown. Procedure We performed a retrospective analysis using the Georgia Cancer Registry (GCR) of 15-21-year-old patients with a malignant, rare pediatric tumor diagnosed during the period from 2000-2009. Patients were identified as being treated at one of five Georgia pediatric cancer centers or at an adult center. Data were analyzed for 10-year overall survival, patient characteristics associated with death, and patient characteristics present at diagnosis associated with choice of treatment center. Results There was a total of 479 patients in our final study population, of which 379 (79.1%) were treated at an adult center and 100 (20.9%) were treated at a pediatric center. Patients treated at an adult center had a 10-year overall survival of 86% compared to 85% for patients treated at a pediatric center (p= 0.31). Race and poverty were not significantly associated with death. Patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (OR=7.38; 95% CI=2.30 – 23.75) and ‘other carcinomas’ (OR=2.64; 95% CI=1.25 – 5.60) were more likely to be treated at a pediatric center. Patients with higher-stage disease (OR=4.24; 95% CI=1.71 – 10.52) and higher poverty (OR=2.32; 95% CI=1.23 – 4.37) were also more likely to be treated at a pediatric center. Conclusion Our data suggest that there is no difference in survival for 15-21-year-old patients with rare pediatric tumors when treated at an adult or pediatric center. PMID:25393593

Solution of multi-center molecular integrals of Slater-type orbitals

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tai, H.

1989-01-01

The troublesome multi-center molecular integrals of Slater-type orbitals (STO) in molecular physics calculations can be evaluated by using the Fourier transform and proper coupling of the two center exchange integrals. A numerical integration procedure is then readily rendered to the final expression in which the integrand consists of well known special functions of arguments containing the geometrical arrangement of the nuclear centers and the exponents of the atomic orbitals. A practical procedure was devised for the calculation of a general multi-center molecular integrals coupling arbitrary Slater-type orbitals. Symmetry relations and asymptotic conditions are discussed. Explicit expressions of three-center one-electron nuclear-attraction integrals and four-center two-electron repulsion integrals for STO of principal quantum number n=2 are listed. A few numerical results are given for the purpose of comparison.

Finding the Center of Volume of the Forearm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Klein, Stacy S.; Roselli, Robert J.

2008-04-01

A typical first-year physics course teaches students about the center of mass using both regular and irregularly shaped objects. Students often suspend an object in each of two dimensions from a string with the intersection determining the center of mass of the object. While these methods can be effective, they are not particularly exciting or motivating. Wouldn't it be more interesting to find the center of mass of a body part, such as the forearm? Through a series of simple measurements and assumptions, students can generate a first-order approximation of the center of volume and center of mass of their forearm. Comparisons can be made between the muscular forearm of the football player in the class with the scrawniest arm in the room, creating a deeper understanding of center of mass and how it relates to the human body.

The effect of nurse navigation on timeliness of breast cancer care at an academic comprehensive cancer center.

PubMed

Basu, Mohua; Linebarger, Jared; Gabram, Sheryl G A; Patterson, Sharla Gayle; Amin, Miral; Ward, Kevin C

2013-07-15

A patient navigation process is required for accreditation by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC). Patient navigation has previously been shown to improve timely diagnosis in patients with breast cancer. This study sought to assess the effect of nurse navigation on timeliness of care following the diagnosis of breast cancer by comparing patients who were treated in a comprehensive cancer center with and without the assistance of nurse navigation. Navigation services were initiated at an NAPBC-accredited comprehensive breast center in July 2010. Two 9-month study intervals were chosen for comparison of timeliness of care: October 2009 through June 2010 and October 2010 through June 2011. All patients with breast cancer diagnosed in the cancer center with stage 0 to III disease during the 2 study periods were identified by retrospective cancer registry review. Time from diagnosis to initial oncology consultation was measured in business days, excluding holidays and weekends. Overall, 176 patients met inclusion criteria: 100 patients prior to and 76 patients following nurse navigation implementation. Nurse navigation was found to significantly shorten time to consultation for patients older than 60 years (B = -4.90, P = .0002). There was no change in timeliness for patients 31 to 60 years of age. Short-term analysis following navigation implementation showed decreased time to consultation for older patients, but not younger patients. Further studies are indicated to assess the long-term effects and durability of this quality improvement initiative. © 2013 American Cancer Society.

World Endometriosis Research Foundation Endometriosis Phenome and Biobanking Harmonisation Project: IV. Tissue collection, processing, and storage in endometriosis research

PubMed Central

Fassbender, Amelie; Rahmioglu, Nilufer; Vitonis, Allison F.; Viganò, Paola; Giudice, Linda C.; D’Hooghe, Thomas M.; Hummelshoj, Lone; Adamson, G. David; Becker, Christian M.; Missmer, Stacey A.; Zondervan, Krina T.; Adamson, G.D.; Allaire, C.; Anchan, R.; Becker, C.M.; Bedaiwy, M.A.; Buck Louis, G.M.; Calhaz-Jorge, C.; Chwalisz, K.; D'Hooghe, T.M.; Fassbender, A.; Faustmann, T.; Fazleabas, A.T.; Flores, I.; Forman, A.; Fraser, I.; Giudice, L.C.; Gotte, M.; Gregersen, P.; Guo, S.-W.; Harada, T.; Hartwell, D.; Horne, A.W.; Hull, M.L.; Hummelshoj, L.; Ibrahim, M.G.; Kiesel, L.; Laufer, M.R.; Machens, K.; Mechsner, S.; Missmer, S.A.; Montgomery, G.W.; Nap, A.; Nyegaard, M.; Osteen, K.G.; Petta, C.A.; Rahmioglu, N.; Renner, S.P.; Riedlinger, J.; Roehrich, S.; Rogers, P.A.; Rombauts, L.; Salumets, A.; Saridogan, E.; Seckin, T.; Stratton, P.; Sharpe-Timms, K.L.; Tworoger, S.; Vigano, P.; Vincent, K.; Vitonis, A.F.; Wienhues-Thelen, U.-H.; Yeung, P.P.; Yong, P.; Zondervan, K.T.

2014-01-01

Objective To harmonize standard operating procedures (SOPs) and standardize the recording of associated data for collection, processing, and storage of human tissues relevant to endometriosis. Design An international collaboration involving 34 clinical/academic centers and three industry collaborators from 16 countries on five continents. Setting In 2013, two workshops were conducted followed by global consultation, bringing together 54 leaders in endometriosis research and sample processing from around the world. Patient(s) None. Intervention(s) Consensus SOPs were based on: 1) systematic comparison of SOPs from 24 global centers collecting tissue samples from women with and without endometriosis on a medium or large scale (publication on >100 cases); 2) literature evidence where available, or consultation with laboratory experts otherwise; and 3) several global consultation rounds. Main Outcome Measure(s) Standard recommended and minimum required SOPs for tissue collection, processing, and storage in endometriosis research. Result(s) We developed “recommended standard” and “minimum required” SOPs for the collection, processing, and storage of ectopic and eutopic endometrium, peritoneum, and myometrium, and a biospecimen data collection form necessary for interpretation of sample-derived results. Conclusion(s) The EPHect SOPs allow endometriosis research centers to decrease variability in tissue-based results, facilitating between-center comparisons and collaborations. The procedures are also relevant to research into other gynecologic conditions involving endometrium, myometrium, and peritoneum. The consensus SOPs are based on the best available evidence; areas with limited evidence are identified as requiring further pilot studies. The SOPs will be reviewed based on investigator feedback and through systematic triannual follow-up. Updated versions will be made available at: http://endometriosisfoundation.org/ephect. PMID:25256928

Apical Transportation, Centering Ability, and Cleaning Effectiveness of Reciprocating Single-file System Associated with Different Glide Path Techniques.

PubMed

de Carvalho, Guilherme Moreira; Sponchiado Junior, Emílio Carlos; Garrido, Angela Delfina Bittencourt; Lia, Raphael Carlos Comelli; Garcia, Lucas da Fonseca Roberti; Marques, André Augusto Franco

2015-12-01

The aim of this study was to evaluate the apical transportation, the centering ability, and the cleaning effectiveness of a reciprocating single-file system associated to different glide path techniques. The mesial root canals of 52 mandibular molars were randomly distributed into 4 groups (n = 13) according to the different glide path techniques used before biomechanical preparation with Reciproc System (RS): KF/RS (sizes 10 and 15 K-files), NGP/RS (no glide path, only reciprocating system), PF/RS (sizes 13, 16, and 19 PathFile instruments), and NP (no preparation). Cone-beam computed tomography analysis was performed before and after instrumentation for apical third images acquisition. Apical transportation and its direction were evaluated by using the formula D = (X1 - X2) - (Y1 - Y2), and the centering ability was analyzed by the formula CC = (X1 - X2/Y1 - Y2 or Y1 - Y2/X1 - X2). The samples were submitted to histologic processing and analyzed under a digital microscope for debris quantification. The values were statistically analyzed (Kruskal-Wallis, the Dunn multiple comparisons test, P < .05). All groups had similar apical transportation values, with no significant difference among them (P > .05). Groups had a tendency toward transportation in the mesial direction. No technique had perfect centering ability (=1.0), with no significant difference among them. KF/RS had larger amount of debris, with statistically significant difference in comparison with NGP/RS (P > .05). The different glide path techniques promoted minimal apical transportation, and the reciprocating single-file system tested remained relatively centralized within the root canal. Also, the different techniques interfered in the cleaning effectiveness of the reciprocating system. Copyright © 2015 American Association of Endodontists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Characterizing LEDAPS surface reflectance products by comparisons with AERONET, field spectrometer, and MODIS data

USGS Publications Warehouse

Maiersperger, Tom; Scaramuzza, Pat; Leigh, Larry; Shrestha, S.; Gallo, Kevin; Jenkerson, Calli B.; Dwyer, John L.

2013-01-01

This study provides a baseline quality check on provisional Landsat Surface Reflectance (SR) products as generated by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center using Landsat Ecosystem Disturbance Adaptive Processing System (LEDAPS) software. Characterization of the Landsat SR products leveraged comparisons between aerosol optical thickness derived from LEDAPS and measured by Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET), as well as reflectance correlations with field spectrometer and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data. Results consistently indicated similarity between LEDAPS and alternative data products in longer wavelengths over vegetated areas with no adjacent water, while less reliable performance was observed in shorter wavelengths and sparsely vegetated areas. This study demonstrates the strengths and weaknesses of the atmospheric correction methodology used in LEDAPS, confirming its successful implementation to generate Landsat SR products.

Effect of the Machining Processes on Low Cycle Fatigue Behavior of a Powder Metallurgy Disk

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Telesman, J.; Kantzos, P.; Gabb, T. P.; Ghosn, L. J.

2010-01-01

A study has been performed to investigate the effect of various machining processes on fatigue life of configured low cycle fatigue specimens machined out of a NASA developed LSHR P/M nickel based disk alloy. Two types of configured specimen geometries were employed in the study. To evaluate a broach machining processes a double notch geometry was used with both notches machined using broach tooling. EDM machined notched specimens of the same configuration were tested for comparison purposes. Honing finishing process was evaluated by using a center hole specimen geometry. Comparison testing was again done using EDM machined specimens of the same geometry. The effect of these machining processes on the resulting surface roughness, residual stress distribution and microstructural damage were characterized and used in attempt to explain the low cycle fatigue results.

Meta-analysis of Dropout in Treatments for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

PubMed Central

Imel, Zac E.; Laska, Kevin; Jakcupcak, Matthew; Simpson, Tracy L.

2013-01-01

Objective Many patients dropout of treatments for Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and some clinicians believe that ‘trauma focused’ treatments increase dropout. Method We conducted a meta-analysis of dropout among active treatments in clinical trials for PTSD (42 studies; 17 direct comparisons). Results The average dropout rate was 18%, but it varied significantly across studies. Group modality and greater number of sessions, but not trauma focus, predicted increased dropout. When the meta-analysis was restricted to direct comparisons of active treatments, there were no differences in dropout. Differences in trauma focus between treatments in the same study did not predict dropout. However, trauma focused treatments resulted in higher dropout as compared to Present Centered Therapy (PCT) – a treatment originally designed as a control, but now listed as a research supported intervention for PTSD. Conclusion Dropout varies between active interventions for PTSD across studies, but differences are primarily driven by differences between studies. There do not appear to be systematic differences across active interventions when they are directly compared in the same study. The degree of clinical attention placed on the traumatic event does not appear to be a primary cause of dropout from active treatments. However comparisons of PCT may be an exception to this general pattern, perhaps due to a restriction of variability in trauma focus among comparisons of active treatments. More research is needed comparing trauma focused interventions to trauma avoidant treatments such as PCT. PMID:23339535

Health-Related Quality of Life in Children and Adolescents with Hereditary Bleeding Disorders and in Children and Adolescents with Stroke: Cross-Sectional Comparison to Siblings and Peers

PubMed Central

Neuner, Bruno; von Mackensen, Sylvia; Holzhauer, Susanne; Funk, Stephanie; Klamroth, Robert; Kurnik, Karin; Krümpel, Anne; Halimeh, Susan; Reinke, Sarah; Frühwald, Michael; Nowak-Göttl, Ulrike

2016-01-01

Objectives. To investigate self-reported health-related quality of life (HrQoL) in children and adolescents with chronic medical conditions compared with siblings/peers. Methods. Group 1 (6 treatment centers) consisted of 74 children/adolescents aged 8–16 years with hereditary bleeding disorders (HBD), 12 siblings, and 34 peers. Group 2 (one treatment center) consisted of 70 children/adolescents with stroke/transient ischemic attack, 14 siblings, and 72 peers. HrQoL was assessed with the “revised KINDer Lebensqualitätsfragebogen” (KINDL-R) questionnaire. Multivariate analyses within groups were done by one-way ANOVA and post hoc pairwise single comparisons by Student's t-tests. Adjusted pairwise comparisons were done by hierarchical linear regressions with individuals nested within treatment centers (group 1) and by linear regressions (group 2), respectively. Results. No differences were found in multivariate analyses of self-reported HrQoL in group 1, while in group 2 differences occurred in overall wellbeing and all subdimensions. These differences were due to differences between patients and peers. After adjusting for age, gender, number of siblings, and treatment center these differences persisted regarding self-worth (p = .0040) and friend-related wellbeing (p < .001). Conclusions. In children with HBD, HrQoL was comparable to siblings and peers. In children with stroke/TIA HrQoL was comparable to siblings while peers, independently of relevant confounder, showed better self-worth and friend-related wellbeing. PMID:27294108

Diagnosis, Treatment and Long-Term Follow Up of Patients with ADA Deficiency: a Single-Center Experience.

PubMed

Baffelli, Renata; Notarangelo, Lucia D; Imberti, Luisa; Hershfield, Michael S; Serana, Federico; Santisteban, Ines; Bolda, Federica; Porta, Fulvio; Lanfranchi, Arnalda

2015-10-01

We carried out a retrospective analysis of 27 patients with Adenosine Deaminase (ADA) deficiency diagnosed in a single center from 1997 to the 2013, for evaluating whether data regarding types of disease-inducing mutations, biochemical and immunological features as well as clinical outcomes of patients treated with enzyme replacement or transplantation, were comparable to those obtained in multicenter studies. The ADA deficiency diagnosis was performed with biochemical, immunological and molecular techniques. Ten patients treated with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and three in treatment with enzyme replacement were followed up in our center. Twenty-four different mutations were identified and five were not previously reported. Identical mutations were found among patients from the same Romani ethnic group or from the same geographical region. A more rapid recovery was observed in enzyme replacement treated patients in comparison with those transplanted that, however, showed a continuous and long-lasting improvement both in terms of immune and metabolic recovery. The data obtained in our single center are comparable with those that have been reported in multicenter surveys.

Critical thinking in patient centered care.

PubMed

Mitchell, Shannon H; Overman, Pamela; Forrest, Jane L

2014-06-01

Health care providers can enhance their critical thinking skills, essential to providing patient centered care, by use of motivational interviewing and evidence-based decision making techniques. The need for critical thinking skills to foster optimal patient centered care is being emphasized in educational curricula for health care professions. The theme of this paper is that evidence-based decision making (EBDM) and motivational interviewing (MI) are tools that when taught in health professions educational programs can aid in the development of critical thinking skills. This paper reviews the MI and EBDM literature for evidence regarding these patient-centered care techniques as they relate to improved oral health outcomes. Comparisons between critical thinking and EBDM skills are presented and the EBDM model and the MI technique are briefly described followed by a discussion of the research to date. The evidence suggests that EBDM and MI are valuable tools; however, further studies are needed regarding the effectiveness of EBDM and MI and the ways that health care providers can best develop critical thinking skills to facilitate improved patient care outcomes. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Comparison of O-antigen gene clusters of all O-serogroups of Escherichia coli and proposal for adopting a new nomenclature for O-typing

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The Genetics Analysis Core Facility at the Eastern Regional Research Center (ERRC) is a centralized laboratory working in support of the United States Department of Agriculture scientists within the ERRC. The application of molecular diagnostics within the Center has resulted in the morphing of the...

Customer Satisfaction: A Comparison of Community College and Employment Security Commission Joblink Career Centers in North Carolina.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Deese, Stephanie

The Workforce Investment Act of 1998 provided states with a great amount of flexibility in the implementation of a system-wide approach to job training and workforce development. The legislation consolidated employment and training services into a one-stop system that is known as JobLink Career Centers in North Carolina. This document presents…

[Current status of operations in community general support centers and the correlation of personal traits, work environment and occupational stress].

PubMed

Yamaguchi, Yoshie

2010-01-01

The purpose of this study was to identify the current status of operations at community general support centers which provide coordination for elderly care and the correlation of personal traits, work environment and the occupational stress of the staff. Subjects of the study were 251 staff members of community general support centers. The current status of operations at the community general support centers and the personal traits, work environment, effort-remuneration imbalance model (ERI) and general health questionnaire (GHQ) were surveyed. The initial analysis involved a comparison by a chi-square test on: The effort-remuneration ratio (E/R ratio) of personal traits and work environment, risk of over-commitment (OC), and GHQ score. To explore the correlation between the E/R ratio of the three GHQ groups (low, middle and high score groups) and the OC value, one-way analysis of variance was performed. Out of the four basic functions of the community general support centers, 22.0% of the respondents noted that "establishment of a regional, comprehensive/multi-tiered service network" was functioning, and 50.4% of respondents noted that "comprehensive and continuous care management" was functioning. The average effort score was 15.5 +/- 5.3, approximately double the average value of preceding studies. Significant differences found in GHQ scores were related to working hours (p<0.001) and anxiety was related to task content (p<0.001). Moreover, a higher GHQ score was accompanied by a higher E/R ratio and as a result of the multiple comparison, a marked difference was observed between the GHQ low score group and the GHQ high score group (p<0.001), and a significant difference was also found between the GHQ low score group and GHQ medium score group (p=0.012). Items observed to have significant correlation with high E/R ratio were: "Weekly working hours of 50 h or more" (OR: 10.38, 95% CI: 2.52-42.70), "Unstable employment" (OR: 2.75, 95% CI: 1.22-6.21) and "Anxiety related to task content" (OR: 17.04, 95% CI: 3.57-81.24). Items observed to have significant correlation with OC value risk factors were: "Weekly working hours of 50 h or more" (OR: 8.04, 95% CI: 1.99-32.41) and "Anxiety related to task content" (OR: 4.60, 95% CI: 2.04-10.37). We conclude that the basic functions of the community general support centers are not presently very functional. The stress levels of the community general support center staff are high and their health levels are low. This indicates that staff are forced to work with anxiety related to task content under conditions of poor pay and long working hours.

The evolutionary pathway from anoxygenic to oxygenic photosynthesis examined by comparison of the properties of photosystem II and bacterial reaction centers.

PubMed

Allen, J P; Williams, J C

2011-01-01

In photosynthetic organisms, such as purple bacteria, cyanobacteria, and plants, light is captured and converted into energy to create energy-rich compounds. The primary process of energy conversion involves the transfer of electrons from an excited donor molecule to a series of electron acceptors in pigment-protein complexes. Two of these complexes, the bacterial reaction center and photosystem II, are evolutionarily related and structurally similar. However, only photosystem II is capable of performing the unique reaction of water oxidation. An understanding of the evolutionary process that lead to the development of oxygenic photosynthesis can be found by comparison of these two complexes. In this review, we summarize how insight is being gained by examination of the differences in critical functional properties of these complexes and by experimental efforts to alter pigment-protein interactions of the bacterial reaction center in order to enable it to perform reactions, such as amino acid and metal oxidation, observable in photosystem II.

Study on the mesophase development of pressure-responsive ABC triblock copolymers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cho, Junhan

Here we focus on the revelation of new nanoscale morphologies for a molten compressible polymeric surfactant through a compressible self-consistent field approach. A linear ABC block copolymer is set to allow a disparity in the propensities for curved interfaces and in pressure responses of ij-pairs. Under these conditions, the copolymer evolves into noble morphologies at selected segregation levels such as networks with tetrapod connections, rectangularly packed cylinders in a 2-dimensional array, and also body-centered cubic phases. Those new structures are considered to turn up by interplay between disparity in the densities of block domains and packing frustration. Comparison with the classical mesophase structures is also given. The author acknowledges the support from the Center for Photofunctional Energy Materials (GRRC).

Comparison of Chosen Physical Fitness Characteristics of Turkish Professional Basketball Players by Division and Playing Position

PubMed Central

Köklü, Yusuf; Alemdaroğlu, Utku; Koçak, Fatma Ünver; Erol, A. Emre; Fındıkoğlu, Gülin

2011-01-01

The purpose of the present study was to compare chosen physical fitness characteristics of Turkish professional basketball players in different divisions (first and second division) and playing positions. Forty-five professional male basketball players (14 guards, 15 forwards, 16 centers) participated in this study voluntarily. For each player, anthropometric measurements were performed, as well as a multi-stage 20 m shuttle run, isokinetic leg strength, squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), 10–30 meter single-sprint and T-drill agility tests. The differences in terms of division were evaluated by independent t-test and the differences by playing position were evaluated by one-way ANOVA with Post Hoc Tukey test. First division players’ CMJ measurements were significantly higher than those of second division players’ (p≤0.05), whereas second division players’ 10 m sprint times were significantly better than those of first division players’ (p≤0.05). In addition, forwards and centers were significantly taller than guards. Centers were significantly heavier and their T-drill test performances were inferior to those of forwards and guards (p≤0.05). Moreover, guards had a significantly higher maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max) than centers. Guards and forwards showed significantly better performance in the 10 and 30 m sprint tests than centers (p≤0.05). Forwards and centers had significantly better left leg flexor strength at 180°.s−1(p≤0.05). In conclusion, the findings of the present study indicated that physical performance of professional basketball players differed among guards, forwards and centers, whereas there were not significant differences between first and second division players. According to the present study, court positions have different demands and physical attributes which are specific to each playing position in professional basketball players. Therefore, these results suggest that coaches should tailor fitness programs according to specific positions on the court. PMID:23486863

Comparison of chosen physical fitness characteristics of Turkish professional basketball players by division and playing position.

PubMed

Köklü, Yusuf; Alemdaroğlu, Utku; Koçak, Fatma Ünver; Erol, A Emre; Fındıkoğlu, Gülin

2011-12-01

The purpose of the present study was to compare chosen physical fitness characteristics of Turkish professional basketball players in different divisions (first and second division) and playing positions. Forty-five professional male basketball players (14 guards, 15 forwards, 16 centers) participated in this study voluntarily. For each player, anthropometric measurements were performed, as well as a multi-stage 20 m shuttle run, isokinetic leg strength, squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), 10-30 meter single-sprint and T-drill agility tests. The differences in terms of division were evaluated by independent t-test and the differences by playing position were evaluated by one-way ANOVA with Post Hoc Tukey test. First division players' CMJ measurements were significantly higher than those of second division players' (p≤0.05), whereas second division players' 10 m sprint times were significantly better than those of first division players' (p≤0.05). In addition, forwards and centers were significantly taller than guards. Centers were significantly heavier and their T-drill test performances were inferior to those of forwards and guards (p≤0.05). Moreover, guards had a significantly higher maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max) than centers. Guards and forwards showed significantly better performance in the 10 and 30 m sprint tests than centers (p≤0.05). Forwards and centers had significantly better left leg flexor strength at 180°.s(-1)(p≤0.05). In conclusion, the findings of the present study indicated that physical performance of professional basketball players differed among guards, forwards and centers, whereas there were not significant differences between first and second division players. According to the present study, court positions have different demands and physical attributes which are specific to each playing position in professional basketball players. Therefore, these results suggest that coaches should tailor fitness programs according to specific positions on the court.

Statistics of Public and Private School Library Media Centers, 1985-86 (with Historical Comparisons from 1958-1985).

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Williams, Jeffrey W.; And Others

This report presents the results of a national survey on the status of the library media resources and services in elementary and secondary public and private schools in the United States in 1985. Also included are selected comparisons of survey results with the 1975 AASL (American Association of School Librarians)/AECT (Association for…

Why an Active Comparison Group Makes a Difference and What to Do about It

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Datta, Lois-ellin

2007-01-01

The Randomized Control Trials (RCT) design and its quasi-experimental kissing cousin, the Comparison Group Trials (CGT), are golden to some and not even silver to others. At the center of the affection, at the vortex of the discomfort, are beliefs about what it takes to establish causality. These designs are considered primarily when the purpose…

Comparison of PIDC and IDC Event Bulletins

DTIC Science & Technology

2000-09-01

statistic as it was not used in the processing at the two data centers. The differences for hydro acoustic and infra sonic stations follow the pattern of...the seismic stations. For two of the infra sonic stations (ISM and IS59) data was only available at the PIDC during the study period. Software...defining phases, ndef. For the whole period the percentage of matched events is over 90% for ndef larger than five. Hydroacoustic and infrasonic

Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome in Santa Cruz, Bolivia: Outbreak Investigation and Antibody Prevalence Study

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-10-18

transmission, is vast, including the Amazon Basin of Brazil and contiguous lowlands of Peru , Bolivia, and Paraguay [13–17]. Assuming that the episode of...U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit 6, Lima, Peru , 3 Bolivian National Center for Tropical Diseases, Santa Cruz, Bolivia, 4 Argentine National Institute...preceding the outbreak was particularly heavy in comparison to other years, suggesting a possible climatic or ecological influence on rodent populations

Breast Cancer Research at NASA

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1998-01-01

Dr. Robert Richmond extracts breast cell tissue from one of two liquid nitrogen dewars. NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) is sponsoring research with Bioreactors, rotating wall vessels designed to grow tissue samples in space, to understand how breast cancer works. This ground-based work studies the growth and assembly of human mammary epithelial cells (HMEC) from breast cancer susceptible tissue. Radiation can make the cells cancerous, thus allowing better comparisons of healthy vs. tunourous tissues.

Comparison of calculated and observed integral magnitudes for the globular cluster M13

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

Gerashchenko, A.N.; Kadla, Z.I.

On the basis of a study of the distribution of stars in the central region of the globular cluster M13 it is found that integral photoelectric observations cover stars down to about the point of turnoff from the main sequence. Here the distribution of giants and stars of the horizontal branch as a function of distance from the center of the cluster is the same within limits of 0

Backward deletion to minimize prediction errors in models from factorial experiments with zero to six center points

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Holms, A. G.

1980-01-01

Population model coefficients were chosen to simulate a saturated 2 to the fourth power fixed effects experiment having an unfavorable distribution of relative values. Using random number studies, deletion strategies were compared that were based on the F distribution, on an order statistics distribution of Cochran's, and on a combination of the two. Results of the comparisons and a recommended strategy are given.

Agricultural and Ranching area, Rio Sao Francisco, Brazil

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1990-01-01

This agricultural and Ranching area, Rio Sao Francisco, Brazil (13.0S, 43.5W) has been under study for several years. See scene STS-31-92-045 for comparison. This area has many small single family subsistence farms, large square and rectangular commercial farms and pastures for livestock grazing. Over the several years of observation, the number and size of farms has increased and center-pivot, swing-arm irrigation systems have been installed.

Microgravity

NASA Image and Video Library

1998-10-10

Dr. Harry Mahtani analyzes the gas content of nutrient media from Bioreactor used in research on human breast cancer. NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) is sponsoring research with Bioreactors, rotating wall vessels designed to grow tissue samples in space, to understand how breast cancer works. This ground-based work studies the growth and assembly of human mammary epithelial cells (HMEC) from breast cancer susceptible tissue. Radiation can make the cells cancerous, thus allowing better comparisons of healthy vs. tunourous tissues.

Fair comparison of complexity between a multi-band CAP and DMT for data center interconnects.

PubMed

Wei, J L; Sanchez, C; Giacoumidis, E

2017-10-01

We present, to the best of our knowledge, the first known detailed analysis and fair comparison of complexity of a 56 Gb/s multi-band carrierless amplitude and phase (CAP) and discrete multi-tone (DMT) over 80 km dispersion compensation fiber-free single-mode fiber links based on intensity modulation and direct detection for data center interconnects. We show that the matched finite impulse response filters and inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT)/FFT take the majority of the complexity of the multi-band CAP and DMT, respectively. The choice of the multi-band CAP sub-band count and the DMT IFFT/FFT size makes significant impact on the system complexity or performance, and trade-off must be considered.

Perceived Dentist and Dental Hygienist Task Distribution After Dental and Dental Hygiene Students' Team Intervention.

PubMed

Reinders, Jan J; Krijnen, Wim P; Stegenga, Boudewijn; van der Schans, Cees P

2017-04-01

Attitudes of dental students regarding the provision of treatment tend to be dentist-centered; however, facilitating mixed student group formation could change such perceptions. The aim of this study was to investigate the perceived scope of practice of dental and dental hygiene students and whether their perceptions of task distribution between dentists and dental hygienists would change following an educational intervention consisting of feedback, intergroup comparison, and competition between mixed-group teams. The study employed a pretest-posttest single group design. Third-year dental students and second-year dental hygiene students at a university in The Netherlands were randomly assigned to intraprofessional teams (four or five members) and received team-based performance feedback and comparison. The intervention was finalized with an award ceremony for the best intraprofessional team. Before and after the intervention, students completed a questionnaire measuring their perceived distribution of ten tasks between dentists and dental hygienists. A total of 38 dental students and 32 dental hygiene students participated in the intervention-all 70 of those eligible. Questionnaires were completed by a total 88.4% (n=61) of the participants: 34 dental (89.5%) and 27 dental hygiene students (84.4%). Dental and dental hygiene students had similar perceptions regarding teeth cleaning (prophylaxis) (p=0.372, p=0.404) and, after the intervention, preventive tasks (p=0.078). Following the intervention, dental students considered four out of ten tasks as less dentist-centered: radiograph for periodontal diagnosis (p=0.003), local anesthesia (p=0.037), teeth cleaning (p=0.037), and periodontal treatment (p=0.045). Dental hygiene students perceived one task as being less dentist-centered after the intervention: radiograph for cariologic diagnosis (p=0.041). This study found that these dental and dental hygiene students had different opinions regarding the scope of practice for dentistry and dental hygiene. The number of redistributed tasks after the intervention was especially substantial among the dental students, although the amount of change per task was minimal. Half of all tasks were perceived as less dentist-centered as a result of the intervention.

