The bare necessities? A realist review of necessity argumentations used in health care coverage decisions.

PubMed

Kleinhout-Vliek, Tineke; de Bont, Antoinette; Boer, Bert

2017-07-01

Policy makers and insurance companies decide on coverage of care by both calculating (cost-) effectiveness and assessing the necessity of coverage. To investigate argumentations pertaining to necessity used in coverage decisions made by policy makers and insurance companies, as well as those argumentations used by patients, authors, the public and the media. This study is designed as a realist review, adhering to the RAMESES quality standards. Embase, Medline and Web of Science were searched and 98 articles were included that detailed necessity-based argumentations. We identified twenty necessity-based argumentation types. Seven are only used to argue in favour of coverage, five solely for arguing against coverage, and eight are used to argue both ways. A positive decision appears to be facilitated when patients or the public set the decision on the agenda. Moreover, half the argumentation types are only used by patients, authors, the public and the media, whereas the other half is also used by policy makers and insurance companies. The latter group is more accepted and used in more different countries. The majority of necessity-based argumentation types is used for either favouring or opposing coverage, and not for both. Patients, authors, the public and the media use a broader repertoire of argumentation types than policy makers and insurance companies. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Universal coverage and its impact on reproductive health services in Thailand.

PubMed

Tangcharoensathien, Viroj; Tantivess, Sripen; Teerawattananon, Yot; Auamkul, Nanta; Jongudoumsuk, Pongpisut

2002-11-01

Thailand has recently introduced universal health care coverage for 45 million of its people, financed by general tax revenue. A capitation contract model was adopted to purchase ambulatory and hospital care, and preventive care and promotion, including reproductive health services, from public and private service providers. This paper describes the health financing system prior to universal coverage, and the extent to which Thailand has achieved reproductive health objectives prior to this reform. It then analyses the potential impact of universal coverage on reproductive health services. Whether there are positive or negative effects on reproductive health services will depend on the interaction between three key aspects: awareness of entitlement on the part of intended beneficiaries of services, the response of health care providers to capitation, and the capacity of purchasers to monitor and enforce contracts. In rural areas, the district public health system is the sole service provider and the contractual relationship requires trust and positive engagement with purchasers. We recommend an evidence-based approach to fine-tune the reproductive health services benefits package under universal coverage, as well as improved institutional capacity for purchasers and the active participation of civil society and other partners to empower beneficiaries.

Improving draft genome contiguity with reference-derived in silico mate-pair libraries.

PubMed

Grau, José Horacio; Hackl, Thomas; Koepfli, Klaus-Peter; Hofreiter, Michael

2018-05-01

Contiguous genome assemblies are a highly valued biological resource because of the higher number of completely annotated genes and genomic elements that are usable compared to fragmented draft genomes. Nonetheless, contiguity is difficult to obtain if only low coverage data and/or only distantly related reference genome assemblies are available. In order to improve genome contiguity, we have developed Cross-Species Scaffolding-a new pipeline that imports long-range distance information directly into the de novo assembly process by constructing mate-pair libraries in silico. We show how genome assembly metrics and gene prediction dramatically improve with our pipeline by assembling two primate genomes solely based on ∼30x coverage of shotgun sequencing data.

Impact of Vaccination on 14 High-Risk HPV Type Infections: A Mathematical Modelling Approach

PubMed Central

Vänskä, Simopekka; Auranen, Kari; Leino, Tuija; Salo, Heini; Nieminen, Pekka; Kilpi, Terhi; Tiihonen, Petri; Apter, Dan; Lehtinen, Matti

2013-01-01

The development of high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) infection to cervical cancer is a complicated process. We considered solely hrHPV infections, thus avoiding the confounding effects of disease progression, screening, and treatments. To analyse hrHPV epidemiology and to estimate the overall impact of vaccination against infections with hrHPVs, we developed a dynamic compartmental transmission model for single and multiple infections with 14 hrHPV types. The infection-related parameters were estimated using population-based sexual behaviour and hrHPV prevalence data from Finland. The analysis disclosed the important role of persistent infections in hrHPV epidemiology, provided further evidence for a significant natural immunity, and demonstrated the dependence of transmission probability estimates on the model structure. The model predicted that vaccinating girls at 80% coverage will result in a 55% reduction in the overall hrHPV prevalence and a higher 65% reduction in the prevalence of persistent hrHPV infections in females. In males, the reduction will be 42% in the hrHPV prevalence solely by the herd effect from the 80% coverage in girls. If such high coverage among girls is not reached, it is still possible to reduce the female hrHPV prevalence indirectly by the herd effect if also boys are included in the vaccination program. On the other hand, any herd effects in older unvaccinated cohorts were minor. Limiting the epidemiological model to infection yielded improved understanding of the hrHPV epidemiology and of mechanisms with which vaccination impacts on hrHPV infections. PMID:24009669

Silica-sandwiched Au nanoparticle arrays by a soft PE-CVD/RF sputtering approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barreca, Davide; Gasparotto, Alberto; Maccato, Chiara; Tondello, Eugenio

2008-06-01

This work is focused on the development of an innovative synthetic route to SiO2-sandwiched Au nanoparticle arrays. The adopted strategy consists of: (i) the radio frequency sputtering of gold on thermally oxidized Si(100) and silica substrates from Ar plasmas; (ii) the plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition of a SiO2 overlayer using tetramethoxysilane as precursor from Ar-O2 plasmas. A common feature of both preparative stages is the use of very soft processing conditions at temperatures close to room temperature, in order to tailor the Au nanoparticle morphology and to preserve it upon SiO2 coverage. In situ monitoring of gold deposition was accomplished by means of laser reflection interferometry. Valuable information on the system morphology before and after SiO2 coverage was provided by field emission-scanning electron microscopy for samples with different Au content. Additional important information on the system chemical composition, structure and optical response was gained by the combined use of x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, glancing incidence x-ray diffraction and UV-visible absorption spectroscopy. The results obtained highlight the formation of high-purity SiO2/Au/SiO2-sandwiched stacks, in which the gold content and distribution, as well as the nanoparticle morphology, could be tailored by the sole variation of the sputtering time, without any further ex situ treatment.

The genome of flax (Linum usitatissimum) assembled de novo from short shotgun sequence reads.

PubMed

Wang, Zhiwen; Hobson, Neil; Galindo, Leonardo; Zhu, Shilin; Shi, Daihu; McDill, Joshua; Yang, Linfeng; Hawkins, Simon; Neutelings, Godfrey; Datla, Raju; Lambert, Georgina; Galbraith, David W; Grassa, Christopher J; Geraldes, Armando; Cronk, Quentin C; Cullis, Christopher; Dash, Prasanta K; Kumar, Polumetla A; Cloutier, Sylvie; Sharpe, Andrew G; Wong, Gane K-S; Wang, Jun; Deyholos, Michael K

2012-11-01

Flax (Linum usitatissimum) is an ancient crop that is widely cultivated as a source of fiber, oil and medicinally relevant compounds. To accelerate crop improvement, we performed whole-genome shotgun sequencing of the nuclear genome of flax. Seven paired-end libraries ranging in size from 300 bp to 10 kb were sequenced using an Illumina genome analyzer. A de novo assembly, comprised exclusively of deep-coverage (approximately 94× raw, approximately 69× filtered) short-sequence reads (44-100 bp), produced a set of scaffolds with N(50) =694 kb, including contigs with N(50)=20.1 kb. The contig assembly contained 302 Mb of non-redundant sequence representing an estimated 81% genome coverage. Up to 96% of published flax ESTs aligned to the whole-genome shotgun scaffolds. However, comparisons with independently sequenced BACs and fosmids showed some mis-assembly of regions at the genome scale. A total of 43384 protein-coding genes were predicted in the whole-genome shotgun assembly, and up to 93% of published flax ESTs, and 86% of A. thaliana genes aligned to these predicted genes, indicating excellent coverage and accuracy at the gene level. Analysis of the synonymous substitution rates (K(s) ) observed within duplicate gene pairs was consistent with a recent (5-9 MYA) whole-genome duplication in flax. Within the predicted proteome, we observed enrichment of many conserved domains (Pfam-A) that may contribute to the unique properties of this crop, including agglutinin proteins. Together these results show that de novo assembly, based solely on whole-genome shotgun short-sequence reads, is an efficient means of obtaining nearly complete genome sequence information for some plant species. © 2012 The Authors. The Plant Journal © 2012 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Optimization of parameters for coverage of low molecular weight proteins

PubMed Central

Müller, Stephan A.; Kohajda, Tibor; Findeiß, Sven; Stadler, Peter F.; Washietl, Stefan; Kellis, Manolis; von Bergen, Martin

2010-01-01

Proteins with molecular weights of <25 kDa are involved in major biological processes such as ribosome formation, stress adaption (e.g., temperature reduction) and cell cycle control. Despite their importance, the coverage of smaller proteins in standard proteome studies is rather sparse. Here we investigated biochemical and mass spectrometric parameters that influence coverage and validity of identification. The underrepresentation of low molecular weight (LMW) proteins may be attributed to the low numbers of proteolytic peptides formed by tryptic digestion as well as their tendency to be lost in protein separation and concentration/desalting procedures. In a systematic investigation of the LMW proteome of Escherichia coli, a total of 455 LMW proteins (27% of the 1672 listed in the SwissProt protein database) were identified, corresponding to a coverage of 62% of the known cytosolic LMW proteins. Of these proteins, 93 had not yet been functionally classified, and five had not previously been confirmed at the protein level. In this study, the influences of protein extraction (either urea or TFA), proteolytic digestion (solely, and the combined usage of trypsin and AspN as endoproteases) and protein separation (gel- or non-gel-based) were investigated. Compared to the standard procedure based solely on the use of urea lysis buffer, in-gel separation and tryptic digestion, the complementary use of TFA for extraction or endoprotease AspN for proteolysis permits the identification of an extra 72 (32%) and 51 proteins (23%), respectively. Regarding mass spectrometry analysis with an LTQ Orbitrap mass spectrometer, collision-induced fragmentation (CID and HCD) and electron transfer dissociation using the linear ion trap (IT) or the Orbitrap as the analyzer were compared. IT-CID was found to yield the best identification rate, whereas IT-ETD provided almost comparable results in terms of LMW proteome coverage. The high overlap between the proteins identified with IT-CID and IT-ETD allowed the validation of 75% of the identified proteins using this orthogonal fragmentation technique. Furthermore, a new approach to evaluating and improving the completeness of protein databases that utilizes the program RNAcode was introduced and examined. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00216-010-4093-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users. PMID:20803007

Changes in Cirrus Cloudiness and their Relationship to Contrails

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Minnis, Patrick; Ayers, J. Kirk; Palikonda, Rabindra; Doelling, David R.; Schumann, Ulrich; Gierens, Klaus

2001-01-01

Condensation trails, or contrails, formed in the wake of high-altitude aircraft have long been suspected of causing the formation of additional cirrus cloud cover. More cirrus is possible because 10 - 20% of the atmosphere at typical commercial flight altitudes is clear but ice-saturated. Since they can affect the radiation budget like natural cirrus clouds of equivalent optical depth and microphysical properties, contrail -generated cirrus clouds are another potential source of anthropogenic influence on climate. Initial estimates of contrail radiative forcing (CRF) were based on linear contrail coverage and optical depths derived from a limited number of satellite observations. Assuming that such estimates are accurate, they can be considered as the minimum possible CRF because contrails often develop into cirrus clouds unrecognizable as contrails. These anthropogenic cirrus are not likely to be identified as contrails from satellites and would, therefore, not contribute to estimates of contrail coverage. The mean lifetime and coverage of spreading contrails relative to linear contrails are needed to fully assess the climatic effect of contrails, but are difficult to measure directly. However, the maximum possible impact can be estimated using the relative trends in cirrus coverage over regions with and without air traffic. In this paper, the upper bound of CRF is derived by first computing the change in cirrus coverage over areas with heavy air traffic relative to that over the remainder of the globe assuming that the difference between the two trends is due solely to contrails. This difference is normalized to the corresponding linear contrail coverage for the same regions to obtain an average spreading factor. The maximum contrail-cirrus coverage, estimated as the product of the spreading factor and the linear contrail coverage, is then used in the radiative model to estimate the maximum potential CRF for current air traffic.

Evaluating the Theoretical Content of Online Physical Activity Information for People with Multiple Sclerosis

PubMed Central

Baillie, Colin P.T.; Galaviz, Karla; Jarvis, Jocelyn W.; Latimer-Cheung, Amy E.

2015-01-01

Background: Physical activity can aid people with multiple sclerosis (MS) in managing symptoms and maintaining functional abilities. The Internet is a preferred source of physical activity information for people with MS and, therefore, a method for the dissemination of behavior change techniques. The purpose of this study was to examine the coverage and quality of physical activity behavior change techniques delivered on the Internet for adults with MS using Abraham and Michie's taxonomy of behavior change techniques. Methods: Using the taxonomy, 20 websites were coded for quality (ie, accuracy of information) and coverage (ie, completeness of information) of theoretical behavior change techniques. Results: Results indicated that most websites covered a mean of 8.05 (SD 3.86, range 3–16) techniques out of a possible 20. Only one of the techniques, provide information on behavior–health link and consequences, was delivered on all websites. The websites demonstrated low mean coverage and quality across all behavior change techniques, with means of 0.64 (SD 0.67) and 0.62 (SD 0.37) on a scale of 0 to 2, respectively. However, coverage and quality improved when websites were examined solely for the techniques that they covered, as opposed to all 20 techniques. Conclusions: This study, which examined quality and coverage of physical activity behavior change techniques described online for people with MS, illustrated that the dissemination of these techniques requires improvement. PMID:25892979

Health insurance coverage and healthcare utilization among homeless young adults in Venice, CA

PubMed Central

Winetrobe, H.; Rice, E.; Rhoades, H.; Milburn, N.

2016-01-01

Background Homeless young adults are a vulnerable population with great healthcare needs. Under the Affordable Care Act, homeless young adults are eligible for Medicaid, in some states, including California. This study assesses homeless young adults' health insurance coverage and healthcare utilization prior to Medicaid expansion. Methods All homeless young adults accessing services at a drop-in center in Venice, CA, were invited to complete a self-administered questionnaire; 70% of eligible clients participated (n = 125). Results Within this majority White, heterosexual, male sample, 70% of homeless young adults did not have health insurance in the prior year, and 39% reported their last healthcare visit was at an emergency room. Past year unmet healthcare needs were reported by 31%, and financial cost was the main reported barrier to receiving care. Multivariable logistic regression found that homeless young adults with health insurance were almost 11 times more likely to report past year healthcare utilization. Conclusions Health insurance coverage is the sole variable significantly associated with healthcare utilization among homeless young adults, underlining the importance of insurance coverage within this vulnerable population. Service providers can play an important role by assisting homeless young adults with insurance applications and facilitating connections with regular sources of health care. PMID:25635142

The CrowdMag App - turning your smartphone into a travelling magnetic observatory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saltus, Richard; Nair, Manoj

2017-04-01

In 2014, we started the "CrowdMag" Project to collect vector magnetic data from digital magnetometers in smartphones. In October 2014, we released our first-generation Android and iOS apps. Currently, the CrowdMag Project has more than 15,000 enthusiastic users contributing more than 12 million magnetic data points from around the world. NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), in partnership with the University of Colorado's Cooperative Institute for Research in the Environmental Sciences (CIRES) develops magnetic field models to aid navigation, resource exploration and scientific research. We use observatories, satellites and ship/airborne surveys to measure the magnetic data. However, the measurements leave gaps in coverage, particularly for short-wavelength urban noise. Our ultimate goal is to use data from the CrowdMag Project to improve global magnetic data coverage. Here we present some early results from the analysis of the crowdsourced magnetic data. A global magnetic model derived solely based on CrowdMag data is generally consistent with satellite-derived models such as World Magnetic Model. A unique contribution of the CrowdMag Project is the collection of ground level magnetic data in densely populated regions with an unprecedented spatial resolution. For example, we show a magnetic map (by binning the data collected into 100x100m cells) of central Boulder using 170,000 data points collected by about 60 devices over the duration October 2014- January 2016. The median magnetic field value is consistent with the expected magnitude of the Earth's background magnetic field. The standard deviation of the CrowdMag total field (F) values is much higher than the expected natural (i.e., diurnal and geologic) magnetic field variation. However, the phone's magnetometer is sensitive enough to capture the larger magnitude magnetic signature from the urban magnetic sources. We discuss the reliability of crowdsourced magnetic maps and their applications to navigation, global models, and local geologic or environmental investigations.

5 CFR 9701.508 - Homeland Security Labor Relations Board.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... appoint the member for an additional term. The Secretary, in his or her sole and exclusive discretion, may... the HSLRB consists of an odd number of members. (2) Members of the HSLRB must be independent..., at his or her sole and exclusive discretion, will appoint one member to serve as Chair of the HSLRB...

Breast Health Services: Accuracy of Benefit Coverage Information in the Individual Insurance Marketplace.

PubMed

Hamid, Mariam S; Kolenic, Giselle E; Dozier, Jessica; Dalton, Vanessa K; Carlos, Ruth C

2017-04-01

The aim of this study was to determine if breast health coverage information provided by customer service representatives employed by insurers offering plans in the 2015 federal and state health insurance marketplaces is consistent with Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) and state-specific legislation. One hundred fifty-eight unique customer service numbers were identified for insurers offering plans through the federal marketplace, augmented with four additional numbers representing the Connecticut state-run exchange. Using a standardized patient biography and the mystery-shopper technique, a single investigator posed as a purchaser and contacted each number, requesting information on breast health services coverage. Consistency of information provided by the representative with the ACA mandates (BRCA testing in high-risk women) or state-specific legislation (screening ultrasound in women with dense breasts) was determined. Insurer representatives gave BRCA test coverage information that was not consistent with the ACA mandate in 60.8% of cases, and 22.8% could not provide any information regarding coverage. Nearly half (48.1%) of insurer representatives gave coverage information about ultrasound screening for dense breasts that was not consistent with state-specific legislation, and 18.5% could not provide any information. Insurance customer service representatives in the federal and state marketplaces frequently provide inaccurate coverage information about breast health services that should be covered under the ACA and state-specific legislation. Misinformation can inadvertently lead to the purchase of a plan that does not meet the needs of the insured. Copyright © 2016 American College of Radiology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Health insurance coverage and healthcare utilization among homeless young adults in Venice, CA.

PubMed

Winetrobe, H; Rice, E; Rhoades, H; Milburn, N

2016-03-01

Homeless young adults are a vulnerable population with great healthcare needs. Under the Affordable Care Act, homeless young adults are eligible for Medicaid, in some states, including California. This study assesses homeless young adults' health insurance coverage and healthcare utilization prior to Medicaid expansion. All homeless young adults accessing services at a drop-in center in Venice, CA, were invited to complete a self-administered questionnaire; 70% of eligible clients participated (n = 125). Within this majority White, heterosexual, male sample, 70% of homeless young adults did not have health insurance in the prior year, and 39% reported their last healthcare visit was at an emergency room. Past year unmet healthcare needs were reported by 31%, and financial cost was the main reported barrier to receiving care. Multivariable logistic regression found that homeless young adults with health insurance were almost 11 times more likely to report past year healthcare utilization. Health insurance coverage is the sole variable significantly associated with healthcare utilization among homeless young adults, underlining the importance of insurance coverage within this vulnerable population. Service providers can play an important role by assisting homeless young adults with insurance applications and facilitating connections with regular sources of health care. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Faculty of Public Health. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

African media coverage of tobacco industry corporate social responsibility initiatives.

PubMed

McDaniel, Patricia A; Cadman, Brie; Malone, Ruth E

2018-02-01

Guidelines for implementing the World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) recommend prohibiting tobacco industry corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, but few African countries have done so. We examined African media coverage of tobacco industry CSR initiatives to understand whether and how such initiatives were presented to the public and policymakers. We searched two online media databases (Lexis Nexis and Access World News) for all news items published from 1998 to 2013, coding retrieved items through a collaborative, iterative process. We analysed the volume, type, provenance, slant and content of coverage, including the presence of tobacco control or tobacco interest themes. We found 288 news items; most were news stories published in print newspapers. The majority of news stories relied solely on tobacco industry representatives as news sources, and portrayed tobacco industry CSR positively. When public health voices and tobacco control themes were included, news items were less likely to have a positive slant. This suggests that there is a foundation on which to build media advocacy efforts. Drawing links between implementing the FCTC and prohibiting or curtailing tobacco industry CSR programmes may result in more public dialogue in the media about the negative impacts of tobacco company CSR initiatives.

12 CFR 204.124 - Repurchase agreement involving shares of a money market mutual fund whose portfolio consists...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... money market mutual fund whose portfolio consists wholly of United States Treasury and Federal agency... § 204.124 Repurchase agreement involving shares of a money market mutual fund whose portfolio consists... (i.e., money market mutual funds) provided the portfolios of such companies consist solely of...

12 CFR 204.124 - Repurchase agreement involving shares of a money market mutual fund whose portfolio consists...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... money market mutual fund whose portfolio consists wholly of United States Treasury and Federal agency... § 204.124 Repurchase agreement involving shares of a money market mutual fund whose portfolio consists... (i.e., money market mutual funds) provided the portfolios of such companies consist solely of...

Racial/ethnic differences in health insurance adequacy and consistency among children: Evidence from the 2011/12 National Survey of Children’s Health

PubMed Central

Soylu, Tulay G.; Elashkar, Eman; Aloudah, Fatemah; Ahmed, Munir; Kitsantas, Panagiota

2018-01-01

Background Surveillance of disparities in healthcare insurance, services and quality of care among children are critical for properly serving the medical/healthcare needs of underserved populations. The purpose of this study was to assess racial/ethnic differences in children’s (0 to 17 years old) health insurance adequacy and consistency (child has insurance coverage for the last 12 months). Design and methods We used data from the 2011/2012 National Survey of Children’s Health (n=79,474). Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the distribution and influence of several sociodemographic/family related factors on insurance adequacy and consistency across different racial/ethnic groups. Results Stratified analyses by race/ethnicity revealed that white and black children living in households at or below 299% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) were approximately 29 to 42% less likely to have adequate insurance compared to children living in families of higher income levels. Regardless of race/ethnicity, we found that children with public health insurance were more likely to have adequate insurance than their privately insured counterparts, while adolescents were at greater risk of inadequate coverage. Hispanic and black children were more likely to lack consistent insurance coverage. Conclusions This study provides evidence that racial/ethnic differences in adequate and consistent health insurance exists with both white and minority children being affected adversely by poverty. Establishing outreach programs for low income families, and cross-cultural education for healthcare providers may help increase health insurance adequacy and consistency within certain underserved populations. Significance for public healthAs the number of minority US children increases, monitoring racial/ethnic differences in health insurance coverage becomes critical in creating insurance programs that can provide adequate and consistent coverage. Using a nationally representative sample, the findings of this study suggest that low income and poor maternal health can adversely affect insurance consistency and adequacy for both minority and white children. This indicates that research studies on inequalities of healthcare coverage should also focus on underserved white populations of children as their insurance coverage is affected by similar factors as those for minority children. Elimination of inequalities may require targeted interventions that include the well-being of the entire family, cross-cultural education of healthcare providers, policy changes to grant low-income children with appropriate and reliable health insurance, and an ongoing monitoring of disparities by health plans. PMID:29780766

[Factors associated with reported vaccination coverage in early infancy: results of a telephone survey].

PubMed

Nebot, M; Muñoz, E; Figueres, M; Rovira, G; Robert, M; Minguell, D

2001-01-01

Barcelona's Continuing Immunization Plan affords the possibility Of monitoring the immunization coverage of the population by means of the voluntary family postal notification system. Prior studies have revealed that some families fail to provide notification while being correctly vaccinated, which can lead to actual coverage being underestimated. The objectives of this study are to estimate the early childhood immunization coverage of the population and to ascertain the factors associated with failure to provide notification of immunization. A phone survey was conducted on a sample of 500 children regarding whom there was no record of any notification of the first three childhood vaccine doses (diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough and oral polio), in addition to a sample of 500 children who were on record as having been immunized. To estimate the actual immunization coverage, all children were considered to have been properly immunized when their family members did provide notification. As regards those who failed to reply, it was considered in the worst of cases that these were cases of children who had not be immunized. In the best of cases scenario, a coverage similar to those of the responses was assumed. The response to the questionnaire was higher among those who had previously provided notification of immunization by way of the postal notification system (79.1%) than among those who had failed to provide notification of immunization (67%). The leading factors associated with failure to report immunization status were the size of the families, the use of private health care services and the place of birth of the parents. Solely six (6) cases of those who had failed to report immunization admitted to not having immunized their children, totaling 1.9% of the responses. The immunization coverage of the population in question would total 99.7% in the best of cases and 93.7% in the worst of cases scenario. Immunization coverage of the population in question is quite high. The results underline the importance of promoting immunization notification among health care professionals, especially in the private sector.

Thermodynamics of Methane Adsorption on Copper HKUST-1 at Low Pressure.

PubMed

Wu, Di; Guo, Xiaofeng; Sun, Hui; Navrotsky, Alexandra

2015-07-02

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) can be engineered as natural gas storage materials by tuning the pore structures and surface properties. Here we report the direct measurement of CH4 adsorption enthalpy on a paddlewheel MOF (Cu HKUST-1) using gas adsorption calorimetry at 25 °C at low pressures (below 1 bar). In this pressure region, the CH4-CH4 intermolecular interactions are minimized and the energetics solely reflects the CH4-MOF interactions. Our results suggest moderately exothermic physisorption with an enthalpy of -21.1 ± 1.1 kJ/mol CH4 independent of coverage. This calorimetric investigation complements previous computational and crystallographic studies by providing zero coverage enthalpies of CH4 adsorption. The analysis of the new and literature data suggests that in initial stages of adsorption the CH4-HKUST-1 interaction tends to be more sensitive to the pore dimension than to the guest polarizability, suggesting a less specific chemical binding role for the open Cu site.

Thermodynamics of methane adsorption on copper HKUST-1 at low pressure

DOE PAGES

Wu, Di; Guo, Xiaofeng; Sun, Hui; ...

2015-06-11

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) can be engineered as natural gas storage materials by tuning the pore structures and surface properties. Here we report the direct measurement of CH₄ adsorption enthalpy on a paddlewheel MOF (Cu HKUST-1) using gas adsorption calorimetry at 25 °C at low pressures (below 1 bar). In this pressure region, the CH₄–CH₄ intermolecular interactions are minimized and the energetics solely reflects the CH₄–MOF interactions. Our results suggest moderately exothermic physisorption with an enthalpy of -21.1 ± 1.1 kJ/mol CH₄ independent of coverage. The calorimetric investigation complements previous computational and crystallographic studies by providing zero coverage enthalpies of CH₄more » adsorption. The analysis of the new and literature data suggests that in initial stages of adsorption the CH₄–HKUST-1 interaction tends to be more sensitive to the pore dimension than to the guest polarizability, suggesting a less specific chemical binding role for the open Cu site.« less

The challenges and opportunities of translating best practice immunisation strategies among low performing general practices to reduce equity gaps in childhood immunisation coverage in New Zealand.

PubMed

Turner, Nikki M; Charania, Nadia A; Chong, Angela; Stewart, Joanna; Taylor, Lynn

2017-01-01

Immunisation coverage rates vary considerably at the local level across New Zealand and challenges remain with effectively translating best available research evidence into public health practice. This study aimed to translate best practices from high performing general practices into strategies to improve childhood immunisation coverage among low performing practices. An intervention study was undertaken of general practices with low immunisation coverage rates and a high percentage of the enrolled population being of Māori ethnicity. Intervention groups received customised action plans and support for a 12 month period while control groups received 'business as usual' support. Structured interviews were conducted with key informants from all participating practices to understand current aspects related to childhood immunisation delivery and surveys were conducted to understand how the intervention worked. Collected data were thematically analysed. Ten sites were randomised to either intervention ( n  = 6) or control group ( n  = 4). Positive aspects of childhood immunisation delivery included high prioritisation at the practice and staff being pro-immunisation and knowledgeable. Key challenges experienced included inaccurate family contact information and discrepancies with referral processes to other providers. Other challenges noted were building rapport with families and vaccine hesitancy. The action plans included various strategies aimed to improve processes at the practice, contact and engagement with parents, and partnership development with local service providers. Creating customised action plans and providing support to providers were considered as helpful approaches when attempting to improve childhood immunisation coverage rates. Our study supports the notion that one strategy will not solely by itself improve childhood immunisation rates and highlights the importance of having a toolkit of strategies from which to draw from.

Nanoporous Gold as a Neural Interface Coating: Effects of Topography, Surface Chemistry, and Feature Size

DOE PAGES

Chapman, Christopher A. R.; Chen, Hao; Stamou, Marianna; ...

2015-02-23

We report that designing neural interfaces that maintain close physical coupling of neurons to an electrode surface remains a major challenge for both implantable and in vitro neural recording electrode arrays. Typically, low-impedance nanostructured electrode coatings rely on chemical cues from pharmaceuticals or surface-immobilized peptides to suppress glial scar tissue formation over the electrode surface (astrogliosis), which is an obstacle to reliable neuron–electrode coupling. Nanoporous gold (np-Au), produced by an alloy corrosion process, is a promising candidate to reduce astrogliosis solely through topography by taking advantage of its tunable length scale. In the present in vitro study on np-Au’s interactionmore » with cortical neuron–glia co-cultures, we demonstrate that the nanostructure of np-Au achieves close physical coupling of neurons by maintaining a high neuron-to-astrocyte surface coverage ratio. Atomic layer deposition-based surface modification was employed to decouple the effect of morphology from surface chemistry. Additionally, length scale effects were systematically studied by controlling the characteristic feature size of np-Au through variations in the dealloying conditions. In conclusion, our results show that np-Au nanotopography, not surface chemistry, reduces astrocyte surface coverage while maintaining high neuronal coverage and may enhance neuron–electrode coupling through nanostructure-mediated suppression of scar tissue formation.« less

Country-level predictors of vaccination coverage and inequalities in Gavi-supported countries.

PubMed

Arsenault, Catherine; Johri, Mira; Nandi, Arijit; Mendoza Rodríguez, José M; Hansen, Peter M; Harper, Sam

2017-04-25

Important inequalities in childhood vaccination coverage persist between countries and population groups. Understanding why some countries achieve higher and more equitable levels of coverage is crucial to redress these inequalities. In this study, we explored the country-level determinants of (1) coverage of the third dose of diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis- (DTP3) containing vaccine and (2) within-country inequalities in DTP3 coverage in 45 countries supported by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. We used data from the most recent Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) conducted between 2005 and 2014. We measured national DTP3 coverage and the slope index of inequality in DTP3 coverage with respect to household wealth, maternal education, and multidimensional poverty. We collated data on country health systems, health financing, governance and geographic and sociocultural contexts from published sources. We used meta-regressions to assess the relationship between these country-level factors and variations in DTP3 coverage and inequalities. To validate our findings, we repeated these analyses for coverage with measles-containing vaccine (MCV). We found considerable heterogeneity in DTP3 coverage and in the magnitude of inequalities across countries. Results for MCV were consistent with those from DTP3. Political stability, gender equality and smaller land surface were important predictors of higher and more equitable levels of DTP3 coverage. Inequalities in DTP3 coverage were also lower in countries receiving more external resources for health, with lower rates of out-of-pocket spending and with higher national coverage. Greater government spending on heath and lower linguistic fractionalization were also consistent with better vaccination outcomes. Improving vaccination coverage and reducing inequalities requires that policies and programs address critical social determinants of health including geographic and social exclusion, gender inequality and the availability of financial protection for health. Further research should investigate the mechanisms contributing to these associations. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

26 CFR 1.125-4T - Permitted election changes (temporary).

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... residence or work of the employee, spouse, or dependent. (3) Consistency rule for accident or health... employee to revoke an election for accident or health coverage during a period of coverage and make a new... accident or health coverage and group-term life—(1) In general. A cafeteria plan may permit an employee to...

7 CFR 1740.8 - Scoring criteria for the grant competition.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... might be the case for some western states and for most translators, there may be only one county within... transmitter and translator must have a core coverage area consisting of one or more counties. (ii) In the case of translators, where a coverage contour area does not exist, the applicant shall define a coverage...

Sensor-Data Fusion for Multi-Person Indoor Location Estimation

PubMed Central

2017-01-01

We consider the problem of estimating the location of people as they move and work in indoor environments. More specifically, we focus on the scenario where one of the persons of interest is unable or unwilling to carry a smartphone, or any other “wearable” device, which frequently arises in caregiver/cared-for situations. We consider the case of indoor spaces populated with anonymous binary sensors (Passive Infrared motion sensors) and eponymous wearable sensors (smartphones interacting with Estimote beacons), and we propose a solution to the resulting sensor-fusion problem. Using a data set with sensor readings collected from one-person and two-person sessions engaged in a variety of activities of daily living, we investigate the relative merits of relying solely on anonymous sensors, solely on eponymous sensors, or on their combination. We examine how the lack of synchronization across different sensing sources impacts the quality of location estimates, and discuss how it could be mitigated without resorting to device-level mechanisms. Finally, we examine the trade-off between the sensors’ coverage of the monitored space and the quality of the location estimates. PMID:29057812

Sensor-Data Fusion for Multi-Person Indoor Location Estimation.

PubMed

Mohebbi, Parisa; Stroulia, Eleni; Nikolaidis, Ioanis

2017-10-18

We consider the problem of estimating the location of people as they move and work in indoor environments. More specifically, we focus on the scenario where one of the persons of interest is unable or unwilling to carry a smartphone, or any other "wearable" device, which frequently arises in caregiver/cared-for situations. We consider the case of indoor spaces populated with anonymous binary sensors (Passive Infrared motion sensors) and eponymous wearable sensors (smartphones interacting with Estimote beacons), and we propose a solution to the resulting sensor-fusion problem. Using a data set with sensor readings collected from one-person and two-person sessions engaged in a variety of activities of daily living, we investigate the relative merits of relying solely on anonymous sensors, solely on eponymous sensors, or on their combination. We examine how the lack of synchronization across different sensing sources impacts the quality of location estimates, and discuss how it could be mitigated without resorting to device-level mechanisms. Finally, we examine the trade-off between the sensors' coverage of the monitored space and the quality of the location estimates.

Methods for estimating population coverage of mass distribution programmes: a review of practices in relation to trachoma control.

PubMed

Cromwell, Elizabeth A; Ngondi, Jeremiah; McFarland, Deborah; King, Jonathan D; Emerson, Paul M

2012-10-01

In the context of trachoma control, population coverage with mass drug administration (MDA) using antibiotics is measured using routine data. Due to the limitations of administrative records as well as the potential for bias from incomplete or incorrect records, a literature review of coverage survey methods applied in neglected tropical disease control programmes and immunisation outreach was conducted to inform the design of coverage surveys for trachoma control. Several methods were identified, including the '30 × 7' survey method for the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI 30×7), other cluster random sampling (CRS) methods, lot quality assurance sampling (LQAS), purposive sampling and routine data. When compared against one another, the EPI and other CRS methods produced similar population coverage estimates, whilst LQAS, purposive sampling and use of administrative data did not generate estimates consistent with CRS. In conclusion, CRS methods present a consistent approach for MDA coverage surveys despite different methods of household selection. They merit use until standard guidelines are available. CRS methods should be used to verify population coverage derived from LQAS, purposive sampling methods and administrative reports. Copyright © 2012 Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Amount of newspaper coverage of high school athletics for boys and girls on sports page and newspaper circulation.

PubMed

Pedersen, Paul M; Whisenant, Warren A

2002-02-01

This study analyzed the amount of coverage for high school athletics in 43 newspapers with small circulation by devoting 40% of their interscholastic athletics coverage to girls in athletics, printed significantly more articles about girls' athletics than did the newspapers with medium (33%) or large (32%) circulation. Therefore, the smaller the newspaper circulation, the more equitable the coverage of athletics for girls and boys. This finding was consistent with some prior work but not all.

21 CFR 73.2150 - Dihydroxyacetone.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... ADDITIVES EXEMPT FROM CERTIFICATION Cosmetics § 73.2150 Dihydroxyacetone. (a) Identity and specifications... amounts consistent with good manufacturing practice in externally applied cosmetics intended solely or in...

21 CFR 73.2150 - Dihydroxyacetone.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... ADDITIVES EXEMPT FROM CERTIFICATION Cosmetics § 73.2150 Dihydroxyacetone. (a) Identity and specifications... amounts consistent with good manufacturing practice in externally applied cosmetics intended solely or in...

21 CFR 73.2150 - Dihydroxyacetone.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... ADDITIVES EXEMPT FROM CERTIFICATION Cosmetics § 73.2150 Dihydroxyacetone. (a) Identity and specifications... amounts consistent with good manufacturing practice in externally applied cosmetics intended solely or in...

Factors predictive of increased influenza and pneumococcal vaccination coverage in long-term care facilities: the CMS-CDC standing orders program Project.

PubMed

Bardenheier, Barbara H; Shefer, Abigail; McKibben, Linda; Roberts, Henry; Rhew, David; Bratzler, Dale

2005-01-01

Between 1999 and 2002, a multistate demonstration project was conducted in long-term care facilities (LTCFs) to encourage implementation of standing orders programs (SOP) as evidence-based vaccine delivery strategies to increase influenza and pneumococcal vaccination coverage in LTCFs. Examine predictors of increase in influenza and pneumococcal vaccination coverage in LTCFs. Intervention study. Self-administered surveys of LTCFs merged with data from OSCAR (On-line Survey Certification and Reporting System) and immunization coverage was abstracted from residents' medical charts in LTCFs. Twenty LTCFs were sampled from 9 intervention and 5 control states in the 2000 to 2001 influenza season for baseline and during the 2001 to 2002 influenza season for postintervention. Each state's quality improvement organization (QIO) promoted the use of standing orders for immunizations as well as other strategies to increase immunization coverage among LTCF residents. Multivariate analysis included Poisson regression to determine independent predictors of at least a 10 percentage-point increase in facility influenza and pneumococcal vaccination coverage. Forty-two (20%) and 59 (28%) of the facilities had at least a 10 percentage-point increase in influenza and pneumococcal immunizations, respectively. In the multivariate analysis, predictors associated with increase in influenza vaccination coverage included adoption of requirement in written immunization protocol to document refusals, less-demanding consent requirements, lower baseline influenza coverage, and small facility size. Factors associated with increase in pneumococcal vaccination coverage included adoption of recording pneumococcal immunizations in a consistent place, affiliation with a multifacility chain, and provision of resource materials. To improve the health of LTCF residents, strategies should be considered that increase immunization coverage, including written protocol for immunizations and documentation of refusals, documenting vaccination status in a consistent place in medical records, and minimal consent requirements for vaccinations.

Synchronous formation of the metamorphic sole and igneous crust of the Semail ophiolite: New constraints on the tectonic evolution during ophiolite formation from high-precision U-Pb zircon geochronology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rioux, Matthew; Garber, Joshua; Bauer, Ann; Bowring, Samuel; Searle, Michael; Kelemen, Peter; Hacker, Bradley

2016-10-01

The Semail (Oman-United Arab Emirates) and other Tethyan-type ophiolites are underlain by a sole consisting of greenschist- to granulite-facies metamorphic rocks. As preserved remnants of the underthrust plate, sole exposures can be used to better understand the formation and obduction of ophiolites. Early models envisioned that the metamorphic sole of the Semail ophiolite formed as a result of thrusting of the hot ophiolite lithosphere over adjacent oceanic crust during initial emplacement; however, calculated pressures from granulite-facies mineral assemblages in the sole suggest the metamorphic rocks formed at >35 km depth, and are too high to be explained by the currently preserved thickness of ophiolite crust and mantle (up to 15-20 km). We have used high-precision U-Pb zircon dating to study the formation and evolution of the metamorphic sole at two well-studied localities. Our previous research and new results show that the ophiolite crust formed from 96.12-95.50 Ma. Our new dates from the Sumeini and Wadi Tayin sole localities indicate peak metamorphism at 96.16 and 94.82 Ma (±0.022 to 0.035 Ma), respectively. The dates from the Sumeini sole locality show for the first time that the metamorphic rocks formed either prior to or during formation of the ophiolite crust, and were later juxtaposed with the base of the ophiolite. These data, combined with existing geochemical constraints, are best explained by formation of the ophiolite in a supra-subduction zone setting, with metamorphism of the sole rocks occurring in a subducted slab. The 1.3 Ma difference between the Wadi Tayin and Sumeini dates indicates that, in contrast to current models, the highest-grade rocks at different sole localities underwent metamorphism, and may have returned up the subduction channel, at different times.

Comparison of inflation of third dose diphtheria tetanus pertussis (DTP3) administrative coverage to other vaccine antigens.

PubMed

Dolan, Samantha B; MacNeil, Adam

2017-06-14

Third dose diphtheria tetanus pertussis (DTP3) administrative coverage is a commonly used indicator for immunization program performance, although studies have demonstrated data quality issues with administrative DTP3 coverage. It is possible that administrative coverage for DTP3 may be inflated more than for other antigens. To examine this, theory, we compiled immunization coverage estimates from recent country surveys (n=71) and paired these with corresponding administrative coverage estimates, by country and cohort year, for DTP3 and 4 other antigens. Median administrative coverage was higher than survey estimates of coverage for all antigens (median differences from 26 to 30%), however this difference was similar for DTP3 as for all other antigens. These findings were consistent when countries were stratified by income level and eligibility for Gavi funding. Our findings demonstrate that while country administrative coverage estimates tend to be higher than survey estimates, DTP3 administrative coverage is not inflated more than other antigens. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Evaluating the Construct-Coverage of the e-rater[R] Scoring Engine. Research Report. ETS RR-09-01

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Quinlan, Thomas; Higgins, Derrick; Wolff, Susanne

2009-01-01

This report evaluates the construct coverage of the e-rater[R[ scoring engine. The matter of construct coverage depends on whether one defines writing skill, in terms of process or product. Originally, the e-rater engine consisted of a large set of components with a proven ability to predict human holistic scores. By organizing these capabilities…

Barrier Coverage for 3D Camera Sensor Networks

PubMed Central

Wu, Chengdong; Zhang, Yunzhou; Jia, Zixi; Ji, Peng; Chu, Hao

2017-01-01

Barrier coverage, an important research area with respect to camera sensor networks, consists of a number of camera sensors to detect intruders that pass through the barrier area. Existing works on barrier coverage such as local face-view barrier coverage and full-view barrier coverage typically assume that each intruder is considered as a point. However, the crucial feature (e.g., size) of the intruder should be taken into account in the real-world applications. In this paper, we propose a realistic resolution criterion based on a three-dimensional (3D) sensing model of a camera sensor for capturing the intruder’s face. Based on the new resolution criterion, we study the barrier coverage of a feasible deployment strategy in camera sensor networks. Performance results demonstrate that our barrier coverage with more practical considerations is capable of providing a desirable surveillance level. Moreover, compared with local face-view barrier coverage and full-view barrier coverage, our barrier coverage is more reasonable and closer to reality. To the best of our knowledge, our work is the first to propose barrier coverage for 3D camera sensor networks. PMID:28771167

Barrier Coverage for 3D Camera Sensor Networks.

PubMed

Si, Pengju; Wu, Chengdong; Zhang, Yunzhou; Jia, Zixi; Ji, Peng; Chu, Hao

2017-08-03

Barrier coverage, an important research area with respect to camera sensor networks, consists of a number of camera sensors to detect intruders that pass through the barrier area. Existing works on barrier coverage such as local face-view barrier coverage and full-view barrier coverage typically assume that each intruder is considered as a point. However, the crucial feature (e.g., size) of the intruder should be taken into account in the real-world applications. In this paper, we propose a realistic resolution criterion based on a three-dimensional (3D) sensing model of a camera sensor for capturing the intruder's face. Based on the new resolution criterion, we study the barrier coverage of a feasible deployment strategy in camera sensor networks. Performance results demonstrate that our barrier coverage with more practical considerations is capable of providing a desirable surveillance level. Moreover, compared with local face-view barrier coverage and full-view barrier coverage, our barrier coverage is more reasonable and closer to reality. To the best of our knowledge, our work is the first to propose barrier coverage for 3D camera sensor networks.

Regional positioning using a low Earth orbit satellite constellation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shtark, Tomer; Gurfil, Pini

2018-02-01

Global and regional satellite navigation systems are constellations orbiting the Earth and transmitting radio signals for determining position and velocity of users around the globe. The state-of-the-art navigation satellite systems are located in medium Earth orbits and geosynchronous Earth orbits and are characterized by high launching, building and maintenance costs. For applications that require only regional coverage, the continuous and global coverage that existing systems provide may be unnecessary. Thus, a nano-satellites-based regional navigation satellite system in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), with significantly reduced launching, building and maintenance costs, can be considered. Thus, this paper is aimed at developing a LEO constellation optimization and design method, using genetic algorithms and gradient-based optimization. The preliminary results of this study include 268 LEO constellations, aimed at regional navigation in an approximately 1000 km × 1000 km area centered at the geographic coordinates [30, 30] degrees. The constellations performance is examined using simulations, and the figures of merit include total coverage time, revisit time, and geometric dilution of precision (GDOP) percentiles. The GDOP is a quantity that determines the positioning solution accuracy and solely depends on the spatial geometry of the satellites. Whereas the optimization method takes into account only the Earth's second zonal harmonic coefficient, the simulations include the Earth's gravitational field with zonal and tesseral harmonics up to degree 10 and order 10, Solar radiation pressure, drag, and the lunisolar gravitational perturbation.

Apogeotropic central positional nystagmus as a sole sign of nodular infarction.

PubMed

Kim, Hyun-Ah; Yi, Hyon-Ah; Lee, Hyung

2012-10-01

Positional vertigo and nystagmus without associated neurological symptoms and signs are characteristic features of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). Although positional nystagmus may occur with caudal cerebellar infarction including the nodulus, positional nystagmus is usually associated with other neurological signs such as spontaneous or gaze-evoked nystagmus, perverted head-shaking nystagmus, cerebellar dysmetria, or severe gait ataxia with falling. We present a patient with nodular infarction who had positional vertigo with nystagmus as a sole manifestation. Video-oculography showed apogeotropic positional horizontal nystagmus during head turning while supine, which was consistent with apogeotropic BPPV involving the horizontal canal. MRI disclosed acute infarct in the nodulus. Nodulus infarction should be considered in a patient with positional nystagmus, especially when the presenting symptoms and signs are consistent with BPPV involving the horizontal canal.

Innovative Medical Technology, Health Technology Assessment, and Health Policy: The Case of Remote Patient Monitoring of Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices in South Korea.

PubMed

Lee, Sang-Soo; Salole, Eugene

2017-01-01

In many developed countries with universal coverage healthcare systems, payers require new medical technologies to be assessed as safe, effective, and cost-effective through health technology assessment (HTA) before approval for reimbursement coverage and market access. However, in some cases, HTA is not the sole criterion for decision-making and other factors override the evidence. Remote patient monitoring (RPM) for cardiac implantable electronic devices, a novel technology recognized as safe, effective, and cost-effective, and the standard of care in many countries, is prohibited in South Korea. This peculiar situation is apparently due to deficiencies in healthcare policy and the delivery system and also to poor engagement between stakeholders. We propose that a higher level of engagement and trust between stakeholders needs to be developed, and healthcare providers should be involved in the early development of health policy, so that unnecessary barriers to access to useful medical technology are corrected, thereby allowing Koreans to enjoy the benefits available in other developed countries.

Linking high parity and maternal and child mortality: what is the impact of lower health services coverage among higher order births?

PubMed

Sonneveldt, Emily; DeCormier Plosky, Willyanne; Stover, John

2013-01-01

A number of data sets show that high parity births are associated with higher child mortality than low parity births. The reasons for this relationship are not clear. In this paper we investigate whether high parity is associated with lower coverage of key health interventions that might lead to increased mortality. We used DHS data from 10 high fertility countries to examine the relationship between parity and coverage for 8 child health intervention and 9 maternal health interventions. We also used the LiST model to estimate the effect on maternal and child mortality of the lower coverage associated with high parity births. Our results show a significant relationship between coverage of maternal and child health services and birth order, even when controlling for poverty. The association between coverage and parity for maternal health interventions was more consistently significant across countries all countries, while for child health interventions there were fewer overall significant relationships and more variation both between and within countries. The differences in coverage between children of parity 3 and those of parity 6 are large enough to account for a 12% difference in the under-five mortality rate and a 22% difference in maternal mortality ratio in the countries studied. This study shows that coverage of key health interventions is lower for high parity children and the pattern is consistent across countries. This could be a partial explanation for the higher mortality rates associated with high parity. Actions to address this gap could help reduce the higher mortality experienced by high parity birth.

Morphological Priming Survives a Language Switch

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Verdonschot, Rinus G.; Middelburg, Renee; Lensink, Saskia E.; Schiller, Niels O.

2012-01-01

In a long-lag morphological priming experiment, Dutch (L1)-English (L2) bilinguals were asked to name pictures and read aloud words. A design using non-switch blocks, consisting solely of Dutch stimuli, and switch-blocks, consisting of Dutch primes and targets with intervening English trials, was administered. Target picture naming was facilitated…

Winners and losers in health insurance: access and type of coverage for women in same-sex and opposite-sex partnerships.

PubMed

Pals, Heili; Waren, Warren

2014-01-01

Using data from the American Community Survey, 2009 (N=580,754), we compared rates of health insurance coverage and types of coverage used between women in same-sex and opposite-sex partnerships. This large, national dataset also allowed us to investigate regional variation in insurance coverage for women in same-sex partnerships by comparing "gay-tolerant" states versus other states. Multivariate analyses revealed that women in same-sex partnerships consistently had lower rates of health insurance coverage than married women in opposite-sex partnerships, but always more than unmarried women in opposite-sex partnerships. We also found that state-level variation in gay tolerance did not contribute to the access or type of coverage used by women in same-sex partnerships.

Distribution and abundance of juvenile demersal fishes in relation to summer hypoxia and other environmental variables in coastal Oregon, USA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sobocinski, Kathryn L.; Ciannelli, Lorenzo; Wakefield, W. Waldo; Yergey, Matthew E.; Johnson-Colegrove, Angela

2018-05-01

The juvenile demersal fish assemblage along the Pacific Northwest coast has received little attention relative to adult life history stages since pioneering work in the 1970s. Increasing severity of hypoxia along the Oregon coast in recent years has prompted investigations into the response of biota in this region. We used summer data (2008-2013) from a beam trawl survey targeting juvenile demersal fishes in soft-bottom habitats along the Oregon coast to describe patterns of distribution and abundance at fixed sampling stations (from 30 m to 100 m depth). We relate the assemblage and abundance of the common species to environmental variables and analyze condition of recently settled fish (<50 mm SL). Most of the captured fishes were young-of-the-year flatfishes, dominated by Butter Sole (Isopsetta isolepis), English Sole (Parophrys vetulus), Speckled Sanddab (Citharichthys stigmaeus), and Pacific Sanddab (Citharichthys sordidus). Community analysis of the full dataset showed some variation in species richness among years and high evenness across all sampling sites and years. Depth was a structuring variable for the community, indicated by multivariate nonmetric multidimensional scaling analysis. Generalized additive models for common flatfish species abundances during the summer months indicated depth preferences, with Butter Sole, English Sole, and Speckled Sanddab at shallower locations and Pacific Sanddab occurring at deeper locations farther offshore. Additionally, while most common species were collected in high abundances in hypoxic conditions, dissolved oxygen was a significant factor in determining flatfish abundance. Condition factor was weakly negatively impacted by low dissolved oxygen for the species assessed, but the strength of the relationship varied by species. Increased sampling frequency and spatial coverage would improve our understanding of this community, especially in light of changing environmental drivers such as decreasing pH, warming water, and episodic periods of low dissolved oxygen coinciding with settlement for many species.

The rate of growth in scientific publication and the decline in coverage provided by Science Citation Index.

PubMed

Larsen, Peder Olesen; von Ins, Markus

2010-09-01

The growth rate of scientific publication has been studied from 1907 to 2007 using available data from a number of literature databases, including Science Citation Index (SCI) and Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI). Traditional scientific publishing, that is publication in peer-reviewed journals, is still increasing although there are big differences between fields. There are no indications that the growth rate has decreased in the last 50 years. At the same time publication using new channels, for example conference proceedings, open archives and home pages, is growing fast. The growth rate for SCI up to 2007 is smaller than for comparable databases. This means that SCI was covering a decreasing part of the traditional scientific literature. There are also clear indications that the coverage by SCI is especially low in some of the scientific areas with the highest growth rate, including computer science and engineering sciences. The role of conference proceedings, open access archives and publications published on the net is increasing, especially in scientific fields with high growth rates, but this has only partially been reflected in the databases. The new publication channels challenge the use of the big databases in measurements of scientific productivity or output and of the growth rate of science. Because of the declining coverage and this challenge it is problematic that SCI has been used and is used as the dominant source for science indicators based on publication and citation numbers. The limited data available for social sciences show that the growth rate in SSCI was remarkably low and indicate that the coverage by SSCI was declining over time. National Science Indicators from Thomson Reuters is based solely on SCI, SSCI and Arts and Humanities Citation Index (AHCI). Therefore the declining coverage of the citation databases problematizes the use of this source.

The rate of growth in scientific publication and the decline in coverage provided by Science Citation Index

PubMed Central

von Ins, Markus

2010-01-01

The growth rate of scientific publication has been studied from 1907 to 2007 using available data from a number of literature databases, including Science Citation Index (SCI) and Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI). Traditional scientific publishing, that is publication in peer-reviewed journals, is still increasing although there are big differences between fields. There are no indications that the growth rate has decreased in the last 50 years. At the same time publication using new channels, for example conference proceedings, open archives and home pages, is growing fast. The growth rate for SCI up to 2007 is smaller than for comparable databases. This means that SCI was covering a decreasing part of the traditional scientific literature. There are also clear indications that the coverage by SCI is especially low in some of the scientific areas with the highest growth rate, including computer science and engineering sciences. The role of conference proceedings, open access archives and publications published on the net is increasing, especially in scientific fields with high growth rates, but this has only partially been reflected in the databases. The new publication channels challenge the use of the big databases in measurements of scientific productivity or output and of the growth rate of science. Because of the declining coverage and this challenge it is problematic that SCI has been used and is used as the dominant source for science indicators based on publication and citation numbers. The limited data available for social sciences show that the growth rate in SSCI was remarkably low and indicate that the coverage by SSCI was declining over time. National Science Indicators from Thomson Reuters is based solely on SCI, SSCI and Arts and Humanities Citation Index (AHCI). Therefore the declining coverage of the citation databases problematizes the use of this source. PMID:20700371

Line plus arc source trajectories and their R-line coverage for long-object cone-beam imaging with a C-arm system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, Zhicong; Wunderlich, Adam; Dennerlein, Frank; Lauritsch, Günter; Noo, Frédéric

2011-06-01

Cone-beam imaging with C-arm systems has become a valuable tool in interventional radiology. Currently, a simple circular trajectory is used, but future applications should use more sophisticated source trajectories, not only to avoid cone-beam artifacts but also to allow extended volume imaging. One attractive strategy to achieve these two goals is to use a source trajectory that consists of two parallel circular arcs connected by a line segment, possibly with repetition. In this work, we address the question of R-line coverage for such a trajectory. More specifically, we examine to what extent R-lines for such a trajectory cover a central cylindrical region of interest (ROI). An R-line is a line segment connecting any two points on the source trajectory. Knowledge of R-line coverage is crucial because a general theory for theoretically exact and stable image reconstruction from axially truncated data is only known for the points in the scanned object that lie on R-lines. Our analysis starts by examining the R-line coverage for the elemental trajectories consisting of (i) two parallel circular arcs and (ii) a circular arc connected orthogonally to a line segment. Next, we utilize our understanding of the R-lines for the aforementioned elemental trajectories to determine the R-line coverage for the trajectory consisting of two parallel circular arcs connected by a tightly fit line segment. For this trajectory, we find that the R-line coverage is insufficient to completely cover any central ROI. Because extension of the line segment beyond the circular arcs helps to increase the R-line coverage, we subsequently propose a trajectory composed of two parallel circular arcs connected by an extended line. We show that the R-lines for this trajectory can fully cover a central ROI if the line extension is long enough. Our presentation includes a formula for the minimum line extension needed to achieve full R-line coverage of an ROI with a specified size, and also includes a preliminary study on the required detector size, showing that the R-lines added by the line extension are not constraining.

Accuracy of Coverage Survey Recall following an Integrated Mass Drug Administration for Lymphatic Filariasis, Schistosomiasis, and Soil-Transmitted Helminthiasis.

PubMed

Budge, Philip J; Sognikin, Edmond; Akosa, Amanda; Mathieu, Els M; Deming, Michael

2016-01-01

Achieving target coverage levels for mass drug administration (MDA) is essential to elimination and control efforts for several neglected tropical diseases (NTD). To ensure program goals are met, coverage reported by drug distributors may be validated through household coverage surveys that rely on respondent recall. This is the first study to assess accuracy in such surveys. Recall accuracy was tested in a series of coverage surveys conducted at 1, 6, and 12 months after an integrated MDA in Togo during which three drugs (albendazole, ivermectin, and praziquantel) were distributed. Drug distribution was observed during the MDA to ensure accurate recording of persons treated during the MDA. Information was obtained for 506, 1131, and 947 persons surveyed at 1, 6, and 12 months, respectively. Coverage (defined as the percentage of persons taking at least one of the MDA medications) within these groups was respectively 88.3%, 87.4%, and 80.0%, according to the treatment registers; it was 87.9%, 91.4% and 89.4%, according to survey responses. Concordance between respondents and registers on swallowing at least one pill was >95% at 1 month and >86% at 12 months; the lower concordance at 12 months was more likely due to difficulty matching survey respondents with the year-old treatment register rather than inaccurate responses. Respondents generally distinguished between pills similar in appearance; concordance for recall of which pills were taken was over 80% in each survey. In this population, coverage surveys provided remarkably consistent coverage estimates for up to one year following an integrated MDA. It is not clear if similar consistency will be seen in other settings, however, these data suggest that in some settings coverage surveys might be conducted as much as one year following an MDA without compromising results. This might enable integration of post-MDA coverage measurement into large, multipurpose, periodic surveys, thereby conserving resources.

Accuracy of Coverage Survey Recall following an Integrated Mass Drug Administration for Lymphatic Filariasis, Schistosomiasis, and Soil-Transmitted Helminthiasis

PubMed Central

Budge, Philip J.; Sognikin, Edmond; Akosa, Amanda; Mathieu, Els M.; Deming, Michael

2016-01-01

Background Achieving target coverage levels for mass drug administration (MDA) is essential to elimination and control efforts for several neglected tropical diseases (NTD). To ensure program goals are met, coverage reported by drug distributors may be validated through household coverage surveys that rely on respondent recall. This is the first study to assess accuracy in such surveys. Methodology/Principal Findings Recall accuracy was tested in a series of coverage surveys conducted at 1, 6, and 12 months after an integrated MDA in Togo during which three drugs (albendazole, ivermectin, and praziquantel) were distributed. Drug distribution was observed during the MDA to ensure accurate recording of persons treated during the MDA. Information was obtained for 506, 1131, and 947 persons surveyed at 1, 6, and 12 months, respectively. Coverage (defined as the percentage of persons taking at least one of the MDA medications) within these groups was respectively 88.3%, 87.4%, and 80.0%, according to the treatment registers; it was 87.9%, 91.4% and 89.4%, according to survey responses. Concordance between respondents and registers on swallowing at least one pill was >95% at 1 month and >86% at 12 months; the lower concordance at 12 months was more likely due to difficulty matching survey respondents with the year-old treatment register rather than inaccurate responses. Respondents generally distinguished between pills similar in appearance; concordance for recall of which pills were taken was over 80% in each survey. Significance In this population, coverage surveys provided remarkably consistent coverage estimates for up to one year following an integrated MDA. It is not clear if similar consistency will be seen in other settings, however, these data suggest that in some settings coverage surveys might be conducted as much as one year following an MDA without compromising results. This might enable integration of post-MDA coverage measurement into large, multipurpose, periodic surveys, thereby conserving resources. PMID:26766287

ReaxFF Grand Canonical Monte Carlo simulation of adsorption and dissociation of oxygen on platinum (111)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Valentini, Paolo; Schwartzentruber, Thomas E.; Cozmuta, Ioana

2011-12-01

Atomic-level Grand Canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) simulations equipped with a reactive force field (ReaxFF) are used to study atomic oxygen adsorption on a Pt(111) surface. The off-lattice GCMC calculations presented here rely solely on the interatomic potential and do not necessitate the pre-computation of surface adlayer structures and their interpolation. As such, they provide a predictive description of adsorbate phases. In this study, validation is obtained with experimental evidence (steric heats of adsorption and isotherms) as well as DFT-based state diagrams available in the literature. The ReaxFF computed steric heats of adsorption agree well with experimental data, and this study clearly shows that indirect dissociative adsorption of O2 on Pt(111) is an activated process at non-zero coverages, with an activation energy that monotonically increases with coverage. At a coverage of 0.25 ML, a highly ordered p(2 × 2) adlayer is found, in agreement with several low-energy electron diffraction observations. Isotherms obtained from the GCMC simulations compare qualitatively and quantitatively well with previous DFT-based state diagrams, but are in disagreement with the experimental data sets available. ReaxFF GCMC simulations at very high coverages show that O atoms prefer to bind in fcc hollow sites, at least up to 0.8 ML considered in the present work. At moderate coverages, little to no disorder appears in the Pt lattice. At high coverages, some Pt atoms markedly protrude out of the surface plane. This observation is in qualitative agreement with recent STM images of an oxygen covered Pt surface. The use of the GCMC technique based on a transferable potential is particularly valuable to produce more realistic systems (adsorbent and adsorbate) to be used in subsequent dynamical simulations (Molecular Dynamics) to address recombination reactions (via either Eley-Rideal or Langmuir-Hinshelwood mechanisms) on variously covered surfaces. By using GCMC and Molecular Dynamics simulations, the ReaxFF force field can be a valuable tool for understanding heterogeneous catalysis on a solid surface. Finally, the use of a reactive potential is a necessary requirement to investigate problems where dissociative adsorption occurs, as typical of many important catalytic processes.

Reactivity of chemisorbed oxygen atoms and their catalytic consequences during CH4-O2 catalysis on supported Pt clusters.

