A DEFINITION OF CURIOSITY, A FACTOR ANALYSIS STUDY.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

MAW, WALLACE H.

AN INVESTIGATION WAS CONDUCTED TO DETERMINE A DEFINITION OF CURIOSITY THAT WOULD HELP IDENTIFY PERSONALITY PATTERNS OF CHILDREN WHO ARE MOST LIKELY TO BE EITHER HIGH OR LOW IN CURIOSITY. DATA COLLECTED IN EARLIER STUDIES WERE FACTOR ANALYZED TO IDENTIFY THE PERSONAL AND SOCIAL VARIABLES THAT DIFFERENTIATE CHILDREN HIGH IN CURIOSITY FROM THOSE LOW…

Population dynamics of Meloidogyne arenaria and Pasteuria penetrans in a long-term crop rotation study.

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The endospore-forming bacterium Pasteuria penetrans is an obligate parasite of root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.). This study was a continuation of earlier research to determine the effect of crop sequence on abundance of the bacterium, and was conducted from 2000 to 2008 at a field site natura...

Pressure and temperature dependences of the ionic conductivities of the thallous halidesTlCl, TlBr, and TlI

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

Samara, G.A.

1981-01-15

Detailed studies of the pressure and temperature dependences of the ionic conductivities of TlCl and TlBr have allowed determination of the lattice volume relaxations and energies associated with the formation and motion of Schottky defects in these crystals. The volume relaxations deduced from the conductivity are found to be comparable in magnitude with values calculated from the strain energy model and a dynamical model. The association energy of Tl/sup +/ vacancies and divalent impurities was also determined for TlBr. A particularly important result is the finding that for these CsCl-type crystals the relaxation of the lattice associated with vacancy formationmore » is outward. Earlier studies on ionic crystals having the NaCl structure have yielded a similar result. This outward relaxation thus appears to be a general result for ionic crystals of both the NaCl and CsCl types (and possibly other ionic lattice types), in disagreement with earlier theoretical calculations which show that the relaxation should be inward for all models of ionic vacancies investigated. The conductivity of TlI was studied in both the (low temperature and pressure) orthorhombic phase as well as in the cubic CsCl-type phase. There is a large electronic contribution to the conductivity in the orthorhombic phase. An interesting result for all three materials is the observation in the cubic phase of a pressure-induced transition from ionic to electronic conduction. This is in qualitative agreement with what is known about the pressure dependences of the electronic structure of these materials.« less

Recollections of their fathers by homosexual and heterosexual men.

PubMed

Phelan, J E

1996-12-01

A nonrandom, nonclinical t-test comparison study of 30 homosexual and 30 heterosexual men was conducted to describe their memories of their fathers' behaviors toward them. Previous studies had identified the "classical pattern," that is, the fathers of homosexual men were considered cold, hostile, and distant. Those studies were sparked by Freudian theory which postulated the same. Therefore, a brief revisitation has been conducted. Again, the findings supported the earlier, that is, the homosexual men recalled their fathers as more rejecting and less loving than the heterosexual men.

Performance Comparison of Axisymmetric and Three-dimensional Hydrogen Film Coolant Injection in a 110N Hydrogen/oxygen Rocket

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Arrington, Lynn A.; Reed, Brian D.

1992-01-01

An experimental performance comparison of two geometrically different fuel film coolant injection sleeves was conducted on a 110 N gaseous hydrogen/oxygen rocket. One sleeve had slots milled axially down the walls and the other had a smooth surface to give axisymmetric flow. The comparison was made to investigate a conclusion in an earlier study that attributed a performance underprediction to a symplifying modeling assumption of axisymmetric fuel film flow. The smooth sleeve had higher overall performance at one film coolant percentage and approximately the same or slightly better at another. The study showed that the lack of modeling of three-dimensional effects was not the cause of the performance underprediction as speculated in earlier analytical studies.

Earlier anal sexarche and co-occurring sexual risk are associated with current HIV-related risk behaviors among an online sample of men who have sex with men in Asia

PubMed Central

Cheung, Doug H.; Suharlim, Christian; Guadamuz, Thomas E.; Lim, Sin How; Koe, Stuart; Wei, Chongyi

2014-01-01

Studies of heterosexual populations across the globe and men who have sex with men (MSM) in a few developed countries showed that earlier sexual debut (sexarche) was associated with higher levels of co-occurring and subsequent HIV risk behaviors. We examined the relationships between earlier anal sexarche, unprotected earlier anal sexarche and current HIV risks among MSM from Asia. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among MSM (N = 10,826) in Asia in 2010. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regressions were used to identify co-occurring (i.e., sexual experiences during sexarche) and current HIV-related risk factors (i.e., past six months) associated with earlier anal sexarche (before the age of 18) and unprotected earlier anal sexarche, respectively. Earlier anal sexarche was significantly associated with lack of condom use, being anal receptive or both receptive and insertive, and having a partner who were older during sexarche. It was also associated with current HIV-related risk behaviors including having multiple male sexual partners, having been paid for sex, and increased frequencies of recreational drug use. Unprotected earlier anal sexarche was significantly associated with inconsistent condom use in the past the six months. Improved and culturally sensitive sex education at schools should be included in national and regional HIV/AIDS prevention programming and policies in Asia. Such sex education programs should incorporate curriculum that address sexuality, sexual orientation, and sexual behaviors beyond those related to reproductive health. PMID:24920344

Earlier anal sexarche and co-occurring sexual risk are associated with current HIV-related risk behaviors among an online sample of men who have sex with men in Asia.

PubMed

Cheung, Doug H; Suharlim, Christian; Guadamuz, Thomas E; Lim, Sin How; Koe, Stuart; Wei, Chongyi

2014-12-01

Studies of heterosexual populations across the globe and men who have sex with men (MSM) in a few developed countries showed that earlier sexual debut (sexarche) was associated with higher levels of co-occurring and subsequent HIV risk behaviors. We examined the relationships between earlier anal sexarche, unprotected earlier anal sexarche and current HIV risks among MSM from Asia. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among MSM (N = 10,826) in Asia in 2010. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regressions were used to identify co-occurring (i.e., sexual experiences during sexarche) and current HIV-related risk factors (i.e., past 6 months) associated with earlier anal sexarche (before the age of 18) and unprotected earlier anal sexarche, respectively. Earlier anal sexarche was significantly associated with lack of condom use, being anal receptive or both receptive and insertive, and having a partner who were older during sexarche. It was also associated with current HIV-related risk behaviors including having multiple male sexual partners, having been paid for sex, and increased frequencies of recreational drug use. Unprotected earlier anal sexarche was significantly associated with inconsistent condom use in the past the 6 months. Improved and culturally sensitive sex education at schools should be included in national and regional HIV/AIDS prevention programming and policies in Asia. Such sex education programs should incorporate curriculum that address sexuality, sexual orientation, and sexual behaviors beyond those related to reproductive health.

Group Work and the Learning of Critical Thinking in the Hong Kong Secondary Liberal Studies Curriculum

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fung, Dennis; Howe, Christine

2014-01-01

This article reports the findings of a one-year longitudinal study that investigated the impact of group work on the development of students' critical thinking in Hong Kong secondary schools. It explores whether the participation of teachers in a group-based teaching intervention adapted from an earlier study conducted in the United Kingdom (UK)…

Homophobia and the Transition to Adulthood: A Three Year Panel Study among Belgian Late Adolescents and Young Adults, 2008-2011

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hooghe, Marc; Meeusen, Cecil

2012-01-01

Studies on homophobia among adolescents routinely depart from the assumption that this attitude will be continued into adulthood. However, little research has been conducted on how the transition toward adulthood actually affects homophobia. While earlier studies relied on cross-sectional observations, the present analysis makes use of the Belgian…

Very Early Predictors of Conduct Problems and Crime: Results from a National Cohort Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Murray, Joseph; Irving, Barrie; Farrington, David P.; Colman, Ian; Bloxsom, Claire A. J.

2010-01-01

Background: Longitudinal research has produced a wealth of knowledge about individual, family, and social predictors of crime. However, nearly all studies have started after children are age 5, and little is known about earlier risk factors. Methods: The 1970 British Cohort Study is a prospective population survey of more than 16,000 children born…

What Do Children Know? Comparative Education Review. International Studies on Educational Achievement. Vol. 18, No. 2.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Postlethwaite, T. Neville, Ed.

1974-01-01

This issue of the Comparative Education Review focuses on analysis of data gathered by 19 countries participating in a six-subject survey conducted by the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA). The purpose of this and earlier IEA research (a pilot study and a mathematics study undertaken on the basis of the…

The Big Picture: A Meta-Analysis of Program Effectiveness Research on English Language Learners

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rolstad, Kellie; Mahoney, Kate; Glass, Gene V.