Regional tectonic analysis of Venus equatorial highlands and comparison with Earth-based Magellan radar images

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Williams, David R.; Wetherill, George

1993-01-01

Research on regional tectonic analysis of Venus equatorial highlands and comparison with earth-based and Magellan radar images is presented. Over the past two years, the tectonic analysis of Venus performed centered on global properties of the planet, in order to understand fundamental aspects of the dynamics of the mantle and lithosphere of Venus. These include studies pertaining to the original constitutive and thermal character of the planet, as well as the evolution of Venus through time, and the present day tectonics. Parameterized convection models of the Earth and Venus were developed. The parameterized convection code was reformulated to model Venus with an initially hydrous mantle to determine how the cold-trap could affect the evolution of the planet.

Evaluation of the Emergency Response Dose Assessment System(ERDAS)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Evans, Randolph J.; Lambert, Winifred C.; Manobianco, John T.; Taylor, Gregory E.; Wheeler, Mark M.; Yersavich, Ann M.

1996-01-01

The emergency response dose assessment system (ERDAS) is a protype software and hardware system configured to produce routine mesoscale meteorological forecasts and enhanced dispersion estimates on an operational basis for the Kennedy Space Center (KSC)/Cape Canaveral Air Station (CCAS) region. ERDAS provides emergency response guidance to operations at KSC/CCAS in the case of an accidental hazardous material release or an aborted vehicle launch. This report describes the evaluation of ERDAS including: evaluation of sea breeze predictions, comparison of launch plume location and concentration predictions, case study of a toxic release, evaluation of model sensitivity to varying input parameters, evaluation of the user interface, assessment of ERDA's operational capabilities, and a comparison of ERDAS models to the ocean breeze dry gultch diffusion model.

Generalized simulation technique for turbojet engine system analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Seldner, K.; Mihaloew, J. R.; Blaha, R. J.

1972-01-01

A nonlinear analog simulation of a turbojet engine was developed. The purpose of the study was to establish simulation techniques applicable to propulsion system dynamics and controls research. A schematic model was derived from a physical description of a J85-13 turbojet engine. Basic conservation equations were applied to each component along with their individual performance characteristics to derive a mathematical representation. The simulation was mechanized on an analog computer. The simulation was verified in both steady-state and dynamic modes by comparing analytical results with experimental data obtained from tests performed at the Lewis Research Center with a J85-13 engine. In addition, comparison was also made with performance data obtained from the engine manufacturer. The comparisons established the validity of the simulation technique.

Radiographic Findings in Revision Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstructions from the MARS Cohort

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

The Multicenter ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) Revision Study (MARS) group was developed to investigate revision ACL reconstruction outcomes. An important part of this is obtaining and reviewing radiographic studies. The goal for this radiographic analysis is to establish radiographic findings for a large revision ACL cohort to allow comparison with future studies. The study was designed as a cohort study. Various established radiographic parameters were measured by three readers. These included sagittal and coronal femoral and tibial tunnel position, joint space narrowing, and leg alignment. Inter- and intraobserver comparisons were performed. Femoral sagittal position demonstrated 42% were more than 40% anterior to the posterior cortex. On the sagittal tibia tunnel position, 49% demonstrated some impingement on full-extension lateral radiographs. Limb alignment averaged 43% medial to the medial edge of the tibial plateau. On the Rosenberg view (45-degree flexion view), the minimum joint space in the medial compartment averaged 106% of the opposite knee, but it ranged down to a minimum of 4.6%. Lateral compartment narrowing at its minimum on the Rosenberg view averaged 91.2% of the opposite knee, but it ranged down to a minimum of 0.0%. On the coronal view, verticality as measured by the angle from the center of the tibial tunnel aperture to the center of the femoral tunnel aperture measured 15.8 degree ± 6.9% from vertical. This study represents the radiographic findings in the largest revision ACL reconstruction series ever assembled. Findings were generally consistent with those previously demonstrated in the literature. PMID:23404491

The BirthPlace collaborative practice model: results from the San Diego Birth Center Study.

PubMed

Swartz; Jackson; Lang; Ecker; Ganiats; Dickinson; Nguyen

1998-07-01

Objective: The search for quality, cost-effective health care programs in the United States is now a major focus in the era of health care reform. New programs need to be evaluated as alternatives are developed in the health care system. The BirthPlace program provides comprehensive perinatal services with certified nurse-midwives and obstetricians working together in an integrated collaborative practice serving a primarily low-income population. Low-risk women are delivered by nurse-midwives in a freestanding birth center (The BirthPlace), which is one component of a larger integrated health network. All others are delivered by team obstetricians at the affiliated tertiary hospital. Wellness, preventive measures, early intervention, and family involvement are emphasized. The San Diego Birth Center Study is a 4-year research project funded by the U.S. Federal Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (#R01-HS07161) to evaluate this program. The National Birth Center Study (NEJM, 1989; 321(26): 1801-11) described the advantages and safety of freestanding birth centers. However, a prospective cohort study with a concurrent comparison group of comparable risk had not been conducted on a collaborative practice-freestanding birth center model to address questions of safety, cost, and patient satisfaction.Methods: The specific aims of this study are to compare this collaborative practice model to the traditional model of perinatal health care (physician providers and hospital delivery). A prospective cohort study comparing these two health care models was conducted with a final expected sample size of approximately 2,000 birth center and 1,350 traditional care subjects. Women were recruited from both the birth center and traditional care programs (private physicians offices and hospital based clinics) at the beginning of prenatal care and followed through the end of the perinatal period. Prenatal, intrapartum, postpartum and infant morbidity and mortality are being compared along with cost-effectiveness and acceptance of the model by patients. Data collection occurred primarily through medical record abstraction with the addition of two patient questionnaires. Comparability of the cohorts was established by using a validated methodology to determine medical/perinatal risk and birth center eligibility, which included assessment by two CNMs and an independent blind review by a perinatologist. The cost analysis uses a resource-utilization approach and new methodologies such as activity-based-costing to compare costs from both the perspective of the payor and the health care provider. Patient satisfaction was measured using a self-administered patient questionnaire.Results: Current preliminary results from approximately 38% of the final expected study sample are available. Crude and adjusted analysis have been conducted. Overall, the preliminary results suggest similar morbidity and mortality in the two groups. Fetal deaths are 0.75% in the index and 0.64% in the comparison group, with early neonatal deaths at 0.26% and 0.23%, respectively. The traditional care group showed adjusted rate differences of 5.83% more major maternal intrapartum complications and 9% more NICU admissions. While the birth center group showed adjusted rate differences of 5.5% more low birth weight and 0.95% more preterm birth. For other outcomes, the birth center group showed an adjusted rate difference of 22.34% more exclusive breastfeeding at discharge. Also, there was less utilization of cesarean section and assisted delivery in the birth center group as compared to the traditional care group. The adjusted rate difference for normal spontaneous vaginal deliveries in nulliparas was 10.23% more in the birth center group, with similar results in multiparas with and without history of cesarean (28.88% and 7.84%, respectively). Preliminary results also show that the average total cost for pregnancy-related services paid by California Medicaid was $4,550 for the birth center and $5,535 for the traditional care group. Final results based on the full study sample (full data available February 1998) details of payor costs such as provider, facility, NICU, and ancillary along with costs from the health care system perspective and patient satisfaction results will be presented.Conclusion: Current results suggest similar morbidity and mortality between the birth center program and traditional care groups, with less resource utilization translating to lower costs in the collaborative practice model. Results suggest that collaborative practice using a freestanding birth center as an adjunct to an integrated perinatal health care system may provide a quality, lower-cost alternative for the provision of perinatal services.

Database Comparison of the Adult-to-Adult Living Donor Liver Transplantation Cohort Study (A2ALL) and the SRTR U.S. Transplant Registry1,2,3

PubMed Central

Gillespie, BW; Merion, RM; Ortiz-Rios, E; Tong, L; Shaked, A; Brown, RS; Ojo, AO; Hayashi, PH; Berg, CL; Abecassis, MM; Ashworth, AS; Friese, CE; Hong, JC; Trotter, JF; Everhart, JE

2010-01-01

Data submitted by transplant programs to the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) are used by the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR) for policy development, performance evaluation, and research. This study compared OPTN/SRTR data with data extracted from medical records by research coordinators from the nine-center A2ALL study. A2ALL data were collected independently of OPTN data submission (48 data elements among 785 liver transplant candidates/recipients; 12 data elements among 386 donors). At least 90% agreement occurred between OPTN/SRTR and A2ALL for 11/29 baseline recipient elements, 4/19 recipient transplant or follow-up elements, and 6/12 donor elements. For the remaining recipient and donor elements, >10% of values were missing in OPTN/SRTR but present in A2ALL, confirming that missing data were largely avoidable. Other than variables required for allocation, the percentage missing varied widely by center. These findings support an expanded focus on data quality control by OPTN/SRTR for a broader variable set than those used for allocation. Center-specific monitoring of missing values could substantially improve the data. PMID:20199501

Naratriptan in the Prophylactic Treatment of Cluster Headache.

PubMed

Ito, Yasuo; Mitsufuji, Takashi; Asano, Yoshio; Shimazu, Tomokazu; Kato, Yuji; Tanahashi, Norio; Maruki, Yuichi; Sakai, Fumihiko; Yamamoto, Toshimasa; Araki, Nobuo

2017-10-01

Objective Naratriptan has been reported to reduce the frequency of cluster headache. The purpose of this study was to determine whether naratriptan is effective as a prophylactic treatment for cluster headache in Japan. Methods We retrospectively reviewed all 43 patients with cluster headache who received preventive treatment with naratriptan from April 2009 to April 2015. The International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd Edition (beta version) (ICHD-3 beta) was used to diagnose cluster headache. This study was conducted at 3 centers (Department of Neurology, Saitama Medical University; Saitama Neuropsychiatric Institute; Saitama Medical University International Medical Center). Patients were recruited from these specialized headache outpatient centers. Naratriptan was taken before the patient went to bed. Results The study population included 30 men (69.8%) and 13 women (30.2%). Twenty-two cases received other preventive treatments (51.2%), while 21 cases only received naratriptan (48.8%). Among the 43 cases, 37 patients (86.0%) achieved an improvement of cluster headache on naratriptan. Conclusion Naratriptan has been suggested as a preventive medicine for cluster headache because of the longer the biological half-life in comparison to other triptans. The internal use of naratriptan 2 hours before attacks appears to achieve a good response in patients with cluster headache.

[EUROASPIRE III: a comparison between Turkey and Europe].

PubMed

Tokgözoğlu, Lale; Kaya, Ergün Bariş; Erol, Cetin; Ergene, Oktay

2010-04-01

The EUROASPIRE III survey was conducted in 2006-2007 in 22 countries in Europe (76 centers) to describe risk factors, lifestyle and therapeutic management of patients with coronary heart disease (CHD), compliance with current guidelines, and to document changes over time. This study aimed to assess the results of the EUROASPIRE III survey in terms of differences between Turkey and other European countries. The results of the EUROASPIRE III survey were compared with those of 17 centers from Turkey. Consecutive patients with a diagnosis of CHD (669 medical records, 23.8% women) were identified retrospectively, of which 338 patients (50.5%) were followed-up, interviewed, and examined at least six months after the index event (acute coronary syndrome or interventional procedure). Compared to the EUROASPIRE III data, recordings from Turkey's centers at discharge on classical risk factors did not exhibit remarkable differences; however, data on weight, height, waist circumference, lipid profile, glucose, and HbA1c measurements were more incomplete. In comparison to Europe population, the most important differences were observed in the higher rates of the following: young patients with myocardial infarction (>50 years, 20% vs. 12.7%), persistence in smoking (23.1% vs. 17.2%), immobility, low HDL-cholesterol (50.2% vs. 36.7%), insufficient follow-up by physicians after the index event (12% vs. 2.2%-except Turkey), and insufficient patient education. The data from the Turkey arm of the survey show that efforts for cardiovascular disease prevention fall short of the targets, similar to Europe.

An environmental intervention aimed at increasing physical activity levels in low-income women.

PubMed

Speck, Barbara J; Hines-Martin, Vicki; Stetson, Barbara A; Looney, Stephen W

2007-01-01

Regular physical activity is a health promotion and disease prevention behavior. Of all demographic groups, low-income women report the lowest levels of physical activity. The purpose of this study was to test an intervention aimed at reducing community environmental barriers to physical activity in low-income women. The research design was mixed methodology: (1) quantitative (quasi-experimental, pretest-posttest, cohort design in which no treatment partitioning was possible) and (2) qualitative (focus groups). The setting was a church-sponsored community center centrally located in a low-income urban neighborhood. The comparison group was recruited first followed by the intervention group to control for setting. The sample consisted of 104 women (comparison group, n = 53; intervention group, n = 51) between the ages of 18 and 63 years who were residents of neighborhoods served by the community center. No between-group differences were found for physical activity behavior. Significant between-group differences in cholesterol (P = .007) and perception of physical activity (P = .033) were observed. Significant intervention group increases from pretest to posttest were found related to advanced registered nurse practitioner support, friend support, and more positive physical activity environment at the community center. Qualitative data supported and enriched the quantitative data. Physical activity levels were not significantly different between the groups. In a sample of low-income women who have multiple barriers, improving attitudes, expanding their knowledge of community resources, and providing physical activity opportunities in their neighborhoods are important intermediate steps toward initiation and maintenance of regular physical activity.

Comparison of Clinicopathological Characteristics in the Patients with Cardiac Cancer with or without Esophagogastric Junctional Invasion: A Single-Center Retrospective Cohort Study

PubMed Central

Ito, Hiroaki; Inoue, Haruhiro; Odaka, Noriko; Satodate, Hitoshi; Suzuki, Michitaka; Mukai, Shumpei; Takehara, Yusuke; Omoto, Tomokatsu; Kudo, Shin-ei

2013-01-01

Background. This study addresses clinicopathological differences between patients with gastric cardia and subcardial cancer with and without esophagogastric junctional invasion. Methods. We performed a single-center, retrospective cohort study. We studied patients who underwent curative surgery for gastric cardia and subcardial cancers. Tumors centered in the proximal 5 cm of the stomach were classed into two types, according to whether they did (Ge) or did not (G) invade the esophagogastric junction. Results. A total of 80 patients were studied; 19 (73.1%) of 26 Ge tumors and 16 (29.6%) of 54 G tumors had lymph nodes metastases. Incidence of nodal metastasis in pT1 tumors was significantly higher in the Ge tumor group. No nodal metastasis in cervical lymph nodes was recognized. Only two patients with Ge tumors had mediastinal lymph node metastases. Incidence of perigastric lymph node metastasis was significantly higher in those with Ge tumors. Ge tumors tended to be staged as progressive disease using the esophageal cancer staging manual rather than the gastric cancer staging manual. Conclusion. Because there are some differences in clinicopathological characteristics, it is thought to be adequate to distinguish type Ge from type G tumor. PMID:23365732

Prospective randomized comparison of rotational angiography with three-dimensional reconstruction and computed tomography merged with electro-anatomical mapping: a two center atrial fibrillation ablation study.

PubMed

Anand, Rishi; Gorev, Maxim V; Poghosyan, Hermine; Pothier, Lindsay; Matkins, John; Kotler, Gregory; Moroz, Sarah; Armstrong, James; Nemtsov, Sergei V; Orlov, Michael V

2016-08-01

To compare the efficacy and accuracy of rotational angiography with three-dimensional reconstruction (3DATG) image merged with electro-anatomical mapping (EAM) vs. CT-EAM. A prospective, randomized, parallel, two-center study conducted in 36 patients (25 men, age 65 ± 10 years) undergoing AF ablation (33 % paroxysmal, 67 % persistent) guided by 3DATG (group 1) vs. CT (group 2) image fusion with EAM. 3DATG was performed on the Philips Allura Xper FD 10 system. Procedural characteristics including time, radiation exposure, outcome, and navigation accuracy were compared between two groups. There was no significant difference between the groups in total procedure duration or time spent for various procedural steps. Minor differences in procedural characteristics were present between two centers. Segmentation and fusion time for 3DATG or CT-EAM was short and similar between both centers. Accuracy of navigation guided by either method was high and did not depend on left atrial size. Maintenance of sinus rhythm between the two groups was no different up to 24 months of follow-up. This study did not find superiority of 3DATG-EAM image merge to guide AF ablation when compared to CT-EAM fusion. Both merging techniques result in similar navigation accuracy.

Motor imagery group practice for gait rehabilitation in individuals with post-stroke hemiparesis: a pilot study.

PubMed

Dickstein, Ruth; Levy, Sandra; Shefi, Sara; Holtzman, Sarit; Peleg, Sara; Vatine, Jean-Jacques

2014-01-01

Stroke is the leading cause of adult disability, with walking impairment being a devastating indicator of chronic post-stroke hemiparesis. Limited resources exist for individual treatments; therefore, the delivery of safe group exercise therapy is highly desired. To examine whether the application of group-based motor imagery practice to community-dwelling individuals with chronic hemiparesis improves gait. Sixteen individuals with chronic hemiparesis from two community centers participated in the study, with eight from each center. Four participants in each center received five weeks of the experimental intervention, consisting of group-based motor imagery exercises of gait tasks, followed by five weeks of control treatment of motor imagery exercises for the affected upper extremity. Four other subjects in each center received the same treatments in reverse order. Pre- and post intervention measurements included clinical and biomechanical gait parameters. Comparisons within (pre- vs. post) and between treatments (experimental vs. control) indicated no significant change in any gait variable. Nevertheless, the verbal reports of most participants alluded to satisfaction with the experimental intervention and to an increase in self-confidence. Despite the lack of evidence for the effectiveness of group-based motor imagery practice in improving gait among individuals with chronic hemiparesis, the contrast between the measured outcomes and the positive verbal reports merits further inquiry.

Lidar Wind Profiler Comparison to Weather Balloon for Support of Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle Landings

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Houtas, Franzeska; Teets, Edward H., Jr.

2010-01-01

A comparison study by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, CA and the Naval Post Graduate School Center for Interdisciplinary Remotely-Piloted Aircraft Studies, Marina, CA was conducted to show the advantages of an airborne wind profiling lidar system in reducing drift uncertainty along a reentry vehicle descent trajectory. This effort was in support of the once planned Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle ground landing. A Twin Otter Doppler Wind Lidar was flown on multiple flights along the approximate ground track of an ascending weather balloons launched from the Marina Municipal Airport. The airborne lidar used was a 5-milli-Joules, 2-micron infrared laser with a 10-centimeter telescope and a two-axis scanner. Each lidar wind profile contains data for an altitude range between the surface and flight altitude of 2,700 meters, processed on board every 20 seconds. In comparison, a typical weather balloon would traverse that same altitude range with a similar data set available in approximately 15-20 minutes. These tests were conducted on November 15 & 16, 2007. Results comparing the balloon and a 10 minute multiple lidar profile averages show a best case absolute difference of 0.18 m/s (0.35 knots) in speed and 1 degree in direction during light and variable (less than 5 knots, without constant direction) wind conditions. These limited test results indicated a standard deviation wind velocity and direction differences of 0.71 m/s (1.3 knots) and 7.17 degrees for 1800Z, and 0.70 m/s (1.3 knots) and 6.79 degrees, outside of cloud layer.

Pioneering quality assessment in European cancer centers: a data analysis of the organization for European cancer institutes accreditation and designation program.

PubMed

Saghatchian, Mahasti; Thonon, Frédérique; Boomsma, Femke; Hummel, Henk; Koot, Bert; Harrison, Chris; Rajan, Abinaya; de Valeriola, Dominique; Otter, Renée; Laranja Pontes, José; Lombardo, Claudio; McGrath, Eoin; Ringborg, Ulrik; Tursz, Thomas; van Harten, Wim

2014-09-01

In order to improve the quality of care in Cancer Centers (CC) and designate Comprehensive Cancer Centers (CCCs), the Organization for European Cancer Institutes (OECI) launched an Accreditation and Designation (A&D) program. The program facilitates the collection of defined data and the assessment of cancer center quality. This study analyzes the results of the first 10 European centers that entered the program. The assessment included 927 items divided across qualitative and quantitative questionnaires. Data collected during self-assessment and peer-review from the 10 first participating centers were combined in a database for comparative analysis using simple statistics. Quantitative and qualitative results were validated by auditors during the peer review visits. Volumes of various functions and activities dedicated to care, research, and education varied widely among centers. There were no significant differences in resources for radiology, radiotherapy, pathologic diagnostic, and surgery. Differences were observed in the use of clinical pathways but not for the practices of holding multidisciplinary team meetings and conforming to guidelines. Regarding human resources, main differences were in the composition and number of supportive care and research staff. All 10 centers applied as CCCs; five obtained the label, and five were designated as CCs. The OECI A&D program allows comparisons between centers with regard to management, research, care, education, and designation as CCs or CCCs. Through the peer review system, recommendations for improvements are given. Assessing the added value of the program, as well as research and patient treatment outcomes, is the next step. Copyright © 2014 by American Society of Clinical Oncology.

Comparison of mean climate trends in the Northern Hemisphere between National Centers for Environmental Prediction and two atmosphere-ocean model forced runs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lucarini, Valerio; Russell, Gary L.

2002-08-01

Results are presented for two greenhouse gas experiments of the Goddard Institute for Space Studies atmosphere-ocean model (AOM). The computed trends of surface pressure; surface temperature; 850, 500, and 200 mbar geopotential heights; and related temperatures of the model for the time frame 1960-2000 are compared with those obtained from the National Centers for Enviromental Prediction (NCEP) observations. The domain of interest is the Northern Hemisphere because of the higher reliability of both the model results and the observations. A spatial correlation analysis and a mean value comparison are performed, showing good agreement in terms of statistical significance for most of the variables considered in the winter and annual means. However, the 850 mbar temperature trends do not show significant positive correlation, and the surface pressure and 850 mbar geopotential height mean trends confidence intervals do not overlap. A brief general discussion about the statistics of trend detection is presented. The accuracy that this AOM has in describing the regional and NH mean climate trends inferred from NCEP through the atmosphere suggests that it may be reliable in forecasting future climate changes.

Lift and center of pressure of wing-body-tail combinations at subsonic, transonic, and supersonic speeds

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pitts, William C; Nielsen, Jack N; Kaattari, George E

1957-01-01

A method is presented for calculating the lift and centers of pressure of wing-body and wing-body-tail combinations at subsonic, transonic, and supersonic speeds. A set of design charts and a computing table are presented which reduce the computations to routine operations. Comparison between the estimated and experimental characteristics for a number of wing-body and wing-body-tail combinations shows correlation to within + or - 10 percent on lift and to within about + or - 0.02 of the body length on center of pressure.

Balancing psychache and resilience in aging Holocaust survivors.

PubMed

Ohana, Irit; Golander, Hava; Barak, Yoram

2014-06-01

Psychache can and does co-exist alongside resilience and coping amongst trauma survivors. This has been the center of the a-integrative theory of aging demonstrating an attitude to life based on cognitive and emotional dimensions. Aging of Holocaust survivors (HS) is especially difficult when focus is brought to the issue of integrating their life history. The present study aimed to investigate the interplay between psychache and resilience amongst aging HS. Cross-sectional study of HS and a matched comparison group recruited from the general population was carried out. All underwent a personal interview and endorsed quantifiable psychache and resilience scales. We enrolled 214 elderly participants: 107 HS and 107 comparison participants. Mean age for the participants was 80.7± years; there were 101 women and 113 men in each group. Holocaust survivors did not differ in the level of resilience from comparisons (mean: 5.82 ± 0.68 vs. 5.88 ± 0.55, respectively). Psychache was significantly more intense in the HS group (F(8,205) = 2.21; p < 0.05). The present study demonstrates the complex interplay between psychache and resilience. Aging HS still have to cope with high levels of psychache while realizing a life-long process of development through resilience.

Prevalence of major obstructive sleep apnea syndrome symptoms in coal miners and healthy adults.

PubMed

Kart, Levent; Dutkun, Yalçın; Altın, Remzi; Ornek, Tacettin; Kıran, Sibel

2010-01-01

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is associated with symptoms including habitual snoring, witness apnea and excessive daytime sleepiness. Also obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is related to some occupations which are needed attention for work accident. We aimed to determine the prevalence of snoring, witnessed apnea and excessive daytime sleepiness in coal workers and healthy adults in Zonguldak city center, and also evaluate the differences between these groups. This study consisted of 423 underground coal workers and 355 individuals living in centre of Zonguldak. Study and comparison group were chosen by nonstratified randomized sampling method. Data were collected by a questionnaire that included information regarding snoring, witnessed apnea and excessive daytime sleepiness. Mean age was 43.3 ± 6.05 years in miners and 44.3 ± 11.8 years in comparison group. In miners, snoring frequency was determined as 42.6%, witnessed apneas were 4.0%, and daytime sleepiness were 4.7%. In comparison group, these symptoms were 38.6%, 4.8% and 2.8% respectively. There were no statistical differences between coal workers and comparison group in these symptoms. Also snoring prevalence was higher in smoker miners. We found that major symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in coal workers are similar to general population in Zonguldak. Further studies that constucted higher populations and with polysomnography are needed to evaluate these findings.

The Comparison of Relationship Beliefs and Couples Burnout in women who apply for Divorce and Women Who Want to Continue their Marital Life

PubMed Central

Adibrad, Nastaran; Sedgh poor, Bahram Saleh

2010-01-01

Objective The aim of this study was to examine the comparison of relationship beliefs and couples burnout in women who apply for divorce and women who want to continue their marital life. Method for this study, 50 women who referred to judicial centers and 50 women who claimed they wanted to continue their marital life were randomly selected. Participants were asked to complete the relationship beliefs inventory and marital burnout questionnaires. In this study, descriptive statistical methods such as standard deviation, mean, t- students for independent groups, correlation, multi-variable regression and independent group's correlation difference test were used. Results The comparison between the relationship beliefs of the 2 groups (those wanting to divorce and women wanting to continue their marital life) was significantly different (p<0/1). In addition, the comparison of marital burnout was significantly different in the 2 groups (p<0/1). Discussion Women who were about to divorce were significantly different from those who wanted to continue their marital relationship in the general measure of the relationship beliefs and factors of “believing that disagreement is destructive and their partners can not change their undesirable behaviors”. In other words, women who were applying for divorce had more unreasonable thoughts and burnout compared to those who wanted to continue their marital life. PMID:22952488

Stereogenic Centers and Axes: A Comparison of the Chiral Topologies Available to Cabcd and AbC=C=Ccd

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lloyd-Williams, Paul; Giralt, Ernest

2005-01-01

A clarification of concepts and a comparative analysis of chirality as a consequence of stereogenic center and axes are provided by considering the different possibilities for the archetypical molecule Cabcd. The key difference between Cabcd and abC=C=Ccd and, by extension, between molecules incorporating a stereogenic axis, is in the number of…

Lining up: The Relationship between the Common Core State Standards and Five Sets of Comparison Standards

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Conley, David T.; Drummond, Kathryn V.; de Gonzalez, Alicia; Seburn, Mary; Stout, Odile; Rooseboom, Jennifer

2011-01-01

In June 2010, the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) and the Council of Chief State School Offices (CCSSO) released the Common Core State Standards. The stated aim of the Common Core standards is to define the knowledge and skills students should achieve in order to graduate from high school ready to succeed in a…

Inventory of Information Resources; A Comparison of the American Geological Institute (AGI) Pilot Project with the National Referral Center (NRC) Inventory.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Price, John F.

The National Referral Center (NRC) and its many services to the scientific and technical community are discussed in some detail as a preamble to a proposal of a cooperative arrangement between NRC and the American Geological Institute (AGI), its supporting societies, and all geoscientists in a combined effort to enlarge and maintain a…

Dietary acrylamide intake of adults in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition differs greatly according to geographical region.

PubMed

Freisling, Heinz; Moskal, Aurelie; Ferrari, Pietro; Nicolas, Geneviève; Knaze, Viktoria; Clavel-Chapelon, Françoise; Boutron-Ruault, Marie-Christine; Nailler, Laura; Teucher, Birgit; Grote, Verena A; Boeing, Heiner; Clemens, Matthias; Tjønneland, Anne; Olsen, Anja; Overvad, Kim; Quirós, J Ramón; Duell, Eric J; Sánchez, María-José; Amiano, Pilar; Chirlaque, Maria-Dolores; Barricarte, Aurelio; Khaw, Kay-Tee; Wareham, Nicholas J; Crowe, Francesca L; Gallo, Valentina; Oikonomou, Eleni; Naska, Androniki; Trichopoulou, Antonia; Palli, Domenico; Agnoli, Claudia; Tumino, Rosario; Polidoro, Silvia; Mattiello, Amalia; Bueno-de-Mesquita, H Bas; Ocké, Marga C; Peeters, Petra H M; Wirfält, Elisabet; Ericson, Ulrika; Bergdahl, Ingvar A; Johansson, Ingegerd; Hjartåker, Anette; Engeset, Dagrun; Skeie, Guri; Riboli, Elio; Slimani, Nadia

2013-06-01

Methodological differences in assessing dietary acrylamide (AA) often hamper comparisons of intake across populations. Our aim was to describe the mean dietary AA intake in 27 centers of 10 European countries according to selected lifestyle characteristics and its contributing food sources in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) study. In this cross-sectional analysis, 36 994 men and women, aged 35-74 years completed a single, standardized 24-hour dietary recall using EPIC-Soft. Food consumption data were matched to a harmonized AA database. Intake was computed by gender and center, and across categories of habitual alcohol consumption, smoking status, physical activity, education, and body mass index (BMI). Adjustment was made for participants' age, height, weight, and energy intake using linear regression models. Adjusted mean AA intake across centers ranged from 13 to 47 μg/day in men and from 12 to 39 μg/day in women; intakes were higher in northern European centers. In most centers, intake in women was significantly higher among alcohol drinkers compared with abstainers. There were no associations between AA intake and physical activity, BMI, or education. At least 50 % of AA intake across centers came from two food groups "bread, crisp bread, rusks" and "coffee." The third main contributing food group was "potatoes". Dietary AA intake differs greatly among European adults residing in different geographical regions. This observed heterogeneity in AA intake deserves consideration in the design and interpretation of population-based studies of dietary AA intake and health outcomes.

Skeletal responses to spaceflight

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Morey-Holton, Emily R.; Arnaud, Sara B.

1991-01-01

The effect of gravity on the skeletal development and on the bone composition and its regulation in vertebrates is discussed. Results are presented from spaceflight and ground studies in both man and rat on the effect of microgravity on the bone-mineral metabolism (in both species) and on bone maturation and growth (in rats). Special attention is given to a ground-based flight-simulation rat model developed at NASA's Ames Research Center for studies of bone structure at the molecular, organ, and whole-body levels and to comparisons of estimated results with spaceflight data.

Comparative Study of Impedance Eduction Methods, Part 2: NASA Tests and Methodology

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jones, Michael G.; Watson, Willie R.; Howerton, Brian M.; Busse-Gerstengarbe, Stefan

2013-01-01

A number of methods have been developed at NASA Langley Research Center for eduction of the acoustic impedance of sound-absorbing liners mounted in the wall of a flow duct. This investigation uses methods based on the Pridmore-Brown and convected Helmholtz equations to study the acoustic behavior of a single-layer, conventional liner fabricated by the German Aerospace Center and tested in the NASA Langley Grazing Flow Impedance Tube. Two key assumptions are explored in this portion of the investigation. First, a comparison of results achieved with uniform-flow and shear-flow impedance eduction methods is considered. Also, an approach based on the Prony method is used to extend these methods from single-mode to multi-mode implementations. Finally, a detailed investigation into the effects of harmonic distortion on the educed impedance is performed, and the results are used to develop guidelines regarding acceptable levels of harmonic distortion

[Inter-laboratory reproducibility of pulsed-field electrophoresis for the study of 12 types of Pseudomonas aeruginosa].