PubMed

Chin, Ya-Huei Cathy; Buda, Corneliu; Neurock, Matthew; Iglesia, Enrique

2011-10-12

Kinetic and isotopic data and density functional theory treatments provide evidence for the elementary steps and the active site requirements involved in the four distinct kinetic regimes observed during CH(4) oxidation reactions using O(2), H(2)O, or CO(2) as oxidants on Pt clusters. These four regimes exhibit distinct rate equations because of the involvement of different kinetically relevant steps, predominant adsorbed species, and rate and equilibrium constants for different elementary steps. Transitions among regimes occur as chemisorbed oxygen (O*) coverages change on Pt clusters. O* coverages are given, in turn, by a virtual O(2) pressure, which represents the pressure that would give the prevalent steady-state O* coverages if their adsorption-desorption equilibrium was maintained. The virtual O(2) pressure acts as a surrogate for oxygen chemical potentials at catalytic surfaces and reflects the kinetic coupling between C-H and O═O activation steps. O* coverages and virtual pressures depend on O(2) pressure when O(2) activation is equilibrated and on O(2)/CH(4) ratios when this step becomes irreversible as a result of fast scavenging of O* by CH(4)-derived intermediates. In three of these kinetic regimes, C-H bond activation is the sole kinetically relevant step, but occurs on different active sites, which evolve from oxygen-oxygen (O*-O*), to oxygen-oxygen vacancy (O*-*), and to vacancy-vacancy (*-*) site pairs as O* coverages decrease. On O*-saturated cluster surfaces, O*-O* site pairs activate C-H bonds in CH(4) via homolytic hydrogen abstraction steps that form CH(3) groups with significant radical character and weak interactions with the surface at the transition state. In this regime, rates depend linearly on CH(4) pressure but are independent of O(2) pressure. The observed normal CH(4)/CD(4) kinetic isotope effects are consistent with the kinetic-relevance of C-H bond activation; identical (16)O(2)-(18)O(2) isotopic exchange rates in the presence or absence of CH(4) show that O(2) activation steps are quasi-equilibrated during catalysis. Measured and DFT-derived C-H bond activation barriers are large, because of the weak stabilization of the CH(3) fragments at transition states, but are compensated by the high entropy of these radical-like species. Turnover rates in this regime decrease with increasing Pt dispersion, because low-coordination exposed Pt atoms on small clusters bind O* more strongly than those that reside at low-index facets on large clusters, thus making O* less effective in H-abstraction. As vacancies (*, also exposed Pt atoms) become available on O*-covered surfaces, O*-* site pairs activate C-H bonds via concerted oxidative addition and H-abstraction in transition states effectively stabilized by CH(3) interactions with the vacancies, which lead to much higher turnover rates than on O*-O* pairs. In this regime, O(2) activation becomes irreversible, because fast C-H bond activation steps scavenge O* as it forms. Thus, O* coverages are set by the prevalent O(2)/CH(4) ratios instead of the O(2) pressures. CH(4)/CD(4) kinetic isotope effects are much larger for turnovers mediated by O*-* than by O*-O* site pairs, because C-H (and C-D) activation steps are required to form the * sites involved in C-H bond activation. Turnover rates for CH(4)-O(2) reactions mediated by O*-* pairs decrease with increasing Pt dispersion, as in the case of O*-O* active structures, because stronger O* binding on small clusters leads not only to less reactive O* atoms, but also to lower vacancy concentrations at cluster surfaces. As O(2)/CH(4) ratios and O* coverages become smaller, O(2) activation on bare Pt clusters becomes the sole kinetically relevant step; turnover rates are proportional to O(2) pressures and independent of CH(4) pressure and no CH(4)/CD(4) kinetic isotope effects are observed. In this regime, turnover rates become nearly independent of Pt dispersion, because the O(2) activation step is essentially barrierless. In the absence of O(2), alternate weaker oxidants, such as H(2)O or CO(2), lead to a final kinetic regime in which C-H bond dissociation on *-* pairs at bare cluster surfaces limit CH(4) conversion rates. Rates become first-order in CH(4) and independent of coreactant and normal CH(4)/CD(4) kinetic isotope effects are observed. In this case, turnover rates increase with increasing dispersion, because low-coordination Pt atoms stabilize the C-H bond activation transition states more effectively via stronger binding to CH(3) and H fragments. These findings and their mechanistic interpretations are consistent with all rate and isotopic data and with theoretical estimates of activation barriers and of cluster size effects on transition states. They serve to demonstrate the essential role of the coverage and reactivity of chemisorbed oxygen in determining the type and effectiveness of surface structures in CH(4) oxidation reactions using O(2), H(2)O, or CO(2) as oxidants, as well as the diversity of rate dependencies, activation energies and entropies, and cluster size effects that prevail in these reactions. These results also show how theory and experiments can unravel complex surface chemistries on realistic catalysts under practical conditions and provide through the resulting mechanistic insights specific predictions for the effects of cluster size and surface coordination on turnover rates, the trends and magnitude of which depend sensitively on the nature of the predominant adsorbed intermediates and the kinetically relevant steps.

Health insurance affects the use of disease-modifying therapy in multiple sclerosis

PubMed Central

Marrie, Ruth Ann; Salter, Amber R.; Fox, Robert; Cofield, Stacey S.; Tyry, Tuula; Cutter, Gary R.

2016-01-01

Objective: To evaluate the association between health insurance coverage and disease-modifying therapy (DMT) use for multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods: In 2014, we surveyed participants in the North American Research Committee on MS registry regarding health insurance coverage. We investigated associations between negative insurance change and (1) the type of insurance, (2) DMT use, (3) use of free/discounted drug programs, and (4) insurance challenges using multivariable logistic regressions. Results: Of 6,662 respondents included in the analysis, 6,562 (98.5%) had health insurance, but 1,472 (22.1%) reported negative insurance change compared with 12 months earlier. Respondents with private insurance were more likely to report negative insurance change than any other insurance. Among respondents not taking DMTs, 6.1% cited insurance/financial concerns as the sole reason. Of respondents taking DMTs, 24.7% partially or completely relied on support from free/discounted drug programs. Of respondents obtaining DMTs through insurance, 3.3% experienced initial insurance denial of DMT use, 2.3% encountered insurance denial of DMT switches, and 1.6% skipped or split doses because of increased copay. For respondents with relapsing-remitting MS, negative insurance change increased their odds of not taking DMTs (odds ratio [OR] 1.50; 1.16–1.93), using free/discounted drug programs for DMTs (OR 1.89; 1.40–2.57), and encountering insurance challenges (OR 2.48; 1.64–3.76). Conclusions: Insurance coverage affects DMT use for persons with MS, and use of free/discounted drug programs is substantial and makes economic analysis that ignores these supplements potentially inaccurate. The rising costs of drugs and changing insurance coverage adversely affect access to treatment for persons with MS. PMID:27358338

Diagnosis and Treatment of Diminished Ovarian Reserve in ART Cycles of Women Up to Age 40 Years: The Role of Insurance Mandates

PubMed Central

Butts, Samantha F.; Ratcliffe, Sarah; Dokras, Anuja; Seifer, David B.

2012-01-01

Summary Objective To explore correlates of diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) and predictors of ART treatment outcome in DOR cycles using the SART-CORS database. We hypothesized that state insurance coverage for ART is associated with the prevalence of DOR diagnosis in ART cycles and with treatment outcomes in DOR cycles. Design Cross sectional study using ART cycles between 2004–2007. Setting United States ART registry data. Patients 182,779 fresh, non-donor, initial ART cycles in women up to age 40. Interventions None. Main Outcome Measures Prevalence of DOR and elevated FSH, odds ratio of DOR and elevated FSH in ART mandated vs. non-mandated states, live birth rates. Results Compared to cycles performed in states with mandated ART coverage, cycles in states with no ART mandate were more likely to have DOR (AOR 1.43 95% CI 1.37–1.5, p<0.0001) or elevated FSH (AOR 1.69 95% CI 1.56–1.85, p<0.0001) as the sole reason for treatment. A relationship between lack of mandated ART coverage and increased live birth rates in some, but not all DOR cycles. Conclusions A significant association was observed between lack of mandated insurance for ART and the proportion of cycles treating DOR or elevated FSH. The presence or absence of state mandated ART coverage could impact access to care and the mix of patients that pursue and initiate ART cycles. Additional studies are needed that consider the coalescence of insurance mandates, patient and provider factors, and state level variables on the odds of specific infertility diagnoses and treatment prognosis. PMID:23102859

Riometer based Neural Network Prediction of Kp

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arnason, K. M.; Spanswick, E.; Chaddock, D.; Tabrizi, A. F.; Behjat, L.

2017-12-01

The Canadian Geospace Observatory Riometer Array is a network of 11 wide-beam riometers deployed across Central and Northern Canada. The geographic coverage of the network affords a near continent scale view of high energy (>30keV) electron precipitation at a very course spatial resolution. In this paper we present the first results from a neural network based analysis of riometer data. Trained on decades of riometer data, the neural network is tuned to predict a simple index of global geomagnetic activity (Kp) based solely on the information provided by the high energy electron precipitation over Canada. We present results from various configurations of training and discuss the applicability of this technique for short term prediction of geomagnetic activity.

Supplemental Coverage Associated With More Rapid Spending Growth For Medicare Beneficiaries

PubMed Central

Golberstein, Ezra; Walsh, Kayo; He, Yulei; Chernew, Michael E.

2013-01-01

Lowering both Medicare spending and the rate of Medicare spending growth is important for the nation’s fiscal health. Policy makers in search of ways to achieve these reductions have looked at the role that supplemental coverage for Medicare beneficiaries plays in Medicare spending. Supplemental coverage makes health care more affordable for beneficiaries but also makes beneficiaries insensitive to the cost of their care, thereby increasing the demand for care. Ours is the first empirical study to investigate whether supplemental Medicare coverage is associated with higher rates of spending growth over time. We found that supplemental insurance coverage was associated with significantly higher rates of overall spending growth. Specifically, employer-sponsored and self-purchased supplemental coverage were associated with annual total spending growth rates of 7.17 percent and 7.18 percent, respectively, compared to 6.08 percent annual growth for beneficiaries without supplemental coverage. Results for Medicare program spending were more equivocal, however. Our results are consistent with the belief that current trends away from generous employer-sponsored supplemental coverage and efforts to restrict the generosity of supplemental coverage may slow spending growth. PMID:23650320

An Efficacy Study of Interleaved Mathematics Practice. Revised

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rohrer, Doug; Dedrick, Robert F.; Burgess, Kaleena

2013-01-01

In a typical mathematics course, the material is divided into many lessons, and each lesson is followed by an assignment consisting of practice problems. Most commonly, each assignment consists solely of problems on the preceding lesson. For example, a lesson on ratios might be followed by an assignment with 12 problems on ratios. In other words,…

Superwide-angle coverage code-multiplexed optical scanner.

PubMed

Riza, Nabeel A; Arain, Muzammil A

2004-05-01

A superwide-angle coverage code-multiplexed optical scanner is presented that has the potential to provide 4 pi-sr coverage. As a proof-of-concept experiment, an angular scan range of 288 degrees for six randomly distributed beams is demonstrated. The proposed scanner achieves its superwide coverage by exploiting a combination of phase-encoded transmission and reflection holography within an in-line hologram recording-retrieval geometry. The basic scanner unit consists of one phase-only digital mode spatial light modulator for code entry (i.e., beam scan control) and a holographic material from which we obtained what we believe is the first-of-a-kind extremely wide coverage, low component count, high speed (e.g., microsecond domain), and large aperture (e.g., > 1-cm diameter) scanner.

29 CFR 2590.715-2715 - Summary of benefits and coverage and uniform glossary.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... definitions of standard insurance terms and medical terms so that consumers may compare health coverage and... scenarios (including pregnancy and serious or chronic medical conditions) in accordance with this paragraph... scenario is a hypothetical situation, consisting of a sample treatment plan for a specified medical...

29 CFR 2590.715-2715 - Summary of benefits and coverage and uniform glossary.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... definitions of standard insurance terms and medical terms so that consumers may compare health coverage and... scenarios (including pregnancy and serious or chronic medical conditions) in accordance with this paragraph... scenario is a hypothetical situation, consisting of a sample treatment plan for a specified medical...

29 CFR 2590.715-2715 - Summary of benefits and coverage and uniform glossary.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... definitions of standard insurance terms and medical terms so that consumers may compare health coverage and... scenarios (including pregnancy and serious or chronic medical conditions) in accordance with this paragraph... scenario is a hypothetical situation, consisting of a sample treatment plan for a specified medical...

Using health-facility data to assess subnational coverage of maternal and child health indicators, Kenya.

PubMed

Maina, Isabella; Wanjala, Pepela; Soti, David; Kipruto, Hillary; Droti, Benson; Boerma, Ties

2017-10-01

To develop a systematic approach to obtain the best possible national and subnational statistics for maternal and child health coverage indicators from routine health-facility data. Our approach aimed to obtain improved numerators and denominators for calculating coverage at the subnational level from health-facility data. This involved assessing data quality and determining adjustment factors for incomplete reporting by facilities, then estimating local target populations based on interventions with near-universal coverage (first antenatal visit and first dose of pentavalent vaccine). We applied the method to Kenya at the county level, where routine electronic reporting by facilities is in place via the district health information software system. Reporting completeness for facility data were well above 80% in all 47 counties and the consistency of data over time was good. Coverage of the first dose of pentavalent vaccine, adjusted for facility reporting completeness, was used to obtain estimates of the county target populations for maternal and child health indicators. The country and national statistics for the four-year period 2012/13 to 2015/16 showed good consistency with results of the 2014 Kenya demographic and health survey. Our results indicated a stagnation of immunization coverage in almost all counties, a rapid increase of facility-based deliveries and caesarean sections and limited progress in antenatal care coverage. While surveys will continue to be necessary to provide population-based data, web-based information systems for health facility reporting provide an opportunity for more frequent, local monitoring of progress, in maternal and child health.

Variation in Private Payer Coverage of Rheumatoid Arthritis Drugs.

PubMed

Chambers, James D; Wilkinson, Colby L; Anderson, Jordan E; Chenoweth, Matthew D

2016-10-01

Payers in the United States issue coverage determinations to guide how their enrolled beneficiaries use prescription drugs. Because payers create their own coverage policies, how they cover drugs can vary, which in turn can affect access to care by beneficiaries. To examine how the largest private payers based on membership cover drugs indicated for rheumatoid arthritis and to determine what evidence the payers reported reviewing when formulating their coverage policies. Coverage policies issued by the 10 largest private payers that make their policies publicly available were identified for rheumatoid arthritis drugs. Each coverage determination was compared with the drug's corresponding FDA label and categorized according to the following: (a) consistent with the label, (b) more restrictive than the label, (c) less restrictive than the label, or (d) mixed (i.e., more restrictive than the label in one way but less restrictive in another). Each coverage determination was also compared with the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 2012 treatment recommendations and categorized using the same relative restrictiveness criteria. The policies were then reviewed to identify the evidence that the payers reported reviewing. The identified evidence was divided into the following 6 categories: randomized controlled trials; other clinical studies (e.g., observational studies); health technology assessments; clinical reviews; cost-effectiveness analyses; and clinical guidelines. Sixty-nine percent of coverage determinations were more restrictive than the corresponding FDA label; 15% were consistent; 3% were less restrictive; and 13% were mixed. Thirty-four percent of coverage determinations were consistent with the ACR recommendations, 33% were more restrictive; 17% were less restrictive; and 17% were mixed. Payers most often reported reviewing randomized controlled trials for their coverage policies (an average of 2.3 per policy). The payers reported reviewing an average of 1.4 clinical guidelines, 1.1 clinical reviews, 0.8 other clinical studies, and 0.5 technology assessments per policy. Only 1 payer reported reviewing cost-effectiveness analyses. The evidence base that the payers reported reviewing varied in terms of volume and composition. Payers most often covered rheumatoid arthritis drugs more restrictively than the corresponding FDA label indication and the ACR treatment recommendations. Payers reported reviewing a varied evidence base in their coverage policies. Funding for this study was provided by Genentech. Chambers has participated in a Sanofi advisory board, unrelated to this study. The authors report no other potential conflicts of interest. Study concept and design were contributed by Chambers. Anderson, Wilkinson, and Chenoweth collected the data, assisted by Chambers, and data interpretation was primarily performed by Chambers, along with Anderson and with assistance from Wilkinson and Chenoweth. The manuscript was written primarily by Chambers, along with Wilkinson and with assistance from Anderson and Chenoweth. Chambers, Chenoweth, Wilkinson, and Anderson revised the manuscript.

Effects of public premiums on children's health insurance coverage: evidence from 1999 to 2003.

PubMed

Kenney, Genevieve; Hadley, Jack; Blavin, Fredric

This study uses 2000 to 2004 Current Population Survey data to examine the effects of public premiums on the insurance coverage of children whose family incomes are between 100% and 300% of the federal poverty level. The analysis employs multinomial logistic models that control for factors other than premium costs. While the magnitude of the estimated effects varies across models, the results consistently indicate that raising public premiums reduces enrollment in public programs, with some children who forgo public coverage having private coverage instead and others being uninsured. The results indicate that public premiums have larger effects when applied to lower-income families.

Leukoproliferative response of splenocytes from English sole (Pleuronectes vetulus) exposed to chemical contaminants

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

Arkoosh, M.R.; Clemons, E.; Huffman, P.

The leukoproliferative (LP) response of splenic leukocytes from the marine benthic fish English sole (Pleuronectes vetulus) stimulated with the mitogens lipopolysaccharide (LPS), convanavalin A (Con A), and pokeweed mitogen (PWM) was examined as a biomarker of immunotoxic effects. English sole were exposed to contaminants, either by injection of an organic-solvent extract of a sediment containing polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) or placed for up to 5 weeks on a reference sediment containing 0.15 to 1.5% (v/v) of the PAC-contaminated sediment. English sole either injected with the contaminated extract or held on PAC-contaminated sediment had an augmented response to Con A. Themore » LP response to LPS showed no relationship to PAC exposure in laboratory-exposed fish, while PWM showed no consistent relationship to exposure to PACs. In a field study, English sole captured from an urban area in Puget Sound, Washington, USA, contaminated with PACs and other chemical contaminants had a significantly augmented LP response to Con A and PWM in comparison to the LP response in fish from a nonurban reference site. Fish from another nonurban site also had an augmented LP response to Con A, indicating that the elevation of the Con A LP response can also result from factors other than chemical contaminant exposure. In addition, English sole from this site also had an augmented LP response to LPS, whereas fish from urban sites did not exhibit an augmented LP response to LPS. Overall, the results demonstrated that although the LP response in splenic leukocytes of English sole to Con A was linked to contaminant exposure, the LP response to Con A did not exhibit high specificity as an indicator of chemical contaminant exposure. However, the concerted use of Con A, LPS, and PWM allowed for identification of apparent chemical contaminant-induced alterations of the LP response in English sole from an urban area of Puget Sound.« less

Insurance Coverage Policies for Pharmacogenomic and Multi-Gene Testing for Cancer.

PubMed

Lu, Christine Y; Loomer, Stephanie; Ceccarelli, Rachel; Mazor, Kathleen M; Sabin, James; Clayton, Ellen Wright; Ginsburg, Geoffrey S; Wu, Ann Chen

2018-05-16

Insurance coverage policies are a major determinant of patient access to genomic tests. The objective of this study was to examine differences in coverage policies for guideline-recommended pharmacogenomic tests that inform cancer treatment. We analyzed coverage policies from eight Medicare contractors and 10 private payers for 23 biomarkers (e.g., HER2 and EGFR ) and multi-gene tests. We extracted policy coverage and criteria, prior authorization requirements, and an evidence basis for coverage. We reviewed professional society guidelines and their recommendations for use of pharmacogenomic tests. Coverage for KRAS , EGFR , and BRAF tests were common across Medicare contractors and private payers, but few policies covered PML/RARA , CD25 , or G6PD . Thirteen payers cover multi-gene tests for nonsmall lung cancer, citing emerging clinical recommendations. Coverage policies for single and multi-gene tests for cancer treatments are consistent among Medicare contractors despite the lack of national coverage determinations. In contrast, coverage for these tests varied across private payers. Patient access to tests is governed by prior authorization among eight private payers. Substantial variations in how payers address guideline-recommended pharmacogenomic tests and the common use of prior authorization underscore the need for additional studies of the effects of coverage variation on cancer care and patient outcomes.

26 CFR 1.1082-6 - Basis of property acquired under section 1081(d) in transactions between corporations of the same...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... were the sole consideration for the property transferred to the corporation issuing such stock or... acquired consists of stock or securities, money, and other property, or any of them, but it is contemplated... to the general rule is provided for in case the property acquired consists of stock or securities...

The association between household bed net ownership and all-cause child mortality in Madagascar.

PubMed

Meekers, Dominique; Yukich, Joshua O

2016-09-17

Malaria continues to be an important cause of morbidity and mortality in Madagascar. It has been estimated that the malaria burden costs Madagascar over $52 million annually in terms of treatment costs, lost productivity and prevention expenses. One of the key malaria prevention strategies of the Government of Madagascar consists of large-scale mass distribution campaigns of long-lasting insecticide-treated bed nets (LLIN). Although there is ample evidence that child mortality has decreased in Madagascar, it is unclear whether increases in LLIN ownership have contributed to this decline. This study analyses multiple recent cross-sectional survey data sets to examine the association between household bed net ownership and all-cause child mortality. Data on household-level bed net ownership confirm that the percentage of households that own one or more bed nets increased substantially following the 2009 and 2010 mass LLIN distribution campaigns. Additionally, all-cause child mortality in Madagascar has declined during the period 2008-2013. Bed net ownership was associated with a 22 % reduction in the all-cause child mortality hazard in Madagascar. Mass bed net distributions contributed strongly to the overall decline in child mortality in Madagascar during the period 2008-2013. However, the decline was not solely attributable to increases in bed net coverage, and nets alone were not able to eliminate most of the child mortality hazard across the island.

Using Glossaries to Increase the Lexical Coverage of Television Programs

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Webb, Stuart

2010-01-01

This study examined the extent to which glossaries may affect the percentage of known words (coverage) in television programs. The transcripts of 51 episodes of 2 television programs ("House" and "Grey's Anatomy") were analyzed using Range (Heatley, Nation, & Coxhead, 2002) to create glossaries consisting of the low-frequency (less frequent than…

What Do All These Numbers Mean? Data Visualization as an Innovative Methodology to Make Program Decisions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Porter, Susan G.; Koch, Steven P.; Henderson, Andrew

2010-01-01

Background: There is a lack of consistent, comprehensible data collection and analysis methods for evaluating teacher preparation program's coverage of required standards for accreditation. Of particular concern is the adequate coverage of standards and competencies that address the teaching of English learners and teachers of students from…

7 CFR 1740.8 - Scoring criteria for the grant competition.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... follows: (1) The rural population of a core coverage area must be calculated. The rural population of a county is calculated by subtracting the county's urban population(s) from the total county population. If the core coverage area consists of multiple counties, the rural population is the sum of all included...

7 CFR 1740.8 - Scoring criteria for the grant competition.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... follows: (1) The rural population of a core coverage area must be calculated. The rural population of a county is calculated by subtracting the county's urban population(s) from the total county population. If the core coverage area consists of multiple counties, the rural population is the sum of all included...

7 CFR 1740.8 - Scoring criteria for the grant competition.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... follows: (1) The rural population of a core coverage area must be calculated. The rural population of a county is calculated by subtracting the county's urban population(s) from the total county population. If the core coverage area consists of multiple counties, the rural population is the sum of all included...

7 CFR 1740.8 - Scoring criteria for the grant competition.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... follows: (1) The rural population of a core coverage area must be calculated. The rural population of a county is calculated by subtracting the county's urban population(s) from the total county population. If the core coverage area consists of multiple counties, the rural population is the sum of all included...

Reproducibility and Consistency of In Vitro Nucleosome Reconstitutions Demonstrated by Invitrosome Isolation and Sequencing

PubMed Central

Kempton, Colton E.; Heninger, Justin R.; Johnson, Steven M.

2014-01-01

Nucleosomes and their positions in the eukaryotic genome play an important role in regulating gene expression by influencing accessibility to DNA. Many factors influence a nucleosome's final position in the chromatin landscape including the underlying genomic sequence. One of the primary reasons for performing in vitro nucleosome reconstitution experiments is to identify how the underlying DNA sequence will influence a nucleosome's position in the absence of other compounding cellular factors. However, concerns have been raised about the reproducibility of data generated from these kinds of experiments. Here we present data for in vitro nucleosome reconstitution experiments performed on linear plasmid DNA that demonstrate that, when coverage is deep enough, these reconstitution experiments are exquisitely reproducible and highly consistent. Our data also suggests that a coverage depth of 35X be maintained for maximal confidence when assaying nucleosome positions, but lower coverage levels may be generally sufficient. These coverage depth recommendations are sufficient in the experimental system and conditions used in this study, but may vary depending on the exact parameters used in other systems. PMID:25093869

27 CFR 479.32a - Reduced rate of tax for small importers and manufacturers.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... MACHINE GUNS, DESTRUCTIVE DEVICES, AND CERTAIN OTHER FIREARMS Special (Occupational) Taxes § 479.32a... 50% control over a group consisting of corporations and one, or more, partnerships and/or sole...

27 CFR 479.32a - Reduced rate of tax for small importers and manufacturers.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... MACHINE GUNS, DESTRUCTIVE DEVICES, AND CERTAIN OTHER FIREARMS Special (Occupational) Taxes § 479.32a... 50% control over a group consisting of corporations and one, or more, partnerships and/or sole...

27 CFR 479.32a - Reduced rate of tax for small importers and manufacturers.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... MACHINE GUNS, DESTRUCTIVE DEVICES, AND CERTAIN OTHER FIREARMS Special (Occupational) Taxes § 479.32a... 50% control over a group consisting of corporations and one, or more, partnerships and/or sole...

27 CFR 479.32a - Reduced rate of tax for small importers and manufacturers.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... MACHINE GUNS, DESTRUCTIVE DEVICES, AND CERTAIN OTHER FIREARMS Special (Occupational) Taxes § 479.32a... 50% control over a group consisting of corporations and one, or more, partnerships and/or sole...

Updated analysis of flatfish recruitment response to climate variability and ocean conditions in the Eastern Bering Sea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wilderbuer, Thomas; Stockhausen, William; Bond, Nicholas

2013-10-01

This study provides a retrospective analysis of the relationship between physical oceanography, biology and recruitment of three Eastern Bering Sea flatfish stocks: flathead sole (Hippoglossoides elassodon), northern rock sole (Lepidopsetta polyxystra), and arrowtooth flounder (Atheresthes stomias) during the period 1978-2005. Stock assessment model estimates of recruitment and spawning stock size indicate that temporal patterns in productivity are consistent with decadal scale (or shorter) patterns in climate variability, which may influence marine survival during the early life history phases. Density-dependence (through spawning stock size) was statistically significant in a Ricker stock-recruit model of flatfish recruitment that included environmental terms. Wind-driven advection of northern rock sole and flathead sole larvae to favorable nursery grounds was found to coincide with years of above-average recruitment. Ocean forcing of Bristol Bay surface waters during springtime was mostly on-shelf (eastward) during the 1980s and again in the early 2000s, but was off-shelf (westerly) during the 1990s, corresponding with periods of good and poor recruitment, respectively. Finally, the Arctic Oscillation was found to be an important indicator of arrowtooth flounder productivity. Model results were applied to IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) future springtime wind scenarios to predict the future impact of climate on northern rock sole productivity and indicated that a moderate future increase in recruitment might be expected because the climate trends favor on-shelf transport but that density-dependence will dampen this effect such that northern rock sole abundance will not be substantially affected by climate change.

Biologically active LIL proteins built with minimal chemical diversity

PubMed Central

Heim, Erin N.; Marston, Jez L.; Federman, Ross S.; Edwards, Anne P. B.; Karabadzhak, Alexander G.; Petti, Lisa M.; Engelman, Donald M.; DiMaio, Daniel

2015-01-01

We have constructed 26-amino acid transmembrane proteins that specifically transform cells but consist of only two different amino acids. Most proteins are long polymers of amino acids with 20 or more chemically distinct side-chains. The artificial transmembrane proteins reported here are the simplest known proteins with specific biological activity, consisting solely of an initiating methionine followed by specific sequences of leucines and isoleucines, two hydrophobic amino acids that differ only by the position of a methyl group. We designate these proteins containing leucine (L) and isoleucine (I) as LIL proteins. These proteins functionally interact with the transmembrane domain of the platelet-derived growth factor β-receptor and specifically activate the receptor to transform cells. Complete mutagenesis of these proteins identified individual amino acids required for activity, and a protein consisting solely of leucines, except for a single isoleucine at a particular position, transformed cells. These surprisingly simple proteins define the minimal chemical diversity sufficient to construct proteins with specific biological activity and change our view of what can constitute an active protein in a cellular context. PMID:26261320

Atmospheric photochemistry at a fatty acid-coated air-water interface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rossignol, Stéphanie; Tinel, Liselotte; Bianco, Angelica; Passananti, Monica; Brigante, Marcello; Donaldson, D. James; George, Christian

2016-08-01

Although fatty acids are believed to be photochemically inert in the actinic region, complex volatile organic compounds are produced during illumination of an air-water interface coated solely with a monolayer of carboxylic acid. When aqueous solutions containing nonanoic acid (NA) at bulk concentrations that give rise to just over a monolayer of NA coverage are illuminated with actinic radiation, saturated and unsaturated aldehydes are seen in the gas phase, and more highly oxygenated products appear in the aqueous phase. This chemistry is probably initiated by triplet-state NA molecules excited by direct absorption of actinic light at the water surface. Because fatty acids-covered interfaces are ubiquitous in the environment, such photochemical processing will have a substantial impact on local ozone and particle formation.

Roles of Obstetrician-Gynecologist Hospitalists with Changes in the Obstetrician-Gynecologist Workforce and Practice.

PubMed

Tessmer-Tuck, Jennifer A; Rayburn, William F

2015-09-01

Obstetrician-gynecologists (OB-GYNs) are the fourth largest group of physicians and the only specialty dedicated solely to women's health care. The specialty is unique in providing 24-hour inpatient coverage, surgical care and ambulatory preventive health care. This article identifies and reviews changes in the OB-GYN workforce, including more female OB-GYNs, an increasing emphasis on work-life balance, more sub-specialization, larger group practices with more employed physicians and, finally, an emphasis on quality and performance improvement. It then describes the evolution of the OB-GYN hospitalist movement to date and the role of OB-GYN hospitalists in the future with regard to these workforce changes. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Book review: Shorebirds of North America: the photographic guide

USGS Publications Warehouse

Peterjohn, Bruce G.

2005-01-01

As stated in the preface of this new guide, shorebirds are among our most engaging birds. Their ecology and behavior are the subjects of numerous ornithological studies, their identification can challenge the skills of the most serious birdwatchers, and people with a casual interest in birds are captivated by the antics of Sanderlings (Calidris alba) chasing waves along a beach. While some books provide a worldwide perspective on shorebird identification, this book is the first guide devoted solely to identifying every species occurring in North America. Its coverage is truly continental, extending from Alaska to Panama and including the West Indies.Review info: Shorebirds of North America: the photographic guide. By Dennis R. Paulson, 2005. ISBN: 0691102740, 384 pp.

Characteristics of the nonelderly with selected sources of health insurance and lengths of uninsured spells.

PubMed

Copeland, C

1998-06-01

This Issue Brief examines the characteristics of individuals with selected sources of coverage and combinations of sources of coverage over a 12-month period. In addition, it examines the characteristics of individuals who experience spells without health insurance and the lengths of these spells. It uses the most recent 12-month period from the Survey of Income and Program Participation and builds on previous research on the lengths of spells with and without health insurance. Analysis of individuals' health insurance coverage from October 1994 to September 1995 showed that approximately 77.6 percent of the nonelderly had health insurance coverage during this entire period. In addition, 22.4 percent of the nonelderly were uninsured for at least one month during this period, and 7.4 percent of the nonelderly were uninsured for the entire period. Of those with health insurance coverage for the entire year, approximately 83 percent were covered by private health insurance, with at least 81 percent of this group receiving the coverage from employment-based sources. Eighty-five percent of the spells without health insurance with an observed beginning and end lasted for 4 months or less, and 99 percent lasted for 8 months or less. When examining the spells with either an observed beginning or end, 55 percent of these spells were found to last for 4 months or less, and 87 percent were found to last for 8 months or less. However, investigation of all spells without health insurance showed that approximately one-half of all spells without health insurance coverage lasted for 8 months or longer. This report found that two-thirds of spells without health insurance last for less than one year, confirming previous research that a majority of these spells are for less than a year. However, this report also confirms the existence of a significant number--approximately one-third of all individuals with a spell of noncoverage--of chronically uninsured individuals. These individuals are the most likely to delay seeking treatment for illnesses and to use the emergency room as their only site of care. Because they are in poverty or near poverty, much of this care is uncompensated. Thus, to the extent that providers can shift these costs onto other payers, all individuals and employers share in these costs through higher health insurance premiums or higher taxes to finance public hospitals and public insurance programs. Recent major health insurance legislation has addressed access to health insurance, and in many cases focused solely on continued access to employment-based coverage, but has done very little to address the affordability of coverage. However, as this report demonstrates, many individuals experiencing spells without health insurance have low incomes. Thus, to obtain coverage, individuals need not only increased access to health insurance but also the ability to afford this health insurance.

Business Acquisition and Implementation

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-01-01

I am proposing that this technical paper be broken down into two phases. Phase one will consist of business and land acquisition. Phase two will...consist of business implementation. The business acquisition phase will document the process of forming a limited liability company (LLC) from a sole...proprietorship with the intention of real estate development and personal asset protection. I do not require a business license but I will need to

5 CFR 892.209 - Can I cancel FEHB coverage at any time?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... consistent with that qualifying life event. If you add an eligible family member, canceling coverage would... first pay period that begins in the next year. (b) Within 60 days after you have a qualifying life event. A cancellation made because of a qualifying life event takes effect at midnight of the last day of...

5 CFR 892.209 - Can I cancel FEHB coverage at any time?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... consistent with that qualifying life event. If you add an eligible family member, canceling coverage would... first pay period that begins in the next year. (b) Within 60 days after you have a qualifying life event. A cancellation made because of a qualifying life event takes effect at midnight of the last day of...

5 CFR 892.209 - Can I cancel FEHB coverage at any time?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... consistent with that qualifying life event. If you add an eligible family member, canceling coverage would... first pay period that begins in the next year. (b) Within 60 days after you have a qualifying life event. A cancellation made because of a qualifying life event takes effect at midnight of the last day of...

5 CFR 892.209 - Can I cancel FEHB coverage at any time?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... consistent with that qualifying life event. If you add an eligible family member, canceling coverage would... first pay period that begins in the next year. (b) Within 60 days after you have a qualifying life event. A cancellation made because of a qualifying life event takes effect at midnight of the last day of...

5 CFR 892.209 - Can I cancel FEHB coverage at any time?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... consistent with that qualifying life event. If you add an eligible family member, canceling coverage would... first pay period that begins in the next year. (b) Within 60 days after you have a qualifying life event. A cancellation made because of a qualifying life event takes effect at midnight of the last day of...

Coniferous coverage as well as catchment steepness influences local stream nitrate concentrations within a nitrogen-saturated forest in central Japan.

PubMed

Watanabe, Mirai; Miura, Shingo; Hasegawa, Shun; Koshikawa, Masami K; Takamatsu, Takejiro; Kohzu, Ayato; Imai, Akio; Hayashi, Seiji

2018-04-28

High concentrations of nitrate have been detected in streams flowing from nitrogen-saturated forests; however, the spatial variations of nitrate leaching within those forests and its causes remain poorly explored. The aim of this study is to evaluate the influences of catchment topography and coniferous coverage on stream nitrate concentrations in a nitrogen-saturated forest. We measured nitrate concentrations in the baseflow of headwater streams at 40 montane forest catchments on Mount Tsukuba in central Japan, at three-month intervals for 1 year, and investigated their relationship with catchment topography and with coniferous coverage. Although stream nitrate concentrations varied from 0.5 to 3.0 mgN L -1 , those in 31 catchments consistently exceeded 1 mgN L -1 , indicating that this forest had experienced nitrogen saturation. A classification and regression tree analysis with multiple environmental factors showed that the mean slope gradient and coniferous coverage were the best and second best, respectively, at explaining inter-catchment variance of stream nitrate concentrations. This analysis suggested that the catchments with steep topography and high coniferous coverage tend to have high nitrate concentrations. Moreover, in the three-year observation period for five adjacent catchments, the two catchments with relatively higher coniferous coverage consistently had higher stream nitrate concentrations. Thus, the spatial variations in stream nitrate concentrations were primarily regulated by catchment steepness and, to a lesser extent, coniferous coverage in this nitrogen-saturated forest. Our results suggest that a decrease in coniferous coverage could potentially contribute to a reduction in nitrate leaching from this nitrogen-saturated forest, and consequently reduce the risk of nitrogen overload for the downstream ecosystems. This information will allow land managers and researchers to develop improved management plans for this and similar forests in Japan and elsewhere. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Growth and structural evolution of Sn on Ag(001): Epitaxial monolayer to thick alloy film

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

Chakraborty, Suvankar; Menon, Krishnakumar S. R., E-mail: krishna.menon@saha.ac.in

The growth and structure of Sn on Ag(001), from submonolayer to thick film coverages at room temperature, are studied using low energy electron diffraction, x-ray photoemission spectroscopy and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) techniques. The authors observe different growth modes for submonolayer Sn coverages and for higher Sn coverages. Systematic surface structural evolution, consistent with the substitution of surface Ag atoms by Sn atoms, is observed for submonolayer Sn coverages while an ordered Ag-Sn bulk alloy film is formed for higher Sn coverages with an Ag overlayer. For monolayer coverage of Sn, a pseudomorphic growth of a Sn layer without alloyingmore » is determined. ARPES results also confirm the presence of an ordered Ag overlayer on the bulk Ag-Sn alloy film, suggesting the formation of an Ag/Ag{sub 3}Sn/Ag(001) sandwich structure at the surface for higher Sn coverages. The present results illustrate the complex interplay of atomic mobilities, surface free-energies, and alloy formation energies in determining the growth and structural properties of the system.« less

Medicare is scrutinizing evidence more tightly for national coverage determinations.

PubMed

Chambers, James D; Chenoweth, Matthew; Cangelosi, Michael J; Pyo, Junhee; Cohen, Joshua T; Neumann, Peter J

2015-02-01

We examined Medicare national coverage determinations for medical interventions to determine whether or not they have become more restrictive over time. National coverage determinations address whether particular big-ticket medical items, services, treatment procedures, and technologies can be paid for under Medicare. We found that after we adjusted for the strength of evidence and other factors known to influence the determinations of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the evidentiary bar for coverage has risen. More recent coverage determinations (from mid-March 2008 through August 2012) were twenty times less likely to be positive than earlier coverage determinations (from February 1999 through January 2002). Furthermore, coverage during the study period was increasingly and positively associated both with the degree of consistency of favorable findings in the CMS reviewed clinical evidence and with recommendations made in clinical guidelines. Coverage policy is an important payer tool for promoting the appropriate use of medical interventions, but CMS's rising evidence standards also raise questions about patients' access to new technologies and about hurdles for the pharmaceutical and device industries as they attempt to bring innovations to the market. Project HOPE—The People-to-People Health Foundation, Inc.

Improving care for patients on antiretroviral therapy through a gap analysis framework.

PubMed

Massoud, M Rashad; Shakir, Fazila; Livesley, Nigel; Muhire, Martin; Nabwire, Juliana; Ottosson, Amanda; Jean-Baptiste, Rachel; Megere, Humphrey; Karamagi-Nkolo, Esther; Gaudreault, Suzanne; Marks, Pamela; Jennings, Larissa

2015-07-01

To improve quality of care through decreasing existing gaps in the areas of coverage, retention, and wellness of patients receiving HIV care and treatment. The antiretroviral therapy (ART) Framework utilizes improvement methods and the Chronic Care Model to address the coverage, retention, and wellness gaps in HIV care and treatment. This is a time-series study. The ART Framework was applied in five health centers in Buikwe District, Uganda. Quality improvement teams, consisting of healthcare workers and expert patients, were established in each of the five healthcare facilities. The intervention period was October 2010 to September 2012. It consisted of quality improvement teams analyzing their facility and systems of care from the perspective of the Chronic Care Model to identify areas of improvement. They implemented the ART Framework, collected data and assessed outcomes, focused on self-management support for patients, to improve coverage, retention, and wellness gaps in HIV care and treatment. Coverage was defined as every patient who needs ART in the catchment area, receives it. Retention was defined as every patient who receives ART stays on ART, and wellness defined as having a positive clinical, immunological, and/or virological response to treatment without intolerable or unmanageable side-effects. Results from Buikwe show the gaps in coverage, retention, and wellness greatly decreased a gap in coverage of 44-19%, gap in retention of 49-24%, and gap in wellness of 53-14% during a 2-year intervention period. The ART Framework is an innovative and practical tool for HIV program managers to improve HIV care and treatment.

Clinical and post mortem analysis of combat neck injury used to inform a novel coverage of armour tool.

PubMed

Breeze, J; Fryer, R; Hare, J; Delaney, R; Hunt, N C; Lewis, E A; Clasper, J C

2015-04-01

There is a requirement in the Ministry of Defence for an objective method of comparing the area of coverage of different body armour designs for future applications. Existing comparisons derived from surface wound mapping are limited in that they can only demonstrate the skin entry wound location. The Coverage of Armour Tool (COAT) is a novel three-dimensional model capable of comparing the coverage provided by body armour designs, but limited information exists as to which anatomical structures require inclusion. The aim of this study was to assess the utility of COAT, in the assessment of neck protection, using clinically relevant injury data. Hospital notes and post mortem records of all UK soldiers injured by an explosive fragment to the neck between 01 Jan 2006 and 31 December 2012 from Iraq and Afghanistan were analysed to determine which anatomical structures were responsible for death or functional disability at one year post injury. Using COAT a comparison of three ballistic neck collar designs was undertaken with reference to the percentage of these anatomical structures left exposed. 13/81 (16%) survivors demonstrated complications at one year, most commonly upper limb weakness from brachial plexus injury or a weak voice from laryngeal trauma. In 14/94 (15%) soldiers the neck wound was believed to have been the sole cause of death, primarily from carotid artery damage, spinal cord transection or rupture of the larynx. COAT objectively demonstrated that despite the larger OSPREY collar having almost double the surface area than the two-piece prototype collar, the percentage area of vulnerable cervical structures left exposed only reduced from 16.3% to 14.4%. COAT demonstrated its ability to objectively quantify the potential effectiveness of different body armour designs in providing coverage of vulnerable anatomical structures from different shot line orientations. To improve its utility, it is recommended that COAT be further developed to enable weapon and tissue specific information to be modelled, and that clinically significant injuries to other body regions are also incorporated. Crown Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Further observations on comparison of immunization coverage by lot quality assurance sampling and 30 cluster sampling.

PubMed

Singh, J; Jain, D C; Sharma, R S; Verghese, T

1996-06-01

Lot Quality Assurance Sampling (LQAS) and standard EPI methodology (30 cluster sampling) were used to evaluate immunization coverage in a Primary Health Center (PHC) where coverage levels were reported to be more than 85%. Of 27 sub-centers (lots) evaluated by LQAS, only 2 were accepted for child coverage, whereas none was accepted for tetanus toxoid (TT) coverage in mothers. LQAS data were combined to obtain an estimate of coverage in the entire population; 41% (95% CI 36-46) infants were immunized appropriately for their ages, while 42% (95% CI 37-47) of their mothers had received a second/ booster dose of TT. TT coverage in 149 contemporary mothers sampled in EPI survey was also 42% (95% CI 31-52). Although results by the two sampling methods were consistent with each other, a big gap was evident between reported coverage (in children as well as mothers) and survey results. LQAS was found to be operationally feasible, but it cost 40% more and required 2.5 times more time than the EPI survey. LQAS therefore, is not a good substitute for current EPI methodology to evaluate immunization coverage in a large administrative area. However, LQAS has potential as method to monitor health programs on a routine basis in small population sub-units, especially in areas with high and heterogeneously distributed immunization coverage.

Validation of the Spine Oncology Study Group-Outcomes Questionnaire to assess quality of life in patients with metastatic spine disease.

PubMed

Janssen, Stein J; Teunis, Teun; van Dijk, Eva; Ferrone, Marco L; Shin, John H; Hornicek, Francis; Schwab, Joseph H

2017-06-01

General questionnaires are often used to assess quality of life in patients with spine metastases, although a disease-specific survey did not exist until recently. The Spine Oncology Study Group has developed an outcomes questionnaire (SOSG-OQ) to measure quality of life in these patients. However, a scoring system was not developed, and the questionnaire was not validated in a group of patients, nor was it compared with other general quality of life questionnaires such as the EuroQol 5 Dimensions (EQ-5D) questionnaire. Our primary null hypothesis is that there is no association between the SOSG-OQ and EQ-5D. Our secondary null hypothesis is that there is no difference in coverage and internal consistency between the SOSG-OQ and EQ-5D. We also assess coverage, consistency, and validity of the domains within the SOSG-OQ. A survey study from a tertiary care spine referral center was used for this study. The patient sample consisted of 82 patients with spine metastases, myeloma, or lymphoma. The SOSG-OQ (27 questions, 6 domains) score ranges from 0 to 80, with a higher score indicating worse quality of life. The EQ-5D (5 questions, 5 domains) index score ranges from 0 to 1, with a higher score indicating better quality of life. The association between the SOSG-OQ and EQ-5D index score was assessed using the Spearman rank correlation. Instrument coverage and precision were assessed by determining item completion rate, median score with range, and floor and ceiling effect. Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach alpha. Multitrait analysis and exploratory factor analysis were used to analyze properties of the individual domains in the SOSG-OQ. The Spearman rank correlation between the SOSG-OQ and EQ-5D questionnaire was high (r=-0.83, p<.001). Internal consistency of the SOSG-OQ (0.92, 95% CI: 0.89-0.94) was higher as compared to the internal consistency of the EQ-5D (0.73, 95% CI: 0.63-0.84; p<.001). The SOSG-OQ score had no floor or ceiling effect indicating good coverage (median 30, range 3-64), whereas the EQ-5D had a ceiling effect of 10% (median 0.71, range 0.05-1). In conclusion, our study proposes a scoring methodology-after reversing four inversely scored items-for the SOSG-OQ and shows that the questionnaire is a valid tool for the assessment of quality of life in patients with metastatic spine disease. The SOSG-OQ is superior to the EQ-5D in terms of coverage and internal consistency but consists of more questions. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Thresholds of skin sensitivity are partially influenced by mechanical properties of the skin on the foot sole

PubMed Central

Strzalkowski, Nicholas D J; Triano, John J; Lam, Chris K; Templeton, Cale A; Bent, Leah R

2015-01-01

Across the foot sole, there are vibration and monofilament sensory differences despite an alleged even distribution of cutaneous afferents. Mechanical property differences across foot sole sites have been proposed to account for these differences. Vibration (VPT; 3 Hz, 40 Hz, 250 Hz), and monofilament (MF) perception threshold measurements were compared with skin hardness, epidermal thickness, and stretch response across five foot sole locations in young healthy adults (n = 22). Perceptual thresholds were expected to correlate with all mechanical property measurements to help address sensitivity differences between sites. Following this hypothesis, the MedArch was consistently found to be the thinnest and softest site and demonstrated the greatest sensitivity. Conversely, the Heel was found to be the thickest and hardest site, and was relatively insensitive across perceptual tests. Site differences were not observed for epidermal stretch response measures. Despite an apparent trend of elevated sensory threshold at harder and thicker sites, significant correlations between sensitivity measures and skin mechanical properties were not observed. Skin hardness and epidermal thickness appeared to have a negligible influence on VPT and minor influence on MF within this young healthy population. When normalized (% greater or smaller than subject mean) to the subject mean for each variable, significant positive correlations were observed between MF and skin hardness (R2 = 0.422, P < 0.0001) and epidermal thickness (R2 = 0.433, P < 0.0001) providing evidence that skin mechanics can influence MF threshold. In young healthy adults, differences in sensitivity are present across the foot sole, but cannot solely be accounted for by differences in the mechanical properties of the skin. PMID:26059035

A Coral Reef Algorithm Based on Learning Automata for the Coverage Control Problem of Heterogeneous Directional Sensor Networks

PubMed Central

Li, Ming; Miao, Chunyan; Leung, Cyril

2015-01-01

Coverage control is one of the most fundamental issues in directional sensor networks. In this paper, the coverage optimization problem in a directional sensor network is formulated as a multi-objective optimization problem. It takes into account the coverage rate of the network, the number of working sensor nodes and the connectivity of the network. The coverage problem considered in this paper is characterized by the geographical irregularity of the sensed events and heterogeneity of the sensor nodes in terms of sensing radius, field of angle and communication radius. To solve this multi-objective problem, we introduce a learning automata-based coral reef algorithm for adaptive parameter selection and use a novel Tchebycheff decomposition method to decompose the multi-objective problem into a single-objective problem. Simulation results show the consistent superiority of the proposed algorithm over alternative approaches. PMID:26690162

A Coral Reef Algorithm Based on Learning Automata for the Coverage Control Problem of Heterogeneous Directional Sensor Networks.

PubMed

Li, Ming; Miao, Chunyan; Leung, Cyril

2015-12-04

Coverage control is one of the most fundamental issues in directional sensor networks. In this paper, the coverage optimization problem in a directional sensor network is formulated as a multi-objective optimization problem. It takes into account the coverage rate of the network, the number of working sensor nodes and the connectivity of the network. The coverage problem considered in this paper is characterized by the geographical irregularity of the sensed events and heterogeneity of the sensor nodes in terms of sensing radius, field of angle and communication radius. To solve this multi-objective problem, we introduce a learning automata-based coral reef algorithm for adaptive parameter selection and use a novel Tchebycheff decomposition method to decompose the multi-objective problem into a single-objective problem. Simulation results show the consistent superiority of the proposed algorithm over alternative approaches.

Concept and analytical basis for revistas - A fast, flexible computer/graphic system for generating periodic satellite coverage patterns

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

King, J. C.

1976-01-01

The generation of satellite coverage patterns is facilitated by three basic strategies: use of a simplified physical model, permitting rapid closed-form calculation; separation of earth rotation and nodal precession from initial geometric analyses; and use of symmetries to construct traces of indefinite length by repetitive transposition of basic one-quadrant elements. The complete coverage patterns generated consist of a basic nadir trace plus a number of associated off-nadir traces, one for each sensor swath edge to be delineated. Each trace is generated by transposing one or two of the basic quadrant elements into a circle on a nonrotating earth model sphere, after which the circle is expanded into the actual 'helical' pattern by adding rotational displacements to the longitude coordinates. The procedure adapts to the important periodic coverage cases by direct insertion of the characteristic integers N and R (days and orbital revolutions, respectively, per coverage period).

Allineamento della Basilica di san Pietro col Sole

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sigismondi, Costantino; Regoli, Irene

2017-06-01

The obelisk of St Peter in Vatican is not centered with the Basilica's axis; its alignment is measured with the Sun azimuth as 88°59'±1', consistent with the rising azimuth of the ecclesiastic equinox, 21 march 315.

Racial/ethnic differences in health insurance adequacy and consistency among children: Evidence from the 2011/12 National Survey of Children's Health.

PubMed

Soylu, Tulay G; Elashkar, Eman; Aloudah, Fatemah; Ahmed, Munir; Kitsantas, Panagiota

2018-02-05

Surveillance of disparities in healthcare insurance, services and quality of care among children are critical for properly serving the medical/healthcare needs of underserved populations. The purpose of this study was to assess racial/ethnic differences in children's (0 to 17 years old) health insurance adequacy and consistency (child has insurance coverage for the last 12 months). We used data from the 2011/2012 National Survey of Children's Health (n=79,474). Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the distribution and influence of several sociodemographic/family related factors on insurance adequacy and consistency across different racial/ethnic groups. Stratified analyses by race/ethnicity revealed that white and black children living in households at or below 299% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) were approximately 29 to 42% less likely to have adequate insurance compared to children living in families of higher income levels. Regardless of race/ethnicity, we found that children with public health insurance were more likely to have adequate insurance than their privately insured counterparts, while adolescents were at greater risk of inadequate coverage. Hispanic and black children were more likely to lack consistent insurance coverage. This study provides evidence that racial/ethnic differences in adequate and consistent health insurance exists with both white and minority children being affected adversely by poverty. Establishing outreach programs for low income families, and cross-cultural education for healthcare providers may help increase health insurance adequacy and consistency within certain underserved populations.

How General are Risk Preferences? Choices under Uncertainty in Different Domains*

PubMed Central

Einav, Liran; Finkelstein, Amy; Pascu, Iuliana; Cullen, Mark R.

2011-01-01

We analyze the extent to which individuals’ choices over five employer-provided insurance coverage decisions and one 401(k) investment decision exhibit systematic patterns, as would be implied by a general utility component of risk preferences. We provide evidence consistent with an important domain-general component that operates across all insurance choices. We find a considerably weaker relationship between one's insurance decisions and 401(k) asset allocation, although this relationship appears larger for more “financially sophisticated” individuals. Estimates from a stylized coverage choice model suggest that up to thirty percent of our sample makes choices that may be consistent across all six domains. PMID:24634517

Specialist availability in emergencies: contributions of response times and the use of ad hoc coverage in New York State.

PubMed

Rabin, Elaine; Patrick, Lisa

2016-04-01

Nationwide, hospitals struggle to maintain specialist on-call coverage for emergencies. We seek to further understand the issue by examining reliability of scheduled coverage and the role of ad hoc coverage when none is scheduled. An anonymous electronic survey of all emergency department (ED) directors of a large state. Overall and for 10 specialties, respondents were asked to estimate on-call coverage extent and "reliability" (frequency of emergency response in a clinically useful time frame: 2 hours), and use and effect of ad hoc emergency coverage to fill gaps. Descriptive statistics were performed using Fisher exact and Wilcoxon sign rank tests for significance. Contact information was obtained for 125 of 167 ED directors. Sixty responded (48%), representing 36% of EDs. Forty-six percent reported full on-call coverage scheduled for all specialties. Forty-six percent reported consistent reliability. Coverage and reliability were strongly related (P<.01; 33% reported both), and larger ED volume correlated with both (P<.01). Ninety percent of hospitals that had gaps in either employed ad hoc coverage, significantly improving coverage for 8 of 10 specialties. For all but 1 specialty, more than 20% of hospitals reported that specialists are "Never", "Rarely" or "Sometimes" reliable (more than 50% for cardiovascular surgery, hand surgery and ophthalmology). Significant holes in scheduled on-call specialist coverage are compounded by frequent unreliability of on-call specialists, but partially ameliorated by ad hoc specialist coverage. Regionalization may help because a 2-tiered system may exist: larger hospitals have more complete, reliable coverage. Better understanding of specialists' willingness to treat emergencies ad hoc without taking formal call will suggest additional remedies. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

75 FR 15415 - Certain Crepe Paper Products From the People's Republic of China: Final Results of Expedited...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-03-29

... order may consist solely of crepe paper of one color and/or style, or may contain multiple colors and/or... Manufacturers/exporters/producers (percent) Fuzhou Light Industry Import and Export Co., Ltd 266.83 Fuzhou...

Spectral Classes for FAA's Integrated Noise Model Version 6.0.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1999-12-07

The starting point in any empirical model such as the Federal Aviation Administrations (FAA) : Integrated Noise Model (INM) is a reference data base. In Version 5.2 and in previous versions : the reference data base consisted solely of a set of no...

JPRS Report, Soviet Union: Political Affairs.

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-06-20

26 MEDIA, PROPAGANDA Psychologist Views Impact of Chernobyl Tragedy Press Coverage [S. Roshchin; ZH URNALIST No 3, M ar 89...MEDIA, PROPAGANDA 27 Psychologist Views Impact of Chernobyl Tragedy radioactive emissions consisted, as we now see, of long- Press Coverage lived...former aide current one, where truthful words can be said with little to the former General Secretary of the CPSU. Central impact on matters at hand

Ethics: Can It Be Taught

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-04-05

end up the subject of front-page media coverage (Allen, 2015). Given that the Army already teaches ethics , this research paper explores whether...inspired by frequent media coverage of ethics failures in both the public and private sectors. The questions included respondents’ perspective on moral...Acquisition community , ethics training consists only of a mandatory annual briefing. A last conclusion from CASAL may be that, as actions of an individual

Three-Dimensional Analysis of Deep Space Network Antenna Coverage

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kegege, Obadiah; Fuentes, Michael; Meyer, Nicholas; Sil, Amy

2012-01-01

There is a need to understand NASA s Deep Space Network (DSN) coverage gaps and any limitations to provide redundant communication coverage for future deep space missions, especially for manned missions to Moon and Mars. The DSN antennas are required to provide continuous communication coverage for deep space flights, interplanetary missions, and deep space scientific observations. The DSN consists of ground antennas located at three sites: Goldstone in USA, Canberra in Australia, and Madrid in Spain. These locations are not separated by the exactly 120 degrees and some DSN antennas are located in the bowl-shaped mountainous terrain to shield against radiofrequency interference resulting in a coverage gap in the southern hemisphere for the current DSN architecture. To analyze the extent of this gap and other coverage limitations, simulations of the DSN architecture were performed. In addition to the physical properties of the DSN assets, the simulation incorporated communication forward link calculations and azimuth/elevation masks that constrain the effects of terrain for each DSN antenna. Analysis of the simulation data was performed to create coverage profiles with the receiver settings at a deep space altitudes ranging from 2 million to 10 million km and a spherical grid resolution of 0.25 degrees with respect to longitude and latitude. With the results of these simulations, two- and three-dimensional representations of the area without communication coverage and area with coverage were developed, showing the size and shape of the communication coverage gap projected in space. Also, the significance of this communication coverage gap is analyzed from the simulation data.

Desorption Kinetics of Methanol, Ethanol, and Water from Graphene

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

Smith, R. Scott; Matthiesen, Jesper; Kay, Bruce D.

2014-09-18

The desorption kinetics of methanol, ethanol, and water from graphene covered Pt(111) are investigated. The temperature programmed desorption (TPD) spectra for both methanol and ethanol have well-resolved first, second, third, and multilayer layer desorption peaks. The alignment of the leading edges is consistent with zero-order desorption kinetics from all layers. In contrast, for water the first and second layers are not resolved. At low water coverages (< 1 ML) the initial desorption leading edges are aligned but then fall out of alignment at higher temperatures. For thicker water layers (10 to 100 ML), the desorption leading edges are in alignmentmore » throughout the desorption of the film. The coverage dependence of the desorption behavoir suggests that at low water coverages the non-alignment of the desorption leading edges is due to water dewetting from the graphene substrate. Kinetic simulations reveal that the experimental results are consistent with zero-order desorption. The simulations also show that fractional order desorption kinetics would be readily apparent in the experimental TPD spectra.« less

Desorption kinetics of methanol, ethanol, and water from graphene.

PubMed

Smith, R Scott; Matthiesen, Jesper; Kay, Bruce D

2014-09-18

The desorption kinetics of methanol, ethanol, and water from graphene covered Pt(111) are investigated. The temperature programmed desorption (TPD) spectra for both methanol and ethanol have well-resolved first, second, third, and multilayer layer desorption peaks. The alignment of the leading edges is consistent with zero-order desorption kinetics from all layers. In contrast, for water, the first and second layers are not resolved. At low water coverages (<1 monolayer (ML)) the initial desorption leading edges are aligned but then fall out of alignment at higher temperatures. For thicker water layers (10-100 ML), the desorption leading edges are in alignment throughout the desorption of the film. The coverage dependence of the desorption behavoir suggests that at low water coverages the nonalignment of the desorption leading edges is due to water dewetting from the graphene substrate. Kinetic simulations reveal that the experimental results are consistent with zero-order desorption. The simulations also show that fractional order desorption kinetics would be readily apparent in the experimental TPD spectra.

Effect of particle polydispersity on the irreversible adsorption of fine particles on patterned substrates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marques, J. F.; Lima, A. B.; Araújo, N. A. M.; Cadilhe, A.

2012-06-01

We performed extensive Monte Carlo simulations of the irreversible adsorption of polydispersed disks inside the cells of a patterned substrate. The model captures relevant features of the irreversible adsorption of spherical colloidal particles on patterned substrates. The pattern consists of (equal) square cells, where adsorption can take place, centered at the vertices of a square lattice. Two independent, dimensionless parameters are required to control the geometry of the pattern, namely, the cell size and cell-cell distance, measured in terms of the average particle diameter. However, to describe the phase diagram, two additional dimensionless parameters, i.e., the minimum and maximum particle radii, are also required. We find that the transition between any two adjacent regions of the phase diagram solely depends on the largest and smallest particle sizes, but not on the shape of the distribution function of the radii. We consider size dispersions up to 20% of the average radius using a physically motivated, truncated, Gaussian-size distribution, and focus on the regime where adsorbing particles do not interact with those previously adsorbed on neighboring cells to characterize the jammed state structure. The study generalizes previous exact relations on monodisperse particles to account for size dispersion. Due to the presence of the pattern, the coverage shows a nonmonotonic dependence on the cell size. The pattern also affects the radius of adsorbed particles, where one observes preferential adsorption of smaller radii, particularly at high polydispersity.

Sláintecare - A ten-year plan to achieve universal healthcare in Ireland.

PubMed

Burke, Sara; Barry, Sarah; Siersbaek, Rikke; Johnston, Bridget; Ní Fhallúin, Maebh; Thomas, Steve

2018-05-22

In May 2017, an Irish cross-party parliamentary committee published the 'Houses of the Oireachtas Committee on the Future of Healthcare "Sláintecare" report'. The report, known as 'Sláintecare', is unique and historic as it is the first time there has been a cross-party political consensus on major health reform in Ireland. Sláintecare sets out a high level policy roadmap to deliver whole system reform and universal healthcare, phased over a ten year period and costed. Sláintecare details reform proposals which, if delivered, will establish; a universal, single-tier health service where patients are treated solely on the basis of health need; the reorientation of the health system 'towards integrated primary and community care, consistent with the highest quality of patient safety in as short a time-frame as possible'. Sláintecare has five interrelated components: population health; entitlements and access to healthcare; integrated care; funding; and implementation. In this article, the authors use documents in the public domain (parliamentary reports, public hearings, submissions to the Committee, media coverage, the final report of the Committee, speeches by Committee members) to describe the policy process and the main contents of the proposed Sláintecare reforms. It is too soon tell if the political consensus in the policy formation can hold for its implementation. Copyright © 2018 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

76 FR 27636 - Permits; Foreign Fishing

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-05-12

... all electronic public comments via the Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov . Mail... by e- mail at [email protected] . SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background Section 204(d) of the... consisting solely of transporting fish or fish products at sea from a point within the United States...