2005-01-01

This article presents a meta-analysis of program effectiveness research on English language learners. The study includes a corpus of 17 studies conducted since Willig's earlier meta-analysis and uses Glass, McGaw, and Smith's strategy of including as many studies as possible in the analysis rather than excluding some on the basis of a priori…

Real life is different: a qualitative study of why women delay abortion until the second trimester in Vietnam.

PubMed

Gallo, Maria F; Nghia, Nguyen C

2007-05-01

Although legal and safe-induced abortion services are available on request in Vietnam, second-trimester abortion still occurs. Given the increased risks and higher costs associated with later-term abortions, we conducted a qualitative study to understand the determinants of delaying abortion until the second trimester. We used purposive sampling to conduct semi-structured face-to-face interviews with 60 women aged 14-47 receiving an abortion at 13-24 weeks of gestation in 5 health facilities in 3 provinces in Vietnam. We also interviewed 6 providers from the study facilities. Three broad categories for factors influencing delays in obtaining abortions emerged: most women failed to recognize their pregnancy during the first trimester; women described structural barriers to accessing services earlier; and some women either needed time to make a decision or only decided to abort after other events had transpired. A richer understanding of the factors that prevent women from obtaining an abortion during the first trimester could be useful for informing interventions that support women in receiving care earlier during their pregnancies.

A Systems Approach to Effectiveness in Catholic Elementary Schools: A Replication and Extension

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mitchell, Roxanne M.; Tarter, C. John

2011-01-01

This study replicated an earlier study conducted by Tarter and Hoy (2004) in which an open systems model was used to test a series of hypotheses that explained elements of school performance. Four internal system elements (structure, individual, culture, and politics) of the school were used to explain two sets of school outcomes (student…

A Desire for the Personal: Student Perceptions of Electronic Feedback

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Budge, Kylie

2011-01-01

An earlier study conducted into tertiary student perceptions of feedback on their work revealed a mixed response to the idea of electronic feedback. This result was surprising considering the attention given to Generation Y and the preference for digital technology in their lives. This paper reports on the results of a follow-up study exploring a…

Challenges and Opportunities for Collegial Governance at Canadian Universities: Reflections on a Survey of Academic Senates

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pennock, Lea; Jones, Glen A.; Leclerc, Jeff M.; Li, Sharon X.

2016-01-01

Following the design of a similar study in 2000, the authors conducted a study of university senates (academic councils) to assess the current state of academic governance in Canada's universities. An earlier paper presented and analyzed the data that were gathered about senate size, composition, structure, legislative authority, and work, and…

Comprehensive Study of Educational Technology Programs Authorized from 1989-1992. Volume IV: California Technology Project.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Far West Lab. for Educational Research and Development, San Francisco, CA.

This report, the fourth in a series of six, describes the evaluative studies conducted during Phase II of the California Educational Technology Assessment Program, the California Technology Project (CTP), and the CTP Regional Consortia. The report begins with background information on the CTP, starting with the earlier statewide network of…

Highlights From the 2003 International Adult Literacy and Lifeskills Survey (ALL). Issue Brief NCES 2005-117rev.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lemke, Mariann; Miller, David; Johnston, Jamie; Krenzke, Tom; Alvarez-Rojas, Laura; Kastberg, David; Jocelyn, Leslie

2005-01-01

The Adult Literacy and Lifeskills Survey (ALL) is an international comparative study conducted in 2003 to provide participating countries with information about the skills of their adult populations. ALL builds upon earlier national and international studies of adult literacy. Information from ALL addresses questions such as: (1) What is the…

Revisiting factors associated with the success of ballot initiatives with a substantial rail transit component.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2011-06-01

This report presents the replication of an MTI study conducted in 2001 by Peter Haas and Richard Werbel.1 That research, itself a continuation of an earlier project completed in 2000, included an analysis of transportation tax elections in 11 urban a...

From Community College to University: Institutionalization and Neoliberalism in British Columbia and Alberta

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Levin, John S.; Aliyeva, Aida; Walker, Laurencia

2016-01-01

This qualitative investigation of higher education institutional development addresses new universities that were former community colleges in the provinces of British Columbia and Alberta. Stemming from an original study conducted nearly two decades earlier, this investigation's data were collected from the same institutions and from similar…

New Evidence: Data Documenting Parental Support for Earlier Sexuality Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Barr, Elissa M.; Moore, Michele J.; Johnson, Tammie; Forrest, Jamie; Jordan, Melissa

2014-01-01

Background: Numerous studies document support for sexuality education to be taught in high school, and often, in middle school. However, little research has been conducted addressing support for sexuality education in elementary schools. Methods: As part of the state Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) Survey administration, the…

Attributional and Emotional Determinants of Aggression in People with Mild Intellectual Disabilities.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Baker, Warren; Bramston, Paul

1997-01-01

People (n=103) with mild intellectual disabilities responded to several scales of anger, hostility, aggression, and personality. Results were consistent with earlier studies of relationships among anger, hostility, and aggression conducted with the general population. Findings suggest that people with intellectual disabilities may benefit from…

The Impact of Repeated Health Checks for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Felce, David; Baxter, Helen; Lowe, Kathy; Dunstan, Frank; Houston, Helen; Jones, Glyn; Felce, Janet; Kerr, Michael

2008-01-01

Background: An earlier study (Baxter "et al." 2006) found that a structured health check conducted in primary care identified clinically significant previously unrecognized morbidity among adults with intellectual disabilities. The aim here was to examine whether follow-up health checks would identify equally significant newly identified morbidity…

[Life styles in adolescence: sexual behavior of Portuguese adolescents].

PubMed

Ferreira, Maria Margarida da Silva Reis Dos Santos; Torgal, Maria Constança Leite de Freitas Paúl Reis

2011-06-01

Recent studies have shown that adolescents have initiated their sex lives earlier and earlier, without, however, receiving consistent sex education. The objectives of this study were to analyze the sexual behavior of adolescent high school students and identify the habits of sexual health in sexually active adolescent high school students. An exploratory study was conducted with 680 adolescents, whose age ranged between 15 and 19 years. Results showed that most participants had not initiated their sex life; boys are those who most report having had sexual relations; not all the interviewed adolescents used condoms during sex; most adolescents do not practice sexual health surveillance. It is important for sexually active adolescents to receive health care and counseling. Health institutions and their workers must be proactive in trying to approach adolescents.

Juvenile delinquency and psychopathic traits: an empirical study with Portuguese adolescents.

PubMed

Pechorro, Pedro; Gonçalves, Rui Abrunhosa; Maroco, João; Gama, Ana Paula; Neves, Saul; Nunes, Cristina

2014-02-01

The objective of the present study was to analyze the role of psychopathic traits in juvenile delinquency. Using a sample of 543 young males from the Juvenile Detention Centers of the Portuguese Ministry of Justice and from schools in the Lisbon region, a group of high psychopathic traits (n = 281) and a group of low psychopathic traits (n = 262) were formed based on the Portuguese version of Antisocial Process Screening Device (APSD). Results showed that youths with high psychopathic traits start engaging in criminal activities earlier in life, come into contact with the justice system earlier in life, and have higher levels of conduct disorder, behavior problems, and delinquent behaviors as well as lower levels of self-esteem.

A Content Analysis Comparing Gender Images in Network Television Commercials Aired in Daytime, Evening, and Weekend Telecasts.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Craig, R. Stephen

A content analysis comparing gender portrayals in 2,209 network television commercials was conducted. Many earlier studies treated television advertising's portrayal of men as unproblematic and excluded ads aimed specifically at men from the study sample. To address this shortcoming, the sample was chosen from three different day parts: (1)…

Reading, Mathematics, and Science Instructional Strategies for English Language Learners with Disabilities: Insights from Educators Nationwide. ELLs with Disabilities Report 19

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Barrera, Manuel; Shyyan, Vitaliy; Liu, Kristi K.; Thurlow, Martha L.

2008-01-01

This study, conducted in 2005-06, identified teacher-initiated instructional strategies currently preferred by practitioners who daily work with English language learners (ELLs) with disabilities. The findings generated in this study could potentially confirm strategies identified in the authors' earlier work (Thurlow et al., 2004) through the…

Anisotropic thermal conductivity of thin polycrystalline oxide samples

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

Tiwari, A., E-mail: abhishektiwariiitr@gmail.com; Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800; Boussois, K.