PubMed

Foissaud, V; Puyhardy, J M; Chapalain, J C; Salord, H; Depina, J J; Morillon, M; Nicolas, P; Perrier-Gros-Claude, J D

1999-12-01

The increasing hospital-to-hospital transmission of multiple drug-resistant bacteria is a major concern for bacteriology laboratories involved in nosocomial infection control. The interlaboratory reproducibility of pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) for Pseudomonas aeruginosa typing was evaluated by asking four hospital laboratories (two in Lyon, one in Brest, and one in Marseille) to study 11 P. aeruginosa isolates, some of which were epidemiologically related, and the reference strain ATCC 27853. Two laboratories used the Genepath system, one the Chef DR II, system, and one the Chef Mapper system, Bio-Rad, restriction/Spe I. Profiles were read visually and by computerized comparison of restriction band molecular weights (Taxotron, software, PAD Grimont, Pasteur Institute, Paris, France). These two methods led to similar epidemiological conclusions. However, centralization of the data showed poor center-to-center reproducibility due to inadequate standardization of the procedure.

Aerosol Profile Measurements from the NASA Langley Research Center Airborne High Spectral Resolution Lidar

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Obland, Michael D.; Hostetler, Chris A.; Ferrare, Richard A.; Hair, John W.; Roers, Raymond R.; Burton, Sharon P.; Cook, Anthony L.; Harper, David B.

2008-01-01

Since achieving first light in December of 2005, the NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC) Airborne High Spectral Resolution Lidar (HSRL) has been involved in seven field campaigns, accumulating over 450 hours of science data across more than 120 flights. Data from the instrument have been used in a variety of studies including validation and comparison with the Cloud- Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation (CALIPSO) satellite mission, aerosol property retrievals combining passive and active instrument measurements, aerosol type identification, aerosol-cloud interactions, and cloud top and planetary boundary layer (PBL) height determinations. Measurements and lessons learned from the HSRL are leading towards next-generation HSRL instrument designs that will enable even further studies of aerosol intensive and extensive parameters and the effects of aerosols on the climate system. This paper will highlight several of the areas in which the NASA Airborne HSRL is making contributions to climate science.

Effect of craniosacral therapy on lower urinary tract signs and symptoms in multiple sclerosis.

PubMed

Raviv, Gil; Shefi, Shai; Nizani, Dalia; Achiron, Anat

2009-05-01

To examine whether craniosacral therapy improves lower urinary tract symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. A prospective cohort study. Out-patient clinic of multiple sclerosis center in a referral medical center. Hands on craniosacral therapy (CST). Change in lower urinary tract symptoms, post voiding residual volume and quality of life. Patients from our multiple sclerosis clinic were assessed before and after craniosacral therapy. Evaluation included neurological examination, disability status determination, ultrasonographic post voiding residual volume estimation and questionnaires regarding lower urinary tract symptoms and quality of life. Twenty eight patients met eligibility criteria and were included in this study. Comparison of post voiding residual volume, lower urinary tract symptoms and quality of life before and after craniosacral therapy revealed a significant improvement (0.001>p>0.0001). CST was found to be an effective means for treating lower urinary tract symptoms and improving quality of life in MS patients.

The role of CEUS in characterization of superficial lymph nodes: a single center prospective study

PubMed Central

de Stefano, Giorgio; Scognamiglio, Umberto; Di Martino, Filomena; Parrella, Roberto; Scarano, Francesco; Signoriello, Giuseppe; Farella, Nunzia

2016-01-01

Accurate lymph node characterization is important in a large number of clinical settings. We evaluated the usefulness of Contrast Enhanced Ultrasound (CEUS) in distinguishing between benign and malignant lymph nodes compared with conventional ultrasonography in the differential diagnosis of superficial lymphadenopathy. We present our experience for 111 patients enrolled in a single center. 111 superficial lymph nodes were selected and only 1 lymph node per patient underwent CEUS. A definitive diagnosis for all lymph nodes was obtained by ultrasonographically guided biopsy and/or excision biopsy. The size of the lymph nodes, the site (neck, axilla, inguinal region) being easily accessible for biopsy, and the US and color Doppler US characteristics guided us in selecting the nodes to be evaluated by CEUS. In our study we identified different enhancement patterns in benign and malignant lymph nodes, with a high degree of diagnostic accuracy for superficial lymphadenopathy in comparison with conventional US. PMID:27191746

Structural Studies of Bacterioferritin B (BfrB) from Pseudomonas aeruginosa Suggest a Gating Mechanism for Iron Uptake via the Ferroxidase Center¥

PubMed Central

Weeratunga, Saroja K.; Lovell, Scott; Yao, Huili; Battaile, Kevin P.; Fischer, Christopher J.; Gee, Casey E.; Rivera, Mario

2010-01-01

The structure of recombinant P. aeruginosa bacterioferritin B (Pa BfrB) has been solved from crystals grown from protein devoid of core mineral iron (as-isolated) and from protein mineralized with ~ 600 iron atoms (mineralized). Structures were also obtained from crystals grown from mineralized BfrB after soaking them in FeSO4 solution (Fe soak) and in separate experiments after soaking them in FeSO4 solution followed by soaking in crystallization solution (double soak). Although the structures consist of a typical bacterioferritin fold comprised of a nearly spherical 24-mer assembly that binds 12 heme molecules, comparison of microenvironments observed in the distinct structures provided interesting insights: The ferroxidase center in the as-isolated, mineralized and double soak structures is empty. The ferroxidase ligands (except His130) are poised to bind iron with minimal conformational changes. The His130 side chain, on the other hand, must rotate toward the ferroxidase center to coordinate iron. In comparison, the structure obtained from crystals soaked in an FeSO4 solution display a fully occupied ferroxidase center and iron bound to the internal, Fe(in), and external, Fe(out), surfaces of Pa BfrB. The conformation of His130 in this structure is rotated toward the ferroxidase center and coordinates an iron ion. The structures also revealed a pore on the surface of Pa BfrB that likely serves as an entry port for Fe2+ to the ferroxidase center. On its opposite end the pore is capped by the side chain of His130 when it adopts its “gate closed” conformation that enables coordination to a ferroxidase iron. A change to its “gate-open”, non-coordinative conformation, creates a path for the translocation of iron from the ferroxidase center to the interior cavity. These structural observations, together with findings obtained from iron incorporation measurements in solution suggest that the ferroxidase pore is the dominant entry route for the uptake of iron by Pa BfrB. These findings, which are clearly distinct from those made with E. coli Bfr (Crow, A. C., Lawson, T. L., Lewin, A., Moore, G. R., and Le Brun, N. E. (2009) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 131, 6808–6813) indicate that not all bacterioferritins operate in the same manner. PMID:20067302

A cautionary note on the use of the Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) in classification designs with and without within-subject factors

PubMed Central

Schneider, Bruce A.; Avivi-Reich, Meital; Mozuraitis, Mindaugas

2015-01-01

A number of statistical textbooks recommend using an analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) to control for the effects of extraneous factors that might influence the dependent measure of interest. However, it is not generally recognized that serious problems of interpretation can arise when the design contains comparisons of participants sampled from different populations (classification designs). Designs that include a comparison of younger and older adults, or a comparison of musicians and non-musicians are examples of classification designs. In such cases, estimates of differences among groups can be contaminated by differences in the covariate population means across groups. A second problem of interpretation will arise if the experimenter fails to center the covariate measures (subtracting the mean covariate score from each covariate score) whenever the design contains within-subject factors. Unless the covariate measures on the participants are centered, estimates of within-subject factors are distorted, and significant increases in Type I error rates, and/or losses in power can occur when evaluating the effects of within-subject factors. This paper: (1) alerts potential users of ANCOVA of the need to center the covariate measures when the design contains within-subject factors, and (2) indicates how they can avoid biases when one cannot assume that the expected value of the covariate measure is the same for all of the groups in a classification design. PMID:25954230

Trends in Study Methods Used in Undergraduate Medical Education Research, 1969–2007

PubMed Central

Baernstein, Amy; Liss, Hillary K.; Carney, Patricia A.; Elmore, Joann G.

2011-01-01

Context Evidence-based medical education requires rigorous studies appraising educational efficacy. Objectives To assess trends over time in methods used to evaluate undergraduate medical education interventions and to identify whether participation of medical education departments or centers is associated with more rigorous methods. Data Sources The PubMed, Cochrane Controlled Trials Registry, Campbell Collaboration, and ERIC databases (January 1966–March 2007) were searched using terms equivalent to students, medical and education, medical crossed with all relevant study designs. Study Selection We selected publications in all languages from every fifth year, plus the most recent 12 months, that evaluated an educational intervention for undergraduate medical students. Four hundred seventy-two publications met criteria for review. Data Extraction Data were abstracted on number of participants; types of comparison groups; whether outcomes assessed were objective, subjective, and/or validated; timing of outcome assessments; funding; and participation of medical education departments and centers. Ten percent of publications were independently abstracted by 2 authors to assess validity of the data abstraction. Results The annual number of publications increased over time from 1 (1969–1970) to 147 (2006–2007). In the most recent year, there was a mean of 145 medical student participants; 9 (6%) recruited participants from multiple institutions; 80 (54%) used comparison groups; 37 (25%) used randomized control groups; 91 (62%) had objective outcomes; 23 (16%) had validated outcomes; 35 (24%) assessed an outcome more than 1 month later; 21 (14%) estimated statistical power; and 66 (45%) reported funding. In 2006–2007, medical education department or center participation, reported in 46 (31%) of the recent publications, was associated only with enrolling more medical student participants (P = .04); for all studies from 1969 to 2007, it was associated only with measuring an objective outcome (P = .048). Between 1969 and 2007, the percentage of publications reporting statistical power and funding increased; percentages did not change for other study features. Conclusions The annual number of published studies of undergraduate medical education interventions demonstrating methodological rigor has been increasing. However, considerable opportunities for improvement remain. PMID:17785648

Interlaboratory studies on in vitro test methods for estimating in vivo resorption of calcium phosphate ceramics.

PubMed

Ito, Atsuo; Sogo, Yu; Yamazaki, Atsushi; Aizawa, Mamoru; Osaka, Akiyoshi; Hayakawa, Satoshi; Kikuchi, Masanori; Yamashita, Kimihiro; Tanaka, Yumi; Tadokoro, Mika; de Sena, Lídia Ágata; Buchanan, Fraser; Ohgushi, Hajime; Bohner, Marc

2015-10-01

A potential standard method for measuring the relative dissolution rate to estimate the resorbability of calcium-phosphate-based ceramics is proposed. Tricalcium phosphate (TCP), magnesium-substituted TCP (MgTCP) and zinc-substituted TCP (ZnTCP) were dissolved in a buffer solution free of calcium and phosphate ions at pH 4.0, 5.5 or 7.3 at nine research centers. Relative values of the initial dissolution rate (relative dissolution rates) were in good agreement among the centers. The relative dissolution rate coincided with the relative volume of resorption pits of ZnTCP in vitro. The relative dissolution rate coincided with the relative resorbed volume in vivo in the case of comparison between microporous MgTCPs with different Mg contents and similar porosity. However, the relative dissolution rate was in poor agreement with the relative resorbed volume in vivo in the case of comparison between microporous TCP and MgTCP due to the superimposition of the Mg-mediated decrease in TCP solubility on the Mg-mediated increase in the amount of resorption. An unambiguous conclusion could not be made as to whether the relative dissolution rate is predictive of the relative resorbed volume in vivo in the case of comparison between TCPs with different porosity. The relative dissolution rate may be useful for predicting the relative amount of resorption for calcium-phosphate-based ceramics having different solubility under the condition that the differences in the materials compared have little impact on the resorption process such as the number and activity of resorbing cells. The evaluation and subsequent optimization of the resorbability of calcium phosphate are crucial in the use of resorbable calcium phosphates. Although the resorbability of calcium phosphates has usually been evaluated in vivo, establishment of a standard in vitro method that can predict in vivo resorption is beneficial for accelerating development and commercialization of new resorbable calcium phosphate materials as well as reducing use of animals. However, there are only a few studies to propose such an in vitro method within which direct comparison was carried out between in vitro and in vivo resorption. We propose here an in vitro method based on measuring dissolution rate. The efficacy and limitations of the method were evaluated by international round-robin tests as well as comparison with in vivo resorption studies for future standardization. This study was carried out as one of Versailles Projects on Advanced Materials and Standards (VAMAS). Copyright © 2015 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Parachute-deployment-parameter identification based on an analytical simulation of Viking BLDT AV-4

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Talay, T. A.

1974-01-01

A six-degree-of-freedom analytical simulation of parachute deployment dynamics developed at the Langley Research Center is presented. A comparison study was made using flight results from the Viking Balloon Launched Decelerator Test (BLDT) AV-4. Since there are significant voids in the knowledge of vehicle and decelerator aerodynamics and suspension system physical properties, a set of deployment-parameter input has been defined which may be used as a basis for future studies of parachute deployment dynamics. The study indicates the analytical model is sufficiently sophisticated to investigate parachute deployment dynamics with reasonable accuracy.

Highlights of Transient Plume Impingement Model Validation and Applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Woronowicz, Michael

2011-01-01

This paper describes highlights of an ongoing validation effort conducted to assess the viability of applying a set of analytic point source transient free molecule equations to model behavior ranging from molecular effusion to rocket plumes. The validation effort includes encouraging comparisons to both steady and transient studies involving experimental data and direct simulation Monte Carlo results. Finally, this model is applied to describe features of two exotic transient scenarios involving NASA Goddard Space Flight Center satellite programs.

A Cost-Comparison Study Using Actual CHAMPUS Formulas to Price Wilford Hall Medical Center’s FY 1993 Inpatient Workload to Determine Whether CHAMPUS is the More Cost-Effective Health Care Delivery System.

DTIC Science & Technology

1994-05-01

PODIATRY AECA HAND SURGERY 3UB MED SVC MIL PER REC ACT TOTAL 0.00 558.00 558. 00 0.00 0.00 64.00 400.00 "袎.00 1022.00 ABIA PLASTIC...ABHA PEDIATRIC SURGERY ABHP PEDIATRIC SURGERY PART ABH SUBTOTAL ABIA PLASTIC SURGERY ABI SUBTOTAL ABKA UROLOGY _ ABK SUBTOTAL AA ORGAN

Breast Cancer Research at NASA

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1998-01-01

Dr. Harry Mahtani analyzes the gas content of nutrient media from Bioreactor used in research on human breast cancer. NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) is sponsoring research with Bioreactors, rotating wall vessels designed to grow tissue samples in space, to understand how breast cancer works. This ground-based work studies the growth and assembly of human mammary epithelial cells (HMEC) from breast cancer susceptible tissue. Radiation can make the cells cancerous, thus allowing better comparisons of healthy vs. tunourous tissues.

Department of Clinical Investigation Annual Research Progress Report, Fiscal Year 1984. Volume 2,

DTIC Science & Technology

1984-10-01

Brooke Army Medical Center Dept/Svc Associate Investigators: Department of Pediatrics Key Words: Ewing ’s sarcoma Accumulative MEDCASE Eat Accumulative...Modality Therapy for Disseminated Soft Tissue 289 Sarcomas , Phase III. (0) SWOG 8025 Combination Chemotherapy for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. 290 *(C...Metastatic Islet Cell 318 Carcinoma, Phase I1. (0) SWOG 8209 A Study of AZQ in Soft Tissue and Bony Sarcomas , Phase 1I. 319 (C) SWOG 8210 A Comparison

Utilities Cost Comparison Analysis between a Public Work Center and the Non-DoD Sector

DTIC Science & Technology

1992-12-01

construction, consider innovative financing and 14 management arrangements (e.g. cost-sharing, public-private venture, leasing). Integrate...and services by financing all incurred costs. 27 Cash is put back into the working capital fund when customers pay cash from their O&M,N funds for the...firms, and other significantly sized business firms. The actual participants of the study may or may not be included in this listing. Disneyland was

Brief report: Comparison of methods to identify Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans using Department of Veterans Affairs administrative data.

PubMed

Bangerter, Ann; Gravely, Amy; Cutting, Andrea; Clothier, Barb; Spoont, Michele; Sayer, Nina

2010-01-01

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has made treatment and care of Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom (OIF/OEF) veterans a priority. Researchers face challenges identifying the OIF/OEF population because until fiscal year 2008, no indicator of OIF/OEF service was present in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) administrative databases typically used for research. In this article, we compare an algorithm we developed to identify OIF/OEF veterans using the Austin Information Technology Center administrative data with the VHA Support Service Center OIF/OEF Roster and veterans' self-report of military service. We drew data from two different institutional review board-approved funded studies. The positive predictive value of our algorithm compared with the VHA Support Service Center OIF/OEF Roster and self-report was 92% and 98%, respectively. However, this method of identifying OIF/OEF veterans failed to identify a large proportion of OIF/OEF veterans listed in the VHA Support Service Center OIF/OEF Roster. Demographic, diagnostic, and VA service use differences were found between veterans identified using our method and those we failed to identify but who were in the VHA Support Service Center OIF/OEF Roster. Therefore, depending on the research objective, this method may not be a viable alternative to the VHA Support Service Center OIF/OEF Roster for identifying OIF/OEF veterans.

Comparison of the Effects of Telephone Suicide Prevention Help by Volunteers and Professional Paid Staff: Results from Studies in the USA and Quebec, Canada.

PubMed

Mishara, Brian L; Daigle, Marc; Bardon, Cécile; Chagnon, François; Balan, Bogdan; Raymond, Sylvaine; Campbell, Julie

2016-10-01

Research since the 1960s has consistently found that lay volunteers are better at helping suicidal callers than professionals. Yet, professional degrees are increasingly becoming requirements for helpline workers. In our first study, we conducted post hoc comparisons of U.S. helplines with all professional paid staff, all lay volunteers, and a mix of both, using silent monitoring and standardized assessments of 1,431 calls. The volunteer centers more often conducted risk assessments, had more empathy, were more respectful of callers, and had significantly better call outcome ratings. A second study of five Quebec suicide prevention centers used silent monitoring to compare telephone help in 1,206 calls answered by 90 volunteers and 39 paid staff. Results indicate no significant differences between the volunteers and paid employees on outcome variables. However, volunteers and paid staff with over 140 hours of call experience had significantly better outcomes. Unlike the United States, Quebec paid employees were not required to have advanced professional degrees. We conclude from these results and previous research that there is no justification for requiring that suicide prevention helpline workers be mental health professionals. In fact, the evidence to date indicates that professionals may be less effective in providing telephone help to suicidal individuals when compared to trained lay volunteers. © 2016 The Authors. Suicide and LifeThreatening Behavior published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Association of Suicidology.

Quantitative Evaluation of Ionosphere Models for Reproducing Regional TEC During Geomagnetic Storms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shim, J. S.; Kuznetsova, M.; Rastaetter, L.; Bilitza, D.; Codrescu, M.; Coster, A. J.; Emery, B.; Foster, B.; Fuller-Rowell, T. J.; Goncharenko, L. P.; Huba, J.; Mitchell, C. N.; Ridley, A. J.; Fedrizzi, M.; Scherliess, L.; Schunk, R. W.; Sojka, J. J.; Zhu, L.

2015-12-01

TEC (Total Electron Content) is one of the key parameters in description of the ionospheric variability that has influence on the accuracy of navigation and communication systems. To assess current TEC modeling capability of ionospheric models during geomagnetic storms and to establish a baseline against which future improvement can be compared, we quantified the ionospheric models' performance by comparing modeled vertical TEC values with ground-based GPS TEC measurements and Multi-Instrument Data Analysis System (MIDAS) TEC. The comparison focused on North America and Europe sectors during selected two storm events: 2006 AGU storm (14-15 Dec. 2006) and 2013 March storm (17-19 Mar. 2013). The ionospheric models used for this study range from empirical to physics-based, and physics-based data assimilation models. We investigated spatial and temporal variations of TEC during the storms. In addition, we considered several parameters to quantify storm impacts on TEC: TEC changes compared to quiet time, rate of TEC change, and maximum increase/decrease during the storms. In this presentation, we focus on preliminary results of the comparison of the models performance in reproducing the storm-time TEC variations using the parameters and skill scores. This study has been supported by the Community Coordinated Modeling Center (CCMC) at the Goddard Space Flight Center. Model outputs and observational data used for the study will be permanently posted at the CCMC website (http://ccmc.gsfc.nasa.gov) for the space science communities to use.

Foot Loading Characteristics of Chinese Bound Feet Women: A Comparative Analysis

PubMed Central

Gu, Yaodong; Mei, Qichang; Fernandez, Justin; Li, Jianshe; Ren, Xuejun; Feng, Neng

2015-01-01

The custom of bound feet among Chinese women has existed for almost a century. This practice has influenced the daily life of Chinese women, especially during everyday locomotion. The primary aim of this study is to analyze the loading patterns of bound feet. Specifically, the plantar pressure and center of pressure were analyzed for peak pressure, contact area, force time integral, center of pressure displacement velocity and trajectory in the anterior-posterior direction via a comparison with normal feet. The key outcomes from this work were that the forefoot and rearfoot of bound feet bear the whole loading during stance phase. The center of pressure displacement velocity of bound feet was also greatly reduced with the shortening of trajectories. This suggests that the proprioceptive system adjusts motor function to adapt to new loading patterns while maintaining locomotive stability. A biomechanical understanding of bound feet may assist with prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of bound feet disorders. PMID:25884982

Evaluation of employees in public day care centers knowledge about breastfeeding and complementary feeding.

PubMed

Souza, Joelânia Pires de O; Prudente, Amanda Moura; Silva, Dyene Aparecida; Pereira, Leandro Alves; Rinaldi, Ana Elisa M

2013-12-01

To evaluate the knowledge of public day care centers employees about breastfeeding and complementary feeding. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 15 public day care centers randomly selected in the city of Uberlandia, Southeast Brazil. A questionnaire applied to school principals, teachers, educators and general services assistants (GSA) included demographic and socioeconomic variables and questions about knowledge on breastfeeding, complementary feeding besides employees' perceptions about these subjects. Kruskal-Wallis with multiple comparison and chi-square tests were used to compare variables by professional category. 304 employees participated in the study. The highest percentages of correct answers were noted for questions about exclusive breastfeeding: definition - 97% (n=296) and duration - 65% (n=199). Regarding complementary feeding, 61% (n=187) correctly answered about the appropriate age to introduce it, with a lower percentage for meat (56%; n=170) and sugar (16%; n=50). Concerning employees' perceptions, 9% (n=29) believed that there is weak breast milk, 79% (n=241) and 51% (n=157) reported the negative influence of bottle feeding and pacifier use on breastfeeding. Among the interviewed subjects, 77% (n=234) answered that they had a positive influence on the quality of the food given to the children. There were no differences in the answers according to professional category, except for the negative influence of pacifiers on breastfeeding. Employees of public day care centers knew more about breastfeeding than about complementary feeding. Educational activities about breastfeeding and complementary feeding are necessary for day care centers employees.

CATS Cloud and Aerosol Level 2 Heritage Edition Data Products.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rodier, S. D.; Vaughan, M.; Yorks, J. E.; Palm, S. P.; Selmer, P. A.; Hlavka, D. L.; McGill, M. J.; Trepte, C. R.

2017-12-01

The Cloud-Aerosol Transport System (CATS) instrument was developed at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) and deployed to the International Space Station (ISS) in January 2015. The CATS elastic backscatter lidars have been operating continuously in one of two science modes since February 2015. One of the primary science objectives of CATS is to continue the CALIPSO aerosol and cloud profile data record to provide continuity of lidar climate observations during the transition from CALIPSO to EarthCARE. To accomplish this, the CATS project at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) and the CALIPSO project at NASA's Langley Research Center (LaRC) closely collaborated to develop and deliver a full suite of CALIPSO-like level 2 data products using the latest version of the CALIPSO level 2 Version 4 algorithms for the CATS data acquired while operating in science mode 1 (Multi-beam backscatter detection at 1064 and 532 nm, with depolarization measurement at both wavelengths). In this work, we present the current status of the CATS Heritage (i.e. CALIPSO-like) level 2 data products derived from the recent released CATS Level 1B V2-08 data. Extensive comparisons are performed between the three data sets (CALIPSO V4.10 Level 2, CATS Level 2 Operational V2-00 and CATS Heritage V1.00) for cloud and aerosol measurements (e.g., cloud-top height cloud-phase, cloud-layer occurrence frequency and cloud-aerosol discrimination) along the ISS path. In addition, global comparisons (between 52°S and 52°N) of aerosol extinction profiles derived from the CATS Level 2 Operational products and CALIOP V4 Level 2 products are presented. Comparisons of aerosol optical depths retrieved from active sensors (CATS and CALIOP) and passive sensors (MODIS) will provide context for the extinction profile comparisons.

Charged dopants in neutral supercells through substitutional donor (acceptor): nitrogen donor charging of the nitrogen-vacancy center in diamond

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Löfgren, Robin; Pawar, Ravinder; Öberg, Sven; Larsson, J. Andreas

2018-02-01

Charged defects are traditionally computed by adding (subtracting) electrons for negative (positive) impurities. When using periodic boundary conditions this results in artificially charged supercells that also require a compensating background charge of the opposite sign, which makes slab supercells problematic because of an arbitrary dependence on the vacuum thickness. In this work, we test the method of using neutral supercells through the use of a substitutional electron donor (acceptor) to describe charged systems. We use density functional theory (DFT) to compare the effects of charging the well-studied NV-center in diamond by a substitutional donor nitrogen. We investigate the influence of the donor-N on the NV-center properties as a function of the distance between them, and find that they converge toward those obtained when adding an electron. We analyze the spin density and conclude that the donor-N has a zero magnetic moment, and thus, will not be seen in electron spin resonance. We validate our DFT energies through comparison to GW simulations. Charging the NV-center with a substitutional donor-N enables accurate calculations of slabs, without the ambiguity of using charged supercells. Implantation of donor-N atoms opens up the possibility to engineer NV-centers with the desired charge state for future ICT and sensor applications.

Laser Spot Center Detection and Comparison Test

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhu, Jun; Xu, Zhengjie; Fu, Deli; Hu, Cong

2018-04-01

High efficiency and precision of the pot center detection are the foundations of avionics instrument navigation and optics measurement basis for many applications. It has noticeable impact on overall system performance. Among them, laser spot detection is very important in the optical measurement technology. In order to improve the low accuracy of the spot center position, the algorithm is improved on the basis of the circle fitting. The pretreatment is used by circle fitting, and the improved adaptive denoising filter for TV repair technology can effectively improves the accuracy of the spot center position. At the same time, the pretreatment and de-noising can effectively reduce the influence of Gaussian white noise, which enhances the anti-jamming capability.

A Lagrangian analysis of a sudden stratospheric warming - Comparison of a model simulation and LIMS observations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pierce, R. B.; Remsberg, Ellis E.; Fairlie, T. D.; Blackshear, W. T.; Grose, William L.; Turner, Richard E.

1992-01-01

Lagrangian area diagnostics and trajectory techniques are used to investigate the radiative and dynamical characteristics of a spontaneous sudden warming which occurred during a 2-yr Langley Research Center model simulation. The ability of the Langley Research Center GCM to simulate the major features of the stratospheric circulation during such highly disturbed periods is illustrated by comparison of the simulated warming to the observed circulation during the LIMS observation period. The apparent sink of vortex area associated with Rossby wave-breaking accounts for the majority of the reduction of the size of the vortex and also acts to offset the radiatively driven increase in the area occupied by the 'surf zone'. Trajectory analysis of selected material lines substantiates the conclusions from the area diagnostics.

Improving education under work-hour restrictions: comparing learning and teaching preferences of faculty, residents, and students.

PubMed

Jack, Megan C; Kenkare, Sonya B; Saville, Benjamin R; Beidler, Stephanie K; Saba, Sam C; West, Alisha N; Hanemann, Michael S; van Aalst, John A

2010-01-01

Faced with work-hour restrictions, educators are mandated to improve the efficiency of resident and medical student education. Few studies have assessed learning styles in medicine; none have compared teaching and learning preferences. Validated tools exist to study these deficiencies. Kolb describes 4 learning styles: converging (practical), diverging (imaginative), assimilating (inductive), and accommodating (active). Grasha Teaching Styles are categorized into "clusters": 1 (teacher-centered, knowledge acquisition), 2 (teacher-centered, role modeling), 3 (student-centered, problem-solving), and 4 (student-centered, facilitative). Kolb's Learning Style Inventory (HayGroup, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) and Grasha-Riechmann's TSS were administered to surgical faculty (n = 61), residents (n = 96), and medical students (n = 183) at a tertiary academic medical center, after informed consent was obtained (IRB # 06-0612). Statistical analysis was performed using χ(2) and Fisher exact tests. Surgical residents preferred active learning (p = 0.053), whereas faculty preferred reflective learning (p < 0.01). As a result of a comparison of teaching preferences, although both groups preferred student-centered, facilitative teaching, faculty preferred teacher-centered, role-modeling instruction (p = 0.02) more often. Residents had no dominant teaching style more often than surgical faculty (p = 0.01). Medical students preferred converging learning (42%) and cluster 4 teaching (35%). Statistical significance was unchanged when corrected for gender, resident training level, and subspecialization. Significant differences exist between faculty and residents in both learning and teaching preferences; this finding suggests inefficiency in resident education, as previous research suggests that learning styles parallel teaching styles. Absence of a predominant teaching style in residents suggests these individuals are learning to be teachers. The adaptation of faculty teaching methods to account for variations in resident learning styles may promote a better learning environment and more efficient faculty-resident interaction. Additional, multi-institutional studies using these tools are needed to elucidate these findings fully. Copyright © 2010 Association of Program Directors in Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The development and pilot testing of an instrument to measure nurses' working environment: the Nursing Context Index.

PubMed

Slater, Paul; McCormack, Brendan; Bunting, Brendan

2009-01-01

Evidence shows that adopting a person-centered approach to nursing alters the work environment, reduces anxiety levels among nurses in the long term, promotes teamwork among staff, and increases job satisfaction. However, few studies have attempted to quantify the outcomes from the adoption of person-centered nursing. The lack of outcome measurement is in part influenced by the lack of a standardized instrument to measure person-centered nursing. The aim of this study was to develop an instrument (the Nursing Context Index) to inform the development of person-centered nursing and outcomes arising. The Nursing Context Index (NCI) was developed through three stages. Stage 1 involved a systematic literature review to identify the key characteristics that needed to be considered in the instrument. Stage 2 involved the identification and selection of items for inclusion in the instrument identified through focus group discussions. A 19-construct instrument was developed. Face validity and content validity were gauged. In Stage 3, a pilot study (n = 23) was conducted to test the instrument. Measures of internal consistency were ensured using Cronbach's alpha. Criterion-related validity of the instrument was ensured through comparison between factors contained in the instrument. Findings show that the NCI is an accurate representation of the factors influenced by a clinical setting's progression to person-centered nursing. The factors were deemed appropriate to the clinical settings, and possessed face and content validity. Initial statistical findings confirm the validity and usability of the NCI. The process used for the development and testing of the instrument was found to be effective. The NCI was deemed to be an effective measure of factors influenced by the implementation of person-centered nursing and would help in redressing a scarcity of quantitative evidence to examine the benefits of nurses working in a person-centered manner.