US Search and Rescue Mission Control Center functions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1977-01-01

A satellite aided Search and Rescue (SAR) Mission concept consisting of a local coverage bent pipe system, and a global coverage system is described. The SAR instrument is to consist of a Canadian repeater and a French processor for which Canada and France, respectively are to evaluate health and trends. Performance evaluations of each system were provided. The United States and Canada will each have a Search and Rescue Mission Control Center (MCC) and their functions were also examined. A summary of the interface requirements necessary to perform each function was included as well as the information requirements between the USMCC and each of its interfaces. Physical requirements such as location, manning etc. of the USMCC were discussed.

Media Reporting of Health Interventions in New Zealand: A Retrospective Analysis.

PubMed

Robinson, Christian; Cutfield, Nick; Mottershead, John; Sharples, Assoc Prof Katrina; Richards, Rosalina; Kingan, Jason; Ledgard, Celina; Liyanage, Anuja; McLean, Jennifer; Nahab, Fouad; Stewart, Fergus; Strachan, Samuel; Tucker, Kathryn; Zhang, Zhiyuan

2018-04-16

To evaluate New Zealand media articles on their coverage of key issues regarding health interventions and whether it is consistent with available evidence. A retrospective analysis was carried out of all articles published in five New Zealand media sources over a six-week period between 15 October and 26 November 2014. Articles were included if their primary focus was on health interventions involving medications, devices or in-hospital procedures. Articles were assessed for coverage of key issues using a previously validated ten-point criteria. A literature review was done to compare content with scientific evidence. We identified 30 articles for review. Only 4 out of 30 articles covered indications, benefits and risks, and of these 2 were consistent with available evidence (7%, 95% CI (1% to 22%). For articles that discussed at least one of indications, benefits or risks, and there was corresponding evidence available, there was a high level of consistency with the evidence (89%, 95% CI (77% to 95%)). The overall mean value of coverage from the ten point criteria was 51% (95% CI 45% to 58%)). Single questions regarding the potential harm, costs associated with the intervention and the availability of alternative options were particularly poorly covered. They were rated as "satisfactory" in 13%, 23% and 33% of the 30 articles respectively. New Zealand news articles covering medical treatments and interventions are largely consistent with available evidence but are incomplete. Vital information is being consistently missed, especially around the potential harms and costs of medical interventions. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

The editor, the publisher, and his mother: the representation of lesbians and gays in the New York Times.

PubMed

Chomsky, Daniel; Barclay, Scott

2013-01-01

The attention and prominence given to issues in media outlets may affect the importance citizens attribute to them, so the actors who influence mass media coverage decisions may have political power in society generally. This article seeks to measure the relative influence of journalists, social trends, events, government officials, editors, and owners on the New York Times coverage of lesbians and gays from 1960 to 1995. Although many factors affected the nature and frequency of such coverage, the findings of this article show that the owners of the Times exerted decisive influence. Documentary evidence reveals that the Times' owners actively intervened to suppress coverage of lesbians and gays until 1987, even as reporters and editors recognized that increased social visibility made them newsworthy. Statistical analysis confirms that, although some actual events and statements of officials attracted attention from the newspaper throughout the period, they were more likely to generate prominent coverage after 1987 when the stories were consistent with the enthusiasms of the owners.

Circular analysis in complex stochastic systems

PubMed Central

Valleriani, Angelo

2015-01-01

Ruling out observations can lead to wrong models. This danger occurs unwillingly when one selects observations, experiments, simulations or time-series based on their outcome. In stochastic processes, conditioning on the future outcome biases all local transition probabilities and makes them consistent with the selected outcome. This circular self-consistency leads to models that are inconsistent with physical reality. It is also the reason why models built solely on macroscopic observations are prone to this fallacy. PMID:26656656

A Study of the Factors and Conditions Associated with Graduate Enrollment Management Practitioners' Participation in Professional Development

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Balayan, Ariana

2016-01-01

This investigation was designed to determine the factors and conditions associated with graduate enrollment management practitioners' participation in professional development (PD) activities. The sample consisted of members of a professional association, the National Association of Graduate Admissions Professionals (NAGAP), focused solely on…

Phonological Abstraction in the Mental Lexicon

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McQueen, James M.; Cutler, Anne; Norris, Dennis

2006-01-01

A perceptual learning experiment provides evidence that the mental lexicon cannot consist solely of detailed acoustic traces of recognition episodes. In a training lexical decision phase, listeners heard an ambiguous [f-s] fricative sound, replacing either [f] or [s] in words. In a test phase, listeners then made lexical decisions to visual…

Artists Comment on Museum Practices.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kanatani, Kim; Prabhu, Vas

1996-01-01

Presents three works of art that examine issues of exhibition, display, culture, and access in contemporary museum practices. The works include four black mannequins dressed as security guards, a room-size installation consisting solely of objects related to the artist, and a poster highlighting the general exclusion of women artists. (MJP)

Development of Benthic Indicators for Nearshore Coastal Waters of New Jersey - A REMAP Project

EPA Science Inventory

EPA's National Coastal Assessment (NCA) is providing the first complete, consistent dataset on the condition of benthic communities in the nation's estuaries. Prior to NCA, New Jersey based its evaluation of the ecological condition of its coastal waters solely on dissolved oxyg...

Aiming High: Setting Performance Standards for Student Success

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Phillips, Gary; Garcia, Alicia N.

2015-01-01

Content standards, not performance standards, have been almost the sole focus of state policies and recent conversations about academic standards. Without rigorous content and performance standards, we cannot adequately prepare students for the global marketplace. A recent AIR study shows that state performance standards are consistently low and…

High and equitable mass vitamin A supplementation coverage in Sierra Leone: a post-event coverage survey.

PubMed

Hodges, Mary H; Sesay, Fatmata F; Kamara, Habib I; Turay, Mohamed; Koroma, Aminata S; Blankenship, Jessica L; Katcher, Heather I

2013-08-01

In Sierra Leone, children ages 6-59 months receive twice-yearly vitamin A supplementation (VAS) through Maternal and Child Health Week (MCHW) events. VAS coverage in 2011 was calculated using government tally sheets of vitamin A capsule distribution and outdated population projections from the 2004 census. We conducted a national post-event coverage (PEC) survey to validate coverage and inform strategies to reach universal coverage of VAS in Sierra Leone. Immediately following the November 2011 MCHW event, we conducted a national PEC survey by interviewing caregivers with children ages 6-59 months using a randomized 30X30 cluster design (N = 900). We also interviewed one health worker and one community health worker in each cluster to determine their knowledge about VAS (N = 60). VAS coverage was 91.8% among children ages 6-59 months, which was lower than the 105.1% reported through tally sheets. Coverage was high and equitable among all districts and between age groups (98.5% for infants ages 6-11 months and 90.5% for children ages 12-59 months). Major reasons for not receiving VAS were that the child was out of the area (42.4%), the household was not visited by community health workers (28.0%), and the caretaker was not aware of the event (11.9%). Twice-yearly delivery of VAS through MCHW events achieved consistently high and equitable coverage in Sierra Leone. Universal coverage may be achieved through continued focus on communication and targeted outreach to hard-to-reach areas during the MCHWs.

A Call for Fertility Preservation Coverage for Breast Cancer Patients: The Cost of Consistency.

PubMed

Walter, Jessica R; Xu, Shuai; Woodruff, Teresa K

2017-05-01

In 1998, the passage of the Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act required insurance health plans nationwide covering breast cancer treatments to also reimburse for subsequent breast reconstructive surgery and prostheses. In response to low utilization of breast reconstructive services, particularly among racial minorities, plastic surgery interest groups successfully advocated for the passage of the Breast Cancer Patient Education Act, which provides a timely opportunity to reconsider patient accessibility to other equally important quality of life issues for cancer survivors. Currently, the potential threat of infertility as a consequence of cancer therapy does not meet preexisting definitions of infertility, making preemptive fertility preservation elective. Ultimately, cost remains the largest barrier to the pursuit of fertility preservation. In this Commentary, we estimate the potential additive cost of providing fertility preservation coverage for approximately 19 000 eligible women of reproductive age diagnosed with breast cancer based on previously published prevalence and cost data. We determine an upper limit of yearly cost of $126.6 million US dollars assuming 100% participation. Legislation providing mandatory insurance coverage of breast reconstruction surgeries in all 50 states following cancer treatment represents a powerful policy commitment to address existing health disparities in reproductive health services and ensures comprehensive cancer survivorship care. Extending coverage for fertility preservation in the setting of fertility-threatening treatment offers a consistent stance for insurance coverage of iatrogenic sequelae of cancer therapy at a fraction of the cost of breast reconstruction. © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Laser Ablation Mass Spectrometer (LAMS) as a Standoff Analyzer in Space Missions for Airless Bodies

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Li, X.; Brinckerhoff, W. B.; Managadze, G. G.; Pugel, D. E.; Corrigan, C. M.; Doty, J. H.

2012-01-01

A laser ablation mass spectrometer (LAMS) based on a time-of-flight (TOF) analyzer with adjustable drift length is proposed as a standoff elemental composition sensor for space missions to airless bodies. It is found that the use of a retarding potential analyzer in combination with a two-stage reflectron enables LAMS to be operated at variable drift length. For field-free drift lengths between 33 cm to 100 cm, at least unit mass resolution can be maintained solely by adjustment of internal voltages, and without resorting to drastic reductions in sensitivity. Therefore, LAMS should be able to be mounted on a robotic arm and analyze samples at standoff distances of up to several tens of cm, permitting high operational flexibility and wide area coverage of heterogeneous regolith on airless bodies.

The use of snowcovered area in runoff forecasts

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rango, A.; Hannaford, J. F.; Hall, R. L.; Rosenzweig, M.; Brown, A. J.

1977-01-01

Long-term snowcovered area data from aircraft and satellite observations have proven useful in reducing seasonal runoff forecast error on the Kern river watershed. Similar use of snowcovered area on the Kings river watershed produced results that were about equivalent to methods based solely on conventional data. Snowcovered area will be most effective in reducing forecast procedural error on watersheds with: (1) a substantial amount of area within a limited elevation range; (2) an erratic precipitation and/or snowpack accumulation pattern not strongly related to elevation; and (3) poor coverage by precipitation stations or snow courses restricting adequate indexing of water supply conditions. When satellite data acquisition and delivery problems are resolved, the derived snowcover information should provide a means for enhancing operational streamflow forecasts for areas that depend primarily on snowmelt for their water supply.

[Responses of alpine grassland landscape in the source region of Shule River Basin to topographical factors and frozen ground types].

PubMed

Chen, Jian-Jun; Yi, Shu-Hua; Qin, Yu; Wang, Xiao-Yun

2014-06-01

This paper retrieved the fractional vegetation cover of alpine grassland in the source region of the Shule River Basin based on Chinese environmental satellite (HJ-1A/1B) images and field data, and analyzed the response of the vegetation cover to topographic factors and types of frozen ground. The results showed that the vegetation coverage of this region was low with large spatial heterogeneity and high degree of dispersion. The landscape consisted mainly of non-vegetation surface types, eg. ice, snow, the bare rock gravel land and bare land. Slopes and aspects were the main limiting factors of vegetation distribution. The average vegetation coverage decreased with the increase of slope. The average vegetation coverage was the lowest on the sunny slope, and the highest on the shady slope. There were significant differences of vegetation coverage among different types of frozen ground. The distribution of vegetation coverage presented a reversed "U" curve trend by extremely stable permafrost, stable permafrost, sub-stable permafrost, transition permafrost, unstable permafrost and seasonal frost, and the average vegetation coverage was the highest in the sub-stable permafrost.

Standards Handbook. Version 4.0. What Works Clearinghouse™

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

What Works Clearinghouse, 2017

2017-01-01

The What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) systematic review process is the basis of many of its products, enabling the WWC to use consistent, objective, and transparent standards and procedures in its reviews, while also ensuring comprehensive coverage of the relevant literature. The WWC systematic review process consists of five steps: (1) Developing…

Incentives for nondiscriminatory wellness programs in group health plans. Final rule.

PubMed

2013-06-03

This document contains final regulations, consistent with the Affordable Care Act, regarding nondiscriminatory wellness programs in group health coverage. Specifically, these final regulations increase the maximum permissible reward under a health-contingent wellness program offered in connection with a group health plan (and any related health insurance coverage) from 20 percent to 30 percent of the cost of coverage. The final regulations further increase the maximum permissible reward to 50 percent for wellness programs designed to prevent or reduce tobacco use. These regulations also include other clarifications regarding the reasonable design of health-contingent wellness programs and the reasonable alternatives they must offer in order to avoid prohibited discrimination.

Local modification of the surface state properties at dilute coverages: CO/Cu(111)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zaum, Ch.; Meyer-auf-der-Heide, K. M.; Morgenstern, K.

2018-04-01

We follow the diffusion of CO molecules on Cu(111) by time-lapsed low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy. The diffusivity of individual CO molecules oscillates with the distance to its nearest neighbor due to the long-range interaction mediated by the surface state electrons. The markedly different wavelengths of the oscillation at a coverage of 0.6% ML as compared to the one at 6% ML coverage correspond to two different wavelengths of the surface state electrons, consistent with a shift of the surface state by 340 meV. This surprisingly large shift as compared to results of averaging methods suggests a local modification of the surface state properties.

Coverage and control of constellations of elliptical inclined frozen lunar orbits

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ely, Todd A.

2005-01-01

A great deal of scientific interest exists regarding the permanently shadowed craters near the poles of the Moon where there may be frozen volatiles. These regions, particularly the Moon's South Pole, have been proposed for extensive robotic and human exploration. Unfortunately, they are typically not in view of Earth, and would require some form of communication relay to facilitate exploration via robotic and/or human missions. One solution for such a relay is a long-lived constellation of lunar telecommunication orbiters providing focused coverage at the pole of interest. Robust support requires this coverage to be continuous, redundant, and, in order to minimize costs, this constellation should consist of 3 satellites or fewer.

Increased Transparency and Consumer Protections for 2016 Marketplace Plans.

PubMed

Brooks-LaSure, Chiquita

2015-12-01

The open enrollment period that ends in December 2015 for coverage begin­ning January 2016 marks the third year of the health care exchanges or marketplaces and of coverage through new qualified health plans. This issue brief investigates several key changes to the qualified health plans, with a focus on increased transparency and consumer protections. A new out-of-pocket costs calculator, requirements regarding provider networks, and prescription drug cost-sharing requirements should serve to better inform and improve consumer selection. In addition, several policy changes will help individuals with more severe health needs. These include: improved prescription drug coverage for HIV/ AIDS and other conditions, allowing prescription drugs that are obtained through the "exceptions" process to count toward the out-of-pocket spending cap, more comprehensive and consistent habilitative coverage, and an individual out-of-pocket spending cap within the family out-of-pocket maximum.

Time Trends of Persistent Organic Pollutants in Benthic and Pelagic Indicator Fishes from Puget Sound, Washington, USA.

PubMed

West, James E; O'Neill, Sandra M; Ylitalo, Gina M

2017-08-01

We modeled temporal trends in polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane and its metabolites (DDTs) in two indicator fish species representing benthic and pelagic habitats in Puget Sound, Washington, USA. English sole (Parophrys vetulus, benthic) index sites and larger-scale Pacific herring (Clupea pallasii, pelagic) foraging areas represented a wide range of possible contamination conditions, with sampling locations situated adjacent to watersheds exhibiting high, medium and low development. Consistency in analytical data throughout the study was maintained by either calculating method-bias-correction factors on paired samples as methods evolved or by analyzing older archived samples by current methods. PCBs declined moderately in two herring stocks from a low-development basin (2.3 and 4.0% annual rate of decline) and showed no change in the highly developed and moderately developed basins during a 16- to 21-year period. PCBs increased in English sole from four of ten sites (2.9-7.1%), and the remaining six exhibited no significant change. PBDEs and DDTs declined significantly in all herring stocks (4.2-8.1%), although analytical challenges warrant caution in interpreting DDT results. PBDEs declined in English sole from two high-development and one low-development site (3.7-7.2%) and remained unchanged in the remaining seven. DDTs increased in English sole from one high-development site (Tacoma City Waterway) and declined in two high-development and one low development site. As with herring, analytical challenges warrant caution in interpreting the English sole DDT results. It is likely that source controls and mitigation efforts have contributed to the declines in PBDEs and DDTs overall, whereas PCBs appear to have persisted, especially in the pelagic food web, despite bans in PCB production and use.

17 CFR 230.144A - Private resales of securities to institutions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... assets consist solely of shares of one or more registered investment companies, that have the same... annual financial statements, as of a date not more than 16 months preceding the date of sale under the... securities holdings in its financial statements on the basis of their market value, and no current...

40 CFR 419.34 - Effluent limitations guidelines representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... limitations for contaminated runoff. The following effluent limitations constitute the quantity and quality of pollutants or pollutant properties controlled by this paragraph and attributable to contaminated runoff which... point source subject to this subpart. (1) If wastewater consists solely of contaminated runoff and is...

26 CFR 1.638-1 - Continental Shelf areas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... employed by N Corporation as a cook and was physically present on the ship. C's sole duties consisted of...) Examples. The application of the provisions of section 638 and this section may be illustrated by the... physical examinations of L Corporation's employees who are engaged in the exploitation of oil on the...

75 FR 20986 - Permits; Foreign Fishing

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-04-22

.... Comments on this notice may also be submitted by e-mail to [email protected] . Include in the... engage in fishing consisting solely of transporting fish or fish products at sea from a point within the... that state to a point outside the United States. In addition, Public Law 104-297, section 105(e...

26 CFR 26.2654-1 - Certain trusts treated as separate trusts.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 26 Internal Revenue 14 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Certain trusts treated as separate trusts. 26... 1986 § 26.2654-1 Certain trusts treated as separate trusts. (a) Single trust treated as separate trusts—(1) Substantially separate and independent shares—(i) In general. If a single trust consists solely...

A mystery caller evaluation of Medicaid staff responses about state coverage of abortion care.

PubMed

Dennis, Amanda; Blanchard, Kelly

2012-03-01

The Hyde Amendment prohibits federal Medicaid funding for abortion except when a woman is seeking an abortion for a pregnancy that is the result of rape or incest, or that threatens her life. We investigated how Medicaid staff in 17 states responded to inquiries about coverage for abortion in the few circumstances that qualify for federal Medicaid funding. Using a mystery caller approach, we surveyed Medicaid staff about the availability of abortion coverage, the process for obtaining coverage, and the associated costs for an abortion in circumstances of rape and life endangerment in five states where Medicaid coverage should be available to cover most abortions and in 12 states with restrictions on the circumstances under which Medicaid funding can be used for abortion. We were able to complete 82% of surveys. Medicaid staff definitively provided information about the availability of coverage that was consistent with state policies in 64% of surveys. However, 52% of staff reported that coverage could be difficult to obtain and that rigorous documentation of the circumstances of the abortion was required. Information about copays for abortion was given in 78% of surveys. We subjectively rated the caller's experience with Medicaid staff as excellent during 32% of the surveys, adequate in 61% of surveys, and poor in 7% of surveys. Medicaid staff provided inconsistent information that was often discouraging of women seeking abortion coverage, suggesting that women may have difficulties obtaining accurate information about Medicaid coverage of abortion, which may deter access to care. Copyright © 2012 Jacobs Institute of Women

What are the Most Widely used and Effective Attack Coverage Systems in Men’s Volleyball?

PubMed Central

Hileno, Raúl; García-de-Alcaraz, Antonio; Buscà, Bernat; Salas, Cristòfol; Camerino, Oleguer

2018-01-01

Abstract In volleyball, attack coverage is one of the play actions most neglected in coaching and research. The purpose of this study was to find out which attack coverage systems are used by high-level men’s teams in different game situations and the characteristics of the most effective systems. We analysed 15 matches from the 2010 Men’s Pan-American Volleyball Cup, with a total of 1,415 coverage actions. Chi-square tests for independence, adjusted residuals analysis and calculations of standardised mean difference were performed. The results show that high-level men’s volleyball uses many coverage systems other than the traditional 3-2-0 and 2-3-0. At this level of play, the most frequent systems were 1-3-1 and 1-2-2, which occurred significantly often at the culmination of a third-tempo attack at the wing. The most effective systems consisted of three coverage lines, with fewer than five players covering the spiker and at least one player in the first coverage line, in both the attack and counterattack phases. Given the large number of coverage systems identified in different game situations, we recommend flexible, loosely structured training in these systems, based on a set of guiding principles that all players on a team must internalise for the specific position they are playing. Regarding the systems’ efficacy, the main watchword is that on each coverage line there should always be at least one player, but the first line should not be exposed. PMID:29922383

Comparative effectiveness research designs: an analysis of terms and coverage in Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) and Emtree*†

PubMed Central

Bekhuis, Tanja; Demner-Fushman, Dina; Crowley, Rebecca S.

2013-01-01

Objectives: We analyzed the extent to which comparative effectiveness research (CER) organizations share terms for designs, analyzed coverage of CER designs in Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) and Emtree, and explored whether scientists use CER design terms. Methods: We developed local terminologies (LTs) and a CER design terminology by extracting terms in documents from five organizations. We defined coverage as the distribution over match type in MeSH and Emtree. We created a crosswalk by recording terms to which design terms mapped in both controlled vocabularies. We analyzed the hits for queries restricted to titles and abstracts to explore scientists' language. Results: Pairwise LT overlap ranged from 22.64% (12/53) to 75.61% (31/41). The CER design terminology (n = 78 terms) consisted of terms for primary study designs and a few terms useful for evaluating evidence, such as opinion paper and systematic review. Patterns of coverage were similar in MeSH and Emtree (gamma = 0.581, P = 0.002). Conclusions: Stakeholder terminologies vary, and terms are inconsistently covered in MeSH and Emtree. The CER design terminology and crosswalk may be useful for expert searchers. For partially mapped terms, queries could consist of free text for modifiers such as nonrandomized or interrupted added to broad or related controlled terms. PMID:23646024

Distribution, characterization, and exposure of MC252 oil in the supratidal beach environment.

PubMed

Lemelle, Kendall R; Elango, Vijaikrishnah; Pardue, John H

2014-07-01

The distribution and characteristics of MC252 oil:sand aggregates, termed surface residue balls (SRBs), were measured on the supratidal beach environment of oil-impacted Fourchon Beach in Louisiana (USA). Probability distributions of 4 variables, surface coverage (%), size of SRBs (mm(2) of projected area), mass of SRBs per m(2) (g/m(2)), and concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and n-alkanes in the SRBs (mg of crude oil component per kg of SRB) were determined using parametric and nonparametric statistical techniques. Surface coverage of SRBs, an operational remedial standard for the beach surface, was a gamma-distributed variable ranging from 0.01% to 8.1%. The SRB sizes had a mean of 90.7 mm(2) but fit no probability distribution, and a nonparametric ranking was used to describe the size distributions. Concentrations of total PAHs ranged from 2.5 mg/kg to 126 mg/kg of SRB. Individual PAH concentration distributions, consisting primarily of alkylated phenanthrenes, dibenzothiophenes, and chrysenes, did not consistently fit a parametric distribution. Surface coverage was correlated with an oil mass per unit area but with a substantial error at lower coverage (i.e., <2%). These data provide probabilistic risk assessors with the ability to specify uncertainty in PAH concentration, exposure frequency, and ingestion rate, based on SRB characteristics for the dominant oil form on beaches along the US Gulf Coast. © 2014 SETAC.

Is universal health coverage the practical expression of the right to health care?

PubMed

Ooms, Gorik; Latif, Laila A; Waris, Attiya; Brolan, Claire E; Hammonds, Rachel; Friedman, Eric A; Mulumba, Moses; Forman, Lisa

2014-02-24

The present Millennium Development Goals are set to expire in 2015 and their next iteration is now being discussed within the international community. With regards to health, the World Health Organization proposes universal health coverage as a 'single overarching health goal' for the next iteration of the Millennium Development Goals.The present Millennium Development Goals have been criticised for being 'duplicative' or even 'competing alternatives' to international human rights law. The question then arises, if universal health coverage would indeed become the single overarching health goal, replacing the present health-related Millennium Development Goals, would that be more consistent with the right to health? The World Health Organization seems to have anticipated the question, as it labels universal health coverage as "by definition, a practical expression of the concern for health equity and the right to health".Rather than waiting for the negotiations to unfold, we thought it would be useful to verify this contention, using a comparative normative analysis. We found that--to be a practical expression of the right to health--at least one element is missing in present authoritative definitions of universal health coverage: a straightforward confirmation that international assistance is essential, not optional.But universal health coverage is a 'work in progress'. A recent proposal by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network proposed universal health coverage with a set of targets, including a target for international assistance, which would turn universal health coverage into a practical expression of the right to health care.

Smoking behaviour and health care costs coverage: a European cross-country comparison.

PubMed

Rezayatmand, Reza; Groot, Wim; Pavlova, Milena

2017-12-01

The empirical evidence about the effect of smoking on health care cost coverage is not consistent with the expectations based on the notion of adverse selection. This evidence is mostly based on correlational studies which cannot isolate the adverse selection effect from the moral hazard effect. Exploiting data from the Survey of Health, Aging, and Retirement in Europe, this study uses an instrumental variable strategy to identify the causal effect of daily smoking on perceived health care cost coverage of those at age 50 or above in 12 European countries. Daily smoking is instrumented by a variable indicating whether or not there is any other daily smoker in the household. A self-assessment of health care cost coverage is used as the outcome measure. Among those who live with a partner (72% of the sample), the result is not statistically significant which means we find no effect of smoking on perceived health care cost coverage. However, among those who live without a partner, the results show that daily smokers have lower self-assessed perceived health care cost coverage. This finding replicates the same counter-intuitive relationship between smoking and health insurance presented in previous studies, but in a language of causality. In addition to this, we contribute to previous studies by a cross-country comparison which brings in different institutional arrangements, and by using the self-assessed perceived health care cost coverage which is broader than health insurance coverage.

Global and local magnetic mapping using CrowdMag data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saltus, R.; Nair, M. C.

2016-12-01

NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), in partnership with the University of Colorado's CIRES develop magnetic field models to aid navigation, resource exploration and scientific research. We use observatories, satellites and ship/airborne surveys to map and model the Earth's magnetic field. However, the available measurements leave gaps in coverage, particularly for short-wavelength anomalies associated with man-made infrastructure ("urban noise"). In 2014, we started a project to address these gaps through the collection of vector magnetic data from digital magnetometers in smartphones. In October 2014, we released the "CrowdMag" Android and iOS apps for harvesting data from phones. Currently, the CrowdMag project has more than 10,000 enthusiastic users contributing more than 12 million magnetic data measurements from around the world. We present the first analysis results from the crowdsourced magnetic data. A global magnetic model derived solely from CrowdMag data is consistent to degree and order 4 with satellite-derived models such as World Magnetic Model. A unique contribution of CrowdMag project is the collection of ground level magnetic data in densely populated regions with an unprecedented spatial resolution. To demonstrate, we generated a magnetic map (by binning the data collected in 200x200m cells) of central Boulder, Colorado using 170,000 data points collected by about 60 devices over the duration October 2014- January 2016. The median value is consistent with the expected magnitude of the Earth's background magnetic field. The standard deviation of the CrowdMag total field (F) values is much higher than the expected natural (i.e., diurnal and geologic) magnetic field variation. However, the phone's magnetometer is sensitive enough to capture the larger magnitude magnetic signature from the urban magnetic sources. We discuss the potential reliability of crowdsourced magnetic maps and their applications to navigation and other applications.

Estimates of the timing of reductions in genital warts and high grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia after onset of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination in the United States.

PubMed

Chesson, Harrell W; Ekwueme, Donatus U; Saraiya, Mona; Dunne, Eileen F; Markowitz, Lauri E

2013-08-20

The objective of this study was to estimate the number of years after onset of a quadrivalent HPV vaccination program before notable reductions in genital warts and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) will occur in teenagers and young adults in the United States. We applied a previously published model of HPV vaccination in the United States and focused on the timing of reductions in genital warts among both sexes and reductions in CIN 2/3 among females. Using different coverage scenarios, the lowest being consistent with current 3-dose coverage in the United States, we estimated the number of years before reductions of 10%, 25%, and 50% would be observed after onset of an HPV vaccination program for ages 12-26 years. The model suggested female-only HPV vaccination in the intermediate coverage scenario will result in a 10% reduction in genital warts within 2-4 years for females aged 15-19 years and a 10% reduction in CIN 2/3 among females aged 20-29 years within 7-11 years. Coverage had a major impact on when reductions would be observed. For example, in the higher coverage scenario a 25% reduction in CIN2/3 would be observed with 8 years compared with 15 years in the lower coverage scenario. Our model provides estimates of the potential timing and magnitude of the impact of HPV vaccination on genital warts and CIN 2/3 at the population level in the United States. Notable, population-level impacts of HPV vaccination on genital warts and CIN 2/3 can occur within a few years after onset of vaccination, particularly among younger age groups. Our results are generally consistent with early reports of declines in genital warts among youth. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Architecture Study on Telemetry Coverage for Immediate Post-Separation Phase

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cheung, Kar-Ming; Lee, Charles H.; Kellogg, Kent H.; Stocklin, Frank J.; Zillig, David J.; Fielhauer, Karl B.

2008-01-01

This paper presents the preliminary results of an architecture study that provides continuous telemetry coverage for NASA missions for immediate post-separation phase. This study is a collaboration effort between Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), and Applied Physics Laboratory (APL). After launch when the spacecraft separated from the upper stage, the spacecraft typically executes a number of mission-critical operations prior to the deployment of solar panels and the activation of the primary communication subsystem. JPL, GSFC, and APL have similar design principle statements that require continuous coverage of mission-critical telemetry during the immediate post-separation phase. To conform to these design principles, an architecture that consists of a separate spacecraft transmitter and a robust communication network capable of tracking the spacecraft signals is needed.This paper presents the preliminary results of an architecture study that provides continuous telemetry coverage for NASA missions for immediate post-separation phase. This study is a collaboration effort between Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), and Applied Physics Laboratory (APL). After launch when the spacecraft separated from the upper stage, the spacecraft typically executes a number of mission-critical operations prior to the deployment of solar panels and the activation of the primary communication subsystem. JPL, GSFC, and APL have similar design principle statements that require continuous coverage of mission-critical telemetry during the immediate post-separation phase. To conform to these design principles, an architecture that consists of a separate spacecraft transmitter and a robust communication network capable of tracking the spacecraft signals is needed. The main results of this study are as follows: 1) At low altitude (< 10000 km) when most post-separation critical operations are executed, Earth-based network (e.g. Deep Space Network (DSN)) can only provide limited coverage, whereas space-based network (e.g. Space Network (SN)) can provide continuous coverage. 2) Commercial-off-the-shelf SN compatible transmitters are available for small satellite applications. In this paper we present the detailed coverage analysis of Earth-based and Space-based networks. We identify the key functional and performance requirements of the architecture, and describe the proposed selection criteria of the spacecraft transmitter. We conclude the paper with a proposed forward plan.

Community Health Center Utilization Following the 2008 Medicaid Expansion in Oregon: Implications for the Affordable Care Act.

PubMed

Hatch, Brigit; Bailey, Steffani R; Cowburn, Stuart; Marino, Miguel; Angier, Heather; DeVoe, Jennifer E

2016-04-01

To assess longitudinal patterns of community health center (CHC) utilization and the effect of insurance discontinuity after Oregon's 2008 Medicaid expansion (the Oregon Experiment). We conducted a retrospective cohort study with electronic health records and Medicaid data. We divided individuals who gained Medicaid in the Oregon Experiment into those who maintained (n = 788) or lost (n = 944) insurance coverage. We compared these groups with continuously insured (n = 921) and continuously uninsured (n = 5416) reference groups for community health center utilization rates over a 36-month period. Both newly insured groups increased utilization in the first 6 months. After 6 months, use among those who maintained coverage stabilized at a level consistent with the continuously insured, whereas it returned to baseline for those who lost coverage. Individuals who maintained coverage through Oregon's Medicaid expansion increased long-term utilization of CHCs, whereas those with unstable coverage did not. This study predicts long-term increase in CHC utilization following Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansion and emphasizes the need for policies that support insurance retention.

Race, stability of health insurance coverage, and prescription medication use.

PubMed

Winters, Karen P; Wyatt, Sharon B; Nick, Todd G; Hewlett, Peggy O; Hyde, John C; Fletcher, Audwin B

2010-01-01

To determine the effects of health insurance and race on prescription medication use and expense. An observational, non-experimental design was used. Multivariable regression analyses were conducted to evaluate the independent effects of health insurance status and race on prescription medication use and expense while controlling for sociodemographic, geographic, and health status characteristics. The sample consisted of 19,035 participants in the 1996 through 2003 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. European Americans spent about $300 to $400 more and used three to four more prescriptions annually compared to other racial groups. Prescription medication expenses increased as time spent uninsured increased. Participants with part-year coverage filled four fewer prescriptions than those with full-year health insurance coverage. Participants with private coverage spent less on prescription medications compared to those with public and those with dual public and private coverage ($1,194 vs. $1,931 and $2,076, respectively; p < or = 0.001). Significant racial and health insurance status disparities in prescription medication use and expenses exist after controlling for sociodemographic, geographic, and health status characteristics.

How Did the Media Report on the Great East Japan Earthquake? Objectivity and Emotionality Seeking in Japanese Media Coverage

PubMed Central

2015-01-01

The Great East Japan Earthquake was a tragic event requiring critical media involvement. Since the media played an important role in conveying factual information, journalists expressed feeling that it was difficult to guarantee the objectivity of their coverage. As media coverage constructs a socio-culturally shared reality among its audience, an examination of the objectivity and emotionality of the contents of the news coverage is needed. In Study 1, we conducted an exploratory content analysis of TV and newspaper coverage from the six month period following the March 11, 2011 disaster, finding that the news media generally reported neutral and objective factual information about the event, with emotionality shown only in the commentary. In order to examine how media coverage was constructed and evaluated by journalists, in Study 2 we conducted an online survey of 115 journalists working for mass media organizations. We found that that the journalists’ orientations tended to be more objective than emotional, which is consistent with the findings of Study 1. However, their evaluations of the objectivity of the published articles were low, especially for the coverage of the nuclear power plant accident, which was an accident of an unprecedented nature. The negative emotions that journalists experienced during their investigations negatively affected subsequent evaluations of the objectivity of their reporting. PMID:25985193

A biologically inspired controller to solve the coverage problem in robotics.

PubMed

Rañó, Iñaki; Santos, José A

2017-06-05

The coverage problem consists on computing a path or trajectory for a robot to pass over all the points in some free area and has applications ranging from floor cleaning to demining. Coverage is solved as a planning problem-providing theoretical validation of the solution-or through heuristic techniques which rely on experimental validation. Through a combination of theoretical results and simulations, this paper presents a novel solution to the coverage problem that exploits the chaotic behaviour of a simple biologically inspired motion controller, the Braitenberg vehicle 2b. Although chaos has been used for coverage, our approach has much less restrictive assumptions about the environment and can be implemented using on-board sensors. First, we prove theoretically that this vehicle-a well known model of animal tropotaxis-behaves as a charge in an electro-magnetic field. The motion equations can be reduced to a Hamiltonian system, and, therefore the vehicle follows quasi-periodic or chaotic trajectories, which pass arbitrarily close to any point in the work-space, i.e. it solves the coverage problem. Secondly, through a set of extensive simulations, we show that the trajectories cover regions of bounded workspaces, and full coverage is achieved when the perceptual range of the vehicle is short. We compare the performance of this new approach with different types of random motion controllers in the same bounded environments.

How did the media report on the Great East Japan Earthquake? Objectivity and emotionality seeking in Japanese media coverage.

PubMed

Uchida, Yukiko; Kanagawa, Chie; Takenishi, Ako; Harada, Akira; Okawa, Kiyotake; Yabuno, Hiromi

2015-01-01

The Great East Japan Earthquake was a tragic event requiring critical media involvement. Since the media played an important role in conveying factual information, journalists expressed feeling that it was difficult to guarantee the objectivity of their coverage. As media coverage constructs a socio-culturally shared reality among its audience, an examination of the objectivity and emotionality of the contents of the news coverage is needed. In Study 1, we conducted an exploratory content analysis of TV and newspaper coverage from the six month period following the March 11, 2011 disaster, finding that the news media generally reported neutral and objective factual information about the event, with emotionality shown only in the commentary. In order to examine how media coverage was constructed and evaluated by journalists, in Study 2 we conducted an online survey of 115 journalists working for mass media organizations. We found that that the journalists' orientations tended to be more objective than emotional, which is consistent with the findings of Study 1. However, their evaluations of the objectivity of the published articles were low, especially for the coverage of the nuclear power plant accident, which was an accident of an unprecedented nature. The negative emotions that journalists experienced during their investigations negatively affected subsequent evaluations of the objectivity of their reporting.

44 CFR 350.7 - Application by State for review and approval.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... coverage of response in the ingestion exposure pathway EPZ. The application will also include plans of all.... (b) Generally, the plume exposure pathway EPZ for nuclear power facilities shall consist of an area about 10 miles (16 Km) in radius and the ingestion exposure pathway EPZ shall consist of an area about...

44 CFR 350.7 - Application by State for review and approval.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... coverage of response in the ingestion exposure pathway EPZ. The application will also include plans of all.... (b) Generally, the plume exposure pathway EPZ for nuclear power facilities shall consist of an area about 10 miles (16 Km) in radius and the ingestion exposure pathway EPZ shall consist of an area about...

44 CFR 350.7 - Application by State for review and approval.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... coverage of response in the ingestion exposure pathway EPZ. The application will also include plans of all.... (b) Generally, the plume exposure pathway EPZ for nuclear power facilities shall consist of an area about 10 miles (16 Km) in radius and the ingestion exposure pathway EPZ shall consist of an area about...

44 CFR 350.7 - Application by State for review and approval.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... coverage of response in the ingestion exposure pathway EPZ. The application will also include plans of all.... (b) Generally, the plume exposure pathway EPZ for nuclear power facilities shall consist of an area about 10 miles (16 Km) in radius and the ingestion exposure pathway EPZ shall consist of an area about...

44 CFR 350.7 - Application by State for review and approval.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... coverage of response in the ingestion exposure pathway EPZ. The application will also include plans of all.... (b) Generally, the plume exposure pathway EPZ for nuclear power facilities shall consist of an area about 10 miles (16 Km) in radius and the ingestion exposure pathway EPZ shall consist of an area about...

Changes in Socioeconomic Inequalities in the Use of Dental Care Following Major Healthcare Reform in Chile, 2004–2009

PubMed Central

Cornejo-Ovalle, Marco; Paraje, Guillermo; Vásquez-Lavín, Felipe; Pérez, Glòria; Palència, Laia; Borrell, Carme

2015-01-01

The study examines changes in the distribution and socioeconomic inequalities of dental care utilization among adults after the major healthcare reform in Chile, 2004–2009. We evaluated the proportion of people who visited the dentist at least once in the previous two years, and the mean number of visits. These outcome variables were stratified by sex, age (20–39, 40–59, 60–63; ≥64 years), educational level (primary, secondary, higher), type of health insurance (public, private, uninsured), and socioeconomic status (quintiles of an asset-index). We also used the concentration index (CIndex) to assess the extent of socioeconomic inequalities in the use of dental care, stratified by age and sex as a proxy for dental care needs. The use of dental care significantly increased between 2004 and 2009, especially in those with public health insurance, with lower educational level and lower socioeconomic status. The CIndex for the total population significantly decreased both for the proportion who used dental care, and also the mean number of visits. Findings suggest that the use of dental care increased and socioeconomic-related inequalities in the utilization of dental care declined after a Major Health Reform, which included universal coverage for some dental cares in Chile. However, efforts to ameliorate these inequalities require an approach that moves beyond a sole focus on rectifying health coverage. PMID:25749319

Changes in socioeconomic inequalities in the use of dental care following major healthcare reform in Chile, 2004-2009.

PubMed

Cornejo-Ovalle, Marco; Paraje, Guillermo; Vásquez-Lavín, Felipe; Pérez, Glòria; Palència, Laia; Borrell, Carme

2015-03-04

The study examines changes in the distribution and socioeconomic inequalities of dental care utilization among adults after the major healthcare reform in Chile, 2004-2009. We evaluated the proportion of people who visited the dentist at least once in the previous two years, and the mean number of visits. These outcome variables were stratified by sex, age (20-39, 40-59, 60-63; ≥64 years), educational level (primary, secondary, higher), type of health insurance (public, private, uninsured), and socioeconomic status (quintiles of an asset-index). We also used the concentration index (CIndex) to assess the extent of socioeconomic inequalities in the use of dental care, stratified by age and sex as a proxy for dental care needs. The use of dental care significantly increased between 2004 and 2009, especially in those with public health insurance, with lower educational level and lower socioeconomic status. The CIndex for the total population significantly decreased both for the proportion who used dental care, and also the mean number of visits. Findings suggest that the use of dental care increased and socioeconomic-related inequalities in the utilization of dental care declined after a Major Health Reform, which included universal coverage for some dental cares in Chile. However, efforts to ameliorate these inequalities require an approach that moves beyond a sole focus on rectifying health coverage.

Press Coverage of the Vietnam War: The Third View

DTIC Science & Technology

1979-05-25

Arents Research Library for Special Collections, Syracuse University, and Ms. Joan M. Hench of the US Army War College Library lightened this task by...two men with a keen and increasing awareness of the need for competent military coverage. Julius Ochs Adler, the No. 2 man, had a distinguished record...consisted of no more than two men each, both in the Pentagon. In each case only one was a specialist of long service on the military "beat" and all were

Coverage of Large-Scale Food Fortification of Edible Oil, Wheat Flour, and Maize Flour Varies Greatly by Vehicle and Country but Is Consistently Lower among the Most Vulnerable: Results from Coverage Surveys in 8 Countries123

PubMed Central

Aaron, Grant J; Friesen, Valerie M; Jungjohann, Svenja; Garrett, Greg S; Myatt, Mark

2017-01-01

Background: Large-scale food fortification (LSFF) of commonly consumed food vehicles is widely implemented in low- and middle-income countries. Many programs have monitoring information gaps and most countries fail to assess program coverage. Objective: The aim of this work was to present LSFF coverage survey findings (overall and in vulnerable populations) from 18 programs (7 wheat flour, 4 maize flour, and 7 edible oil programs) conducted in 8 countries between 2013 and 2015. Methods: A Fortification Assessment Coverage Toolkit (FACT) was developed to standardize the assessments. Three indicators were used to assess the relations between coverage and vulnerability: 1) poverty, 2) poor dietary diversity, and 3) rural residence. Three measures of coverage were assessed: 1) consumption of the vehicle, 2) consumption of a fortifiable vehicle, and 3) consumption of a fortified vehicle. Individual program performance was assessed based on the following: 1) achieving overall coverage ≥50%, 2) achieving coverage of ≥75% in ≥1 vulnerable group, and 3) achieving equity in coverage for ≥1 vulnerable group. Results: Coverage varied widely by food vehicle and country. Only 2 of the 18 LSFF programs assessed met all 3 program performance criteria. The 2 main program bottlenecks were a poor choice of vehicle and failure to fortify a fortifiable vehicle (i.e., absence of fortification). Conclusions: The results highlight the importance of sound program design and routine monitoring and evaluation. There is strong evidence of the impact and cost-effectiveness of LSFF; however, impact can only be achieved when the necessary activities and processes during program design and implementation are followed. The FACT approach fills an important gap in the availability of standardized tools. The LSFF programs assessed here need to be re-evaluated to determine whether to further invest in the programs, whether other vehicles are appropriate, and whether other approaches are needed. PMID:28404836

Coverage of Large-Scale Food Fortification of Edible Oil, Wheat Flour, and Maize Flour Varies Greatly by Vehicle and Country but Is Consistently Lower among the Most Vulnerable: Results from Coverage Surveys in 8 Countries.

PubMed

Aaron, Grant J; Friesen, Valerie M; Jungjohann, Svenja; Garrett, Greg S; Neufeld, Lynnette M; Myatt, Mark

2017-05-01

Background: Large-scale food fortification (LSFF) of commonly consumed food vehicles is widely implemented in low- and middle-income countries. Many programs have monitoring information gaps and most countries fail to assess program coverage. Objective: The aim of this work was to present LSFF coverage survey findings (overall and in vulnerable populations) from 18 programs (7 wheat flour, 4 maize flour, and 7 edible oil programs) conducted in 8 countries between 2013 and 2015. Methods: A Fortification Assessment Coverage Toolkit (FACT) was developed to standardize the assessments. Three indicators were used to assess the relations between coverage and vulnerability: 1 ) poverty, 2 ) poor dietary diversity, and 3 ) rural residence. Three measures of coverage were assessed: 1 ) consumption of the vehicle, 2 ) consumption of a fortifiable vehicle, and 3 ) consumption of a fortified vehicle. Individual program performance was assessed based on the following: 1 ) achieving overall coverage ≥50%, 2) achieving coverage of ≥75% in ≥1 vulnerable group, and 3 ) achieving equity in coverage for ≥1 vulnerable group. Results: Coverage varied widely by food vehicle and country. Only 2 of the 18 LSFF programs assessed met all 3 program performance criteria. The 2 main program bottlenecks were a poor choice of vehicle and failure to fortify a fortifiable vehicle (i.e., absence of fortification). Conclusions: The results highlight the importance of sound program design and routine monitoring and evaluation. There is strong evidence of the impact and cost-effectiveness of LSFF; however, impact can only be achieved when the necessary activities and processes during program design and implementation are followed. The FACT approach fills an important gap in the availability of standardized tools. The LSFF programs assessed here need to be re-evaluated to determine whether to further invest in the programs, whether other vehicles are appropriate, and whether other approaches are needed.

Annual immunisation coverage report, 2010.

PubMed

Hull, Brynley; Dey, Aditi; Menzies, Rob; McIntyre, Peter

2013-03-31

This, the fourth annual immunisation coverage report, documents trends during 2010 for a range of standard measures derived from Australian Childhood Immunisation Register (ACIR) data. These include coverage at standard age milestones and for individual vaccines included on the National Immunisation Program (NIP). For the first time, coverage from other sources for adolescents and the elderly are included. The proportion of children 'fully vaccinated' at 12, 24 and 60 months of age was 91.6%, 92.1% and 89.1% respectively. For vaccines available on the NIP but not currently assessed for 'fully immunised' status or for eligibility for incentive payments (rotavirus and pneumococcal at 12 months and meningococcal C and varicella at 24 months) coverage varied. Although pneumococcal vaccine had similar coverage at 12 months to other vaccines, coverage was lower for rotavirus at 12 months (84.7%) and varicella at 24 months (83.0%). Overall coverage at 24 months of age exceeded that at 12 months of age nationally and for most jurisdictions, but as receipt of varicella vaccine at 18 months is excluded from calculations, this represents delayed immunisation, with some contribution from immunisation incentives. The 'fully immunised' coverage estimates for immunisations due by 60 months increased substantially in 2009, reaching almost 90% in 2010, probably related to completed immunisation by 60 months of age being introduced in 2009 as a requirement for GP incentive payments. As previously documented, vaccines recommended for Indigenous children only (hepatitis A and pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine) had suboptimal coverage at around 57%. Delayed receipt of vaccines by Indigenous children at the 60-month milestone age improved from 56% to 62% but the disparity in on-time vaccination between Indigenous and non-Indigenous children at earlier age milestones did not improve. Coverage data for human papillomavirus (HPV)from the national HPV register are consistent with high coverage in the school-based program (73%) but were lower for the catch-up program for women outside school (30-38%). Coverage estimates for vaccines on the NIP from 65 years of age were comparable with other developed countries.

cBathy: A robust algorithm for estimating nearshore bathymetry

USGS Publications Warehouse

Plant, Nathaniel G.; Holman, Rob; Holland, K. Todd

2013-01-01

A three-part algorithm is described and tested to provide robust bathymetry maps based solely on long time series observations of surface wave motions. The first phase consists of frequency-dependent characterization of the wave field in which dominant frequencies are estimated by Fourier transform while corresponding wave numbers are derived from spatial gradients in cross-spectral phase over analysis tiles that can be small, allowing high-spatial resolution. Coherent spatial structures at each frequency are extracted by frequency-dependent empirical orthogonal function (EOF). In phase two, depths are found that best fit weighted sets of frequency-wave number pairs. These are subsequently smoothed in time in phase 3 using a Kalman filter that fills gaps in coverage and objectively averages new estimates of variable quality with prior estimates. Objective confidence intervals are returned. Tests at Duck, NC, using 16 surveys collected over 2 years showed a bias and root-mean-square (RMS) error of 0.19 and 0.51 m, respectively but were largest near the offshore limits of analysis (roughly 500 m from the camera) and near the steep shoreline where analysis tiles mix information from waves, swash and static dry sand. Performance was excellent for small waves but degraded somewhat with increasing wave height. Sand bars and their small-scale alongshore variability were well resolved. A single ground truth survey from a dissipative, low-sloping beach (Agate Beach, OR) showed similar errors over a region that extended several kilometers from the camera and reached depths of 14 m. Vector wave number estimates can also be incorporated into data assimilation models of nearshore dynamics.

12 CFR 329.1 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... the bank does not reserve the right to require at least seven days' written notice prior to withdrawal...-100 (12 U.S.C. 1832(a)(2)).1 1 Paragraph (1) of 12 U.S.C. 1832(a) authorizes banks to let certain... accounts which consist solely of funds in which the entire beneficial interest is held by one or more...

76 FR 15857 - Injurious Wildlife Species; Listing the Bighead Carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) as Injurious Fish

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-03-22

... without a permit solely for their own use upon filing a written declaration with the District Director of... and for the purposes of creating a consistent format for the list and helping to ensure clarity... public interest'' standard under the APA to the extent that publication of a proposed rule would likely...

Literature-Based Reading Series for Grades K-3: Are They Truly Literature?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Donoghue, Mildred R.

In its current adoptions of reading series for the elementary grades, California has chosen literature-based programs rather than the more traditional basal readers. A study investigated whether the contents of such readers for grades K-3 truly consist solely of literary selections, since it is well-recognized that quality books carry heavy…

Genetic Variation in Melatonin Pathway Enzymes in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Comorbid Sleep Onset Delay

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Veatch, Olivia J.; Pendergast, Julie S.; Allen, Melissa J.; Leu, Roberta M.; Johnson, Carl Hirschie; Elsea, Sarah H.; Malow, Beth A.

2015-01-01

Sleep disruption is common in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Genes whose products regulate endogenous melatonin modify sleep patterns and have been implicated in ASD. Genetic factors likely contribute to comorbid expression of sleep disorders in ASD. We studied a clinically unique ASD subgroup, consisting solely of children with…

English Grammar in School Textbooks: Towards a Consistent Linguistic Alternative. Occasional Papers Number 11.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Huddleston, Rodney

This report offers a critique, from a linguistic viewpoint of the approach to grammatical description and prescription found in commonly used Australian school textbooks in 1987. Attention was directed solely towards grammatical content. A review of 41 primary and secondary level texts was conducted. All texts were published in Australia, and all…

Religiousness and Infidelity: Attendance, but not Faith and Prayer, Predict Marital Fidelity

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Atkins, David C.; Kessel, Deborah E.

2008-01-01

High religiousness has been consistently linked with a decreased likelihood of past infidelity but has been solely defined by religious service attendance, a limited assessment of a complex facet of life. The current study developed nine religiousness subscales using items from the 1998 General Social Survey to more fully explore the association…

Health workers' attitudes, perceptions and knowledge of influenza immunization in Lima, Peru: A mixed methods study.

PubMed

Bazán, Magdalena; Villacorta, Erika; Barbagelatta, Gisella; Jimenez, M Michelle; Goya, Cecilia; Bartolini, Rosario M; Penny, Mary E

2017-05-19

Vaccination against seasonal influenza in health workers is recommended but coverage is variable. This study aimed to determine coverage of influenza vaccination among health workers in Lima, Peru in 2010; explore barriers and enabling elements for vaccination; and suggest strategies to improve coverage. Qualitative interviews informed the development of a survey instrument that consisted of open and close-ended questions. Sub-analyses were done by occupational group and results were calculated as percentages for each possible response with confidence intervals of 95%. Coverage of the influenza vaccination was 77.2%. Vaccinated staff were less likely to have permanent contracts (p=0.0150) and vaccination coverage was lower in physicians (p=0.0001). Over 90% cited protection of themselves, families and patients as reasons for vaccination and 48% mentioned peer encouragement. Fear of adverse events (47%) and organizational barriers (>30%) were reasons for non-vaccination. To improve coverage, highest priority was given to strategies providing more information. Key factors in driving health worker vaccination include desire for protection and peer encouragement. Perceptual barriers based on a misunderstanding of the epidemiology of influenza and vaccination could be overcome by targeted education and information. Organizational barriers require attention to how vaccination is implemented within health facilities. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Improving health insurance coverage for Latino children: a review of barriers, challenges and State strategies.

PubMed Central

Zambrana, Ruth E.; Carter-Pokras, Olivia

2004-01-01

OBJECTIVES: To summarize key findings on disparities in health insurance coverage for latino children, to present selected socioeconomic and healthcare access indicators for the nine states with latino populations over 500,000, and to recommend state strategies to increase public health insurance coverage for latino children. METHODS: Literature review performed on latino children and health insurance coverage, key informant interviews with frontline service providers, review of outreach sections of eight state 1115 waiver requests approved by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and national and state data compiled on sociodemographic and healthcare access indicators for nine states with the largest latino populations. RESULTS: Eligibility and enrollment into Medicaid and State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) are hindered by financial, nonfinancial, and social policy barriers. Disparities in insurance and access indicators show that lack of parental employment-linked benefits, procedural barriers to enrollment, and lack of clarification on eligibility for children of noncitizen parents are associated with low levels of insurance coverage among latino children. CONCLUSION: To state strategies consistent with the overarching goal of Healthy People 2010 to eliminate health disparities can increase health insurance coverage for children of low-wage latino workers. PMID:15101671

Influence of economic and demographic factors on quality of life in renal transplant recipients.

PubMed

Chisholm, Marie A; Spivey, Christina A; Nus, Audrey Van

2007-01-01

The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of annual income, Medicare status, and demographic variables on the health-related quality of life (HQoL) of renal transplant recipients. A cross-sectional survey was mailed to 146 Georgia renal transplant recipients who had functional grafts. Data were collected using the SF-12 Health Survey (version 2), a demographics survey, and 2003 tax documents. One-way ANOVAs and Pearson's R correlations were used to examine relationships between annual income, Medicare status, demographic variables and SF-12 scores. Significant variables were included in stepwise multiple regression analyses. Data from 130 participants (89% response rate) were collected. Recipients with no Medicare coverage had significantly higher scores on the Physical Functioning and Role Physical SF-12 scales (p = 0.005) compared to recipients with Medicare. Annual income was positively correlated with General Health (p < 0.05). Age and race were significant predictors of Vitality (p = 0.004) and Physical Component Summary (p < 0.001) scores. Age, race, and Medicare status were significant predictors of Physical Functioning and Role Physical scores (p < 0.001). Age, annual income, race, and years post-transplant were significant predictors of General Health score (p < 0.001). Age was the sole predictor of Bodily Pain score (p = 0.002), and marital status was the sole predictor of Social Functioning score (p = 0.005). Interventions designed to offset financial barriers may be needed to bolster renal transplant recipients' HQoL.

Medicaid Coverage Expansions and Cigarette Smoking Cessation Among Low-income Adults.

PubMed

Koma, Jonathan W; Donohue, Julie M; Barry, Colleen L; Huskamp, Haiden A; Jarlenski, Marian

2017-12-01

Expanding Medicaid coverage to low-income adults may have increased smoking cessation through improved access to evidence-based treatments. Our study sought to determine if states' decisions to expand Medicaid increased recent smoking cessation. Using pooled cross-sectional data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey for the years 2011-2015, we examined the association between state Medicaid coverage and the probability of recent smoking cessation among low-income adults without dependent children who were current or former smokers (n=36,083). We used difference-in-differences estimation to examine the effects of Medicaid coverage on smoking cessation, comparing low-income adult smokers in states with Medicaid coverage to comparable adults in states without Medicaid coverage, with ages 18-64 years to those ages 65 years and above. Analyses were conducted for the full sample and stratified by sex. Residence in a state with Medicaid coverage among low-income adult smokers ages 18-64 years was associated with an increase in recent smoking cessation of 2.1 percentage points (95% confidence interval, 0.25-3.9). In the comparison group of individuals ages 65 years and above, residence in a state with Medicaid coverage expansion was not associated with a change in recent smoking cessation (-0.1 percentage point, 95% confidence interval, -2.1 to 1.8). Similar increases in smoking cessation among those ages 18-64 years were estimated for females and males (1.9 and 2.2 percentage point, respectively). Findings are consistent with the hypothesis that Medicaid coverage expansions may have increased smoking cessation among low-income adults without dependent children via greater access to preventive health care services, including evidence-based smoking cessation services.

Multi-element otolith chemistry of juvenile sole ( Solea solea), whiting ( Merlangius merlangus) and European seabass ( Dicentrarchus labrax) in the Thames Estuary and adjacent coastal regions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Leakey, Chris D. B.; Attrill, Martin J.; Fitzsimons, Mark F.

2009-04-01

Estuaries are regarded as valuable nursery habitats for many commercially important marine fishes, potentially providing a thermal resource, refuge from predators and a source of abundant prey. To assess the extent of estuarine use by juvenile (0+) common sole ( Solea solea), whiting ( Merlangius merlangus) and European seabass ( Dicentrarchus labrax) we: (1) developed techniques to distinguish between estuarine and coastally-caught juveniles using otolith chemistry; and (2) examined the accuracy with which multi-elemental signatures could re-classify juveniles to their region of collection. High-resolution solution-based inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (HB-SB-ICPMS) was used to quantify 32 elements within the juvenile otoliths; 14 elements occurred above detection limits for all samples. Some elemental distributions demonstrated clear differences between estuarine and coastally-caught fish. Multivariate analysis of the otolith chemistry data resulted in 95-100% re-classification accuracy to the region of collection. Estuarine and coastal signatures were most clearly defined for sole which, compared to bass and whiting, have low mobility and are less likely to move from estuarine to coastal habitats between larval settlement and later migration to adult stocks. Sole were the only species to reveal an energetic benefit associated with an estuarine juvenile phase. The physiological ability of bass to access upper estuarine regions was consistent with some elemental data, while the high mobility and restricted range of whiting resulted in less distinct otolith chemistries.

Characterization of stress coping style in Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) juveniles and breeders for aquaculture.

PubMed

Ibarra-Zatarain, Z; Fatsini, E; Rey, S; Chereguini, O; Martin, I; Rasines, I; Alcaraz, C; Duncan, N

2016-11-01

The aim of this work was to characterize stress coping styles of Senegalese sole ( Solea senegalensis ) juveniles and breeders and to select an operational behavioural screening test (OBST) that can be used by the aquaculture industry to classify and select between behavioural phenotypes in order to improve production indicators. A total of 61 juveniles and 59 breeders were subjected to five individual behavioural tests and two grouping tests. At the end of the individual tests, all animals were blood sampled in order to measure cortisol, glucose and lactate. Three tests (restraining, new environment and confinement) characterized the stress coping style behaviour of Senegalese sole juveniles and breeders and demonstrated inter-individual consistency. Further, the tests when incorporated into a principal components analysis (PCA) (i) identified two principal axes of personality traits: 'fearfulness-reactivity' and 'activity-exploration', (ii) were representative of the physiological axis of stress coping style, and (iii) were validated by established group tests. This study proposed for the first time three individual coping style tests that reliably represented proactive and reactive personalities of Senegalese sole juveniles and breeders. In addition, the three proposed tests met some basic operational criteria (rapid testing, no special equipment and easy to apply and interpret) that could prove attractive for fish farmers to identify fish with a specific behaviour that gives advantages in the culture system and that could be used to establish selection-based breeding programmes to improve domestication and production.

Characterization of stress coping style in Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) juveniles and breeders for aquaculture

PubMed Central

Fatsini, E.; Rey, S.; Chereguini, O.; Martin, I.; Rasines, I.; Duncan, N.

2016-01-01

The aim of this work was to characterize stress coping styles of Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) juveniles and breeders and to select an operational behavioural screening test (OBST) that can be used by the aquaculture industry to classify and select between behavioural phenotypes in order to improve production indicators. A total of 61 juveniles and 59 breeders were subjected to five individual behavioural tests and two grouping tests. At the end of the individual tests, all animals were blood sampled in order to measure cortisol, glucose and lactate. Three tests (restraining, new environment and confinement) characterized the stress coping style behaviour of Senegalese sole juveniles and breeders and demonstrated inter-individual consistency. Further, the tests when incorporated into a principal components analysis (PCA) (i) identified two principal axes of personality traits: ‘fearfulness-reactivity’ and ‘activity-exploration’, (ii) were representative of the physiological axis of stress coping style, and (iii) were validated by established group tests. This study proposed for the first time three individual coping style tests that reliably represented proactive and reactive personalities of Senegalese sole juveniles and breeders. In addition, the three proposed tests met some basic operational criteria (rapid testing, no special equipment and easy to apply and interpret) that could prove attractive for fish farmers to identify fish with a specific behaviour that gives advantages in the culture system and that could be used to establish selection-based breeding programmes to improve domestication and production. PMID:28018634

Anaerobic Benzene Oxidation by Geobacter Species

PubMed Central

Bain, Timothy S.; Nevin, Kelly P.; Barlett, Melissa A.; Lovley, Derek R.

2012-01-01

The abundance of Geobacter species in contaminated aquifers in which benzene is anaerobically degraded has led to the suggestion that some Geobacter species might be capable of anaerobic benzene degradation, but this has never been documented. A strain of Geobacter, designated strain Ben, was isolated from sediments from the Fe(III)-reducing zone of a petroleum-contaminated aquifer in which there was significant capacity for anaerobic benzene oxidation. Strain Ben grew in a medium with benzene as the sole electron donor and Fe(III) oxide as the sole electron acceptor. Furthermore, additional evaluation of Geobacter metallireducens demonstrated that it could also grow in benzene-Fe(III) medium. In both strain Ben and G. metallireducens the stoichiometry of benzene metabolism and Fe(III) reduction was consistent with the oxidation of benzene to carbon dioxide with Fe(III) serving as the sole electron acceptor. With benzene as the electron donor, and Fe(III) oxide (strain Ben) or Fe(III) citrate (G. metallireducens) as the electron acceptor, the cell yields of strain Ben and G. metallireducens were 3.2 × 109 and 8.4 × 109 cells/mmol of Fe(III) reduced, respectively. Strain Ben also oxidized benzene with anthraquinone-2,6-disulfonate (AQDS) as the sole electron acceptor with cell yields of 5.9 × 109 cells/mmol of AQDS reduced. Strain Ben serves as model organism for the study of anaerobic benzene metabolism in petroleum-contaminated aquifers, and G. metallireducens is the first anaerobic benzene-degrading organism that can be genetically manipulated. PMID:23001648

Artist concept of the STS-43 Tracking and Data Relay Satellite E (TDRS-E)

NASA Image and Video Library

1990-06-22

Artist concept shows the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite E (TDRS-E) augmenting a sophisticated TDRS system (TDRSS) communications network after deployment during STS-43 from Atlantis, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 104. TDRS, built by TRW, will be placed in a geosynchronous orbit and after onorbit testing, which requires several weeks, will be designated TDRS-5. The communications satellite will replace TDRS-3 at 174 degrees West longitude. The backbone of NASA's space-to-ground communications, the TDRSs have increased NASA's ability to send and receive data to spacecraft in low-earth orbit to more than 85 percent of the time. Before TDRS, NASA relied solely on a system of ground stations that permitted communications only 15 percent of the time. Increased coverage has allowed onorbit repairs, live television broadcast from space and continuous dialogues between astronaut crews and ground control during critical periods such as Space Shuttle landings.