2013-11-15

This paper reports about the development of a modified laser-flash technique and relation to measure the in-plane thermal diffusivity of thin polycrystalline oxide samples. Thermal conductivity is then calculated with the product of diffusivity, specific heat and density. Design and operating features for evaluating in-plane thermal conductivities are described. The technique is advantageous as thin samples are not glued together to measure in-plane thermal conductivities like earlier methods reported in literature. The approach was employed to study anisotropic thermal conductivity in alumina sheet, textured kaolin ceramics and montmorillonite. Since it is rare to find in-plane thermal conductivity values for suchmore » anisotropic thin samples in literature, this technique offers a useful variant to existing techniques.« less

Soil Chemistry Still Affected 23 Years After Large Application of Fluidized Bed Material

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

This study was conducted to assess the movement of arsenic, aluminum, calcium, copper, iron, lead, magnesium, manganese, mercury and zinc in an old apple (Malus domestica Borkh) orchard that received a one time application of 36 kg/ m2 of fluidized bed combustion material (FBCM) 23 years earlier. S...

Space transfer concepts and analyses for exploration missions, phase 4

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Woodcock, Gordon R.

1993-01-01

Earlier studies carried out under this contract covered a wide range of lunar and Mars transportation options, and lunar rove concepts and technology needs. The current report discusses the activities conducted under Technical Directives 16 and 17. Mars transportation was addressed as well as a review and update of architectures and propulsion systems.

A Look at Derailment Today: North America and Europe.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Leslie, Jean Brittain; Van Velsor, Ellen

Executives with a track record of success are sometimes fired, demoted, or plateaued. This publication presents findings of a study conducted by the Center for Creative Leadership (CCL), which compared contemporary derailed and successful executives in the United States and Europe. Results are compared to those of earlier CCL findings. Data were…

Operational tests of two viscous DAP fire retardants

Treesearch

James B. Davis;  Clinton B. Phillips;  Dean L. Dibble;  Leo V. Steck

1963-01-01

Operational tests conducted from air tanker bases in California in 1962 confirmed earlier laboratory and field studies and showed that viscous solutions of diammonium phosphate (DAP) are more effective than any other presently known fire retardant. These tests also indicated that corrosion is not a serious problem if inhibitors are used and equipment is...

Update on National University Stress Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Winefield, Tony; Boyd, Carolyn; Saebel, Judith; Pignato, Silvia

2008-01-01

In 2003/4, 13 Australian universities took part in a follow-up survey of occupational stress following an earlier one conducted in 2000. More than 6000 staff participated at each time, of whom 969 (stayers) participated at both times. This paper presents the cross-sectional data obtained on both occasions as well as the longitudinal data provided…

Teacher Effectiveness Research. Part II: Special Topics. Bibliographies in Education No. 78.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gilliss, Geraldine; Moll, Marita

This 723-item bibliography lists materials on teacher effectiveness research published from 1978 to early 1984. Reference to some earlier works of significance is also included. Teacher effectiveness research is here defined to include principally studies conducted in the presage-context-process-product tradition in an attempt to determine…

[Efficiency of a postoperative treatment after rotator cuff repair with a continuous passive motion device (CPM)].

PubMed

Michael, J W-P; König, D P; Imhoff, A B; Martinek, V; Braun, S; Hübscher, M; Koch, C; Dreithaler, B; Bernholt, J; Preis, S; Loew, M; Rickert, M; Speck, M; Bös, L; Bidner, A; Eysel, P

2005-01-01

The main objective of this study was to prove that a postoperative combined continuous passive motion (CPM) and physiotherapy treatment protocol (CPM group) can achieve 90 degrees active abduction in the shoulder joint earlier than physiotherapy alone (PT group). The indication was a complete tear of the rotator cuff. The study was conducted under in-patient and out-patient conditions. 55 patients were included in this study. The prospective, randomized multicenter study design complies with DIN EN 540. The primary endpoint was the time span until 90 degrees active abduction was achieved by the patients. Patients in the CPM group reached the primary endpoint on average 12 days earlier than the control group. This difference was statistically significant (p = 0.0292). Analyzing the secondary endpoints, e. g., pain and disablement, the results in the CPM group showed again advantages of the combined treatment protocol (CPM + physiotherapy). The postoperative treatment of a total tear of the rotator cuff with a combined continuous passive motion and physiotherapy protocol provided a significantly earlier range of motion in the shoulder joint than physiotherapy alone. There was no report of CPM-related adverse effects.

Ion Conduction in Perfectly Aligned Block Copolymer-Ionic Liquid Mixtures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Choi, Jae-Hong; Elabd, Yossef A.; Winey, Karen I.

2011-03-01

Our earlier work to correlate the transport measurements in diblock copolymer-ionic liquid mixtures was limited by our bulk samples that have only partial alignment. Here, thin films with perfect alignment of lamellar microdomains from mixtures of a poly(methyl methacrylate- b -styrene) diblock copolymer and an ionic liquid, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, have been studied. The morphologies will be characterized by cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy. Ion conduction will be presented within and through the thin film.

Tidal Wave II Revisited: A Review of Earlier Enrollment Projections for California Higher Education.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hayward, Gerald C.; Breneman, David W.; Estrada, Leobardo F.

This report examined enrollment projections for higher education institutions in California in relation to earlier projections conducted in the mid-1990s that forecasted steep declines in enrollment. It notes that California's remarkable economic recovery over the last several years has allowed it to fund higher education enrollment growth at a…

The Stability of Genetic Determination from Age 2 to Age 9: A Longitudinal Twin Study.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lytton, Hugh; And Others

A longitudinal investigation of the social and cognitive development of male twins was conducted when twins were 2.5 years of age, and again when they were 8- to 10-years-old. This study was designed to re-examine the heritability of the traits studied at the earlier age and, thus, to address the question of the stability of genetic determination.…

A machine learning evaluation of an artificial immune system.

PubMed

Glickman, Matthew; Balthrop, Justin; Forrest, Stephanie

2005-01-01

ARTIS is an artificial immune system framework which contains several adaptive mechanisms. LISYS is a version of ARTIS specialized for the problem of network intrusion detection. The adaptive mechanisms of LISYS are characterized in terms of their machine-learning counterparts, and a series of experiments is described, each of which isolates a different mechanism of LISYS and studies its contribution to the system's overall performance. The experiments were conducted on a new data set, which is more recent and realistic than earlier data sets. The network intrusion detection problem is challenging because it requires one-class learning in an on-line setting with concept drift. The experiments confirm earlier experimental results with LISYS, and they study in detail how LISYS achieves success on the new data set.

A Comparative Analysis of Demographics and Reported Preferential Learning Modes of Florida and Non-Florida Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes Members

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lee, Jung Min

2016-01-01

This research examined demographic factors and reported preferential learning mode among a sample of Florida Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) members compared to a national sample profile of OLLI members. This study was prompted by an earlier study of OLLI members conducted by the National Resource Center (NRC) for OLLIs, which produced a…

Ethical Considerations When Using Social Media for Research.

PubMed

Hammer, Marilyn J

2017-07-01

Because of its adaptation across age groups and populations, social media is being used as a venue for the conduction of research studies. The implications for use of social media to streamline data collection and analyses to understand epidemiologic effects of disease are intriguing. Public access to personalized Internet-based searches and conversations for patients with or at risk for cancer can potentially allow providers to target individuals for earlier interventions and improved outcomes. Although publicly posted, the use of personal information to solicit research participants, implement interventions, or abstract information for research studies raises questions regarding maintaining the ethical conduct of research.

Impurity-Band Model for GaP1-xNx

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

Fluegel, B.; Zhang, Y.; Geisz, J. F.

2005-11-01

Low-temperature absorption studies on free-standing GaP1-xNx films provide direct experimental evidence that the host conduction-band minimum (CBM) near X1C does not plunge downward with increased nitrogen doping, contrary to what has been suggested recently; rather, it remains stationary for x up to 0.1%. This fact, combined with the results of earlier studies of the CBM at ..GAMMA.. and conduction-band edge near L, confirms that the giant bandgap lowering observed in GaP1-xNx results from a CBM that evolves purely from nitrogen impurity bands.

Alberta Education Energy Conservation Project. Phase II: Internal Evaluation.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sundmark, Dana

This report is based on the Alberta Education Energy Conservation Project - Phase II. The project was a follow-up to an earlier study, extending from June 1980 to June 1983, in which government funding and engineering manpower were used to conduct an energy management program in 52 selected pilot schools in 5 areas of the province. The report…

The Market for Food in the Nation's Schools.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kriesberg, Martin

This report is based on a study made during the school year 1962-63. Comparison with a benchmark survey conducted five years earlier shows that during the intervening period the number of public school districts decreased by one-third, while pupil enrollment increased by about 10 percent. The number of lunches served in the National School Lunch…

Establishing the Need for Cross-Cultural and Global Issues Research

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zhao, Yali; Lin, Lin; Hoge, John D.