A Comparison of Mental Health Care Systems in Northern and Southern Europe: A Service Mapping Study.

PubMed

Sadeniemi, Minna; Almeda, Nerea; Salinas-Pérez, Jose A; Gutiérrez-Colosía, Mencía R; García-Alonso, Carlos; Ala-Nikkola, Taina; Joffe, Grigori; Pirkola, Sami; Wahlbeck, Kristian; Cid, Jordi; Salvador-Carulla, Luis

2018-05-31

Mental health services (MHS) have gone through vast changes during the last decades, shifting from hospital to community-based care. Developing the optimal balance and use of resources requires standard comparisons of mental health care systems across countries. This study aimed to compare the structure, personnel resource allocation, and the productivity of the MHS in two benchmark health districts in a Nordic welfare state and a southern European, family-centered country. The study is part of the REFINEMENT (Research on Financing Systems' Effect on the Quality of Mental Health Care) project. The study areas were the Helsinki and Uusimaa region in Finland and the Girona region in Spain. The MHS were mapped by using the DESDE-LTC (Description and Evaluation of Services and Directories for Long Term Care) tool. There were 6.7 times more personnel resources in the MHS in Helsinki and Uusimaa than in Girona. The resource allocation was more residential-service-oriented in Helsinki and Uusimaa. The difference in mental health personnel resources is not explained by the respective differences in the need for MHS among the population. It is important to make a standard comparison of the MHS for supporting policymaking and to ensure equal access to care across European countries.

Trypsin treatment of reaction centers from Rhodobacter sphaeroides in the dark and under illumination: protein structural changes follow charge separation.

PubMed

Brzezinski, P; Andréasson, L E

1995-06-06

Reaction centers from Rhodobacter sphaeroides R-26 were treated with trypsin in the dark and during illumination (in the charge-separated state). Trypsination resulted in a time-dependent modification of the reaction centers, reflected in changes in the charge recombination rate, in the inhibition of QA- to QB electron transfer, and eventually to inhibition of charge separation. Comparisons of centers with ubiquinone or anthraquinone in the QA site, in which the charge recombination pathways are different, indicate that trypsination affects charges close to the QA(-)-binding site. Studies of light-induced voltage changes from moving charges in reaction centers incorporated in lipid layers on a Teflon film, a technique which allows the discrimination of effects on donor and acceptor sides, indicate that the acceptor side is preferentially degraded by trypsin in the dark. Tryptic digestion during illumination generally resulted in a marked strengthening and acceleration of the effects seen already during dark treatment, but new effects were also detected in gel electrophoretic peptide patterns, in optical spectra, and in the kinetic measurements. Optical kinetic measurements revealed that the donor side of the reaction centers became susceptible to modification by trypsin during illumination as seen in the value of the binding constant for soluble cytochrome c2 which increased by a factor of 2, whereas it was much less affected after trypsination of reaction centers in the dark. The influence of illumination on the rate and mode by which trypsin acts on reaction centers indicates that changes in the protein conformation follow charge separation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Hubble Space Telescope Battery Capacity Update

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hollandsworth, Roger; Armantrout, Jon; Rao, Gopalakrishna M.

2007-01-01

Orbital battery performance for the Hubble Space Telescope is discussed and battery life is predicted which supports decision to replace orbital batteries by 2009-2010 timeframe. Ground characterization testing of cells from the replacement battery build is discussed, with comparison of data from battery capacity characterization with cell studies of Cycle Life and 60% Stress Test at the Naval Weapons Surface Center (NWSC)-Crane, and cell Cycle Life testing at the Marshal Space Flight Center (MSFC). The contents of this presentation includes an update to the performance of the on-orbit batteries, as well as a discussion of the HST Service Mission 4 (SM4) batteries manufactured in 1996 and activated in 2000, and a second set of SM4 backup replacement batteries which began manufacture Jan 11, 2007, with delivery scheduled for July 2008.

Strong-field ionization of xenon dimers: The effect of two-equivalent-center interference and of driving ionic transitions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, C.; Feng, T.; Raabe, N.; Rottke, H.

2018-02-01

Strong-field ionization (SFI) of the homonuclear noble gas dimer Xe2 is investigated and compared with SFI of the Xe atom and of the ArXe heteronuclear dimer by using ultrashort Ti:sapphire laser pulses and photoelectron momentum spectroscopy. The large separation of the two nuclei of the dimer allows the study of two-equivalent-center interference effects on the photoelectron momentum distribution. Comparing the experimental results with a new model calculation, which is based on the strong-field approximation, actually reveals the influence of interference. Moreover, the comparison indicates that the presence of closely spaced gerade and ungerade electronic state pairs of the Xe2 + ion at the Xe2 ionization threshold, which are strongly dipole coupled, affects the photoelectron momentum distribution.

COMPARISONS OF THE DUST/SMOKE PARTICULATE THAT SETTLED INSIDE AND THE SURROUNDING BUILDINGS AND OUTSIDE ON THE STREETS OF SOUTHERN NEW YORK CITY AFTER THE COLLAPSE OF THE WORLD TRADE CENTER, 11 SEPTEMBER 2001

EPA Science Inventory

The collapse of the World Trade Center (WTC) on September 11, 2001 generated large amounts of dust and smoke that settled in the surrounding indoor and outdoor environments in southern Manhattan. Sixteen dust samples were collected from undisturbed locations inside two unclean...

Nursing Reference Center: a point-of-care resource.

PubMed

Vardell, Emily; Paulaitis, Gediminas Geddy

2012-01-01

Nursing Reference Center is a point-of-care resource designed for the practicing nurse, as well as nursing administrators, nursing faculty, and librarians. Users can search across multiple resources, including topical Quick Lessons, evidence-based care sheets, patient education materials, practice guidelines, and more. Additional features include continuing education modules, e-books, and a new iPhone application. A sample search and comparison with similar databases were conducted.

An evaluation of superminicomputers for thermal analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Storaasli, O. O.; Vidal, J. B.; Jones, G. K.

1982-01-01

The use of superminicomputers for solving a series of increasingly complex thermal analysis problems is investigated. The approach involved (1) installation and verification of the SPAR thermal analyzer software on superminicomputers at Langley Research Center and Goddard Space Flight Center, (2) solution of six increasingly complex thermal problems on this equipment, and (3) comparison of solution (accuracy, CPU time, turnaround time, and cost) with solutions on large mainframe computers.

The Effect of Mixing Events on the Dynamics of pH1N1 Outbreaks at Small Residential Colleges

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Palin, Karen; Greer, Meredith L.

2012-01-01

Objective: The authors examine the dynamics and the impact of all-campus events on pH1N1 spread at Bates College in fall 2009, with comparisons to 3 other campuses. Participants: Students (N = 285) presented or called in to the Bates Health Center with symptoms consistent with influenza-like illness. Methods: Health Center staff at Bates collected…

Buckling Tests with a Spar-rib Grill

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Weinhold, Josef

1940-01-01

The present report deals with a comparison of mathematically and experimentally defined buckling loads of a spar-rib grill, on the assumption of constant spar section, and infinitely closely spaced ribs with rigidity symmetrical to the grill center. The loads are applied as equal bending moments at both spar ends, as compression in the line connecting the joints, and in the spar center line as the assumedly uniformly distributed spar weight.

Major Extremity Trauma Research Consortium (METRC) 2011 Annual Report

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-01-01

military treatment centers (MTFs). METRC is designed to meet these needs. Anchored by a Data Coordinating Center at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg...talus or crush injuries only). Excluded from the registry are hip fractures in patients 60 years or older and fractures to the wrist, hand, ankle ...OUTLET: Outcomes following severe distal tibia, ankle and/or foot trauma: comparison of limb salvage vs. transtibial amputation STATUS: Master protocol

The NASA-Ames Research Center stratospheric aerosol model. 2. Sensitivity studies and comparison with observatories

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Toon, O. B.; Turco, R. P.; Hamill, P.; Kiang, C. S.; Whitten, R. C.

1979-01-01

Sensitivity tests were performed on a one-dimensional, physical-chemical model of the unperturbed stratospheric aerosols, and model calculations were compared with observations. The tests and comparisons suggest that coagulation controls the particle number mixing ratio, although the number of condensation nuclei at the tropopause and the diffusion coefficient at high altitudes are also important. The sulfur gas source strength and the aerosol residence time are much more important than the supply of condensation nuclei in establishing mass and large particle concentrations. The particle size is also controlled mainly by gas supply and residence time. In situ observations of the aerosols and laboratory measurements of aerosols, parameters that can provide further information about the physics and chemistry of the stratosphere and the aerosols found there are provided.

Instagram #instasad?: exploring associations among instagram use, depressive symptoms, negative social comparison, and strangers followed.

PubMed

Lup, Katerina; Trub, Leora; Rosenthal, Lisa

2015-05-01

As the use and influence of social networking continues to grow, researchers have begun to explore its consequences for psychological well-being. Some research suggests that Facebook use can have negative consequences for well-being. Instagram, a photo-sharing social network created in 2010, has particular characteristics that may make users susceptible to negative consequences. This study tested a theoretically grounded moderated meditation model of the association between Instagram use and depressive symptoms through the mechanism of negative social comparison, and moderation by amount of strangers one follows. One hundred and seventeen 18-29 year olds completed online questionnaires containing demographics, frequency of Instagram use, amount of strangers followed on Instagram, the Center for Epidemiological Resources Scale for Depression, and the Social Comparison Rating Scale. Instagram use was marginally positively associated with depressive symptoms, and positive social comparison was significantly negatively associated with depressive symptoms. Amount of strangers followed moderated the associations of Instagram use with social comparison (significantly) and depressive symptoms (marginally), and further significantly moderated the indirect association of Instagram use with depressive symptoms through social comparison. Findings generally suggest that more frequent Instagram use has negative associations for people who follow more strangers, but positive associations for people who follow fewer strangers, with social comparison and depressive symptoms. Implications of negative associations of social networking for people who follow strangers and the need for more research on Instagram use given its increasing popularity are explored.

YAH-63 Helicopter Crashworthiness Simulation and Analysis

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-02-01

had dual 6.00-6 tires and wheels with full caster attachment to a support strut which incorporated a shimmy damper, self- centering device, and swivel...modeled in detail. Each struo- "tural member, link, and wheel of the nose and main landing gears was modeled and th. shook strut properties were derived...COMPARISON ....................... 80 6.1 KRASH Model Modifications ................. 80 6.2 Comparison of Overall Structural Response. 82 6.3 Landing

Effect of inhomogeneity in a patient's body on the accuracy of the pencil beam algorithm in comparison to Monte Carlo

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yamashita, T.; Akagi, T.; Aso, T.; Kimura, A.; Sasaki, T.

2012-11-01

The pencil beam algorithm (PBA) is reasonably accurate and fast. It is, therefore, the primary method used in routine clinical treatment planning for proton radiotherapy; still, it needs to be validated for use in highly inhomogeneous regions. In our investigation of the effect of patient inhomogeneity, PBA was compared with Monte Carlo (MC). A software framework was developed for the MC simulation of radiotherapy based on Geant4. Anatomical sites selected for the comparison were the head/neck, liver, lung and pelvis region. The dose distributions calculated by the two methods in selected examples were compared, as well as a dose volume histogram (DVH) derived from the dose distributions. The comparison of the off-center ratio (OCR) at the iso-center showed good agreement between the PBA and MC, while discrepancies were seen around the distal fall-off regions. While MC showed a fine structure on the OCR in the distal fall-off region, the PBA showed smoother distribution. The fine structures in MC calculation appeared downstream of very low-density regions. Comparison of DVHs showed that most of the target volumes were similarly covered, while some OARs located around the distal region received a higher dose when calculated by MC than the PBA.

A multicenter study to standardize reporting and analyses of fluorescence-activated cell-sorted murine intestinal epithelial cells

PubMed Central

Magness, Scott T.; Puthoff, Brent J.; Crissey, Mary Ann; Dunn, James; Henning, Susan J.; Houchen, Courtney; Kaddis, John S.; Kuo, Calvin J.; Li, Linheng; Lynch, John; Martin, Martin G.; May, Randal; Niland, Joyce C.; Olack, Barbara; Qian, Dajun; Stelzner, Matthias; Swain, John R.; Wang, Fengchao; Wang, Jiafang; Wang, Xinwei; Yan, Kelley; Yu, Jian

2013-01-01

Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) is an essential tool for studies requiring isolation of distinct intestinal epithelial cell populations. Inconsistent or lack of reporting of the critical parameters associated with FACS methodologies has complicated interpretation, comparison, and reproduction of important findings. To address this problem a comprehensive multicenter study was designed to develop guidelines that limit experimental and data reporting variability and provide a foundation for accurate comparison of data between studies. Common methodologies and data reporting protocols for tissue dissociation, cell yield, cell viability, FACS, and postsort purity were established. Seven centers tested the standardized methods by FACS-isolating a specific crypt-based epithelial population (EpCAM+/CD44+) from murine small intestine. Genetic biomarkers for stem/progenitor (Lgr5 and Atoh 1) and differentiated cell lineages (lysozyme, mucin2, chromogranin A, and sucrase isomaltase) were interrogated in target and control populations to assess intra- and intercenter variability. Wilcoxon's rank sum test on gene expression levels showed limited intracenter variability between biological replicates. Principal component analysis demonstrated significant intercenter reproducibility among four centers. Analysis of data collected by standardized cell isolation methods and data reporting requirements readily identified methodological problems, indicating that standard reporting parameters facilitate post hoc error identification. These results indicate that the complexity of FACS isolation of target intestinal epithelial populations can be highly reproducible between biological replicates and different institutions by adherence to common cell isolation methods and FACS gating strategies. This study can be considered a foundation for continued method development and a starting point for investigators that are developing cell isolation expertise to study physiology and pathophysiology of the intestinal epithelium. PMID:23928185

Sociological profile of astronomers in Spain.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

de Ussel, J. I.; Trinidad, A.; Ruíz, D.; Battaner, E.; Delgado, A. J.; Rodríguez-Espinosa, J. M.; Salvador-Solé, E.; Torrelles, J. M.

In this paper the main findings are presented of a recent study made by a team of sociologists from the University of Granada on the professional astronomers currently working in Spain. Despite the peculiarities of this group - its youth, twentyfold increase in size over the last 20 years, and extremely high rate of specialization abroad - in comparison with other Spanish professionals, this is the first time that the sociological characteristics of the group have been studied discretely. The most significant results of the study are presented in the following sections. Section 1 gives a brief historical background of the development of astronomy in Spain. Section 2 analyzes the socio-demographic profile of Spanish astronomy professionals (sex, age, marital status, etc.). Sections 3-5 are devoted to the college education and study programs followed by Spanish astronomers, focusing on the features and evaluations of the training received, and pre- and postdoctoral study trips made to research centers abroad. The results for the latter clearly show the importance that Spanish astronomers place on having experience abroad. Special attention is paid to scientific papers published as a result of joint research projects carried out with colleagues from centers abroad as a result of these study trips. Section 6 describes the situation of astronomy professionals within the Spanish job market, the different positions available and the time taken to find a job after graduation. Section 7 examines astronomy as a discipline in Spain, including the astronomers' own opinions of the social status of the discipline within Spanish society. Particular attention is paid to how Spanish astronomers view the status of astronomy in Spain in comparison with that of other European countries.

Sociological Profile of Astronomers in Spain

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Iglesias de Ussel, Julio; Trinidad, Antonio; Ruiz, Diego; Battaner, Eduardo; Delgado, Antonio J.; Rodriguez-Espinosa, José M.; Salvador-Solé, Eduard; Torrelles, José M.

In this paper the main findings are presented of a recent study made by a team of sociologists from the University of Granada on the professional astronomers currently working in Spain. Despite the peculiarities of this group - its youth, twentyfold increase in size over the last 20 years, and extremely high rate of specialization abroad - in comparison with other Spanish professionals, this is the first time that the sociological characteristics of the group have been studied discretely. The most significant results of the study are presented in the following sections. Section 1 gives a brief historical background of the development of Astronomy in Spain. Section 2 analyzes the socio-demographic profile of Spanish Astronomy professionals (sex, age, marital status, etc.). Sections 3-5 are devoted to the college education and study programs followed by Spanish astronomers, focusing on the features and evaluations of the training received, and pre- and postdoctoral study trips made to research centers abroad. The results for the latter clearly show the importance that Spanish astronomers place on having experience abroad. Special attention is paid to scientific papers published as a result of joint research projects carried out with colleagues from centers abroad as a result of these study trips. Section 6 describes the situation of Astronomy professionals within the Spanish job market, the different positions available and the time taken to find a job after graduation. Section 7 examines Astronomy as a discipline in Spain, including the astronomers' own opinions of the social status of the discipline within Spanish society. Particular attention is paid to how Spanish astronomers view the status of Astronomy in Spain in comparison with that of other European countries.

Comparison of cell centered and cell vertex scheme in the calculation of high speed compressible flows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rahman, Syazila; Yusoff, Mohd. Zamri; Hasini, Hasril

2012-06-01

This paper describes the comparison between the cell centered scheme and cell vertex scheme in the calculation of high speed compressible flow properties. The calculation is carried out using Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) in which the mass, momentum and energy equations are solved simultaneously over the flow domain. The geometry under investigation consists of a Binnie and Green convergent-divergent nozzle and structured mesh scheme is implemented throughout the flow domain. The finite volume CFD solver employs second-order accurate central differencing scheme for spatial discretization. In addition, the second-order accurate cell-vertex finite volume spatial discretization is also introduced in this case for comparison. The multi-stage Runge-Kutta time integration is implemented for solving a set of non-linear governing equations with variables stored at the vertices. Artificial dissipations used second and fourth order terms with pressure switch to detect changes in pressure gradient. This is important to control the solution stability and capture shock discontinuity. The result is compared with experimental measurement and good agreement is obtained for both cases.

The 2-Methoxy Group Orientation Regulates the Redox Potential Difference between the Primary (QA) and Secondary (QB) Quinones of Type II Bacterial Photosynthetic Reaction Centers.

PubMed

de Almeida, Wagner B; Taguchi, Alexander T; Dikanov, Sergei A; Wraight, Colin A; O'Malley, Patrick J

2014-08-07

Recent studies have shown that only quinones with a 2-methoxy group can act simultaneously as the primary (Q A ) and secondary (Q B ) electron acceptors in photosynthetic reaction centers from purple bacteria such as Rb. sphaeroides . 13 C HYSCORE measurements of the 2-methoxy group in the semiquinone states, SQ A and SQ B , were compared with DFT calculations of the 13 C hyperfine couplings as a function of the 2-methoxy dihedral angle. X-ray structure comparisons support 2-methoxy dihedral angle assignments corresponding to a redox potential gap (Δ E m ) between Q A and Q B of 175-193 mV. A model having a methyl group substituted for the 2-methoxy group exhibits no electron affinity difference. This is consistent with the failure of a 2-methyl ubiquinone analogue to function as Q B in mutant reaction centers with a Δ E m of ∼160-195 mV. The conclusion reached is that the 2-methoxy group is the principal determinant of electron transfer from Q A to Q B in type II photosynthetic reaction centers with ubiquinone serving as both acceptor quinones.

Allylic amination reactivity of Ni, Pd, and Pt heterobimetallic and monometallic complexes.

PubMed

Carlsen, Ryan W; Ess, Daniel H

2016-06-14

Transition metal heterobimetallic complexes with dative metal-metal interactions have the potential for novel fast reactivity. There are few studies that both compare the reactivity of different metal centers in heterobimetallic complexes and compare bimetallic reactivity to monometallic reactivity. Here we report density-functional calculations that show the reactivity of [Cl2Ti(N(t)BuPPh2)2M(II)(η(3)-methallyl)] heterobimetallic complexes for allylic amination follows M = Ni > Pd > Pt. This reactivity trend was not anticipated since the amine addition transition state involves M(II) to M(0) reduction and this could disadvantage Ni. Comparison of heterobimetallic complexes to the corresponding monometallic (CH2)2(N(t)BuPPh2)2M(II)(η(3)-methallyl) complexes reveals that this reactivity trend is due to the bimetallic interaction and that the bimetallic interaction significantly lowers the barrier height for amine addition by >10 kcal mol(-1). The impact of the early transition metal center on the amination addition barrier height depends on the late transition metal center. The lowest barrier heights for this reaction occur when late and early transition metal centers are from the same periodic table row.

Breast Cancer Research at NASA

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1998-01-01

Epithelial cell monoculture: Long-term growth of human mammary epithelial cells (HMEC) grown in monoculture as 3-dimensional constructions in the presence of attachment beads in the NASA Bioreactor. A: A typical construct about 3.5 mm (less than 1/8th inch) in diameter with slightly dehydrted, crinkled beads contained on the surface as well as within the 3-dimensional structure. B: The center of these constructs is hollow. Crinkling of the beads causes a few to fall out, leaving crater-like impressiions in the construct. The central impression shows a small hole that accesses the hollow center of the construct. C: A closeup view of the cells and the hole the central impression. D: Closer views of cells in the construct showing sell-to-cell interactions. NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) is sponsoring research with Bioreactors, rotating wall vessels designed to grow tissue samples in space, to understand how breast cancer works. This ground-based work studies the growth and assembly of human mammary epithelial cell (HMEC) from breast cancer susceptible tissue. Radiation can make the cells cancerous, thus allowing better comparisons of healthy vs. tunorous tissue. Credit: Dr. Robert Richmond, NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC).

Electron interaction with phosphate cytidine oligomer dCpdC: base-centered radical anions and their electronic spectra.

PubMed

Gu, Jiande; Wang, Jing; Leszczynski, Jerzy

2014-01-30

Computational chemistry approach was applied to explore the nature of electron attachment to cytosine-rich DNA single strands. An oligomer dinucleoside phosphate deoxycytidylyl-3',5'-deoxycytidine (dCpdC) was selected as a model system for investigations by density functional theory. Electron distribution patterns for the radical anions of dCpdC in aqueous solution were explored. The excess electron may reside on the nucleobase at the 5' position (dC(•-)pdC) or at the 3' position (dCpdC(•-)). From comparison with electron attachment to the cytosine related DNA fragments, the electron affinity for the formation of the cytosine-centered radical anion in DNA is estimated to be around 2.2 eV. Electron attachment to cytosine sites in DNA single strands might cause perturbations of local structural characteristics. Visible absorption spectroscopy may be applied to validate computational results and determine experimentally the existence of the base-centered radical anion. The time-dependent DFT study shows the absorption around 550-600 nm for the cytosine-centered radical anions of DNA oligomers. This indicates that if such species are detected experimentally they would be characterized by a distinctive color.

Microgravity

NASA Image and Video Library

1998-10-10

Epithelial cell monoculture: Long-term growth of human mammary epithelial cells (HMEC) grown in monoculture as 3-dimensional constructions in the presence of attachment beads in the NASA Bioreactor. A: A typical construct about 3.5 mm (less than 1/8th inch) in diameter with slightly dehydrted, crinkled beads contained on the surface as well as within the 3-dimensional structure. B: The center of these constructs is hollow. Crinkling of the beads causes a few to fall out, leaving crater-like impressiions in the construct. The central impression shows a small hole that accesses the hollow center of the construct. C: A closeup view of the cells and the hole the central impression. D: Closer views of cells in the construct showing sell-to-cell interactions. NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) is sponsoring research with Bioreactors, rotating wall vessels designed to grow tissue samples in space, to understand how breast cancer works. This ground-based work studies the growth and assembly of human mammary epithelial cell (HMEC) from breast cancer susceptible tissue. Radiation can make the cells cancerous, thus allowing better comparisons of healthy vs. tunorous tissue. Credit: Dr. Robert Richmond, NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC).

Implementing the Data Center Energy Productivity Metric in a High Performance Computing Data Center

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

Sego, Landon H.; Marquez, Andres; Rawson, Andrew

2013-06-30

As data centers proliferate in size and number, the improvement of their energy efficiency and productivity has become an economic and environmental imperative. Making these improvements requires metrics that are robust, interpretable, and practical. We discuss the properties of a number of the proposed metrics of energy efficiency and productivity. In particular, we focus on the Data Center Energy Productivity (DCeP) metric, which is the ratio of useful work produced by the data center to the energy consumed performing that work. We describe our approach for using DCeP as the principal outcome of a designed experiment using a highly instrumented,more » high-performance computing data center. We found that DCeP was successful in clearly distinguishing different operational states in the data center, thereby validating its utility as a metric for identifying configurations of hardware and software that would improve energy productivity. We also discuss some of the challenges and benefits associated with implementing the DCeP metric, and we examine the efficacy of the metric in making comparisons within a data center and between data centers.« less

Transport methods and interactions for space radiations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wilson, John W.; Townsend, Lawrence W.; Schimmerling, Walter S.; Khandelwal, Govind S.; Khan, Ferdous S.; Nealy, John E.; Cucinotta, Francis A.; Simonsen, Lisa C.; Shinn, Judy L.; Norbury, John W.

1991-01-01

A review of the program in space radiation protection at the Langley Research Center is given. The relevant Boltzmann equations are given with a discussion of approximation procedures for space applications. The interaction coefficients are related to solution of the many-body Schroedinger equation with nuclear and electromagnetic forces. Various solution techniques are discussed to obtain relevant interaction cross sections with extensive comparison with experiments. Solution techniques for the Boltzmann equations are discussed in detail. Transport computer code validation is discussed through analytical benchmarking, comparison with other codes, comparison with laboratory experiments and measurements in space. Applications to lunar and Mars missions are discussed.

Final Report of the Center of Excellence in Rotary Wing Technology

DTIC Science & Technology

1993-04-01

and theses [eg. 9,10]. These studies considered, as examples, synchronizing shafts on the Boeing CH -47 and tail drive shafts on the Sikorsky UH-60 and...and CH . A reasonable steady lift component correlation with the linear case was obtained. Comparisons of the drag results from the two methods on the...15 Research Forecast and WraQ-Up R. Loewy 2:45 Break 3 3:00 ARO Executive Session CII 4003 3:00 RRTC-TAP Exchange JEC 3117 3:30 Evaluation Feedback CH

Voting pattern of mental patients in a community state hospital.

PubMed

Klein, M M; Grossman, S A

1967-06-01

The voting pattern of mental patients in a community-based state hospital was studied. Patients were polled on the New York City mayoralty race. A comparison to the vote of the general population revealed that the hospital sample vote resembled most closely the election results of the hospital district. The results highlight the advantage of community-centered mental health facilities, which undertake the treatment and rehabilitation of mental patients under conditions that maintain ties with family and community.

Agricultural and Ranching area, Rio Sao Francisco, Brazil

NASA Image and Video Library

1990-12-10

STS035-73-082 (2-10 Dec 1990) --- This agricultural and ranching area, Rio Sao Francisco, Brazil (13.0S, 43.5W) has been under study for several years. See scene STS-31-92-045 for comparison. This area has many small single family subsistence farms, large square and rectangular commercial farms and pastures for livestock grazing. Over the several years of observation, the number and size of farms has increased and center-pivot, swing-arm irrigation systems have been installed.

NOTE: Total body-calcium measurements: comparison of two delayed-gamma neutron activation facilities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ma, R.; Ellis, K. J.; Yasumura, S.; Shypailo, R. J.; Pierson, R. N., Jr.

1999-06-01

This study compares two independently calibrated delayed-gamma neutron activation (DGNA) facilities, one at the Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), Upton, New York, and the other at the Children's Nutrition Research Center (CNRC), Houston, Texas that measure total body calcium (TBCa). A set of BNL phantoms was sent to CNRC for neutron activation analysis, and a set of CNRC phantoms was measured at BNL. Both facilities showed high precision (<2%), and the results were in good agreement, within 5%.

Standardized Documentation in Pediatric Diabetology

PubMed Central

Hofer, Sabine E.; Schwandt, Anke; Holl, Reinhard W.

2016-01-01

This article gives a short summary of standardized documentation for pediatric diabetology from a European perspective. The approach chosen by the Austrian/German DPV (Diabetes Patienten Verlaufsdokumentation) group is detailed. The electronic health record used is briefly described, as are external benchmarking reports and national and international comparisons. Similar initiatives like the Hvidore study group, the SWEET initiative (Pediatric Diabetes: Working to Create Centers of Reference in Europe), and the T1DExchange (Type 1 Diabetes Exchange Registry) are compared to the DPV effort. PMID:27381028

What Is the Extent of Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb and Where Does It Derive Its Strength in the Sahelian-Saharan Region: A Case Study of Northern Mali

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-06-08

variables which help identify the center of gravity of Al Qaeda in Islamic Maghreb will help the governments and researchers to improve the level of...19 A comparison of the non- governed area’s characteristics of the Sahelian...local governments as in Mali, Niger, Chad, and Mauritania. The different peace agreements, insecurity, and economic concerns of the local governments

Microgravity

NASA Image and Video Library

2000-05-05

This computer graphic depicts the relative complexity of crystallizing large proteins in order to study their structures through x-ray crystallography. Insulin is a vital protein whose structure has several subtle points that scientists are still trying to determine. Large molecules such as insuline are complex with structures that are comparatively difficult to understand. For comparison, a sugar molecule (which many people have grown as hard crystals in science glass) and a water molecule are shown. These images were produced with the Macmolecule program. Photo credit: NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC)

Chiral separation of norlaudanosoline, laudanosoline, laudanosine, chlorthalidone, and three benzoin derivatives using amino acid based molecular micelles.

PubMed

Billiot, Fereshteh H; Billiot, Eugene J; Ng, Yuen Kwun; Warner, Isiah M

2006-02-01

In this study, 18 polymeric single amino acid and dipeptide surfactants are examined, and their performances, in terms of enantioselectivity, are compared for norlaudanosoline, laudanosoline, laudanosine, chlorthalidone, benzoin, benzoin methyl, and benzoin ethyl enantiomers. Several aspects of amino acid-based polymeric surfactants including comparison of single amino acid versus dipeptide, amino acid order, steric effect, and effect of the position of the chiral center of dipeptide surfactants on the chiral selectivity of these optically active compounds are discussed.

Microgravity

NASA Image and Video Library

1998-10-10

Human primary breast tumor cells after 49 days of growth in a NASA Bioreactor. Tumor cells aggregate on microcarrier beads (indicated by arrow). NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) is sponsoring research with Bioreactors, rotating wall vessels designed to grow tissue samples in space, to understand how breast cancer works. This ground-based work studies the growth and assembly of human mammary epithelial cell (HMEC) from breast cancer susceptible tissue. Radiation can make the cells cancerous, thus allowing better comparisons of healthy vs. tunorous tissue. Credit: Dr. Jearne Becker, University of South Florida

Final report, on-going key comparison BIPM.QM-K1, ozone at ambient level, comparison with CMS-ITRI, June 2016

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Viallon, Joële; Idrees, Faraz; Moussay, Philippe; Wielgosz, Robert; Lin, Tsai-Yin; Norris, James E.; Hodges, Joseph T.

2017-01-01

As part of the on-going key comparison BIPM.QM-K1, a comparison has been performed between the ozone national standard of the ITRI Center for Measurement Standards (CMS-ITRI) and the common reference standard of the key comparison, maintained by the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM), via a transfer standard maintained by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The instruments have been compared over a nominal ozone amount-of-substance fraction range of 0 nmol/mol to 500 nmol/mol. Main text To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/. The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCQM, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).

Public Use of Mobile Medical Applications: A Case Study on Cloud-Based Medical Service of Taiwan.