Congenital Partial Absence of Trapezius with Variant Pattern of Rectus Sheath.

PubMed

Tigga, Sarika Rachel; Goswami, Preeti; Khanna, Jugesh

2016-04-01

Musculocutaneous pedicled/free flaps are an essential prerequisite for reconstructive surgery. Amongst the trunk muscles commonly harvested for flaps, the trapezius and rectus abdominis provide satisfactory coverage for cranial and trunk defects. unilateral/bilateral or partial congenital absence of trapezius muscle is well documented and may result in muscular imbalances compromising posture and limb movements. During routine cadaveric dissection, we encountered a case of bilateral partial absence of occipital part of the trapezius muscle. Concurrently, the ventral abdominal musculature displayed the aponeurosis of transversus abdominis muscle solely forming the posterior wall of the rectus sheath. These conjointly occurring anomalies advocate a compensatory strengthening of the anterior wall of rectus sheath in response to the congenital absence of occipital part of the trapezius, probably to counteract the postural instability. The present study focuses on recognition of compensatory mechanisms resulting from congenital variations as identification of such processes may prevent chronic debilitating conditions.

Factors associated with the provision of uncompensated care in Pennsylvania hospitals.

PubMed

Rosko, M D

2001-01-01

Data from 190 Pennsylvania hospitals in 1995 were used in regression analysis of the determinants of uncompensated care and profitability. Uncompensated care as a percentage of operating expenses was negatively related with hospital size and positively associated with obstetrical services emphasis, emergency visit mix, area unemployment rate, and sole community hospital status. Hospital profitability was not associated with uncompensated care; it was negatively associated with HMO penetration, Medicare and Medicaid share of admissions and religious ownership; and it was positively associated with medium size. Pennsylvania hospitals may have been shielded from the financial burdens of uncompensated care by the availability of funds from other sources that may not be available in the future. Consequently, unless new sources of funding are developed or insurance coverage expanded, financial pressures from providing uncompensated care may cause hospitals to face the dilemma of abandoning uninsured patients or risking financial insolvency.

Communication technologies to improve HPV vaccination initiation and completion: A systematic review.

PubMed

Francis, Diane B; Cates, Joan R; Wagner, Kyla P Garrett; Zola, Tracey; Fitter, Jenny E; Coyne-Beasley, Tamera

2017-07-01

This systematic review examines the effectiveness of communication technology interventions on HPV vaccination initiation and completion. A comprehensive search strategy was used to identify existing randomized controlled trials testing the impact of computer-, mobile- or internet-based interventions on receipt of any dose of the HPV vaccine. Twelve relevant studies were identified with a total of 38,945 participants. The interventions were delivered using several different methods, including electronic health record (i.e. recall/reminder) prompts, text messaging, automated phone calls, interactive computer videos, and email. Vaccine initiation and completion was greater for technology-based studies relative to their control conditions. There is evidence that interventions utilizing communication technologies as their sole or primary mode for HPV vaccination intervention delivery may increase vaccination coverage. Communication technologies hold much promise for the future of HPV vaccination efforts, especially initiatives in practice-based settings. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Percolating transport in superconducting nanoparticle films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fostner, Shawn; Nande, Amol; Smith, Alex; Martinez Gazoni, Rodrigo; Grigg, Jack; Temst, Kristiaan; Van Bael, Margriet J.; Brown, Simon A.

2017-12-01

Nanostructured and disordered superconductors exhibit many exotic fundamental phenomena, and also have many possible applications. We show here that films of superconducting lead nanoparticles with a wide range of particle coverages, exhibit non-linear V(I) characteristics that are consistent with percolation theory. Specifically, it is found that V ∝(I-Ic) a , where a = 2.1 ± 0.2, independent of both temperature and particle coverage, and that the measured critical currents (Ic) are also consistent with percolation models. For samples with low normal state resistances, this behaviour is observable only in pulsed current measurements, which suppress heating effects. We show that the present results are not explained by vortex unbinding [Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless] physics, which is expected in such samples, but which gives rise to a different power law behaviour. Finally, we compare our results to previous calculations and simulations, and conclude that further theoretical developments are required to explain the high level of consistency in the measured exponents a.

Is universal health coverage the practical expression of the right to health care?

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

The present Millennium Development Goals are set to expire in 2015 and their next iteration is now being discussed within the international community. With regards to health, the World Health Organization proposes universal health coverage as a ‘single overarching health goal’ for the next iteration of the Millennium Development Goals. The present Millennium Development Goals have been criticised for being ‘duplicative’ or even ‘competing alternatives’ to international human rights law. The question then arises, if universal health coverage would indeed become the single overarching health goal, replacing the present health-related Millennium Development Goals, would that be more consistent with the right to health? The World Health Organization seems to have anticipated the question, as it labels universal health coverage as “by definition, a practical expression of the concern for health equity and the right to health”. Rather than waiting for the negotiations to unfold, we thought it would be useful to verify this contention, using a comparative normative analysis. We found that – to be a practical expression of the right to health – at least one element is missing in present authoritative definitions of universal health coverage: a straightforward confirmation that international assistance is essential, not optional. But universal health coverage is a ‘work in progress’. A recent proposal by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network proposed universal health coverage with a set of targets, including a target for international assistance, which would turn universal health coverage into a practical expression of the right to health care. PMID:24559232

Effect of the Medicare Part D coverage gap on medication use among patients with hypertension and hyperlipidemia.

PubMed

Li, Pengxiang; McElligott, Sean; Bergquist, Henry; Schwartz, J Sanford; Doshi, Jalpa A

2012-06-05

Prior studies of the Medicare Part D coverage gap are limited in generalizability and scope. To determine the effect of the coverage gap on drugs used for asymptomatic (antihypertensive and lipid-lowering drugs) and symptomatic (pain relievers, acid suppressants, and antidepressants) conditions in elderly patients with hypertension and hyperlipidemia. Quasi-experimental study using pre-post design and contemporaneous control group. Medicare claims files from 2005 and 2006 for 5% random sample of Medicare beneficiaries. Part D plan enrollees with hypertension or hyperlipidemia aged 65 years or older who had no coverage, generic-only coverage, or both brand-name and generic coverage during the gap in 2006. Patients who were fully eligible for the low-income subsidy served as the control group. Monthly 30-day supply prescriptions available, medication adherence, and continuous medication gaps of 30 days or more for antihypertensive or lipid-lowering drugs; monthly 30-day supply prescriptions available for pain relievers, acid suppressants, or antidepressants before and after coverage gap entry. Patients with no gap coverage had a decrease in monthly antihypertensive and lipid-lowering drug prescriptions during the coverage gap. Nonadherence also increased in this group (antihypertensives: odds ratio [OR], 1.60 [95% CI, 1.50 to 1.71]; lipid-lowering drugs: OR, 1.59 [CI, 1.50 to 1.68]). The proportion of patients with no gap coverage who had continuous medication gaps in lipid-lowering medication use and antihypertensive use increased by an absolute 7.3% (OR, 1.38 [CI, 1.29 to 1.46]) and 3.2% (OR, 1.35 [CI, 1.25 to 1.45]), respectively, because of the coverage gap. Decreases in use were smaller for pain relievers and antidepressants and larger for acid suppressants in patients with no gap coverage. Patients with generic-only coverage had decreased use of cardiovascular medications but no change in use of drugs for symptomatic conditions. No measures changed in the brand-name and generic coverage groups. Results of sensitivity analyses were consistent with the main findings. Because this study was nonrandomized, unobserved differences may still exist between study groups. The Part D coverage gap was associated with decreased use of medications for hypertension and hyperlipidemia in patients with no gap coverage and generic-only gap coverage. The proposed phasing out of the gap by 2020 will benefit such patients; however, use of low-value medications may also increase. Penn-Pfizer Alliance and American Heart Association.

36 CFR 705.1 - Scope and purpose of this part.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

..., COMPILATION, AND DISTRIBUTION OF NEWS TRANSMISSIONS UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE AMERICAN TELEVISION AND RADIO... consisting of regularly scheduled newscasts or on-the-spot coverage of news events. ...

36 CFR 705.1 - Scope and purpose of this part.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

..., COMPILATION, AND DISTRIBUTION OF NEWS TRANSMISSIONS UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE AMERICAN TELEVISION AND RADIO... consisting of regularly scheduled newscasts or on-the-spot coverage of news events. ...

36 CFR 705.1 - Scope and purpose of this part.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

..., COMPILATION, AND DISTRIBUTION OF NEWS TRANSMISSIONS UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE AMERICAN TELEVISION AND RADIO... consisting of regularly scheduled newscasts or on-the-spot coverage of news events. ...

36 CFR 705.1 - Scope and purpose of this part.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

..., COMPILATION, AND DISTRIBUTION OF NEWS TRANSMISSIONS UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE AMERICAN TELEVISION AND RADIO... consisting of regularly scheduled newscasts or on-the-spot coverage of news events. ...

Newly Diagnosed (Brain Tumor)

MedlinePlus

... coverage. STEP 4: Get to know your healthcare team Your healthcare team will consist of doctors, nurses, ... the medical professionals you may encounter: Your Healthcare Team Neurosurgeon: A surgeon who treats many disorders of ...

Understanding consumer preferences in the context of managed competition: evidence from a choice experiment in Colombia.

PubMed

Trujillo, Antonio J; Ruiz, Fernando; Bridges, John F P; Amaya, Jeannette L; Buttorff, Christine; Quiroga, Angélica M

2012-03-01

In many countries, health insurance coverage is the primary way for individuals to access care. Governments can support access through social insurance programmes; however, after a certain period, governments struggle to achieve universal coverage. Evidence suggests that complex individual behaviour may play a role. Using a choice experiment, this research explored consumer preferences for health insurance in Colombia. We also evaluated whether preferences differed across consumers with differing demographic and health status factors. A household field experiment was conducted in Bogotá in 2010. The sample consisted of 109 uninsured and 133 low-income insured individuals. Each individual evaluated 12 pair-wise comparisons of hypothetical health plans. We focused on six characteristics of health insurance: premium, out-of-pocket expenditure, chronic condition coverage, quality of care, family coverage and sick leave. A main effects orthogonal design was used to derive the 72 scenarios used in the choice experiment. Parameters were estimated using conditional logit models. Since price data were included, we estimated respondents' willingness to pay for characteristics. Consumers valued health benefits and family coverage more than other attributes. Additionally, differences in preferences can be exploited to increase coverage. The willingness to pay for benefits may partially cover the average cost of providing them. Policy makers might be able to encourage those insured via the subsidized system to enrol in the next level of the social health insurance scheme through expanding benefits to family members and expanding the level of chronic condition coverage.

Sensitivity of Medication Use to Formulary Controls in Medicare Beneficiaries: A Review of the Literature

PubMed Central

Shenolikar, Rahul; Bruno, Amanda Schofield; Eaddy, Michael; Cantrell, Christopher

2011-01-01

Background Several studies have examined the impact of formulary management strategies on medication use in the elderly, but little has been done to synthesize the findings to determine whether the results show consistent trends. Objective To summarize the effects of formulary controls (ie, tiered copays, step edits, prior authorization, and generic substitution) on medication use in the Medicare population to inform future Medicare Part D and other coverage decisions. Methods This systematic review included research articles (found via PubMed, Google Scholar, and specific scientific journals) that evaluated the impact of drug coverage or cost-sharing on medication use in elderly (aged ≥65 years) Medicare beneficiaries. The impact of drug coverage was assessed by comparing patients with some drug coverage to those with no drug coverage or by comparing varying levels of drug coverage (eg, full coverage vs $1000 coverage or capped benefits vs noncapped benefits). Articles that were published before 1995, were not original empirical research, were published in languages other than English, or focused on populations other than Medicare beneficiaries were excluded. All studies selected were classified as positive, negative, or neutral based on the significance of the relationship (P <.05 or as otherwise specified) between the formulary control mechanism and the medication use, and on the direction of that relationship. Results Included were a total of 47 research articles (published between 1995 and 2009) that evaluated the impact of drug coverage or cost-sharing on medication use in Medicare beneficiaries. Overall, 24 studies examined the impact of the level of drug coverage on medication use; of these, 96% (N = 23) supported the association between better drug coverage (ie, branded and generic vs generic-only coverage, capped benefit vs noncapped benefit, supplemental drug insurance vs no supplemental drug insurance) or having some drug coverage and enhanced medication use. Furthermore, 84% (N = 16) of the 19 studies that examined the effect of cost-sharing on medication use demonstrated that decreased cost-sharing was significantly associated with improved medication use. Conclusion Current evidence from the literature suggests that restricting drug coverage or increasing out-of-pocket expenses for Medicare beneficiaries may lead to decreased medication use in the elderly, with all its potential implications. PMID:25126370

36 CFR 705.2 - Authority.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... DISTRIBUTION OF NEWS TRANSMISSIONS UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE AMERICAN TELEVISION AND RADIO ARCHIVES ACT § 705... program which consists of a regularly scheduled newscast or on-the-spot coverage of news events, to...

36 CFR § 705.1 - Scope and purpose of this part.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

..., COMPILATION, AND DISTRIBUTION OF NEWS TRANSMISSIONS UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE AMERICAN TELEVISION AND RADIO... consisting of regularly scheduled newscasts or on-the-spot coverage of news events. ...

36 CFR 705.2 - Authority.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... DISTRIBUTION OF NEWS TRANSMISSIONS UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE AMERICAN TELEVISION AND RADIO ARCHIVES ACT § 705... program which consists of a regularly scheduled newscast or on-the-spot coverage of news events, to...

36 CFR 705.2 - Authority.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... DISTRIBUTION OF NEWS TRANSMISSIONS UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE AMERICAN TELEVISION AND RADIO ARCHIVES ACT § 705... program which consists of a regularly scheduled newscast or on-the-spot coverage of news events, to...

36 CFR 705.2 - Authority.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... DISTRIBUTION OF NEWS TRANSMISSIONS UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE AMERICAN TELEVISION AND RADIO ARCHIVES ACT § 705... program which consists of a regularly scheduled newscast or on-the-spot coverage of news events, to...

Maize-grain legume intercropping for enhanced resource use efficiency and crop productivity in the Guinea savanna of northern Ghana.

PubMed

Kermah, Michael; Franke, Angelinus C; Adjei-Nsiah, Samuel; Ahiabor, Benjamin D K; Abaidoo, Robert C; Giller, Ken E

2017-11-01

Smallholder farmers in the Guinea savanna practise cereal-legume intercropping to mitigate risks of crop failure in mono-cropping. The productivity of cereal-legume intercrops could be influenced by the spatial arrangement of the intercrops and the soil fertility status. Knowledge on the effect of soil fertility status on intercrop productivity is generally lacking in the Guinea savanna despite the wide variability in soil fertility status in farmers' fields, and the productivity of within-row spatial arrangement of intercrops relative to the distinct-row systems under on-farm conditions has not been studied in the region. We studied effects of maize-legume spatial intercropping patterns and soil fertility status on resource use efficiency, crop productivity and economic profitability under on-farm conditions in the Guinea savanna. Treatments consisted of maize-legume intercropped within-row, 1 row of maize alternated with one row of legume, 2 rows of maize alternated with 2 rows of legume, a sole maize crop and a sole legume crop. These were assessed in the southern Guinea savanna (SGS) and the northern Guinea savanna (NGS) of northern Ghana for two seasons using three fields differing in soil fertility in each agro-ecological zone. Each treatment received 25 kg P and 30 kg K ha -1 at sowing, while maize received 25 kg (intercrop) or 50 kg (sole) N ha -1 at 3 and 6 weeks after sowing. The experiment was conducted in a randomised complete block design with each block of treatments replicated four times per fertility level at each site. Better soil conditions and rainfall in the SGS resulted in 48, 38 and 9% more maize, soybean and groundnut grain yield, respectively produced than in the NGS, while 11% more cowpea grain yield was produced in the NGS. Sole crops of maize and legumes produced significantly more grain yield per unit area than the respective intercrops of maize and legumes. Land equivalent ratios (LERs) of all intercrop patterns were greater than unity indicating more efficient and productive use of environmental resources by intercrops. Sole legumes intercepted more radiation than sole maize, while the interception by intercrops was in between that of sole legumes and sole maize. The intercrop however converted the intercepted radiation more efficiently into grain yield than the sole crops. Economic returns were greater for intercrops than for either sole crop. The within-row intercrop pattern was the most productive and lucrative system. Larger grain yields in the SGS and in fertile fields led to greater economic returns. However, intercropping systems in poorly fertile fields and in the NGS recorded greater LERs (1.16-1.81) compared with fertile fields (1.07-1.54) and with the SGS. This suggests that intercropping is more beneficial in less fertile fields and in more marginal environments such as the NGS. Cowpea and groundnut performed better than soybean when intercropped with maize, though the larger absolute grain yields of soybean resulted in larger net benefits.

Community Health Center Utilization Following the 2008 Medicaid Expansion in Oregon: Implications for the Affordable Care Act

PubMed Central

Bailey, Steffani R.; Cowburn, Stuart; Marino, Miguel; Angier, Heather; DeVoe, Jennifer E.

2016-01-01

Objectives. To assess longitudinal patterns of community health center (CHC) utilization and the effect of insurance discontinuity after Oregon’s 2008 Medicaid expansion (the Oregon Experiment). Methods. We conducted a retrospective cohort study with electronic health records and Medicaid data. We divided individuals who gained Medicaid in the Oregon Experiment into those who maintained (n = 788) or lost (n = 944) insurance coverage. We compared these groups with continuously insured (n = 921) and continuously uninsured (n = 5416) reference groups for community health center utilization rates over a 36-month period. Results. Both newly insured groups increased utilization in the first 6 months. After 6 months, use among those who maintained coverage stabilized at a level consistent with the continuously insured, whereas it returned to baseline for those who lost coverage. Conclusions. Individuals who maintained coverage through Oregon’s Medicaid expansion increased long-term utilization of CHCs, whereas those with unstable coverage did not. Policy implications. This study predicts long-term increase in CHC utilization following Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansion and emphasizes the need for policies that support insurance retention. PMID:26890164

Land and federal mineral ownership coverage for the Uinta Basin, Wasatch Plateau and surrounding areas, northeastern Utah

USGS Publications Warehouse

Biewick, L.H.; Green, G.A.

1999-01-01

This Arc/Info coverage contains land status and Federal and State mineral ownership for approximately 25,900 square miles in northeastern Utah. The polygon coverage (which is also provided here as a shapefile) contains three attributes of ownership information for each polygon. One attribute indicates whether the surface is State owned, privately owned, consists of Tribal and Indian lands, or, if Federally owned, which Federal agency manages the land surface. Another attribute indicates where the Utah School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration (SITLA) maintains full or partial subsurface mineral rights. The third attribute indicates which energy minerals, if any, are owned by the Federal govenment. This coverage is based on land management status and Federal and State mineral ownership data compiled by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the former U.S. Bureau of Mines (USBM), and the Utah School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration at a scale of 1:100,000. This coverage was compiled primarily to serve the USGS National Oil and Gas Resource Assessment Project in the Uinta-Piceance Basin Province and the USGS National Coal Resource Assessment Project in the Colorado Plateau.

50 CFR 18.25 - Exempted marine mammals or marine mammal products.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... effective date of the foreign law making the taking or sale, as the case may be, of such marine mammals or... mammals or marine mammal products. (a) The provisions of the Act and these regulations shall not apply: (1... marine mammal portion of such product consists solely of a marine mammal taken before such date. (b) The...

50 CFR 18.25 - Exempted marine mammals or marine mammal products.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... effective date of the foreign law making the taking or sale, as the case may be, of such marine mammals or... mammals or marine mammal products. (a) The provisions of the Act and these regulations shall not apply: (1... marine mammal portion of such product consists solely of a marine mammal taken before such date. (b) The...

50 CFR 18.25 - Exempted marine mammals or marine mammal products.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... effective date of the foreign law making the taking or sale, as the case may be, of such marine mammals or... mammals or marine mammal products. (a) The provisions of the Act and these regulations shall not apply: (1... marine mammal portion of such product consists solely of a marine mammal taken before such date. (b) The...

50 CFR 18.25 - Exempted marine mammals or marine mammal products.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... effective date of the foreign law making the taking or sale, as the case may be, of such marine mammals or... mammals or marine mammal products. (a) The provisions of the Act and these regulations shall not apply: (1... marine mammal portion of such product consists solely of a marine mammal taken before such date. (b) The...

50 CFR 18.25 - Exempted marine mammals or marine mammal products.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... effective date of the foreign law making the taking or sale, as the case may be, of such marine mammals or... mammals or marine mammal products. (a) The provisions of the Act and these regulations shall not apply: (1... marine mammal portion of such product consists solely of a marine mammal taken before such date. (b) The...

The Intelligent Anatomy Spotter: A New Approach to Incorporate Higher Levels of Bloom's Taxonomy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Choudhury, Bipasha; Gouldsborough, Ingrid; Shaw, Frances L.

2016-01-01

The spotter test is an assessment that has been used widely to test practical knowledge of anatomy. Traditional spotter formats often focus solely on knowledge recall, in addition to being an onerous marking burden on staff where consistency in marking free text responses can be questioned. First-year optometry students at the University of…

78 FR 61958 - New England Hydropower Company, LLC; Notice of Preliminary Permit Application Accepted for Filing...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-10-08

... located on Quinnipiac River, near the city of Meriden, in New Haven County, Connecticut. The sole purpose...' express permission. The proposed project would consist of the following: (1) An existing 25-foot-high, 430-foot-long earth embankment dam with four low-level, sluice gates and a 242-foot-long concrete spillway...

78 FR 58534 - White Pine Waterpower, LLC; Notice of Preliminary Permit Application Accepted for Filing and...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-09-24

... the town of Ely, White Pine County, Nevada. The sole purpose of a preliminary permit, if issued, is to... consist of the following: (1) An artificially lined, upper reservoir having a capacity of 5,535 acre- feet at 8,550 feet above mean sea level (msl); (2) an artificially lined, lower reservoir having a...

32 CFR 1636.8 - Considerations relevant to granting or denying a claim for classification as a conscientious...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... 32 National Defense 6 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Considerations relevant to granting or denying a... objection is not solely a matter of expediency. A recent crystallization of beliefs does not in itself... in response to war and weapons which is consistent with his stated beliefs. Instances of violent acts...

32 CFR 1636.8 - Considerations relevant to granting or denying a claim for classification as a conscientious...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 32 National Defense 6 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Considerations relevant to granting or denying a... objection is not solely a matter of expediency. A recent crystallization of beliefs does not in itself... in response to war and weapons which is consistent with his stated beliefs. Instances of violent acts...

32 CFR 1636.8 - Considerations relevant to granting or denying a claim for classification as a conscientious...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... 32 National Defense 6 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Considerations relevant to granting or denying a... objection is not solely a matter of expediency. A recent crystallization of beliefs does not in itself... in response to war and weapons which is consistent with his stated beliefs. Instances of violent acts...

32 CFR 1636.8 - Considerations relevant to granting or denying a claim for classification as a conscientious...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... 32 National Defense 6 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Considerations relevant to granting or denying a... objection is not solely a matter of expediency. A recent crystallization of beliefs does not in itself... in response to war and weapons which is consistent with his stated beliefs. Instances of violent acts...

32 CFR 1636.8 - Considerations relevant to granting or denying a claim for classification as a conscientious...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 32 National Defense 6 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Considerations relevant to granting or denying a... objection is not solely a matter of expediency. A recent crystallization of beliefs does not in itself... in response to war and weapons which is consistent with his stated beliefs. Instances of violent acts...

Complete Genome Sequence of Dehalobacterium formicoaceticum Strain DMC, a Strictly Anaerobic Dichloromethane-Degrading Bacterium

DOE PAGES

Chen, Gao; Murdoch, Robert W.; Mack, E. Erin; ...

2017-09-14

Dehalobacterium formicoaceticum utilizes dichloromethane as the sole energy source in defined anoxic bicarbonate-buffered mineral salt medium. The products are formate, acetate, inorganic chloride, and biomass. The bacterium’s genome was sequenced using PacBio, assembled, and annotated. The complete genome consists of one 3.77-Mb circular chromosome harboring 3,935 predicted protein-encoding genes.

Predicting and Projecting Stand Dominant Height From Inventory Data For Young Longleaf Pine Plantations in Southwest Georgia

Treesearch

John R. Brooks

2004-01-01

A stand dominant height prediction technique, based solely on diameter distribution and total height data from standard inventory procedures, was investigated. The data consist of 15 managed longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) plantations that are part of a growth and yield study located in Worth, Mitchell, and Baker counties in southwest Georgia....

Complete Genome Sequence of Dehalobacterium formicoaceticum Strain DMC, a Strictly Anaerobic Dichloromethane-Degrading Bacterium

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

Chen, Gao; Murdoch, Robert W.; Mack, E. Erin

Dehalobacterium formicoaceticum utilizes dichloromethane as the sole energy source in defined anoxic bicarbonate-buffered mineral salt medium. The products are formate, acetate, inorganic chloride, and biomass. The bacterium’s genome was sequenced using PacBio, assembled, and annotated. The complete genome consists of one 3.77-Mb circular chromosome harboring 3,935 predicted protein-encoding genes.

A Descriptive Study of the Factors Influencing Middle School Choice in a Diverse Magnet School District in Northern New Jersey

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Anemone, Alex

2008-01-01

Since their creation over two centuries ago, public schools have been coupled with students via geographical zones. Bolstered by compulsory attendance laws, public schools have a very consistent clientele. Based solely on where they resided, students were required to attend specific schools between Kindergarten and Grade 12. Schools have, in…

50 CFR 403.04 - Determinations and hearings under section 109(c) of the MMPA.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... management program the state must provide for a process, consistent with section 109(c) of the Act, to... must include the elements set forth below. (b) Basis, purpose, and scope. The process set forth in this... made solely on the basis of the record developed at the hearing. The state agency in making its final...

Food sharing in vampire bats: reciprocal help predicts donations more than relatedness or harassment

PubMed Central

Carter, Gerald G.; Wilkinson, Gerald S.

2013-01-01

Common vampire bats often regurgitate food to roost-mates that fail to feed. The original explanation for this costly helping behaviour invoked both direct and indirect fitness benefits. Several authors have since suggested that food sharing is maintained solely by indirect fitness because non-kin food sharing could have resulted from kin recognition errors, indiscriminate altruism within groups, or harassment. To test these alternatives, we examined predictors of food-sharing decisions under controlled conditions of mixed relatedness and equal familiarity. Over a 2 year period, we individually fasted 20 vampire bats (Desmodus rotundus) and induced food sharing on 48 days. Surprisingly, donors initiated food sharing more often than recipients, which is inconsistent with harassment. Food received was the best predictor of food given across dyads, and 8.5 times more important than relatedness. Sixty-four per cent of sharing dyads were unrelated, approaching the 67 per cent expected if nepotism was absent. Consistent with social bonding, the food-sharing network was consistent and correlated with mutual allogrooming. Together with past work, these findings support the hypothesis that food sharing in vampire bats provides mutual direct fitness benefits, and is not explained solely by kin selection or harassment. PMID:23282995

Food sharing in vampire bats: reciprocal help predicts donations more than relatedness or harassment.

PubMed

Carter, Gerald G; Wilkinson, Gerald S

2013-02-22

Common vampire bats often regurgitate food to roost-mates that fail to feed. The original explanation for this costly helping behaviour invoked both direct and indirect fitness benefits. Several authors have since suggested that food sharing is maintained solely by indirect fitness because non-kin food sharing could have resulted from kin recognition errors, indiscriminate altruism within groups, or harassment. To test these alternatives, we examined predictors of food-sharing decisions under controlled conditions of mixed relatedness and equal familiarity. Over a 2 year period, we individually fasted 20 vampire bats (Desmodus rotundus) and induced food sharing on 48 days. Surprisingly, donors initiated food sharing more often than recipients, which is inconsistent with harassment. Food received was the best predictor of food given across dyads, and 8.5 times more important than relatedness. Sixty-four per cent of sharing dyads were unrelated, approaching the 67 per cent expected if nepotism was absent. Consistent with social bonding, the food-sharing network was consistent and correlated with mutual allogrooming. Together with past work, these findings support the hypothesis that food sharing in vampire bats provides mutual direct fitness benefits, and is not explained solely by kin selection or harassment.

36 CFR § 705.2 - Authority.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... DISTRIBUTION OF NEWS TRANSMISSIONS UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE AMERICAN TELEVISION AND RADIO ARCHIVES ACT § 705... program which consists of a regularly scheduled newscast or on-the-spot coverage of news events, to...

Accuracy and consistency of grass pollen identification by human analysts using electron micrographs of surface ornamentation1

PubMed Central

Mander, Luke; Baker, Sarah J.; Belcher, Claire M.; Haselhorst, Derek S.; Rodriguez, Jacklyn; Thorn, Jessica L.; Tiwari, Shivangi; Urrego, Dunia H.; Wesseln, Cassandra J.; Punyasena, Surangi W.

2014-01-01

• Premise of the study: Humans frequently identify pollen grains at a taxonomic rank above species. Grass pollen is a classic case of this situation, which has led to the development of computational methods for identifying grass pollen species. This paper aims to provide context for these computational methods by quantifying the accuracy and consistency of human identification. • Methods: We measured the ability of nine human analysts to identify 12 species of grass pollen using scanning electron microscopy images. These are the same images that were used in computational identifications. We have measured the coverage, accuracy, and consistency of each analyst, and investigated their ability to recognize duplicate images. • Results: Coverage ranged from 87.5% to 100%. Mean identification accuracy ranged from 46.67% to 87.5%. The identification consistency of each analyst ranged from 32.5% to 87.5%, and each of the nine analysts produced considerably different identification schemes. The proportion of duplicate image pairs that were missed ranged from 6.25% to 58.33%. • Discussion: The identification errors made by each analyst, which result in a decline in accuracy and consistency, are likely related to psychological factors such as the limited capacity of human memory, fatigue and boredom, recency effects, and positivity bias. PMID:25202649

An Application of the Phosphorus Consistent Rule for Environmentally Acceptable Cost-Efficient Management of Broiler Litter in Crop Production

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Paudel, Krishna P.; Limaye, Ashutosh; Adhikari, Murali; Martin, Neil R., Jr.

2004-01-01

We calculated the profitability of using broiler litter as a source of plant nutrients using the phosphorus consistent litter application rule. The cost saving by using litter is 37% over the use of chemical fertilizer-only option to meet the nutrient needs of major crops grown in Alabama. In the optimal solution, only a few routes of all the possible routes developed were used for inter- and intra- county litter hauling. If litter is not adopted as the sole source of crop nutrients, the best environmental policy may be to pair the phosphorus consistent rule with taxes, marketable permits, and subsidies.flaws

Architecture Study on Telemetry Coverage for Immediate Post-Separation Phase

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cheung, Kar-Ming; Lee, Charles; Kellogg, Kent; Stocklin, Frank; Zillig, David; Fielhauer, Karl

2008-01-01

This document is the viewgraphs that accompanies a paper that presents the preliminary results of an architecture study that provides continuous telemetry coverage for NASA missions for immediate post-separation phase. After launch when the spacecraft separated from the upper stage, the spacecraft typically executes a number of mission-critical operations prior to the deployment of solar panels and the activation of the primary communication subsystem. JPL, GSFC, and APL have similar design principle statements that require continuous coverage of mission-critical telemetry during the immediate post-separation phase. To conform to these design principles, an architecture that consists of a separate spacecraft transmitter and a robust communication network capable of tracking the spacecraft signals is needed. The main results of this study are as follows: 1) At low altitude (< 10000 km) when most post-separation critical operations are executed, Earth-based network (e.g. Deep Space Network (DSN)) can only provide limited coverage, whereas space-based network (e.g. Space Network (SN)) can provide continuous coverage. 2) Commercial-off-the-shelf SN compatible transmitters are available for small satellite applications. In this paper we present the detailed coverage analysis of Earth-based and Space-based networks. We identify the key functional and performance requirements of the architecture, and describe the proposed selection criteria of the spacecraft transmitter. We conclude the paper with a proposed forward plan.

CORNAS: coverage-dependent RNA-Seq analysis of gene expression data without biological replicates.

PubMed

Low, Joel Z B; Khang, Tsung Fei; Tammi, Martti T

2017-12-28

In current statistical methods for calling differentially expressed genes in RNA-Seq experiments, the assumption is that an adjusted observed gene count represents an unknown true gene count. This adjustment usually consists of a normalization step to account for heterogeneous sample library sizes, and then the resulting normalized gene counts are used as input for parametric or non-parametric differential gene expression tests. A distribution of true gene counts, each with a different probability, can result in the same observed gene count. Importantly, sequencing coverage information is currently not explicitly incorporated into any of the statistical models used for RNA-Seq analysis. We developed a fast Bayesian method which uses the sequencing coverage information determined from the concentration of an RNA sample to estimate the posterior distribution of a true gene count. Our method has better or comparable performance compared to NOISeq and GFOLD, according to the results from simulations and experiments with real unreplicated data. We incorporated a previously unused sequencing coverage parameter into a procedure for differential gene expression analysis with RNA-Seq data. Our results suggest that our method can be used to overcome analytical bottlenecks in experiments with limited number of replicates and low sequencing coverage. The method is implemented in CORNAS (Coverage-dependent RNA-Seq), and is available at https://github.com/joel-lzb/CORNAS .

Complete genome sequence of the phenanthrene-degrading soil bacterium Delftia acidovorans Cs1-4

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

Shetty, Ameesha R.; de Gannes, Vidya; Obi, Chioma C.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are ubiquitous environmental pollutants and microbial biodegradation is an important means of remediation of PAH-contaminated soil. Delftia acidovorans Cs1-4 (formerly Delftia sp. Cs1-4) was isolated by using phenanthrene as the sole carbon source from PAH contaminated soil in Wisconsin. Its full genome sequence was determined to gain insights into a mechanisms underlying biodegradation of PAH. Three genomic libraries were constructed and sequenced: an Illumina GAii shotgun library (916,416,493 reads), a 454 Titanium standard library (770,171 reads) and one paired-end 454 library (average insert size of 8 kb, 508,092 reads). The initial assembly contained 40 contigs inmore » two scaffolds. The 454 Titanium standard data and the 454 paired end data were assembled together and the consensus sequences were computationally shredded into 2 kb overlapping shreds. Illumina sequencing data was assembled, and the consensus sequence was computationally shredded into 1.5 kb overlapping shreds. Gaps between contigs were closed by editing in Consed, by PCR and by Bubble PCR primer walks. A total of 182 additional reactions were needed to close gaps and to raise the quality of the finished sequence. The final assembly is based on 253.3 Mb of 454 draft data (averaging 38.4 X coverage) and 590.2 Mb of Illumina draft data (averaging 89.4 X coverage). The genome of strain Cs1-4 consists of a single circular chromosome of 6,685,842 bp (66.7 %G+C) containing 6,028 predicted genes; 5,931 of these genes were protein-encoding and 4,425 gene products were assigned to a putative function. Genes encoding phenanthrene degradation were localized to a 232 kb genomic island (termed the phn island), which contained near its 3’ end a bacteriophage P4-like integrase, an enzyme often associated with chromosomal integration of mobile genetic elements. Other biodegradation pathways reconstructed from the genome sequence included: benzoate (by the acetyl-CoA pathway), styrene, nicotinic acid (by the maleamate pathway) and the pesticides Dicamba and Fenitrothion. Lastly, determination of the complete genome sequence of D. acidovorans Cs1-4 has provided new insights the microbial mechanisms of PAH biodegradation that may shape the process in the environment.« less

Complete genome sequence of the phenanthrene-degrading soil bacterium Delftia acidovorans Cs1-4

DOE PAGES

Shetty, Ameesha R.; de Gannes, Vidya; Obi, Chioma C.; ...

2015-08-15

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are ubiquitous environmental pollutants and microbial biodegradation is an important means of remediation of PAH-contaminated soil. Delftia acidovorans Cs1-4 (formerly Delftia sp. Cs1-4) was isolated by using phenanthrene as the sole carbon source from PAH contaminated soil in Wisconsin. Its full genome sequence was determined to gain insights into a mechanisms underlying biodegradation of PAH. Three genomic libraries were constructed and sequenced: an Illumina GAii shotgun library (916,416,493 reads), a 454 Titanium standard library (770,171 reads) and one paired-end 454 library (average insert size of 8 kb, 508,092 reads). The initial assembly contained 40 contigs inmore » two scaffolds. The 454 Titanium standard data and the 454 paired end data were assembled together and the consensus sequences were computationally shredded into 2 kb overlapping shreds. Illumina sequencing data was assembled, and the consensus sequence was computationally shredded into 1.5 kb overlapping shreds. Gaps between contigs were closed by editing in Consed, by PCR and by Bubble PCR primer walks. A total of 182 additional reactions were needed to close gaps and to raise the quality of the finished sequence. The final assembly is based on 253.3 Mb of 454 draft data (averaging 38.4 X coverage) and 590.2 Mb of Illumina draft data (averaging 89.4 X coverage). The genome of strain Cs1-4 consists of a single circular chromosome of 6,685,842 bp (66.7 %G+C) containing 6,028 predicted genes; 5,931 of these genes were protein-encoding and 4,425 gene products were assigned to a putative function. Genes encoding phenanthrene degradation were localized to a 232 kb genomic island (termed the phn island), which contained near its 3’ end a bacteriophage P4-like integrase, an enzyme often associated with chromosomal integration of mobile genetic elements. Other biodegradation pathways reconstructed from the genome sequence included: benzoate (by the acetyl-CoA pathway), styrene, nicotinic acid (by the maleamate pathway) and the pesticides Dicamba and Fenitrothion. Lastly, determination of the complete genome sequence of D. acidovorans Cs1-4 has provided new insights the microbial mechanisms of PAH biodegradation that may shape the process in the environment.« less

State of inequality in malaria intervention coverage in sub-Saharan African countries.

PubMed

Galactionova, Katya; Smith, Thomas A; de Savigny, Don; Penny, Melissa A

2017-10-18

Scale-up of malaria interventions over the last decade have yielded a significant reduction in malaria transmission and disease burden in sub-Saharan Africa. We estimated economic gradients in the distribution of these efforts and of their impacts within and across endemic countries. Using Demographic and Health Surveys we computed equity metrics to characterize the distribution of malaria interventions in 30 endemic countries proxying economic position with an asset-wealth index. Gradients were summarized in a concentration index, tabulated against level of coverage, and compared among interventions, across countries, and against respective trends over the period 2005-2015. There remain broad differences in coverage of malaria interventions and their distribution by wealth within and across countries. In most, economic gradients are lacking or favor the poorest for vector control; malaria services delivered through the formal healthcare sector are much less equitable. Scale-up of interventions in many countries improved access across the wealth continuum; in some, these efforts consistently prioritized the poorest. Expansions in control programs generally narrowed coverage gaps between economic strata; gradients persist in countries where growth was slower in the poorest quintile or where baseline inequality was large. Despite progress, malaria is consistently concentrated in the poorest, with the degree of inequality in burden far surpassing that expected given gradients in the distribution of interventions. Economic gradients in the distribution of interventions persist over time, limiting progress toward equity in malaria control. We found that, in countries with large baseline inequality in the distribution of interventions, even a small bias in expansion favoring the least poor yielded large gradients in intervention coverage while pro-poor growth failed to close the gap between the poorest and least poor. We demonstrated that dimensions of disadvantage compound for the poor; a lack of economic gradients in the distribution of malaria services does not translate to equity in coverage nor can it be interpreted to imply equity in distribution of risk or disease burden. Our analysis testifies to the progress made by countries in narrowing economic gradients in malaria interventions and highlights the scope for continued monitoring of programs with respect to equity.

The impact of 24-hr, in-hospital pediatric critical care attending physician presence on process of care and patient outcomes*.

PubMed

Nishisaki, Akira; Pines, Jesse M; Lin, Richard; Helfaer, Mark A; Berg, Robert A; Tenhave, Thomas; Nadkarni, Vinay M

2012-07-01

Attending physicians are only required to provide in-hospital coverage during daytime hours in many pediatric intensive care units. An in-hospital 24-hr pediatric intensive care unit attending coverage model has been increasingly popular, but the impact of 24-hr, in-hospital attending coverage on care processes and outcomes has not been reported. We compared processes of care and outcomes before and after the implementation of a 24-hr in-hospital pediatric intensive care unit attending physician model. Retrospective comparison of before and after cohorts. A single large, academic tertiary medical/surgical pediatric intensive care unit. : Pediatric intensive care unit admissions in 2000-2006. Transition to 24-hr from 12-hr in-hospital pediatric critical care attending physician coverage model in January 2004. A total of 18,702 patients were admitted to intensive care unit: 8,520 in 24 hrs; 10,182 in 12 hrs. Duration of mechanical ventilation was lower (median 33 hrs [interquartile range 12-88] vs. 48 hrs [interquartile range 16-133], adjusted reduction of 35% [95% confidence interval 25%-44%], p < .001) and intensive care unit length of stay was shorter (median 2 days [interquartile range 1-4] vs. 2 days [interquartile range 1-5], adjusted p < .001) for 24 hr vs. 12 hr coverage. The reduction in mechanical ventilation hours was similar when noninvasive, mechanical ventilation was included in ventilation hours (median 42 hrs vs. 56 hrs, adjusted reduction in ventilation hours: 33% [95% confidence interval 20-45], p < .001). Intensive care unit mortality was not significantly different (2.2% vs. 2.5%, adjusted p =.23). These associations were consistent across daytime and nighttime admissions, weekend and weekday admissions, and among subgroups with higher Pediatric Risk of Mortality III scores, postsurgical patients, and histories of previous intensive care unit admission. Implementation of 24-hr in-hospital pediatric critical care attending coverage was associated with shorter duration of mechanical ventilation and shorter length of intensive care unit stay. After accounting for potential confounders, this finding was consistent across a broad spectrum of critically ill children.

Sources of health insurance and characteristics of the uninsured: analysis of the March 2007 Current Population Survey.

PubMed

Fronstin, Paul

2007-10-01

This Issue Brief provides historic data through 2006 on the number and percentage of nonelderly individuals with and without health insurance. Based on EBRI estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau's March 2007 Current Population Survey (CPS), it reflects 2006 data. It also discusses trends in coverage for the 1994-2006 period and highlights characteristics that typically indicate whether an individual is insured. HEALTH COVERAGE CONTINUES DECLINE: The percentage of the nonelderly population (under age 65) with health insurance coverage continued to decline, reaching to a post-1994 low of 82.1 percent in 2006. Declines in health insurance coverage have been recorded in all but four years since 1994, when 36.5 million nonelderly individuals were uninsured; in 2006, the uninsured population was 46.5 million. EMPLOYMENT-BASED COVERAGE REMAINS DOMINANT SOURCE OF HEALTH COVERAGE: Employment-based health benefits remain by far the most common form of health coverage in the United States, consistently covering 60-70 percent of nonelderly individuals. In 2006, 62.2 percent of the nonelderly population had employment-based health benefits, as compared with 64.4 percent in 1994. Between 1994 and 2000, the percentage of the nonelderly population with employment-based coverage expanded. Since 2000, the percentage has declined. PUBLIC PROGRAM COVERAGE IS STABLE: Public-sector health coverage was slightly lower as a percentage of the population in 2006, accounting for 17.5 percent of the nonelderly population. The decline was due to a drop in the percentage of the population covered by the Tricare/CHAMPVA program. Enrollment in Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program increased, reaching 34.9 million in 2006, and covering 13.4 percent of the nonelderly population, which is significantly above the 10.5 percent level of 1999, but not far above the 12.7 percent level of 1994. INDIVIDUAL COVERAGE STABLE: Individually purchased health coverage was unchanged in 2006 and has basically hovered in the high 6 and low 7 percent range since 1994. PRIVATE- VS. PUBLIC-COVERAGE TRENDS REVERSING: Health insurance coverage generally has not sustained unbroken trends since 1994. There were crosscurrents: Employment-based coverage expanded significantly in the 1994-2000 period to exceed the growth in public programs. Subsequently, the dynamic reversed, as public programs expanded while employment-based coverage declined. It appears that 2005 might be the beginning of a new trend, where the erosion in employment-based coverage is not being offset by expansions in public programs. This may be due to the fact that, while unemployment is relatively low, the cost of providing health benefits continues to increase faster than inflation.

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

Buis, Dennis R.; Lagerwaard, Frank J.; Dirven, Clemens M.F.

Purpose: To assess the dosimetric consequences of brain arteriovenous malformation (bAVM) delineation on magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) for the purpose of stereotactic radiosurgery. Methods and Materials: Three observers contoured a bAVM in 20 patients, using digital subtraction angiography (V{sub DSA}) and three-dimensional time-of-flight MRA (V{sub MRA}). Displacement between contours was calculated. Agreement and differences between observers and imaging modalities were assessed. A standardized treatment plan with dynamic conformal arcs was generated and dosimetric coverage of all contours and the volume of normal brain tissue within the high dose region was determined. Results: The generalized reliability coefficient was 'fair' for targetmore » volume (0.79), but 'poor' for displacement (0.35). V{sub MRA} was larger than V{sub DSA} (5.0 vs. 4.0 mL, p = 0.001). No difference in displacement was found (2.8 vs. 2.5 mm, p = 0.156). Dosimetric coverage of V{sub MRA} was 62.9% (95% CI, 56.9-68.8) when V{sub DSA} was used as planning target volume, and coverage of V{sub DSA} was 83.5% (95% CI, 78.1-88.8) when V{sub MRA} was used for planning (p < 0.001). The mean volume of normal brain within the 80% isodose was larger when the bAVM was delineated on MRA (0.7 vs. 1.0 mL (p = 0.02) for targets {<=}3 mL and 3.7 vs. 7.0 mL (p = 0.01) for targets >3 mL). Conclusions: Brain arteriovenous malformations delineated on MRA are larger and more randomly displaced. However, for bAVMs {<=}3 mL, the difference in volume of normal brain tissue within the high-dose region does not seem to be clinically relevant. Therefore, MRA-images might be used as the sole imaging modality for the radiosurgical treatment of bAVMs {<=}3 mL when the bAVM is located in a noneloquent position.« less

SU-E-T-10: A Clinical Implementation and the Dosimetric Evidence in High Dose Rate Vaginal Multichannel Applicator Brachytherapy

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

Syh, J; Syh, J; Patel, B

2015-06-15

Purpose: The multichannel cylindrical applicator has a distinctive modification of the traditional single channel cylindrical applicator. The novel multichannel applicator has additional peripheral channels that provide more flexibility both in treatment planning process and outcomes. To protect by reducing doses to adjacent organ at risk (OAR) while maintaining target coverage with inverse plan optimization are the goals for such novel Brachytherapy device. Through a series of comparison and analysis of reults in more than forty patients who received HDR Brachytherapy using multichannel vaginal applicator, this procedure has been implemented in our institution. Methods: Multichannel planning was CT image based. Themore » CTV of 5mm vaginal cuff rind with prescribed length was well reconstructed as well as bladder and rectum. At least D95 of CTV coverage is 95% of prescribed dose. Multichannel inverse plan optimization algorithm not only shapes target dose cloud but set dose avoids to OAR’s exclusively. The doses of D2cc, D5cc and D5; volume of V2Gy in OAR’s were selected to compare with single channel results when sole central channel is only possibility. Results: Study demonstrates plan superiorly in OAR’s doe reduction in multi-channel plan. The D2cc of the rectum and bladder were showing a little lower for multichannel vs. single channel. The V2Gy of the rectum was 93.72% vs. 83.79% (p=0.007) for single channel vs. multichannel respectively. Absolute reduced mean dose of D5 by multichannel was 17 cGy (s.d.=6.4) and 44 cGy (s.d.=15.2) in bladder and rectum respectively. Conclusion: The optimization solution in multichannel was to maintain D95 CTV coverage while reducing the dose to OAR’s. Dosimetric advantage in sparing critical organs by using a multichannel applicator in HDR Brachytherapy treatment of the vaginal cuff is so promising and has been implemented clinically.« less

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Screening for and Managing Identified Hypertension for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention in Vietnam

PubMed Central

Nguyen, Thi-Phuong-Lan; Wright, E. Pamela; Nguyen, Thanh-Trung; Schuiling-Veninga, C. C. M.; Bijlsma, M. J.; Nguyen, Thi-Bach-Yen; Postma, M. J.

2016-01-01

Objective To inform development of guidelines for hypertension management in Vietnam, we evaluated the cost-effectiveness of different strategies on screening for hypertension in preventing cardiovascular disease (CVD). Methods A decision tree was combined with a Markov model to measure incremental cost-effectiveness of different approaches to hypertension screening. Values used as input parameters for the model were taken from different sources. Various screening intervals (one-off, annually, biannually) and starting ages to screen (35, 45 or 55 years) and coverage of treatment were analysed. We ran both a ten-year and a lifetime horizon. Input parameters for the models were extracted from local and regional data. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis was used to evaluate parameter uncertainty. A threshold of three times GDP per capita was applied. Results Cost per quality adjusted life year (QALY) gained varied in different screening scenarios. In a ten-year horizon, the cost-effectiveness of screening for hypertension ranged from cost saving to Int$ 758,695 per QALY gained. For screening of men starting at 55 years, all screening scenarios gave a high probability of being cost-effective. For screening of females starting at 55 years, the probability of favourable cost-effectiveness was 90% with one-off screening. In a lifetime horizon, cost per QALY gained was lower than the threshold of Int$ 15,883 in all screening scenarios among males. Similar results were found in females when starting screening at 55 years. Starting screening in females at 45 years had a high probability of being cost-effective if screening biannually was combined with increasing coverage of treatment by 20% or even if sole biannual screening was considered. Conclusion From a health economic perspective, integrating screening for hypertension into routine medical examination and related coverage by health insurance could be recommended. Screening for hypertension has a high probability of being cost-effective in preventing CVD. An adequate screening strategy can best be selected based on age, sex and screening interval. PMID:27192051

A new low-profile visualized intraluminal support (LVIS) device, LVIS Blue: laboratory comparison between old and new LVIS.

PubMed

Chung, Joonho; Matsuda, Yoshikazu; Nelson, Jessica; Keigher, Kiffon; Lopes, Demetrius K

2018-01-01

Objectives The Low-profile Visualized Intraluminal Support (LVIS) device is a flexible intracranial stent. The first generation of this system had significant challenges in consistently providing good wall apposition and aneurysm neck coverage. A new modified LVIS, LVIS Blue (Blue), has been developed to address these issues. The purpose of this study is to report a laboratory comparison of wall apposition and aneurysm neck coverage between the original LVIS and Blue. Methods In bench-top experiments, we noted the visual appearance of the devices and evaluated changes in stent cell angles, neck coverage surface area (%), and stent cell crossing profile for microcatheters using a fusiform aneurysm model. Our in vitro experiments included evaluation of wall apposition and aneurysm neck coverage of the devices under direct radiographic visualization. Results Blue showed three definite different zones (a mid-zone, a high-density zone, and a transitional zone) and higher metal coverage in the straight fusiform aneurysm model compared to LVIS. Two commercially available microcatheters easily crossed the stent cell at the greater curvature for both devices. In in vitro experiments, Blue showed better wall apposition in tortuous arteries and achieved higher neck coverage in the bifurcation aneurysm compared to LVIS. Discussion Blue achieved better wall apposition in tortuous arteries and higher aneurysm neck coverage (higher metal-to-artery ratio) in bifurcation aneurysms than LVIS. Our results may provide informative physical properties of LVIS and Blue to be expected when those are used for stent-assisted coil embolization of a large-giant fusiform aneurysm or a bifurcation saccular aneurysm clinically.

Doubling Pharmacist Coverage in the Intensive Care Unit: Impact on the Pharmacists' Clinical Activities and Team Members' Satisfaction.

PubMed

McDaniel, Joshua; Bass, Lynn; Pate, Toni; DeValve, Michael; Miller, Susan

2017-09-01

Background: National professional organizations have recognized pharmacists as essential members of the intensive care unit (ICU) team. Critical care pharmacists' clinical activities have been categorized as fundamental, desirable, and optimal, providing a structure for gauging ICU pharmacy services being provided. Objective: To determine the impact the addition of a second ICU pharmacist covering 30 adult ICU beds at a large regional medical center has on the complexity of pharmacists' interventions, the types of clinical activities performed by the pharmacists, and the ICU team members' satisfaction. Methods: A prospective mixed-method descriptive study was conducted. Pharmacists recorded their interventions and clinical activities performed. A focus group composed of randomly selected ICU team members was held to qualitatively describe the impact of the additional pharmacist coverage on patient care, team dynamics, and pharmacy services provided. Results: The baseline period consisted of 33 days, and the intervention period consisted of 20 days. The average complexity of interventions was 1.72 during the baseline period (mode = 2) versus 1.69 (mode = 2) during the intervention period. The number of desirable and optimal clinical activities performed daily increased during the intervention from 8.4 (n = 279) to 16.4 (n = 328) and 2.3 (n = 75) to 8.6 (n = 171) compared with the baseline, respectively. Focus group members qualitatively described additional pharmacist coverage as beneficial. Conclusion: The additional critical care pharmacist did not increase pharmacy intervention complexity; however, more interventions were performed per day. Additional pharmacist coverage increased the daily number of desirable and optimal clinical activities performed and positively impacted ICU team members' satisfaction.

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

Petrik, Nikolay G.; Henderson, Michael A.; Kimmel, Gregory A.

Angle-resolved photon stimulated desorption (PSD) combined with infrared reflection-adsorption spectroscopy and temperature programmed desorption reveal two distinct channels in the photochemistry of acetone on rutile TiO₂(110) surface. During UV irradiation of co-adsorbed oxygen and acetone molecules, methyl radicals (CH₃) are ejected in two different directions: i) normal to the surface and ii) off-normal at ~±66° to the surface normal in the azimuth (i.e. perpendicular to the rows of bridging oxygen and Ti atoms). Both components are relatively narrow and non-cosine, indicating non-thermal evolution of CH₃ radicals. The direction of the “off-normal” PSD component is consistent with orientation of the C–CH₃more » bonds in the n²-acetone diolate—a photoactive form of acetone chemisorption on the oxidized TiO₂(110) surface proposed earlier from experimental and theoretical studies. The direction of the “normal” PSD component requires an orientation of a C–CH₃ bond which is not consistent with the n²-acetone diolate structure. The angular distribution of the CH₃ PSD depends on the acetone coverage. The “off-normal” PSD component dominates at lower acetone coverage (< 0.2 ML), but does not increase at higher coverages in accord with the acetone diolate peak intensity in the infrared reflection-absorption spectra. The “normal” PSD component grows with the acetone coverage up to 0.6 ML. The newly discovered “normal” PSD channel is tentatively assigned to a photo-produced n²- acetone enolate as a potential precursor based on the H/D exchange experiments« less

Do selective immunisation against tuberculosis and hepatitis B reach the targeted populations? A nationwide register-based study evaluating the recommendations in the Norwegian Childhood Immunisation Programme.

PubMed

Feiring, Berit; Laake, Ida; Molden, Tor; Håberg, Siri E; Nøkleby, Hanne; Seterelv, Siri Schøyen; Magnus, Per; Trogstad, Lill

2016-04-12

Selective immunisation is an alternative to universal vaccination if children at increased risk of disease can be identified. Within the Norwegian Childhood Immunisation Programme, BCG vaccine against tuberculosis and vaccine against hepatitis B virus (HBV) are offered only to children with parents from countries with high burden of the respective disease. We wanted to study whether this selective immunisation policy reaches the targeted groups. The study population was identified through the Norwegian Central Population Registry and consisted of all children born in Norway 2007-2010 and residing in Norway until their second birthday, in total 240,484 children. Information on vaccinations from the Norwegian Immunisation Registry, and on parental country of birth from Statistics Norway, was linked to the population registry by personal identifiers. The coverage of BCG and HBV vaccine was compared with the coverage of vaccines in the universal programme. Among the study population, 16.1% and 15.9% belonged to the target groups for BCG and HBV vaccine, respectively. Among children in the BCG target group the BCG vaccine coverage was lower than the coverage of pertussis and measles vaccine (83.6% vs. 98.6% and 92.3%, respectively). Likewise, the HBV vaccine coverage was lower than the coverage of pertussis and measles vaccine in the HBV target group (90.0% vs. 98.6% and 92.3%, respectively). The coverage of the targeted vaccines was highest among children with parents from South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. The coverage of vaccines in the universal programme was similar in targeted and non-targeted groups. Children targeted by selective vaccination had lower coverage of the target vaccines than of vaccines in the universal programme, indicating that selective vaccination is challenging. Improved routines for identifying eligible children and delivering the target vaccines are needed. Universal vaccination of all children with these vaccines could be considered. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Full prescription coverage versus usual prescription coverage after coronary artery bypass graft surgery: analysis from the post-myocardial infarction free Rx event and economic evaluation (FREEE) randomized trial.

PubMed

Kulik, Alexander; Desai, Nihar R; Shrank, William H; Antman, Elliott M; Glynn, Robert J; Levin, Raisa; Reisman, Lonny; Brennan, Troyen; Choudhry, Niteesh K

2013-09-10

Eliminating out-of-pocket costs for patients after myocardial infarction (MI) improves adherence to preventive therapies and reduces clinical events. Because adherence to medical therapy is low among patients treated with coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG), we evaluated the impact of providing full prescription coverage to this patient subgroup. The MI Free Rx Event and Economic Evaluation (FREEE) trial randomly assigned 5855 patients with MI to full prescription coverage or usual formulary coverage for all statins, β-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, or angiotensin receptor blockers. We assessed the impact of full prescription coverage on adherence, clinical outcomes, and healthcare costs using adjusted models among the 1052 patients who underwent CABG at the index hospitalization and 4803 who did not. CABG patients were older and had more comorbid illness (P<0.01). After MI, CABG patients were significantly more likely to receive β-blockers and statins but were less likely to receive angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker therapy (P<0.01). Receiving full drug coverage increased rates of adherence to all preventative medications after CABG (all P<0.05). Full coverage was also associated with nonsignificant reductions in the rate of major vascular events or revascularization for patients treated with CABG (hazard ratio, 0.91; 95% confidence interval, 0.66-1.25) or without CABG (hazard ratio, 0.93; 95% confidence interval, 0.82-1.06), with no interaction noted (Pint=NS). After CABG, full prescription coverage significantly reduced patient out-of-pocket spending for drugs (P=0.001) without increasing overall health expenditures (P=NS). Eliminating drug copayments after MI provides consistent benefits to patients treated with or without CABG, leading to increased medication adherence, trends toward improved clinical outcomes, and reduced patient out-of-pocket expenses.

High resolution age-structured mapping of childhood vaccination coverage in low and middle income countries.

PubMed

Utazi, C Edson; Thorley, Julia; Alegana, Victor A; Ferrari, Matthew J; Takahashi, Saki; Metcalf, C Jessica E; Lessler, Justin; Tatem, Andrew J

2018-03-14

The expansion of childhood vaccination programs in low and middle income countries has been a substantial public health success story. Indicators of the performance of intervention programmes such as coverage levels and numbers covered are typically measured through national statistics or at the scale of large regions due to survey design, administrative convenience or operational limitations. These mask heterogeneities and 'coldspots' of low coverage that may allow diseases to persist, even if overall coverage is high. Hence, to decrease inequities and accelerate progress towards disease elimination goals, fine-scale variation in coverage should be better characterized. Using measles as an example, cluster-level Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) data were used to map vaccination coverage at 1 km spatial resolution in Cambodia, Mozambique and Nigeria for varying age-group categories of children under five years, using Bayesian geostatistical techniques built on a suite of publicly available geospatial covariates and implemented via Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) methods. Measles vaccination coverage was found to be strongly predicted by just 4-5 covariates in geostatistical models, with remoteness consistently selected as a key variable. The output 1 × 1 km maps revealed significant heterogeneities within the three countries that were not captured using province-level summaries. Integration with population data showed that at the time of the surveys, few districts attained the 80% coverage, that is one component of the WHO Global Vaccine Action Plan 2020 targets. The elimination of vaccine-preventable diseases requires a strong evidence base to guide strategies and inform efficient use of limited resources. The approaches outlined here provide a route to moving beyond large area summaries of vaccination coverage that mask epidemiologically-important heterogeneities to detailed maps that capture subnational vulnerabilities. The output datasets are built on open data and methods, and in flexible format that can be aggregated to more operationally-relevant administrative unit levels. Copyright © 2018 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Crude childhood vaccination coverage in West Africa: Trends and predictors of completeness.

PubMed

Kazungu, Jacob S; Adetifa, Ifedayo M O

2017-02-15

Background : Africa has the lowest childhood vaccination coverage worldwide. If the full benefits of childhood vaccination programmes are to be enjoyed in sub-Saharan Africa, all countries need to improve on vaccine delivery to achieve and sustain high coverage. In this paper, we review trends in vaccination coverage, dropouts between vaccine doses and explored the country-specific predictors of complete vaccination in West Africa.  Methods : We utilized datasets from the Demographic and Health Surveys Program, available for Benin, Burkina Faso, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Cote d'Ivoire, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo, to obtain coverage for Bacillus Calmette-Guerin, polio, measles, and diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus (DPT) vaccines in children aged 12 - 23 months. We also calculated the DPT1-to-DPT3 and DPT1-to-measles dropouts, and proportions of the fully immunised child (FIC). Factors predictive of FIC were explored using Chi-squared tests and multivariable logistic regression.  Results : Overall, there was a trend of increasing vaccination coverage. The proportion of FIC varied significantly by country (range 24.1-81.4%, mean 49%). DPT1-to-DPT3 dropout was high (range 5.1% -33.9%, mean 16.3%). Similarly, DPT1-measles dropout exceeded 10% in all but four countries. Although no single risk factor was consistently associated with FIC across these countries, maternal education, delivery in a health facility, possessing a vaccine card and a recent post delivery visit to a health facility were the key predictors of complete vaccination.  Conclusions : The low numbers of fully immunised children and high dropout between vaccine doses highlights weaknesses and the need to strengthen the healthcare and routine immunization delivery systems in this region. Country-specific correlates of complete vaccination should be explored further to identify interventions required to increase vaccination coverage. Despite the promise of an increasing trend in vaccination coverage in West African countries, more effort is required to attain and maintain global vaccination coverage targets.