2007-01-01

More than any previous generation, today's students need to develop a global perspective and be knowledgeable about other nations in order to play a better role on the global stage. This paper first reviews some earlier and current studies on students' knowledge of the world, mainly conducted in the United States, and then it describes the global…

How Does the Hawaii High School Assessment Measure Up? A Comparison of the 2005 Grade 10 Hawaii State Assessment in Reading and Mathematics with High School Graduation Exams from Other States

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Achieve, Inc., 2007

2007-01-01

At the request of the Hawaii Department of Education, Achieve conducted a study of Hawaii's 2005 grade 10 State Assessment in reading and mathematics. The study compared the content, rigor and passing (meets proficiency) scores on Hawaii's assessment with those of the six states that participated in Achieve's earlier study, "Do Graduation…

Toward the development of a rational scale in the use of human-figure drawings as a kindergarten screening measure.

PubMed

Goldman, R K; Velasco, M M

1980-04-01

The Draw-A-Person Test was individually administered to 120 kindergartners from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds, ranging in age from 4 yr. and 10 mo. to 6 yr. and 4 mo. This study was conducted to validate and expand Goldman and Warren's earlier work (1976) on the development of a rational scale for use as a kindergarten screening measure. Correlational analyses corroborate the earlier findings that body-part omissions are the most predictive items of emotional high risk. Factor analyses of the current data also replicate earlier findings in which two underlying cohesive factors emerged. The first factor has high loadings on peripheral body-part omissions; the second factor has high loadings on central body-part omission. The results suggest that an interchangeable number of body-part omissions together, rather than any one item, predict high emotional risk. Structural and content characteristics do not contribute significantly to the development of a kindergarten screening measure.

Ample food for increasing population.

PubMed

1999-12-01

This article reports the results of a 4-year study conducted by the Austria-based International Institute of Geography of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The conclusion states that China will be able to feed its people, even when the country's population soars to 1.5 billion, as is projected to happen by 2025. Such a conclusion contradicts the result of earlier research which found that China could not feed its growing population because of a shortage of arable land, and would have to import a large amount of food, pushing up world food prices and threatening the security of other nations. However, authors of the latest study say that the earlier work underestimated China's cultivated land and the larger role that scientific advances and technology could play. According to them, the country has great potential to increase its food supply if appropriate measures are adopted.

Effects of Fundamental Frequency and Duration Variation on the Perception of South Kyungsang Korean Tones

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chang, Seung-Eun

2013-01-01

The perception of lexical tones is addressed through research on South Kyungsang Korean, spoken in the southeastern part of Korea. Based on an earlier production study (Chang, 2008a, 2008b), a categorization experiment was conducted to determine the perceptually salient aspects of the perceptual nature of a high tone and a rising tone. The…

Early Growth of Black Walnut Trees From Twenty Seed Sources

Treesearch

Calvin F. Bey; John R. Toliver; Paul L. Roth

1971-01-01

Early results of a black walnut cornseed source study conducted in southern Illinois suggest that seed should be collected from local or south-of-local areas. Trees from southern sources grew faster and longer than trees from northern sources. Trees from southern sources flushed slightly earlier and held their leaves longer than trees from northern sources. For the...

Switching of the electrical conductivity of plasticized PVC films under uniaxial pressure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vlasov, D. V.; Apresyan, L. A.; Vlasova, T. V.; Kryshtob, V. I.

2011-11-01

The jumplike switching of the electrical conductivity in wide-band-gap polymer (antistatic plasticized polyvinylchloride) films under uniaxial pressure is studied. In various plasticized PVC materials, the uniaxial pressure inducing a conductivity jump by four orders of magnitude or higher changes from several to several hundreds of bars, and this effect is retained at a film thickness of several hundred microns, which is two orders of magnitude larger than the critical film thicknesses known for other wide-band-gap polymers. In addition to the earlier interpretation of the conductivity anomalies in plasticized PVC, we proposed a phenomenological electron-molecular dynamic nanotrap model, in which local charge transfer is provided by mobile molecule segments in a plasticized polymer.

Music research with children and youth with disabilities and typically developing peers: a systematic review.

PubMed

Brown, Laura S; Jellison, Judith A

2012-01-01

Systematic reviews of research provide pertinent information to both practitioners and researchers. While there are several recent reviews of music research and children with specific disabilities (primarily autism), there is no current review of music research with children with a wide variety of disabilities. The aim of the current study is to identify and systematically review music research with children and youth published in peer reviewed journals for the years 1999 through 2009. Research questions focused on participant characteristics; research purposes, methodologies, and findings; as well as the presence of ideas from special education policies, and practices. We also asked how results have changed from those from an earlier review (Jellison, 2000). Using computer and hand-searches, we identified 45 articles that met our criteria for inclusion. Once identified, through a process of consensus we analyzed articles based on criteria, categories, and codes used in the earlier review. Additionally we analyzed measurement instruments and effectiveness of interventions as reported by the authors. Primary findings show a large majority of studies were experimental with most reporting effective or partially effective interventions, particularly for social variables. Compared to the earlier review, increases were found for participants with autism and for reports including ideas from special education. Percentages of articles measuring generalization and examining high-incident disability populations (specific learning disabilities) were low. The findings from this review and comparisons to the earlier review reveal important implications for practices with children with autism and preparation of researchers to design and conduct studies in inclusive music settings.

Epicormic branches affect lumber grade and value in willow oak

Treesearch

James S. Meadows; E.C. Burkhardt

2001-01-01

A case study was conducted in a 50-yr-old bottomland oak stand in central Alabama to investigate the relationship between epicormic branches and lumber grade and value in willow oak (Quercus phellos L.). The stand had been thinned from below 7–10 yr earlier, resulting in a wide variety of epicormic branch conditions on the residual trees. A...

Children's Understanding and Knowledge of Conception and Birth: Comparing Children from England, the Netherlands, Sweden, and the United States

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Caron, Sandra L.; Ahlgrim, Carie Jo

2012-01-01

The present study replicated research conducted decades earlier (Goldman & Goldman, 1982a; Koch, 197480) on what children in the United States know about conception and birth compared to those in other countries. Specifically, response drawings by 48 six-year-old boys and girls from England, the Netherlands, Sweden, and the United States were…

Improving Services for People with Learning Disabilities and Dementia: Findings from a Service Evaluation Exploring the Perspectives of Health and Social Care Professionals

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chapman, Melanie; Lacey, Huma; Jervis, Nicola

2018-01-01

Background: Dementia prevalence rates are higher amongst people with learning disabilities than the general population. People with Down's syndrome are at even greater risk of developing dementia and of developing dementia at an earlier age. This study, conducted as part of a wider service evaluation, explored community learning disability team…

Peer Deviancy Training and Peer Coercion: Dual Processes Associated with Early-Onset Conduct Problems

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Snyder, James; Schrepferman, Lynn; McEachern, Amber; Barner, Stacy; Johnson, Kassy; Provines, Jessica

2008-01-01

The prospective relationships of conduct problems and peer coercion and deviancy training during kindergarten (mean age = 5.3 years) to overt and covert conduct problems in third-fourth grade were examined in a sample of 267 boys and girls. Coercion and deviancy training were distinct peer processes. Both were associated with earlier child conduct…

Development of hierarchical structures for actions and motor imagery: a constructivist view from synthetic neuro-robotics study.

PubMed

Nishimoto, Ryunosuke; Tani, Jun

2009-07-01

The current paper shows a neuro-robotics experiment on developmental learning of goal-directed actions. The robot was trained to predict visuo-proprioceptive flow of achieving a set of goal-directed behaviors through iterative tutor training processes. The learning was conducted by employing a dynamic neural network model which is characterized by their multiple time-scale dynamics. The experimental results showed that functional hierarchical structures emerge through stages of developments where behavior primitives are generated in earlier stages and their sequences of achieving goals appear in later stages. It was also observed that motor imagery is generated in earlier stages compared to actual behaviors. Our claim that manipulatable inner representation should emerge through the sensory-motor interactions is corresponded to Piaget's constructivist view.

The unusual chemical bonding and thermoelectric properties of a new type Zintl phase compounds Ba3Al2As4

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Gui; Zhang, Guangbiao; Wang, Chao; Wang, Yuanxu

2016-07-01

Ba3Al2As4 exhibits an unusual anisotropic electrical conductivity, that is, the electrical conductivity along the chain is smaller than those along other two directions. The results is conflict with previous conclusion for Ca5M2Pn6. Earlier studies on Ca5M2Pn6 showed that a higher electrical conductivity could be obtained along the chain. The band decomposed charge density is used to explain such unusual behavior. Our calculations indicate the existence of a conductive pathway near the Fermi level is responsible for the electrons transport. Further, the Ba-As bonding of Ba3Al2As4 has some degree covalency which is novel for the Zintl compounds.