PubMed

Lu, Chen-Luan; Yan, Yu-Hua

2016-01-01

The use of smart mobile devices has been getting increasingly popular. The focus of this study is an attempt to explore the development of mobile medical App by medical centers and regional hospitals of Taiwan and the function of the App for comparison. The results show indicated that many hospitals developed Apps for the public for mobile medical service, of which 26 medical centers (100%) and 72 regional hospitals (84.7%) availed appointment making service via Apps. The result indicated variance at significant level (p < 0.01). There are 23 medical centers (88.5%) and 74 regional hospitals (87.1%) availed Apps for checking service progress. The result indicated insignificant variance level (p > 0.01). We can see that mobile medical service is gradually emerging as a vital issue. Yet, this is a new domain in medical service. With the mushrooming of medical applications in smart mobile devices, the medical service system is expected to be installed in these devices to enhance interactive mode of operation and inquiry services, such as medication and inquiries into physical examination results. By then, people can learn the status of their health with this system.

Evaluating the ductility characteristics of self-centering buckling-restrained shape memory alloy braces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abou-Elfath, Hamdy

2017-05-01

Recently, self-centering earthquake resistant systems have attracted attention because of their promising potential in controlling the residual drifts and reducing repair costs after earthquake events. Considerable portion of self-centering research is based on using short-segment superelastic shape memory alloy (SMA) braces as strengthening technique because of the lower modulus of elasticity of SMA in comparison with that of steel. The goal of this study is to investigate the ductility characteristics of these newly proposed short-segment SMA braces to evaluate their safety levels against fracture failures under earthquake loading. This goal has been achieved by selecting an appropriate seismic performance criterion for steel frames equipped with SMA braces, defining the level of strain capacity of SMA and calculating the strain demands in the SMA braces by conducting a series of pushover and earthquake time history analyzes on typical frame structure. The results obtained in this study indicated the inability of short-segment SMA designs to provide adequate ductility to the lateral resistant systems. An alternative approach is introduced by using hybrid steel-SMA braces that are capable of controlling the residual drifts and providing the structure with adequate lateral stiffness.

Reliable femoral frame construction based on MRI dedicated to muscles position follow-up.

PubMed

Dubois, G; Bonneau, D; Lafage, V; Rouch, P; Skalli, W

2015-10-01

In vivo follow-up of muscle shape variation represents a challenge when evaluating muscle development due to disease or treatment. Recent developments in muscles reconstruction techniques indicate MRI as a clinical tool for the follow-up of the thigh muscles. The comparison of 3D muscles shape from two different sequences is not easy because there is no common frame. This study proposes an innovative method for the reconstruction of a reliable femoral frame based on the femoral head and both condyles centers. In order to robustify the definition of condylar spheres, an original method was developed to combine the estimation of diameters of both condyles from the lateral antero-posterior distance and the estimation of the spheres center from an optimization process. The influence of spacing between MR slices and of origin positions was studied. For all axes, the proposed method presented an angular error lower than 1° with spacing between slice of 10 mm and the optimal position of the origin was identified at 56 % of the distance between the femoral head center and the barycenter of both condyles. The high reliability of this method provides a robust frame for clinical follow-up based on MRI .

Plasmon resonance enhanced temperature-dependent photoluminescence of Si-V centers in diamond

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

Cheng, Shaoheng; State Key Laboratory on Integrated Optoelectronics, College of Electronic Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun 130012; Song, Jie

2015-11-23

Temperature dependent optical property of diamond has been considered as a very important factor for realizing high performance diamond-based optoelectronic devices. The photoluminescence feature of the zero phonon line of silicon-vacancy (Si-V) centers in Si-doped chemical vapor deposited single crystal diamond (SCD) with localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) induced by gold nanoparticles has been studied at temperatures ranging from liquid nitrogen temperature to 473 K, as compared with that of the SCD counterpart in absence of the LSPR. It is found that with LSPR the emission intensities of Si-V centers are significantly enhanced by factors of tens and the magnitudes ofmore » the redshift (width) of the emissions become smaller (narrower), in comparison with those of normal emissions without plasmon resonance. More interestingly, these strong Si-V emissions appear remarkably at temperatures up to 473 K, while the spectral feature was not reported in previous studies on the intrinsic Si-doped diamonds when temperatures are higher than room temperature. These findings would lead to reaching high performance diamond-based devices, such as single photon emitter, quantum cryptography, biomarker, and so forth, working under high temperature conditions.« less

A comparison of HIV infection and related risk factors between money boys and noncommercial men who have sex with men in Shenzhen, China.

PubMed

Zhao, Jin; Cai, Wen-De; Gan, Yong-Xia; Zhang, Yan; Yang, Zheng-Rong; Cheng, Jin-Quan; Lin, Si-Hao; He, Ming-Liang; Chen, Lin; Wang, Xiao-Rong

2012-12-01

HIV transmission among men who have sex with men (MSM) has become an increasing concern in China. Money boys (MBs) are a subgroup of MSM who sell sex to men. Direct comparison of HIV prevalence and related risk factors between MB and noncommercial MSM (ncMSM) has rarely been done. This study was conducted to make the comparison. Eight hundred fifty MBs and 801 ncMSM were parallel recruited in Shenzhen by time-location sampling. Their behavioral and serologic data on HIV and syphilis were collected and compared. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the determinants for HIV risk in MBs and ncMSM, respectively. The prevalence of HIV was 4.5% in MBs and 7.0% in ncMSM. Although MBs tended to have more male partners than ncMSM, they were more likely to report a consistent condom use in male anal intercourse, especially in commercial sex. Noncommercial MSM were more likely to visit parks and saunas instead of bars, massage centers, recreational centers, and home-based venues. Syphilis infection and recruitment venue were associated with HIV infection in both MBs and ncMSM. Being from a hometown with a high HIV prevalence and without a male partner from Hong Kong were found to be risk factors for HIV infection in MBs, and early sexual debut was a risk factor in ncMSM. Money boys differed from ncMSM in the rate of HIV infection and some sexual characteristics and behaviors. Formatting separate interventions specifically targeting the 2 subgroups may be necessary.

Fluorescence Imaging of Underexpanded Jets and Comparison with CFD

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wilkes, Jennifer A.; Glass, Christopher E.; Danehy, Paul M.; Nowak, Robert J.

2006-01-01

An experimental study of underexpanded and highly underexpanded axisymmetric nitrogen free jets seeded with 0.5% nitric oxide (NO) and issuing from a sonic orifice was conducted at NASA Langley Research Center. Reynolds numbers based on nozzle exit conditions ranged from 770 to 35,700, and nozzle exit-to-ambient jet pressure ratios ranged from 2 to 35. These flows were non-intrusively visualized with a spatial resolution of approximately 0.14 mm x 0.14 mm x 1 mm thick and a temporal resolution of 1 s using planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) of NO, with the laser tuned to the strongly-fluorescing UV absorption bands of the Q1 band head near 226.256 nm. Three laminar cases were selected for comparison with computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The cases were run using GASP (General Aerodynamic Simulation Program) Version 4. Comparisons of the fundamental wavelength of the jet flow showed good agreement between CFD and experiment for all three test cases, while comparisons of Mach disk location and Mach disk diameter showed good agreement at lower jet pressure ratios, with a tendency to slightly underpredict these parameters with increasing jet pressure ratio.

Comparative evaluation of canal transportation, centering ability, and remaining dentin thickness between WaveOne and ProTaper rotary by using cone beam computed tomography: An in vitro study

PubMed Central

Jain, Aditi; Asrani, Hemant; Singhal, Abhinav Chand; Bhatia, Taranjeet Kaur; Sharma, Vaibhav; Jaiswal, Pragya

2016-01-01

Aims: To compare the canal transportation, centering ability, and remaining dentin thickness of WaveOne and ProTaper systems using cone beam computed tomography. Subjects and Methods: Forty extracted human single-rooted premolars were used in the present study. Preinstrumentation scanning of all teeth was taken; canal curvatures were calculated, and the samples were randomly divided into two groups, with twenty samples in each group; one group was instrumented with WaveOne system and the other group with ProTaper rotary system. Postinstrumentation scans were performed, and the two scans were compared to determine canal transportation, centering ability, and remaining dentin thickness at 3 mm, 6 mm, and 9 mm from the root apex. Statistical Analysis Used: Student's unpaired t-test. Results: Using Student's unpaired t-test, results were as follows: for canal transportation, Group 1 showed significant difference at 3 mm and 6 mm and insignificant difference at 9 mm while Group 2 showed insignificant difference in all the three regions. For centering ability and remaining dentin thickness, Group 1 showed insignificant difference at 3 mm and 9 mm while significant difference at 6 mm was obtained. When comparison of remaining dentin thickness was done at three levels using two groups WaveOne and ProTaper, there was no significant difference between two groups. Conclusions: (1) WaveOne single reciprocation file system respected better canal anatomy better than ProTaper. (2) Individually, centering ability of WaveOne was better at 3 mm, 6 mm, and 9 mm levels. (3) However, ProTaper individually was better centered at 3 mm (apical third) and 9 mm (coronal 3rd) levels than 6 mm level (middle third). PMID:27656063

Effectiveness of presence of physician and midwife in quantity and quality of family planning services in health care centers.

PubMed

Jabbari, Hossein; Bakhshian, Fariba; Velayati, Atefeh; Mehrabi, Esmat; Allahverdizadeh, Shirin; Alikhah, Hossein; Maleki, Ahdieh; Ahadi, Hamid-Reza; Ghorbaniyan, Maryam; Naghavi-Behzad, Mohammad

2014-01-01

Iran's health sector has been engaging the services of physicians and midwives in healthcare centers since 2005, with the hope of improving the quantity and quality of family planning services. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of serving physicians and midwives on the quantity and quality of family planning services in the healthcare centers of Iran. The present cross-sectional study (Jan 2010 until Sep 2011) was carried out on 600 eligible families who were clients of healthcare centers of Tabriz, Azarshahr and Osku, cities of Northwest Iran from 2006 until 2011, in two groups (before and after). Some of the characteristics of the participants and the data on the quality and quantity of family planning services provided were grouped in a checklist of 16 variables by comparing the patients' past medical histories. In comparison with 3 years prior to engaging physician and midwife services in health care centers, the Couple Year Protection (CYP) and the quantity of family planning service indexes significantly increased among eligible families. The family size of participants declined significantly after family physicians and midwives became available in the healthcare centers (P < 0.005). Our findings showed some improvement in the quantity of services without any noticeable changes in the quality of services provided as a consequence of this huge intervention. Therefore, it is suggested that there should be proper oversight of the duties of the health team in order to keep a close watch on primary healthcare, design of proper mechanisms for collecting and maintaining performance reports and statistics, and continuously monitor and control the quality of services.

Weighing Evidence: The Design and Comparison of Probability Thought Experiments.

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-06-01

ics and Other Logical Essays, R. G. Braithwaite (ed.), Routledge and Kegan Paul. Richardson, H. R., and Stone, L. D.: 1971, ’Operations analysis...Systems Department ONR Detachment Code 35 1030 East Green Street Naval Underwater Systems Center Pasadena, CA 91106 Newport, RI 02840 CDR James Offutt...Officer-in-Charge Human Factors Department ONR Detachment Code N-71 1030 East Green Street Naval Training Equipment Center Pasadena, CA 91106 Orlando

Mine or Theirs, Where Do Users Go? A Comparison of E-Journal Usage at the OhioLINK Electronic Journal Center Platform versus the Elsevier ScienceDirect Platform

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Swanson, Juleah

2015-01-01

This research provides librarians with a model for assessing and predicting which platforms patrons will use to access the same content, specifically comparing usage at the Ohio Library and Information Network (OhioLINK) Electronic Journal Center (EJC) and at Elsevier's ScienceDirect from 2007 to 2013. Findings show that in the earlier years, the…

The Relative Efficacy of Intuitive and Analytical Cognition: A Second Direct Comparison

DTIC Science & Technology

1984-06-01

Review, 90(4), 293-315. Wallsten, T. S., & Budescu, D. V. (1981). Addivity and nonaddivity in judging MMPI profiles. Journal of Experimental Psychology...San Diego, CA 92152 "CDR Thomas Berghage Vaval Health Research Center San Diego, CA 92152 7 Department of the Navy Department of the Navy Mr. Paul...Research Lab Pensacola, FL 32508 Dr. S. Schiflett Human Factors Section Commanding Officer Systems Engineering Test Naval Health Research Center

Biomechanical, Physiological, and Agility Performance of Soldiers Carrying Loads: A Comparison of the Modular Lightweight Load Carrying Equipment and a Lightning Packs, LLC, Prototype

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-12-27

2015 Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center...is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and...MODULAR LIGHTWEIGHT LOAD CARRYING EQUIPMENT) HUMAN FACTORS ENGINEERING U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center ATTN

Static and Functional Balance in Individuals With COPD: Comparison With Healthy Controls and Differences According to Sex and Disease Severity.

PubMed

de Castro, Larissa A; Ribeiro, Laís Rg; Mesquita, Rafael; de Carvalho, Débora R; Felcar, Josiane M; Merli, Myriam F; Fernandes, Karen Bp; da Silva, Rubens A; Teixeira, Denilson C; Spruit, Martijn A; Pitta, Fabio; Probst, Vanessa S

2016-11-01

Studies have shown that individuals with COPD have impaired body balance, probably caused by the disease's multisystemic manifestations plus age-related decline in balance, potentially increasing the risk of falling and its consequences. However, little is known about the profile of individuals with COPD who present balance impairments, especially related to sex and disease severity stages. The aim of this work was to compare static and functional balance between subjects with COPD and healthy controls and to check possible differences according to sex and degrees of disease severity. Forty-seven subjects with COPD and 25 healthy controls were included in this study. Their static balance was assessed in one-legged stance using a force platform and functional balance with the Timed Up and Go test. Additionally, participants performed spirometry, the 6-min walk test and isometric quadriceps maximal voluntary contraction assessment. Disease severity was classified according to the Global Initiative for Obstructive Lung Disease stages and BODE (body mass index, air-flow obstruction, dyspnea, and exercise capacity) scores. In comparison with healthy controls, subjects with COPD had worse static (center of pressure displacement area: 9.3 ± 1.9 cm 2 vs 11.6 ± 4.0 cm 2 , respectively, P = .01) and functional balance (Timed Up and Go test: 8.5 ± 1.3 s vs 10.3 ± 1.8 s, respectively, P < .001). In the COPD group, men performed better in the Timed Up and Go test than women (9.8 ± 1.2 s vs 10.9 ± 2.2 s, respectively, P = .03), whereas women presented a better static balance in comparison with men for all parameters related to center of pressure (P < .005 for all). Disease severity did not affect any balance results. Individuals with COPD had worse static and functional balance in comparison with healthy controls. Sex can mediate these results, depending on the type of balance evaluation (force platform or functional test). Balance performance was similar among the groups classified according to disease severity. Copyright © 2016 by Daedalus Enterprises.

Multiresolution comparison of precipitation datasets for large-scale models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chun, K. P.; Sapriza Azuri, G.; Davison, B.; DeBeer, C. M.; Wheater, H. S.

2014-12-01

Gridded precipitation datasets are crucial for driving large-scale models which are related to weather forecast and climate research. However, the quality of precipitation products is usually validated individually. Comparisons between gridded precipitation products along with ground observations provide another avenue for investigating how the precipitation uncertainty would affect the performance of large-scale models. In this study, using data from a set of precipitation gauges over British Columbia and Alberta, we evaluate several widely used North America gridded products including the Canadian Gridded Precipitation Anomalies (CANGRD), the National Center for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) reanalysis, the Water and Global Change (WATCH) project, the thin plate spline smoothing algorithms (ANUSPLIN) and Canadian Precipitation Analysis (CaPA). Based on verification criteria for various temporal and spatial scales, results provide an assessment of possible applications for various precipitation datasets. For long-term climate variation studies (~100 years), CANGRD, NCEP, WATCH and ANUSPLIN have different comparative advantages in terms of their resolution and accuracy. For synoptic and mesoscale precipitation patterns, CaPA provides appealing performance of spatial coherence. In addition to the products comparison, various downscaling methods are also surveyed to explore new verification and bias-reduction methods for improving gridded precipitation outputs for large-scale models.

Achieving Good Perioperative Outcomes After Pancreaticoduodenectomy in a Low-Volume Setting: A 25-Year Experience

PubMed Central

Chedid, Aljamir D.; Chedid, Marcio F.; Winkelmann, Leonardo V.; Filho, Tomaz J. M. Grezzana; Kruel, Cleber D. P.

2015-01-01

Perioperative mortality following pancreaticoduodenectomy has improved over time and is lower than 5% in selected high-volume centers. Based on several large literature series on pancreaticoduodenectomy from high-volume centers, some defend that high annual volumes are necessary for good outcomes after pancreaticoduodenectomy. We report here the outcomes of a low annual volume pancreaticoduodenectomy series after incorporating technical expertise from a high-volume center. We included all patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy performed by a single surgeon (ADC.) as treatment for periampullary malignancies from 1981 to 2005. Outcomes of this series were compared to those of 3 high-volume literature series. Additionally, outcomes for first 10 cases in the present series were compared to those of all 37 remaining cases in this series. A total of 47 pancreaticoduodenectomies were performed over a 25-year period. Overall in-hospital mortality was 2 cases (4.3%), and morbidity occurred in 23 patients (48.9%). Both mortality and morbidity were similar to those of each of the three high-volume center comparison series. Comparison of the outcomes for the first 10 to the remaining 37 cases in this series revealed that the latter 37 cases had inferior mortality (20% versus 0%; P = 0.042), less tumor-positive margins (50 versus 13.5%; P = 0.024), less use of intraoperative blood transfusions (90% versus 32.4%; P = 0.003), and tendency to a shorter length of in-hospital stay (20 versus 15.8 days; P = 0.053). Accumulation of surgical experience and incorporation of expertise from high-volume centers may enable achieving satisfactory outcomes after pancreaticoduodenectomy in low-volume settings whenever referral to a high-volume center is limited. PMID:25875555

Using Behavioral Science to Design a Peer Comparison Intervention for Postabortion Family Planning in Nepal

PubMed Central

Spring, Hannah; Datta, Saugato; Sapkota, Sabitri

2016-01-01

Despite the provision of free and subsidized family planning services and clients’ demonstrated intentions to delay pregnancies, family planning uptake among women who receive abortion and postabortion services at Sunaulo Parivar Nepal (SPN), one of Nepal’s largest non-governmental sexual and reproductive health (SRH) providers, remains low. Through meetings, interviews, and observations with SPN’s stakeholders, service providers, and clients at its 36 SRH centers, we developed hypotheses about client- and provider-side barriers that may inhibit postabortion family planning (PAFP) uptake. On the provider side, we found that the lack of benchmarks (such as the performance of other facilities) against which providers could compare their own performance and the lack of feedback on the performance were important barriers to PAFP uptake. We designed several variants of three interventions to address these barriers. Through conversations with team members at SPN’s centralized support office and service providers at SPN centers, we prioritized a peer-comparison tool that allows providers at one center to compare their performance with that of other similar centers. We used feedback from the community of providers on the tools’ usability and features to select a variant of the tool that also leverages and reinforces providers’ strong intrinsic motivation to provide quality PAFP services. In this paper, we detail the process of identifying barriers and creating an intervention to overcome those barriers. The intervention’s effectiveness will be tested with a center-level, stepped-wedge randomized control trial in which SPN’s 36 centers will be randomly assigned to receive the intervention at 1-month intervals over a 6-month period. Existing medical record data will be used to monitor family planning uptake. PMID:27446891

Using Behavioral Science to Design a Peer Comparison Intervention for Postabortion Family Planning in Nepal.

PubMed

Spring, Hannah; Datta, Saugato; Sapkota, Sabitri

2016-01-01

Despite the provision of free and subsidized family planning services and clients' demonstrated intentions to delay pregnancies, family planning uptake among women who receive abortion and postabortion services at Sunaulo Parivar Nepal (SPN), one of Nepal's largest non-governmental sexual and reproductive health (SRH) providers, remains low. Through meetings, interviews, and observations with SPN's stakeholders, service providers, and clients at its 36 SRH centers, we developed hypotheses about client- and provider-side barriers that may inhibit postabortion family planning (PAFP) uptake. On the provider side, we found that the lack of benchmarks (such as the performance of other facilities) against which providers could compare their own performance and the lack of feedback on the performance were important barriers to PAFP uptake. We designed several variants of three interventions to address these barriers. Through conversations with team members at SPN's centralized support office and service providers at SPN centers, we prioritized a peer-comparison tool that allows providers at one center to compare their performance with that of other similar centers. We used feedback from the community of providers on the tools' usability and features to select a variant of the tool that also leverages and reinforces providers' strong intrinsic motivation to provide quality PAFP services. In this paper, we detail the process of identifying barriers and creating an intervention to overcome those barriers. The intervention's effectiveness will be tested with a center-level, stepped-wedge randomized control trial in which SPN's 36 centers will be randomly assigned to receive the intervention at 1-month intervals over a 6-month period. Existing medical record data will be used to monitor family planning uptake.

Improved Density Functional Tight Binding Potentials for Metalloid Aluminum Clusters

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-06-01

simulations of the oxidation of Al4Cp * 4 show reasonable comparison with a DFT-based Car -Parrinello method, including correct prediction of hydride transfers...comparison with a DFT-based Car -Parrinello method, including correct prediction of hydride transfers from Cp* to the metal centers during the...initio molecular dynamics of the oxidation of Al4Cp * 4 using a DFT-based Car -Parrinello method. This simulation, which 43 several months on the

Randomized trial of the ForeseeHome monitoring device for early detection of neovascular age-related macular degeneration. The HOme Monitoring of the Eye (HOME) study design - HOME Study report number 1.

PubMed

Chew, Emily Y; Clemons, Traci E; Bressler, Susan B; Elman, Michael J; Danis, Ronald P; Domalpally, Amitha; Heier, Jeffrey S; Kim, Judy E; Garfinkel, Richard A

2014-03-01

To evaluate the effects of a home-monitoring device with tele-monitoring compared with standard care in detection of progression to choroidal neovascularization (CNV) associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of blindness in the US. Participants, aged 55 to 90 years, at high risk of developing CNV associated with AMD were recruited to the HOme Monitoring of Eye (HOME) Study, an unmasked, multi-center, randomized trial of the ForeseeHome (FH) device plus standard care vs. standard care alone. The FH device utilizes preferential hyperacuity perimetry and tele-monitoring to detect changes in vision function associated with development of CNV, potentially prior to symptom and visual acuity loss. After establishing baseline measurements, subsequent changes on follow-up are detected by the device, causing the monitoring center to alert the clinical center to recall participants for an exam. Standard care consists of instructions for self-monitoring visual changes with subsequent self-report to the clinical center. The primary objective of this study is to determine whether home monitoring plus standard care in comparison with standard care alone, results in earlier detection of incident CNV with better present visual acuity. The primary outcome is the decline in visual acuity at CNV diagnosis from baseline. Detection of CNV prior to substantial vision loss is critical as vision outcome following anti-angiogenic therapy is dependent on the visual acuity at initiation of treatment. HOME Study is the first large scale study to test the use of home tele-monitoring system in the management of AMD patients. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Development and validation of a prediction model for adenoma detection during screening and surveillance colonoscopy with comparison to actual adenoma detection rates

PubMed Central

Crook, Julia E.; Thomas, Colleen S.; Siersema, Peter D.; Rex, Douglas K.; Wallace, Michael B.

2017-01-01

Objective The adenoma detection rate (ADR) varies widely between physicians, possibly due to patient population differences, hampering direct ADR comparison. We developed and validated a prediction model for adenoma detection in an effort to determine if physicians’ ADRs should be adjusted for patient-related factors. Materials and methods Screening and surveillance colonoscopy data from the cross-sectional multicenter cluster-randomized Endoscopic Quality Improvement Program-3 (EQUIP-3) study (NCT02325635) was used. The dataset was split into two cohorts based on center. A prediction model for detection of ≥1 adenoma was developed using multivariable logistic regression and subsequently internally (bootstrap resampling) and geographically validated. We compared predicted to observed ADRs. Results The derivation (5 centers, 35 physicians, overall-ADR: 36%) and validation (4 centers, 31 physicians, overall-ADR: 40%) cohort included respectively 9934 and 10034 patients (both cohorts: 48% male, median age 60 years). Independent predictors for detection of ≥1 adenoma were: age (optimism-corrected odds ratio (OR): 1.02; 95%-confidence interval (CI): 1.02–1.03), male sex (OR: 1.73; 95%-CI: 1.60–1.88), body mass index (OR: 1.02; 95%-CI: 1.01–1.03), American Society of Anesthesiology physical status class (OR class II vs. I: 1.29; 95%-CI: 1.17–1.43, OR class ≥III vs. I: 1.57; 95%-CI: 1.32–1.86), surveillance versus screening (OR: 1.39; 95%-CI: 1.27–1.53), and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity (OR: 1.13; 95%-CI: 1.00–1.27). The model’s discriminative ability was modest (C-statistic in the derivation: 0.63 and validation cohort: 0.60). The observed ADR was considerably lower than predicted for 12/66 (18.2%) physicians and 2/9 (22.2%) centers, and considerably higher than predicted for 18/66 (27.3%) physicians and 4/9 (44.4%) centers. Conclusion The substantial variation in ADRs could only partially be explained by patient-related factors. These data suggest that ADR variation could likely also be due to other factors, e.g. physician or technical issues. PMID:28957445

Comparing State-Space Multivariable Controls to Multi-SISO Controls for Load Reduction of Drivetrain-Coupled Modes on Wind Turbines Through Field-Testing

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

Fleming, P. A.; Van Wingerden, J. W.; Wright, A. D.

2012-01-01

In this paper we present results from an ongoing controller comparison study at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's (NREL's) National Wind Technology Center (NWTC). The intention of the study is to demonstrate the advantage of using modern multivariable methods for designing control systems for wind turbines versus conventional approaches. We will demonstrate the advantages through field-test results from experimental turbines located at the NWTC. At least two controllers are being developed side-by-side to meet an incrementally increasing number of turbine load-reduction objectives. The first, a multiple single-input, single-output (m-SISO) approach, uses separately developed decoupled and classicially tuned controllers, which is,more » to the best of our knowledge, common practice in the wind industry. The remaining controllers are developed using state-space multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) techniques to explicity account for coupling between loops and to optimize given known frequency structures of the turbine and disturbance. In this first publication from the study, we present the structure of the ongoing controller comparison experiment, the design process for the two controllers compared in this phase, and initial comparison results obtained in field-testing.« less

Comparing State-Space Multivariable Controls to Multi-SISO Controls for Load Reduction of Drivetrain-Coupled Modes on Wind Turbines through Field-Testing: Preprint

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

Fleming, P. A.; van Wingerden, J. W.; Wright, A. D.

2011-12-01

This paper presents the structure of an ongoing controller comparison experiment at NREL's National Wind Technology Center; the design process for the two controllers compared in this phase of the experiment, and initial comparison results obtained in field-testing. The intention of the study is to demonstrate the advantage of using modern multivariable methods for designing control systems for wind turbines versus conventional approaches. We will demonstrate the advantages through field-test results from experimental turbines located at the NWTC. At least two controllers are being developed side-by-side to meet an incrementally increasing number of turbine load-reduction objectives. The first, a multiplemore » single-input, single-output (m-SISO) approach, uses separately developed decoupled and classicially tuned controllers, which is, to the best of our knowledge, common practice in the wind industry. The remaining controllers are developed using state-space multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) techniques to explicity account for coupling between loops and to optimize given known frequency structures of the turbine and disturbance. In this first publication from the study, we present the structure of the ongoing controller comparison experiment, the design process for the two controllers compared in this phase, and initial comparison results obtained in field-testing.« less

Impact of Patient-Centered Care Innovations on Access to Providers, Ambulatory Care Utilization, and Patient Clinical Indicators in the Veterans Health Administration.

PubMed

Burkhart, Lisa; Sohn, Min-Woong; Jordan, Neil; Tarlov, Elizabeth; Gampetro, Pamela; LaVela, Sherri L

2016-01-01

The Veterans Health Administration piloted patient-centered care (PCC) innovations beginning in 2010 to improve patient and provider experience and environment in ambulatory care. We use secondary data to look at longitudinal trends, evaluate system redesign, and identify areas for further quality improvement. This was a retrospective, observational study using existing secondary data from multiple US Department of Veteran Affairs sources to evaluate changes in veteran and facility outcomes associated with PCC innovations at 2 innovation and matched comparison sites between FY 2008-2010 (pre-PCC innovations) and FY 2011-2012 (post-PCC innovations). Outcomes included access to primary care providers (PCPs); primary, specialty, and emergency care use; and clinical indicators for chronic disease. Longitudinal trends revealed a different story at each site. One site demonstrated better PCP access, decrease in emergency and primary care use, increase in specialty care use, and improvement in diabetic glucose control. The other site demonstrated a decrease in PCP access and primary care use, no change in specialty care use, and an increase in diastolic blood pressure in relation to the comparison site. Secondary data analysis can reveal longitudinal trends associated with system changes, thereby informing program evaluation and identifying opportunities for quality improvement.

The capacity to adapt to changing balance threats: a comparison of children with cerebral palsy and typically developing children.

PubMed

Burtner, P A; Woollacott, M H; Craft, G L; Roncesvalles, M N

2007-01-01

This study investigated differences in reactive balance abilities of typically developing children and those with spastic diplegia. Recovery from balance threats was compared by: (i) Platform velocity and amplitude thresholds: Speed and size of platform movement at which children required assistance to remain upright, (ii) percentage of trials with feet-in-place vs. loss of balance, and (iii) center of pressure measures. Participants included 8 children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy, 15 developmentally matched children (similar walking stages) and 21 age-matched control children. Backward platform movements graded as easy, moderate and difficult were unexpectedly imposed on children standing on a moveable platform. Children with cerebral palsy (CP) had lower platform velocity thresholds, greater percentages of loss of balance trials, increased distances and increased frequency of directional changes in center-of-pressure (COP) trajectories than control children. Older children with CP fell more often than those under 5 years. Greatest differences between children with and without CP were found in comparisons based on age rather than developmental levels. Using balance perturbations that challenged children with CP to the limits of their balance abilities effectively identified age performance differences and differences compared to typically developing children. Implications for rehabilitation programs are presented.

Comparison of Sofia Legionella FIA and BinaxNOW® Legionella urinary antigen card in two national reference centers.

PubMed

Beraud, L; Gervasoni, K; Freydiere, A M; Descours, G; Ranc, A G; Vandenesch, F; Lina, G; Gaia, V; Jarraud, S

2015-09-01

The Sofia Legionella Fluorescence Immunoassay (FIA; Quidel) is a recently introduced rapid immunochromatographic diagnostic test for Legionnaires' disease using immunofluorescence technology designed to enhance its sensitivity. The aim of this study was to evaluate its performance for the detection of urinary antigens for Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 in two National Reference Centers for Legionella. The sensitivity and specificity of the Sofia Legionella FIA test were determined in concentrated and nonconcentrated urine samples, before and after boiling, in comparison with the BinaxNOW® Legionella Urinary Antigen Card (UAC; Alere). Compared with BinaxNOW® Legionella UAC, the sensitivity of the Sofia Legionella test was slightly higher in nonconcentrated urine samples and was identical in concentrated urine samples. The specificity of the Sofia Legionella FIA test was highly reduced by the concentration of urine samples. In nonconcentrated samples, a lack of specificity was observed in 2.3 % of samples, all of them resolved by heat treatment. The Sofia Legionella FIA is a sensitive test for detecting Legionella urinary antigens with no previous urine concentration. However, all positive samples have to be re-tested after boiling to reach a high specificity. The reading is automatized on the Sofia analyzer, which can be connected to laboratory information systems, facilitating accurate and rapid reporting of results.