Improved Spacecraft Tracking and Navigation Using a Portable Radio Science Receiver

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Soriano, Melissa; Jacobs, Christopher; Navarro, Robert; Naudet, Charles; Rogstad, Stephen; White, Leslie; Finley, Susan; Goodhart, Charles; Sigman, Elliott; Trinh, Joseph

2013-01-01

The Portable Radio Science Receiver (PRSR) is a suitcase-sized open-loop digital receiver designed to be small and easy to transport so that it can be deployed quickly and easily anywhere in the world. The PRSR digitizes, downconverts, and filters using custom hardware, firmware, and software. Up to 16 channels can be independently configured and recorded with a total data rate of up to 256 Mbps. The design and implementation of the system's hardware, firmware, and software is described. To minimize costs and time to deployment, our design leveraged elements of the hardware, firmware, and software designs from the existing full-sized operational (non-portable) Radio Science Receivers (RSR) and Wideband VLBI Science Receivers (WVSR), which have successfully supported flagship NASA deep space missions at all Deep Space Network (DSN) sites. We discuss a demonstration of the PRSR using VLBI, with one part per billion angular resolution: 1 nano-radian / 200 ?as synthesized beam. This is the highest resolution astronomical instrument ever operated solely from the Southern Hemisphere. Preliminary results from two sites are presented, including the European Space Agency (ESA) sites at Cebreros, Spain and Malargue, Argentina. Malargue's South American location is of special interest because it greatly improves the geometric coverage for spacecraft navigation in the Southern Hemisphere and will for the first time provide coverage to the 1/4 of the range of declination that has been excluded from reference frame work at Ka-band.

An automatic markerless registration method for neurosurgical robotics based on an optical camera.

PubMed

Meng, Fanle; Zhai, Fangwen; Zeng, Bowei; Ding, Hui; Wang, Guangzhi

2018-02-01

Current markerless registration methods for neurosurgical robotics use the facial surface to match the robot space with the image space, and acquisition of the facial surface usually requires manual interaction and constrains the patient to a supine position. To overcome these drawbacks, we propose a registration method that is automatic and does not constrain patient position. An optical camera attached to the robot end effector captures images around the patient's head from multiple views. Then, high coverage of the head surface is reconstructed from the images through multi-view stereo vision. Since the acquired head surface point cloud contains color information, a specific mark that is manually drawn on the patient's head prior to the capture procedure can be extracted to automatically accomplish coarse registration rather than using facial anatomic landmarks. Then, fine registration is achieved by registering the high coverage of the head surface without relying solely on the facial region, thus eliminating patient position constraints. The head surface was acquired by the camera with a good repeatability accuracy. The average target registration error of 8 different patient positions measured with targets inside a head phantom was [Formula: see text], while the mean surface registration error was [Formula: see text]. The method proposed in this paper achieves automatic markerless registration in multiple patient positions and guarantees registration accuracy inside the head. This method provides a new approach for establishing the spatial relationship between the image space and the robot space.

75 FR 27548 - White Pine Waterpower, LLC; Notice of Preliminary Permit Application Accepted For Filing and...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-05-17

..., Nevada, near the town of Ely. The sole purpose of a preliminary permit, if issued, is to grant the permit... consist of the following: (1) A 210-foot-high upper, rockfill dam; (2) an upper artificial, lined reservoir with a surface area of about 74 acres and volume of approximately 4,938 acre-feet at normal water...

76 FR 77996 - FFP Project 9 LLC; Notice of Preliminary Permit Application Accepted for Filing and Soliciting...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-12-15

... Water Supply District, located on the Pearl River, in Rankin and Hinds Counties, Mississippi. The sole...' express permission. The proposed project would consist of: (1) A 23,400-foot-long, 64- foot-high earthen dam; (2) a reservoir with a surface area of 32,000 acres and a storage capacity of 341,000 acre-feet...

Towards A Possible Therapy for Diabetes Complications

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-12-01

Towards A Possible Therapy for Diabetes Complications PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Massimo Trucco, M.D...September 2014 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE Towards A Possible Therapy for Diabetes Complications 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER 5b. GRANT NUMBER W81XWH-10-1-1055...of the beta cells. Consistently with this view, the standard of care for diabetic , and especially T1D patients is solely insulin-replacement therapy

Mathematics Student Teachers' Epistemological Beliefs about the Nature of Mathematics and the Goals of Mathematics Teaching and Learning in the Beginning of Their Studies

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Viholainen, Antti; Asikainen, Mervi; Hirvonen, Pekka E.

2014-01-01

This article examines Finnish mathematics student teachers' epistemological beliefs concerning the nature of mathematics and the goals of mathematics teaching and learning solely in the beginning of their studies at university. A total of 18 students participated in a study consisting of a short questionnaire and interviews. The data was analyzed…

The Multitheoretical List of Therapeutic Interventions - 30 items (MULTI-30).

PubMed

Solomonov, Nili; McCarthy, Kevin S; Gorman, Bernard S; Barber, Jacques P

2018-01-16

To develop a brief version of the Multitheoretical List of Therapeutic Interventions (MULTI-60) in order to decrease completion time burden by approximately half, while maintaining content coverage. Study 1 aimed to select 30 items. Study 2 aimed to examine the reliability and internal consistency of the MULTI-30. Study 3 aimed to validate the MULTI-30 and ensure content coverage. In Study 1, the sample included 186 therapist and 255 patient MULTI ratings, and 164 ratings of sessions coded by trained observers. Internal consistency (Chronbach's alpha and McDonald's omega) was calculated and confirmatory factor analysis was conducted. Psychotherapy experts rated content relevance. Study 2 included a sample of 644 patient and 522 therapist ratings, and 793 codings of psychotherapy sessions. In Study 3, the sample included 33 codings of sessions. A series of regression analyses was conducted to examine replication of previously published findings using the MULTI-30. The MULTI-30 was found valid, reliable, and internally consistent across 2564 ratings examined across the three studies presented. The MULTI-30 a brief and reliable process measure. Future studies are required for further validation.

7 CFR 1737.21 - The completed loan application.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... application consists of four parts: (1) A completed RUS Form 490. (2) A market survey called the Area Coverage Survey (ACS). (3) The plan and associated costs for the proposed construction, called the Loan Design (LD...

7 CFR 1737.21 - The completed loan application.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... application consists of four parts: (1) A completed RUS Form 490. (2) A market survey called the Area Coverage Survey (ACS). (3) The plan and associated costs for the proposed construction, called the Loan Design (LD...

7 CFR 1737.21 - The completed loan application.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... application consists of four parts: (1) A completed RUS Form 490. (2) A market survey called the Area Coverage Survey (ACS). (3) The plan and associated costs for the proposed construction, called the Loan Design (LD...

42 CFR 409.42 - Beneficiary qualifications for coverage of services.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... plan of care. A doctor of podiatric medicine may establish a plan of care only if that is consistent... appropriate to the patient's illness, functional loss, or injury. (2) Physical therapy services that meet the...

42 CFR 409.42 - Beneficiary qualifications for coverage of services.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... plan of care. A doctor of podiatric medicine may establish a plan of care only if that is consistent... appropriate to the patient's illness, functional loss, or injury. (2) Physical therapy services that meet the...

42 CFR 409.42 - Beneficiary qualifications for coverage of services.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... plan of care. A doctor of podiatric medicine may establish a plan of care only if that is consistent... appropriate to the patient's illness, functional loss, or injury. (2) Physical therapy services that meet the...

42 CFR 409.42 - Beneficiary qualifications for coverage of services.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... plan of care. A doctor of podiatric medicine may establish a plan of care only if that is consistent... appropriate to the patient's illness, functional loss, or injury. (2) Physical therapy services that meet the...

42 CFR 409.42 - Beneficiary qualifications for coverage of services.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... plan of care. A doctor of podiatric medicine may establish a plan of care only if that is consistent... appropriate to the patient's illness, functional loss, or injury. (2) Physical therapy services that meet the...

PREDICT: Privacy and Security Enhancing Dynamic Information Monitoring

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-08-03

consisting of global server-side probabilistic assignment by an untrusted server using cloaked locations, followed by feedback-loop guided local...12], consisting of global server-side probabilistic assignment by an untrusted server using cloaked locations, followed by feedback-loop guided...these methods achieve high sensing coverage with low cost using cloaked locations [3]. In follow-on work, the issue of mobility is addressed. Task

A locally initiated and executed measles outbreak response immunization campaign in the nylon health district, Douala Cameroon 2011.

PubMed

Sume, Gerald Etapelong; Fouda, André Arsène Bita; Kobela, Marie; Nguelé, Salomé; Emah, Irène; Atem, Peter

2013-03-16

The Cameroon health system is divided into central, intermediate and peripheral levels. Of the 43 health districts with a measles outbreak in Cameroon in 2011, only the Nylon Health District organized a documented outbreak response immunization. We present the methods and results of the response campaign solely shouldered by the district and intermediate level. The risk group, targets and neighborhoods to be vaccinated were identified after a detailed analysis of initial cases. The intermediate level defined strategies, provided logistics, capacity building and 41% of the operational budget while 59% was completed by the peripheral level. Microsoft Office Excel 2007 was used to estimate coverage rates and to draw an epidemic curve. The response immunization campaign was organized on the 14th epidemiological week, 10 weeks after the onset of the outbreak which ended 11 weeks thereafter. A total of 15867(108.5%) children aged 9-59 months were vaccinated in five health areas at a direct cost (vaccines excluded) of 71.34FCFA ($0.143) per vaccinated child. An additional 824 children aged 9-59 months were vaccinated around the residence of notified cases in neighborhoods which were not involved in the response campaign. The number of cases after the response campaign was lower than before. Once vaccines are available, prompt outbreak response campaigns can be organized at operational level to obtain commendable results instead of depending solely on international organizations or central levels. Decision makers at the intermediate and operational levels should redeploy available funds during emergencies to prevent the development of extreme public health conditions.

Satellite orbit considerations for a global change technology architecture trade study

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Harrison, Edwin F.; Gibson, Gary G.; Suttles, John T.; Buglia, James J.; Taback, Israel

1991-01-01

A study was conducted to determine satellite orbits for earth observation missions aimed at obtaining data for assessing data global climate change. A multisatellite system is required to meet the scientific requirements for temporal coverage over the globe. The best system consists of four sun-synchronous satellites equally spaced in local time of equatorial crossing. This system can obtain data every three hours for all regions. Several other satellite systems consisting of combinations of sun-synchronous orbits and either the Space Station Freedom or a mid-altitude equatorial satellite can provide three to six hour temporal coverage, which is sufficient for measuring many of the parameters required for the global change monitoring mission. Geosynchronous satellites are required to study atmospheric and surface processes involving variations on the order of a few minutes to an hour. One or two geosynchronous satellites can be relocated in longitude to study processes over selected regions of earth.

The VELVET A Orthologue VEL1 of Trichoderma reesei Regulates Fungal Development and Is Essential for Cellulase Gene Expression

PubMed Central

Atanasova, Lea; Fekete, Erzsébet; Paholcsek, Melinda; Sándor, Erzsébet; Aquino, Benigno; Druzhinina, Irina S.; Karaffa, Levente; Kubicek, Christian P.

2014-01-01

Trichoderma reesei is the industrial producer of cellulases and hemicellulases for biorefinery processes. Their expression is obligatorily dependent on the function of the protein methyltransferase LAE1. The Aspergillus nidulans orthologue of LAE1 - LaeA - is part of the VELVET protein complex consisting of LaeA, VeA and VelB that regulates secondary metabolism and sexual as well as asexual reproduction. Here we have therefore investigated the function of VEL1, the T. reesei orthologue of A. nidulans VeA. Deletion of the T. reesei vel1 locus causes a complete and light-independent loss of conidiation, and impairs formation of perithecia. Deletion of vel1 also alters hyphal morphology towards hyperbranching and formation of thicker filaments, and with consequently reduced growth rates. Growth on lactose as a sole carbon source, however, is even more strongly reduced and growth on cellulose as a sole carbon source eliminated. Consistent with these findings, deletion of vel1 completely impaired the expression of cellulases, xylanases and the cellulase regulator XYR1 on lactose as a cellulase inducing carbon source, but also in resting mycelia with sophorose as inducer. Our data show that in T. reesei VEL1 controls sexual and asexual development, and this effect is independent of light. VEL1 is also essential for cellulase gene expression, which is consistent with the assumption that their regulation by LAE1 occurs by the VELVET complex. PMID:25386652

Highly Efficient TADF Polymer Electroluminescence with Reduced Efficiency Roll-off via Interfacial Exciplex Host Strategy.

PubMed

Lin, Xingdong; Zhu, Yunhui; Zhang, Baohua; Zhao, Xiaofei; Yao, Bing; Cheng, Yanxiang; Li, Zhanguo; Qu, Yi; Xie, Zhiyuan

2018-01-10

Solution-processed organic light-emitting diodes (s-OLED) consisting of TAPC/TmPyPB interfacial exciplex host and polymer PAPTC TADF emitter are prepared, simultaneously displaying ultralow voltages (2.50/2.91/3.51/4.91 V at luminance of 1/100/1000/1000 cd m -2 ), high efficiencies (14.9%, 50.1 lm W -1 ), and extremely low roll-off rates (J 50 of 63.16 mA cm -2 , L 50 of ca. 15000 cd m -2 ). Such performance is distinctly higher than that of pure-PAPTC s-OLED. Compared to pure-PAPTC, the advanced emissive layer structure of TAPC:PAPTC/TmPyPB is unique in much higher PL quantum yield (79.5 vs 36.3%) and nearly 4-fold enhancement in k RISC of the PAPTC emitter to 1.48 × 10 7 s -1 .

Fine structure constant and quantized optical transparency of plasmonic nanoarrays.

PubMed

Kravets, V G; Schedin, F; Grigorenko, A N

2012-01-24

Optics is renowned for displaying quantum phenomena. Indeed, studies of emission and absorption lines, the photoelectric effect and blackbody radiation helped to build the foundations of quantum mechanics. Nevertheless, it came as a surprise that the visible transparency of suspended graphene is determined solely by the fine structure constant, as this kind of universality had been previously reserved only for quantized resistance and flux quanta in superconductors. Here we describe a plasmonic system in which relative optical transparency is determined solely by the fine structure constant. The system consists of a regular array of gold nanoparticles fabricated on a thin metallic sublayer. We show that its relative transparency can be quantized in the near-infrared, which we attribute to the quantized contact resistance between the nanoparticles and the metallic sublayer. Our results open new possibilities in the exploration of universal dynamic conductance in plasmonic nanooptics.

Tectonic Evolution of the Careón Ophiolite (Northwest Spain): A Remnant of Oceanic Lithosphere in the Variscan Belt.

PubMed

Díaz García F; Arenas; Martínez Catalán JR; González del Tánago J; Dunning

1999-09-01

Analysis of the Careón Unit in the Ordenes Complex (northwest Iberian Massif) has supplied relevant data concerning the existence of a Paleozoic oceanic lithosphere, probably related to the Rheic realm, and the early subduction-related events that were obscured along much of the Variscan belt by subsequent collision tectonics. The ophiolite consists of serpentinized harzburgite and dunite in the lower section and a crustal section made up of coarse-grained and pegmatitic gabbros. An Early Devonian zircon age (395+/-2 Ma, U-Pb) was obtained in a leucocratic gabbro. The whole section was intruded by numerous diabasic gabbro dikes. Convergence processes took place shortly afterward, giving rise to a mantle-rooted synthetic thrust system, with some coeval igneous activity. Garnet amphibolite, developed in metamorphic soles, was found discontinuously attached to the thrust fault. The soles graded downward to epidote-amphibolite facies metabasite and were partially retrogressed to greenschist facies conditions. Thermobarometric estimations carried out at a metamorphic sole (T approximately 650 degrees C; P approximately 11.5 kbar) suggested that imbrications developed in a subduction setting, and regional geology places this subduction in the context of an early Variscan accretionary wedge. Subduction and imbrication of oceanic lithosphere was followed by underthrusting of the Gondwana continental margin.

Medicare Part D formulary coverage since program inception: are beneficiaries choosing wisely?

PubMed

Jackson, E Anne; Axelsen, Kirsten J

2008-11-01

To evaluate how Medicare Part D formulary composition has changed since program inception, including comparison of plans eligible for full premium subsidy (ie, benchmark plans) with their counterparts. The study used publicly available data released by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to generate snapshots of formulary coverage and enrollment levels in each plan year. The analysis included all Part D plans and tracked formulary coverage of 152 of the most common brand name and generic drugs prescribed to seniors. Since 2006, the number of products available without restriction has increased and the number of drugs not on formulary has decreased. However, it appears that beneficiaries (subsidized beneficiaries in particular) may not be using their open-enrollment periods to reevaluate the available plan offerings. Beneficiaries need to reevaluate the Part D options available on an annual basis to maintain enrollment with the most appropriate plan available. Although all plans meet the proscribed formulary requirements, some plans offer richer drug coverage with more drugs available on an unrestricted basis. Benchmark plan status allows Part D plans to maintain or gain significant Medicare enrollment from year to year. Careful oversight should be provided to ensure that the level of formulary coverage offered at benchmark and other plans remains consistent.

A New Method for Estimating the Coverage of Mass Vaccination Campaigns Against Poliomyelitis From Surveillance Data

PubMed Central

O'Reilly, K. M.; Cori, A.; Durry, E.; Wadood, M. Z.; Bosan, A.; Aylward, R. B.; Grassly, N. C.

2015-01-01

Mass vaccination campaigns with the oral poliovirus vaccine targeting children aged <5 years are a critical component of the global poliomyelitis eradication effort. Monitoring the coverage of these campaigns is essential to allow corrective action, but current approaches are limited by their cross-sectional nature, nonrandom sampling, reporting biases, and accessibility issues. We describe a new Bayesian framework using data augmentation and Markov chain Monte Carlo methods to estimate variation in vaccination coverage from children's vaccination histories investigated during surveillance for acute flaccid paralysis. We tested the method using simulated data with at least 200 cases and were able to detect undervaccinated groups if they exceeded 10% of all children and temporal changes in coverage of ±10% with greater than 90% sensitivity. Application of the method to data from Pakistan for 2010–2011 identified undervaccinated groups within the Balochistan/Federally Administered Tribal Areas and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa regions, as well as temporal changes in coverage. The sizes of these groups are consistent with the multiple challenges faced by the program in these regions as a result of conflict and insecurity. Application of this new method to routinely collected data can be a useful tool for identifying poorly performing areas and assisting in eradication efforts. PMID:26568569

Self-enforcing regional vaccination agreements

PubMed Central

Klepac, Petra; Grenfell, Bryan T.; Laxminarayan, Ramanan

2016-01-01

In a highly interconnected world, immunizing infections are a transboundary problem, and their control and elimination require international cooperation and coordination. In the absence of a global or regional body that can impose a universal vaccination strategy, each individual country sets its own strategy. Mobility of populations across borders can promote free-riding, because a country can benefit from the vaccination efforts of its neighbours, which can result in vaccination coverage lower than the global optimum. Here we explore whether voluntary coalitions that reward countries that join by cooperatively increasing vaccination coverage can solve this problem. We use dynamic epidemiological models embedded in a game-theoretic framework in order to identify conditions in which coalitions are self-enforcing and therefore stable, and thus successful at promoting a cooperative vaccination strategy. We find that countries can achieve significantly greater vaccination coverage at a lower cost by forming coalitions than when acting independently, provided a coalition has the tools to deter free-riding. Furthermore, when economically or epidemiologically asymmetric countries form coalitions, realized coverage is regionally more consistent than in the absence of coalitions. PMID:26790996

Self-Paced Prioritized Curriculum Learning With Coverage Penalty in Deep Reinforcement Learning.

PubMed

Ren, Zhipeng; Dong, Daoyi; Li, Huaxiong; Chen, Chunlin; Zhipeng Ren; Daoyi Dong; Huaxiong Li; Chunlin Chen; Dong, Daoyi; Li, Huaxiong; Chen, Chunlin; Ren, Zhipeng

2018-06-01

In this paper, a new training paradigm is proposed for deep reinforcement learning using self-paced prioritized curriculum learning with coverage penalty. The proposed deep curriculum reinforcement learning (DCRL) takes the most advantage of experience replay by adaptively selecting appropriate transitions from replay memory based on the complexity of each transition. The criteria of complexity in DCRL consist of self-paced priority as well as coverage penalty. The self-paced priority reflects the relationship between the temporal-difference error and the difficulty of the current curriculum for sample efficiency. The coverage penalty is taken into account for sample diversity. With comparison to deep Q network (DQN) and prioritized experience replay (PER) methods, the DCRL algorithm is evaluated on Atari 2600 games, and the experimental results show that DCRL outperforms DQN and PER on most of these games. More results further show that the proposed curriculum training paradigm of DCRL is also applicable and effective for other memory-based deep reinforcement learning approaches, such as double DQN and dueling network. All the experimental results demonstrate that DCRL can achieve improved training efficiency and robustness for deep reinforcement learning.

Robust and Accurate Image-Based Georeferencing Exploiting Relative Orientation Constraints

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cavegn, S.; Blaser, S.; Nebiker, S.; Haala, N.

2018-05-01

Urban environments with extended areas of poor GNSS coverage as well as indoor spaces that often rely on real-time SLAM algorithms for camera pose estimation require sophisticated georeferencing in order to fulfill our high requirements of a few centimeters for absolute 3D point measurement accuracies. Since we focus on image-based mobile mapping, we extended the structure-from-motion pipeline COLMAP with georeferencing capabilities by integrating exterior orientation parameters from direct sensor orientation or SLAM as well as ground control points into bundle adjustment. Furthermore, we exploit constraints for relative orientation parameters among all cameras in bundle adjustment, which leads to a significant robustness and accuracy increase especially by incorporating highly redundant multi-view image sequences. We evaluated our integrated georeferencing approach on two data sets, one captured outdoors by a vehicle-based multi-stereo mobile mapping system and the other captured indoors by a portable panoramic mobile mapping system. We obtained mean RMSE values for check point residuals between image-based georeferencing and tachymetry of 2 cm in an indoor area, and 3 cm in an urban environment where the measurement distances are a multiple compared to indoors. Moreover, in comparison to a solely image-based procedure, our integrated georeferencing approach showed a consistent accuracy increase by a factor of 2-3 at our outdoor test site. Due to pre-calibrated relative orientation parameters, images of all camera heads were oriented correctly in our challenging indoor environment. By performing self-calibration of relative orientation parameters among respective cameras of our vehicle-based mobile mapping system, remaining inaccuracies from suboptimal test field calibration were successfully compensated.

Kinetically Relevant Steps and H2/D2 Isotope Effects in Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis on Fe and Co Catalysts

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

Ojeda, Manuel; Li, Anwu; Nabar, Rahul P.

2010-11-25

H2/D2 isotope effects on Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) rate and selectivity are examined here by combining measured values on Fe and Co at conditions leading to high C5+ yields with theoretical estimates on model Fe(110) and Co(0001) surfaces with high coverages of chemisorbed CO (CO*). Inverse isotope effects (rH/rD < 1) are observed on Co and Fe catalysts as a result of compensating thermodynamic (H2 dissociation to H*; H* addition to CO* species to form HCO*) and kinetic (H* reaction with HCO*) isotope effects. These isotopic effects and their rigorous mechanistic interpretation confirm the prevalence of H-assisted CO dissociation routes onmore » both Fe and Co catalysts, instead of unassisted pathways that would lead to similar rates with H2 and D2 reactants. The small contributions from unassisted pathways to CO conversion rates on Fe are indeed independent of the dihydrogen isotope, as is also the case for the rates of primary reactions that form CO2 as the sole oxygen rejection route in unassisted CO dissociation paths. Isotopic effects on the selectivity to C5+ and CH4 products are small, and D2 leads to a more paraffinic product than does H2, apparently because it leads to preference for chain termination via hydrogen addition over abstraction. These results are consistent with FTS pathways limited by H-assisted CO dissociation on both Fe and Co and illustrate the importance of thermodynamic contributions to inverse isotope effects for reactions involving quasi-equilibrated H2 dissociation and the subsequent addition of H* in hydrogenation catalysis, as illustrated here by theory and experiment for the specific case of CO hydrogenation.« less

Measles vaccination coverage estimates from surveys, clinic records, and immune markers in oral fluid and blood: a population-based cross-sectional study.

PubMed

Hayford, Kyla T; Shomik, Mohammed S; Al-Emran, Hassan M; Moss, William J; Bishai, David; Levine, Orin S

2013-12-20

Recent outbreaks of measles and polio in low-income countries illustrate that conventional methods for estimating vaccination coverage do not adequately identify susceptible children. Immune markers of protection against vaccine-preventable diseases in oral fluid (OF) or blood may generate more accurate measures of effective vaccination history, but questions remain about whether antibody surveys are feasible and informative tools for monitoring immunization program performance compared to conventional vaccination coverage indicators. This study compares six indicators of measles vaccination status, including immune markers in oral fluid and blood, from children in rural Bangladesh and evaluates the implications of using each indicator to estimate measles vaccination coverage. A cross-sectional population-based study of children ages 12-16 months in Mirzapur, Bangladesh, ascertained measles vaccination (MCV1) history from conventional indicators: maternal report, vaccination card records, 'card+history' and EPI clinic records. Oral fluid from all participants (n=1226) and blood from a subset (n=342) were tested for measles IgG antibodies as indicators of MCV1 history and compared to conventional MCV1 coverage indicators. Maternal report yielded the highest MCV1 coverage estimates (90.8%), followed by EPI records (88.6%), and card+history (84.2%). Seroprotection against measles by OF (57.3%) was significantly lower than other indicators, even after adjusting for incomplete seroconversion and assay performance (71.5%). Among children with blood results, 88.6% were seroprotected, which was significantly higher than coverage by card+history and OF serostatus but consistent with coverage by maternal report and EPI records. Children with vaccination cards or EPI records were more likely to have a history of receiving MCV1 than those without cards or records. Despite similar MCV1 coverage estimates across most indicators, within-child agreement was poor for all indicators. Measles IgG antibodies in OF was not a suitable immune marker for monitoring measles vaccination coverage in this setting. Because agreement between conventional MCV1 indicators was mediocre, immune marker surveillance with blood samples could be used to validate conventional MCV1 indicators and generate adjusted results that can be compared across indicators.

An Optimized Hidden Node Detection Paradigm for Improving the Coverage and Network Efficiency in Wireless Multimedia Sensor Networks

PubMed Central

Alanazi, Adwan; Elleithy, Khaled

2016-01-01

Successful transmission of online multimedia streams in wireless multimedia sensor networks (WMSNs) is a big challenge due to their limited bandwidth and power resources. The existing WSN protocols are not completely appropriate for multimedia communication. The effectiveness of WMSNs varies, and it depends on the correct location of its sensor nodes in the field. Thus, maximizing the multimedia coverage is the most important issue in the delivery of multimedia contents. The nodes in WMSNs are either static or mobile. Thus, the node connections change continuously due to the mobility in wireless multimedia communication that causes an additional energy consumption, and synchronization loss between neighboring nodes. In this paper, we introduce an Optimized Hidden Node Detection (OHND) paradigm. The OHND consists of three phases: hidden node detection, message exchange, and location detection. These three phases aim to maximize the multimedia node coverage, and improve energy efficiency, hidden node detection capacity, and packet delivery ratio. OHND helps multimedia sensor nodes to compute the directional coverage. Furthermore, an OHND is used to maintain a continuous node– continuous neighbor discovery process in order to handle the mobility of the nodes. We implement our proposed algorithms by using a network simulator (NS2). The simulation results demonstrate that nodes are capable of maintaining direct coverage and detecting hidden nodes in order to maximize coverage and multimedia node mobility. To evaluate the performance of our proposed algorithms, we compared our results with other known approaches. PMID:27618048

An Optimized Hidden Node Detection Paradigm for Improving the Coverage and Network Efficiency in Wireless Multimedia Sensor Networks.

PubMed

Alanazi, Adwan; Elleithy, Khaled

2016-09-07

Successful transmission of online multimedia streams in wireless multimedia sensor networks (WMSNs) is a big challenge due to their limited bandwidth and power resources. The existing WSN protocols are not completely appropriate for multimedia communication. The effectiveness of WMSNs varies, and it depends on the correct location of its sensor nodes in the field. Thus, maximizing the multimedia coverage is the most important issue in the delivery of multimedia contents. The nodes in WMSNs are either static or mobile. Thus, the node connections change continuously due to the mobility in wireless multimedia communication that causes an additional energy consumption, and synchronization loss between neighboring nodes. In this paper, we introduce an Optimized Hidden Node Detection (OHND) paradigm. The OHND consists of three phases: hidden node detection, message exchange, and location detection. These three phases aim to maximize the multimedia node coverage, and improve energy efficiency, hidden node detection capacity, and packet delivery ratio. OHND helps multimedia sensor nodes to compute the directional coverage. Furthermore, an OHND is used to maintain a continuous node- continuous neighbor discovery process in order to handle the mobility of the nodes. We implement our proposed algorithms by using a network simulator (NS2). The simulation results demonstrate that nodes are capable of maintaining direct coverage and detecting hidden nodes in order to maximize coverage and multimedia node mobility. To evaluate the performance of our proposed algorithms, we compared our results with other known approaches.

The origins of personal responsibility rhetoric in news coverage of the tobacco industry.

PubMed

Mejia, Pamela; Dorfman, Lori; Cheyne, Andrew; Nixon, Laura; Friedman, Lissy; Gottlieb, Mark; Daynard, Richard

2014-06-01

The tobacco industry consistently frames smoking as a personal issue rather than the responsibility of cigarette companies. To identify when personal responsibility framing became a major element of the tobacco industry's discourse, we analyzed news coverage from 1966 to 1991. Industry representatives began to regularly use these arguments in 1977. By the mid 1980s, this frame dominated the industry's public arguments. This chronology illustrates that the tobacco industry's use of personal responsibility rhetoric in public preceded the ascension of personal responsibility rhetoric commonly associated with the Reagan Administration in the 1980s.

Covering bariatric surgery has minimal effect on insurance premium costs within the Affordable Care Act.

PubMed

English, Wayne; Williams, Brandon; Scott, John; Morton, John

2016-06-01

Currently, of the 51 state health exchanges operating under the Affordable Care Act, only 23 include benchmark plans that cover bariatric surgery coverage. Bariatric surgery coverage is not considered an essential health benefit in 28 state exchanges, and this lack of coverage has a discriminatory and detrimental impact on millions of Americans participating in state exchanges that do not provide bariatric surgery coverage. We examined 3 state exchanges in which a portion of their plans provided coverage for bariatric surgery to determine if bariatric surgery coverage is correlated with premium costs. State health exchanges; United States. Data from the 2015 state exchange plans were analyzed using information from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' Individual Market Landscape file and Benefits and Cost Sharing public use files. Only 3 states (Oklahoma, Oregon, and Virginia) in the analysis have 1 or more rating regions in which a portion of the plans cover bariatric surgery. In Oklahoma and Oregon, the average monthly premiums for all bronze, silver, and gold coverage levels are higher for plans covering bariatric surgery. Only 1 of these states included platinum plans that cover bariatric surgery. The average difference in premiums was between $1 to $45 higher in Oklahoma, and $18 to $32 higher in Oregon. Conversely, in Virginia, the average monthly premiums are between $2 and $21 lower for each level for plans covering bariatric surgery. Monthly premiums for plans covering versus not covering bariatric surgery ranged from 6% lower to 15% higher in the same geographic rating region. Across all 3 states in the sample, the average monthly premiums do not differ consistently on the basis of whether the state exchange plans cover bariatric surgery. Copyright © 2016 American Society for Bariatric Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The nature of newspaper coverage of homicide

PubMed Central

Taylor, C; Sorenson, S

2002-01-01

Objectives: Previous research has shown that some homicides are more likely than others to receive newspaper coverage (for example, homicides by strangers). The present investigation examined whether, once the decision has been made to report on a homicide, the nature of the coverage (that is, how much visibility is given to a story, what information is included, and how a story is written) differs according to two key variables, victim ethnicity, and victim-suspect relationship. Setting: Los Angeles, California (USA). Methods: Homicide articles from the 1990–94 issues of the Los Angeles Times were stratified according to the predictors of interest (victim ethnicity and victim-suspect relationship) and a sample was drawn. Data that characterized two primary aspects of newspaper coverage, prominence and story framing (including background information, story focus, use of opinions, story tone, and "hook" or leading introductory lines) were abstracted from the articles. Descriptive statistics and cross tabulations were generated. Multivariate analyses were conducted to examine the predictive value of victim ethnicity and victim-suspect relationship on the nature of the newspaper coverage. Results: Newspaper coverage of homicide was generally factual, episodic, and unemotional in tone. Victim-suspect relationship, but not victim ethnicity, was related to how a story was covered, particularly the story frame. Homicides by intimates were covered consistently differently from other types of homicides; these stories were less likely to be opinion dominated, be emotional, and begin with a "hook". Conclusion: Victim-suspect relationship was related to the nature of coverage of homicides in a large, metropolitan newspaper. Given the agenda setting and issue framing functions of the news media, these findings have implications for the manner in which the public and policy makers perceive homicides and, consequently, for the support afforded to various types of solutions for addressing and preventing violence. PMID:12120830

Human papillomavirus vaccination coverage in Luxembourg - Implications of lowering and restricting target age groups.

PubMed

Latsuzbaia, Ardashel; Arbyn, Marc; Weyers, Steven; Mossong, Joël

2018-04-25

In Luxembourg, a national Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programme was introduced in 2008, targeting 12-17 year old girls offering a choice of bivalent or quadrivalent vaccine free of charge. In 2015, the programme was changed offering the bivalent vaccine only to 11-13 year old girls. The aim of this study was to evaluate the HPV vaccination coverage, to assess the impact of age target changes and compare vaccination coverage to other European countries. Anonymous HPV vaccination records consisting of individual vaccine doses obtained free of charge in pharmacies between 2008 and 2016 were extracted from the Luxembourgish Social Security database. Additional aggregate tables by nationality and municipality were analysed. Of the target cohort of 39,610 girls born between 1991 and 2003 residing in Luxembourg, 24,550 (62.0%) subjects obtained at least one dose, 22,082 (55.7%) obtained at least two doses, and 17,197 (43.4%) obtained three doses of HPV vaccine. The mean age at first dose was 13.7 years during 2008-14 and 12.7 years in 2016 after the age target change. Coverage varied significantly by nationality (p < 0.0001): Portuguese (80%), former Yugoslavs (74%), Luxembourgish (54%), Belgian (52%), German (47%), French (39%) and other nationalities (51%). Coverage varied also by geographical region, with lower rates (<50%) noted in some Northern and Central areas of Luxembourg (range: 38% to 78%). Overall HPV vaccination coverage in Luxembourg is moderate and varied by nationality and region. The policy changes in 2015 did not have a substantial impact except lowering age at initiating vaccination. Options to improve coverage deserve further investigation. Copyright © 2018 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Splinter Protection for Airbase Firefighting Resources

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-12-01

shotcrete) arch structure. The system was developed by Earth Systems, Inc. (ESI) of Durango , Colorado . The concept consists of the reinforced concrete floor...by ESI of Durango , Colorado . Appendix B presents a portion of the ESI construction manual that is supplied with their structural kit. Only the portion...Construction Manual for Shotcrete Arch Structure is copyrightea; it is the sole property of SEARTH SYSTEMS, INC., P.U. box 3270, Durango , Colorado . The

Specifying Software Behavior for Requirements and Design

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-01-01

e.g., Behavior Hiding is comprised of the Function Driver and Shared Services modules. Blacked-out modules, which are concerned with mechanisms for...and Shared Services modules. “The Func- tion Driver Module consists of a set of modules called Func- tion Drivers; each Function Driver is the sole...system environment. Functions that capture the rules determining these output values specify that behavior. The Shared Services module concerns aspects of

The Use of a Learning Management System (LMS) to Serve as the Virtual Common Space of a Network for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) in an Academic Department

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bradley, Nicolette; Jadeski, Lorraine; Newton, Genevieve; Ritchie, Kerry; Merrett, Scott; Bettger, William

2013-01-01

Traditionally, undergraduate curriculum committees, consisting of appointed faculty and student representatives, have served as the sole departmental vehicle for investigating, discussing and promoting the scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL) within an academic department. However, with the universal demand for greater accountability on all…

Internal Consistency of the NVAP Water Vapor Dataset

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Suggs, Ronnie J.; Jedlovec, Gary J.; Arnold, James E. (Technical Monitor)

2001-01-01

The NVAP (NASA Water Vapor Project) dataset is a global dataset at 1 x 1 degree spatial resolution consisting of daily, pentad, and monthly atmospheric precipitable water (PW) products. The analysis blends measurements from the Television and Infrared Operational Satellite (TIROS) Operational Vertical Sounder (TOVS), the Special Sensor Microwave/Imager (SSM/I), and radiosonde observations into a daily collage of PW. The original dataset consisted of five years of data from 1988 to 1992. Recent updates have added three additional years (1993-1995) and incorporated procedural and algorithm changes from the original methodology. Since each of the PW sources (TOVS, SSM/I, and radiosonde) do not provide global coverage, each of these sources compliment one another by providing spatial coverage over regions and during times where the other is not available. For this type of spatial and temporal blending to be successful, each of the source components should have similar or compatible accuracies. If this is not the case, regional and time varying biases may be manifested in the NVAP dataset. This study examines the consistency of the NVAP source data by comparing daily collocated TOVS and SSM/I PW retrievals with collocated radiosonde PW observations. The daily PW intercomparisons are performed over the time period of the dataset and for various regions.

The Coverage Problem in Video-Based Wireless Sensor Networks: A Survey

PubMed Central

Costa, Daniel G.; Guedes, Luiz Affonso

2010-01-01

Wireless sensor networks typically consist of a great number of tiny low-cost electronic devices with limited sensing and computing capabilities which cooperatively communicate to collect some kind of information from an area of interest. When wireless nodes of such networks are equipped with a low-power camera, visual data can be retrieved, facilitating a new set of novel applications. The nature of video-based wireless sensor networks demands new algorithms and solutions, since traditional wireless sensor networks approaches are not feasible or even efficient for that specialized communication scenario. The coverage problem is a crucial issue of wireless sensor networks, requiring specific solutions when video-based sensors are employed. In this paper, it is surveyed the state of the art of this particular issue, regarding strategies, algorithms and general computational solutions. Open research areas are also discussed, envisaging promising investigation considering coverage in video-based wireless sensor networks. PMID:22163651

Virtual world reconstruction using the modeling and simulation extended vector product prototype

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1997-05-30

The MS Extended Vector Product (MSEVP) prototype being developed is an extended vector product format-based product containing a continuous surface representation and a consistent view of elevation across the thematic coverages contained within a dat...

47 CFR 101.517 - Antennas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 47 Telecommunication 5 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Antennas. 101.517 Section 101.517... SERVICES 24 GHz Service and Digital Electronic Message Service § 101.517 Antennas. (a) Transmitting antennas may be omnidirectional or directional, consistent with coverage and interference requirements. (b...

47 CFR 101.517 - Antennas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... 47 Telecommunication 5 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Antennas. 101.517 Section 101.517... SERVICES 24 GHz Service and Digital Electronic Message Service § 101.517 Antennas. (a) Transmitting antennas may be omnidirectional or directional, consistent with coverage and interference requirements. (b...

47 CFR 101.517 - Antennas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 47 Telecommunication 5 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Antennas. 101.517 Section 101.517... SERVICES 24 GHz Service and Digital Electronic Message Service § 101.517 Antennas. (a) Transmitting antennas may be omnidirectional or directional, consistent with coverage and interference requirements. (b...

47 CFR 101.517 - Antennas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... 47 Telecommunication 5 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Antennas. 101.517 Section 101.517... SERVICES 24 GHz Service and Digital Electronic Message Service § 101.517 Antennas. (a) Transmitting antennas may be omnidirectional or directional, consistent with coverage and interference requirements. (b...

47 CFR 101.517 - Antennas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... 47 Telecommunication 5 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Antennas. 101.517 Section 101.517... SERVICES 24 GHz Service and Digital Electronic Message Service § 101.517 Antennas. (a) Transmitting antennas may be omnidirectional or directional, consistent with coverage and interference requirements. (b...

Bishop plays down report on condoms / AIDS in France.

PubMed

1996-02-26

Individual bishops in France and other European countries have argued that condom use can save lives by preventing the spread of HIV. The French Bishops' Conference social commission published a 200-page report which in which agreement was expressed with widespread medical opinion that condom use is the sole and necessary barrier against the sexual spread of HIV. Extensive media coverage ensued and led to Bishop Albert Rouet, the bishop of Poitiers and chairman of the French Bishops' Conference, being interviewed by the Holy See's official radio. In the interview, Bishop Rouet distanced the Roman Catholic Church in France from the report, claiming that the media had exaggerated the issue and that his commission was not bound by the reference. The Vatican remains staunchly opposed to condom use against HIV infection and preaches abstinence outside of marriage and fidelity within marriage as the only true ways to avoid HIV infection. In 1995, the Vatican fired Jacques Gaillot, the former bishop of Evreux in Normandy, for his outspoken endorsement of condom use against HIV.

Mean gravity anomalies from a combination of Apollo/ATS 6 and GEOS 3/ATS 6 SST tracking campaigns. [Satellite to Satellite Tracking

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kahn, W. D.; Klosko, S. M.; Wells, W. T.

1982-01-01

Advances in satellite tracking data accuracy and coverage over the past 15 years have led to major improvements in global geopotential models. But the spacial resolution of the gravity field obtained solely from satellite dynamics sensed by tracking data is still of the order of 1000 km. Attention is given to an approach which will provide information regarding the fine structure of the gravity field on the basis of an application of local corrections to the global field. According to this approach, a basic satellite to satellite tracked (SST) range-rate measurement is constructed from the link between a ground station, a geosynchronous satellite (ATS 6), and a near-earth satellite (Apollo or GEOS 3). Attention is given to a mathematical model, the simulation of SST gravity anomaly estimation accuracies, a gravity anomaly estimation from GEOS 3/ATS 6 and Apollo/ATS 6 SST observations, and an evaluation of the mean gravity anomalies determined from SST.

Men's knowledge and spousal communication about modern family planning methods in Ethiopia.

PubMed

Berhane, Adugnaw; Biadgilign, Sibhatu; Amberbir, Alemayehu; Morankar, Sudhakar; Berhane, Alemayehu; Deribe, Kebede

2011-12-01

This study attempted to determine knowledge, approval and communication about family planning methods among married men in Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted among a representative sample of 738 married males in Amhara Region. All 738 (100%) of the respondents had heard of family planning. About 558 (75.6%) mentioned the importance of using contraceptives for birth spacing and 457 (61.9%) to limit birth. Four hundred and forty-five (60.3%) of participants had ever discussed family planning with their wives. Thirty-three (33.0%) of the respondents reported that they were the sole decision makers in their families. About 597 (80.9%) approved the use of contraceptives. However, some participants did not discuss and approve family planning with their partner. This recalled an intensive effort has been taken by the concerned body to reach the country's targeted family planning coverage by involving men in reproductive health endeavor to enhance the discussion and agreement about family planning usage.

Microplasmas, a platform technology for a plethora of plasma applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Becker, Kurt

2017-08-01

Publications describing microplasmas, which are commonly defined as plasmas with at least one dimension in the submillimeter range, began to appear to the scientific literature about 20 years ago. As discussed in a recent review by Schoenbach and Becker [1], interest and activities in basic microplasma research as well as in the use of microplasma for a variety of application has increased significatly over the past 20 years. The number of papers devoted to basic microplasma science increased by an order of magnitude between 1995 and 2015, a count that excludes publications dealing exclusively with technological applications of microplasmas, where the microplasma is used solely as a tool. In reference [1], the authors limited the topical coverage largely to the status of microplasma science and our understanding of the physics principles that enable microplasma operation and further stated that the rapid proliferation of microplasma applications made it impossible to cover both basic microplasma science and their application in a single review article.

From non school-based, co-payment to school-based, free Human Papillomavirus vaccination in Flanders (Belgium): a retrospective cohort study describing vaccination coverage, age-specific coverage and socio-economic inequalities.

PubMed

Lefevere, Eva; Theeten, Heidi; Hens, Niel; De Smet, Frank; Top, Geert; Van Damme, Pierre

2015-09-22

School-based, free HPV vaccination for girls in the first year of secondary school was introduced in Flanders (Belgium) in 2010. Before that, non school-based, co-payment vaccination for girls aged 12-18 was in place. We compared vaccination coverage, age-specific coverage and socio-economic inequalities in coverage - 3 important parameters contributing to the effectiveness of the vaccination programs - under both vaccination systems. We used retrospective administrative data from different sources. Our sample consisted of all female members of the National Alliance of Christian Mutualities born in 1995, 1996, 1998 or 1999 (N=66,664). For each vaccination system we described the cumulative proportion HPV vaccination initiation and completion over time. We used life table analysis to calculate age-specific rates of HPV vaccination initiation and completion. Analyses were done separately for higher income and low income groups. Under non school-based, co-payment vaccination the proportions HPV vaccination initiation and completion slowly rose over time. By age 17, the proportion HPV vaccination initiation/completion was 0.75 (95% CI 0.74-076)/0.66 (95% CI 0.65-0.67). The median age at vaccination initiation/completion was 14.4 years (95% CI 14.4-14.5)/15.4 years (95% CI 15.3-15.4). Socio-economic inequalities in coverage widened over time and with age. Under school-based, free vaccination rates of HPV vaccination initiation were substantially higher. By age 14,the proportion HPV vaccination initiation/completion was 0.90 (95% CI 0.90-0.90)/0.87 (95% CI 0.87-0.88). The median age at vaccination initiation/completion was 12.7 years (95% CI 12.7-12.7)/13.3 years (95% CI 13.3-13.3). Socio-economic inequalities in coverage and in age-specific coverage were substantially smaller. Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Mindfulness: A systematic review of instruments to measure an emergent patientreported outcome (PRO)

PubMed Central

Park, Taehwan; Reilly-Spong, Maryanne

2013-01-01

Purpose Mindfulness has emerged as an important health concept based on evidence that mindfulness interventions reduce symptoms and improve health-related quality of life. The objectives of this study were to systematically assess and compare the properties of instruments to measure self-reported mindfulness. Methods Ovid Medline®, CINAHL®, and PsycINFO® were searched through May 2012, and articles were selected if their primary purpose was development or evaluation of the measurement properties (validity, reliability, responsiveness) of a self-report mindfulness scale. Two reviewers independently evaluated the methodological quality of the selected studies using the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health status Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) checklist. Discrepancies were discussed with a third reviewer, and scored by consensus. Finally, a level of evidence approach was used to synthesize results and study quality. Results Our search strategy identified a total of 2,588 articles. Forty-six articles, reporting 79 unique studies, met inclusion criteria. Ten instruments quantifying mindfulness as a unidimensional scale (n=5) or as a set of 2 to 5 subscales (n=5) were reviewed. The Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) was evaluated by the most studies (n=27), and had positive overall quality ratings for most of the psychometric properties reviewed. The Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) received the highest possible rating (“consistent findings in multiple studies of good methodological quality”) for two properties, internal consistency and construct validation by hypothesis testing. However, none of the instruments had sufficient evidence of content validity. Comprehensiveness of construct coverage had not been assessed; qualitative methods to confirm understanding and relevance were absent. In addition, estimates of test-retest reliability, responsiveness, or measurement error to guide users in protocol development or interpretation of scores were lacking. Conclusions Current mindfulness scales have important conceptual differences, and none can be strongly recommended based solely on superior psychometric properties. Important limitations in the field are the absence of qualitative evaluations and accepted external referents to support construct validity. Investigators need to proceed cautiously before optimizing any mindfulness intervention based on the existing scales. PMID:23539467

Seeing the Soils of Meridiani Planum Through the Eyes of Pancam and Microscopic Imager

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Weitz, C. M.; Anderson, R. C.; Bell, J. F., III; Cabrol, N. A.; Calvin, W. M.; Ehlmann, B. L.; Farrand, W. H.; Greeley, R.; Herkenhoff, K. E.; Johnson, J. R.

2005-01-01

We are using data from the Pancam and Microscopic Imager (MI) on the Opportunity rover to characterize the soil grains at Meridiani Planum. We have traced individual grains in all MI images of the soils using the software application ImageJ distributed by NIH, and subsequently derived size and shape properties about the grains. The resolution of the MI is 31 microns per pixel [1] so we limit our measurements to those grains larger than about 0.3 mm in size. In cases where the grain is partially or substantially buried by other grains or finer soil particles, we do not make a measurement. False-color composites from Pancam images that cover the same location imaged by MI are made from the Left 2,5,6 (753, 535, 482 nm) filters or Right 2,7,1 (753, 1009, 430 nm) filters [2] in the Red, Green, and Blue channels, respectively. These color images are then merged with the MI images to illustrate color properties of particular grains. Pancam spectra are also extracted from grains when there is sufficient spatial coverage. in diameter. Figure 2 illustrates the dominance of these small grains at this particular location, which happens to be on the southern wall of Eagle crater. The Pancam color merge with this MI image suggests that the small spherules are more consistent with the basalt grains than the blueberries (spherulitic concretions derived from outcrop rocks [7]). The resolution of Pancam images of this location is on the order of 0.5 mm so the grains are only barely resolved. A Mossbauer measurement taken on an adjacent soil (Sol 53 Vanilla) that is composed solely of these smaller spherules (Fig 1) is consistent with a basaltic composition for the grains. Their concentration at this particular location in a brighter, elongate patch along the southeastern wall compared to elsewhere inside Eagle crater suggests wind activity favored their transport and subsequent deposition here. Their spherical shape is also possibly the result of wind action rounding them during transport, though water action cannot be ruled out.

77 FR 41332 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Arrowtooth Flounder, Flathead Sole, Rex Sole...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-07-13

...NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for arrowtooth flounder, flathead sole, rex sole, deep-water flatfish, and shallow-water flatfish in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to limit incidental catch of Pacific ocean perch by vessels fishing for arrowtooth flounder, flathead sole, rex sole, deep-water flatfish, and shallow-water flatfish in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA.

A Selected Psycholinguistic Bibliography.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fraser, Bruce; Klatt, Mary M.

This document "attempts to provide a representative, undogmatic, and fairly thorough coverage of selected areas of the psycholinguistic literature which are not accurately covered in existing bibliographies." Because the authors feel that psycholinguistics consists of the study of the acquisition, production, and understanding of a natural…

A New Method for Estimating the Coverage of Mass Vaccination Campaigns Against Poliomyelitis From Surveillance Data.

PubMed

O'Reilly, K M; Cori, A; Durry, E; Wadood, M Z; Bosan, A; Aylward, R B; Grassly, N C

2015-12-01

Mass vaccination campaigns with the oral poliovirus vaccine targeting children aged <5 years are a critical component of the global poliomyelitis eradication effort. Monitoring the coverage of these campaigns is essential to allow corrective action, but current approaches are limited by their cross-sectional nature, nonrandom sampling, reporting biases, and accessibility issues. We describe a new Bayesian framework using data augmentation and Markov chain Monte Carlo methods to estimate variation in vaccination coverage from children's vaccination histories investigated during surveillance for acute flaccid paralysis. We tested the method using simulated data with at least 200 cases and were able to detect undervaccinated groups if they exceeded 10% of all children and temporal changes in coverage of ±10% with greater than 90% sensitivity. Application of the method to data from Pakistan for 2010-2011 identified undervaccinated groups within the Balochistan/Federally Administered Tribal Areas and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa regions, as well as temporal changes in coverage. The sizes of these groups are consistent with the multiple challenges faced by the program in these regions as a result of conflict and insecurity. Application of this new method to routinely collected data can be a useful tool for identifying poorly performing areas and assisting in eradication efforts. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

[Responses of plant community structure and species composition to warming and N addition in an alpine meadow, northern Tibetan Plateau, China].

PubMed

Zong, Ning; Chai, Xi; Shi, Pei Li; Jiang, Jing; Niu, Ben; Zhang, Xian Zhou; He, Yong Tao

2016-12-01

Global climate warming and increasing nitrogen (N) deposition, as controversial global environmental issues, may distinctly affect the functions and processes of terrestrial ecosystems. It has been reported that the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau has been experiencing significant warming in recent decades, especially in winter. Previous studies have mainly focused on the effects of warming all the year round; however, few studies have tested the effects of winter warming. To investigate the effects of winter warming and N addition on plant community structure and species composition of alpine meadow, long-term N addition and simulated warming experiment was conducted in alpine meadow from 2010 in Damxung, northern Tibet. The experiment consisted of three warming patterns: Year-round warming (YW), winter warming (WW) and control (NW), crossed respectively with five N gradients: 0, 10, 20, 40, 80 kg N·hm -2 ·a -1 . From 2012 to 2014, both warming and N addition significantly affected the total coverage of plant community. Specifically, YW significantly decreased the total coverage of plant community. Without N addition, WW remarkably reduced the vegetation coverage. However, with N addition, the total vegetation coverage gradually increased with the increase of N level. Warming and N addition had different effects on plants from different functional groups. Warming significantly reduced the plant coverage of grasses and sedges, while N addition significantly enhanced the plant coverage of grasses. Regression analyses showed that the total coverage of plant community was positively related to soil water content in vigorous growth stages, indicating that the decrease in soil water content resulted from warming during dry seasons might be the main reason for the decline of total community coverage. As soil moisture in semi-arid alpine meadow is mainly regulated by rainfalls, our results indicated that changes in spatial and temporal patterns of rainfalls under the future climate change scenarios would dramatically influence the vegetation coverage and species composition. Additionally, the effects of increasing atmospheric N deposition on vegetation community might also depend on the change of rainfall patterns.

75 FR 31321 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Rock Sole, Flathead Sole, and “Other...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-06-03

.... 0910131363-0087-02] RIN 0648-XW74 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Rock Sole, Flathead... participating in the Amendment 80 limited access fishery in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area... the trawl rock sole, flathead sole, and ``other flatfish'' fishery category by vessels participating...

Sole: Online Analysis of Southern FIA Data

Treesearch

Michael P. Spinney; Paul C. Van Deusen; Francis A. Roesch

2006-01-01

The Southern On Line Estimator (SOLE) is a flexible modular software program for analyzing U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service Forest Inventory and Analysis data. SOLE produces statistical tables, figures, maps, and portable document format reports based on user selected area and variables. SOLE?s Java-based graphical user interface is easy to use, and its R-...

Feeding Behaviour, Swimming Activity and Boldness Explain Variation in Feed Intake and Growth of Sole (Solea solea) Reared in Captivity

PubMed Central

Mas-Muñoz, Julia; Komen, Hans; Schneider, Oliver; Visch, Sander W.; Schrama, Johan W.

2011-01-01

The major economic constraint for culturing sole (Solea solea) is its slow and variable growth. The objective was to study the relationship between feed intake/efficiency, growth, and (non-) feeding behaviour of sole. Sixteen juveniles with an average (SD) growth of 2.7 (1.9) g/kg0.8/d were selected on their growth during a 4-week period in which they were housed communally with 84 other fish. Selected fish were housed individually during a second 4-week period to measure individual feed intake, growth, and behaviour. Fish were hand-fed three times a day during the dark phase of the day until apparent satiation. During six different days, behaviour was recorded twice daily during 3 minutes by direct observations. Total swimming activity, frequency of burying and of escapes were recorded. At the beginning and end of the growth period, two sequential behavioural tests were performed: “Novel Environment” and “Light Avoidance”. Fish housed individually still exhibited pronounced variation in feed intake (CV = 23%), growth (CV = 25%) and behavior (CV = 100%). Differences in feed intake account for 79% of the observed individual differences in growth of sole. Fish with higher variation in feed intake between days and between meals within days had significantly a lower total feed intake (r = −0.65 and r = −0.77) and growth. Active fish showed significantly higher feed intake (r = 0.66) and growth (r = 0.58). Boldness during both challenge tests was related to fast growth: (1) fish which reacted with a lower latency time to swim in a novel environment had significantly higher feed intake (r = −0.55) and growth (r = −0.66); (2) fish escaping during the light avoidance test tended to show higher feed intake (P<0.1) and had higher growth (P<0.05). In conclusion, feeding consistency, swimming activity in the tank, and boldness during behavioral tests are related to feed intake and growth of sole in captivity. PMID:21738651

Feeding behaviour, swimming activity and boldness explain variation in feed intake and growth of sole (Solea solea) reared in captivity.

PubMed

Mas-Muñoz, Julia; Komen, Hans; Schneider, Oliver; Visch, Sander W; Schrama, Johan W

2011-01-01

The major economic constraint for culturing sole (Solea solea) is its slow and variable growth. The objective was to study the relationship between feed intake/efficiency, growth, and (non-) feeding behaviour of sole. Sixteen juveniles with an average (SD) growth of 2.7 (1.9) g/kg(0.8)/d were selected on their growth during a 4-week period in which they were housed communally with 84 other fish. Selected fish were housed individually during a second 4-week period to measure individual feed intake, growth, and behaviour. Fish were hand-fed three times a day during the dark phase of the day until apparent satiation. During six different days, behaviour was recorded twice daily during 3 minutes by direct observations. Total swimming activity, frequency of burying and of escapes were recorded. At the beginning and end of the growth period, two sequential behavioural tests were performed: "Novel Environment" and "Light Avoidance". Fish housed individually still exhibited pronounced variation in feed intake (CV = 23%), growth (CV = 25%) and behavior (CV = 100%). Differences in feed intake account for 79% of the observed individual differences in growth of sole. Fish with higher variation in feed intake between days and between meals within days had significantly a lower total feed intake (r = -0.65 and r = -0.77) and growth. Active fish showed significantly higher feed intake (r = 0.66) and growth (r = 0.58). Boldness during both challenge tests was related to fast growth: (1) fish which reacted with a lower latency time to swim in a novel environment had significantly higher feed intake (r = -0.55) and growth (r = -0.66); (2) fish escaping during the light avoidance test tended to show higher feed intake (P<0.1) and had higher growth (P<0.05). In conclusion, feeding consistency, swimming activity in the tank, and boldness during behavioral tests are related to feed intake and growth of sole in captivity.

A case report of lameness in two dairy goat herds; a suspected combination of nutritional factors concurrent with treponeme infection.

PubMed

Groenevelt, Margit; Anzuino, Katharine; Smith, Sue; Lee, Michael R F; Grogono-Thomas, Rosemary

2015-12-16

Two dairy goat farms with high level of lameness in lactating animals were presented for further investigation. Farm 1 and Farm 2 presented with 37 and 67% morbidity, respectively. Both farms had an all year round indoor system, feeding ad libitum concentrate with forage available at all times. The lameness was found to be based in the foot. Previous treatments consisting of biweekly footbathing with zinc sulphate, spraying lesions with oxytetracycline spray and packing lesions with copper crystals on a single occasion and single injections with long acting oxytetracycline had not been successful. Mild cases had signs of haemorrhaging in the white line or on the sole of the foot. Moderate cases showed under running of the wall horn or small areas of exposed sole corium. Severe cases would consist of horn or wall separation with the corium exposed and infected. In extreme cases only the wall horn of the claw remained, with a large area of necrotic tissue in the centre and no healthy corium visible. Only one animal was seen to have interdigital lesions. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and culture of swabs taken from exposed corium and the interdigital space were negative for Dichelobacter nodosus but PCR for treponemes were positive in both the adults and the youngstock tested. Due to the high level of concentrate in the diet of these goats, nutrition was thought to contribute to the problem. Transcutaneous rumen fluid samples were taken and pH was measured on both farms, with 35% of the samples below pH value 5.5. No definite diagnosis could be made. However, the results suggest both treponemes and nutrition play a role in the aetiology of the lameness. The initial sole or wall horn lesions were thought to be secondarily infected by treponemes. Further investigation is needed to definitively diagnose the cause and contributing factors for this lameness.

Antibiotic treatment as sole management of Helicobacter pylori-negative gastric MALT lymphoma: a single center experience with prolonged follow-up.

PubMed

Raderer, Markus; Wöhrer, Stefan; Kiesewetter, Barbara; Dolak, Werner; Lagler, Heimo; Wotherspoon, Andrew; Muellauer, Leonhard; Chott, Andreas

2015-06-01

Relatively little is known about the long-term outcome of patients with Helicobacter pylori (HP)-negative gastric lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT lymphoma) with antibiotic therapy as sole management. We have analyzed all patients with HP-negative gastric MALT lymphoma undergoing antibiotic therapy as sole management of their disease. HP negativity was defined as negative histology, breath test and serology, and response to treatment, survival and long-term outcome was assessed together with clinico-pathological characteristics including t(11; 18) (q21; q21) translocation. Out of 97 patients with gastric MALT lymphoma, 24 were HP-negative, and 13 (5 females and 8 males) underwent only antibiotic management for initial therapy. Eight had stage I and five were found to have stage II disease, with three patients suffering from an underlying autoimmune disease. Antibiotic therapy consisted of standard HP eradication regimens consisting of clarithromycin in all patients, along with metronidazole in seven and amoxicillin in six plus a proton-pump inhibitor. After a median follow-up of 95 months (42-, 181+), 12/13 patients are alive. Six patients with stage I disease achieved an objective response (five complete (CR) and one partial remission, 46 %), four had stable disease (lasting 11-27 months), and three progressed. All patients with stable disease received chemotherapy, but only one patient due to clear cut progression. One patient relapsed 23 months after initial CR, and achieved a second CR with antibiotics now lasting 87 months. These results indicate that a relevant percentage of patients with HP-negative gastric MALT lymphoma may benefit from antibiotic therapy and do not require additional oncological therapies. Our data suggest that the remissions seen in these patients might be durable as evidenced by prolonged follow-up in our series.

Contemporary Network Proteomics and Its Requirements

PubMed Central

Goh, Wilson Wen Bin; Wong, Limsoon; Sng, Judy Chia Ghee

2013-01-01

The integration of networks with genomics (network genomics) is a familiar field. Conventional network analysis takes advantage of the larger coverage and relative stability of gene expression measurements. Network proteomics on the other hand has to develop further on two critical factors: (1) expanded data coverage and consistency, and (2) suitable reference network libraries, and data mining from them. Concerning (1) we discuss several contemporary themes that can improve data quality, which in turn will boost the outcome of downstream network analysis. For (2), we focus on network analysis developments, specifically, the need for context-specific networks and essential considerations for localized network analysis. PMID:24833333

Myopic and Forward Looking Behavior in Branded Oral Anti-Diabetic Medication Consumption: An Example from Medicare Part D.