Externalizing behavior problems and cigarette smoking as predictors of cannabis use: the TRAILS Study.

PubMed

Korhonen, Tellervo; van Leeuwen, Andrea Prince; Reijneveld, Sijmen A; Ormel, Johan; Verhulst, Frank C; Huizink, Anja C

2010-01-01

To examine externalizing behavior problems and cigarette smoking as predictors of subsequent cannabis use. Dutch adolescents (N = 1,606; 854 girls and 752 boys) from the TRacking Adolescents' Individual Lives Survey (TRAILS) ongoing longitudinal study were examined at baseline (ages 10-12 [T1]) and at two follow-up assessments (ages 12-15 [T2] and 15-18 [T3]). The analysis focused on DSM-IV externalizing behavior (conduct, attention deficit hyperactivity, and oppositional) problems at T1, assessed by the Youth Self Report and the Child Behavior Check List, on self-reported ever smoking at T2, and on cannabis use at T3. All associations of parent-rated externalizing behavior problems with cannabis were mediated by earlier smoking. Considering self-reported problems, none of these associations with cannabis were mediated by smoking, except the influence of self-reported conduct problems in girls. Interestingly, even after adjusting for externalizing problems, earlier smoking independently and consistently predicted cannabis use. The adjusted odds ratios for smoking varied in boys from 4.8 to 5.2 (ever) from 10 to 12 (daily) and from 22 to 23 (early-onset) whereas in girls from 4.9 to 5.0, 5.6 to 6.1, and 27 to 28, respectively (p <.001 for all). Our findings challenge the view that externalizing behavior problems directly predict cannabis initiation. Such associations were inconsistent across informants and sexes and were often mediated by earlier smoking. Early smoking onset is a powerful predictor of later cannabis initiation independent of preceding externalizing behavior problems. Although externalizing behavior problems are important as a starting point for substance use trajectories, early-onset smoking should be identified as an important marker of cannabis use risk.

An analytical solution to the one-dimensional heat conduction-convection equation in soil

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Heat transfer in soil occurs by conduction and convection. Infiltrating water affects soil temperature distributions, and measuring soil temperature distributions below infiltrating water can provide a signal for the flux of water. In earlier work a sine wave function (hereinafter referred to as the...

Modeling of Nitrogen Oxides Emissions from CFB Combustion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kallio, S.; Keinonen, M.

In this work, a simplified description of combustion and nitrogen oxides chemistry was implemented in a 1.5D model framework with the aim to compare the results with ones earlier obtained with a detailed reaction scheme. The simplified chemistry was written using 12 chemical components. Heterogeneous chemistry is given by the same models as in the earlier work but the homogeneous and catalytic reactions have been altered. The models have been taken from the literature. The paper describes the numerical model with emphasis on the chemistry submodels. A simulation of combustion of bituminous coal in the Chalmers 12 MW boiler is conducted and the results are compared with the results obtained earlier with the detailed chemistry description. The results are also compared with measured O2, CO, NO and N2O profiles. The simplified reaction scheme produces equally good results as earlier obtained with the more elaborate chemistry description.

Female conduct disorder: health status in young adulthood.

PubMed

Pajer, Kathleen A; Kazmi, Alamdar; Gardner, William P; Wang, Yun

2007-01-01

One of the risk factors for poor adult health may be adolescent antisocial behavior, especially in girls. This study was conducted to determine if negative young adult health outcomes in girls who previously had adolescent antisocial behavior could be explained by demographic factors and pre-existing health problems. This 3-year longitudinal study recruited 93 girls, ages 15-17 years (52 with conduct disorder [CD]; 41 with no psychiatric illness [normal controls; NC]) from the community. Baseline interviews of girls and parents collected demographic, psychiatric, and medical history data. Three annual interviews collected data about medical problems, health care service utilization, and reproductive health. In addition, the final follow-up included a standardized self-report questionnaire about young adult health status. CD and NC groups did not differ in age, racial composition, social class, proportion of smokers, or drug and alcohol experimentation. They were qualitatively different in baseline medical histories. Controlling for age at follow-up and baseline medical problems, the CD group as young adults had worse overall health, more discomfort, higher rates of unhealthy habits, lower rates of healthy behaviors, and more pregnancies at earlier ages. There were no group differences in rates of disorders, injuries, or health care usage. Adolescent girls with CD as young adults have poorer overall health, more discomfort, more health risk behaviors, and earlier onset of adult reproductive behaviors, even when controlling for demographic factors and pre-existing health history. Clinical and research implications are discussed.

Comparison ofdvanced turboprop interior noise control ground and flight test data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Simpson, Myles A.; Tran, Boi N.

1992-01-01

Interior noise ground tests conducted on a DC-9 aircraft test section are described. The objectives were to study ground test and analysis techniques for evaluating the effectiveness of interior noise control treatments for advanced turboprop aircraft, and to study the sensitivity of the ground test results to changes in various test conditions. Noise and vibration measurements were conducted under simulated advanced turboprop excitation, for two interior noise control treatment configurations. These ground measurement results were compared with results of earlier UHB (Ultra High Bypass) Demonstrator flight sts with comparable interior treatment configurations. The Demonstrator is an MD-80 test aircraft with the left JT8D engine replaced with a prototype UHB advanced turboprop engine.

Comparison ofdvanced turboprop interior noise control ground and flight test data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Simpson, Myles A.; Tran, Boi N.

Interior noise ground tests conducted on a DC-9 aircraft test section are described. The objectives were to study ground test and analysis techniques for evaluating the effectiveness of interior noise control treatments for advanced turboprop aircraft, and to study the sensitivity of the ground test results to changes in various test conditions. Noise and vibration measurements were conducted under simulated advanced turboprop excitation, for two interior noise control treatment configurations. These ground measurement results were compared with results of earlier UHB (Ultra High Bypass) Demonstrator flight sts with comparable interior treatment configurations. The Demonstrator is an MD-80 test aircraft with the left JT8D engine replaced with a prototype UHB advanced turboprop engine.

Tg.rasH2 Mice and not CByB6F1 Mice Should Be Used for 28-Day Dose Range Finding Studies Prior to 26-Week Tg.rasH2 Carcinogenicity Studies.

PubMed

Paranjpe, Madhav G; Belich, Jessica; Vidmar, Tom J; Elbekai, Reem H; McKeon, Marie; Brown, Caren

Our recent retrospective analysis of data, collected from 29 Tg.rasH2 mouse carcinogenicity studies, determined how successful the strategy of choosing the high dose for the 26-week studies was based on the estimated maximum tolerated dose (EMTD) derived from earlier 28-day dose range finding (DRF) studies conducted in CByB6F1 mice. Our analysis demonstrated that the high doses applied at EMTD in the 26-week Tg.rasH2 studies failed to detect carcinogenic effects. To investigate why the dose selection process failed in the 26-week carcinogenicity studies, the initial body weights, terminal body weights, body weight gains, food consumption, and mortality from the first 4 weeks of 26-week studies with Tg.rasH2 mice were compared with 28-day DRF studies conducted with CByB6F1 mice. Both the 26-week and the earlier respective 28-day studies were conducted with the exact same vehicle, test article, and similar dose levels. The analysis of our results further emphasizes that the EMTD and subsequent lower doses, determined on the basis of the 28-day studies in CByB6F1 mice, may not be an accurate strategy for selecting appropriate dose levels for the 26-week carcinogenicity studies in Tg.rasH2 mice. Based on the analysis presented in this article, we propose that the Tg.rasH2 mice and not the CByB6F1 mice should be used in future DRF studies. The Tg.rasH2 mice demonstrate more toxicity than the CByB6F1 mice, possibly because of their smaller size compared to CByB6F1 mice. Also, the Tg.rasH2 males appear to be more sensitive than the female Tg.rasH2 mice.

Comparison of bone-conducted vibration for eliciting ocular vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials: forehead versus mastoid tapping.