Standardizing Flow Cytometry Immunophenotyping Analysis from the Human ImmunoPhenotyping Consortium

PubMed Central

Finak, Greg; Langweiler, Marc; Jaimes, Maria; Malek, Mehrnoush; Taghiyar, Jafar; Korin, Yael; Raddassi, Khadir; Devine, Lesley; Obermoser, Gerlinde; Pekalski, Marcin L.; Pontikos, Nikolas; Diaz, Alain; Heck, Susanne; Villanova, Federica; Terrazzini, Nadia; Kern, Florian; Qian, Yu; Stanton, Rick; Wang, Kui; Brandes, Aaron; Ramey, John; Aghaeepour, Nima; Mosmann, Tim; Scheuermann, Richard H.; Reed, Elaine; Palucka, Karolina; Pascual, Virginia; Blomberg, Bonnie B.; Nestle, Frank; Nussenblatt, Robert B.; Brinkman, Ryan Remy; Gottardo, Raphael; Maecker, Holden; McCoy, J Philip

2016-01-01

Standardization of immunophenotyping requires careful attention to reagents, sample handling, instrument setup, and data analysis, and is essential for successful cross-study and cross-center comparison of data. Experts developed five standardized, eight-color panels for identification of major immune cell subsets in peripheral blood. These were produced as pre-configured, lyophilized, reagents in 96-well plates. We present the results of a coordinated analysis of samples across nine laboratories using these panels with standardized operating procedures (SOPs). Manual gating was performed by each site and by a central site. Automated gating algorithms were developed and tested by the FlowCAP consortium. Centralized manual gating can reduce cross-center variability, and we sought to determine whether automated methods could streamline and standardize the analysis. Within-site variability was low in all experiments, but cross-site variability was lower when central analysis was performed in comparison with site-specific analysis. It was also lower for clearly defined cell subsets than those based on dim markers and for rare populations. Automated gating was able to match the performance of central manual analysis for all tested panels, exhibiting little to no bias and comparable variability. Standardized staining, data collection, and automated gating can increase power, reduce variability, and streamline analysis for immunophenotyping. PMID:26861911

Orion Landing Simulation Eight Soil Model Comparison

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mark, Stephen D.

2009-01-01

LS-DYNA finite element simulations of a rigid Orion Crew Module (CM) were used to investigate the CM impact behavior on eight different soil models. Ten different landing conditions, characterized by the combination of CM vertical and horizontal velocity, hang angle, and roll angle were simulated on the eight different soils. The CM center of gravity accelerations, pitch angle, kinetic energy, and soil contact forces were the outputs of interest. The simulation results are presented, with comparisons of the CM behavior on the different soils. The soils analyzed in this study can be roughly categorized as soft, medium, or hard, according to the CM accelerations that occur when landing on them. The soft group is comprised of the Carson Sink Wet soil and the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) Low Density Dry Sand. The medium group includes Carson Sink Dry, the KSC High Density In-Situ Moisture Sand and High Density Flooded Sand, and Cuddeback B. The hard soils are Cuddeback A and the Gantry Unwashed Sand. The softer soils were found to produce lower peak accelerations, have more stable pitch behavior, and to be less sensitive to the landing conditions. This investigation found that the Cuddeback A soil produced the highest peak accelerations and worst stability conditions, and that the best landing performance was achieved on the KSC Low Density Dry Sand.

Comparison of pediatric motor vehicle collision injury outcomes at Level I trauma centers.

PubMed

Dreyfus, Jill; Flood, Andrew; Cutler, Gretchen; Ortega, Henry; Kreykes, Nathan; Kharbanda, Anupam

2016-10-01

Examine the association of American College of Surgeons Level I pediatric trauma center designation with outcomes of pediatric motor vehicle collision-related injuries. Observational study of the 2009-2012 National Trauma Data Bank, including n=28,145 patients <18years directly transported to a Level I trauma center. Generalized estimating equations estimated odds ratios (ORs) for injury outcomes, comparing freestanding pediatric trauma centers (PTCs) with adult centers having added Level I pediatric qualifications (ATC+PTC) and general adult trauma centers (ATC). Models were stratified by age following PTC designation guidelines, and adjusted for demographic and clinical risk factors. Analyses included n=16,643 children <15 and n=11,502 adolescents 15-17years. Among children, odds of laparotomy (OR=1.88, 95% CI 1.28-2.74) and pneumonia (OR=2.13, 95% CI 1.32-3.46) were greater at ATCs vs. freestanding PTCs. Adolescents treated at ATC+PTCs or ATCs experienced greater odds of death (OR=2.18, 95% CI 1.30-3.67; OR=1.98, 95% CI 1.37-2.85, respectively) and laparotomy (OR=4.33, 95% CI 1.56-12.02; OR=5.11, 95% CI 1.92-13.61, respectively). Compared with freestanding PTCs, children treated at general ATCs experienced more complications; adolescents treated at ATC+PTCs or general ATCs had greater odds of death. Identification and sharing of best practices among Level I trauma centers may reduce variation in care and improve outcomes for children. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

In view of standardization: comparison and analysis of initial management of severely burned patients in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

PubMed

Münzberg, Matthias; Ziegler, Benjamin; Fischer, Sebastian; Wölfl, Christoph Georg; Grützner, Paul Alfred; Kremer, Thomas; Kneser, Ulrich; Hirche, Christoph

2015-02-01

Initial treatment of severely injured patients in German speaking trauma centers follows precise sequences. Several guidelines and training courses ensure a constant quality in providing evidence-based treatment for these patients. Similar standards, algorithms and guidelines for the treatment of severely burned patients are lacking. This raises the question about the current standard of care for burn victims in German speaking burn centers. In order to achieve standardization, as a first step this study surveys principles of burn room organization and management in these burn centers. A questionnaire including 40 questions regarding burn room organization, personnel structure and qualification, infrastructural conditions and quality management was developed and sent to 21 level one burn centers in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The rate of returned questionnaires was 81%. The analysis revealed varying personnel and infrastructural conditions in participating burn centers. Indications for admission to the burn room and admission procedures itself are different throughout surveyed hospitals. Individual standard operating procedure (SOP) for burn trauma admissions was available in most burn centers and nearly all participants register their burn trauma cases using an in-house burn register. The survey suggests a lack of standardization in personnel structure, infrastructure and treatment approach for the initial clinical care of severely burned patients in burn centers across the German speaking countries. Further evaluation of existing protocols and international standards in burn care is inevitable to develop standardized guidelines for burn care and to improve quality of care. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd and ISBI. All rights reserved.

Quality of life in Arab Muslim cancer survivors following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: comparison with matched healthy group.

PubMed

Alaloul, Fawwaz; Brockopp, Dorothy Y; Andrykowski, Michael A; Hall, Lynne A; Al Nusairat, Taghreed S

2015-07-01

The aims of this study were to determine if quality of life (QOL) among Arab Muslim hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) survivors differs from that of a healthy matched comparison group and to examine the relationships of demographic and medical variables and perceived social support with post-HSCT QOL. HSCT survivors (n = 63) were recruited from the King Hussein Cancer Center outpatient clinic. A matched (age, gender, education), healthy comparison group (n = 63) was recruited through public advertisements. Participants completed the EORTC-30 QOL scale and the Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey. Differences were found between the Arab Muslim HSCT survivor and healthy comparison groups for physical functioning (p < .0001), role functioning (p < .01), social functioning (p < .0001) QOL domains, and an overall symptom score (p = .003) with the HSCT group reporting poorer status than the healthy comparison group. Effect sizes for the three QOL domains ranged from .50 (role functioning) to 1.20 (social functioning). No significant difference was noted between the Arab Muslim HSCT and comparison groups in emotional and cognitive QOL domains. Higher overall symptom scores were significantly associated with poorer QOL across all QOL domains. Similar to prior research with HSCT survivors, results suggest that HSCT has a significant negative impact on QOL. However, despite this general similarity, results suggest that the needs and experience of Muslim Arab HSCT survivors might differ from those of Western HSCT survivors in the social and emotional QOL domains. Given growing numbers of Arab and Muslim cancer survivors in the USA and other Western countries, future research is warranted.

Efficacy of continuous positive airway pressure for treatment of hypernasality.

PubMed

Kuehn, David P; Imrey, Peter B; Tomes, Lucrezia; Jones, David L; O'Gara, Mary M; Seaver, Earl J; Smith, Bonnie E; Van Demark, D R; Wachtel, Jayne M

2002-05-01

To determine whether speech hypernasality in subjects born with cleft palate can be reduced by graded velopharyngeal resistance training against continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). Pretreatment versus immediate posttreatment comparison study. Eight university and hospital speech clinics. Forty-three subjects born with cleft palate, aged 3 years 10 months to 23 years 8 months, diagnosed with speech hypernasality. Eight weeks of 6 days per week in-home speech exercise sessions, increasing from 10 to 24 minutes, speaking against transnasal CPAP increasing from 4 to 8.5 cm H(2)0. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Pretreatment to immediate posttherapy change in perceptual nasality score based on blinded comparisons of subjects' speech samples to standard reference samples by six expert clinician-investigators. Participating clinical centers treated from two to nine eligible subjects, and results differed significantly across centers (interaction p =.004). Overall, there was statistically significant reduction in mean nasality score after 8 weeks of CPAP therapy, whether weighted equally across patients (mean reduction = 0.20 units on a scale of 1.0 to 7.0, p =.016) or across clinical centers (mean = 0.19, p =.046). This change was about one-sixth the maximum possible reduction from pretreatment. Nine patients showed reductions of at least half the maximum possible, but hypernasality of eight patients increased at least 30% above pretreatment level. Most improvement was seen during the second month when therapy was more intense (p =.045 for nonlinearity). No interactions with age or sex were detected. Patients receiving 8 weeks of velopharyngeal CPAP resistance training showed a net overall reduction in speech hypernasality, although response was quite variable across patients and clinical centers. The net reduction in hypernasality is not readily explainable by random variability, subject maturation, placebo effect, or regression to the mean. CPAP appears capable of substantially reducing speech hypernasality for some subjects with cleft palate.

Aerodynamic Limits on Large Civil Tiltrotor Sizing and Efficiency

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Acree, C W., Jr.

2014-01-01

The NASA Large Civil Tiltrotor (2nd generation, or LCTR2) has been the reference design for avariety of NASA studies of design optimization, engine and gearbox technology, handling qualities, andother areas, with contributions from NASA Ames, Glenn and Langley Centers, plus academic and industrystudies. Ongoing work includes airfoil design, 3D blade optimization, engine technology studies, andwingrotor aerodynamic interference. The proposed paper will bring the design up to date with the latestresults of such studies, then explore the limits of what aerodynamic improvements might hope toaccomplish. The purpose is two-fold: 1) determine where future technology studies might have the greatestpayoff, and 2) establish a stronger basis of comparison for studies of other vehicle configurations andmissions.

Influence of Biliopancreatic Diversion on Pregnancy Outcomes in Comparison to Other Bariatric Surgery Procedures.

PubMed

De Carolis, S; Botta, A; Del Sordo, Gelsomina; Guerrisi, R; Salvi, S; De Carolis, M P; Iaconelli, A; Giustacchini, P; Raffaelli, M; Lanzone, A

2018-06-16

Pregnancy after bariatric surgery (BS) has an increased risk for small-for-gestational-age infants (SGA), shorter length of gestation, and probably perinatal mortality. The aim of this study was to investigate if biliopancreatic diversion could impair pregnancy outcomes in comparison to other bariatric surgery procedures. We conducted a cohort retrospective single-center study in 65 women before and after BS. Thirty-one pregnancies occurred before BS, while 109 after BS, amongst which n = 51 after biliopancreatic diversion (BPD) and n = 58 after non-malabsorptive procedures. The pregnancy outcomes after BS in comparison with those before BS resulted less affected by diabetes, hypertensive disorders, macrosomia, and large-for-gestational-age (LGA), but more complicated by preterm births (14.5 versus 4.0%) and low birth weight (LBW) infants (28.9 versus 0%). Moreover, mean birth weight resulted lower after BS than before BS (p < 0.001). In pregnancies after BPD in comparison to those before BS, the LBW rate (42.5%) resulted a drastic increase (p < 0.001), and mean birth weight (p < 0.001) and mean birth weight centile (p < 0.001) were lower after BPD. When pregnancy outcomes after BPD were compared with those after non-malabsorptive procedures, the rate of congenital anomalies, preterm births, LBW, and SGA resulted an increase (p = 0.002, 0.008, 0.032, and < 0.001, respectively). BPD drastically reduced diabetes, hypertensive disorders, macrosomia, and LGA; however, it was associated with the poorest pregnancy outcomes in comparison to those observed after other BS procedures. On the basis of the present study, we recommend a cautious multidisciplinary selection of severely obese patients for BPD during the fertile age.

A comparison of command center activations versus disaster drills at three institutions from 2013 to 2015.

PubMed

Ebbeling, Laura G; Goralnick, Eric; Bivens, Matthew J; Femino, Meg; Berube, Claire G; Sears, Bryan; Sanchez, Leon D

2016-01-01

Disaster exercises often simulate rare, worst-case scenario events that range from mass casualty incidents to severe weather events. In actuality, situations such as information system downtimes and physical plant failures may affect hospital continuity of operations far more significantly. The objective of this study is to evaluate disaster drills at two academic and one community hospital to compare the frequency of planned drills versus real-world events that led to emergency management command center activation. Emergency management exercise and command center activation data from January 1, 2013 to October 1, 2015 were collected from a database. The activations and drills were categorized according to the nature of the event. Frequency of each type of event was compared to determine if the drills were representative of actual activations. From 2013 to 2015, there were a total of 136 command center activations and 126 drills at the three hospital sites. The most common reasons for command center activations included severe weather (25 percent, n = 34), maintenance failure (19.9 percent, n = 27), and planned mass gathering events (16.9 percent, n = 23). The most frequent drills were process tests (32.5 percent, n = 41), hazardous material-related events (22.2 percent, n = 28), and in-house fires (15.10 percent, n = 19). Further study of the reasons behind why hospitals activate emergency management plans may inform better preparedness drills. There is no clear methodology used among all hospitals to create drills and their descriptions are often vague. There is an opportunity to better design drills to address specific purposes and events.

Evaluation of employees in public day care centers knowledge about breastfeeding and complementary feeding

PubMed Central

Souza, Joelânia Pires de O.; Prudente, Amanda Moura; Silva, Dyene Aparecida; Pereira, Leandro Alves; Rinaldi, Ana Elisa M.

2013-01-01

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the knowledge of public day care centers employees about breastfeeding and complementary feeding. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 15 public day care centers randomly selected in the city of Uberlandia, Southeast Brazil. A questionnaire applied to school principals, teachers, educators and general services assistants (GSA) included demographic and socioeconomic variables and questions about knowledge on breastfeeding, complementary feeding besides employees' perceptions about these subjects. Kruskal-Wallis with multiple comparison and chi-square tests were used to compare variables by professional category. RESULTS: 304 employees participated in the study. The highest percentages of correct answers were noted for questions about exclusive breastfeeding: definition - 97% (n=296) and duration - 65% (n=199). Regarding complementary feeding, 61% (n=187) correctly answered about the appropriate age to introduce it, with a lower percentage for meat (56%; n=170) and sugar (16%; n=50). Concerning employees' perceptions, 9% (n=29) believed that there is weak breast milk, 79% (n=241) and 51% (n=157) reported the negative influence of bottle feeding and pacifier use on breastfeeding. Among the interviewed subjects, 77% (n=234) answered that they had a positive influence on the quality of the food given to the children. There were no differences in the answers according to professional category, except for the negative influence of pacifiers on breastfeeding. CONCLUSIONS: Employees of public day care centers knew more about breastfeeding than about complementary feeding. Educational activities about breastfeeding and complementary feeding are necessary for day care centers employees. PMID:24473953

A detailed description of the uncertainty analysis for high area ratio rocket nozzle tests at the NASA Lewis Research Center

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Davidian, Kenneth J.; Dieck, Ronald H.; Chuang, Isaac

1987-01-01

A preliminary uncertainty analysis was performed for the High Area Ratio Rocket Nozzle test program which took place at the altitude test capsule of the Rocket Engine Test Facility at the NASA Lewis Research Center. Results from the study establish the uncertainty of measured and calculated parameters required for the calculation of rocket engine specific impulse. A generalized description of the uncertainty methodology used is provided. Specific equations and a detailed description of the analysis is presented. Verification of the uncertainty analysis model was performed by comparison with results from the experimental program's data reduction code. Final results include an uncertainty for specific impulse of 1.30 percent. The largest contributors to this uncertainty were calibration errors from the test capsule pressure and thrust measurement devices.

Gradient Calculation Methods on Arbitrary Polyhedral Unstructured Meshes for Cell-Centered CFD Solvers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sozer, Emre; Brehm, Christoph; Kiris, Cetin C.

2014-01-01

A survey of gradient reconstruction methods for cell-centered data on unstructured meshes is conducted within the scope of accuracy assessment. Formal order of accuracy, as well as error magnitudes for each of the studied methods, are evaluated on a complex mesh of various cell types through consecutive local scaling of an analytical test function. The tests highlighted several gradient operator choices that can consistently achieve 1st order accuracy regardless of cell type and shape. The tests further offered error comparisons for given cell types, leading to the observation that the "ideal" gradient operator choice is not universal. Practical implications of the results are explored via CFD solutions of a 2D inviscid standing vortex, portraying the discretization error properties. A relatively naive, yet largely unexplored, approach of local curvilinear stencil transformation exhibited surprisingly favorable properties

Development of a Reference Information Model and Knowledgebase for Electronic Bloodstream Infection Detection

PubMed Central

Borlawsky, Tara; Hota, Bala; Lin, Michael Y.; Khan, Yosef; Young, Jeremy; Santangelo, Jennifer; Stevenson, Kurt B.

2008-01-01

The most prevalent hospital-acquired infections in the United States are bloodstream infections (BSIs) associated with the presence of a central venous catheter. There is currently a movement, including national organizations such as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services as well as consumer, quality improvement and patient safety groups, encouraging the standardization of reporting and aggregation of such nosocomial infection data to increase and improve reporting, and enable rate comparisons among healthcare institutions. Domain modeling is a well-known method for designing interoperable processes that take advantage of existing data and legacy systems. We have combined such a model-driven design approach with the use of partitioned clinical and business logic knowledgebases in order to employ a previously validated electronic BSI surveillance algorithm in the context of a multi-center study. PMID:18999213

A comparison of instrumentation using Naviflex and Profile nickel-titanium engine-driven rotary instruments.

PubMed

Ottosen, S R; Nicholls, J I; Steiner, J C

1999-06-01

This study was designed to compare the changes in canal configuration resulting from instrumentation by either Profile or Naviflex instruments. Forty mesial canals in extracted human molar teeth were embedded and sectioned at two root levels. Reassembled teeth were instrumented with a modified crown-down technique as described in the Profile training video for Profile files and in a similar manner for Naviflex instruments. Superimposed pre- and postinstrumented cross-sectional root images were projected, traced, and scanned into a computer for analysis. Canal movement, in relation to the furca, and canal area change were recorded. The results showed no significant difference in canal center movement or canal area change between the Profile or Naviflex groups. The degree of canal curvature had no effect on canal center movement or canal area change.

The Noisiness of Low-Frequency One-Third Octave Bands of Noise. M.S. Thesis - Southampton Univ.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lawton, B. W.

1975-01-01

This study examined the relative noisiness of low frequency one-third octave bands of noise bounded by the bands centered at 25 Hz and 200 Hz, with intensities ranging from 50 db sound pressure level (SPL) to 95 db SPL. The thirty-two subjects used a method-of-adjustment technique, producing comparison-band intensities as noisy as standard bands centered at 100 Hz and 200 Hz with intensities of 60 db SPL and 72 db SPL. Four contours of equal noisiness were developed for one-third octave bands, extending down to 25 Hz and ranging in intensity from approximately 58 db SPL to 86 db SPL. These curves were compared with the contours of equal noisiness of Kryter and Pearsons. In the region of overlap (between 50 Hz and 200 Hz) the agreement was good.

A detailed description of the uncertainty analysis for High Area Ratio Rocket Nozzle tests at the NASA Lewis Research Center

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Davidian, Kenneth J.; Dieck, Ronald H.; Chuang, Isaac

1987-01-01

A preliminary uncertainty analysis has been performed for the High Area Ratio Rocket Nozzle test program which took place at the altitude test capsule of the Rocket Engine Test Facility at the NASA Lewis Research Center. Results from the study establish the uncertainty of measured and calculated parameters required for the calculation of rocket engine specific impulse. A generalized description of the uncertainty methodology used is provided. Specific equations and a detailed description of the analysis are presented. Verification of the uncertainty analysis model was performed by comparison with results from the experimental program's data reduction code. Final results include an uncertainty for specific impulse of 1.30 percent. The largest contributors to this uncertainty were calibration errors from the test capsule pressure and thrust measurement devices.

Calculation of electron and isotopes dose point kernels with fluka Monte Carlo code for dosimetry in nuclear medicine therapy

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

Botta, F.; Mairani, A.; Battistoni, G.

Purpose: The calculation of patient-specific dose distribution can be achieved by Monte Carlo simulations or by analytical methods. In this study, fluka Monte Carlo code has been considered for use in nuclear medicine dosimetry. Up to now, fluka has mainly been dedicated to other fields, namely high energy physics, radiation protection, and hadrontherapy. When first employing a Monte Carlo code for nuclear medicine dosimetry, its results concerning electron transport at energies typical of nuclear medicine applications need to be verified. This is commonly achieved by means of calculation of a representative parameter and comparison with reference data. Dose point kernelmore » (DPK), quantifying the energy deposition all around a point isotropic source, is often the one. Methods: fluka DPKs have been calculated in both water and compact bone for monoenergetic electrons (10{sup -3} MeV) and for beta emitting isotopes commonly used for therapy ({sup 89}Sr, {sup 90}Y, {sup 131}I, {sup 153}Sm, {sup 177}Lu, {sup 186}Re, and {sup 188}Re). Point isotropic sources have been simulated at the center of a water (bone) sphere, and deposed energy has been tallied in concentric shells. fluka outcomes have been compared to penelope v.2008 results, calculated in this study as well. Moreover, in case of monoenergetic electrons in water, comparison with the data from the literature (etran, geant4, mcnpx) has been done. Maximum percentage differences within 0.8{center_dot}R{sub CSDA} and 0.9{center_dot}R{sub CSDA} for monoenergetic electrons (R{sub CSDA} being the continuous slowing down approximation range) and within 0.8{center_dot}X{sub 90} and 0.9{center_dot}X{sub 90} for isotopes (X{sub 90} being the radius of the sphere in which 90% of the emitted energy is absorbed) have been computed, together with the average percentage difference within 0.9{center_dot}R{sub CSDA} and 0.9{center_dot}X{sub 90} for electrons and isotopes, respectively. Results: Concerning monoenergetic electrons, within 0.8{center_dot}R{sub CSDA} (where 90%-97% of the particle energy is deposed), fluka and penelope agree mostly within 7%, except for 10 and 20 keV electrons (12% in water, 8.3% in bone). The discrepancies between fluka and the other codes are of the same order of magnitude than those observed when comparing the other codes among them, which can be referred to the different simulation algorithms. When considering the beta spectra, discrepancies notably reduce: within 0.9{center_dot}X{sub 90}, fluka and penelope differ for less than 1% in water and less than 2% in bone with any of the isotopes here considered. Complete data of fluka DPKs are given as Supplementary Material as a tool to perform dosimetry by analytical point kernel convolution. Conclusions: fluka provides reliable results when transporting electrons in the low energy range, proving to be an adequate tool for nuclear medicine dosimetry.« less

Alternative Fuels Data Center: Idaho National Laboratory Dual-Fuel Buses

Science.gov Websites

, and increases passenger safety during bad weather. The dual-fuel approach is being analyzed as a way Gas Biodiesel Fuel Properties Comparison Yellowstone-Teton Clean Energy Coalition Idaho National

The Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center (FNMOC) - Naval

Science.gov Websites

Prediction Charts (EFS). WxMAP depictions of NAVGEM predictions for side-by-side comparison with NCEP global NWP model (GFS) are also available. Oceanography Products This area provides Global & Regional

Comparison between a pediatric health promotion center and a pediatric obesity clinic in detecting metabolic syndrome and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in children.

PubMed

Yang, Hye Ran; Yi, Dae Yong; Choi, Hyoung Soo

2014-12-01

This study was done to evaluate the efficacy of health check-ups in children in detecting metabolic syndrome and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) by comparing the pediatric health promotion center with the pediatric obesity clinic. Children who visited a pediatric health promotion center (n=218) or a pediatric obesity clinic (n=178) were included. Anthropometric data, blood pressure, laboratory tests, and abdominal ultrasonography were evaluated. Two different criteria were applied to diagnose metabolic syndrome. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in the 2 units was 3.2%-3.7% in a pediatric health promotion center and 23%-33.2% in a pediatric obesity clinic. Significant differences were observed in the prevalence of each component of metabolic syndrome between the 2 units including abdominal adiposity, blood pressure, serum triglycerides, and fasting blood glucose (P<0.05). The prevalence of NAFLD was 8.7% and 71.9% in the 2 units according to liver enzymes and 5.9% and 61.8% according to ultrasonography (P<0.05). The prevalence of metabolic syndrome and NAFLD was higher among patients visiting the obesity clinic targeting obese children than that among patients visiting the health promotion center offering routine check-ups. An obesity-oriented approach is required to prevent obesity-related health problems in children.

Multi-center evaluation of analytical performance of the Beckman Coulter AU5822 chemistry analyzer.

PubMed

Zimmerman, M K; Friesen, L R; Nice, A; Vollmer, P A; Dockery, E A; Rankin, J D; Zmuda, K; Wong, S H

2015-09-01

Our three academic institutions, Indiana University, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, and Wake Forest, were among the first in the United States to implement the Beckman Coulter AU5822 series chemistry analyzers. We undertook this post-hoc multi-center study by merging our data to determine performance characteristics and the impact of methodology changes on analyte measurement. We independently completed performance validation studies including precision, linearity/analytical measurement range, method comparison, and reference range verification. Complete data sets were available from at least one institution for 66 analytes with the following groups: 51 from all three institutions, and 15 from 1 or 2 institutions for a total sample size of 12,064. Precision was similar among institutions. Coefficients of variation (CV) were <10% for 97%. Analytes with CVs >10% included direct bilirubin and digoxin. All analytes exhibited linearity over the analytical measurement range. Method comparison data showed slopes between 0.900-1.100 for 87.9% of the analytes. Slopes for amylase, tobramycin and urine amylase were <0.8; the slope for lipase was >1.5, due to known methodology or standardization differences. Consequently, reference ranges of amylase, urine amylase and lipase required only minor or no modification. The four AU5822 analyzers independently evaluated at three sites showed consistent precision, linearity, and correlation results. Since installations, the test results had been well received by clinicians from all three institutions. Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Impact of the application of neurolinguistic programming to mothers of children enrolled in a day care center of a shantytown.

PubMed

de Miranda, C T; de Paula, C S; Palma, D; da Silva, E M; Martin, D; de Nóbrega, F J

1999-03-04

Of the members of a family, the mother is without doubt the most important one, which provides justification for including an evaluation of her mental health as one of the variables to be considered as determining factors in each child's level of development. To assess the impact of the application of Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP) on child development, home environment and maternal mental health. Randomised controlled trial. The study included children enrolled in the municipal day care center of a shantytown in the City of São Paulo. 45 pairs of mothers and respective children between 18 and 36 months of age. Children's development (Bayley scales); home environment variation (HOME); and maternal mental health (SRQ). Comparison between before and after the intervention was made in terms of children's psychomotor development, home environment and maternal mental health. Application of the NLP technique to the experimental group and comparison with a control group. 1--Experimental (EG), consisting of 23 children submitted to intervention by NLP; and 2--Control (CG), with 22 children with no intervention. Length of intervention: 15 sessions of NLP. 37 children remained in the study (EG = 10, CG = 27). Variations in mental development (OR 1.21, IC 95% 0.0 to 23.08) in their home environment (Wilcoxon): p = 0.96 (before) and p = 0.09 (after); in maternal mental health: p = 0.26, 2 df. There was a trend that indicated positive effects on the home environment from the intervention.

Comparison of Mean Climate Trends in the Northern Hemisphere Between N.C.E.P. and Two Atmosphere-Ocean Model Forced Runs

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lucarini, Valerio; Russell, Gary L.; Hansen, James E. (Technical Monitor)

2002-01-01

Results are presented for two greenhouse gas experiments of the Goddard Institute for Space Studies Atmosphere-Ocean Model (AOM). The computed trends of surface pressure, surface temperature, 850, 500 and 200 mb geopotential heights and related temperatures of the model for the time frame 1960-2000 are compared to those obtained from the National Centers for Environmental Prediction observations. A spatial correlation analysis and mean value comparison are performed, showing good agreement. A brief general discussion about the statistics of trend detection is presented. The domain of interest is the Northern Hemisphere (NH) because of the higher reliability of both the model results and the observations. The accuracy that this AOM has in describing the observed regional and NH climate trends makes it reliable in forecasting future climate changes.

PLIF Study of Mars Science Laboratory Capsule Reaction Control System Jets

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Johansen, C. T.; Danehy, P. M.; Ashcraft, S. W.; Bathel, B. F.; Inman, J. A.; Jones, S. B.

2011-01-01

Nitric-oxide planar laser-induced fluorescence (NO PLIF) was used to visualize the flow in the wake of a Mars Science Lab (MSL) entry capsule with activated reaction control system (RCS) jets in NASA Langley Research Center s 31-Inch Mach 10 Air Tunnel facility. Images were processed using the Virtual Diagnostics Interface (ViDI) method, which brings out the three-dimensional nature of the flow visualization data while showing the relative location of the data with respect to the model. Comparison of wind-on and wind-off results illustrates the effect that the hypersonic crossflow has on the trajectory and structure of individual RCS jets. The visualization and comparison of both single and multiple activated RCS jets indicate low levels of jet-jet interaction. Quantitative streamwise velocity was also obtained via NO PLIF molecular tagging velocimetry (MTV).

PLIF Study of Mars Science Laboratory Capsule Reaction Control System Jets

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Johansen, C. T.; Danehy, P. M.; Ashcraft, S. W.; Bathel, B. F.; Inman, J. A.; Jones, S. B.

2011-01-01

Nitric-oxide planar laser-induced fluorescence (NO PLIF) was used to visualize the flow in the wake of a Mars Science Lab (MSL) entry capsule with activated reaction control system (RCS) jets in NASA Langley Research Center's 31-Inch Mach 10 Air Tunnel facility. Images were processed using the Virtual Diagnostics Interface (ViDI) method, which brings out the three-dimensional nature of the flow visualization data while showing the relative location of the data with respect to the model. Comparison of wind-on and wind-off results illustrates the effect that the hypersonic crossflow has on the trajectory and structure of individual RCS jets. The visualization and comparison of both single and multiple activated RCS jets indicate low levels of jet-jet interaction. Quantitative streamwise velocity was also obtained via NO PLIF molecular tagging velocimetry (MTV).