PubMed

Sacks, Naomi C; Burgess, James F; Cabral, Howard J; Pizer, Steven D

2017-06-01

We evaluate consumption responses to the non-linear Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit. We compare propensity-matched older patients with diabetes and Part D Standard or low-income-subsidy (LIS) coverage. We evaluate monthly adherence to branded oral anti-diabetics, with high end-of-year donut hole prices (>$200) for Standard patients and consistent, low (≤$6) prices for LIS. As an additional control, we examine adherence to generic anti-diabetics, with relatively low, consistent prices for Standard patients. If Standard patients are forward looking, they will reduce branded adherence in January, and LIS-Standard differences will be constant through the year. Contrary to this expectation, branded adherence is lower for Standard patients in January and diverges from LIS as the coverage year progresses. Standard-LIS generic adherence differences are minimal. Our findings suggest that seniors with chronic conditions respond myopically to the nonlinear Part D benefit, reducing consumption in response to high deductible, initial coverage and gap prices. Thus, when the gap is fully phased out in 2020, cost-related nonadherence will likely remain in the face of higher spot prices for more costly branded medications. These results contribute to studies of Part D plan choice and medication adherence that suggest that seniors may not make optimal healthcare decisions. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

78 FR 42159 - Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Programs: Essential Health Benefits in Alternative...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-07-15

...This final rule implements provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (collectively referred to as the Affordable Care Act. This final rule finalizes new Medicaid eligibility provisions; finalizes changes related to electronic Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) eligibility notices and delegation of appeals; modernizes and streamlines existing Medicaid eligibility rules; revises CHIP rules relating to the substitution of coverage to improve the coordination of CHIP coverage with other coverage; and amends requirements for benchmark and benchmark- equivalent benefit packages consistent with sections 1937 of the Social Security Act (which we refer to as ``alternative benefit plans'') to ensure that these benefit packages include essential health benefits and meet certain other minimum standards. This rule also implements specific provisions including those related to authorized representatives, notices, and verification of eligibility for qualifying coverage in an eligible employer-sponsored plan for Affordable Insurance Exchanges. This rule also updates and simplifies the complex Medicaid premium and cost sharing requirements, to promote the most effective use of services, and to assist states in identifying cost sharing flexibilities. It includes transition policies for 2014 as applicable.

Adsorption of modified dextrins on molybdenite: AFM imaging, contact angle, and flotation studies.

PubMed

Beaussart, Audrey; Parkinson, Luke; Mierczynska-Vasilev, Agnieszka; Beattie, David A

2012-02-15

The adsorption of three dextrins (a regular wheat dextrin, Dextrin TY, carboxymethyl (CM) Dextrin, and hydroxypropyl (HP) Dextrin) on molybdenite has been investigated using adsorption isotherms, tapping mode atomic force microscopy (TMAFM), contact angle measurements, and dynamic bubble-surface collisions. In addition, the effect of the polymers on the flotation recovery of molybdenite has been determined. The isotherms revealed the importance of molecular weight in determining the adsorbed amounts of the polymers on molybdenite at plateau coverage. TMAFM revealed the morphology of the three polymers, which consisted of randomly dispersed domains with a higher area fraction of surface coverage for the substituted dextrins. The contact angle of polymer-treated molybdenite indicated that polymer layer coverage and hydration influenced the mineral surface hydrophobicity. Bubble-surface collisions indicated that the polymers affected thin film rupture and dewetting rate differently, correlating with differences in the adsorbed layer morphology. Direct correlations were found between the surface coverage of the adsorbed layers, their impact on thin film rupture time, and their impact on flotation recovery, highlighting the paramount role of the polymer morphology in the bubble/particle attachment process and subsequent flotation. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Utilization of assistive technology by persons with physical disabilities: an examination of predictive factors by race.

PubMed

Loggins, Shondra; Alston, Reginald; Lewis, Allen

2014-11-01

Examine the relationship between race, use of assistive technology (AT), gender, educational attainment, income, employment status and access to health care. Data were analyzed from the national Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) collected in USA in 2007. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were performed. Among those who used AT, more European Americans (EAs) were educated, employed, made >$25,000 per year and had better access to health coverage. In contrast, more African Americans (AAs) who used AT were less educated, unemployed, made <$25,000 per year and had worse health coverage. Overall, AAs used AT more than EAs. The trend was consistent with predictive factors. AAs were 29% more likely to use AT compared to EAs. For EAs and AAs, predictors for use of AT were age, gender, education, employment status, income, health coverage and medical costs. Racial differences between AAs and EAs were observed in the use of AT by persons with physical disabilities based on age, gender, education, employment status, income levels, health care coverage and medical costs. Even though EAs and AAs had the same predictors, there were racial differences in the magnitude of the predictors.

The Effects of Workplace Clean Indoor Air Law Coverage on Workers' Smoking-Related Outcomes.

PubMed

Cheng, Kai-Wen; Liu, Feng; Gonzalez, MariaElena; Glantz, Stanton

2017-02-01

This study investigated the effects of workplace clean indoor air law (CIAL) coverage on worksite compliance with CIALs, smoking participation among indoor workers, and secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure among nonsmoker indoor workers. This study improved on previous research by using the probability of a resident in a county covered by workplace CIALs, taking into account the state, county, and city legislation. The county-level probability of being covered by a CIAL is merged into two large nationally representative US surveys on smoking behaviors: Tobacco Use Supplement of the Current Population Survey (2001-2010) and Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (2000-2006) based on the year of the survey and respondent's geographic location to identify respondents' CIAL coverage. This study estimated several model specifications of including and not including state or county fixed effects, and the effects of workplace CIALs are consistent across models. Increased coverage by workplace CIALs significantly increased likelihood of reporting a complete smoking restriction by 8% and 10% for the two different datasets, decreased smoking participation among indoor workers by 12%, and decreased SHS exposure among nonsmokers by 28%. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The Effects of Workplace Clean Indoor Air Law Coverage on Workers’ Smoking-Related Outcomes

PubMed Central

Cheng, Kai-Wen; Liu, Feng; Gonzalez, MariaElena; Glantz, Stanton

2015-01-01

This study investigated the effects of workplace clean indoor air law (CIAL) coverage on worksite compliance with CIALs, smoking participation among indoor workers, and secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure among non-smoker indoor workers. This study improved on previous research by using the probability of a resident in a county covered by workplace CIALs taking into account the state, county, and city legislation. The county-level probability of being covered by a CIAL is merged into two large nationally representative US surveys on smoking behaviors: Tobacco Use Supplement of the Current Population Survey (2001–2010) and Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (2000–2006) based on the year of the survey and respondent’s geographic location to identify respondents’ CIAL coverage. This study estimated several model specifications of including and not including state or county fixed effects, and the effects of workplace CIALs are consistent across models. Increased coverage by workplace CIALs significantly increased likelihood of reporting a complete smoking restriction by 8% and 10% for the two different datasets, decreased smoking participation among indoor workers by 12%, and decreased SHS exposure among non-smokers by 28%. PMID:26639369

Marginalization and health service coverage among indigenous, rural, and urban populations: a public health problem in Mexico.

PubMed

Roldán, José; Álvarez, Marsela; Carrasco, María; Guarneros, Noé; Ledesma, José; Cuchillo-Hilario, Mario; Chávez, Adolfo

2017-12-01

  Marginalization is a significant issue in Mexico, involving a lack of access to health services with differential impacts on Indigenous, rural and urban populations. The objective of this study was to understand Mexico’s public health problem across three population areas, Indigenous, rural and urban, in relation to degree of marginalization and health service coverage.   The sampling universe of the study consisted of 107 458 geographic locations in the country. The study was retrospective, comparative and confirmatory. The study applied analysis of variance, parametric and non-parametric, correlation and correspondence analyses.   Significant differences were identified between the Indigenous, rural and urban populations with respect to their level of marginalization and access to health services. The most affected area was Indigenous, followed by rural areas. The sector that was least affected was urban.   Although health coverage is highly concentrated in urban areas in Mexico, shortages are mostly concentrated in rural areas where Indigenous groups represent the extreme end of marginalization and access to medical coverage. Inadequate access to health services in the Indigenous and rural populations throws the gravity of the public health problem into relief.

Challenges in Locating Microseismic Events Using Distributed Acoustic Sensors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Williams, A.; Kendall, J. M.; Clarke, A.; Verdon, J.

2017-12-01

Microseismic monitoring is an important method of assessing the behaviour of subsurface fluid processes, and is commonly acquired using geophone arrays in boreholes or on the surface. A new alternative technology has been recently developed - fibre-optic Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) - using strain along a fibre-optic cable as a measure of seismic signals. DAS can offer high density arrays and full-well coverage from the surface to bottom, with less overall disruption to operations, so there are many exciting possible applications in monitoring both petroleum and other subsurface industries. However, there are challenges in locating microseismic events recorded using current DAS systems, which only record seismic data in one-component and consequently omit the azimuthal information provided by a three-component geophone. To test the impact of these limitations we used finite difference modelling to generate one-component synthetic DAS datasets and investigated the impact of picking solely P-wave or both P- and S-wave arrivals and the impact of different array geometries. These are then compared to equivalent 3-component synthetic geophone datasets. In simple velocity models, P-wave arrivals along linear arrays cannot be used to constrain locations using DAS, without further a priori information. We then tested the impact of straight cables vs. L-shaped arrays and found improved locations when the cable is deviated, especially when both P- and S-wave picks are included. There is a trade-off between the added coverage of DAS cables versus sparser 3C geophone arrays where particle motion helps constrains locations, which cannot be assessed without forward modelling.

Effect of rocker-soled shoes on parameters of knee joint load in knee osteoarthritis.

PubMed

Madden, Elizabeth G; Kean, Crystal O; Wrigley, Tim V; Bennell, Kim L; Hinman, Rana S

2015-01-01

This study evaluated the immediate effects of rocker-soled shoes on parameters of the knee adduction moment (KAM) and pain in individuals with knee osteoarthritis (OA). Three-dimensional gait analysis was performed on 30 individuals (mean (SD): age, 61 (7) yr; 15 (50%) male) with radiographic and symptomatic knee OA under three walking conditions in a randomized order: i) wearing rocker-soled shoes (Skechers Shape-ups), ii) wearing non-rocker-soled shoes (ASICS walking shoes), and iii) barefoot. Peak KAM and KAM angular impulse were measured as primary indicators of knee load distribution. Secondary measures included the knee flexion moment (KFM) and knee pain during walking. Peak KAM was significantly lower when wearing the rocker-soled shoes compared with that when wearing the non-rocker-soled shoes (mean difference (95% confidence interval), -0.27 (-0.42 to -0.12) N·m/BW × Ht%; P < 0.001). Post hoc tests revealed no significant difference in KAM impulse between rocker-soled and non-rocker-soled shoe conditions (P = 0.13). Both peak KAM and KAM impulse were significantly higher during both shoe conditions compared with those during the barefoot condition (P < 0.001). There were no significant differences in KFM (P = 0.36) or knee pain (P = 0.89) between conditions. Rocker-soled shoes significantly reduced peak KAM when compared with non-rocker-soled shoes, without a concomitant change in KFM, and thus may potentially reduce medial knee joint loading. However, KAM parameters in the rocker-soled shoes remained significantly higher than those during barefoot walking. Wearing rocker-soled shoes did not have a significant immediate effect on walking pain. Further research is required to evaluate whether rocker-soled shoes can influence symptoms and progression of knee OA with prolonged wear.

Tanzania's countdown to 2015: an analysis of two decades of progress and gaps for reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health, to inform priorities for post-2015.

PubMed

Afnan-Holmes, Hoviyeh; Magoma, Moke; John, Theopista; Levira, Francis; Msemo, Georgina; Armstrong, Corinne E; Martínez-Álvarez, Melisa; Kerber, Kate; Kihinga, Clement; Makuwani, Ahmad; Rusibamayila, Neema; Hussein, Asia; Lawn, Joy E

2015-07-01

Tanzania is on track to meet Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 4 for child survival, but is making insufficient progress for newborn survival and maternal health (MDG 5) and family planning. To understand this mixed progress and to identify priorities for the post-2015 era, Tanzania was selected as a Countdown to 2015 case study. We analysed progress made in Tanzania between 1990 and 2014 in maternal, newborn, and child mortality, and unmet need for family planning, in which we used a health systems evaluation framework to assess coverage and equity of interventions along the continuum of care, health systems, policies and investments, while also considering contextual change (eg, economic and educational). We had five objectives, which assessed each level of the health systems evaluation framework. We used the Lives Saved Tool (LiST) and did multiple linear regression analyses to explain the reduction in child mortality in Tanzania. We analysed the reasons for the slower changes in maternal and newborn survival and family planning, to inform priorities to end preventable maternal, newborn, and child deaths by 2030. In the past two decades, Tanzania's population has doubled in size, necessitating a doubling of health and social services to maintain coverage. Total health-care financing also doubled, with donor funding for child health and HIV/AIDS more than tripling. Trends along the continuum of care varied, with preventive child health services reaching high coverage (≥85%) and equity (socioeconomic status difference 13-14%), but lower coverage and wider inequities for child curative services (71% coverage, socioeconomic status difference 36%), facility delivery (52% coverage, socioeconomic status difference 56%), and family planning (46% coverage, socioeconomic status difference 22%). The LiST analysis suggested that around 39% of child mortality reduction was linked to increases in coverage of interventions, especially of immunisation and insecticide-treated bednets. Economic growth was also associated with reductions in child mortality. Child health programmes focused on selected high-impact interventions at lower levels of the health system (eg, the community and dispensary levels). Despite its high priority, implementation of maternal health care has been intermittent. Newborn survival has gained attention only since 2005, but high-impact interventions are already being implemented. Family planning had consistent policies but only recent reinvestment in implementation. Mixed progress in reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health in Tanzania indicates a complex interplay of political prioritisation, health financing, and consistent implementation. Post-2015 priorities for Tanzania should focus on the unmet need for family planning, especially in the Western and Lake regions; addressing gaps for coverage and quality of care at birth, especially in rural areas; and continuation of progress for child health. Government of Canada, Foreign Affairs, Trade, and Development; US Fund for UNICEF; and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Copyright © 2015 Afnan-Holmes et al. Open Access article distributed under the terms of CC BY. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

A locally initiated and executed measles outbreak response immunization campaign in the nylon health district, Douala Cameroon 2011

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

The Cameroon health system is divided into central, intermediate and peripheral levels. Of the 43 health districts with a measles outbreak in Cameroon in 2011, only the Nylon Health District organized a documented outbreak response immunization. We present the methods and results of the response campaign solely shouldered by the district and intermediate level. The risk group, targets and neighborhoods to be vaccinated were identified after a detailed analysis of initial cases. The intermediate level defined strategies, provided logistics, capacity building and 41% of the operational budget while 59% was completed by the peripheral level. Microsoft Office Excel 2007 was used to estimate coverage rates and to draw an epidemic curve. The response immunization campaign was organized on the 14th epidemiological week, 10 weeks after the onset of the outbreak which ended 11 weeks thereafter. A total of 15867(108.5%) children aged 9-59 months were vaccinated in five health areas at a direct cost (vaccines excluded) of 71.34FCFA ($0.143) per vaccinated child. An additional 824 children aged 9-59 months were vaccinated around the residence of notified cases in neighborhoods which were not involved in the response campaign. The number of cases after the response campaign was lower than before. Once vaccines are available, prompt outbreak response campaigns can be organized at operational level to obtain commendable results instead of depending solely on international organizations or central levels. Decision makers at the intermediate and operational levels should redeploy available funds during emergencies to prevent the development of extreme public health conditions. PMID:23497712

Potential Costs of Veterans’ Health Care

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-10-01

coverage, there is no rigid mathematical relationship among those proportions because veterans enrolled in Part A may choose to enroll in either Part B or...assumption is consistent with the statistical analysis by an actuarial firm with which VA contracted when developing its model for projecting

Conflicting stories about public scientific controversies: Effects of news convergence and divergence on scientists' credibility.

PubMed

Jensen, Jakob D; Hurley, Ryan J

2012-08-01

Surveys suggest that approximately one third of news consumers have encountered conflicting reports of the same information. News coverage of science is especially prone to conflict, but how news consumers perceive this situation is currently unknown. College students (N = 242) participated in a lab experiment where they were exposed to news coverage about one of two scientific controversies in the United States: dioxin in sewage sludge or the reintroduction of gray wolves to populated areas. Participants received (a) one news article (control), (b) two news articles that were consistent (convergent), or (c) two news articles that conflicted (divergent). The effects of divergence induced uncertainty differed by news story. Greater uncertainty was associated with increased scientists' credibility ratings for those reading dioxin regulation articles and decreased scientists' credibility ratings for those reading wolf reintroduction articles. Unlike other manifestations of uncertainty in scientific discourse, conflicting stories seem to generate effects that vary significantly by topic. Consistent with uncertainty management theory, uncertainty is embraced or rejected by situation.

Determinants of National Health Insurance enrolment in Ghana across the life course: Are the results consistent between surveys?

PubMed

van der Wielen, Nele; Falkingham, Jane; Channon, Andrew Amos

2018-04-23

Ghana is currently undergoing a profound demographic transition, with large increases in the number of older adults in the population. Older adults require greater levels of healthcare as illness and disability increase with age. Ghana therefore provides an important and timely case study of policy implementation aimed at improving equal access to healthcare in the context of population ageing. This paper examines the determinants of National Health Insurance (NHIS) enrolment in Ghana, using two different surveys and distinguishing between younger and older adults. Two surveys are used in order to investigate consistency in insurance enrolment. The comparison between age groups is aimed at understanding whether determinants differ for older adults. Previous studies have mainly focused on the enrolment of young and middle aged adults; thus by widening the focus to include older adults and taking into account differences in their demographic and socio-economic characteristics this paper provides a unique contribution to the literature. Using data from the 2007-2008 Study on Global Ageing and Adult Health (SAGE) and the 2012-2013 Ghanaian Living Standards Survey (GLSS) the determinants of NHIS enrolment among younger adults (aged 18-49) and older adults (aged 50 and over) are compared. Logistic regression explores the socio-economic and demographic determinants of NHIS enrolment and multinomial logistic regression investigates the correlates of insurance drop out. Similar results for people aged 18-49 and people aged 50 plus were revealed, with older adults having a slightly lower probability of dropping out of insurance coverage compared to younger adults. Both surveys confirm that education and wealth increase the likelihood of NHIS affiliation. Further, residential differences in insurance coverage are found, with greater NHIS coverage in urban areas. The findings give assurance that both datasets (SAGE and GLSS) are suitable for research on insurance affiliation in Ghana. The paper indicates that although the gap in coverage among rich and poor and urban and rural residents appears to have decreased, these factors still determine NHIS coverage of younger and older adults. The same holds for education. Increasing efforts are needed to ensure equal access to healthcare.

Age compositions of flatfish stocks as determined by a new otolithometric method, its application in the estimation of growth, spawning potential and fisheries management

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Katayama, Satoshi; Yamamoto, Masayuki; Gorie, Shigeaki

2010-11-01

We developed an ageing methodology and examined age composition of three flatfish stocks inhabiting the Seto Inland Sea, Japan. Ages were difficult to determine for three-lined tongue sole ( Cynoglossus abbreviates) and ridged-eye flounder ( Pleuronichthys cornutus) because the first year annulus ring was often indistinct; therefore, we used directional change in otolith growth to distinguish it. Sectioning and etching methods were powerful tools for identifying annual checks for red tongue sole ( Cynoglossus joyneri). Using these ageing methods, we determined age-length relationships and growth curves. The age composition of the populations studied and of the landings showed that a large proportion of the latter consisted of individuals under the mean age of sexual maturity, thereby reducing the percent spawning potential ratio (%SPR) to ≈ 20% for all species. These findings suggest that fishing pressure on immature fish is leading to overfishing of these flatfish stocks.

Modeled connectivity between northern rock sole (Lepidopsetta polyxystra) spawning and nursery areas in the eastern Bering Sea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cooper, D. W.; Duffy-Anderson, J. T.; Stockhausen, W. T.; Cheng, W.

2013-11-01

Connectivity between spawning and potential nursery areas of northern rock sole, Lepidopsetta polyxystra, in the eastern Bering Sea was examined using an individual-based biophysical-coupled model. Presumed spawning areas were identified using historical field-collected ichthyoplankton data, and nursery habitats were characterized based on previously described settlement areas. Simulated larvae were released from spawning areas near the Pribilof Islands, south of the Pribilof Islands along the outer continental shelf, on the north side of the Alaska Peninsula, and in the Gulf of Alaska south of Unimak Island. Simulated larvae were transported along two general pathways: 1) northwards along the outer continental shelf from Unimak Island towards the Pribilof Islands and further north offshore of mainland Alaska, and 2) eastward along the Alaska Peninsula. At the end of the 2-month simulation, drift pathways placed pre-settlement stage larvae offshore of known nursery areas of older juveniles near mainland Alaska, consistent with a hypothesis that initial settlement may be followed by substantial post-settlement redistribution.

29 CFR 1952.380 - Description of the plan.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... Justice that the Act is consistent with the State's Law and Constitution. Federal procedural regulations... Commonwealth's Act for the private sector are essentially identical to those in the Federal Act, and Puerto Rico intends to adopt all Federal standards. The Commonwealth will exclude from coverage all industries...

Three Library and Information Science Databases Revisited: Currency, Coverage and Overlap, Interindexing Consistency.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Blackwell, Michael Lind

This study evaluates the "Education Resources Information Center" (ERIC), "Library and Information Science Abstracts" (LISA), and "Library Literature" (LL) databases, determining how long the databases take to enter records (indexing delay), how much duplication of effort exists among the three databases (indexing…

29 CFR 1956.71 - Developmental schedule.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... least as effective” coverage of all public sector employers and employees including Territorial... that it is consistent with 29 CFR part 1953 and that all standards applicable to the public sector will... for compelling abatement in the public sector within one year of plan conversion approval. (e) The...

Depth and substrate as determinants of distribution of juvenile flathead sole (Hippoglossoides elassodon) and rock sole (Pleuronectes bilineatus), in Kachemak Bay, Alaska

USGS Publications Warehouse

Abookire, Alisa A.; Norcross, Brenda L.

1998-01-01

Three transects in Kachemak Bay, Alaska, were sampled in September 1994, May and August 1995, and February, May, and August 1996. Juvenile flathead sole, Hippoglossoides elassodon, and rock sole, Pleuronectes bilineatus, were the most abundant flatfishes, comprising 65-85% of all fiatfishes captured at any period. Collections of fish and sediments were made at regular depth contour intervals of l0 m. Habitat distribution was described by depth at 10 m increments and sediment percent weights of gravel, sand, and mud. Year-round habitat of flathead sole age-0 was primarily from 40 to 60 m, and age-1 habitat was primarily from 40 to 80 m. Summer habitat of rock sole age-0 and -1 was from 10 to 30 m, and in winter they moved offshore to depths of up to 150 m. Both age classes of flathead sole were most abundant on mixed mud sediments, while age-1 were also in high abundance on muddy sand sediments. Rock sole age-0 and -1 were most abundant on sand, though age-1 were also found on a variety of sediments both finer and coarser grained than sand. Flathead sole and rock sole had distinctive depth and sediment habitats. When habitat overlap occurred between the species, it was most often due to rock sole moving offshore in the winter. Abundances were not significantly different among seasons for age-1 flatfishes.

Electron-Transfer Ion/Ion Reactions of Doubly Protonated Peptides: Effect of Elevated Bath Gas Temperature

PubMed Central

Pitteri, Sharon J.; Chrisman, Paul A.; McLuckey, Scott A.

2005-01-01

In this study, the electron-transfer dissociation (ETD) behavior of cations derived from 27 different peptides (22 of which are tryptic peptides) has been studied in a 3D quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer. Ion/ion reactions between peptide cations and nitrobenzene anions have been examined at both room temperature and in an elevated temperature bath gas environment to form ETD product ions. From the peptides studied, the ETD sequence coverage tends to be inversely related to peptide size. At room temperature, very high sequence coverage (~100%) was observed for small peptides (≤7 amino acids). For medium-sized peptides composed of 8–11 amino acids, the average sequence coverage was 46%. Larger peptides with 14 or more amino acids yielded an average sequence coverage of 23%. Elevated-temperature ETD provided increased sequence coverage over room-temperature experiments for the peptides of greater than 7 residues, giving an average of 67% for medium-sized peptides and 63% for larger peptides. Percent ETD, a measure of the extent of electron transfer, has also been calculated for the peptides and also shows an inverse relation with peptide size. Bath gas temperature does not have a consistent effect on percent ETD, however. For the tryptic peptides, fragmentation is localized at the ends of the peptides suggesting that the distribution of charge within the peptide may play an important role in determining fragmentation sites. A triply protonated peptide has also been studied and shows behavior similar to the doubly charged peptides. These preliminary results suggest that for a given charge state there is a maximum size for which high sequence coverage is obtained and that increasing the bath gas temperature can increase this maximum. PMID:16131079

Increasing Genome Sampling and Improving SNP Genotyping for Genotyping-by-Sequencing with New Combinations of Restriction Enzymes.

PubMed

Fu, Yong-Bi; Peterson, Gregory W; Dong, Yibo

2016-04-07

Genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) has emerged as a useful genomic approach for exploring genome-wide genetic variation. However, GBS commonly samples a genome unevenly and can generate a substantial amount of missing data. These technical features would limit the power of various GBS-based genetic and genomic analyses. Here we present software called IgCoverage for in silico evaluation of genomic coverage through GBS with an individual or pair of restriction enzymes on one sequenced genome, and report a new set of 21 restriction enzyme combinations that can be applied to enhance GBS applications. These enzyme combinations were developed through an application of IgCoverage on 22 plant, animal, and fungus species with sequenced genomes, and some of them were empirically evaluated with different runs of Illumina MiSeq sequencing in 12 plant species. The in silico analysis of 22 organisms revealed up to eight times more genome coverage for the new combinations consisted of pairing four- or five-cutter restriction enzymes than the commonly used enzyme combination PstI + MspI. The empirical evaluation of the new enzyme combination (HinfI + HpyCH4IV) in 12 plant species showed 1.7-6 times more genome coverage than PstI + MspI, and 2.3 times more genome coverage in dicots than monocots. Also, the SNP genotyping in 12 Arabidopsis and 12 rice plants revealed that HinfI + HpyCH4IV generated 7 and 1.3 times more SNPs (with 0-16.7% missing observations) than PstI + MspI, respectively. These findings demonstrate that these novel enzyme combinations can be utilized to increase genome sampling and improve SNP genotyping in various GBS applications. Copyright © 2016 Fu et al.

Root coverage using acellular dermal matrix and comparing a coronally positioned tunnel with and without platelet-rich plasma: a pilot study in humans.

PubMed

Shepherd, Neal; Greenwell, Henry; Hill, Margaret; Vidal, Ricardo; Scheetz, James P

2009-03-01

The primary aim of this randomized, controlled, blinded clinical pilot study was to compare the percentage of recession defect coverage obtained with a coronally positioned tunnel (CPT) plus an acellular dermal matrix allograft (ADM) to that of a CPT plus ADM and platelet-rich plasma (CPT/PRP) 4 months post-surgically. Eighteen patients with Miller Class I or II recession >or=3 mm at one site were treated and followed for 4 months. Nine patients received a CPT plus ADM and were considered the positive control group. The test group consisted of nine patients treated with a CPT plus ADM and PRP. Patients were randomly selected by a coin toss to receive the test or positive control treatment. The mean recession at the initial examination for the CPT group was 3.6 +/- 1.0 mm, which was reduced to 1.0 +/- 1.0 mm at the 4-month examination for a gain of 2.6 +/- 1.5 mm or 70% defect coverage (P <0.05). The mean recession at the initial examination for the CPT/PRP group was 3.3 +/- 0.7 mm, which was reduced to 0.4 +/- 0.7 mm at the 4-month examination for a gain of 2.9 +/- 0.5 mm or 90% defect coverage (P <0.05). There were no statistically significant differences between the groups (P >0.05). The CPT plus ADM and PRP produced defect coverage of 90%, whereas the CPT with ADM produced only 70% defect coverage. This difference was not statistically significant, but it may be clinically significant.

Automated Prescription of Oblique Brain 3D MRSI

PubMed Central

Ozhinsky, Eugene; Vigneron, Daniel B.; Chang, Susan M.; Nelson, Sarah J.

2012-01-01

Two major difficulties encountered in implementing Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic Imaging (MRSI) in a clinical setting are limited coverage and difficulty in prescription. The goal of this project was to completely automate the process of 3D PRESS MRSI prescription, including placement of the selection box, saturation bands and shim volume, while maximizing the coverage of the brain. The automated prescription technique included acquisition of an anatomical MRI image, optimization of the oblique selection box parameters, optimization of the placement of OVS saturation bands, and loading of the calculated parameters into a customized 3D MRSI pulse sequence. To validate the technique and compare its performance with existing protocols, 3D MRSI data were acquired from 6 exams from 3 healthy volunteers. To assess the performance of the automated 3D MRSI prescription for patients with brain tumors, the data were collected from 16 exams from 8 subjects with gliomas. This technique demonstrated robust coverage of the tumor, high consistency of prescription and very good data quality within the T2 lesion. PMID:22692829

Moving Toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC) to Achieve Inclusive and Sustainable Health Development: Three Essential Strategies Drawn From Asian Experience

PubMed Central

Xu, Ye; Huang, Cheng; Colón-Ramos, Uriyoán

2015-01-01

Binagwaho and colleagues’ perspective piece provided a timely reflection on the experience of Rwanda in achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and a proposal of 5 principles to carry forward in post-2015 health development. This commentary echoes their viewpoints and offers three lessons for health policy reforms consistent with these principles beyond 2015. Specifically, we argue that universal health coverage (UHC) is an integrated solution to advance the global health development agenda, and the three essential strategies drawn from Asian countries’ health reforms toward UHC are: (1) Public financing support and sequencing health insurance expansion by first extending health insurance to the extremely poor, vulnerable, and marginalized population are critical for achieving UHC; (2) Improved quality of delivered care ensures supply-side readiness and effective coverage; (3) Strategic purchasing and results-based financing creates incentives and accountability for positive changes. These strategies were discussed and illustrated with experience from China and other Asian economies. PMID:26673477

Infant mortality surveillance in Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil: operationalization, strengths and limitations.

PubMed

Oliveira, Conceição Maria de; Bonfim, Cristine Vieira do; Guimarães, Maria José Bezerra; Frias, Paulo Germano; Antonino, Verônica Cristina Sposito; Medeiros, Zulma Maria

2017-01-01

to report the experience on infant mortality surveillance (IMS) in the municipality of Recife-PE, Brazil. a documentary research and a query with key-informants who participated in the implementation and consolidation of the IMS were conducted; data of the Mortality Information System (SIM) and of the surveillance worksheets were used to measure the coverage of the investigated deaths. the implementation of the IMS has occurred gradually since 2003; the strategy is composed by (i) identification of deaths, (ii) investigation, (iii) discussion, (iv) recommendations and correction of vital statistics; upon completion of implementation (2006), 98.5% (256) of the deaths had been investigated and discussed, with the participation of those involved in the cases; in 2015, this coverage corresponded to 97.7%. the main recommendations consisted of expanding the access, coverage and improvement of primary, secondary and tertiary care quality; IMS is able to support changes in health care practices, as well as planning and organization of maternal and child care.

The Affordable Care Act’s Impacts on Access to Insurance and Health Care for Low-Income Populations

PubMed Central

Kominski, Gerald F.; Nonzee, Narissa J.; Sorensen, Andrea

2018-01-01

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) expands access to health insurance in the United States, and, to date, an estimated 20 million previously uninsured individuals have gained coverage. Understanding the law’s impact on coverage, access, utilization, and health outcomes, especially among low-income populations, is critical to informing ongoing debates about its effectiveness and implementation. Early findings indicate that there have been significant reductions in the rate of uninsurance among the poor and among those who live in Medicaid expansion states. In addition, the law has been associated with increased health care access, affordability, and use of preventive and outpatient services among low-income populations, though impacts on inpatient utilization and health outcomes have been less conclusive. Although these early findings are generally consistent with past coverage expansions, continued monitoring of these domains is essential to understand the long-term impact of the law for underserved populations. PMID:27992730

[Medial Stigmatization of Mentally Ill Persons after the "Germanwings"-Crash].

PubMed

von Heydendorff, Steffen Conrad; Dreßing, Harald

2016-04-01

The present study was designed to investigate the frequency of media stigmatization of mentally ill persons after the crash of the "Germanwings"-aircraft on March 2015. Evaluation of 251 texts, which were published in 12 national German newspapers. Categorical distinction between risky coverage and explicit characteristics of stigmatization. In 64.1 % of the evaluated texts, a psychiatric disease of the co-pilot was discussed as the possible cause of the crash, making this the most widely-used explanation in the media that we view "risky coverage". Characteristics of explicit stigmatization were found in 31.5 % of the texts. Most prominent category of explicit stigmatization was the rubric "Metaphorical language/dramatizations". It was found in 23.5 % of the articles. Predominantly risky coverage of mentally ill persons has occured in the wake of a spectacular crime. By obtaining professional expertise of psychiatrists and consistent interpretation of journalistic guidelines, unintended effects of stigmatization could be avoided in the future. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

Understanding the role of the news media in HPV vaccine uptake in the United States: Synthesis and commentary.

PubMed

Gollust, Sarah E; LoRusso, Susan M; Nagler, Rebekah H; Fowler, Erika Franklin

2016-06-02

Vaccination rates for the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine fall below targets and only 2 states and the District of Columbia require the vaccine for middle school-age children. Messages conveyed through news media-to parents, providers, policymakers, and the general public-may contribute to sluggish vaccination rates and policy action. In this commentary, we review the findings from 13 published studies of news media coverage of the HPV vaccine in the United States since FDA licensure in 2006. We find 2 important themes in news coverage: a rising focus on political controversy and a consistent emphasis on the vaccine as for girls, even beyond the point when the vaccine was recommended for boys. These political and gendered messages have consequences for public understanding of the vaccine. Future research should continue to monitor news media depictions of the HPV vaccine to assess whether political controversy will remain a pronounced theme of coverage or whether the media ultimately depict the vaccine as a routine public health service.

Women's magazine coverage of heart disease risk factors: Good Housekeeping magazine, 1997 to 2007.

PubMed

Edy, Carolyn M

2010-03-01

Women, who often turn to magazines for health information, continue to underestimate their risk for heart disease, though it remains the leading cause of death among women in the United States. This textual analysis considered the portrayal of women's risk factors for heart disease as problem and remedy frames within articles published by the highest circulation women's magazine in the U.S., Good Housekeeping, from 1997 to 2007. These findings were then compared with corresponding information endorsed by the American Heart Association. Far from underestimating a woman's risk for heart disease, GH articles seemed to target women at low risk for heart disease, while emphasizing risk factors unique to women. The magazine coverage was largely consistent with American Heart Association information, yet offered a broader range of treatment and prevention strategies that were sometimes contradictory or vague. One significant risk factor, race, was not mentioned in the magazine articles. This review calls for future research to determine the pervasiveness and possible effects of such coverage.

Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Enrollees Report Less Positive Experiences Than Their Medicare Advantage Counterparts.

PubMed

Elliott, Marc N; Landon, Bruce E; Zaslavsky, Alan M; Edwards, Carol; Orr, Nathan; Beckett, Megan K; Mallett, Joshua; Cleary, Paul D

2016-03-01

Since 2006, Medicare beneficiaries have been able to obtain prescription drug coverage through standalone prescription drug plans or their Medicare Advantage (MA) health plan, options exercised in 2015 by 72 percent of beneficiaries. Using data from community-dwelling Medicare beneficiaries older than age sixty-four in 700 plans surveyed from 2007 to 2014, we compared beneficiaries' assessments of Medicare prescription drug coverage when provided by standalone plans or integrated into an MA plan. Beneficiaries in standalone plans consistently reported less positive experiences with prescription drug plans (ease of getting medications, getting coverage information, and getting cost information) than their MA counterparts. Because MA plans are responsible for overall health care costs, they might have more integrated systems and greater incentives than standalone prescription drug plans to provide enrollees medications and information effectively, including, since 2010, quality bonus payments to these MA plans under provisions of the Affordable Care Act. Project HOPE—The People-to-People Health Foundation, Inc.

Metamorphic sole formation reveals plate interface rheology during early subduction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mathieu, S.; Agard, P.; Dubacq, B.; Plunder, A.; Prigent, C.

2015-12-01

Metamorphic soles are m to ~500m thick tectonic slices welded beneath most large ophiolites. They correspond to highly to mildly deformed portions of oceanic lithosphere metamorphosed at amphibolite to granulite facies peak conditions. Metamorphic soles are interpreted as formed ≤1-2Ma after intraoceanic subduction initiation by heat transfer from the hot, incipient mantle wegde to the underthrusting lower plate. Their early accretion and exhumation together with the future ophiolite implies at least one jump of the subduction plate interface from above to below the metamorphic sole. Metamorphic soles thus represent one of the few remnants of the very early evolution of the subduction plate interface and provide major constraints on the thermal structure and the effective rheology of the crust and mantle along the nascent slab interface.We herein present a structural and petrological detailed description of the Oman and Turkey metamorphic soles. Both soles present a steep inverted metamorphic structure, with isograds subparallel to the peridotite contact, in which the proportion of mafic rocks, pressure and temperature conditions increase upward. They comprise, as most metamorphic soles worldwide, two main units: (1) a high-grade unit adjacent to the overlying peridotite composed of granulitized to amphibolized metabasalts, with rare metasedimentary interlayers (~800±100ºC at 10±2kbar) and (2) a low-grade greenschist facies unit composed of metasedimentary rocks with rare metatuffs (~500±100ºC at 5±2kbar). We provide for the first time refined P-T peak condition estimations by means of pseudosection modelling and maximum temperature constraints for the Oman low-grade sole by RAMAN thermometry. In order to quantify micro-scale deformations trough the sole, we also present EBSD data on the Oman garnet-bearing and garnet-free high-grade sole.With these new constraints, we finally propose a new conceptual mechanical model for metamorphic sole formation. This model excludes the presence of a continuous inverted metamorphic gradient through the sole but implies the stacking of several homogeneous slivers to constitute the present structure of the sole. These successive thrusts are the result of rheological changes as the plate interface progressively cools.

Maintaining and Enhancing Diversity of Sampled Protein Conformations in Robotics-Inspired Methods.

PubMed

Abella, Jayvee R; Moll, Mark; Kavraki, Lydia E

2018-01-01

The ability to efficiently sample structurally diverse protein conformations allows one to gain a high-level view of a protein's energy landscape. Algorithms from robot motion planning have been used for conformational sampling, and several of these algorithms promote diversity by keeping track of "coverage" in conformational space based on the local sampling density. However, large proteins present special challenges. In particular, larger systems require running many concurrent instances of these algorithms, but these algorithms can quickly become memory intensive because they typically keep previously sampled conformations in memory to maintain coverage estimates. In addition, robotics-inspired algorithms depend on defining useful perturbation strategies for exploring the conformational space, which is a difficult task for large proteins because such systems are typically more constrained and exhibit complex motions. In this article, we introduce two methodologies for maintaining and enhancing diversity in robotics-inspired conformational sampling. The first method addresses algorithms based on coverage estimates and leverages the use of a low-dimensional projection to define a global coverage grid that maintains coverage across concurrent runs of sampling. The second method is an automatic definition of a perturbation strategy through readily available flexibility information derived from B-factors, secondary structure, and rigidity analysis. Our results show a significant increase in the diversity of the conformations sampled for proteins consisting of up to 500 residues when applied to a specific robotics-inspired algorithm for conformational sampling. The methodologies presented in this article may be vital components for the scalability of robotics-inspired approaches.

Quantitative evaluation of the relationship between dorsal wall length, sole thickness, and rotation of the distal phalanx in the bovine claw using computed tomography.

PubMed

Tsuka, T; Murahata, Y; Azuma, K; Osaki, T; Ito, N; Okamoto, Y; Imagawa, T

2014-10-01

Computed tomography (CT) was performed on 800 untrimmed claws (400 inner claws and 400 outer claws) of 200 pairs of bovine hindlimbs to investigate the relationships between dorsal wall length and sole thickness, and between dorsal wall length and the relative rotation angle of distal phalanx-to-sole surface (S-D angle). Sole thickness was 3.8 and 4.0 mm at the apex of the inner claws and outer claws, respectively, with dorsal wall lengths <70 mm. These sole thickness values were less than the critical limit of 5 mm, which is associated with a softer surface following thinning of the soles. A sole thickness of 5 mm at the apex was estimated to correlate with dorsal wall lengths of 72.1 and 72.7 mm for the inner and outer claws, respectively. Sole thickness was 6.1 and 6.4 mm at the apex of the inner and outer claws, respectively, with dorsal wall lengths of 75 mm. These sole thickness values were less than the recommended sole thickness of 7 mm based on the protective function of the soles. A sole thickness >7 mm at the apex was estimated to correlate with a dorsal wall length of 79.8 and 78.4mm for the inner and outer claws, respectively. The S-D angles were recorded as anteversions of 2.9° and 4.7° for the inner and outer claws, respectively, with a dorsal wall length of 75 mm. These values indicate that the distal phalanx is likely to have rotated naturally forward toward the sole surface. The distal phalanx rotated backward to the sole surface at 3.2° and 7.6° for inner claws with dorsal wall lengths of 90-99 and ≥100 mm, respectively; and at 3.5° for outer claws with a dorsal wall length ≥100 mm. Dorsal wall lengths of 85.7 and 97.2 mm were estimated to correlate with a parallel positional relationship of the distal phalanx to the sole surface in the inner and outer claws, respectively. Copyright © 2014 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

77 FR 12930 - Federal Acquisition Regulation: Socioeconomic Program Parity

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-03-02

... on May 6, 2011, reinstating the Rule of Two. C. Sole Source Dollar Thresholds Vary Among the... all socioeconomic programs had the same sole source dollar threshold. Response: The sole source dollar... business socioeconomic contracting program to utilize. D. Sole Source Authority Under the SDVOSB Program...

Small-area estimation of health insurance coverage for California legislative districts.

PubMed

Yu, Hongjian; Meng, Ying-Ying; Mendez-Luck, Carolyn A; Jhawar, Mona; Wallace, Steven P

2007-04-01

To aid state and local policymakers, program planners, and community advocates, we created estimates of the percentage of the population lacking health insurance in small geographic areas of California. Finally, calibration ensured the consistency and stability of the estimates when they were aggregated. Health insurance coverage among nonelderly persons varied widely across assembly districts, from 10% to 44%. The utility of local-level estimates was most apparent when the variations in subcounty uninsured rates in Los Angeles County (19%-44%) were examined. Stable and useful estimates of health insurance rates for small areas such as legislative districts can be created through use of multiple sources of publicly available data.

31 CFR 50.21 - Make available.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... Money and Finance: Treasury Office of the Secretary of the Treasury TERRORISM RISK INSURANCE PROGRAM... definition of act of terrorism. An insurer must make available coverage for insured losses in a policy of property and casualty insurance consistent with the definition of an act of terrorism as amended by the...

31 CFR 50.21 - Make available.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... Money and Finance: Treasury Office of the Secretary of the Treasury TERRORISM RISK INSURANCE PROGRAM... definition of act of terrorism. An insurer must make available coverage for insured losses in a policy of property and casualty insurance consistent with the definition of an act of terrorism as amended by the...

31 CFR 50.21 - Make available.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... Money and Finance: Treasury Office of the Secretary of the Treasury TERRORISM RISK INSURANCE PROGRAM... definition of act of terrorism. An insurer must make available coverage for insured losses in a policy of property and casualty insurance consistent with the definition of an act of terrorism as amended by the...

31 CFR 50.21 - Make available.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... Money and Finance: Treasury Office of the Secretary of the Treasury TERRORISM RISK INSURANCE PROGRAM... definition of act of terrorism. An insurer must make available coverage for insured losses in a policy of property and casualty insurance consistent with the definition of an act of terrorism as amended by the...

International Development Education in the English Classroom.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chamberlin, John; Harder, John

International development education in the English classroom might consist of the critical analysis of print-media coverage of events in the Third World and the reading of fiction written by Third World authors. An integration of both activities requires a theoretical framework that would affirm the usefulness of the discipline's pursuits in…

A Comparative Planetology Activity

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

LoPresto, Michael C.; Murrell, Steven R.

2010-01-01

The beginning of a typical solar system "unit" in a traditional introductory astronomy course often consists of an overview of the different object types--planets, moons, and debris (asteroids, comets, and meteors), and now also Pluto's home, the Kuiper belt--prior to coverage of formation and more detail about the various object types. An…

Vocabulary Demands of Television Programs

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Webb, Stuart; Rodgers, Michael P. H.

2009-01-01

This study investigated vocabulary coverage and the number of encounters of low-frequency vocabulary in television programs. Eighty-eight television programs consisting of 264,384 running words were categorized according to genre. Television shows were classified as either British or American and then put into the following genres: news, drama,…

32 CFR 154.8 - Types and scope of personnel security investigations.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... interview, NAC, LACs, credit checks, developed character references (3), employment records checks... interview. While the kind of coverage provided for by the SBI determines eligibility for access to SCI, DoD... requiring resolution in the case concerned and generally consist of record checks and/or interviews with...

32 CFR 154.8 - Types and scope of personnel security investigations.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... interview, NAC, LACs, credit checks, developed character references (3), employment records checks... interview. While the kind of coverage provided for by the SBI determines eligibility for access to SCI, DoD... requiring resolution in the case concerned and generally consist of record checks and/or interviews with...

42 CFR 426.518 - NCD record furnished to the aggrieved party.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICARE PROGRAM REVIEW OF NATIONAL COVERAGE DETERMINATIONS AND LOCAL... section, the NCD record consists of any document or material that CMS considered during the development of... decision memoranda. (5) An index of documents considered that are excluded under paragraph (b) of this...

42 CFR 426.518 - NCD record furnished to the aggrieved party.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICARE PROGRAM REVIEW OF NATIONAL COVERAGE DETERMINATIONS AND LOCAL... section, the NCD record consists of any document or material that CMS considered during the development of... decision memoranda. (5) An index of documents considered that are excluded under paragraph (b) of this...

31 CFR 50.21 - Make available.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... Money and Finance: Treasury Office of the Secretary of the Treasury TERRORISM RISK INSURANCE PROGRAM... definition of act of terrorism. An insurer must make available coverage for insured losses in a policy of property and casualty insurance consistent with the definition of an act of terrorism as amended by the...

GenoCore: A simple and fast algorithm for core subset selection from large genotype datasets.

PubMed

Jeong, Seongmun; Kim, Jae-Yoon; Jeong, Soon-Chun; Kang, Sung-Taeg; Moon, Jung-Kyung; Kim, Namshin

2017-01-01

Selecting core subsets from plant genotype datasets is important for enhancing cost-effectiveness and to shorten the time required for analyses of genome-wide association studies (GWAS), and genomics-assisted breeding of crop species, etc. Recently, a large number of genetic markers (>100,000 single nucleotide polymorphisms) have been identified from high-density single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) arrays and next-generation sequencing (NGS) data. However, there is no software available for picking out the efficient and consistent core subset from such a huge dataset. It is necessary to develop software that can extract genetically important samples in a population with coherence. We here present a new program, GenoCore, which can find quickly and efficiently the core subset representing the entire population. We introduce simple measures of coverage and diversity scores, which reflect genotype errors and genetic variations, and can help to select a sample rapidly and accurately for crop genotype dataset. Comparison of our method to other core collection software using example datasets are performed to validate the performance according to genetic distance, diversity, coverage, required system resources, and the number of selected samples. GenoCore selects the smallest, most consistent, and most representative core collection from all samples, using less memory with more efficient scores, and shows greater genetic coverage compared to the other software tested. GenoCore was written in R language, and can be accessed online with an example dataset and test results at https://github.com/lovemun/Genocore.

Template-directed atomically precise self-organization of perfectly ordered parallel cerium silicide nanowire arrays on Si(110)-16 × 2 surfaces.

PubMed

Hong, Ie-Hong; Liao, Yung-Cheng; Tsai, Yung-Feng

2013-11-05

The perfectly ordered parallel arrays of periodic Ce silicide nanowires can self-organize with atomic precision on single-domain Si(110)-16 × 2 surfaces. The growth evolution of self-ordered parallel Ce silicide nanowire arrays is investigated over a broad range of Ce coverages on single-domain Si(110)-16 × 2 surfaces by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). Three different types of well-ordered parallel arrays, consisting of uniformly spaced and atomically identical Ce silicide nanowires, are self-organized through the heteroepitaxial growth of Ce silicides on a long-range grating-like 16 × 2 reconstruction at the deposition of various Ce coverages. Each atomically precise Ce silicide nanowire consists of a bundle of chains and rows with different atomic structures. The atomic-resolution dual-polarity STM images reveal that the interchain coupling leads to the formation of the registry-aligned chain bundles within individual Ce silicide nanowire. The nanowire width and the interchain coupling can be adjusted systematically by varying the Ce coverage on a Si(110) surface. This natural template-directed self-organization of perfectly regular parallel nanowire arrays allows for the precise control of the feature size and positions within ±0.2 nm over a large area. Thus, it is a promising route to produce parallel nanowire arrays in a straightforward, low-cost, high-throughput process.

Template-directed atomically precise self-organization of perfectly ordered parallel cerium silicide nanowire arrays on Si(110)-16 × 2 surfaces

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

The perfectly ordered parallel arrays of periodic Ce silicide nanowires can self-organize with atomic precision on single-domain Si(110)-16 × 2 surfaces. The growth evolution of self-ordered parallel Ce silicide nanowire arrays is investigated over a broad range of Ce coverages on single-domain Si(110)-16 × 2 surfaces by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). Three different types of well-ordered parallel arrays, consisting of uniformly spaced and atomically identical Ce silicide nanowires, are self-organized through the heteroepitaxial growth of Ce silicides on a long-range grating-like 16 × 2 reconstruction at the deposition of various Ce coverages. Each atomically precise Ce silicide nanowire consists of a bundle of chains and rows with different atomic structures. The atomic-resolution dual-polarity STM images reveal that the interchain coupling leads to the formation of the registry-aligned chain bundles within individual Ce silicide nanowire. The nanowire width and the interchain coupling can be adjusted systematically by varying the Ce coverage on a Si(110) surface. This natural template-directed self-organization of perfectly regular parallel nanowire arrays allows for the precise control of the feature size and positions within ±0.2 nm over a large area. Thus, it is a promising route to produce parallel nanowire arrays in a straightforward, low-cost, high-throughput process. PMID:24188092

Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Programs: essential health benefits in alternative benefit plans, eligibility notices, fair hearing and appeal processes, and premiums and cost sharing; exchanges: eligibility and enrollment. Final rule.

PubMed

2013-07-15

This final rule implements provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (collectively referred to as the Affordable Care Act. This final rule finalizes new Medicaid eligibility provisions; finalizes changes related to electronic Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) eligibility notices and delegation of appeals; modernizes and streamlines existing Medicaid eligibility rules; revises CHIP rules relating to the substitution of coverage to improve the coordination of CHIP coverage with other coverage; and amends requirements for benchmark and benchmark-equivalent benefit packages consistent with sections 1937 of the Social Security Act (which we refer to as ``alternative benefit plans'') to ensure that these benefit packages include essential health benefits and meet certain other minimum standards. This rule also implements specific provisions including those related to authorized representatives, notices, and verification of eligibility for qualifying coverage in an eligible employer-sponsored plan for Affordable Insurance Exchanges. This rule also updates and simplifies the complex Medicaid premium and cost sharing requirements, to promote the most effective use of services, and to assist states in identifying cost sharing flexibilities. It includes transition policies for 2014 as applicable.

Australian immunisation registers: established foundations and opportunities for improvement.

PubMed

Chin, L K; Crawford, N W; Rowles, G; Buttery, J P

2012-04-19

The National Immunisation Program Schedule in Australia is formulated and funded nationally under the population-wide Medicare system. The policy is implemented by the eight state and territory jurisdictions. The national immunisation registers consist of the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register (ACIR), and, more recently, the National Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination Program Register. Moreover, a variety of jurisdiction-based registers and primary care practice software systems exist, which interact with the national registers. General practitioners can obtain reports listing patients under seven years attending their practice and recorded as 'not fully immunised', and immunisation coverage rates for their practice linked to government incentives through Medicare. A 2011 report documents national coverage of 91.8% fully immunised at 12 months, and 92.6% at 24 months. The HPV register provides information on vaccination coverage with the potential to link with a register of cervical cancer screening results. Limitations of current national register include inability to easily access immunisation histories beyond seven years of age, and issues of underreporting and timeliness, which impact significantly the immunisation coverage estimates. The linkage of these registers with healthcare outcome data will further enhance public health outcomes by enabling rapid, population-level vaccine safety and effectiveness investigations in a nation with a track record as an 'early adopter' of new childhood vaccines.

Kinetically controlled indium surface coverage effects on PAMBE-growth of InN/GaN(0001) quantum well structures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Chen; Maidaniuk, Yurii; Kuchuk, Andrian V.; Shetty, Satish; Ghosh, Pijush; White, Thomas P.; Morgan, Timothy Al.; Hu, Xian; Wu, Yang; Ware, Morgan E.; Mazur, Yuriy I.; Salamo, Gregory J.

2018-05-01

We report the effects of nitrogen (N) plasma and indium (In) flux on the In adatom adsorption/desorption kinetics on a GaN(0001) surface at the relatively high plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy-growth temperature of 680 °C. We experimentally demonstrate that under an active N flux, the (√{3 }×√{3 })R 30 ° surface reconstruction containing In and N quickly appears and the dynamically stable In adlayers sitting on this surface exhibit a continuous change from 0 to 2 MLs as a function of In flux. Compared to the bare GaN 1 ×1 surface which is stable during In exposure without an active N flux, we observed a much faster desorption for the bottom In adlayer and the absence of an In flux window corresponding to an In coverage of 1 ML. Moreover, when the In coverage exceeds 2 MLs, the desorption rates become identical for both surfaces. Finally, the importance of In surface coverage before GaN capping was shown by growing a series of InN/GaN multiple quantum well samples. The photoluminescence data show that a consistent quantum well structure is only formed if the surface is covered by excess In droplets before GaN capping.

A temperature-programmed X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (TPXPS) study of chlorine adsorption and diffusion on Ag(1 1 1)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Piao, H.; Adib, K.; Barteau, Mark A.

2004-05-01

Synchrotron-based temperature programmed X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (TPXPS) has been used to investigate the surface chloridation of Ag(1 1 1) to monolayer coverages. At 100 K both atomic and molecular chlorine species are present on the surface; adsorption at 300 K or annealing the adlayer at 100 K to this temperature generates adsorbed Cl atoms. As the surface is heated from 300 to 600 K, chlorine atoms diffuse below the surface, as demonstrated by attenuation of the Cl2p signals in TPXPS experiments. Quantitative analysis of the extent of attenuation is consistent with chlorine diffusion below the topmost silver layer. For coverages in the monolayer and sub-monolayer regime, chlorine diffusion to and from the bulk appears not to be significant, in contrast to previous results obtained at higher chlorine loadings. Chlorine is removed from the surface at 650-780 K by desorption as AgCl. These results demonstrate that chlorine diffusion beneath the surface does occur at coverages and temperatures relevant to olefin epoxidation processes carried out on silver catalysts with chlorine promoters. The surface sensitivity advantages of synchrotron-based XPS experiments were critical to observing Cl diffusion to the sub-surface at low coverages.

Assessment of the NASA-USGS Global Land Survey (GLS) Datasets

USGS Publications Warehouse

Gutman, Garik; Huang, Chengquan; Chander, Gyanesh; Noojipady, Praveen; Masek, Jeffery G.

2013-01-01

The Global Land Survey (GLS) datasets are a collection of orthorectified, cloud-minimized Landsat-type satellite images, providing near complete coverage of the global land area decadally since the early 1970s. The global mosaics are centered on 1975, 1990, 2000, 2005, and 2010, and consist of data acquired from four sensors: Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus, Thematic Mapper, Multispectral Scanner, and Advanced Land Imager. The GLS datasets have been widely used in land-cover and land-use change studies at local, regional, and global scales. This study evaluates the GLS datasets with respect to their spatial coverage, temporal consistency, geodetic accuracy, radiometric calibration consistency, image completeness, extent of cloud contamination, and residual gaps. In general, the three latest GLS datasets are of a better quality than the GLS-1990 and GLS-1975 datasets, with most of the imagery (85%) having cloud cover of less than 10%, the acquisition years clustered much more tightly around their target years, better co-registration relative to GLS-2000, and better radiometric absolute calibration. Probably, the most significant impediment to scientific use of the datasets is the variability of image phenology (i.e., acquisition day of year). This paper provides end-users with an assessment of the quality of the GLS datasets for specific applications, and where possible, suggestions for mitigating their deficiencies.

31 CFR 800.223 - Solely for the purpose of passive investment.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 31 Money and Finance:Treasury 3 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Solely for the purpose of passive..., ACQUISITIONS, AND TAKEOVERS BY FOREIGN PERSONS Definitions § 800.223 Solely for the purpose of passive investment. Ownership interests are held or acquired solely for the purpose of passive investment if the...

Thermal Preference of Juvenile Dover Sole (Solea solea) in Relation to Thermal Acclimation and Optimal Growth Temperature

PubMed Central

Schram, Edward; Bierman, Stijn; Teal, Lorna R.; Haenen, Olga; van de Vis, Hans; Rijnsdorp, Adriaan D.

2013-01-01

Dover sole (Solea solea) is an obligate ectotherm with a natural thermal habitat ranging from approximately 5 to 27°C. Thermal optima for growth lie in the range of 20 to 25°C. More precise information on thermal optima for growth is needed for cost-effective Dover sole aquaculture. The main objective of this study was to determine the optimal growth temperature of juvenile Dover sole (Solea solea) and in addition to test the hypothesis that the final preferendum equals the optimal growth temperature. Temperature preference was measured in a circular preference chamber for Dover sole acclimated to 18, 22 and 28°C. Optimal growth temperature was measured by rearing Dover sole at 19, 22, 25 and 28°C. The optimal growth temperature resulting from this growth experiment was 22.7°C for Dover sole with a size between 30 to 50 g. The temperature preferred by juvenile Dover sole increases with acclimation temperature and exceeds the optimal temperature for growth. A final preferendum could not be detected. Although a confounding effect of behavioural fever on temperature preference could not be entirely excluded, thermal preference and thermal optima for physiological processes seem to be unrelated in Dover sole. PMID:23613837

Thermal preference of juvenile Dover sole (Solea solea) in relation to thermal acclimation and optimal growth temperature.

PubMed

Schram, Edward; Bierman, Stijn; Teal, Lorna R; Haenen, Olga; van de Vis, Hans; Rijnsdorp, Adriaan D

2013-01-01

Dover sole (Solea solea) is an obligate ectotherm with a natural thermal habitat ranging from approximately 5 to 27°C. Thermal optima for growth lie in the range of 20 to 25°C. More precise information on thermal optima for growth is needed for cost-effective Dover sole aquaculture. The main objective of this study was to determine the optimal growth temperature of juvenile Dover sole (Solea solea) and in addition to test the hypothesis that the final preferendum equals the optimal growth temperature. Temperature preference was measured in a circular preference chamber for Dover sole acclimated to 18, 22 and 28°C. Optimal growth temperature was measured by rearing Dover sole at 19, 22, 25 and 28°C. The optimal growth temperature resulting from this growth experiment was 22.7°C for Dover sole with a size between 30 to 50 g. The temperature preferred by juvenile Dover sole increases with acclimation temperature and exceeds the optimal temperature for growth. A final preferendum could not be detected. Although a confounding effect of behavioural fever on temperature preference could not be entirely excluded, thermal preference and thermal optima for physiological processes seem to be unrelated in Dover sole.

Best practices in managing child and adolescent behavioral health emergencies.

PubMed

Feuer, Vera; Rocker, Joshua; Saggu, Babar M; Andrus, Jason M

2018-01-01

Behavioral health emergencies most commonly present as depression, suicidal behavior, aggression, and severe disorganization. Emergency clinicians should avoid relying solely on past medical history or previous psychiatric diagnoses that might prematurely rule out medical pathologies. Treatments for behavioral health emergencies consist of de-escalation interventions aimed at preventing agitation, aggression, and harm. This issue reviews medical pathologies and underlying causes that can result in psychiatric presentations and summarizes evidence-based practices to evaluate, manage, and refer patients with behavioral health emergencies.

Combination HIV prevention among MSM in South Africa: results from agent-based modeling.

PubMed

Brookmeyer, Ron; Boren, David; Baral, Stefan D; Bekker, Linda-Gail; Phaswana-Mafuya, Nancy; Beyrer, Chris; Sullivan, Patrick S

2014-01-01

HIV prevention trials have demonstrated the effectiveness of a number of behavioral and biomedical interventions. HIV prevention packages are combinations of interventions and offer potential to significantly increase the effectiveness of any single intervention. Estimates of the effectiveness of prevention packages are important for guiding the development of prevention strategies and for characterizing effect sizes before embarking on large scale trials. Unfortunately, most research to date has focused on testing single interventions rather than HIV prevention packages. Here we report the results from agent-based modeling of the effectiveness of HIV prevention packages for men who have sex with men (MSM) in South Africa. We consider packages consisting of four components: antiretroviral therapy for HIV infected persons with CD4 count <350; PrEP for high risk uninfected persons; behavioral interventions to reduce rates of unprotected anal intercourse (UAI); and campaigns to increase HIV testing. We considered 163 HIV prevention packages corresponding to different intensity levels of the four components. We performed 2252 simulation runs of our agent-based model to evaluate those packages. We found that a four component package consisting of a 15% reduction in the rate of UAI, 50% PrEP coverage of high risk uninfected persons, 50% reduction in persons who never test for HIV, and 50% ART coverage over and above persons already receiving ART at baseline, could prevent 33.9% of infections over 5 years (95% confidence interval, 31.5, 36.3). The package components with the largest incremental prevention effects were UAI reduction and PrEP coverage. The impact of increased HIV testing was magnified in the presence of PrEP. We find that HIV prevention packages that include both behavioral and biomedical components can in combination prevent significant numbers of infections with levels of coverage, acceptance and adherence that are potentially achievable among MSM in South Africa.