PubMed

Tseng, Chia-Chen; Wang, Shou-Jen; Young, Yi-Ho

2012-02-01

This study compared bone-conducted vibration (BCV) stimuli at forehead (Fz) and mastoid sites for eliciting ocular vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials (oVEMPs). Prospective study. University hospital. Twenty healthy subjects underwent oVEMP testing via BCV stimuli at Fz and mastoid sites. Another 50 patients with unilateral Meniere's disease also underwent oVEMP testing. All healthy subjects showed clear oVEMPs via BCV stimulation regardless of the tapping sites. The right oVEMPs stimulated by tapping at the right mastoid had earlier nI and pI latencies and a larger nI-pI amplitude compared with those stimulated by tapping at the Fz and left mastoid. Similar trends were also observed in left oVEMPs. However, the asymmetry ratio did not differ significantly between the ipsilateral mastoid and Fz sites. Clinically, tapping at the Fz revealed absent oVEMPs in 28% of Meniere's ears, which decreased to 16% when tapping at the ipsilesional (hydropic) mastoid site, exhibiting a significant difference. Tapping at the ipsilateral mastoid site elicits earlier oVEMP latencies and larger oVEMP amplitudes when compared with tapping at the Fz site. Thus, tapping at the Fz site is suggested to screen for the otolithic function, whereas tapping at the ipsilesional mastoid site is suitable for evaluating residual otolithic function.

Doing qualitative research on suicide in a developing country: practical and ethical challenges.

PubMed

Mugisha, James; Knizek, Birthe Loa; Kinyanda, Eugene; Hjelmeland, Heidi

2011-01-01

This article describes and discusses the challenges faced by researchers who conducted a qualitative interview study on attitudes toward suicide among the Baganda, Uganda. Many of the challenges addressed in this article have not been described earlier in suicide research conducted in the developing world. The aim of this study was to explore attitudes and cultural responses toward suicide among the Baganda, Uganda. Data were collected and analyzed using grounded theory. A total of 28 focus group discussions and 30 key informant interviews were conducted. The findings of this study are organized under two broad categories: community access challenges and expectation challenges. Community access challenges entailed cultural, legal, rapport, informed consent, language, and other research process related issues that could hinder effective access to the study respondents. Expectation challenges concerned how to deal with the immediate and strategic needs of the study communities. This study demonstrates that culturally sensitive approaches to data collection can reduce ethical challenges and, through innovative approaches, practical challenges faced during data collection can be minimized.

Exposures of Sus scrofa to a TASER(®) conducted electrical weapon: no effects on 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis patterns of plasma proteins.

PubMed

Jauchem, James R; Cerna, Cesario Z; Lim, Tiffany Y; Seaman, Ronald L

2014-12-01

In an earlier study, we found significant changes in red-blood-cell, leukocyte, and platelet counts, and in red-blood-cell membrane proteins, following exposures of anesthetized pigs to a conducted electrical weapon. In the current study, we examined potential changes in plasma proteins [analyzed via two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DGE)] following two 30 s exposures of anesthetized pigs (Sus scrofa) to a TASER (®) C2 conducted electrical weapon. Patterns of proteins, separated by 2-DGE, were consistent and reproducible between animals and between times of sampling. We determined that the blood plasma collection, handling, storage, and processing techniques we used are suitable for swine blood. There were no statistically significant changes in plasma proteins following the conducted-electrical-weapon exposures. Overall gel patterns of fibrinogen were similar to results of other studies of both pigs and humans (in control settings, not exposed to conducted electrical weapons). The lack of significant changes in plasma proteins may be added to the body of evidence regarding relative safety of TASER C2 device exposures.

Increasing Black Hole Feedback-induced Quenching with Anisotropic Thermal Conduction

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

Kannan, Rahul; Vogelsberger, Mark; Pfrommer, Christoph

Feedback from central supermassive black holes is often invoked to explain the low star formation rates (SFRs) in the massive galaxies at the centers of galaxy clusters. However, the detailed physics of the coupling of the injected feedback energy with the intracluster medium (ICM) is still unclear. Using high-resolution magnetohydrodynamic cosmological simulations of galaxy cluster formation, we investigate the role of anisotropic thermal conduction in shaping the thermodynamic structure of clusters, and in particular, in modifying the impact of black hole feedback. Stratified anisotropically conducting plasmas are formally always unstable, and thus more prone to mixing, an expectation borne outmore » by our results. The increased mixing efficiently isotropizes the injected feedback energy, which in turn significantly improves the coupling between the feedback energy and the ICM. This facilitates an earlier disruption of the cool-core, reduces the SFR by more than an order of magnitude, and results in earlier quenching despite an overall lower amount of feedback energy injected into the cluster core. With conduction, the metallicity gradients and dispersions are lowered, aligning them better with observational constraints. These results highlight the important role of thermal conduction in establishing and maintaining the quiescence of massive galaxies.« less

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

Dees, D. W.; Kawauchi, S.; Abraham, D. P.

Galvanostatic Intermittent Titration Technique (GITT) experiments were conducted to determine the lithium diffusion coefficient of LiNi{sub 0.8}Co{sub 0.15}Al{sub 0.05}O{sub 2}, used as the active material in a lithium-ion battery porous composite positive electrode. An electrochemical model, based on concentrated solution porous electrode theory, was developed to analyze the GITT experimental results and compare to the original GITT analytical theory. The GITT experimental studies on the oxide active material were conducted between 3.5 and 4.5 V vs. lithium, with the maximum lithium diffusion coefficient value being 10{sup -10} cm{sup 2} s{sup -1} at 3.85 V. The lithium diffusion coefficient values obtainedmore » from this study agree favorably with the values obtained from an earlier electrochemical impedance spectroscopy study.« less

Analysis of interior noise ground and flight test data for advanced turboprop aircraft applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Simpson, M. A.; Tran, B. N.

1991-01-01

Interior noise ground tests conducted on a DC-9 aircraft test section are described. The objectives were to study ground test and analysis techniques for evaluating the effectiveness of interior noise control treatments for advanced turboprop aircraft, and to study the sensitivity of the ground test results to changes in various test conditions. Noise and vibration measurements were conducted under simulated advanced turboprop excitation, for two interior noise control treatment configurations. These ground measurement results were compared with results of earlier UHB (Ultra High Bypass) Demonstrator flight tests with comparable interior treatment configurations. The Demonstrator is an MD-80 test aircraft with the left JT8D engine replaced with a prototype UHB advanced turboprop engine.

Analysis of interior noise ground and flight test data for advanced turboprop aircraft applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Simpson, M. A.; Tran, B. N.

1991-08-01

Interior noise ground tests conducted on a DC-9 aircraft test section are described. The objectives were to study ground test and analysis techniques for evaluating the effectiveness of interior noise control treatments for advanced turboprop aircraft, and to study the sensitivity of the ground test results to changes in various test conditions. Noise and vibration measurements were conducted under simulated advanced turboprop excitation, for two interior noise control treatment configurations. These ground measurement results were compared with results of earlier UHB (Ultra High Bypass) Demonstrator flight tests with comparable interior treatment configurations. The Demonstrator is an MD-80 test aircraft with the left JT8D engine replaced with a prototype UHB advanced turboprop engine.

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

Luther, Erik Paul; Leckie, Rafael M.; Dombrowski, David E.

This supplemental report describes fuel fabrication efforts conducted for the Idaho National Laboratory Trade Study for the TREAT Conversion project that is exploring the replacement of the HEU (Highly Enriched Uranium) fuel core of the TREAT reactor with LEU (Low Enriched Uranium) fuel. Previous reports have documented fabrication of fuel by the “upgrade” process developed at Los Alamos National Laboratory. These experiments supplement an earlier report that describes efforts to increase the graphite content of extruded fuel and minimize cracking.

An experimental study of perforated muzzle brakes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dillon, R. E., Jr.; Nagamatsu, H. T.

1984-06-01

A firing test was conducted to examine the recoil efficiency and blast characteristics of perforated muzzle brakes fitted to a 20 mm cannon. Recoil impulse blast overpressures, muzzle velocity, sequential spark shadowgraphs, and photographs of the muzzle flash structure were obtained. Three different nuzzle devices were used with one device equipped with pressure transducers to measure the static pressure in the brake. Experimental results are compared with the earlier predictions of Dillon and Nagamatsu.

Career Planning & Placement Survey: An Operational Profile, 1987.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nagle, Rhea A.; Rehrig, Norita H.