The influence of thermoplastic thoraco lumbo sacral orthoses on standing balance in subjects with idiopathic scoliosis.

PubMed

Khanal, Minoo; Arazpour, Mokhtar; Bahramizadeh, Mahmood; Samadian, Mohammad; Hutchins, Stephen W; Kashani, Reza Vahab; Mardani, Mohammad A; Tari, Hossein Vahid; Aboutorabi, Atefeh; Curran, Sarah; Sadeghi, Heidar

2016-08-01

Idiopathic scoliosis patients have postural equilibrium problems. The objective of this study was to assess postural control in subjects with idiopathic scoliosis following a 4-month intervention in an unbraced position. Quasi-experimental. Eight healthy girls and eight girls with idiopathic scoliosis took part. A Kistler force platform was used with a frequency of 100 Hz for recording data. The center of pressure was recorded in different positions out of brace for scoliosis and healthy subjects. Test conditions were single limb and double limb stance, with eyes open and closed, and foam and rigid surfaces. The data reflected a weak balance of idiopathic scoliosis subjects compared to healthy subjects. After 1 and 4 months of wearing the brace, center of pressure and center of gravity sway increased in the majority of the tests, although there were no significant differences in any of the test conditions (p > 0.05). While the center of pressure sway in medio-lateral direction decreased after 4 months of wearing a brace, in other variables center of pressure and center of gravity sway increased. Idiopathic scoliosis patients have weak balance in comparison to healthy subjects. In addition, following a period of 4 months of wearing a brace, balance parameters in the scoliosis subjects did not improve. The results show that we need more follow-up of orthoses wearing in idiopathic scoliosis subjects and suggest more studies at least 1-year follow-up to identify the efficiency of brace wear on balance. Scoliosis can alter postural stability and balance performance during quiet standing. Spinal deformity can alter a subject's ability to compensate for postural changes and cause gait deviations. This study investigated balance differences between the healthy and idiopathic scoliosis patients and the results of thoraco lumbo sacral orthosis brace wear. It might provide some new insight into the conservative treatment of idiopathic scoliosis patients for clinicians and researchers. © The International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics 2015.

Recent progress in the NASA-Goddard Space Flight Center atomic hydrogen standards program

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Reinhardt, V. S.

1981-01-01

At NASA Goddard Space Flight Center and through associated contractors, a broad spectrum of work is being carried out to develop improved hydrogen maser frequency standards for field use, improved experimental hydrogen maser frequency standards, and improved frequency and time distribution and measurement systems for hydrogen maser use. Recent progress in the following areas is reported: results on the Nr masers built by the Applied Physics Laboratory of Johns Hopkins University, the development of a low cost hydrogen maser at Goddard Space Flight Center, and work on a low noise phase comparison system and digitally phase locked crystal oscillator called the distribution and measurement system.

Development of a NEW Vector Magnetograph at Marshall Space Flight Center

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

West, Edward; Hagyard, Mona; Gary, Allen; Smith, James; Adams, Mitzi; Rose, M. Franklin (Technical Monitor)

2001-01-01

This paper will describe the Experimental Vector Magnetograph that has been developed at the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC). This instrument was designed to improve linear polarization measurements by replacing electro-optic and rotating waveplate modulators with a rotating linear analyzer. Our paper will describe the motivation for developing this magnetograph, compare this instrument with traditional magnetograph designs, and present a comparison of the data acquired by this instrument and original MSFC vector magnetograph.

A Cost Comparison Between Active and Naval Reserve Force FFG 7 Class Ships

DTIC Science & Technology

1993-06-01

so in our hypothetical depreciation schedule 1/30th of the depreciable cost would be expensed each year. Under GAAP , the historical cost of the asset...and Support Costs (VAMOSC) data base provided by the* aval Center For Cost Analysis. The thesis also sets up theoretical depreciation schedules for...VAMOSC) data base provided by the Naval Center for Cost Analysis. The thesis also sets up theoretical depreciation schedules for selected ships to

Contributions of South American research centers to Carbohydrate Research.

PubMed

Stortz, Carlos A

2014-03-24

The present article shows the objective figures of the contributions of South American research centers to Carbohydrate Research during its 50years of history, measured in terms of members of the Editorial Board, number of articles and citations to them, together with a country-based comparison, and the progression of these contributions with time. In addition, it also shows the subjective feelings of the author toward the same journal. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Contributions of South American research centers to Carbohydrate Research.

PubMed

Stortz, Carlos A

2015-02-11

The present article shows the objective figures of the contributions of South American research centers to Carbohydrate Research during its 50 years of history, measured in terms of members of the Editorial Board, number of articles and citations to them, together with a country-based comparison, and the progression of these contributions with time. In addition, it also shows the subjective feelings of the author toward the same journal. Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Structural Studies of Bacterioferritin B from Pseudomonas aeruginosa Suggest a Gating Mechanism for Iron Uptake via the Ferroxidase Center

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

Weeratunga, Saroja K.; Lovell, Scott; Yao, Huili

2010-03-16

The structure of recombinant Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacterioferritin B (Pa BfrB) has been determined from crystals grown from protein devoid of core mineral iron (as-isolated) and from protein mineralized with {approx}600 iron atoms (mineralized). Structures were also obtained from crystals grown from mineralized BfrB after they had been soaked in an FeSO{sub 4} solution (Fe soak) and in separate experiments after they had been soaked in an FeSO{sub 4} solution followed by a soak in a crystallization solution (double soak). Although the structures consist of a typical bacterioferritin fold comprised of a nearly spherical 24-mer assembly that binds 12 heme molecules,more » comparison of microenvironments observed in the distinct structures provided interesting insights. The ferroxidase center in the as-isolated, mineralized, and double-soak structures is empty. The ferroxidase ligands (except His130) are poised to bind iron with minimal conformational changes. The His130 side chain, on the other hand, must rotate toward the ferroxidase center to coordinate iron. In comparison, the structure obtained from crystals soaked in an FeSO{sub 4} solution displays a fully occupied ferroxidase center and iron bound to the internal, Fe{sub (in)}, and external, Fe{sub (out)}, surfaces of Pa BfrB. The conformation of His130 in this structure is rotated toward the ferroxidase center and coordinates an iron ion. The structures also revealed a pore on the surface of Pa BfrB that likely serves as a port of entry for Fe{sup 2+} to the ferroxidase center. On its opposite end, the pore is capped by the side chain of His130 when it adopts its 'gate-closed' conformation that enables coordination to a ferroxidase iron. A change to its 'gate-open', noncoordinative conformation creates a path for the translocation of iron from the ferroxidase center to the interior cavity. These structural observations, together with findings obtained from iron incorporation measurements in solution, suggest that the ferroxidase pore is the dominant entry route for the uptake of iron by Pa BfrB. These findings, which are clearly distinct from those made with Escherichia coli Bfr [Crow, A. C., Lawson, T. L., Lewin, A., Moore, G. R., and Le Brun, N. E. (2009) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 131, 6808-6813], indicate that not all bacterioferritins operate in the same manner.« less

Modification of the Assessment of Life Habits (LIFE-Hm) to consider personalized satisfaction with participation in activities and roles: results from a construct validity study with older adults.

PubMed

Roy-Bouthot, Kathleen; Filiatrault, Patrick; Caron, Cyndi; Gagnon, Maxime; Prémont, Stéphanie; Levasseur, Mélanie

2014-01-01

Participation, defined as a person's involvement in activities and roles, is a primary intervention goal in rehabilitation. To achieve client-centered practice, rehabilitation professionals need to go beyond objective accomplishment criteria and consider satisfaction with and the importance of participation in activities and roles. To our knowledge, no instrument considers accomplishment, satisfaction and importance of activities and roles, and allows numerical scoring and comparison. The objectives of this study were to modify the Assessment of Life Habits questionnaire (LIFE-Hm) to consider personalized satisfaction (satisfaction weighted by importance) with participation in activities and roles, and to: (1) examine its convergent validity with quality of life (QOL) and (2) compare the associations between QOL on the one hand and, satisfaction (LIFE-H) and personalized satisfaction (LIFE-Hm) with participation on the other. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with 84 older adults, average age 76 years, with different functional autonomy levels. Quality of life was associated with personalized satisfaction for all categories of activities and roles (r = 0.45 to 0.75; p < 0.001). These associations differed significantly from the associations with satisfaction for the "housing", "mobility" and "responsibilities" categories (p = 0.04 to 0.0047). This study found good construct validity of the LIFE-Hm with QOL. Personalization can add value in achieving client-centered practice. Implications for Rehabilitation The LIFE-Hm becomes the first instrument available in English and French that allows comparison between individuals and informs rehabilitation professionals about the level of accomplishment, satisfaction and personalized satisfaction with participation in activities and roles. Personalized satisfaction can add value in achieving client-centered practice as it considers not only how satisfying activities and roles are for the person, but also the importance that these activities and roles have for her/him. The LIFE-Hm offers the advantage of systematically identifying activities and roles which are not satisfactory but are important for the client and have the potential to be improved (lower accomplishment level).

A comparison of GLAS SAT and NMC high resolution NOSAT forecasts from 19 and 11 February 1976

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Atlas, R.

1979-01-01

A subjective comparison of the Goddard Laboratory for Atmospheric Sciences (GLAS) and the National Meteorological Center (NMC) high resolution model forecasts is presented. Two cases where NMC's operational model in 1976 had serious difficulties in forecasting for the United States were examined. For each of the cases, the GLAS model forecasts from initial conditions which included satellite sounding data were compared directly to the NMC higher resolution model forecasts, from initial conditions which excluded the satellite data. The comparison showed that the GLAS satellite forecasts significantly improved upon the current NMC operational model's predictions in both cases.

Comparison between theoretical and experimental stresses in circular semimonocoque cylinders with rectangular cutouts

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mccomb, Harvey G , Jr; Low, Emmet F , Jr

1955-01-01

Comparisons are made between a theory for calculating stresses about rectangular cutouts in circular cylinders of semimonocoque construction published in NACA-TN-3200 and previously published NACA experimental data. The comparisons include stresses in the stringers and shear stresses in the center of the shear panels in the neighborhood of the cutout. The theory takes into account the bending flexibility of the rings in the structure, and this factor is found to be important in the calculation of stresses about cutouts. In general, when the ring flexibility is considered, good agreement is exhibited between the calculated and experimental results. (author)

[Female patients with fibromyalgia syndrome in somatic and psychosomatic rehabilitation center - an exploratory study on access routes and differences in patient characteristics].

PubMed

Ullrich, A; Glattacker, M; Sibold, M; Egle, U T; Ehlebracht-König, I; Geigges, W; Köllner, V; Kruse, M; Jäckel, W H

2013-10-01

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is characterized by e. g. chronic, multilocular pain, and mental health problems. In Germany, patients with FMS are treated in somatic and psychosomatic rehabilitation centers - specialized for rheumatic diseases (somatic) or psychosomatic diseases. The aim of this study is to identify the status quo of FMS patients' access routes to the rehabilitation system, and to identify their predictors for being assigned to one or the other indication group. Our cohort consists of 197 FMS patients from 3 psychosomatic (M=49.9 years) and 223 FMS patients (M=50.2 years) from 3 somatic rehabilitation centers. At the beginning of rehabilitation, patients filled out a questionnaire packet to identify their access routes to the rehabilitation centers and to record patients' disease-related, psychosocial and socio-demographic characteristics. To analyze the results we used descriptive calculations, calculated bivariate correlations, and conducted binary logistic regression analysis for the prediction of group membership. The access routes of FMS patients to a somatic or a psychosomatic rehabilitation center were often similar. Some items revealed significant group differences, i. e., a higher primary -rejection rate, longer waiting period between application for rehabilitation and its approval, and between the application itself and initiation of psychosomatic rehabilitation in comparison to somatic FMS patients. Prior experience of out-patient psychotherapy, and expectations ("psychological support") for the rehabilitation were predictive patient characteristics for the assignment into a psychosomatic rehabilitation center. Marriage, motivation, and expectations ("physical improvement" and "interaction with other patients") for the rehabilitation were predictive patient characteristics for the assignment in a somatic rehabilitation center. The predictors clarified 32% of the variance of group membership. Our results provide initial evidence of how FMS patients access the German rehabilitation system and which of their characteristics are responsible for being assigned to a particular rehabilitation setting. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

Parameter identification studies on the NASA/Ames Research Center Advanced Concepts Flight Simulator. M.S. Thesis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mckavitt, Thomas P., Jr.

1990-01-01

The results of an aircraft parameters identification study conducted on the National Aeronautics and Space Administration/Ames Research Center Advanced Concepts Flight Simulator (ACFS) in conjunction with the Navy-NASA Joint Institute of Aeronautics are given. The ACFS is a commercial airline simulator with a design based on future technology. The simulator is used as a laboratory for human factors research and engineering as applied to the commercial airline industry. Parametric areas examined were engine pressure ratio (EPR), optimum long range cruise Mach number, flap reference speed, and critical take-off speeds. Results were compared with corresponding parameters of the Boeing 757 and 767 aircraft. This comparison identified two areas where improvements can be made: (1) low maximum lift coefficients (on the order of 20-25 percent less than those of a 757); and (2) low optimum cruise Mach numbers. Recommendations were made to those anticipated with the application of future technologies.

Assessing the Impact of School-Based Health Centers on Academic Achievement and College Preparation Efforts: Using Propensity Score Matching to Assess School-Level Data in California.

PubMed

Bersamin, Melina; Garbers, Samantha; Gaarde, Jenna; Santelli, John

2016-08-01

This study examines the association between school-based health center (SBHC) presence and school-wide measures of academic achievement and college preparation efforts. Publicly available educational and demographic data from 810 California public high schools were linked to a list of schools with an SBHC. Propensity score matching, a method to reduce bias inherent in nonrandomized control studies, was used to select comparison schools. Regression analyses, controlling for proportion of English-language learners, were conducted for each outcome including proportion of students participating in three College Board exams, graduation rates, and meeting university graduation requirements. Findings suggest that SBHC presence is positively associated with college preparation outcomes but not with academic achievement outcomes (graduation rates or meeting state graduation requirements). Future research must examine underlying mechanisms supporting this association, such as school connectedness. Additional research should explore the role that SBHC staff could have in supporting college preparation efforts. © The Author(s) 2016.

Study of the interaction mechanisms between absorbed NO{sub 2} and por-Si/SnO{sub x} nanocomposite layers

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

Bolotov, V. V.; Kan, V. E., E-mail: kan@obisp.oscsbras.ru; Makushenko, R. K.

2013-10-15

The interaction mechanisms between NO{sub 2} molecules and the surface of por-Si/SnO{sub x} nanocomposites obtained by magnetron deposition and chemical vapor deposition (CVD) are studied by infrared absorption spectroscopy and electron paramagnetic resonance methods. The observed increase in the free carrier concentration in the por-Si/SnO{sub x} nanocomposite layers is explained by a change in the charge state of P{sub b} centers due to the formation of neutral 'surface defect-adsorbed NO{sub 2} molecule' complexes with free carrier generation in the crystallite bulk. In the nanocomposite layers grown by the CVD method, the increase in the free hole concentration during NO{sub 2}more » adsorption is much less pronounced in comparison with the composite grown by magnetron deposition, which is caused by the competing interaction channel of NO{sub 2} molecules with electrically neutral P{sub b} centers.« less

Comparison of four bioindication methods for assessing the degree of environmental lead and cadmium pollution.

PubMed

Dmuchowski, Wojciech; Gozdowski, Dariusz; Baczewska, Aneta Helena

2011-12-15

The purpose of this study was to assess the application of several bioindication methods for the monitoring of environmental pollution from Pb and Cd. The study area centered on the town of Olkusz, Poland, which is one of the oldest centers for the metallurgical industry in Europe. The assessment of environmental pollution due to metals was performed using four frequently used bioindication methods: moss-bag (Sphagnum fallax), determination of metal accumulation in Pleurozium schreberi, silver birch foliage, and Scots pine needles. The region of Olkusz, and especially the area surrounding the mining and metallurgical Bolesław complex, was extremely contaminated with Pb and Cd. The results of the investigations are presented as contamination deposition maps. Despite the application of various methods and the resulting diversity of the specific exposure periods for different biomonitors, the spatial distribution of contamination shown on the maps was similar, as confirmed by the statistical analysis of the results. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Hyperspectral landcover classification for the Yakima Training Center, Yakima, Washington

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

Steinmaus, K.L.; Perry, E.M.; Petrie, G.M.

1998-04-01

The US Department of Energy`s (DOE`s) Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) was tasked in FY97-98 to conduct a multisensor feature extraction project for the Terrain Modeling Project Office (TMPO) of the National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA). The goal of this research is the development of near-autonomous methods to remotely classify and characterize regions of military interest, in support of the TMPO of NIMA. These methods exploit remotely sensed datasets including hyperspectral (HYDICE) imagery, near-infrared and thermal infrared (Daedalus 3600), radar, and terrain datasets. The study site for this project is the US Army`s Yakima Training Center (YTC), a 326,741-acremore » training area located near Yakima, Washington. Two study areas at the YTC were selected to conduct and demonstrate multisensor feature extraction, the 2-km x 2-km Cantonment Area and the 3-km x 3-km Choke Point area. Classification of the Cantonment area afforded a comparison of classification results at different scales.« less

Breast Cancer Research at NASA

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1998-01-01

Epithelial and fibroblast cell coculture: Long-term growth human mammary epithelial cells (HMEC) admixed in coculture with fibroblast from the same initial breast tissue grown as 3-dimenstional constructions in the presence of attachment beads in the NASA Bioreactor. A: A typical constrct about 2.0 mm in diameter without beads on the surface. The center of these constrcts is hollow, and beads are organized about the irner surface. Although the coculture provides smaller constructs than the monoculture, the metabolic of the organized cells is about the same. B, C, D: Closer views of cells showing that the shape of cells and cell-to-cell interactions apprear different in the coculture than in the monoculture constructs. NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) is sponsoring research with Bioreactors, rotating wall vessels designed to grow tissue samples in space, to understand how breast cancer works. This ground-based work studies the growth and assembly of human mammary epithelial cell (HMEC) from breast cancer susceptible tissue. Radiation can make the cells cancerous, thus allowing better comparisons of healthy vs. tunorous tissue. Credit: Dr. Robert Richmond, NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC).

Microgravity

NASA Image and Video Library

1998-10-10

Epithelial and fibroblast cell coculture: Long-term growth human mammary epithelial cells (HMEC) admixed in coculture with fibroblast from the same initial breast tissue grown as 3-dimenstional constructions in the presence of attachment beads in the NASA Bioreactor. A: A typical constrct about 2.0 mm in diameter without beads on the surface. The center of these constrcts is hollow, and beads are organized about the irner surface. Although the coculture provides smaller constructs than the monoculture, the metabolic of the organized cells is about the same. B, C, D: Closer views of cells showing that the shape of cells and cell-to-cell interactions apprear different in the coculture than in the monoculture constructs. NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) is sponsoring research with Bioreactors, rotating wall vessels designed to grow tissue samples in space, to understand how breast cancer works. This ground-based work studies the growth and assembly of human mammary epithelial cell (HMEC) from breast cancer susceptible tissue. Radiation can make the cells cancerous, thus allowing better comparisons of healthy vs. tunorous tissue. Credit: Dr. Robert Richmond, NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC).

Field manual for crack sealing in asphalt pavements.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2006-01-01

This field manual was developed as a product of research project 4061 Comparison of Hot Poured Crack Sealant to Emulsified Asphalt Crack Sealant conducted by The University of Texas at Austin Center for Transportation Research (CTR). Organizati...

Comparison of mineral dust and droplet residuals measured with two single particle aerosol mass spectrometers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wonaschütz, Anna; Ludwig, Wolfgang; Zawadowicz, Maria; Hiranuma, Naruki; Hitzenberger, Regina; Cziczo, Daniel; DeMott, Paul; Möhler, Ottmar

2017-04-01

Single Particle mass spectrometers are used to gain information on the chemical composition of individual aerosol particles, aerosol mixing state, and other valuable aerosol characteristics. During the Mass Spectrometry Intercomparison at the Fifth Ice Nucleation (FIN-01) Workshop, the new LAAPTOF single particle aerosol mass spectrometer (AeroMegt GmbH) was conducting simultaneous measurements together with the PALMS (Particle Analysis by Laser Mass Spectrometry) instrument. The aerosol particles were sampled from the AIDA chamber during ice cloud expansion experiments. Samples of mineral dust and ice droplet residuals were measured simultaneously. In this work, three expansion experiments are chosen for a comparison between the two mass spectrometers. A fuzzy clustering routine is used to group the spectra. Cluster centers describing the ensemble of particles are compared. First results show that while differences in the peak heights are likely due to the use of an amplifier in PALMS, cluster centers are comparable.

A Diagnosis of Rainfall over South America during the 1997/98 El Niño Event. Part I: Validation of NCEP-NCAR Reanalysis Rainfall Data.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brahmananda Rao, V.; Santo, Clóvis E.; Franchito, Sergio H.

2002-03-01

A comparison between the National Centers for Environmental Predictions-National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCEP-NCAR) reanalysis rainfall data and the Agência Nacional de Energia Elétrica (ANEEL) rain gauge data over Brazil is made. It is found that over northeast Brazil, NCEP-NCAR rainfall is overestimated. But over south and southeast Brazil, the correlation between the two datasets is highly significant showing the utility of NCEP-NCAR rainfall data. Over other parts of Brazil the validity of NCEP-NCAR rainfall data is questionable. A detailed comparison between NCEP-NCAR rainfall data over northwest South America and rain gauge data showed that NCEP-NCAR rainfall data are useful despite important differences between the characteristics in the two data sources. NCEP-NCAR reanalysis data seem to have difficulty in correctly reproducing the strength and orientation of the South Atlantic convergence zone.

[Comparison of port needle with safety device between Huber Plus (HP) and Poly PERF Safe (PPS)].

PubMed

Shimono, Chigusa; Tanaka, Atsuko; Fujita, Ai; Ishimoto, Miki; Oura, Shoji; Yamaue, Hiroki; Sato, Morio

2010-05-01

An embedded port is frequently used for outpatients with advanced cancer in central venous chemotherapy or hepatic arterial chemoinfusion. The port needle with a safety device in an ambulatory treatment center is indispensable for medical employees and patient plus family to reduce the risk of a needle puncture accident and to prevent iatrogenic infection. The port needle with safety system has been already introduced in our chemotherapy center. There are two types of port needle with safety device; Huber Plus (HP, Medicon Co., Ltd.) and POLY PERF Safe (PPS, Pyolax Device, Co., Ltd.). The comparison of the feasibility between HP and PPS was conducted by both medical employees and patients plus family using an inquiry score method. HP was highly regarded for its stability plus fixation and PPS for its usefulness in puncture and extraction of the needle. PPS was found to be preferable to HP based on the overall evaluation.

Tellurium nano-structure based NO gas sensor.

PubMed

Kumar, Vivek; Sen, Shashwati; Sharma, M; Muthe, K P; Jagannath; Gaur, N K; Gupta, S K

2009-09-01

Tellurium nanotubes were grown on bare and silver/gold nanoparticle (nucleation centers) deposited silicon substrates by vacuum deposition technique at a substrate temperature of 100 degrees C under high vacuum conditions. Silver and gold nanoparticles prepared on (111) oriented silicon substrates were found to act as nucleation centers for growth of Tellurium nanostructures. Density of nanotubes was found to increase while their diameter reduced when grown using metallic nanoparticle template. These Te nanostructures were investigated for their gas sensitivity. Tellurium nanotubes on Ag templates showed better response to NO in comparison to H2S and NH3 gases. Selectivity in response to NO was improved in comparison to Te thin film sensors reported earlier. The gas sensing mechanism was investigated using Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy techniques. The interaction of NO is seen to yield increased adsorption of oxygen that in turn increases hole density and conductivity in the material.

Analysis/forecast experiments with a multivariate statistical analysis scheme using FGGE data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Baker, W. E.; Bloom, S. C.; Nestler, M. S.

1985-01-01

A three-dimensional, multivariate, statistical analysis method, optimal interpolation (OI) is described for modeling meteorological data from widely dispersed sites. The model was developed to analyze FGGE data at the NASA-Goddard Laboratory of Atmospherics. The model features a multivariate surface analysis over the oceans, including maintenance of the Ekman balance and a geographically dependent correlation function. Preliminary comparisons are made between the OI model and similar schemes employed at the European Center for Medium Range Weather Forecasts and the National Meteorological Center. The OI scheme is used to provide input to a GCM, and model error correlations are calculated for forecasts of 500 mb vertical water mixing ratios and the wind profiles. Comparisons are made between the predictions and measured data. The model is shown to be as accurate as a successive corrections model out to 4.5 days.

Strive toward data harmony of multi sensor aerosol data - Tribute to Dr. Gregory Leptoukh

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wei, J. C.; Lynnes, C.; Kempler, S. J.; Shen, S.

2012-12-01

The Goddard Earth Sciences Data and Information Services Center (GES DISC) has been involved with aerosol data synergy activities and projects over recent years, led by Dr. Gregory Leptoukh. His particular interests centered on issues related to comparison and harmonization of several aspects of aerosol data, such as data quality, bias adjustment, and data provenance. A thorough understanding of these issues is needed to guide multi-sensor data usage and avoid apples-to-oranges inter-comparison and data fusion. In this talk, I will highlight these activities/projects. These would include the tools developed, but also the projects that address specific user needs and innovative services, such as GIOVANNI-MAPSS, AeroStat, NEESPI, MAIRS, ATDD, MDSA, LTA-SWDB, etc. I will also discuss preliminary results from new projects and future goals that build on the ground breaking work, left by Dr. Leptoukh.

A score model for the continuous grading of early allograft dysfunction severity.

PubMed

Pareja, Eugenia; Cortes, Miriam; Hervás, David; Mir, José; Valdivieso, Andrés; Castell, José V; Lahoz, Agustín

2015-01-01

Early allograft dysfunction (EAD) dramatically influences graft and patient outcomes. A lack of consensus on an EAD definition hinders comparisons of liver transplant outcomes and management of recipients among and within centers. We sought to develop a model for the quantitative assessment of early allograft function [Model for Early Allograft Function Scoring (MEAF)] after transplantation. A retrospective study including 1026 consecutive liver transplants was performed for MEAF score development. Multivariate data analysis was used to select a small number of postoperative variables that adequately describe EAD. Then, the distribution of these variables was mathematically modeled to assign a score for each actual variable value. A model, based on easily obtainable clinical parameters (ie, alanine aminotransferase, international normalized ratio, and bilirubin) and scoring liver function from 0 to 10, was built. The MEAF score showed a significant association with patient and graft survival at 3-, 6- and 12-month follow-ups. Hepatic steatosis and age for donors; cold/warm ischemia times and postreperfusion syndrome for surgery; and intensive care unit and hospital stays, Model for End-Stage Liver Disease and Child-Pugh scores, body mass index, and fresh frozen plasma transfusions for recipients were factors associated significantly with EAD. The model was satisfactorily validated by its application to an independent set of 200 patients who underwent liver transplantation at a different center. In conclusion, a model for the quantitative assessment of EAD severity has been developed and validated for the first time. The MEAF provides a more accurate graft function assessment than current categorical classifications and may help clinicians to make early enough decisions on retransplantation benefits. Furthermore, the MEAF score is a predictor of recipient and graft survival. The standardization of the criteria used to define EAD may allow reliable comparisons of recipients' treatments and transplant outcomes among and within centers. © 2014 American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.

Energy and momentum analysis of the deployment dynamics of nets in space

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Botta, Eleonora M.; Sharf, Inna; Misra, Arun K.

2017-11-01

In this paper, the deployment dynamics of nets in space is investigated through a combination of analysis and numerical simulations. The considered net is deployed by ejecting several corner masses and thanks to momentum and energy transfer from those to the innermost threads of the net. In this study, the net is modeled with a lumped-parameter approach, and assumed to be symmetrical, subject to symmetrical initial conditions, and initially slack. The work-energy and momentum conservation principles are employed to carry out centroidal analysis of the net, by conceptually partitioning the net into a system of corner masses and the net proper and applying the aforementioned principles to the corresponding centers of mass. The analysis provides bounds on the values that the velocity of the center of mass of the corner masses and the velocity of the center of mass of the net proper can individually attain, as well as relationships between these and different energy contributions. The analytical results allow to identify key parameters characterizing the deployment dynamics of nets in space, which include the ratio between the mass of the corner masses and the total mass, the initial linear momentum, and the direction of the initial velocity vectors. Numerical tools are employed to validate and interpret further the analytical observations. Comparison of deployment results with and without initial velocity of the net proper suggests that more complete and lasting deployment can be achieved if the corner masses alone are ejected. A sensitivity study is performed for the key parameters identified from the energy/momentum analysis, and the outcome establishes that more lasting deployment and safer capture (i.e., characterized by higher traveled distance) can be achieved by employing reasonably lightweight corner masses, moderate shooting angles, and low shooting velocities. A comparison with current literature on tether-nets for space debris capture confirms overall agreement on the importance and effect of the relevant inertial and ejection parameters on the deployment dynamics.

Staff retention after the privatization of township-village health centers: a case study from the Haimen City of East China.

PubMed

Huang, Jiayan; Shi, Lu; Chen, Yingyao

2013-04-12

Township-village health centers in rural areas play an important role in health service system in China. In East China's Jiangsu Province, the City of Haimen privatized all 25 township-village health centers in 2002. This study assesses the effect of privatization on staff retention among these health centers. This is a retrospective study based on 10-year administrative data from Haimen City. Three waves of administrative data were collected in 2000 (2 years before privatization), 2005 (3 years after privatization) and 2009 (7 years after privatization) for all health care providers in Haimen City, including 3 county hospitals, 6 central township health centers (CTHC) and 25 township-village health centers (TVHC). The effect of privatization on TVHCs' staff retention was evaluated in comparison with the other two types of health care providers. We conducted focus groups with people from Haimen Bureau of Health and various health care providers to help understand the context of these administrative statistics. Each township-village health centers had an average of 40 staff members before the privatization, and the majority of those staff members were their permanent staff. In 2005, three years after the privatization, a substantial amount of staff decrease (from 39.7 staff members per TVHC to 27.5 per TVHC) occurred in these township-village health centers. From 2000 to 2009, the total payroll in TVHCs decreased by almost 29%, while the number of their permanent staff members and nurses decreased by more than 40%. Among the two types of health care providers that did not go through a privatization, those central township health centers had no significant change on their payroll size during this period whereas the county hospitals' average payroll size actually increased by 20%, especially for the number of doctors. In addition, the average salary and caseload in TVHC showed similar decreasing trends from 2000 to 2009, while no such trends can be observed among the other two types of providers that did not undergo privatization. The privatization of township-village health center could have adverse effects on their staff retention, a phenomenon that occurs with a decrease in salary and caseload in these centers. To ensure that these health institutions keep providing health care for rural communities, a stronger social safety net and stronger financing of rural health insurance might be helpful in their staff retention.