CystiSim – An Agent-Based Model for Taenia solium Transmission and Control

PubMed Central

Gabriël, Sarah; Dorny, Pierre; Speybroeck, Niko; Magnussen, Pascal; Torgerson, Paul; Johansen, Maria Vang

2016-01-01

Taenia solium taeniosis/cysticercosis was declared eradicable by the International Task Force for Disease Eradication in 1993, but remains a neglected zoonosis. To assist in the attempt to regionally eliminate this parasite, we developed cystiSim, an agent-based model for T. solium transmission and control. The model was developed in R and available as an R package (http://cran.r-project.org/package=cystiSim). cystiSim was adapted to an observed setting using field data from Tanzania, but adaptable to other settings if necessary. The model description adheres to the Overview, Design concepts, and Details (ODD) protocol and consists of two entities—pigs and humans. Pigs acquire cysticercosis through the environment or by direct contact with a tapeworm carrier's faeces. Humans acquire taeniosis from slaughtered pigs proportional to their infection intensity. The model allows for evaluation of three interventions measures or combinations hereof: treatment of humans, treatment of pigs, and pig vaccination, and allows for customary coverage and efficacy settings. cystiSim is the first agent-based transmission model for T. solium and suggests that control using a strategy consisting of an intervention only targeting the porcine host is possible, but that coverage and efficacy must be high if elimination is the ultimate goal. Good coverage of the intervention is important, but can be compensated for by including an additional intervention targeting the human host. cystiSim shows that the scenarios combining interventions in both hosts, mass drug administration to humans, and vaccination and treatment of pigs, have a high probability of success if coverage of 75% can be maintained over at least a four year period. In comparison with an existing mathematical model for T. solium transmission, cystiSim also includes parasite maturation, host immunity, and environmental contamination. Adding these biological parameters to the model resulted in new insights in the potential effect of intervention measures. PMID:27984581

CystiSim - An Agent-Based Model for Taenia solium Transmission and Control.

PubMed

Braae, Uffe Christian; Devleesschauwer, Brecht; Gabriël, Sarah; Dorny, Pierre; Speybroeck, Niko; Magnussen, Pascal; Torgerson, Paul; Johansen, Maria Vang

2016-12-01

Taenia solium taeniosis/cysticercosis was declared eradicable by the International Task Force for Disease Eradication in 1993, but remains a neglected zoonosis. To assist in the attempt to regionally eliminate this parasite, we developed cystiSim, an agent-based model for T. solium transmission and control. The model was developed in R and available as an R package (http://cran.r-project.org/package=cystiSim). cystiSim was adapted to an observed setting using field data from Tanzania, but adaptable to other settings if necessary. The model description adheres to the Overview, Design concepts, and Details (ODD) protocol and consists of two entities-pigs and humans. Pigs acquire cysticercosis through the environment or by direct contact with a tapeworm carrier's faeces. Humans acquire taeniosis from slaughtered pigs proportional to their infection intensity. The model allows for evaluation of three interventions measures or combinations hereof: treatment of humans, treatment of pigs, and pig vaccination, and allows for customary coverage and efficacy settings. cystiSim is the first agent-based transmission model for T. solium and suggests that control using a strategy consisting of an intervention only targeting the porcine host is possible, but that coverage and efficacy must be high if elimination is the ultimate goal. Good coverage of the intervention is important, but can be compensated for by including an additional intervention targeting the human host. cystiSim shows that the scenarios combining interventions in both hosts, mass drug administration to humans, and vaccination and treatment of pigs, have a high probability of success if coverage of 75% can be maintained over at least a four year period. In comparison with an existing mathematical model for T. solium transmission, cystiSim also includes parasite maturation, host immunity, and environmental contamination. Adding these biological parameters to the model resulted in new insights in the potential effect of intervention measures.

Nanoparticle-Enhanced MRI to Evaluate Radiation Delivery to the Regional Lymphatics for Patients With Breast Cancer

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

MacDonald, Shannon M., E-mail: smacdonald@partners.or; Harisinghani, Mukesh G.; Katkar, Amol

2010-07-15

Purpose: At present, radiation (RT) fields are based largely, and often solely, on bony anatomy. Recent efforts have been taken to better define lymphatic regions for RT planning. Lymphotrophic nanoparticle-enhanced MRI (LN-MRI) allows for accurate identification of malignant and benign lymph nodes. We sought to evaluate RT delivery to lymphatics for breast cancer using LN-MRI. Methods and Materials: Twenty-three patients with breast cancer underwent LN-MRI. MRIs were anatomically registered to a reference CT; benign and malignant lymph nodes were contoured. Standard RT fields were planned and dose calculated to prescribe 45-50 Gy. Lymphatic regions were contoured on CT. Coverage ofmore » LN-MRI lymph nodes by RT fields and contoured lymphatics were assessed. Results: Eighty-one percent of all lymph nodes defined by LN-MRI were covered by the 45-Gy isodose line; 82% of malignant and 79% of benign. The 50-Gy isodose line only encompassed 60% of LN-MRI defined lymph nodes-64% of malignant and 59% of benign. For nodal volumes contoured in the absence of a margin, 86% of actual lymph nodes were within contoured volumes. When a 5-mm expansion was added, 99% were included. Conclusions: LN-MRI is a useful tool to delineate the location of breast regional lymphatics. These results suggest less than desired coverage of lymph nodes using standard RT fields and that a margin may be advisable when defining nodal volumes by CT. The use of IMRT and RT in lieu of surgery makes accurate definition of the location of breast regional lymphatics of paramount importance.« less

Simultaneous Quantification of Viral Antigen Expression Kinetics Using Data-Independent (DIA) Mass Spectrometry*

PubMed Central

Croft, Nathan P.; de Verteuil, Danielle A.; Smith, Stewart A.; Wong, Yik Chun; Schittenhelm, Ralf B.; Tscharke, David C.; Purcell, Anthony W.

2015-01-01

The generation of antigen-specific reagents is a significant bottleneck in the study of complex pathogens that express many hundreds to thousands of different proteins or to emerging or new strains of viruses that display potential pandemic qualities and therefore require rapid investigation. In these instances the development of antibodies for example can be prohibitively expensive to cover the full pathogen proteome, or the lead time may be unacceptably long in urgent cases where new highly pathogenic viral strains may emerge. Because genomic information on such pathogens can be rapidly acquired this opens up avenues using mass spectrometric approaches to study pathogen antigen expression, host responses and for screening the utility of therapeutics. In particular, data-independent acquisition (DIA) modalities on high-resolution mass spectrometers generate spectral information on all components of a complex sample providing depth of coverage hitherto only seen in genomic deep sequencing. The spectral information generated by DIA can be iteratively interrogated for potentially any protein of interest providing both evidence of protein expression and quantitation. Here we apply a solely DIA mass spectrometry based methodology to profile the viral antigen expression in cells infected with vaccinia virus up to 9 h post infection without the need for antigen specific antibodies or other reagents. We demonstrate deep coverage of the vaccinia virus proteome using a SWATH-MS acquisition approach, extracting quantitative kinetics of 100 virus proteins within a single experiment. The results highlight the complexity of vaccinia protein expression, complementing what is known at the transcriptomic level, and provide a valuable resource and technique for future studies of viral infection and replication kinetics. Furthermore, they highlight the utility of DIA and mass spectrometry in the dissection of host-pathogen interactions. PMID:25755296

Turkish Compulsory Earthquake Insurance (TCIP)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Erdik, M.; Durukal, E.; Sesetyan, K.

2009-04-01

Through a World Bank project a government-sponsored Turkish Catastrophic Insurance Pool (TCIP) is created in 2000 with the essential aim of transferring the government's financial burden of replacing earthquake-damaged housing to international reinsurance and capital markets. Providing coverage to about 2.9 Million homeowners TCIP is the largest insurance program in the country with about 0.5 Billion USD in its own reserves and about 2.3 Billion USD in total claims paying capacity. The total payment for earthquake damage since 2000 (mostly small, 226 earthquakes) amounts to about 13 Million USD. The country-wide penetration rate is about 22%, highest in the Marmara region (30%) and lowest in the south-east Turkey (9%). TCIP is the sole-source provider of earthquake loss coverage up to 90,000 USD per house. The annual premium, categorized on the basis of earthquake zones type of structure, is about US90 for a 100 square meter reinforced concrete building in the most hazardous zone with 2% deductible. The earthquake engineering related shortcomings of the TCIP is exemplified by fact that the average rate of 0.13% (for reinforced concrete buildings) with only 2% deductible is rather low compared to countries with similar earthquake exposure. From an earthquake engineering point of view the risk underwriting (Typification of housing units to be insured, earthquake intensity zonation and the sum insured) of the TCIP needs to be overhauled. Especially for large cities, models can be developed where its expected earthquake performance (and consequently the insurance premium) can be can be assessed on the basis of the location of the unit (microzoned earthquake hazard) and basic structural attributes (earthquake vulnerability relationships). With such an approach, in the future the TCIP can contribute to the control of construction through differentiation of premia on the basis of earthquake vulnerability.

Recognition of fiducial surfaces in lidar surveys of coastal topography

USGS Publications Warehouse

Brock, J.C.; Sallenger, A.H.; Krabill, W.B.; Swift, R.N.; Wright, C.W.

2001-01-01

A new method for the recognition and mapping of surfaces in coastal landscapes that provide accurate and low variability topographic measurements with respect to airborne lidar surveys is described and demonstrated in this paper. Such surfaces are herein termed "fiducial" because they can represent reference baseline morphology in Studies of coastal change due to natural or anthropogenic causes. Non-fiducial surfaces may also be identified in each separate lidar survey to be used in a given geomorphic change analysis. Sites that are non-fiducial in either or both lidar surveys that bracket the time period under investigation may be excluded from consideration in subsequent calculations of survey-to-survey elevation differences to eliminate spurious indications of landscape change. This new analysis method, or lidar fiducial surface recognition (LFSR) algorithm, is intended to more fully enable the non-ambiguous Use of topographic lidar in a range of coastal investigations. The LFSR algorithm may be widely applied, because it is based solely on the information inherent in the USGS/NASA/NOAA airborne topographic lidar coverage that exists for most of the contiguous U.S. coastline.

Contrasting patterns of care for musculoskeletal disorders and injuries of the upper extremity and knee through workers' compensation and private health care insurance among union carpenters in Washington State, 1989 to 2008.

PubMed

Lipscomb, Hester J; Schoenfisch, Ashley L; Cameron, Wilfrid; Kucera, Kristen L; Adams, Darrin; Silverstein, Barbara A

2015-09-01

Musculoskeletal symptoms and disorders (MSDIs) are common reasons for visits to medical providers in the general population and they are common work-related complaints. Prior reports raise concerns as to whether declines in workers' compensation (WC) rates represent true improvement in occupational health and safety or shifting of care to other payment systems. By linking administrative records, we compared patterns of WC claims and private health care utilization for disorders of the upper extremity (UE) and knee among a large cohort of union carpenters over a 20-year period. As WC claim rates declined, private health care utilization increased. The increase was muted somewhat but sustained when adjusting for other patterns of health care utilization. Findings suggest the decline of WC claim rates do not solely represent improved occupational safety in this population, but also a considerable shifting of care to their private insurance coverage over time. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

29 CFR 779.265 - Basis for making computations.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... volume of sales made or business done of an enterprise or establishment consists of the gross receipts from all of its sales or its volume of business done during a 12-month period. Where a computation of... dollar volume of sales made or business done meets the statutory tests for coverage and nonexemption, the...

Studying the Solar System Can Be More than Just "Stamp Collecting"

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

LoPresto, Michael C.

2017-01-01

While teaching his first-ever introductory college astronomy course, I heard a graduate student make the comment that compared to other areas of astronomy, studying the solar system is just "stamp collecting." Coverage of the solar system in an introductory college astronomy course certainly "could" consist mostly of showing…

77 FR 2500 - Medicaid Program; Disproportionate Share Hospital Payments-Uninsured Definition

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-01-18

... Definition AGENCY: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), HHS. ACTION: Proposed rule. SUMMARY: This... consistent with the definitions under 45 CFR Part 144 and 45 CFR Part 146, as well as individuals who have coverage based upon a legally liable third party payer. This regulatory definition was not the same as the...

42 CFR 405.1206 - Expedited determination procedures for inpatient hospital care.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

..., or based on other Medicare coverage policies. Consistent with paragraph (e)(2) of this section, the... determination based on the evidence at hand, or it may defer a decision until it receives the necessary... available to discuss the case. (3) The beneficiary may, but is not required to, submit written evidence to...

42 CFR 405.1206 - Expedited determination procedures for inpatient hospital care.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

..., or based on other Medicare coverage policies. Consistent with paragraph (e)(2) of this section, the... determination based on the evidence at hand, or it may defer a decision until it receives the necessary... available to discuss the case. (3) The beneficiary may, but is not required to, submit written evidence to...

42 CFR 405.1206 - Expedited determination procedures for inpatient hospital care.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

..., or based on other Medicare coverage policies. Consistent with paragraph (e)(2) of this section, the... determination based on the evidence at hand, or it may defer a decision until it receives the necessary... available to discuss the case. (3) The beneficiary may, but is not required to, submit written evidence to...

42 CFR 405.1206 - Expedited determination procedures for inpatient hospital care.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

..., or based on other Medicare coverage policies. Consistent with paragraph (e)(2) of this section, the... determination based on the evidence at hand, or it may defer a decision until it receives the necessary... available to discuss the case. (3) The beneficiary may, but is not required to, submit written evidence to...

42 CFR 405.1063 - Applicability of laws, regulations and CMS Rulings.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 42 Public Health 2 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Applicability of laws, regulations and CMS Rulings... Medicare Coverage Policies § 405.1063 Applicability of laws, regulations and CMS Rulings. (a) All laws and... the MAC. (b) CMS Rulings are published under the authority of the Administrator, CMS. Consistent with...

Assessment of systems for paying health care providers in Vietnam: implications for equity, efficiency and expanding effective health coverage.

PubMed

Phuong, Nguyen Khanh; Oanh, Tran Thi Mai; Phuong, Hoang Thi; Tien, Tran Van; Cashin, Cheryl

2015-01-01

Provider payment arrangements are currently a core concern for Vietnam's health sector and a key lever for expanding effective coverage and improving the efficiency and equity of the health system. This study describes how different provider payment systems are designed and implemented in practice across a sample of provinces and districts in Vietnam. Key informant interviews were conducted with over 100 health policy-makers, purchasers and providers using a structured interview guide. The results of the different payment methods were scored by respondents and assessed against a set of health system performance criteria. Overall, the public health insurance agency, Vietnam Social Security (VSS), is focused on managing expenditures through a complicated set of reimbursement policies and caps, but the incentives for providers are unclear and do not consistently support Vietnam's health system objectives. The results of this study are being used by the Ministry of Health and VSS to reform the provider payment systems to be more consistent with international definitions and good practices and to better support Vietnam's health system objectives.

Unrealistic Hope and Unnecessary Fear: Exploring How Sensationalistic News Stories Influence Health Behavior Motivation.

PubMed

Nabi, Robin L; Prestin, Abby

2016-09-01

In light of the inherent conflict between the nature of science (slow, subject to correction) and the nature of news (immediate, dramatic, novel), this study examines the effect of emotional health news coverage on intentions to engage in protective health behaviors. One hundred seventy-seven students read news stories designed to evoke either fear or hope about human papillomavirus (HPV) followed by different levels of response efficacy information regarding an impending HPV vaccine. Results indicated no main effects for emotion frame or response efficacy, but a significant interaction suggested that emotionally-consistent presentations (fear/low efficacy; hope/high efficacy) boosted intentions to engage in protective actions relative to emotionally-inconsistent, sensationalized presentations (fear/high efficacy, hope/low efficacy). Consistent with the emotion-as-frame perspective, this effect was moderated by perceived knowledge about HPV prevention. Effects of the sensationalized story constructions on trust in health news were also evidenced. Implications for the role of emotional health news coverage in priming prior knowledge about preventative health behaviors, along with future research directions, are discussed.

Classification of a wetland area along the upper Mississippi River with aerial videography

USGS Publications Warehouse

Jennings, C.A.; Vohs, P.A.; Dewey, M.R.

1992-01-01

We evaluated the use of aerial videography for classifying wetland habitats along the upper Mississippi River and found the prompt availability of habitat feature maps to be the major advantage of the video imagery technique. We successfully produced feature maps from digitized video images that generally agreed with the known distribution and areal coverages of the major habitat types independently identified and quantified with photointerpretation techniques. However, video images were not sufficiently detailed to allow us to consistently discriminate among the classes of aquatic macrophytes present or to quantify their areal coverage. Our inability to consistently distinguish among emergent, floating, and submergent macrophytes from the feature maps may have been related to the structural complexity of the site, to our limited vegetation sampling, and to limitations in video imagery. We expect that careful site selection (i.e., the desired level of resolution is available from video imagery) and additional vegetation samples (e.g., along a transect) will allow improved assignment of spectral values to specific plant types and enhance plant classification from feature maps produced from video imagery.

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

Trewartha, Daniel; Kamleh, Waseem; Leinweber, Derek B.

The influence of centre vortices on dynamical chiral symmetry breaking is investigated through the light hadron spectrum on the lattice. Recent studies of the quark propagator and other quantities have provided evidence that centre vortices are the fundamental objects underpinning dynamical chiral symmetry breaking in SU(3) gauge theory. For the first time, we use the chiral overlap fermion action to study the low-lying hadron spectrum on lattice ensembles consisting of Monte Carlo, vortex-removed, and vortex-projected gauge fields. We find that gauge field configurations consisting solely of smoothed centre vortices are capable of reproducing all the salient features of the hadronmore » spectrum, including dynamical chiral symmetry breaking. In conclusion, the hadron spectrum on vortex-removed fields shows clear signals of chiral symmetry restoration at light values of the bare quark mass, while at heavy masses the spectrum is consistent with a theory of weakly-interacting constituent quarks.« less

Centre vortex removal restores chiral symmetry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Trewartha, Daniel; Kamleh, Waseem; Leinweber, Derek B.

2017-12-01

The influence of centre vortices on dynamical chiral symmetry breaking is investigated through the light hadron spectrum on the lattice. Recent studies of the quark propagator and other quantities have provided evidence that centre vortices are the fundamental objects underpinning dynamical chiral symmetry breaking in {SU}(3) gauge theory. For the first time, we use the chiral overlap fermion action to study the low-lying hadron spectrum on lattice ensembles consisting of Monte Carlo, vortex-removed, and vortex-projected gauge fields. We find that gauge field configurations consisting solely of smoothed centre vortices are capable of reproducing all the salient features of the hadron spectrum, including dynamical chiral symmetry breaking. The hadron spectrum on vortex-removed fields shows clear signals of chiral symmetry restoration at light values of the bare quark mass, while at heavy masses the spectrum is consistent with a theory of weakly interacting constituent quarks.

Coronary heart disease index based on longitudinal electrocardiography

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Townsend, J. C.; Cronin, J. P.

1977-01-01

A coronary heart disease index was developed from longitudinal ECG (LCG) tracings to serve as a cardiac health measure in studies of working and, essentially, asymptomatic populations, such as pilots and executives. For a given subject, the index consisted of a composite score based on the presence of LCG aberrations and weighted values previously assigned to them. The index was validated by correlating it with the known presence or absence of CHD as determined by a complete physical examination, including treadmill, resting ECG, and risk factor information. The validating sample consisted of 111 subjects drawn by a stratified-random procedure from 5000 available case histories. The CHD index was found to be significantly more valid as a sole indicator of CHD than the LCG without the use of the index. The index consistently produced higher validity coefficients in identifying CHD than did treadmill testing, resting ECG, or risk factor analysis.

Centre vortex removal restores chiral symmetry

DOE PAGES

Trewartha, Daniel; Kamleh, Waseem; Leinweber, Derek B.

2017-11-15

The influence of centre vortices on dynamical chiral symmetry breaking is investigated through the light hadron spectrum on the lattice. Recent studies of the quark propagator and other quantities have provided evidence that centre vortices are the fundamental objects underpinning dynamical chiral symmetry breaking in SU(3) gauge theory. For the first time, we use the chiral overlap fermion action to study the low-lying hadron spectrum on lattice ensembles consisting of Monte Carlo, vortex-removed, and vortex-projected gauge fields. We find that gauge field configurations consisting solely of smoothed centre vortices are capable of reproducing all the salient features of the hadronmore » spectrum, including dynamical chiral symmetry breaking. In conclusion, the hadron spectrum on vortex-removed fields shows clear signals of chiral symmetry restoration at light values of the bare quark mass, while at heavy masses the spectrum is consistent with a theory of weakly-interacting constituent quarks.« less

Characterization of Heterogeneity in Childhood Immunization Coverage in Central Florida Using Immunization Registry Data.

PubMed

Thompson, Kimberly M; Logan, Grace E

2016-07-01

Despite high vaccine coverage in the United States in general, and in the State of Florida specifically, some children miss scheduled vaccines due to health system failures or vaccine refusal by their parents. Recent experiences with outbreaks in the United States suggest that geographic clustering of un(der)vaccinated populations represent a threat to the elimination status of some vaccine-preventable diseases. Immunization registries continue to expand and play an important role in efforts to track vaccine coverage and use. Using nearly 700,000 de-identified immunization records from the Florida Department of Health immunization information system (Florida SHOTS™) for children born during 2003-2014, we explored heterogeneity and potential clustering of un(der)vaccinated children in six counties in central Florida-Brevard, Lake, Orange, Oseola, Polk, and Seminole-that represent a high-risk area for importation due to family tourist attractions in the area. By zip code, we mapped the population density, the percent of children with religious exemptions, the percent of children on track or overdue for each vaccine series without and with exemptions, and the numbers of children with no recorded dose of each vaccine. Overall, we found some heterogeneity in coverage among the counties and zip codes, but relatively consistent and high coverage. We found that some children with an exemption in the system received the vaccines we analyzed, but exemption represents a clear risk factor for un(der)immunization. We identified many challenges associated with using immunization registry data for spatial analysis and potential opportunities to improve registries to better support future analyses. © 2015 Society for Risk Analysis.

A surprising way to control the charge transport in molecular electronics: the subtle impact of the coverage of self-assembled monolayers of floppy molecules adsorbed on metallic electrodes.

PubMed

Bâldea, Ioan

2017-10-26

Inspired by earlier attempts in organic electronics aiming at controlling charge injection from metals into organic materials by manipulating the Schottky energy barrier using self-assembled monolayers (SAMs), recent experimental and theoretical work in molecular electronics showed that metal-organic interfaces can be controlled via changes in the metal work function that are induced by SAMs. In this paper we indicate a different route to achieve interface-driven control over the charge transfer/transport at the molecular scale. It is based on the fact that, in floppy molecule based SAMs, the molecular conformation can be tuned by varying the coverage of the adsorbate. We demonstrate this effect with the aid of benchmark molecules that are often used to fabricate nanojunctions and consist of two rings that can easily rotate relative to each other. We show that, by varying the coverage of the SAM, the twisting angle φ of the considered molecular species can be modified by a factor of two. Given the fact that the low bias conductance G scales as cos 2  φ, this results in a change in G of over one order of magnitude for the considered molecular species. Tuning the twisting angle by controlling the SAM coverage may be significant, e.g., for current efforts to fabricate molecular switches. Conversely, the lack of control over the local SAM coverage may be problematic for the reproducibility and interpretation of the STM (scanning tunneling microscope) measurements on repeatedly forming single molecule break junctions.

Accelerating measles elimination and strengthening routine immunization services in Guizhou Province, China, 2003-2009.

PubMed

Zuo, Shuyan; Cairns, Lisa; Hutin, Yvan; Liang, Xiaofeng; Tong, Yibing; Zhu, Qing; Zhang, Dayong; Lee, Lisa A; Strebel, Peter; Quick, Linda

2015-04-21

To develop a successful model for accelerating measles elimination in poor areas of China, we initiated a seven-year project in Guizhou, one of the poorest provinces, with reported highest measles incidence of 360 per million population in 2002. Project strategies consisted of strengthening routine immunization services, enforcement of school entry immunization requirements at kindergarten and school, conducting supplemental measles immunization activities (SIAs), and enhancing measles surveillance. We measured coverage of measles containing vaccines (MCV) by administrative reporting and population-based sample surveys, systematic random sampling surveys, and convenience sampling surveys for routine immunization services, school entry immunization, and SIAs respectively. We measured impact using surveillance based measles incidence. Routine immunization coverage of the 1st dose of MCV (MCV1) increased from 82% to 93%, while 2nd dose of MCV (MCV2) coverage increased from 78% to 91%. Enforcement of school entry immunization requirements led to an increase in MCV2 coverage from 36% on primary school entry in 2004 to 93% in 2009. Province-wide SIAs achieved coverage greater than 90%. The reported annual incidence of measles dropped from 200 to 300 per million in 2003 to 6 per million in 2009, and sustained at 0.9-2.2 per million in 2010-2013. This project found that a package of strategies including periodic SIAs, strengthened routine immunization, and enforcing school entry immunization requirements, was an effective approach toward achieving and sustaining measles elimination in less-developed area of China. Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

CMB-S4 and the hemispherical variance anomaly

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

O'Dwyer, Márcio; Copi, Craig J.; Knox, Lloyd; Starkman, Glenn D.

2017-09-01

Cosmic microwave background (CMB) full-sky temperature data show a hemispherical asymmetry in power nearly aligned with the Ecliptic. In real space, this anomaly can be quantified by the temperature variance in the Northern and Southern Ecliptic hemispheres, with the Northern hemisphere displaying an anomalously low variance while the Southern hemisphere appears unremarkable [consistent with expectations from the best-fitting theory, Lambda Cold Dark Matter (ΛCDM)]. While this is a well-established result in temperature, the low signal-to-noise ratio in current polarization data prevents a similar comparison. This will change with a proposed ground-based CMB experiment, CMB-S4. With that in mind, we generate realizations of polarization maps constrained by the temperature data and predict the distribution of the hemispherical variance in polarization considering two different sky coverage scenarios possible in CMB-S4: full Ecliptic north coverage and just the portion of the North that can be observed from a ground-based telescope at the high Chilean Atacama plateau. We find that even in the set of realizations constrained by the temperature data, the low Northern hemisphere variance observed in temperature is not expected in polarization. Therefore, observing an anomalously low variance in polarization would make the hypothesis that the temperature anomaly is simply a statistical fluke more unlikely and thus increase the motivation for physical explanations. We show, within ΛCDM, how variance measurements in both sky coverage scenarios are related. We find that the variance makes for a good statistic in cases where the sky coverage is limited, however, full northern coverage is still preferable.

Elective oocyte cryopreservation: who should pay?

PubMed

Mertes, Heidi; Pennings, Guido

2012-01-01

Despite the initial reactions of disapproval, more and more fertility clinics are now offering oocyte cryopreservation to healthy women in order to extend their reproductive options. However, so-called social freezing is not placed on an equal footing with 'regular' IVF treatments where public funding is concerned. In those countries or states where IVF patients receive a number of free cycles, we argue that fertilization and transfer cycles of women who proactively cryopreserved their oocytes should be covered. Moreover, when the argument of justice is consistently applied, coverage should also include the expenses of ovarian stimulation, oocyte retrieval and storage. Different modalities are possible: full coverage from the onset, reimbursement in cash or reimbursement in kind, by offering more free transfer cycles.

Offshore-onshore linkages in the larval life history of sole in the Gulf of Lions (NW-Mediterranean)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Morat, Fabien; Letourneur, Yves; Blamart, Dominique; Pécheyran, Christophe; Darnaude, Audrey M.; Harmelin-Vivien, Mireille

2014-08-01

Understanding individual dispersion from offshore natal areas to coastal nurseries during pelagic larval life is especially important for the sustainable management of exploited marine fish species. For several years, the hatching period, the larval life duration, the average growth rate and the otolith chemical composition (δ13C, δ18O, Sr:Ca and Ba:Ca) during the larval life were studied for young of the year (YOY) of sole collected in three main nurseries of the Gulf of Lions (GoL) (Thau, Mauguio and Berre). We investigated the spatial variation in the origin of the sole larvae which colonised the nurseries around the GoL, and whether temporal differences in environmental conditions during this life stage affected growth and larval life duration. The hatching period ranges from October to March, depending on year and site. Average ages at metamorphosis varied between 43 and 50 days, with the lowest and highest values consistently found for Mauguio and Berre, respectively. Otolith growth rates ranged between 2.7 and 3.2 μm d-1, with the lowest values in Thau and Mauguio and the highest in Berre. Otolith chemical composition during the larval life also varied, suggesting contrasted larval environmental histories in YOY among nurseries. In fishes from Berre and Mauguio, larval life was more influenced by the Rhône River, showing consistently higher larval Ba:Ca ratios (10/23 μmol mol-1) and lower δ13C (-6.5/-6.1‰) and δ18O values (-1.6/0.1‰) than for Thau (with Ba:Ca ratios < 8 μmol mol-1, δ13C ˜-2.3‰ and δ18O ˜1.5‰). Differences in larval otolith composition were observed for 2004, with higher Ba:Ca and lower δ13C and δ18O values than in the two other years. These differences were explained by changes in composition and chemical signatures of water masses after an exceptional flooding event of the Rhône River in late 2003.

Striking Distance Determined From High-Speed Videos and Measured Currents in Negative Cloud-to-Ground Lightning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Visacro, Silverio; Guimaraes, Miguel; Murta Vale, Maria Helena

2017-12-01

First and subsequent return strokes' striking distances (SDs) were determined for negative cloud-to-ground flashes from high-speed videos exhibiting the development of positive and negative leaders and the pre-return stroke phase of currents measured along a short tower. In order to improve the results, a new criterion was used for the initiation and propagation of the sustained upward connecting leader, consisting of a 4 A continuous current threshold. An advanced approach developed from the combined use of this criterion and a reverse propagation procedure, which considers the calculated propagation speeds of the leaders, was applied and revealed that SDs determined solely from the first video frame showing the upward leader can be significantly underestimated. An original approach was proposed for a rough estimate of first strokes' SD using solely records of current. This approach combines the 4 A criterion and a representative composite three-dimensional propagation speed of 0.34 × 106 m/s for the leaders in the last 300 m propagated distance. SDs determined under this approach showed to be consistent with those of the advanced procedure. This approach was applied to determine the SD of 17 first return strokes of negative flashes measured at MCS, covering a wide peak-current range, from 18 to 153 kA. The estimated SDs exhibit very high dispersion and reveal great differences in relation to the SDs estimated for subsequent return strokes and strokes in triggered lightning.

Oman metamorphic sole formation reveals early subduction dynamics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Soret, Mathieu; Agard, Philippe; Dubacq, Benoît; Plunder, Alexis; Ildefonse, Benoît; Yamato, Philippe; Prigent, Cécile

2016-04-01

Metamorphic soles correspond to m to ~500m thick tectonic slices welded beneath most of the large-scale ophiolites. They typically show a steep inverted metamorphic structure where the pressure and temperature conditions of crystallization increase upward (from 500±100°C at 0.5±0.2 GPa to 800±100°C at 1.0±0.2 GPa), with isograds subparallel to the contact with the overlying ophiolitic peridotite. The proportion of mafic rocks in metamorphic soles also increases from the bottom (meta-sediments rich) to the top (approaching the ophiolite peridotites). These soles are interpreted as the result of heat transfer from the incipient mantle wedge toward the nascent slab (associated with large-scale fluid transfer and possible shear heating) during the first My of intra-oceanic subduction (as indicated by radiometric ages). Metamorphic soles provide therefore major constraints on early subduction dynamics (i.e., thermal structure, fluid migration and rheology along the nascent slab interface). We present a detailed structural and petrological study of the metamorphic sole from 4 major cross-sections along the Oman ophiolite. We show precise pressure-temperature estimates obtained by pseudosection modelling and EBSD measurements performed on both the garnet-bearing and garnet-free high-grade sole. Results allow quantification of the micro-scale deformation and highlight differences in pressure-temperature-deformation conditions between the 4 different locations, showing that the inverted metamorphic gradient through the sole is not continuous in all locations. Based on these new constraints, we suggest a new tectonic-petrological model for the formation of metamorphic soles below ophiolites. This model involves the stacking of several homogeneous slivers of oceanic crust leading to the present-day structure of the sole. In this view, these thrusts are the result of rheological contrasts between the sole and the peridotite as the plate interface progressively cools down. These slivers later underwent several stages of retrogression (partly mediated by ascending fluids from the slab) from amphibolite- to prehnite/pumpellite-facies conditions.

Good practices for common sole assessment in the Adriatic Sea: Genetic and morphological differentiation of Solea solea (Linnaeus, 1758) from S. aegyptiaca (Chabanaud, 1927) and stock identification

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sabatini, Laura; Bullo, Marianna; Cariani, Alessia; Celić, Igor; Ferrari, Alice; Guarniero, Ilaria; Leoni, Simone; Marčeta, Bojan; Marcone, Alessandro; Polidori, Piero; Raicevich, Saša; Tinti, Fausto; Vrgoč, Nedo; Scarcella, Giuseppe

2018-07-01

In the Adriatic Sea two cryptic species of sole coexist, the common and Egyptian sole. Soles are one of the most valuable demersal fishery resources in the Adriatic Sea, so a correct species identification is crucial in order to perform stock assessment and implement effective management measures based on reliable and accurate data. In this study specimens collected during fishery-independent and fishery-dependent activities in the Adriatic were analyzed and identified coupling morphological and genetic approaches. A comparison of these two methods for the sole species identification was carried out to assess the most effective, accurate and practical diagnostic morphological key-character(s). Results showed that external characters, in particular features of the posterior dorsal and anal fins, are valid and accurate morphological markers. Based on these traits, a practical identification key of the two sibling species was proposed. Moreover, it was possible to estimate the extent of the error due to species misidentification introduced in the common sole stock assessment carried out in the Northern-central Adriatic Sea (GSA17). A 5% bias in the correct identification of common sole specimens was detected. However, this bias was shown not to affect the common sole stock assessment. Moreover, the genetic profiling of the Adriatic common sole allowed estimating genetic diversity and assessing population structure. Significant divergence between common soles inhabiting the eastern part of the Southern Adriatic Sea and those collected from the other areas of the basin was confirmed. Therefore, the occurrence of genetically differentiated subpopulations supports the need to implement independent stock assessments and management measures.

Estimating Contrail Climate Effects from Satellite Data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Minnis, Patrick; Duda, David P.; Palikonda, Rabindra; Bedka, Sarah T.; Boeke, Robyn; Khlopenkov, Konstantin; Chee, Thad; Bedka, Kristopher T.

2011-01-01

An automated contrail detection algorithm (CDA) is developed to exploit six of the infrared channels on the 1-km MODerate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on the Terra and Aqua satellites. The CDA is refined and balanced using visual error analysis. It is applied to MODIS data taken by Terra and Aqua over the United States during 2006 and 2008. The results are consistent with flight track data, but differ markedly from earlier analyses. Contrail coverage is a factor of 4 less than other retrievals and the retrieved contrail optical depths and radiative forcing are smaller by approx.30%. The discrepancies appear to be due to the inability to detect wider, older contrails that comprise a significant amount of the contrail coverage. An example of applying the algorithm to MODIS data over the entire Northern Hemisphere is also presented. Overestimates of contrail coverage are apparent in some tropical regions. Methods for improving the algorithm are discussed and are to be implemented before analyzing large amounts of Northern Hemisphere data. The results should be valuable for guiding and validating climate models seeking to account for aviation effects on climate.

Automated prescription of oblique brain 3D magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging.

PubMed

Ozhinsky, Eugene; Vigneron, Daniel B; Chang, Susan M; Nelson, Sarah J

2013-04-01

Two major difficulties encountered in implementing Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic Imaging (MRSI) in a clinical setting are limited coverage and difficulty in prescription. The goal of this project was to automate completely the process of 3D PRESS MRSI prescription, including placement of the selection box, saturation bands and shim volume, while maximizing the coverage of the brain. The automated prescription technique included acquisition of an anatomical MRI image, optimization of the oblique selection box parameters, optimization of the placement of outer-volume suppression saturation bands, and loading of the calculated parameters into a customized 3D MRSI pulse sequence. To validate the technique and compare its performance with existing protocols, 3D MRSI data were acquired from six exams from three healthy volunteers. To assess the performance of the automated 3D MRSI prescription for patients with brain tumors, the data were collected from 16 exams from 8 subjects with gliomas. This technique demonstrated robust coverage of the tumor, high consistency of prescription and very good data quality within the T2 lesion. Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Surface Coverage and Metallicity of ZnO Surfaces from First-Principles Calculations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Xiao; Schleife, Andre; The Schleife research Group Team

Zinc oxide (ZnO) surfaces are widely used in different applications such as catalysis, biosensing, and solar cells. These surfaces are, in many cases, chemically terminated by hydroxyl groups. In experiment, a transition of the ZnO surface electronic properties from semiconducting to metallic was reported upon increasing the hydroxyl coverage to more than approximately 80 %. The reason for this transition is not well understood yet. We report on first-principles calculations based on density functional theory for the ZnO [ 10 1 0 ] surface, taking different amounts of hydroxyl coverage into account. We calculated band structures for fully relaxed configurations and verified the existence of this transition. However, we only find the fully covered surface to be metallic. We thus explore the possibility for clustering of the surface-terminating hydroxyl groups based on total-energy calculations. We also found that the valence band maximum consists of oxygen p states from both the surface hydroxyl groups and the surface oxygen atoms of the material. The main contribution to the metallicity is found to be from the hydroxyl groups.

Understanding the role of the news media in HPV vaccine uptake in the United States: Synthesis and commentary

PubMed Central

Gollust, Sarah E.; LoRusso, Susan M.; Nagler, Rebekah H.; Fowler, Erika Franklin

2016-01-01

ABSTRACT Vaccination rates for the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine fall below targets and only 2 states and the District of Columbia require the vaccine for middle school-age children. Messages conveyed through news media—to parents, providers, policymakers, and the general public—may contribute to sluggish vaccination rates and policy action. In this commentary, we review the findings from 13 published studies of news media coverage of the HPV vaccine in the United States since FDA licensure in 2006. We find 2 important themes in news coverage: a rising focus on political controversy and a consistent emphasis on the vaccine as for girls, even beyond the point when the vaccine was recommended for boys. These political and gendered messages have consequences for public understanding of the vaccine. Future research should continue to monitor news media depictions of the HPV vaccine to assess whether political controversy will remain a pronounced theme of coverage or whether the media ultimately depict the vaccine as a routine public health service. PMID:26554612

Studies on graphene zinc-oxide nanocomposites photoanodes for high-efficient dye-sensitized solar cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Effendi, N. A. S.; Samsi, N. S.; Zawawi, S. A.; Hassan, O. H.; Zakaria, R.; Yahya, M. Z. A.; Ali, A. M. M.

2017-09-01

A dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) using a nanocomposite (NC) semiconductor film, consisting of graphene layer and ZnO nanosheets (Gr-ZnO) is fabricated by electrodeposition process. The DSSCs based on Gr-ZnO NC were determined via electrochemical impedance spectra (EIS), UV-Visible diffused reflectance spectroscopy (UV-Vis), and photovoltaic performances J-V curves to substantiate the explanations. Impedance spectra shows that a smaller charge transport time constant occurs in DSSCs based on Gr-ZnO NC comparing to ZnO. This improved the electron collecting efficiency significantly, resulting in high open circuit voltage. Moreover, Gr-ZnO NC shows an efficient photoinduced charge separation and transportation can be achieved at the interface thus exhibit excellent potential for photocurrent generation compared with sole ZnO. Gr-ZnO NC obtained a maximum photocurrent response for an open-circuit voltage and a power conversion efficiency of 0.96 V and 7.01% respectively, which is doubled from sole ZnO. The fabricated Gr-ZnO NC cells show better performances compared to conventional ZnO structure reference cell.

Flatfish recruitment response to decadal climatic variability and ocean conditions in the eastern Bering Sea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wilderbuer, T. K.; Hollowed, A. B.; Ingraham, W. J.; Spencer, P. D.; Conners, M. E.; Bond, N. A.; Walters, G. E.

2002-10-01

This paper provides a retrospective analysis of the relationship of physical oceanography and biology and recruitment of three Eastern Bering Sea flatfish stocks: flathead sole ( Hippoglossoides elassodon), northern rock sole ( Lepidopsetta polyxystra), and arrowtooth flounder ( Atheresthes stomias) for the period 1978-1996. Temporal trends in flatfish production in the Eastern Bering Sea are consistent with the hypothesis that decadal scale climate variability influences marine survival during the early life history period. Density-dependence (spawning stock size) is statistically significant in a Ricker model of flatfish recruitment, which includes environmental terms. Wind-driven advection of flatfish larvae to favorable nursery grounds was also found to coincide with years of above-average recruitment through the use of an ocean surface current simulation model (OSCURS). Ocean forcing of Bristol Bay surface waters during springtime was mostly shoreward (eastward) during the 1980s and seaward (westerly) during the 1990s, corresponding with periods of good and poor recruitment. Distance from shore and water depth at the endpoint of 90-day drift periods (estimated time of settlement) were also found to correspond with flatfish productivity.

Autism and thimerosal-containing vaccines: lack of consistent evidence for an association.

PubMed

Stehr-Green, Paul; Tull, Peet; Stellfeld, Michael; Mortenson, Preben-Bo; Simpson, Diane

2003-08-01

In 1999, concerns were raised that vaccines containing the preservative Thimerosal might increase the risk of autism and/or other neurodevelopmental disorders. Between the mid-1980s through the late-1990s, we compared the prevalence/incidence of autism in California, Sweden, and Denmark with average exposures to Thimerosal-containing vaccines. Graphic ecologic analyses were used to examine population-based data from the United States (national immunization coverage surveys and counts of children diagnosed with autism-like disorders seeking special education services in California); Sweden (national inpatient data on autism cases, national vaccination coverage levels, and information on use of all vaccines and vaccine-specific amounts of Thimerosal); and Denmark (national registry of inpatient/outpatient-diagnosed autism cases, national vaccination coverage levels, and information on use of all vaccines and vaccine-specific amounts of Thimerosal). In all three countries, the incidence and prevalence of autism-like disorders began to rise in the 1985-1989 period, and the rate of increase accelerated in the early 1990s. However, in contrast to the situation in the United States, where the average Thimerosal dose from vaccines increased throughout the 1990s, Thimerosal exposures from vaccines in both Sweden and Denmark-already low throughout the 1970s and 1980s-began to decrease in the late 1980s and were eliminated in the early 1990s. The body of existing data, including the ecologic data presented herein, is not consistent with the hypothesis that increased exposure to Thimerosal-containing vaccines is responsible for the apparent increase in the rates of autism in young children being observed worldwide.

Cervical cancer screening in the Faroe Islands.

PubMed

Hammer, Turið; Lynge, Elsebeth; Djurhuus, Gisela W; Joensen, John E; Køtlum, Jóanis E; Hansen, Sæunn Ó; Sander, Bente B; Mogensen, Ole; Rebolj, Matejka

2015-02-01

The Faroe Islands have had nationally organised cervical cancer screening since 1995. Women aged 25-60 years are invited every third year. Participation is free of charge. Although several European overviews on cervical screening are available, none have included the Faroe Islands. Our aim was to provide the first description of cervical cancer screening, and to determine the screening history of women diagnosed with cervical cancer in the Faroe Islands. Screening data from 1996 to 2012 were obtained from the Diagnostic Centre at the National Hospital of the Faroe Islands. They included information on cytology and HPV testing whereas information on histology was not registered consistently. Process indicators were calculated, including coverage rate, excess smears, proportion of abnormal cytological samples, and frequency of HPV testing. Data on cervical cancer cases were obtained from the Faroese Ministry of Health Affairs. The analysis of the screening history was undertaken for cases diagnosed in 2000-2010. A total of 52 457 samples were taken in 1996-2012. Coverage varied between 67% and 81% and was 71% in 2012. Excess smears decreased after 1999. At present, 7.0% of samples have abnormal cytology. Of all ASCUS samples, 76-95% were tested for HPV. A total of 58% of women diagnosed with cervical cancer did not participate in screening prior to their diagnosis, and 32% had normal cytology in the previous four years. Despite the difficult geographical setting, the organised cervical cancer screening programme in the Faroe Islands has achieved a relatively high coverage rate. Nevertheless, challenges, e.g. consistent histology registration and sending reminders, still exist.

Operational feasibility of lot quality assurance sampling (LQAS) as a tool in routine process monitoring of filariasis control programmes.

PubMed

Vanamail, P; Subramanian, S; Srividya, A; Ravi, R; Krishnamoorthy, K; Das, P K

2006-08-01

Lot quality assurance sampling (LQAS) with two-stage sampling plan was applied for rapid monitoring of coverage after every round of mass drug administration (MDA). A Primary Health Centre (PHC) consisting of 29 villages in Thiruvannamalai district, Tamil Nadu was selected as the study area. Two threshold levels of coverage were used: threshold A (maximum: 60%; minimum: 40%) and threshold B (maximum: 80%; minimum: 60%). Based on these thresholds, one sampling plan each for A and B was derived with the necessary sample size and the number of allowable defectives (i.e. defectives mean those who have not received the drug). Using data generated through simple random sampling (SRSI) of 1,750 individuals in the study area, LQAS was validated with the above two sampling plans for its diagnostic and field applicability. Simultaneously, a household survey (SRSH) was conducted for validation and cost-effectiveness analysis. Based on SRSH survey, the estimated coverage was 93.5% (CI: 91.7-95.3%). LQAS with threshold A revealed that by sampling a maximum of 14 individuals and by allowing four defectives, the coverage was >or=60% in >90% of villages at the first stage. Similarly, with threshold B by sampling a maximum of nine individuals and by allowing four defectives, the coverage was >or=80% in >90% of villages at the first stage. These analyses suggest that the sampling plan (14,4,52,25) of threshold A may be adopted in MDA to assess if a minimum coverage of 60% has been achieved. However, to achieve the goal of elimination, the sampling plan (9, 4, 42, 29) of threshold B can identify villages in which the coverage is <80% so that remedial measures can be taken. Cost-effectiveness analysis showed that both options of LQAS are more cost-effective than SRSH to detect a village with a given level of coverage. The cost per village was US dollars 76.18 under SRSH. The cost of LQAS was US dollars 65.81 and 55.63 per village for thresholds A and B respectively. The total financial cost of classifying a village correctly with the given threshold level of LQAS could be reduced by 14% and 26% of the cost of conventional SRSH method.

Influenza vaccination coverage rates among adults before and after the 2009 influenza pandemic and the reasons for non-vaccination in Beijing, China: a cross-sectional study.

PubMed

Wu, Shuangsheng; Yang, Peng; Li, Haiyue; Ma, Chunna; Zhang, Yi; Wang, Quanyi

2013-07-08

To optimize the vaccination coverage rates in the general population, the status of coverage rates and the reasons for non-vaccination need to be understood. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the changes in influenza vaccination coverage rates in the general population before and after the 2009 influenza pandemic (2008/2009, 2009/2010, and 2010/2011 seasons), and to determine the reasons for non-vaccination. In January 2011 we conducted a multi-stage sampling, retrospective, cross-sectional survey of individuals in Beijing who were ≥ 18 years of age using self-administered, anonymous questionnaires. The questionnaire consisted of three sections: demographics (gender, age, educational level, and residential district name); history of influenza vaccination in the 2008/2009, 2009/2010, and 2010/2011 seasons; and reasons for non-vaccination in all three seasons. The main outcome was the vaccination coverage rate and vaccination frequency. Differences among the subgroups were tested using a Pearson's chi-square test. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine possible determinants of influenza vaccination uptake. A total of 13002 respondents completed the questionnaires. The vaccination coverage rates were 16.9% in 2008/2009, 21.8% in 2009/2010, and 16.7% in 2010/2011. Compared to 2008/2009 and 2010/2011, the higher rate in 2009/2010 was statistically significant (χ2=138.96, p<0.001), and no significant difference existed between 2008/2009 and 2010/2011 (χ2=1.296, p=0.255). Overall, 9.4% of the respondents received vaccinations in all three seasons, whereas 70% of the respondents did not get a vaccination during the same period. Based on multivariate analysis, older age and higher level of education were independently associated with increased odds of reporting vaccination in 2009/2010 and 2010/2011. Among participants who reported no influenza vaccinations over the previous three seasons, the most commonly reported reason for non-vaccination was 'I don't think I am very likely to catch the flu' (49.3%). Within the general population of Beijing the vaccination coverage rates were relatively low and did not change significantly after the influenza pandemic. The perception of not expecting to contract influenza was the predominant barrier to influenza vaccination. Further measures are needed to improve influenza vaccination coverage.

Uterotonic use immediately following birth: using a novel methodology to estimate population coverage in four countries.

PubMed

Ricca, Jim; Dwivedi, Vikas; Varallo, John; Singh, Gajendra; Pallipamula, Suranjeen Prasad; Amade, Nazir; de Luz Vaz, Maria; Bishanga, Dustan; Plotkin, Marya; Al-Makaleh, Bushra; Suhowatsky, Stephanie; Smith, Jeffrey Michael

2015-01-22

Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is the leading cause of maternal mortality in developing countries. While incidence of PPH can be dramatically reduced by uterotonic use immediately following birth (UUIFB) in both community and facility settings, national coverage estimates are rare. Most national health systems have no indicator to track this, and community-based measurements are even more scarce. To fill this information gap, a methodology for estimating national coverage for UUIFB was developed and piloted in four settings. The rapid estimation methodology consisted of convening a group of national technical experts and using the Delphi method to come to consensus on key data elements that were applied to a simple algorithm, generating a non-precise national estimate of coverage of UUIFB. Data elements needed for the calculation were the distribution of births by location and estimates of UUIFB in each of those settings, adjusted to take account of stockout rates and potency of uterotonics. This exercise was conducted in 2013 in Mozambique, Tanzania, the state of Jharkhand in India, and Yemen. Available data showed that deliveries in public health facilities account for approximately half of births in Mozambique and Tanzania, 16% in Jharkhand and 24% of births in Yemen. Significant proportions of births occur in private facilities in Jharkhand and faith-based facilities in Tanzania. Estimated uterotonic use for facility births ranged from 70 to 100%. Uterotonics are not used routinely for PPH prevention at home births in any of the settings. National UUIFB coverage estimates of all births were 43% in Mozambique, 40% in Tanzania, 44% in Jharkhand, and 14% in Yemen. This methodology for estimating coverage of UUIFB was found to be feasible and acceptable. While the exercise produces imprecise estimates whose validity cannot be assessed objectively in the absence of a gold standard estimate, stakeholders felt they were accurate enough to be actionable. The exercise highlighted information and practice gaps and promoted discussion on ways to improve UUIFB measurement and coverage, particularly of home births. Further follow up is needed to verify actions taken. The methodology produces useful data to help accelerate efforts to reduce maternal mortality.

Perceptions of the usefulness of external support to immunization coverage in Guinea-Bissau: a Delphi analysis of the GAVI-Alliance cash-based support.

PubMed

Ferrinho, Paulo; Dramé, Mohamed; Biai, Sidu; Lopes, Orlando; Sousa, Fernando de; Van Lerberghe, Wim

2013-01-01

Although many countries have improved vaccination coverage in recent years, some, including Guinea-Bissau, failed to meet expected targets. This paper tries to understand the main barriers to better vaccination coverage in the context of the GAVI-Alliance (The Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation) cash-based support provided to Guinea-Bissau. The analysis is based on a document analysis and a three round Delphi study with a final consensus meeting. Consensus attributed about 25% of the failure to perform better to implementation problems; and about 10% to governance and also 10% to scarce resources. The qualitative analysis validates the importance of implementation issues and upgraded the relevance of the human resources crisis as an important drawback. The recommendations were balanced in their upstream-downstream focus but were blind to health information issues and logistical difficulties. It is commendable that such a fragile state, with all sorts of barriers, manages to sustain a slow steady growth of its vaccination coverage. Not reaching the targets set reflects the inappropriateness of those targets rather than a lack of commitment of the health workforce. In the unstable context of countries such as Guinea-Bissau, the predictability of the funds from global health initiatives like the GAVI-Alliance seem to make all the difference in achieving small consistent health gains even in the presence of other major bottlenecks.

Face specificity and the role of metal adatoms in molecular reorientation at surfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Perry, C. C.; Haq, S.; Frederick, B. G.; Richardson, N. V.

1998-07-01

Using reflection absorption infrared spectroscopy (RAIRS), the coverage-dependent reorientation of the benzoate species on the (110) and (111) faces of copper is compared and contrasted. Whereas on Cu(110) benzoate reorients from a flat-lying to an upright orientation with increasing coverage, on Cu(111), at all coverages, benzoate is aligned normal to the surface. The formation of periodic, flat-lying copper-benzoate structures has been attributed to the availability of metal adatoms, which differs dramatically between the (111) and (110) faces. We discuss the face specificity of molecular orientation by comparing calculated formation energies of adatom vacancies from ledges and kink sites on (100), (110) and (111) faces. Further support for this model is given by the evaporation of sodium, either by pre- or post-dosing, onto low-coverage benzoate/Cu(111), which induces benzoate to convert from a perpendicular to a parallel orientation. Likewise, coevaporation of Cu while dosing benzoic acid onto the Cu(111) surface also results in a majority of flat-lying benzoate species. Finally, for adsorption on the p(2×1)O/Cu(110) reconstruction, benzoate occurs only as the upright species, which is consistent with reducing the copper mobility and availability on the (110) face. We therefore suggest the possible role of metal adatoms as a new mechanism in controlling adsorbate orientation and therefore face specificity in surface reactions.

Automatic cloud coverage assessment of Formosat-2 image

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hsu, Kuo-Hsien

2011-11-01

Formosat-2 satellite equips with the high-spatial-resolution (2m ground sampling distance) remote sensing instrument. It has been being operated on the daily-revisiting mission orbit by National Space organization (NSPO) of Taiwan since May 21 2004. NSPO has also serving as one of the ground receiving stations for daily processing the received Formosat- 2 images. The current cloud coverage assessment of Formosat-2 image for NSPO Image Processing System generally consists of two major steps. Firstly, an un-supervised K-means method is used for automatically estimating the cloud statistic of Formosat-2 image. Secondly, manual estimation of cloud coverage from Formosat-2 image is processed by manual examination. Apparently, a more accurate Automatic Cloud Coverage Assessment (ACCA) method certainly increases the efficiency of processing step 2 with a good prediction of cloud statistic. In this paper, mainly based on the research results from Chang et al, Irish, and Gotoh, we propose a modified Formosat-2 ACCA method which considered pre-processing and post-processing analysis. For pre-processing analysis, cloud statistic is determined by using un-supervised K-means classification, Sobel's method, Otsu's method, non-cloudy pixels reexamination, and cross-band filter method. Box-Counting fractal method is considered as a post-processing tool to double check the results of pre-processing analysis for increasing the efficiency of manual examination.

Staple Line Reinforcement During Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy: Absorbable Monofilament, Barbed Suture, Fibrin Glue, or Nothing? Results of a Prospective Randomized Study.

PubMed

Carandina, S; Tabbara, M; Bossi, M; Valenti, A; Polliand, C; Genser, L; Barrat, Christophe

2016-02-01

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is associated with serious complications, such as staple line (SL) leaks and bleeding. In order to prevent the occurrence of these complications, surgeons have advocated the need to strengthen the staple line. The aim of this randomized controlled study was to compare the efficacy of three different ways of strengthening of the SL in LSG in preventing surgical post-operative complications. Between April 2012 and December 2014, 600 patients (pts) scheduled for LSG were prospectively randomized into groups without SL reinforcement (group A) or with SL reinforcement including fibrin glue coverage (group B), or oversewn SL with imbricating absorbable (Monocryl™; group C) or barbed (V lock®) running suture (group D). Primary endpoints were post-operative leaks, bleeding, and stenosis, while secondary outcomes consisted of the time to perform the staple line reinforcement (SLR) and total operative time. Mean SLR operative time was lower for group B (3.4 ± 1.3 min) compared with that for groups C (26.8 ± 8.5 min) and D (21.1 ± 8.4 min) (p < 0.0001). Mean total operative time was 100.7 ± 16.4 min (group A), 104.4 ± 22.1 min (group B), 126.2 ± 18.9 min (group C), and 124.6 ± 22.8 (group D) (p < 0.0001). Post-operative leaks, bleeding, and stenosis were recorded in 14 pts (2.3 %), 5 pts (0.8 %), and 7 pts (1.1 %), respectively, without statistical difference between the groups. Our study suggests that SLR during LSG, with an imbricating or non-imbricating running suture or with fibrin glue, is an unrewarding surgical act with the sole effect of prolonging the operative time.

Uav Surveying for a Complete Mapping and Documentation of Archaeological Findings. The Early Neolithic Site of Portonovo

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Malinverni, E. S.; Conati Barbaro, C.; Pierdicca, R.; Bozzi, C. A.; Tassetti, A. N.

2016-06-01

The huge potential of 3D digital acquisition techniques for the documentation of archaeological sites, as well as the related findings, is almost well established. In spite of the variety of available techniques, a sole documentation pipeline cannot be defined a priori because of the diversity of archaeological settings. Stratigraphic archaeological excavations, for example, require a systematic, quick and low cost 3D single-surface documentation because the nature of stratigraphic archaeology compels providing documentary evidence of any excavation phase. Only within a destructive process each single excavation cannot be identified, documented and interpreted and this implies the necessity of a re- examination of the work on field. In this context, this paper describes the methodology, carried out during the last years, to 3D document the Early Neolithic site of Portonovo (Ancona, Italy) and, in particular, its latest step consisting in a photogrammetric aerial survey by means of UAV platform. It completes the previous research delivered in the same site by means of terrestrial laser scanning and close range techniques and sets out different options for further reflection in terms of site coverage, resolution and campaign cost. With the support of a topographic network and a unique reference system, the full documentation of the site is managed in order to detail each excavation phase; besides, the final output proves how the 3D digital methodology can be completely integrated with reasonable costs during the excavation and used to interpret the archaeological context. Further contribution of this work is the comparison between several acquisition techniques (i.e. terrestrial and aerial), which could be useful as decision support system for different archaeological scenarios. The main objectives of the comparison are: i) the evaluation of 3D mapping accuracy from different data sources, ii) the definition of a standard pipeline for different archaeological needs and iii) the provision of different level of detail according to the user needs.

37 CFR 202.22 - Acquisition and deposit of unpublished audio and audiovisual transmission programs.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... broadcast stations, both network and independent. The Library will also record a selected portion of the... requested by the owner of copyright or of any exclusive right, to satisfy the deposit provision of section... transmission programs consisting of a regularly scheduled newscast or on-the-spot coverage of news events...

Advanced proteomic liquid chromatography

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

Xie, Fang; Smith, Richard D.; Shen, Yufeng

2012-10-26

Liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry is the predominant platform used to analyze proteomics samples consisting of large numbers of proteins and their proteolytic products (e.g., truncated polypeptides) and spanning a wide range of relative concentrations. This review provides an overview of advanced capillary liquid chromatography techniques and methodologies that greatly improve separation resolving power and proteomics analysis coverage, sensitivity, and throughput.

29 CFR 779.259 - What is included in annual gross volume.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... whole. The computation of the annual gross volume of sales or business of the enterprise is made... Coverage Annual Gross Volume of Sales Made Or Business Done § 779.259 What is included in annual gross volume. (a) The annual gross volume of sales made or business done of an enterprise consists of its gross...

29 CFR 779.259 - What is included in annual gross volume.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... whole. The computation of the annual gross volume of sales or business of the enterprise is made... Coverage Annual Gross Volume of Sales Made Or Business Done § 779.259 What is included in annual gross volume. (a) The annual gross volume of sales made or business done of an enterprise consists of its gross...

75 FR 16424 - Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Census Coverage Measurement Final Housing Unit...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-04-01

... unit is a block cluster, which consists of one or more geographically contiguous census blocks. As in... a number of distinct processes, ranging from forming block clusters, selecting the block clusters... sample of block clusters, while the E Sample is the census of housing units and enumerations in the same...

The Lexical Coverage of Movies

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Webb, Stuart; Rodgers, Michael P. H.

2009-01-01

The scripts of 318 movies were analyzed in this study to determine the vocabulary size necessary to understand 95% and 98% of the words in movies. The movies consisted of 2,841,887 running words and had a total running time of 601 hours and 33 minutes. The movies were classified as either American or British, and then put into the following…

Empowering Employees: How Colleges Can Dramatically Reduce Their Medical Costs.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Powell, Bill

1993-01-01

A plan that offers college employees an incentive to contain health care insurance costs is outlined. It consists of three parts: the institution's offering of coverage for claims above a certain level; an employee deductible; and an accounting system that rewards employees for keeping health care costs down as well as involving them in management…

Computerized method for automatic evaluation of lean body mass from PET/CT: comparison with predictive equations.

PubMed

Chan, Tao

2012-01-01

CT has become an established method for calculating body composition, but it requires data from the whole body, which are not typically obtained in routine PET/CT examinations. A computerized scheme that evaluates whole-body lean body mass (LBM) based on CT data from limited-whole-body coverage was developed. The LBM so obtained was compared with results from conventional predictive equations. LBM can be obtained automatically from limited-whole-body CT data by 3 means: quantification of body composition from CT images in the limited-whole-body scan, based on thresholding of CT attenuation; determination of the range of coverage based on a characteristic trend of changing composition across different levels and pattern recognition of specific features at strategic positions; and estimation of the LBM of the whole body on the basis of a predetermined relationship between proportion of fat mass and extent of coverage. This scheme was validated using 18 whole-body PET/CT examinations truncated at different lengths to emulate limited-whole-body data. LBM was also calculated using predictive equations that had been reported for use in SUV normalization. LBM derived from limited-whole-body data using the proposed method correlated strongly with LBM derived from whole-body CT data, with correlation coefficients ranging from 0.991 (shorter coverage) to 0.998 (longer coverage) and SEMs of LBM ranging from 0.14 to 0.33 kg. These were more accurate than results from different predictive equations, which ranged in correlation coefficient from 0.635 to 0.970 and in SEM from 0.64 to 2.40 kg. LBM of the whole body could be automatically estimated from CT data of limited-whole-body coverage typically acquired in PET/CT examinations. This estimation allows more accurate and consistent quantification of metabolic activity of tumors based on LBM-normalized standardized uptake value.

Assessment of immunization registry databases as supplemental sources of data to improve ascertainment of vaccination coverage estimates in the national immunization survey.