A survey of college and university career planning and placement directors was conducted in 1987 with a response rate of 67% (N=880). Findings were compared to data from earlier surveys conducted in 1981 and in 1975. Eight-five percent of the offices responding indicated that they had a centralized structure; 58.1% had the word "career" in their…

Thermal Threshold: Research Study on Small Fiber Dysfunction in Distal Diabetic Polyneuropathy

PubMed Central

Jimenez-Cohl, Pedro; Grekin, Carlos; Leyton, Cristian; Vargas, Claudio; Villaseca, Roberto

2012-01-01

Objective The most commonly used technique for diagnosis of diabetic neuropathy (DN) is nervous conduction (NC). Our hypothesis is that the use of the thermal threshold (TT) technique to evaluate small fiber damage, which precedes large fiber damage, could enable earlier diagnosis and diminish false negatives. Research Design and Methods The study involved 70 asymptomatic patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) all being treated with oral hypoglycemic medication, and having negative metabolic control levels with glycosylated hemoglobin A1c greater than 7% and less than 8%. Diabetic neuropathy was their only evident complication. All other complications or other causes of neuropathy were discarded. Their time of evolution was 1 to 48 months since date of diagnosis of diabetes. Both thermal threshold and sensory and motor nervous conduction were determined in upper and lower limbs. Results Nervous conduction was found normal in 81% and altered in 19% of patients (large fiber neuropathy). Thermal threshold was normal in 57% and altered in 43% of patients (small fiber neuropathy). In those with normal TTs, no case with an altered NC was found (p < 0.001). Patients with altered TTs could have normal (57%) or altered NC (43%). Thus, NC showed a high frequency of false negatives for DN (57% of 30 cases). The frequency of small fiber neuropathy found with the TT test was higher than that of large fiber neuropathy found with the NC test (p < 0.001) and was found at an earlier age. Conclusions The TT test demonstrated a higher frequency of neuropathy than the NC test in clinically asymptomatic T2DM patients. We suggest that small fiber should be studied before large fiber function to diagnosis distal and symmetrical DN. PMID:22401337

Facilities for music education and their acoustical design.

PubMed

Koskinen, Heli; Toppila, Esko; Olkinuora, Pekka

2010-01-01

Good rehearsal facilities for musicians are essential. Directive 2003/10/EC necessitates that musicians are protected from noise exposure. A code of conduct gives the guidelines how this should be done. This study examines room acoustics recommendations provided by the Finnish code of conduct, and discusses whether they are adequate. Small teaching facilities were measured after renovation and compared to earlier measurements. Teachers' opinions were inquired about the facilities before and after. The renovation did not decrease the noise exposure of the teachers. However, the majority preferred the facilities after the renovation. The Finnish code of conduct is not sufficient for facilities where loud instruments are played, or band practise. Good facilities can be designed but they must be specified at the designing stage for their intended use.

A molecular dynamics study of liquid layering and thermal conductivity enhancement in nanoparticle suspensions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Paul, J.; Madhu, A. K.; Jayadeep, U. B.; Sobhan, C. B.; Peterson, G. P.

2018-03-01

Liquid layering is considered to be one of the factors contributing to the often anomalous enhancement in thermal conductivity of nanoparticle suspensions. The extent of this layering was found to be significant at lower particle sizes, as reported in an earlier work by the authors. In continuation to that work, an investigation was conducted to better understand the fundamental parameters impacting the reported anomalous enhancement in thermal conductivity of nanoparticle suspensions (nanofluids), utilizing equilibrium molecular dynamics simulations in a copper-argon system. Nanofluids containing nanoparticles of size less than 6 nm were investigated and studied analytically. The heat current auto-correlation function in the Green-Kubo formulation for thermal conductivity was decomposed into self-correlations and cross-correlations of different species and the kinetic, potential, collision and enthalpy terms of the dominant portion of the heat current vector. The presence of liquid layering around the nanoparticle was firmly established through simulations that show the dominant contribution of Ar-Ar self-correlation and the trend displayed by the kinetic-potential cross-correlation within the argon species.

Epidemiology of inflammatory bowel disease in the Province of Granada, Spain: a retrospective study from 1979 to 1988.

PubMed Central

Martínez-Salmeron, J F; Rodrigo, M; de Teresa, J; Nogueras, F; García-Montero, M; de Sola, C; Salmeron, J; Caballero, M

1993-01-01

An epidemiological study of inflammatory bowel disease in the Province of Granada, Spain, was conducted between 1979 and 1988. Altogether, 257 cases were identified: 167 ulcerative colitis, 79 Crohn's disease, and 11 indeterminate colitis. The mean incidence of ulcerative colitis in the 10 year period was 2/10(5) and 0.9/10(5) for Crohn's disease. This is the first epidemiological study in Spain of the incidence of ulcerative colitis and corroborates the results of an earlier population based study on the incidence of Crohn's disease in Spain. PMID:8406155

Melatonin and puberty in female lambs exposed to EMF: A replicate study

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

Lee, J.M. Jr.; Stormshak, F.; Thompson, J.M.

1995-06-01

In an earlier study, the authors found no effects of 60 Hz electric and magnetic fields (EMF) from a 500 kV transmission line on serum melatonin patterns or on puberty in ten female Suffolk lambs (Ovis aries). The authors conducted a larger replicate study of 15 lambs exposed to a mean electric field of 6.3 kV/m and a mean magnetic field of 3.77 {mu}T and 15 controls exposed to EMF two orders of magnitude weaker than in the line area. The replicate produced essentially the same results as their previous study.

Physician-directed injury prevention for young skiers and snowboarders

PubMed Central

Macnab, Andrew J; Cadman, Robert E; Greenlaw, Julia V

1998-01-01

Based on earlier studies of ski injury, which indicated that youths were at increased risk of injury, that males were most likely to injure the head or face and that females were most likely to injure the knee, a study to identify factors relevant for physicians to use in injury prevention initiatives was undertaken. The authors then conducted a search for effective injury prevention strategies using MEDLINE. The results of both undertakings were the basis for proposed guidelines for prevention strategies that physicians can use when counselling skiers and snowboarders. PMID:20401274

Studies on conducting nanocomposite with gallium nitride-doped ferrite, part - III wasp-waist formation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Indrakanti, Rajani; Rao, V. Brahmaji; Kiran, C. Udaya

2018-05-01

We report the maiden experimental observation of the formation of Wasp-waists in the Hysteresis loop, of PPY Nanocomposite with GaN doped Ferrite. Earlier this phenomenon was reported in paleo magnetic and environmental magnetic studies. It is probably the very first time we report it in our Synthesized Nanocomposites. Details supported by data are presented. Parameters like Exchange Anisotropy, Multi Domain formation, Variations in Coercivity are suspected to be prominent causes for this occurrence. Systematic analysis of our data provides substantial evidence for the existence of the phenomenon.

Enhanced Performance of Streamline-Traced External-Compression Supersonic Inlets

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Slater, John W.

2015-01-01

A computational design study was conducted to enhance the aerodynamic performance of streamline-traced, external-compression inlets for Mach 1.6. The current study explored a new parent flowfield for the streamline tracing and several variations of inlet design factors, including the axial displacement and angle of the subsonic cowl lip, the vertical placement of the engine axis, and the use of porous bleed in the subsonic diffuser. The performance was enhanced over that of an earlier streamline-traced inlet such as to increase the total pressure recovery and reduce total pressure distortion

Garan conducts ISSAC installation in the US Lab

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-05-06

ISS027-E-023657 (6 May 2011) --- NASA astronaut Ron Garan, Expedition 27 flight engineer, works with ISS Agricultural Camera (ISSAC) hardware in the Destiny laboratory of the International Space Station. ISSAC, a successor of the earlier AgCam, will operate in conjunction with EarthKAM, both instruments to conduct simultaneous but independent operations in the WORF rack in Destiny.

Garan conducts ISSAC installation in the US Lab

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-05-06

ISS027-E-023658 (6 May 2011) --- NASA astronaut Ron Garan, Expedition 27 flight engineer, works with ISS Agricultural Camera (ISSAC) hardware in the Destiny laboratory of the International Space Station. ISSAC, a successor of the earlier AgCam, will operate in conjunction with EarthKAM, both instruments to conduct simultaneous but independent operations in the WORF rack in Destiny.

Garan conducts ISSAC installation in the US Lab

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-05-06

ISS027-E-023644 (6 May 2011) --- NASA astronaut Ron Garan, Expedition 27 flight engineer, works with ISS Agricultural Camera (ISSAC) hardware in the Destiny laboratory of the International Space Station. ISSAC, a successor of the earlier AgCam, will operate in conjunction with EarthKAM, both instruments to conduct simultaneous but independent operations in the WORF rack in Destiny.

Garan conducts ISSAC installation in the US Lab

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-05-06

ISS027-E-023655 (6 May 2011) --- NASA astronaut Ron Garan, Expedition 27 flight engineer, works with ISS Agricultural Camera (ISSAC) hardware in the Destiny laboratory of the International Space Station. ISSAC, a successor of the earlier AgCam, will operate in conjunction with EarthKAM, both instruments to conduct simultaneous but independent operations in the WORF rack in Destiny.

Influence of heat and moisture exchanger respiratory load on transcutaneous oxygenation in laryngectomized individuals: a randomized crossover study.