Staff retention after the privatization of township-village health centers: a case study from the Haimen City of East China

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background Township-village health centers in rural areas play an important role in health service system in China. In East China’s Jiangsu Province, the City of Haimen privatized all 25 township-village health centers in 2002. This study assesses the effect of privatization on staff retention among these health centers. Methods This is a retrospective study based on 10-year administrative data from Haimen City. Three waves of administrative data were collected in 2000 (2 years before privatization), 2005 (3 years after privatization) and 2009 (7 years after privatization) for all health care providers in Haimen City, including 3 county hospitals, 6 central township health centers (CTHC) and 25 township-village health centers (TVHC). The effect of privatization on TVHCs’ staff retention was evaluated in comparison with the other two types of health care providers. We conducted focus groups with people from Haimen Bureau of Health and various health care providers to help understand the context of these administrative statistics. Results Each township-village health centers had an average of 40 staff members before the privatization, and the majority of those staff members were their permanent staff. In 2005, three years after the privatization, a substantial amount of staff decrease (from 39.7 staff members per TVHC to 27.5 per TVHC) occurred in these township-village health centers. From 2000 to 2009, the total payroll in TVHCs decreased by almost 29%, while the number of their permanent staff members and nurses decreased by more than 40%. Among the two types of health care providers that did not go through a privatization, those central township health centers had no significant change on their payroll size during this period whereas the county hospitals’ average payroll size actually increased by 20%, especially for the number of doctors. In addition, the average salary and caseload in TVHC showed similar decreasing trends from 2000 to 2009, while no such trends can be observed among the other two types of providers that did not undergo privatization. Conclusion The privatization of township-village health center could have adverse effects on their staff retention, a phenomenon that occurs with a decrease in salary and caseload in these centers. To ensure that these health institutions keep providing health care for rural communities, a stronger social safety net and stronger financing of rural health insurance might be helpful in their staff retention. PMID:23587296

Serum perfluoroalkyl substances in children exposed to the world trade center disaster.

PubMed

Trasande, Leonardo; Koshy, Tony T; Gilbert, Joseph; Burdine, Lauren K; Attina, Teresa M; Ghassabian, Akhgar; Honda, Masato; Marmor, Michael; Chu, Dinh Binh; Han, Xiaoxia; Shao, Yongzhao; Kannan, Kurunthachalam

2017-04-01

The World Trade Center (WTC) disaster released large amounts of various chemical substances into the environment, including perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs). Yet, no studies have examined exposures in children living or attending schools near the disaster site. We measured serum PFASs in WTC Health Registry (WTCHR) respondents who were ≤8 years of age on September 11, 2001 and a sociodemographically-matched comparison group. We also examined the relationship of PFASs levels with dust cloud exposure; home dust exposure, and with traumatic exposure, the latter to take into account differences related to possible mental health consequences and associated behavioral problems. Serum samples, collected between 2014 and 2016, were analyzed from 123 WTCHR participants and from 185 participants in the comparison group. In the WTCHR group, median perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) levels were 1.81ng/mL and 3.72ng/mL, respectively. Controlling for sex, caloric intake, race/ethnicity, and date of birth, significant increases among WTCHR participants compared with the matched comparison group were detected for perfluorohexanesulfonate (0.23ng/mL increase or 0.24log unit increase, p=0.006); PFOS (0.86ng/mL increase or 0.16log unit increase, p=0.011); PFOA (0.35ng/mL increase or 0.18log unit increase, p<0.001); perfluorononanoic acid (0.12ng/mL increase or 0.17log unit increase, p=0.003); perfluorodecanoic acid (0.06ng/mL increase or 0.42log unit increase, p<0.001); and perfluoroundecanoic acid (0.03ng/mL increase or 0.32log unit increase, p=0.019). Stronger associations were identified for home dust exposures and traumatic exposures than dust cloud. These findings highlight the importance of conducting longitudinal studies in this population to assess possible cardiometabolic and renal consequences related to these exposures. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

A 10-Year Longitudinal Study of Effects of a Multifaceted Residency Spiritual Care Curriculum: Clinical Ability, Professional Formation, End of Life, and Culture.

PubMed

Anandarajah, Gowri; Roseman, Janet; Lee, Danny; Dhandhania, Nupur

2016-12-01

Although spiritual care (SC) is recognized as important in whole-person medicine, physicians infrequently address patients' spiritual needs, citing lack of training. Although many SC curricula descriptions exist, few studies report effects on physicians. To broadly examine immediate and long-term effects of a required, longitudinal, residency SC curriculum, which emphasized inclusive patient-centered SC, compassion, and spiritual self-care. We conducted in-depth individual interviews with 26 physicians (13 intervention; 13 comparison) trained at a 13-13-13 residency. We interviewed intervention physicians three times over 10 years-1) preintervention, as PGY1s, 2) postintervention, as PGY3s, 3) eight-year postintervention, as practicing physicians. We interviewed comparison physicians as PGY3s. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed by four researchers. Forty-nine interviews were analyzed. General: Both groups were diverse regarding personal importance of spirituality/religion. All physicians endorsed the value of SC, sharing rich patient stories particularly related to end of life and cultural diversity. Curricular effects: 1) skills/barriers-intervention physicians demonstrated progressive improvements in clinical approach, accompanied by diminishing worries related to SC. PGY3 comparison physicians struggled with SC skills and worries more than PGY3 intervention physicians, 2) physician formation-most physicians described residency as profoundly challenging and transformative. Even after eight years, many intervention physicians noted that reflection on their diverse beliefs and values in safety, coupled with compassion shown to them through this curriculum, had deeply positive effects. High impact training: patient-centered spiritual assessment; chaplain rounds; spiritual self-care workshop/retreats; multicultural SC framework. A longitudinal, multifaceted residency SC curriculum can have lasting positive effects on physicians' SC skills and their professional/personal formation. Copyright © 2016 American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Comparison of cumulative dissipated energy between the Infiniti and Centurion phacoemulsification systems.

PubMed

Chen, Ming; Anderson, Erik; Hill, Geoffrey; Chen, John J; Patrianakos, Thomas

2015-01-01

To compare cumulative dissipated energy between two phacoemulsification machines. An ambulatory surgical center, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA. Retrospective chart review. A total of 2,077 consecutive cases of cataract extraction by phacoemulsification performed by five surgeons from November 2012 to November 2014 were included in the study; 1,021 consecutive cases were performed using the Infiniti Vision System, followed by 1,056 consecutive cases performed using the Centurion Vision System. The Centurion phacoemulsification system required less energy to remove a cataractous lens with an adjusted average energy reduction of 38% (5.09 percent-seconds) (P<0.001) across all surgeons in comparison to the Infiniti phacoemulsification system. The reduction in cumulative dissipated energy was statistically significant for each surgeon, with a range of 29%-45% (2.25-12.54 percent-seconds) (P=0.005-<0.001). Cumulative dissipated energy for both the Infiniti and Centurion systems varied directly with patient age, increasing an average of 2.38 percent-seconds/10 years. The Centurion phacoemulsification system required less energy to remove a cataractous lens in comparison to the Infiniti phacoemulsification system.

A study of the rotor wake of a small-scale rotor model in forward flight using laser light sheet flow visualization with comparisons to analytical models

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ghee, Terence A.; Elliott, Joe W.

1992-01-01

An experimental investigation was conducted in the 14 by 22 ft subsonic tunnel at NASA Langley Research Center to quantify the rotor wake behind a scale model helicopter rotor in forward flight (mu = 0.15 and 0.23) at one thrust level (C sub T = 0.0064). The rotor system used in the present test consisted of a four-bladed, fully articulated hub and utilized blades of rectangular planform with a NACA-0012 airfoil section. A laser light sheet, seeded with propylene glycol smoke, was used to visualize the flow in planes parallel and perpendicular to the freestream flow. Quantitative measurements of vortex location, vertical skew angle, and vortex particle void radius were obtained for vortices in the flow; convective velocities were obtained for blade tip vortices. Comparisons were made between the experimental results and the wake geometry generated by computational predictions. The results of these comparisons show that the interaction between wake vortex structures is an important consideration for correctly predicting the wake geometry.

Daily Grind: A Comparison of Causality Orientations, Emotions, and Fantasy Sport Participation.

PubMed

Dwyer, Brendan; Weiner, James

2018-03-01

In 2015, daily fantasy football entered the fantasy sports market as an offshoot of the traditional, season-long form of the game. With quicker payouts and less commitment, the new activity has drawn comparisons to other forms of illegal gambling, and the determination of whether it is a primarily a game of skill or chance has become the center of the comparison. For the most part, legal commentators and society, in general, views traditional, season-long fantasy football as an innocuous, social activity governed equally by both skill and chance. Little evidence exists, however, about participant perception of skill and chance components in daily fantasy football. The current study surveyed 535 daily and traditional-only fantasy football participants in order to understand differences and similarities in the causality orientations of participation (skill or chance). In addition, enjoyment and anxiety were tested for mediating effects on causality orientations and consumption behavior. The results suggest the differences between the activities are not extreme. However, differences were found in which causality orientations influenced enjoyment and which emotion mediated the relationship between perceived skill and consumption.

PARCS: A Safety Net Community-Based Fitness Center for Low-Income Adults

PubMed Central

Keith, NiCole; de Groot, Mary; Mi, Deming; Alexander, Kisha; Kaiser, Stephanie

2015-01-01

Background Physical activity (PA) and fitness are critical to maintaining health and avoiding chronic disease. Limited access to fitness facilities in low-income urban areas has been identified as a contributor to low PA participation and poor fitness. Objectives This research describes community-based fitness centers established for adults living in low-income, urban communities and characterizes a sample of its members. Methods The community identified a need for physical fitness opportunities to improve residents’ health. Three community high schools were host sites. Resources were combined to renovate and staff facilities, acquire equipment, and refer patients to exercise. The study sample included 170 members ≥ age 18yr who completed demographic, exercise self-efficacy, and quality of life surveys and a fitness evaluation. Neighborhood-level U.S. Census data were obtained for comparison. Results The community-based fitness centers resulted from university, public school, and hospital partnerships offering safe, accessible, and affordable exercise opportunities. The study sample mean BMI was 35 ± 7.6 (Class II obesity), mean age was 50yr ± 12.5, 66% were black, 72% were female, 66% completed some college or greater, and 71% had an annual household income < $25K and supported 2.2 dependents. Participants had moderate confidence for exercise participation and low fitness levels. When compared to census data, participants were representative of their communities. Conclusion This observational study reveals a need for affordable fitness centers for low-income adults. We demonstrate a model where communities and organizations strategically leverage resources to address disparities in physical fitness and health. PMID:27346764

Validity analysis on merged and averaged data using within and between analysis: focus on effect of qualitative social capital on self-rated health.

PubMed

Shin, Sang Soo; Shin, Young-Jeon

2016-01-01

With an increasing number of studies highlighting regional social capital (SC) as a determinant of health, many studies are using multi-level analysis with merged and averaged scores of community residents' survey responses calculated from community SC data. Sufficient examination is required to validate if the merged and averaged data can represent the community. Therefore, this study analyzes the validity of the selected indicators and their applicability in multi-level analysis. Within and between analysis (WABA) was performed after creating community variables using merged and averaged data of community residents' responses from the 2013 Community Health Survey in Korea, using subjective self-rated health assessment as a dependent variable. Further analysis was performed following the model suggested by WABA result. Both E-test results (1) and WABA results (2) revealed that single-level analysis needs to be performed using qualitative SC variable with cluster mean centering. Through single-level multivariate regression analysis, qualitative SC with cluster mean centering showed positive effect on self-rated health (0.054, p<0.001), although there was no substantial difference in comparison to analysis using SC variables without cluster mean centering or multi-level analysis. As modification in qualitative SC was larger within the community than between communities, we validate that relational analysis of individual self-rated health can be performed within the group, using cluster mean centering. Other tests besides the WABA can be performed in the future to confirm the validity of using community variables and their applicability in multi-level analysis.

Accuracy of the new ICD-9-CM code for "drip-and-ship" thrombolytic treatment in patients with ischemic stroke.

PubMed

Tonarelli, Silvina B; Tibbs, Michael; Vazquez, Gabriela; Lakshminarayan, Kamakshi; Rodriguez, Gustavo J; Qureshi, Adnan I

2012-02-01

A new International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) diagnosis code, V45.88, was approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on October 1, 2008. This code identifies patients in whom intravenous (IV) recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) is initiated in one hospital's emergency department, followed by transfer within 24 hours to a comprehensive stroke center, a paradigm commonly referred to as "drip-and-ship." This study assessed the use and accuracy of the new V45.88 code for identifying ischemic stroke patients who meet the criteria for drip-and-ship at 2 advanced certified primary stroke centers. Consecutive patients over a 12-month period were identified by primary ICD-9-CM diagnosis codes related to ischemic stroke. The accuracy of V45.88 code utilization using administrative data provided by Health Information Management Services was assessed through a comparison with data collected in prospective stroke registries maintained at each hospital by a trained abstractor. Out of a total of 428 patients discharged from both hospitals with a diagnosis of ischemic stroke, 37 patients were given ICD-9-CM code V45.88. The internally validated data from the prospective stroke database demonstrated that a total of 40 patients met the criteria for drip-and-ship. A concurrent comparison found that 92% (sensitivity) of the patients treated with drip-and-ship were coded with V45.88. None of the non-drip-and-ship stroke cases received the V45.88 code (100% specificity). The new ICD-9-CM code for drip-and-ship appears to have high specificity and sensitivity, allowing effective data collection by the CMS. Copyright © 2012 National Stroke Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

[Comparative ultrasound visualization of clinically relevant structures for evaluating the infant hip joint utilizing trapezoidal vs. parallel transducers].

PubMed

Wunsch, R; Wegener-Panzer, A; Reinehr, T; Aurisch, E; Cleaveland, B; Wunsch, C; Dudwiesus, H

2011-01-01

Sonographic evaluation of the infant hip joint according to the method of Graf has proven to be an important pediatric investigative instrument. Our goal was to investigate quantitatively whether (and in what ways) the clinically relevant infant hip joint structures visualize differently when utilizing trapezoidal as opposed to linear transducers. Our approach was both theoretical via a mathematical model and practical with in-vivo measurements in neonates. In a prospective study: 1. theoretical and computed analyses were performed for both linear and trapezoidal transducers regarding their respective accuracy for demonstrating the anatomic geometry of the infant hip, assuming not only correctly centered transducer positioning but also cases with off-centered displacement in the cranial or caudal direction; 2. both hip joints in 97 infants were examined by experienced investigators with comparison of the results for parallel vs. trapezoidal transducers. Theoretical mathematical error analysis reveals no intrinsic systemic deviations between trapezoidal vs. parallel transducers in US scanning of the infant hip and furthermore no inherent disadvantages in the trapezoidal technique. Even when off-center transducer alignments of 1.5 cm are employed in the mathematical models, there is no significant relative distortion of the required anatomic structures when comparing the characteristics of both transducers. The practical in-vivo data from our 97 neonates confirmed the theoretical considerations. No loss of accuracy or other negative factors are evident when trapezoidal transducers are used to visualize the infant hip joint in comparison with the customary parallel technique. There are no significantly measurable differences between the two approaches. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

Wavelength Locking to CO2 Absorption Line-Center for 2-Micron Pulsed IPDA Lidar Application

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Refaat, Tamer F.; Petros, Mulugeta; Antill, Charles W.; Singh, Upendra N.; Yu, Jirong

2016-01-01

An airborne 2-micron triple-pulse integrated path differential absorption (IPDA) lidar is currently under development at NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC). This IPDA lidar system targets both atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) and water vapor (H2O) column measurements. Independent wavelength control of each of the transmitted laser pulses is a key feature for the success of this instrument. The wavelength control unit provides switching, tuning and locking for each pulse in reference to a 2-micron CW (Continuous Wave) laser source locked to CO2 line-center. Targeting the CO2 R30 line center, at 2050.967 nanometers, a wavelength locking unit has been integrated using semiconductor laser diode. The CO2 center-line locking unit includes a laser diode current driver, temperature controller, center-line locking controller and CO2 absorption cell. This paper presents the CO2 center-line locking unit architecture, characterization procedure and results. Assessment of wavelength jitter on the IPDA measurement error will also be addressed by comparison to the system design.

A Comparison of the Effects of Random Versus Fixed Order of Item Presentation Via the Computer

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-02-01

Copies) Dr. Hans Crombag Dr. Stephen Dunbar University of Leyden Lindquist Center Education Research Center for Measurement Boerhaavelaan 2 University of...Iowa 2334 EN Leyden Iowa City, IA 52242 The NETHERLANDS Dr. James A. Earles Dr. Timothy Davey Air Force Human Resources Lab Educational Testing...Montague 4401 Ford Avenue NPRDC Code 13 P.O. Box 16268 San Diego, CA 92152-6800 Alexandria, VA 22302-0268 Ms. Kathleen Moreno Dr..William L. Maloy

Comparison of Functional Outcomes Following Bridge Synostosis with Non-Bone-Bridging Transtibial Combat-Related Amputations

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-05-15

many consecutive hours can you walk in your prosthesis before you feel you need to stop and rest? (hr) 6.9 ± 6.15 8.5 ± 7.1 0.34 0.73 NA *Values are...Walter Reed Army Medical Center and National Naval Medical Center, have since been consolidated. Short Form-36, Prosthesis Evaluation Questionnaire...0.005). There were no significant differences between groups with regard to any of the Short Form-36 domains or Prosthesis Evaluation Questionnaire

A long and winding road: federally qualified health centers, community variation and prospects under reform.

PubMed

Katz, Aaron B; Felland, Laurie E; Hill, Ian; Stark, Lucy B

2011-11-01

Community health centers have evolved from fringe providers to mainstays of many local health care systems. Those designated as federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), in particular, have largely established themselves as key providers of comprehensive, efficient, high-quality primary care services to low-income people, especially Medicaid and uninsured patients. The Center for Studying Health System Change's (HSC's) site visits to 12 nationally representative metropolitan communities since 1996 document substantial growth in FQHC capacity, based on growing numbers of Medicaid enrollees and uninsured people, increased federal support, and improved managerial acumen. At the same time, FQHC development has varied considerably across communities because of several important factors, including local health system characteristics and financial and political support at federal, state and local levels. Some communities--Boston; Syracuse, N.Y.; Miami; and Seattle--have relatively extensive FQHC capacity for their Medicaid and uninsured populations, while other communities--Lansing, Mich.; northern New Jersey; Indianapolis; and Greenville, S.C.--fall in the middle. FQHC growth in Phoenix; Little Rock, Ark.; Cleveland; and Orange County, Calif.; has lagged in comparison. Today, FQHCs seem poised to play a key role in federal health care reform, including coverage expansions and the emphasis on primary care and medical homes.

Acceptability of quality reporting and pay for performance among primary health centers in Lebanon.

PubMed

Saleh, Shadi S; Alameddine, Mohamad S; Natafgi, Nabil M

2013-01-01

Primary health care (PHC) is emphasized as the cornerstone of any health care system. Enhancing PHC performance is considered a strategy to enhance effective and equitable access to care. This study assesses the acceptability of and factors associated with quality reporting among PHC centers (PHCCs) in Lebanon. The managers of 132 Lebanese Ministry of Health PHCCs were surveyed using a cross-sectional design. Managers' willingness to report quality, participate in comparative quality assessments, and endorse pay-for-performance schemes was evaluated. Collected data were matched to the infrastructural characteristics and services database. Seventy-six percent of managers responded to the questionnaire, 93 percent of whom were willing to report clinical performance. Most expressed strong support for peer-performance comparison and pay-for-performance schemes. Willingness to report was negatively associated with the religious affiliation of centers and presence of health care facilities in the catchment area and favorably associated with use of information systems and the size of population served. The great willingness of PHCC managers to employ quality-enhancing initiatives flags a policy priority for PHC stakeholders to strengthen PHCC infrastructure and to enable reporting in an easy, standardized, and systematic way. Enhancing equity necessitates education and empowerment of managers in remote areas and those managing religiously affiliated centers.

Dosimetric verification in water of a Monte Carlo treatment planning tool for proton, helium, carbon and oxygen ion beams at the Heidelberg Ion Beam Therapy Center

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tessonnier, T.; Böhlen, T. T.; Ceruti, F.; Ferrari, A.; Sala, P.; Brons, S.; Haberer, T.; Debus, J.; Parodi, K.; Mairani, A.

2017-08-01

The introduction of ‘new’ ion species in particle therapy needs to be supported by a thorough assessment of their dosimetric properties and by treatment planning comparisons with clinically used proton and carbon ion beams. In addition to the latter two ions, helium and oxygen ion beams are foreseen at the Heidelberg Ion Beam Therapy Center (HIT) as potential assets for improving clinical outcomes in the near future. We present in this study a dosimetric validation of a FLUKA-based Monte Carlo treatment planning tool (MCTP) for protons, helium, carbon and oxygen ions for spread-out Bragg peaks in water. The comparisons between the ions show the dosimetric advantages of helium and heavier ion beams in terms of their distal and lateral fall-offs with respect to protons, reducing the lateral size of the region receiving 50% of the planned dose up to 12 mm. However, carbon and oxygen ions showed significant doses beyond the target due to the higher fragmentation tail compared to lighter ions (p and He), up to 25%. The Monte Carlo predictions were found to be in excellent geometrical agreement with the measurements, with deviations below 1 mm for all parameters investigated such as target and lateral size as well as distal fall-offs. Measured and simulated absolute dose values agreed within about 2.5% on the overall dose distributions. The MCTP tool, which supports the usage of multiple state-of-the-art relative biological effectiveness models, will provide a solid engine for treatment planning comparisons at HIT.

Cross-cultural comparison of the patient-centeredness of the hidden curriculum between a Saudi Arabian and 9 US medical schools.

PubMed

Al-Bawardy, Rasha; Blatt, Benjamin; Al-Shohaib, Saad; Simmens, Samuel J

2009-12-18

The implicit "hidden curriculum" strongly influences medical students' perceptions of the importance of patient-centeredness. A new instrument, the Communication, Curriculum, and Culture Survey (C3), already used to assess this hard-to- access part of the curriculum in the US, has potential for use in cross-cultural comparisons. To use the C3 to perform a pilot cross-cultural comparison of the patient-centeredness of the hidden curriculum between a Saudi medical school and 9 U.S. medical schools. Senior Saudi medical students completed the C3 and a second instrument, the Patient-Provider Orientation Scale (PPOS), which measured their attitudes toward patient-centered behavior. Senior Saudi medical students. 139/256 (54%) Saudis completed the C3; 122/256(48%) completed the PPOS. Means for 2 out of 3 of the C3's domains (0-100 scale) were lower for the Saudis than those for the Americans (95% confidence intervals in parentheses): 47 (45, 50) vs. 55 (53, 58); 54 (50, 58) vs. 68 (67, 70); they overlapped in the third: 60 (57, 63) vs. 62 (60, 63). The mean Saudi PPOS score was 4.0 (3.9, 4.1); for the American medical schools, 4.8 (4.8-4.8) (1-6, least to most patient-centered). In this preliminary study the data suggest that the patient-centeredness of the hidden curriculum differs in Saudi and US medical schools in 2 out of 3 domains. Cross-cultural use of instruments such as the C3 can highlight such important differences and help educators evaluate their curriculum from an international, as well as a local perspective. Use of instruments across borders is a growing trend and an indicator of the increasing globalization of medical education.

Infrared studies of defects formed during postirradiation anneals of Czochralski silicon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Londos, C. A.; Sarlis, N. V.; Fytros, L. G.

1998-10-01

This article reports on defect studies of neutron-irradiated Czochralski-grown silicon (Cz-Si) material by means of infrared spectroscopy. In particular, the investigation was focused on the evolution of the 828 cm-1 well-known band of A-center, due to isochronal anneals from room temperature (RT) up to ≈700 °C. The strength of the VO band begins to increase above ≈200 gradually up to 300 °C (stage I); then, it begins to decrease up to ≈400 °C (stage II), where upon it stabilizes up to ≈550 °C (stage III). Upon re-irradiation under exactly the same conditions and repeating the annealing process, the increase of the VO signal in stage I disappears. The phenomenon is ascribed to the existence of defect aggregates labeled as Xi centers which are correlated with (impurity-defect) clusters that compete with Oi in capturing vacancies. The presence of Xi centers is related to the thermal annealings performed. Comparison of the evolution of VO (828 cm-1) and VO2 (887 cm-1) bands between irradiated and re-irradiated materials, during stage II, is made and the results are discussed in the framework of established reaction patterns. The stabilization of the amplitude of the 828 cm-1 line in stage III is examined. The prevailing aspect is that a portion of A-centers in neutron-irradiated Si acquires larger thermal stability by relaxing in the vicinity of larger defects.

Towards protein-crystal centering using second-harmonic generation (SHG) microscopy

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

Kissick, David J.; Dettmar, Christopher M.; Becker, Michael

2013-05-01

The potential of second-harmonic generation (SHG) microscopy for automated crystal centering to guide synchrotron X-ray diffraction of protein crystals has been explored. The potential of second-harmonic generation (SHG) microscopy for automated crystal centering to guide synchrotron X-ray diffraction of protein crystals was explored. These studies included (i) comparison of microcrystal positions in cryoloops as determined by SHG imaging and by X-ray diffraction rastering and (ii) X-ray structure determinations of selected proteins to investigate the potential for laser-induced damage from SHG imaging. In studies using β{sub 2} adrenergic receptor membrane-protein crystals prepared in lipidic mesophase, the crystal locations identified by SHGmore » images obtained in transmission mode were found to correlate well with the crystal locations identified by raster scanning using an X-ray minibeam. SHG imaging was found to provide about 2 µm spatial resolution and shorter image-acquisition times. The general insensitivity of SHG images to optical scatter enabled the reliable identification of microcrystals within opaque cryocooled lipidic mesophases that were not identified by conventional bright-field imaging. The potential impact of extended exposure of protein crystals to five times a typical imaging dose from an ultrafast laser source was also assessed. Measurements of myoglobin and thaumatin crystals resulted in no statistically significant differences between structures obtained from diffraction data acquired from exposed and unexposed regions of single crystals. Practical constraints for integrating SHG imaging into an active beamline for routine automated crystal centering are discussed.« less

Advanced ballistic range technology

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yates, Leslie A.

1994-01-01

The research conducted supported two facilities at NASA Ames Research Center: the Hypervelocity Free-Flight Aerodynamic Facility and the 16-Inch Shock Tunnel. During the grant period, a computerized film-reading system was developed, and five- and six-degree-of-freedom parameter-identification routines were written and successfully implemented. Studies of flow separation were conducted, and methods to extract phase shift information from finite-fringe interferograms were developed. Methods for constructing optical images from Computational Fluid Dynamics solutions were also developed, and these methods were used for one-to-one comparisons of experiment and computations.

The motion of bubbles inside drops in containerless processing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shankar, N.; Annamalai, P.; Cole, R.; Subramanian, R. S.

1982-01-01

A theoretical model of thermocapillary bubble motion inside a drop, located in a space laboratory, due to an arbitrary axisymmetric temperature distribution on the drop surface was constructed. Typical results for the stream function and temperature fields as well as the migration velocity of the bubble were obtained in the quasistatic limit. The motion of bubbles in a rotating body of liquid was studied experimentally, and an approximate theoretical model was developed. Comparison of the experimental observations of the bubble trajectories and centering times with theoretical predictions lends qualified support to the theory.

Breast Cancer Research at NASA

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1998-01-01

Human primary breast tumor cells after 49 days of growth in a NASA Bioreactor. Tumor cells aggregate on microcarrier beads (indicated by arrow). NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) is sponsoring research with Bioreactors, rotating wall vessels designed to grow tissue samples in space, to understand how breast cancer works. This ground-based work studies the growth and assembly of human mammary epithelial cell (HMEC) from breast cancer susceptible tissue. Radiation can make the cells cancerous, thus allowing better comparisons of healthy vs. tunorous tissue. Credit: Dr. Jearne Becker, University of South Florida

The Effect of Enhanced Diabatic Heating on Stratospheric Circulation. Degree awarded by Michigan University, 1997.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kleb, Mary M.

1997-01-01

The objective of this research focuses on the stratospheric dynamical response to the increase in aerosol loading and subsequent enhanced diabatic heating resulting from the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo. The Langley research Center three dimensional general circulation model and modifications made to that model for this study are described (addition of hydrogen fluoride tracer and diabatic heating enhancement). Unperturbed hydrogen fluoride distribution is compared to the hydrogen fluoride distribution measured by HALOE. A comparison of control and perturbed model runs is presented.

Relative Sizes of Organic Molecules

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2000-01-01

This computer graphic depicts the relative complexity of crystallizing large proteins in order to study their structures through x-ray crystallography. Insulin is a vital protein whose structure has several subtle points that scientists are still trying to determine. Large molecules such as insuline are complex with structures that are comparatively difficult to understand. For comparison, a sugar molecule (which many people have grown as hard crystals in science glass) and a water molecule are shown. These images were produced with the Macmolecule program. Photo credit: NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC)

Rapidity distributions of hadrons in proton-nucleus collisions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pirner, H. J.; Kopeliovich, B. Z.

2018-05-01

We study proton-lead collisions with a new model for the Fock states of the incoming proton. The number of collisions that the proton experiences selects the appropriate Fock state of the proton, which generates a multiple of p p -like rapidity distributions. We take as input the p p maximum entropy distributions, shifting the respective center-of-mass rapidities and reducing the available energies. A comparison with existing data at 5 TeV is made, and results for 8 TeV are presented. We also explore the high multiplicity data in this model.

Performance of wind turbines in a turbulent atmosphere

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sundar, R. M.; Sullivan, J. P.

1981-01-01

The effect of atmospheric turbulence on the power fluctuations of large wind turbines was studied. The significance of spatial non-uniformities of the wind is emphasized. The turbulent wind with correlation in time and space is simulated on the computer by Shinozukas method. The wind turbulence is modelled according to the Davenport spectrum with an exponential spatial correlation function. The rotor aerodynamics is modelled by simple blade element theory. Comparison of the spectrum of power output signal between 1-D and 3-D turbulence, shows the significant power fluctuations centered around the blade passage frequency.

Comparison of 30x11.5 - 14.5 bias-ply and radial-belted tire characteristics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Davis, Pamela A.

1992-01-01

An investigation at NASA Langley Research Center was conducted to determine the static and dynamic mechanical characteristics of 30x11.5-14.5, Type VIII, bias-ply and radial-belted aircraft tires. The tire characteristics were determined by application of vertical and fore-and-aft loads. The results of the study are presented to show static load deflection curves, hysteresis losses, and stiffness and damping characteristics of each tire type tested. The advantages and disadvantages of each type of tire are also given.

Characterization of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated at Tripoli Medical Center, Libya, between 2008 and 2014.

PubMed

BenDarif, Elloulu; Khalil, Asma; Rayes, Abdunnabi; Bennour, Emad; Dhawi, Abdulgader; Lowe, John J; Gibbs, Shawn; Goering, Richard V

2016-12-01

Bacterial pathogens such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) represent a well-known public health problem affecting both healthcare-associated and community populations. Past studies have clearly shown the value of characterizing problem organisms including MRSA through the use of molecular techniques (i.e. strain typing), with the aim of informing local, regional and national efforts in epidemiological analysis and infection control. The country of Libya represents a challenge for such analysis due to limited historical infectious disease information and major political unrest culminating in the Libyan Civil War (Libyan Revolution) in 2011. A MRSA study population of 202 isolates, cultured from patients in Tripoli Medical Center through this historical period (2008-2014), was characterized by both phenotypic and molecular methods. The results revealed a diversification of epidemic MRSA strains over time with generally increasing resistance to fluoroquinolone antibiotics. The study identified prevalent MRSA in comparison to known global epidemic types, providing unique insight into the change of strains and/or characteristics over time especially with reference to the potential influence of the political revolution (i.e. pre- and post-2011).