PubMed

Khare, Meena; Piccinino, Linda; Barker, Lawrence E; Linkins, Robert W

2006-08-01

To evaluate the use of immunization registry data to supplement missing or incomplete vaccination data reported by immunization providers (referred to as "providers" hereafter) in the National Immunization Survey. Cross-sectional, random-digit-dialing, telephone survey to measure vaccination coverage among children aged 19 to 35 months in the United States. Four sites with mature (with >67% of provider participation in the area) immunization registries. Of the 639 children with complete household interviews, interviewers had consent from the respondents for 569 (89.0%) children to contact their providers and for 556 (87.0%) children to contact both providers and registries. Percentages of children up-to-date for vaccines based on data from providers, registries, and both sources combined. According to provider-reported data, weighted estimates of coverage for the recommended childhood vaccine series 4:3:1:3 at the 4 sites were 65.6%, 78.8%, 81.6%, and 77.0%. According to registry data, these coverage rates were consistently lower: 31.7% (P<.05), 65.4%, 71.9%, and 61.8%, respectively. When all unique vaccine doses were combined from both sources, the pooled 4:3:1:3 coverage rates increased to 72.0%, 92.0%, 88.7%, and 80.2%, respectively. The quality and completeness of vaccination histories from the registries were inconsistent and varied by sites. Vaccination coverage estimates were the lowest when only registry-reported data were used and were the highest when provider- and registry-reported histories were combined. Although registries enrolled and matched more children, vaccination histories were missing, incomplete, and inconsistent. The quality and completeness of the registry data must be improved and must be comparable across all states before further consideration may be given to supplement or replace the provider-reported National Immunization Survey data.

Attendance at cervical cancer screening and use of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures on the uterine cervix assessed from individual health insurance data (Belgium, 2002-2006).

PubMed

Arbyn, Marc; Fabri, Valérie; Temmerman, Marleen; Simoens, Cindy

2014-01-01

To assess the coverage for cervical cancer screening as well as the use of cervical cytology, colposcopy and other diagnostic and therapeutic interventions on the uterine cervix in Belgium, using individual health insurance data. The Intermutualistic Agency compiled a database containing 14 million records from reimbursement claims for Pap smears, colposcopies, cervical biopsies and surgery, performed between 2002 and 2006. Cervical cancer screening coverage was defined as the proportion of women aged 25-64 that had a Pap smear within the last 3 years. Cervical cancer screening coverage was 61% at national level, for the target population of women between 25 and 64 years old, in the period 2004-2006. Differences between the 3 regions were small, but varied more substantially between provinces. Coverage was 70% for 25-34 year old women, 67% for those aged 35-39 years, and decreased to 44% in the age group of 60-64 years. The median screening interval was 13 months. The screening coverage varied substantially by social category: 40% and 64%, in women categorised as beneficiary or not-beneficiary of increased reimbursement from social insurance, respectively. In the 3-year period 2004-2006, 3.2 million screen tests were done in the target group consisting of 2.8 million women. However, only 1.7 million women got one or more smears and 1.1 million women had no smears, corresponding to an average of 1.88 smears per woman in three years of time. Colposcopy was excessively used (number of Pap smears over colposcopies = 3.2). The proportion of women with a history of conisation or hysterectomy, before the age of 65, was 7% and 19%, respectively. The screening coverage increased slightly from 59% in 2000 to 61% in 2006. The screening intensity remained at a high level, and the number of cytological examinations was theoretically sufficient to cover more than the whole target population.

Bisulfite-independent analysis of CpG island methylation enables genome-scale stratification of single cells

PubMed Central

Han, Lin; Wu, Hua-Jun; Zhu, Haiying; Kim, Kun-Yong; Marjani, Sadie L.; Riester, Markus; Euskirchen, Ghia; Zi, Xiaoyuan; Yang, Jennifer; Han, Jasper; Snyder, Michael; Park, In-Hyun; Irizarry, Rafael; Weissman, Sherman M.

2017-01-01

Abstract Conventional DNA bisulfite sequencing has been extended to single cell level, but the coverage consistency is insufficient for parallel comparison. Here we report a novel method for genome-wide CpG island (CGI) methylation sequencing for single cells (scCGI-seq), combining methylation-sensitive restriction enzyme digestion and multiple displacement amplification for selective detection of methylated CGIs. We applied this method to analyzing single cells from two types of hematopoietic cells, K562 and GM12878 and small populations of fibroblasts and induced pluripotent stem cells. The method detected 21 798 CGIs (76% of all CGIs) per cell, and the number of CGIs consistently detected from all 16 profiled single cells was 20 864 (72.7%), with 12 961 promoters covered. This coverage represents a substantial improvement over results obtained using single cell reduced representation bisulfite sequencing, with a 66-fold increase in the fraction of consistently profiled CGIs across individual cells. Single cells of the same type were more similar to each other than to other types, but also displayed epigenetic heterogeneity. The method was further validated by comparing the CpG methylation pattern, methylation profile of CGIs/promoters and repeat regions and 41 classes of known regulatory markers to the ENCODE data. Although not every minor methylation differences between cells are detectable, scCGI-seq provides a solid tool for unsupervised stratification of a heterogeneous cell population. PMID:28126923

Detection of the HA-33 protein in botulinum neurotoxin type G complex by mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Kalb, Suzanne R; Baudys, Jakub; Barr, John R

2015-10-23

The disease botulism is caused by intoxication with botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs), extremely toxic proteins which cause paralysis. This neurotoxin is produced by some members of the Clostridium botulinum and closely related species, and is produced as a protein complex consisting of the neurotoxin and neurotoxin-associated proteins (NAPs). There are seven known serotypes of BoNT, A-G, and the composition of the NAPs can differ between these serotypes. It was previously published that the BoNT/G complex consisted of BoNT/G, nontoxic-nonhemagglutinin (NTNH), Hemagglutinin 70 (HA-70), and HA-17, but that HA-33, a component of the protein complex of other serotypes of BoNT, was not found. Components of the BoNT/G complex were first separated by SDS-PAGE, and bands corresponding to components of the complex were digested and analyzed by LC-MS/MS. Gel bands were identified with sequence coverages of 91% for BoNT/G, 91% for NTNH, 89% for HA-70, and 88% for HA-17. Notably, one gel band was also clearly identified as HA-33 with 93% sequence coverage. The BoNT/G complex consists of BoNT/G, NTNH, HA-70, HA-17, and HA-33. These proteins form the progenitor form of BoNT/G, similar to all other HA positive progenitor toxin complexes.

Inadequate thickness of the weight-bearing surface of claws in ruminants.

PubMed

Shakespeare, A S

2009-12-01

The term 'thin soles' refers to the suboptimal thickness of the weight-bearing surface of claws in ruminants. These palmar/plantar surfaces of the claws support the weight of the animal and consist of the distal wall horn, the sole proper, the heel and the minute white line area. The sole should normally only bear weight on uneven or undulating surfaces. A decrease in the thickness of the weight-bearing claw surface will decrease the protective function of this structure and may alter the proportion of weight-bearing by each section with possible detrimental effects on hoof function. Horn tissue readily absorbs water and becomes softer which can lead to increased wear rates. Growth rates normally match wear rates but, unlike the latter, time is needed for the growth rate response to adapt to changes in wear rate. Concrete surfaces can be abrasive and dairy cows that spend their lactation cycle on these floors should be let out to pasture in the dry period so that their claws can recoup lost horn. Frictional coefficient is a measure of the'slipperiness' of hooves on various surfaces. Newly laid or fresh concrete is not only abrasive but the thin surface suspension of calcium hydroxide that forms has a very alkaline pH which causes keratin degradation and is mostly responsible for the excessive claw wear that occurs. Four case studies are used to illustrate the importance of the distal wall horn, the dangers of over-trimming and the effects of disease and concrete on horn growth and wear rates.

Climate mediates hypoxic stress on fish diversity and nursery function at the land-sea interface.

PubMed

Hughes, Brent B; Levey, Matthew D; Fountain, Monique C; Carlisle, Aaron B; Chavez, Francisco P; Gleason, Mary G

2015-06-30

Coastal ecosystems provide numerous important ecological services, including maintenance of biodiversity and nursery grounds for many fish species of ecological and economic importance. However, human population growth has led to increased pollution, ocean warming, hypoxia, and habitat alteration that threaten ecosystem services. In this study, we used long-term datasets of fish abundance, water quality, and climatic factors to assess the threat of hypoxia and the regulating effects of climate on fish diversity and nursery conditions in Elkhorn Slough, a highly eutrophic estuary in central California (United States), which also serves as a biodiversity hot spot and critical nursery grounds for offshore fisheries in a broader region. We found that hypoxic conditions had strong negative effects on extent of suitable fish habitat, fish species richness, and abundance of the two most common flatfish species, English sole (Parophrys vetulus) and speckled sanddab (Citharichthys stigmaeus). The estuary serves as an important nursery ground for English sole, making this species vulnerable to anthropogenic threats. We determined that estuarine hypoxia was associated with significant declines in English sole nursery habitat, with cascading effects on recruitment to the offshore adult population and fishery, indicating that human land use activities can indirectly affect offshore fisheries. Estuarine hypoxic conditions varied spatially and temporally and were alleviated by strengthening of El Niño conditions through indirect pathways, a consistent result in most estuaries across the northeast Pacific. These results demonstrate that changes to coastal land use and climate can fundamentally alter the diversity and functioning of coastal nurseries and their adjacent ocean ecosystems.

Climate mediates hypoxic stress on fish diversity and nursery function at the land–sea interface

PubMed Central

Hughes, Brent B.; Levey, Matthew D.; Fountain, Monique C.; Carlisle, Aaron B.; Chavez, Francisco P.; Gleason, Mary G.

2015-01-01

Coastal ecosystems provide numerous important ecological services, including maintenance of biodiversity and nursery grounds for many fish species of ecological and economic importance. However, human population growth has led to increased pollution, ocean warming, hypoxia, and habitat alteration that threaten ecosystem services. In this study, we used long-term datasets of fish abundance, water quality, and climatic factors to assess the threat of hypoxia and the regulating effects of climate on fish diversity and nursery conditions in Elkhorn Slough, a highly eutrophic estuary in central California (United States), which also serves as a biodiversity hot spot and critical nursery grounds for offshore fisheries in a broader region. We found that hypoxic conditions had strong negative effects on extent of suitable fish habitat, fish species richness, and abundance of the two most common flatfish species, English sole (Parophrys vetulus) and speckled sanddab (Citharichthys stigmaeus). The estuary serves as an important nursery ground for English sole, making this species vulnerable to anthropogenic threats. We determined that estuarine hypoxia was associated with significant declines in English sole nursery habitat, with cascading effects on recruitment to the offshore adult population and fishery, indicating that human land use activities can indirectly affect offshore fisheries. Estuarine hypoxic conditions varied spatially and temporally and were alleviated by strengthening of El Niño conditions through indirect pathways, a consistent result in most estuaries across the northeast Pacific. These results demonstrate that changes to coastal land use and climate can fundamentally alter the diversity and functioning of coastal nurseries and their adjacent ocean ecosystems. PMID:26056293

Electrolytic photodissociation of chemical compounds by iron oxide electrodes

DOEpatents

Somorjai, Gabor A.; Leygraf, Christofer H.

1984-01-01

Chemical compounds can be dissociated by contacting the same with a p/n type semi-conductor diode having visible light as its sole source of energy. The diode consists of low cost, readily available materials, specifically polycrystalline iron oxide doped with silicon in the case of the n-type semi-conductor electrode, and polycrystalline iron oxide doped with magnesium in the case of the p-type electrode. So long as the light source has an energy greater than 2.2 electron volts, no added energy source is needed to achieve dissociation.

Electrolytic photodissociation of chemical compounds by iron oxide photochemical diodes

DOEpatents

Somorjai, Gabor A.; Leygraf, Christofer H.

1985-01-01

Chemical compounds can be dissociated by contacting the same with a p/n type semi-conductor photochemical diode having visible light as its sole source of energy. The photochemical diode consists of low cost, readily available materials, specifically polycrystalline iron oxide doped with silicon in the case of the n-type semi-conductor electrode, and polycrystalline iron oxide doped with magnesium in the case of the p-type electrode. So long as the light source has an energy greater than 2.2 electron volts, no added energy source is needed to achieve dissociation.

Plasmon analysis and homogenization in plane layered photonic crystals and hyperbolic metamaterials

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

Davidovich, M. V., E-mail: davidovichmv@info.sgu.ru

2016-12-15

Dispersion equations are obtained and analysis and homogenization are carried out in periodic and quasiperiodic plane layered structures consisting of alternating dielectric layers, metal and dielectric layers, as well as graphene sheets and dielectric (SiO{sub 2}) layers. Situations are considered when these structures acquire the properties of hyperbolic metamaterials (HMMs), i.e., materials the real parts of whose effective permittivity tensor have opposite signs. It is shown that the application of solely dielectric layers is more promising in the context of reducing losses.

Reduction of blood serum cholesterol

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Winitz, M. (Inventor)

1974-01-01

By feeding a human subject as the sole source of sustenance a defined diet wherein the carbohydrate consists substantially entirely of glucose, maltose or a polysaccharide of glucose, the blood serum cholesterol level of the human subject is substantially reduced. If 25 percent of the carbohydrate is subsequently supplied in the form of sucrose, an immediate increase from the reduced level is observed. The remainder of the defined diet normally includes a source of amino acids, such as protein or a protein hydrolysate, vitamins, minerals and a source of essential fatty acid.

VizieR Online Data Catalog: Binarity in planetary nebula central stars (De Marco+ 2013)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

De Marco O.; Passy, J.-C.; Frew, D. J.; Moe, M.; Jacoby, G. H.

2014-01-01

The sample presented here consists of 30 central stars of PN which were selected solely based on their low PN surface brightness (radius of the PN is larger than ~25arcsec in most cases) as well as on the faint V magnitudes of their central stars. The observations were acquired during eight nights between 2007 October 30 and November 6 at the 2.1-m telescope at the Kitt Peak National Observatory. However, the data from nights 2 and 8 were not photometric. (5 data files).

Observations on plantlore in Buldhana District of Maharashtra

PubMed Central

Patil, P.S.; Dushing, Y.A.; Patil, D.A.

2007-01-01

Traditional medicinal uses for various human diseases of 54 angiospermic species from Shegaon, Sangrampur, Jalgaon (Jamod), Malkapur, Nandura, Motala and Khamgaon tehsils of Buldhana district (Maharashtra) are reported. Of these, applications of 36 species are unknown or little known. The folk medicines consist of a sole drug or a principal drug in combination with other drugs. The recent botanical name, local plant name, recipe, mode of administration, doses etc. are communicated as collected from the tribal and rural folks of the district. It is desirable to screen these species on modern scientific lines. PMID:22557259

Observations on plantlore in Buldhana District of Maharashtra.

PubMed

Patil, P S; Dushing, Y A; Patil, D A

2007-07-01

Traditional medicinal uses for various human diseases of 54 angiospermic species from Shegaon, Sangrampur, Jalgaon (Jamod), Malkapur, Nandura, Motala and Khamgaon tehsils of Buldhana district (Maharashtra) are reported. Of these, applications of 36 species are unknown or little known. The folk medicines consist of a sole drug or a principal drug in combination with other drugs. The recent botanical name, local plant name, recipe, mode of administration, doses etc. are communicated as collected from the tribal and rural folks of the district. It is desirable to screen these species on modern scientific lines.

Best practices in managing child and adolescent behavioral health emergencies [digest].

PubMed

Feuer, Vera; Rocker, Joshua; Saggu, Babar M; Andrus, Jason M; Wormley, Molly

2018-01-22

Behavioral health emergencies most commonly present as depression, suicidal behavior, aggression, and severe disorganization. Emergency clinicians should avoid relying solely on past medical history or previous psychiatric diagnoses that might prematurely rule out medical pathologies. Treatments for behavioral health emergencies consist of de-escalation interventions aimed at preventing agitation, aggression, and harm. This issue reviews medical pathologies and underlying causes that can result in psychiatric presentations and summarizes evidence-based practices to evaluate, manage, and refer patients with behavioral health emergencies. [Points & Pearls is a digest of Pediatric Emergency Medicine Practice].

Development towards a fast ion loss detector for the reversed field pinch.

PubMed

Bonofiglo, P J; Anderson, J K; Almagri, A F; Kim, J; Clark, J; Capecchi, W; Sears, S H; Egedal, J

2016-11-01

A fast ion loss detector has been constructed and implemented on the Madison Symmetric Torus (MST) to investigate energetic ion losses and transport due to energetic particle and MHD instabilities. The detector discriminates particle orbits solely on pitch and consists of two thin-foil, particle collecting plates that are symmetric with respect to the device aperture. One plate collects fast ion signal, while the second aids in the minimization of background and noise effects. Initial measurements are reported along with suggestions for the next design phase of the detector.

The effect of roughness, floor polish, water, oil and ice on underfoot friction: current safety footwear solings are less slip resistant than microcellular polyurethane.

PubMed

Manning, D P; Jones, C

2001-04-01

Research over a period of about 18 years has shown that a microcellular polyurethane known as AP66033 is the most slip-resistant safety footwear soling material on oily and wet surfaces. In recent years it has been replaced in commercially available footwear by a dual density polyurethane (DDP) which has a dense outer layer and a soft microcellular backing. This research programme has compared the slip resistance of AP66033 with DDP and some rubber solings. In addition, data were obtained on the effects of soling and floor roughness, and floor polish on slip resistance. Some data were also obtained for walking on ice. The coefficient of friction (CoF) of the solings was measured on 19 water wet surfaces in three conditions: (I) when the solings were new, (II) following abrasion to create maximum roughness and (III) after polishing. The CoF was measured on four oily surfaces after each of 11 abrasion or polishing treatments. The profound effects of the roughening of all soles and of floor roughness on the CoF were demonstrated for both wet and oily surfaces. The superior slip resistance of AP66033 was confirmed for oily and wet conditions; however, some rubbers not suitable for safety footwear achieved higher CoF values on wet floors. All of the floor polishes reduced the CoF of all floors when contaminated with water. The mean CoF of DDP solings was lower than the mean for AP66033 on wet and oily surfaces. No safety footwear soling provided adequate grip on dry ice and the CoF was reduced by water on the ice. A rubber used for rock climbing footwear was one of the most slip-resistant solings on wet surfaces in the laboratory but recorded the lowest CoF on ice. It is concluded that the incidence of occupational injuries caused by slipping could be reduced by the following: (A) returning to safety footwear soled with the microcellular polyurethane AP66033; (B) abrading all new and smooth footwear solings with a belt sanding machine coated with P100 grit; (C) avoiding the use of floor polish; (D) informing the general public about the poor slip resistance of ordinary footwear on ice and the lowering of slip resistance in cold weather.

Rail-RNA: scalable analysis of RNA-seq splicing and coverage.

PubMed

Nellore, Abhinav; Collado-Torres, Leonardo; Jaffe, Andrew E; Alquicira-Hernández, José; Wilks, Christopher; Pritt, Jacob; Morton, James; Leek, Jeffrey T; Langmead, Ben

2017-12-15

RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) experiments now span hundreds to thousands of samples. Current spliced alignment software is designed to analyze each sample separately. Consequently, no information is gained from analyzing multiple samples together, and it requires extra work to obtain analysis products that incorporate data from across samples. We describe Rail-RNA, a cloud-enabled spliced aligner that analyzes many samples at once. Rail-RNA eliminates redundant work across samples, making it more efficient as samples are added. For many samples, Rail-RNA is more accurate than annotation-assisted aligners. We use Rail-RNA to align 667 RNA-seq samples from the GEUVADIS project on Amazon Web Services in under 16 h for US$0.91 per sample. Rail-RNA outputs alignments in SAM/BAM format; but it also outputs (i) base-level coverage bigWigs for each sample; (ii) coverage bigWigs encoding normalized mean and median coverages at each base across samples analyzed; and (iii) exon-exon splice junctions and indels (features) in columnar formats that juxtapose coverages in samples in which a given feature is found. Supplementary outputs are ready for use with downstream packages for reproducible statistical analysis. We use Rail-RNA to identify expressed regions in the GEUVADIS samples and show that both annotated and unannotated (novel) expressed regions exhibit consistent patterns of variation across populations and with respect to known confounding variables. Rail-RNA is open-source software available at http://rail.bio. anellore@gmail.com or langmea@cs.jhu.edu. Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com

Knowledge and understanding of health insurance: challenges and remedies.

PubMed

Barnes, Andrew J; Hanoch, Yaniv

2017-07-13

As coverage is expanded in health systems that rely on consumers to choose health insurance plans that best meet their needs, interest in whether consumers possess sufficient understanding of health insurance to make good coverage decisions is growing. The recent IJHPR article by Green and colleagues-examining understanding of supplementary health insurance (SHI) among Israeli consumers-provides an important and timely answer to the above question. Indeed, their study addresses similar problems to the ones identified in the US health care market, with two notable findings. First, they show that overall-regardless of demographic variables-there are low levels of knowledge about SHI, which the literature has come to refer to more broadly as "health insurance literacy." Second, they find a significant disparity in health insurance literacy between different SES groups, where Jews were significantly more knowledgeable about SHI compared to their Arab counterparts.The authors' findings are consistent with a growing body of literature from the U.S. and elsewhere, including our own, presenting evidence that consumers struggle with understanding and using health insurance. Studies in the U.S. have also found that difficulties are generally more acute for populations considered the most vulnerable and consequently most in need of adequate and affordable health insurance coverage.The authors' findings call attention to the need to tailor communication strategies aimed at mitigating health insurance literacy and, ultimately, access and outcomes disparities among vulnerable populations in Israel and elsewhere. It also raises the importance of creating insurance choice environments in health systems relying on consumers to make coverage decisions that facilitate the decision process by using "choice architecture" to, among other things, simplify plan information and highlight meaningful differences between coverage options.

Daily and Nondaily Oral Preexposure Prophylaxis in Men and Transgender Women Who Have Sex With Men: The Human Immunodeficiency Virus Prevention Trials Network 067/ADAPT Study.

PubMed

Grant, Robert M; Mannheimer, Sharon; Hughes, James P; Hirsch-Moverman, Yael; Loquere, Avelino; Chitwarakorn, Anupong; Curlin, Marcel E; Li, Maoji; Amico, K Rivet; Hendrix, Craig W; Anderson, Peter L; Dye, Bonnie J; Marzinke, Mark A; Piwowar-Manning, Estelle; McKinstry, Laura; Elharrar, Vanessa; Stirratt, Michael; Rooney, James F; Eshleman, Susan H; McNicholl, Janet M; van Griensven, Frits; Holtz, Timothy H

2018-05-17

Nondaily dosing of oral preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) may provide equivalent coverage of sex events compared with daily dosing. At-risk men and transgender women who have sex with men were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 dosing regimens: 1 tablet daily, 1 tablet twice weekly with a postsex dose (time-driven), or 1 tablet before and after sex (event-driven), and were followed for coverage of sex events with pre- and postsex dosing measured by weekly self-report, drug concentrations, and electronic drug monitoring. From July 2012 to May 2014, 357 participants were randomized. In Bangkok, the coverage of sex events was 85% for the daily arm compared with 84% for the time-driven arm (P = .79) and 74% for the event-driven arm (P = .02). In Harlem, coverage was 66%, 47% (P = .01), and 52% (P = .01) for these groups. In Bangkok, PrEP medication concentrations in blood were consistent with use of ≥2 tablets per week in >95% of visits when sex was reported in the prior week, while in Harlem, such medication concentrations occurred in 48.5% in the daily arm, 30.9% in the time-driven arm, and 16.7% in the event-driven arm (P < .0001). Creatinine elevations were more common in the daily arm (P = .050), although they were not dose limiting. Daily dosing recommendations increased coverage and protective drug concentrations in the Harlem cohort, while daily and nondaily regimens led to comparably favorable outcomes in Bangkok, where participants had higher levels of education and employment. NCT01327651.

Thermal effects on electronic properties of CO/Pt(111) in water.

PubMed

Duan, Sai; Xu, Xin; Luo, Yi; Hermansson, Kersti; Tian, Zhong-Qun

2013-08-28

Structure and adsorption energy of carbon monoxide molecules adsorbed on the Pt(111) surfaces with various CO coverages in water as well as work function of the whole systems at room temperature of 298 K were studied by means of a hybrid method that combines classical molecular dynamics and density functional theory. We found that when the coverage of CO is around half monolayer, i.e. 50%, there is no obvious peak of the oxygen density profile appearing in the first water layer. This result reveals that, in this case, the external force applied to water molecules from the CO/Pt(111) surface almost vanishes as a result of the competitive adsorption between CO and water molecules on the Pt(111) surface. This coverage is also the critical point of the wetting/non-wetting conditions for the CO/Pt(111) surface. Averaged work function and adsorption energy from current simulations are consistent with those of previous studies, which show that thermal average is required for direct comparisons between theoretical predictions and experimental measurements. Meanwhile, the statistical behaviors of work function and adsorption energy at room temperature have also been calculated. The standard errors of the calculated work function for the water-CO/Pt(111) interfaces are around 0.6 eV at all CO coverages, while the standard error decreases from 1.29 to 0.05 eV as the CO coverage increases from 4% to 100% for the calculated adsorption energy. Moreover, the critical points for these electronic properties are the same as those for the wetting/non-wetting conditions. These findings provide a better understanding about the interfacial structure under specific adsorption conditions, which can have important applications on the structure of electric double layers and therefore offer a useful perspective for the design of the electrochemical catalysts.

Expanding the catalog of binary black-hole simulations: aligned-spin configurations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chu, Tony; Pfeiffer, Harald; Scheel, Mark; Szilagyi, Bela; SXS Collaboration

2015-04-01

A major goal of numerical relativity is to model the inspiral and merger of binary black holes through sufficiently accurate and long simulations, to enable the successful detection of gravitational waves. However, covering the full parameter space of binary configurations is a computationally daunting task. The SXS Collaboration has made important progress in this direction recently, with a catalog of 174 publicly available binary black-hole simulations [black-holes.org/waveforms]. Nevertheless, the parameter-space coverage remains sparse, even for non-precessing binaries. In this talk, I will describe an addition to the SXS catalog to improve its coverage, consisting of 95 new simulations of aligned-spin binaries with moderate mass ratios and dimensionless spins as high as 0.9. Some applications of these new simulations will also be mentioned.

Two stage surgical procedure for root coverage

PubMed Central

George, Anjana Mary; Rajesh, K. S.; Hegde, Shashikanth; Kumar, Arun

2012-01-01

Gingival recession may present problems that include root sensitivity, esthetic concern, and predilection to root caries, cervical abrasion and compromising of a restorative effort. When marginal tissue health cannot be maintained and recession is deep, the need for treatment arises. This literature has documented that recession can be successfully treated by means of a two stage surgical approach, the first stage consisting of creation of attached gingiva by means of free gingival graft, and in the second stage, a lateral sliding flap of grafted tissue to cover the recession. This indirect technique ensures development of an adequate width of attached gingiva. The outcome of this technique suggests that two stage surgical procedures are highly predictable for root coverage in case of isolated deep recession and lack of attached gingiva. PMID:23162343

National Health Insurance or Incremental Reform: Aim High, or at Our Feet?

PubMed Central

Himmelstein, David U.; Woolhandler, Steffie

2003-01-01

Single-payer national health insurance could cover the uninsured and upgrade coverage for most Americans without increasing costs; savings on insurance overhead and other bureaucracy would fully offset the costs of improved care. In contrast, proposed incremental reforms are projected to cover a fraction of the uninsured, at great cost. Moreover, even these projections are suspect; reforms of the past quarter century have not stemmed the erosion of coverage. Despite incrementalists’ claims of pragmatism, they have proven unable to shepherd meaningful reform through the political system. While national health insurance is often dismissed as ultra left by the policy community, it is dead center in public opinion. Polls have consistently shown that at least 40%, and perhaps 60%, of Americans favor such reform. PMID:12511395

National Health Insurance or Incremental Reform: Aim High, or at Our Feet?

PubMed Central

Himmelstein, David U.; Woolhandler, Steffie

2008-01-01

Single-payer national health insurance could cover the uninsured and upgrade coverage for most Americans without increasing costs; savings on insurance overhead and other bureaucracy would fully offset the costs of improved care. In contrast, proposed incremental reforms are projected to cover a fraction of the uninsured, at great cost. Moreover, even these projections are suspect; reforms of the past quarter century have not stemmed the erosion of coverage. Despite incrementalists’ claims of pragmatism, they have proven unable to shepherd meaningful reform through the political system. While national health insurance is often dismissed as ultra left by the policy community, it is dead center in public opinion. Polls have consistently shown that at least 40%, and perhaps 60%, of Americans favor such reform. PMID:18687624

The employer's decision to provide health insurance under the health reform law.

PubMed

Pang, Gaobo; Warshawsky, Mark J

2013-01-01

This article considers the employer's decision to continue or to drop health insurance coverage for its workers under the provisions of the 2010 health reform law, on the presumption that the primary influence on that decision is what will produce a higher worker standard of living during working years and retirement. The authors incorporate the most recent empirical estimates of health care costs into their long-horizon, optimal savings consumption model for workers. Their results show that the employer sponsorship of health plans is valuable for maintaining a consistent and higher living standard over the life cycle for middle- and upper-income households considered here, whereas exchange-purchased and subsidized coverage is more beneficial for lower income households (roughly 4-6% of illustrative single workers and 15-22% of working families).

Crystal field effect in light actinide dioxides and oxychalcogenides-a unified phenomenological description

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gajek, Z.

2004-05-01

The electronic properties of the actinide ions in the series of semi-conducting, antiferromagnetic compounds: dioxides, AnO2 and oxychalcogenides, AnOY, where An=U, Np and Y=S, Se, are re-examined from the point of view of the consistency of the crystal field (CF) model. The discussion is based on the supposition that the effective metal-ligand interaction solely determines the net CF effect in non-metallic compounds. The main question we address here is, whether a reliable, consistent description of the CF effect in terms of the intrinsic parameters can be achieved for this particular family of compounds. Encouraging calculations reported previously for the AnO2 and UOY series serve as a reference data in the present estimation of electronic structure parameters for neptunium oxychalcogenides.

Hematopoietic stem cell origin of connective tissues.

PubMed

Ogawa, Makio; Larue, Amanda C; Watson, Patricia M; Watson, Dennis K

2010-07-01

Connective tissue consists of "connective tissue proper," which is further divided into loose and dense (fibrous) connective tissues and "specialized connective tissues." Specialized connective tissues consist of blood, adipose tissue, cartilage, and bone. In both loose and dense connective tissues, the principal cellular element is fibroblasts. It has been generally believed that all cellular elements of connective tissue, including fibroblasts, adipocytes, chondrocytes, and bone cells, are generated solely by mesenchymal stem cells. Recently, a number of studies, including those from our laboratory based on transplantation of single hematopoietic stem cells, strongly suggested a hematopoietic stem cell origin of these adult mesenchymal tissues. This review summarizes the experimental evidence for this new paradigm and discusses its translational implications. Copyright 2010 ISEH - Society for Hematology and Stem Cells. All rights reserved.

Sole Community Hospitals: Are They Different? A Statistical Analysis of the Hospitals and Their Treatment under TEFRA and PPS. Hospital Studies Program. Hospital Cost and Utilization Project. Research Note 5.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Farley, Dean E.

A study examined the treatment of sole community hospitals under the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982 (TEFRA) and the Prospective Payment System (PPS) for Medicare as compared to the treatment of hospitals not designated as sole community hospitals under these same two policy guidelines. (A sole community hospital is defined as a…

The distribution of life cycle stages of two deep-water pleuronectids, Dover sole ( Microstomus pacificus) and rex sole ( Glyptocephalus zachirus), at the northern extent of their range in the Gulf of Alaska

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abookire, Alisa A.; Bailey, Kevin M.

2007-02-01

Dover sole ( Microstomus pacificus) and rex sole ( Glyptocephalus zachirus) are both commercially valuable, long-lived pleuronectids that are distributed widely throughout the North Pacific. While their ecology and life cycle have been described for southern stocks, few investigations have focused on these species at higher latitudes. We synthesized historical research survey data among critical developmental stages to determine the distribution of life cycle stages for both species in the northern Gulf of Alaska (GOA). Bottom trawl survey data from 1953 to 2004 (25 519 trawls) were used to characterize adult distribution during the non-spawning and spawning seasons, ichthyoplankton data from 1972 to 2003 (10 776 tows) were used to determine the spatial and vertical distribution of eggs and larvae, and small-meshed shrimp trawl survey data from 1972 to 2004 (6536 trawls) were used to characterize areas utilized by immature stages. During the non-spawning season, adult Dover sole and rex sole were widely distributed from the inner shelf to outer slope. While both species concentrated on the continental slope to spawn, Dover sole spawning areas were more geographically specific than rex sole. Although spawned in deep water, eggs of both species were found in surface waters near spawning areas. Dover sole larvae did not appear to have an organized migration from offshore spawning grounds toward coastal nursery areas, and our data indicated facultative settling to their juvenile habitat in winter. Rex sole larvae progressively moved cross-shelf toward shore as they grew from April to September, and larvae presumably settled in coastal nursery areas in the autumn. In contrast with studies in the southern end of their range, we found no evidence in the GOA that Dover or rex sole have pelagic larval stages longer than nine months; however, more sampling for large larvae is needed in winter offshore of the continental shelf as well as sampling for newly settled larvae over the shelf to verify an abbreviated pelagic larval stage for both species at the northern end of their range.

21 CFR 558.62 - Arsanilic acid.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... efficiency; improving pigmentation Withdraw 5 days before slaughter; as sole source of organic arsenic 015565... pigmentation. As erythromycin thiocyanate; withdraw 5 days before slaughter; as sole source of organic arsenic... pigmentation As erythromycin thiocyanate; withdraw 5 days before slaughter; as sole source of organic arsenic...

Micro Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) Pressure Sensor for Footwear

DOEpatents

Kholwadwala, Deepesh K.; Rohrer, Brandon R.; Spletzer, Barry L.; Galambos, Paul C.; Wheeler, Jason W.; Hobart, Clinton G.; Givler, Richard C.

2008-09-23

Footwear comprises a sole and a plurality of sealed cavities contained within the sole. The sealed cavities can be incorporated as deformable containers within an elastic medium, comprising the sole. A plurality of micro electro-mechanical system (MEMS) pressure sensors are respectively contained within the sealed cavity plurality, and can be adapted to measure static and dynamic pressure within each of the sealed cavities. The pressure measurements can provide information relating to the contact pressure distribution between the sole of the footwear and the wearer's environment.

Habitat Suitability Index Models: Juvenile English sole

USGS Publications Warehouse

Toole, Christopher L.; Barnhart, Roger A.; Onuf, Christopher P.

1987-01-01

English sole (Parophrys vetulus) is one of the major commercial groundfish species caught along the Pacific coast. Landings in the United States and Canada averaged 4,947 t/yr between 1975 and 1984, placing it third in importance among flatfish caught by Pacific coast trawlers (Pacific Marine Fisheries Commission 1985). Juvenile English sole are also among the most abundant fishes in many bays and estuaries along the Pacific (Westrheim 1955; Sopher 1974; Ambrose 1976; Rogers 1985). The English sole is not an important recreational species.

Who should be undertaking population-based surveys in humanitarian emergencies?

PubMed Central

Spiegel, Paul B

2007-01-01

Background Timely and accurate data are necessary to prioritise and effectively respond to humanitarian emergencies. 30-by-30 cluster surveys are commonly used in humanitarian emergencies because of their purported simplicity and reasonable validity and precision. Agencies have increasingly used 30-by-30 cluster surveys to undertake measurements beyond immunisation coverage and nutritional status. Methodological errors in cluster surveys have likely occurred for decades in humanitarian emergencies, often with unknown or unevaluated consequences. Discussion Most surveys in humanitarian emergencies are done by non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Some undertake good quality surveys while others have an already overburdened staff with limited epidemiological skills. Manuals explaining cluster survey methodology are available and in use. However, it is debatable as to whether using standardised, 'cookbook' survey methodologies are appropriate. Coordination of surveys is often lacking. If a coordinating body is established, as recommended, it is questionable whether it should have sole authority to release surveys due to insufficient independence. Donors should provide sufficient funding for personnel, training, and survey implementation, and not solely for direct programme implementation. Summary A dedicated corps of trained epidemiologists needs to be identified and made available to undertake surveys in humanitarian emergencies. NGOs in the field may need to form an alliance with certain specialised agencies or pool technically capable personnel. If NGOs continue to do surveys by themselves, a simple training manual with sample survey questionnaires, methodology, standardised files for data entry and analysis, and manual for interpretation should be developed and modified locally for each situation. At the beginning of an emergency, a central coordinating body should be established that has sufficient authority to set survey standards, coordinate when and where surveys should be undertaken and act as a survey repository. Technical expertise is expensive and donors must pay for it. As donors increasingly demand evidence-based programming, they have an obligation to ensure that sufficient funds are provided so organisations have adequate technical staff. PMID:17543107

/sup 32/P-postlabeling analysis of DNA adducts in liver of wild English sole (Parophrys vetulus) and winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus)

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

Varanasi, U.; Reichert, W.L.; Stein, J.E.

The 1-butanol adduct enhancement version of the 32P-postlabeling assay was used to measure the levels of hepatic DNA adducts in the marine flatfish, English sole (Parophrys vetulus), sampled from the Duwamish Waterway and Eagle Harbor, Puget Sound, WA, where they are exposed to high concentrations of sediment-associated chemical contaminants and exhibit an elevated prevalence of hepatic neoplasms. Hepatic DNA was also analyzed from English sole from a reference area (Useless Bay, WA) and from reference English sole treated with organic-solvent extracts of sediments from the two contaminated sites. Autoradiograms of thin-layer chromatograms of 32P-labeled hepatic DNA digests from English solemore » from the contaminated sites exhibited up to three diagonal radioactive zones, which were not present in autoradiograms of thin-layer chromatogram maps of 32P-labeled DNA digests from English sole from the reference site. These diagonal radioactive zones contained several distinct spots as well as what appeared to be multiple overlapping adduct spots. The levels (nmol of adducts/mol of nucleotides) of total DNA adducts for English sole from Duwamish Waterway and Eagle Harbor were 26 +/- 28 (DS) and 17 +/- 9.6, respectively. All autoradiograms of DNA from fish from the contaminated sites exhibited a diagonal radioactive zone where DNA adducts of chrysene, benzo(a)pyrene, and dibenz(a,h)anthracene, formed in vitro using English sole hepatic microsomes, were shown to chromatograph. English sole treated with extracts of the contaminated sediments had adduct profiles generally similar to those for English sole from the respective contaminated sites.« less

Structural evolution of the Semail Ophiolite metamorphic sole, Wadi Hawasina and Northern Jebel Nakhl Culmination, Oman

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hurtado, C.; Bailey, C.; Visokay, L.; Scharf, A.

2017-12-01

The Semail ophiolite is the world's largest and best-exposed ophiolite sequence, however the processes associated with both oceanic detachment and later emplacement onto the Arabian continental margin remain enigmatic. This study examines the upper mantle section of the ophiolite, its associated metamorphic sole, and the autochthonous strata beneath the ophiolite at two locations in northern Oman. Our purpose is to understand the structural history of ophiolite emplacement and evaluate the deformation kinematics of faulted and sheared rocks in the metamorphic sole. At Wadi Hawasina, the base of the ophiolite is defined by a 5- to 15-m thick zone of penetratively-serpentinized mylonitic peridotite. Kinematic indicators record top-to-the SW (reverse) sense-of-shear with a triclinic deformation asymmetry. An inverted metamorphic grade is preserved in the 300- to 500-m thick metamorphic sole that is thrust over deep-water sedimentary rocks of the Hawasina Group. The study site near Buwah, in the northern Jebel Nakhl culmination, contains a N-to-S progression of mantle peridotite, metamorphic sole, and underlying Jurassic carbonates. Liswanite crops out in NW-SE trending linear ridges in the peridotite. The metamorphic sole includes well-foliated quartzite, metachert, and amphibolite. Kinematic evidence indicates that the liswanite and a serpentinized mélange experienced top to-the north (normal) sense-of-shear. Two generations of E-W striking, N-dipping normal faults separate the autochthonous sequence from the metamorphic sole, and also cut out significant sections of the metamorphic sole. Fabric analysis reveals that the metamorphic sole experienced flattening strain (K<0.2) that accumulated during pure shear-dominated general shear (Wk<0.4). Normal faulting and extension at the Buwah site indicates that post-ophiolite deformation is significant in the Jebel Akhdar and Jebel Nakhl culminations.

The HERSCHEL detector: high-rapidity shower counters for LHCb

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carvalho Akiba, K.; Alessio, F.; Bondar, N.; Byczynski, W.; Coco, V.; Collins, P.; Dumps, R.; Dzhelyadin, R.; Gandini, P.; Gruberg Cazon, B. R.; Jacobsson, R.; Johnson, D.; Manthey, J.; Mauricio, J.; McNulty, R.; Monteil, S.; Rachwal, B.; Ravonel Salzgeber, M.; Roy, L.; Schindler, H.; Stevenson, S.; Wilkinson, G.

2018-04-01

The HERSCHEL detector consists of a set of scintillating counters, designed to increase the coverage of the LHCb experiment in the high-rapidity regions on either side of the main spectrometer. The new detector improves the capabilities of LHCb for studies of diffractive interactions, most notably Central Exclusive Production. In this paper the construction, installation, commissioning, and performance of HERSCHEL are presented.

Images of Conflict: Learning from Media Coverage of the Persian Gulf War. A Media Literacy Workshop Kit.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Osborn, Barbara; Davis, J. Francis

This workshop kit consists of: (1) 30-page "Leaders Guide and Handout Masters"; (2) 12-minute videotape, "Lines in the Sand"; (3) special 24-page issue of the journal "Media & Values" on the theme "The Media: in War and Peace"; and (4) an 8-page booklet on the basics of media literacy, "From…

Content Coverage and Students' Achievements in Secondary School Physics: The Delta State Example of Nigeria

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Abamba, Emmanuel Ikechuku

2012-01-01

The consistent poor achievement of students in physics tests and in science generally is one problem attracting researchers because of the danger it poses to the nation's technological advancement. This work focused on the effect of content thought on students' achievement. Two research questions were put forward which led to the formulation of…

Expanding What It Means to Make Evidence-Based Claims: Online Comments and the Boston Marathon Bombings

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chandler-Olcott, Kelly

2014-01-01

This article argues that exploration of media coverage of a story like the Boston Marathon bombings, including online comments posted by readers, can support youth in reflecting on and thinking critically about a tragedy while offering opportunities for literacy pedagogy consistent with the goals of the Common Core State Standards for English…

Advanced proteomic liquid chromatography

PubMed Central

Xie, Fang; Smith, Richard D.; Shen, Yufeng

2012-01-01

Liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry is the predominant platform used to analyze proteomics samples consisting of large numbers of proteins and their proteolytic products (e.g., truncated polypeptides) and spanning a wide range of relative concentrations. This review provides an overview of advanced capillary liquid chromatography techniques and methodologies that greatly improve separation resolving power and proteomics analysis coverage, sensitivity, and throughput. PMID:22840822

STDN network operations procedure for Apollo range instrumentation aircraft, revision 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vette, A. R.; Pfeiffer, W. A.

1972-01-01

The Apollo range instrumentation aircraft (ARIA) fleet which consists of four EC-135N aircraft used for Apollo communication support is discussed. The ARIA aircraft are used to provide coverage of lunar missions, earth orbit missions, command module/service module separation to spacecraft landing, and assist in recovery operations. Descriptions of ARIA aircraft, capabilities, and instrumentation are included.

How Did the Meanings Constructed by Taiwanese Pre-Service Teachers from Educational News Media Affect Their Beliefs?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Liu, Shih-Hsiung; Tsao, Shih-Chieh

2013-01-01

The study investigates how Taiwanese pre-service teachers make meaning after reading positive or negative news coverage of educational events and how they construct meaning impact their pedagogical beliefs. An experiment with a two-group pre-test-post-test design, consisting of a positive and negative news group, is conducted. Multimedia news…

Spectroscopic studies of model polar stratospheric cloud films

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tolbert, Margaret A.; Koehler, Birgit G.; Middlebrook, Ann M.

1993-01-01

Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy has been used to study nitric-acid/ice films representative of type I polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs). These studies reveal that in addition to amorphous nitric acid/ice mixtures, there are three stable stoichiometric hydrates of nitric acid: nitric-acid monohydrate (NAM), dihydrate (NAD), and trihydrate (NAT). We also observe two distinct crystalline forms of the trihydrate, which we denote alpha- and beta-NAT. These two forms appear to differ in their concentration of crystalline defects, but not in their chemical composition. In addition to probing the composition of type I PSCs, we have also used FTIR spectroscopy to study the interaction of HCl with model PSC films. In this work we find that for HCl pressures in the range 10 exp -5 to 10 exp -7 Torr, HCl is taken up by ice at 155 K to form a thin layer of HCl.6H2O. At 193 K, the uptake of HCl by ice was consistent with less than or equal to monolayer coverage. Uptake of HCl by alpha and beta-NAT at 175 K was also consistent with less than or equal to monolayer coverage.

Interplay between Self-Assembled Structures and Energy Level Alignment of Benzenediamine on Au(111) Surfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Guo; Neaton, Jeffrey

2015-03-01

Using van der Waals-corrected density functional theory (DFT) calculations, we study the adsorption of benzene-diamine (BDA) molecules on Au(111) surfaces. We find that at low surface coverage, the adsorbed molecules prefer to stay isolated from each other in a monomer phase, due to the inter-molecular dipole-dipole repulsions. However, when the coverage rises above a critical value of 0.9nm-2, the adsorbed molecules aggregate into linear structures via hydrogen bonding between amine groups, consistent with recent experiments [Haxton, Zhou, Tamblyn, et al, Phys. Rev. Lett. 111, 265701 (2013)]. Moreover, we find that these linear structures at high density considerably reduces the Au work function (relative to a monomer phase). Due to reduced surface polarization effects, we estimate that the resonance energy of the highest occupied molecular orbital of the adsorbed BDA molecule relative to the Au Fermi level is significantly lower than the monomer phase by more than 0.5 eV, consistent with the experimental measurements [DellAngela, Kladnik, and Cossaro, et al., Nano Lett. 10, 2470 (2010)]. This work supported by DOE (the JCAP under Award Number DE-SC000499 and the Molecular Foundry of LBNL), and computational resources provided by NERSC.

The need of adequate information to achieve total compliance of mass drug administration in Pekalongan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ginandjar, Praba; Saraswati, Lintang Dian; Taufik, Opik; Nurjazuli; Widjanarko, Bagoes

2017-02-01

World Health Organization (WHO) initiated The Global Program to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) through mass drug administration (MDA). Pekalongan started MDA in 2011. Yet the LF prevalence in 2015 remained exceed the threshold (1%). This study aimed to describe the inhibiting factors related to the compliance of MDA in community level. This was a rapid survey with cross sectional approach. A two-stages random sampling was used in this study. In the first stage, 25 clusters were randomly selected from 27 villages with proportionate to population size (PPS) methods (C-Survey). In the second stage, 10 subjects were randomly selected from each cluster. Subject consisted of 250 respondents from 25 selected clusters. Variables consisted of MDA coverage, practice of taking medication during MDA, enabling and inhibiting factors to MDA in community level. The results showed most respondents had poor knowledge on filariasis, which influence awareness of the disease. Health-illness perception, did not receive the drugs, lactation, side effect, and size of the drugs were dominant factors of non-compliance to MDA. MDA information and community empowerment were needed to improve MDA coverage. Further study to explore the appropriate model of socialization will support the success of MDA program

Structural morphology study of Cd2+ induced Langmuir Blodgett multilayer films of arachidic acid

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Roy, Dhrubojyoti; Das, Nayan Mani; Gupta, P. S.

2013-04-01

The organization and headgroup co-ordination of Cadmium Arachidate (CdAA) molecule in Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) multilayer films deposited on hydrophilic Glass (SiO2) and Silicon (100) substrate at normal subphase pH (6.8) are studied. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray reflectivity (XRR) study reveals ordered layer by layer organization with uniform packing of CdAA molecules, and with a small tilt angle of alkyl chain of CdAA molecule equal to 6.8° ± 1.75°. Electron density profiles (EDPs) shows that the coverage of films remains almost constant with increase in bilayer thickness which indicate very little presence of pinhole defects. AFM study for 25 ML shows that coverage of the film remain intact upto 22nd ML and then decreases sharply due to presence of pinhole defects. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) study is also consistent with XRD and XRR study of ordered deposition of CdAA molecule. FTIR and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) study indicates the formation of unidentate bridging metal-carboxylate coordination type headgroups consistent with one cadmium metal ion between two carboxylate (COO) groups in each headgroup structure.

Habitat selection of juvenile sole (Solea solea L.): Consequences for shoreface nourishment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Post, Marjolein H. M.; Blom, Ewout; Chen, Chun; Bolle, Loes J.; Baptist, Martin J.

2017-04-01

The shallow coastal zone is an essential nursery habitat for juvenile flatfish species such as sole (Solea solea L.). The increased frequency of shoreface nourishments along the coast is likely to affect this nursery function by altering important habitat conditions, including sediment grain size. Sediment preference of juvenile sole (41-91 mm) was studied in a circular preference chamber in order to understand the relationship between grain size and sole distribution. The preference tests were carried out at 11 °C and 20 °C to reflect seasonal influences. The juveniles showed a significant preference for finer sediments. This preference was not length dependent (within the length range tested) nor affected by either temperatures. Juvenile sole have a small home range and are not expected to move in response to unfavourable conditions. As a result, habitat alterations may have consequences for juvenile survival and subsequently for recruitment to adult populations. It is therefore important to carefully consider nourishment grain size characteristics to safeguard suitable nursery habitats for juvenile sole.

Controlling Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in Haiti: Implementation Strategies and Evidence of Their Success

PubMed Central

Lemoine, Jean Frantz; Desormeaux, Anne Marie; Monestime, Franck; Fayette, Carl Renad; Desir, Luccene; Direny, Abdel Nasser; Carciunoiu, Sarah; Miller, Lior; Knipes, Alaine; Lammie, Patrick; Smith, Penelope; Stockton, Melissa; Trofimovich, Lily; Bhandari, Kalpana; Reithinger, Richard; Crowley, Kathryn; Ottesen, Eric; Baker, Margaret

2016-01-01

Lymphatic filariasis (LF) and soil-transmitted helminths (STH) have been targeted since 2000 in Haiti, with a strong mass drug administration (MDA) program led by the Ministry of Public Health and Population and its collaborating international partners. By 2012, Haiti’s neglected tropical disease (NTD) program had reached full national scale, and with such consistently good epidemiological coverage that it is now able to stop treatment for LF throughout almost all of the country. Essential to this success have been in the detail of how MDAs were implemented. These key programmatic elements included ensuring strong community awareness through an evidence-based, multi-channel communication and education campaign facilitated by voluntary drug distributors; strengthening community trust of the drug distributors by ensuring that respected community members were recruited and received appropriate training, supervision, identification, and motivation; enforcing a “directly observed treatment” strategy; providing easy access to treatment though numerous distribution posts and a strong drug supply chain; and ensuring quality data collection that was used to guide and inform MDA strategies. The evidence that these strategies were effective lies in both the high treatment coverage obtained– 100% geographical coverage reached in 2012, with almost all districts consistently achieving well above the epidemiological coverage targets of 65% for LF and 75% for STH—and the significant reduction in burden of infection– 45 communes having reached the target threshold for stopping treatment for LF. By taking advantage of sustained international financial and technical support, especially during the past eight years, Haiti’s very successful MDA campaign resulted in steady progress toward LF elimination and development of a strong foundation for ongoing STH control. These efforts, as described, have not only helped establish the global portfolio of “best practices” for NTD control but also are poised to help solve two of the most important future NTD challenges—how to maintain control of STH infections after the community-based LF “treatment platform” ceases and how to ensure appropriate morbidity management for patients currently suffering from lymphatic filarial disease. PMID:27706162

Controlling Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in Haiti: Implementation Strategies and Evidence of Their Success.

PubMed

Lemoine, Jean Frantz; Desormeaux, Anne Marie; Monestime, Franck; Fayette, Carl Renad; Desir, Luccene; Direny, Abdel Nasser; Carciunoiu, Sarah; Miller, Lior; Knipes, Alaine; Lammie, Patrick; Smith, Penelope; Stockton, Melissa; Trofimovich, Lily; Bhandari, Kalpana; Reithinger, Richard; Crowley, Kathryn; Ottesen, Eric; Baker, Margaret

2016-10-01

Lymphatic filariasis (LF) and soil-transmitted helminths (STH) have been targeted since 2000 in Haiti, with a strong mass drug administration (MDA) program led by the Ministry of Public Health and Population and its collaborating international partners. By 2012, Haiti's neglected tropical disease (NTD) program had reached full national scale, and with such consistently good epidemiological coverage that it is now able to stop treatment for LF throughout almost all of the country. Essential to this success have been in the detail of how MDAs were implemented. These key programmatic elements included ensuring strong community awareness through an evidence-based, multi-channel communication and education campaign facilitated by voluntary drug distributors; strengthening community trust of the drug distributors by ensuring that respected community members were recruited and received appropriate training, supervision, identification, and motivation; enforcing a "directly observed treatment" strategy; providing easy access to treatment though numerous distribution posts and a strong drug supply chain; and ensuring quality data collection that was used to guide and inform MDA strategies. The evidence that these strategies were effective lies in both the high treatment coverage obtained- 100% geographical coverage reached in 2012, with almost all districts consistently achieving well above the epidemiological coverage targets of 65% for LF and 75% for STH-and the significant reduction in burden of infection- 45 communes having reached the target threshold for stopping treatment for LF. By taking advantage of sustained international financial and technical support, especially during the past eight years, Haiti's very successful MDA campaign resulted in steady progress toward LF elimination and development of a strong foundation for ongoing STH control. These efforts, as described, have not only helped establish the global portfolio of "best practices" for NTD control but also are poised to help solve two of the most important future NTD challenges-how to maintain control of STH infections after the community-based LF "treatment platform" ceases and how to ensure appropriate morbidity management for patients currently suffering from lymphatic filarial disease.

Nuclear factor 45 of tongue sole (Cynoglossus semilaevis): evidence for functional differentiation between two isoforms in immune defense against viral and bacterial pathogens.

PubMed

Chi, Heng; Hu, Yong-hua; Xiao, Zhi-zhong; Sun, Li

2014-02-01

Nuclear factor 45 (NF45) is known to play an important role in regulating interleukin-2 expression in mammals. The function of fish NF45 is largely unknown. In a previous study, we reported the identification of a NF45 (named CsNF45) from half smooth tongue sole (Cynoglossus semilaevis). In the present study, we identified an isoform of CsNF45 (named CsNF45i) from half smooth tongue sole and examined its biological properties in comparison with CsNF45. We found that CsNF45i is a truncated version of CsNF45 and lacks the N-terminal 38 residues of CsNF45. Genetic analysis showed that the CsNF45 gene consists of 14 exons and 13 introns, and that CsNF45 and CsNF45i are the products of alternative splicing. Constitutive expression of CsNF45 and CsNF45i occurred in multiple tissues but differed in patterns. Experimental infection with viral and bacterial pathogens upregulated the expression of both isoforms but to different degrees, with potent induction of CsNF45 being induced by bacterial pathogen, while dramatic induction of CsNF45i being induced by viral pathogen. Transient transfection analysis showed that both isoforms were localized in the nucleus and able to stimulate the activity of IL-2 promoter to comparable extents. To examine their in vivo effects, the two isoforms were overexpressed in tongue sole. Subsequent analysis showed that following viral and bacterial infection, the viral loads in CsNF45i-overexpressing fish were significantly lower than those in CsNF45-overexpressing fish, whereas the bacterial loads in CsNF45-overexpressing fish were significantly lower than those in CsNF45i-overexpressing fish. These results indicate that both CsNF45 and CsNF45i possess immunoregulatory properties, however, the two isoforms most likely participate in different aspects of host immune defense that target different pathogens. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Sole Source Aquifers for NY and NJ

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

This layer is the designated sole source aquifers of New York and New Jersey. A Sole Source Aquifer, is an aquifer that supplies 50% or more of the drinking water for a given area where there are no reasonably available alternative sources should the aquifer become contaminated.

21 CFR 520.2088 - Roxarsone tablets.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... period. Withdraw 5 days before slaughter. Use as sole source of organic arsenic. (ii) Growing chickens—(a.... Withdraw 5 days before slaughter. Use as sole source of organic arsenic. (b)(1) Specifications. Each tablet... slaughter. Use as sole source of organic arsenic. (ii) [Reserved] (c)(1) Specifications. Each tablet...

Predicting present-day rates of glacial isostatic adjustment using a smoothed GPS velocity field for the reconciliation of NAD83 reference frames in Canada

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Craymer, M. R.; Henton, J. A.; Piraszewski, M.

2008-12-01

Glacial isostatic adjustment following the last glacial period is the dominant source of crustal deformation in Canada east of the Rocky Mountains. The present-day vertical component of motion associated with this process may exceed 1 cm/y and is being directly measured with the Global Positioning System (GPS). A consequence of this steady deformation is that high accuracy coordinates at one epoch may not be compatible with those at another epoch. For example, modern precise point positioning (PPP) methods provide coordinates at the epoch of observation while NAD83, the officially adopted reference frame in Canada and the U.S., is expressed at some past reference epoch. The PPP positions are therefore incompatible with coordinates in such a realization of the reference frame and need to be propagated back to the frame's reference epoch. Moreover, the realizations of NAD83 adopted by the provincial geodetic agencies in Canada are referenced to different coordinate epochs; either 1997.0 or 2002.0. Proper comparison of coordinates between provinces therefore requires propagating them from one reference epoch to another. In an effort to reconcile PPP results and different realizations of NAD83, we empirically represent crustal deformation throughout Canada using a velocity field based solely on high accuracy continuous and episodic GPS observations. The continuous observations from 2001 to 2007 were obtained from nearly 100 permanent GPS stations, predominately operated by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) and provincial geodetic agencies. Many of these sites are part of the International GNSS Service (IGS) global network. Episodic observations from 1994 to 2006 were obtained from repeated occupations of the Canadian Base Network (CBN), which consists of approximately 160 stable pillar-type monuments across the entire country. The CBN enables a much denser spatial sampling of crustal motions although coverage in the far north is still rather sparse. NRCan solutions of the continuous GPS data were combined with those from other agencies as part of the North American Reference Frame (NAREF) effort to improve the reliability of the results. This NAREF solution has then been combined with our CBN results to obtain a denser velocity sampling for fitting different types of surfaces in a first attempt to determine a continuous GPS velocity field for the entire country. Expressing this velocity field as a grid enables users to interpolate to any location in Canada, allowing for the propagation of coordinates to any desired reference epoch. We examine the accuracy and limitations of this GPS velocity field by comparing it to other published GPS velocity solutions (which are all based on less data) as well as to GIA models, including versions of ICE-3G, ICE-5G and the recent Stable North America Reference Frame (SNARF) model. Of course, the accuracy of the GPS velocity field depends directly on the density of the GPS coverage. Consequently, the GPS velocity field is unable to fully represent the actual GIA motion in the far north and tends to smooth out the signal due to the spatially sparse coverage. On the other hand, the model performs quite well in the southern parts of the country where there is a much greater spatial density of GPS measurements.

Kinetic Assessment of Golf Shoe Outer Sole Design Features

PubMed Central

Smith, Neal A.; Dyson, Rosemary J.

2009-01-01

This study assessed human kinetics in relation to golf shoe outer sole design features during the golf swing using a driver club by measuring both within the shoe, and beneath the shoe at the natural grass interface. Three different shoes were assessed: metal 7- spike shoe, alternative 7-spike shoe, and a flat soled shoe. In-shoe plantar pressure data were recorded using Footscan RS International pressure insoles and sampling at 500 Hz. Simultaneously ground reaction force at the shoe outer sole was measured using 2 natural grass covered Kistler force platforms and 1000 Hz data acquisition. Video recording of the 18 right-handed golfers at 200 Hz was undertaken while the golfer performed 5 golf shots with his own driver in each type of shoe. Front foot (nearest to shot direction) maximum vertical force and torque were greater than at the back foot, and there was no significant difference related to the shoe type. Wearing the metal spike shoe when using a driver was associated with more torque generation at the back foot (p < 0. 05) than when the flat soled shoe was worn. Within shoe regional pressures differed significantly with golf shoe outer sole design features (p < 0.05). Comparison of the metal spike and alternative spike shoe results provided indications of the quality of regional traction on the outer sole. Potential golf shoe outer sole design features and traction were presented in relation to phases of the golf swing movement. Application of two kinetic measurement methods identified that moderated (adapted) muscular control of foot and body movement may be induced by golf shoe outer sole design features. Ground reaction force measures inform comparisons of overall shoe functional performance, and insole pressure measurements inform comparisons of the underfoot conditions induced by specific regions of the golf shoe outer sole. Key points Assessments of within golf shoe pressures and beneath shoe forces at the natural grass interface were conducted during golf shots with a driver. Application of two kinetic measurement methods simultaneously identified that moderated (adapted) muscular control of the foot and body movement may be induced by golf shoe outer sole localised design features. Ground force measures inform overall shoe kinetic functional performance. Insole pressure measurement informs of underfoot conditions induced by localised specific regions of the golf outer sole. Significant differences in ground-shoe torque generation and insole regional pressures were identified when different golf shoes were worn. PMID:24149603

Self-assembled monolayer structures of hexadecylamine on Cu surfaces: density-functional theory.

PubMed

Liu, Shih-Hsien; Balankura, Tonnam; Fichthorn, Kristen A

2016-12-07

We used dispersion-corrected density-functional theory to probe possible structures for adsorbed layers of hexadecylamine (HDA) on Cu(100) and Cu(111). HDA forms self-assembled layers on these surfaces, analogous to alkanethiols on various metal surfaces, and it binds by donating electrons in the amine group to the Cu surface atoms, consistent with experiment. van der Waals interactions between the alkyl tails of HDA molecules are stronger than the interaction between the amine group and the Cu surfaces. Strong HDA-tail interactions lead to coverage-dependent tilting of the HDA layers, such that the tilt angle is larger for lower coverages. At full monolayer coverage, the energetically preferred binding configuration for HDA on Cu(100) is a (5 × 3) pattern - although we cannot rule out incommensurate structures - while the pattern is preferred on Cu(111). A major motivation for this study is to understand the experimentally observed capability of HDA as a capping agent for producing {100}-faceted Cu nanocrystals. Consistent with experiment, we find that HDA binds more strongly to Cu(100) than to Cu(111). This strong binding stems from the capability of HDA to form more densely packed layers on Cu(100), which leads to stronger HDA-tail interactions, as well as the stronger binding of the amine group to Cu(100). We estimate the surface energies of HDA-covered Cu(100) and Cu(111) surfaces and find that these surfaces are nearly isoenergetic. By drawing analogies to previous theoretical work, it seems likely that HDA-covered Cu nanocrystals could have kinetic shapes that primarily express {100} facets, as is seen experimentally.