PubMed

Zuur, J Karel; Muller, Sara H; Sinaasappel, Michiel; Hart, Guus A M; van Zandwijk, Nico; Hilgers, Frans J M

2007-12-01

High-resistance heat and moisture exchangers (HMEs) have been reported to increase transcutaneous oxygenation (tcpO(2)) values in laryngectomized individuals and to negatively influence patient compliance. The goal of the present study was to validate earlier published results on short-term transcutaneous oxygenation changes by high-resistance HMEs. We conducted a randomized crossover study, monitoring the influence of an HME on tcpO(2) over a 2-hour time interval in 20 subjects. No evidence of an immediate HME effect (95% CI: -14.9-13.3 mm Hg, p = .91), or a time-dependent HME effect (95% CI: -.121 - .172 mm Hg/minute, p = .74), on tcpO(2) was found. After fitting the statistical model without time dependency, again no evidence of HME presence was seen (95% CI: -.5 mm Hg - 3.6 mm Hg, p = .15). In contrast to earlier suggestions, there is no evidence of increased tcpO(2) levels by high-resistance HMEs in laryngectomized individuals. Thus, using such HMEs has no added clinical value in this respect.

Brief virtual reality therapy for public speaking anxiety.

PubMed

Harris, Sandra R; Kemmerling, Robert L; North, Max M

2002-12-01

The primary goal of this research program was to investigate the effectiveness of virtual reality therapy (VRT) in reducing public speaking anxiety of university students. The prevalence and impact of public speaking anxiety as a type of Social Phobia are discussed. Studies of VRT as an emerging treatment for psychological problems are reviewed. In the present study, eight students completed VRT individual treatment and post-testing, and six students in a Wait-List control group completed post-testing. Assessment measures included four self-report inventories, self-report of Subjective Units of Discomfort during exposure to VRT and physiological measurements of heart rate during speaking tasks. Four weekly individual exposure treatment sessions of approximately 15 min each were conducted by the author serving as therapist. Results on self-report and physiological measures appear to indicate that four virtual reality treatment sessions were effective in reducing public speaking anxiety in university students, corroborating earlier studies of VRT's effectiveness as a psychotherapeutic modality. Future research directions are discussed, primarily the need for research on younger populations, to assess the effectiveness of VRT for earlier intervention with public speaking anxiety.

CFD Variability for a Civil Transport Aircraft Near Buffet-Onset Conditions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rumsey, Christopher L.; Morrison, Joseph H.; Biedron, Robert T.

2003-01-01

A CFD sensitivity analysis is conducted for an aircraft at several conditions, including flow with substantial separation (buffet onset). The sensitivity is studied using two different Navier-Stokes computer codes, three different turbulence models, and two different grid treatments of the wing trailing edge. This effort is a follow-on to an earlier study of CFD variation over a different aircraft in buffet onset conditions. Similar to the earlier study, the turbulence model is found to have the largest effect, with a variation of 3.8% in lift at the buffet onset angle of attack. Drag and moment variation are 2.9% and 23.6%, respectively. The variations due to code and trailing edge cap grid are smaller than that due to turbulence model. Overall, the combined approximate error band in CFD due to code, turbulence model, and trailing edge treatment at the buffet onset angle of attack are: 4% in lift, 3% in drag, and 31% in moment. The CFD results show similar trends to flight test data, but also exhibit a lift curve break not seen in the data.

Additional EIPC Study Analysis: Interim Report on Medium Priority Topics

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

Hadley, Stanton W.; Gotham, Douglas J.

Between 2010 and 2012 the Eastern Interconnection Planning Collaborative (EIPC) conducted a major long-term resource and transmission study of the Eastern Interconnection (EI). With guidance from a stakeholder steering committee (SSC) that included representatives from the Eastern Interconnection States’ Planning Council (EISPC) among others, the project was conducted in two phases. The first was a 2015–2040 analysis that looked at a broad array of possible future scenarios, while the second focused on a more detailed examination of the grid in 2030. The studies provided a wealth of information on possible future generation, demand, and transmission alternatives. However, at the conclusionmore » there were still unresolved questions and issues. The US Department of Energy, which had sponsored the study, asked Oak Ridge National Laboratory researchers and others who worked on the project to conduct an additional study of the data to provide further insights for stakeholders and the industry. This report documents the second part of that follow-on study [an earlier report (Hadley 2013) covered the first part, and a subsequent report will address the last part].« less

Causes of the triglyceride-lowering effect of exercise training in rats

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mondon, C. E.; Dolkas, C. B.; Tobey, T.; Reaven, G. M.

1984-01-01

Studies conducted with human subjects and laboratory animals have consistently shown a reduction in serum triglyceride (TG) in exercise-trained subjects. The obtained data have suggested that this decrease was due to a reduction in hepatic TG secretion. The present investigation, which was conducted with rats trained to attain a high level of spontaneous running activity, provides support for the earlier results. In addition, insights are obtained regarding the mechanism by which exercise lowers TG levels. Since the liver accounts for the vast majority of endogenous very low density lipoprotein (VLDL)-TG secretion, the fall in TG secretion rate seen in exercise-trained (ET) rats must be due to a reduction in hepatic TG secretion.

Organized screening detects breast cancer at earlier stage regardless of molecular phenotype.

PubMed

Holloway, Claire M B; Jiang, Li; Whitehead, Marlo; Racz, Jennifer M; Groome, Patti A

2018-06-16

Mortality reduction attributable to organized breast screening is modest. Screening may be less effective at detecting more aggressive cancers at an earlier stage. This study was conducted to determine the relative efficacy of screening mammography to detect cancers at an earlier stage by molecular phenotype. We identified 2882 women with primary invasive breast cancer diagnosed between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2012 and who had a mammogram through the Ontario Breast Screening Program in the 28 months before diagnosis. Five tumor phenotypes were defined by expression of estrogen (ER) and progesterone (PR) receptors and HER2/neu oncogene. We conducted univariable and multivariable analyses to describe the predictors of detection as an interval cancer. Additional analyses identified predictors of detection at stages II, III, or IV compared with stage I, by phenotype. Analyses were adjusted for the effects of age, grade, and breast density. ER negative and HER2 positive tumors were over-represented among interval cancers, and triple negative cancers were more likely than ER +/HER2 - cancers to be detected as interval cancers OR 2.5 (95% CI 2.0-3.2, p < 0.0001). Method of detection (interval vs. screen) and molecular phenotype were independently associated with stage at diagnosis (p < 0.0001), but there was no interaction between method of detection and phenotype (p = 0.44). In a screened population, triple negative and HER2 + breast cancers are diagnosed at a higher stage but this appears to be due to higher growth rates of these tumors rather than a relative inability of screening to detect them.

A stop-restart solid propellant study with salt quench

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kumar, R. N.

1976-01-01

Experiments were conducted to gain insight into the unsatisfactory performance of the salt quench system of solid propellants in earlier studies. Nine open-air salt spray tests were conducted and high-speed cinematographic coverage was obtained of the events. It is shown that the salt spray by the detonator is generally a two-step process yielding two different fractions. The first fraction consists of finely powdered salt and moves practically unidirectionally at a high velocity (thousand of feet per second) while the second fraction consists of coarse particles and moves randomly at a low velocity (a few feet per second). Further investigation is required to verify the speculation that a lower quench charge ratio (weight of salt/propellant burning area) than previously employed may lead to an efficient quench

Acceleration and heating of two-fluid solar wind by Alfven waves

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sandbaek, Ornulf; Leer, Egil

1994-01-01

Earlier model studies of solar wind driven by thermal pressure and Alfven waves have shown that wave amplitudes of 20-30 km/s at the coronal base are sufficient to accelerate the flow to the high speeds observed in quasi-steady streams emanating from large coronal holes. We focus on the energy balance in the proton gas and show that heat conduction from the region where the waves are dissipated may play an important role in determining the proton temperature at the orbit of Earth. In models with 'classical' heat conduction we find a correlation between high flow speed, high proton temperature, and low electron temperature at 1 AU. The effect of wave heating on the development of anisotropies in the solar wind proton gas pressure is also investigated in this study.

To excite a heart: a bird's view.

PubMed

Sommer, J R; Bossen, E; Dalen, H; Dolber, P; High, T; Jewett, P; Johnson, E A; Junker, J; Leonard, S; Nassar, R

1991-01-01

Ultrastructural investigations of avian cardiac muscle, including ratite hearts, have provided great insights into the mechanisms as to how excitation leads to contraction in the heart. The geometry of the conduction fibers of ratite hearts confirms earlier observations on birds showing that the geometry of the conduction system and its component cells is adapted to hearts of different sizes and rates of contraction so as to maintain a differential in conduction velocities between the conduction system and the working fibers. The study of the ratite conduction fibers bears out the idea of an inverse relationship between the size of the gap junctions and the input resistance of cardiac cells. The anomalous extended junctional SR typical of all avian hearts, proscribes the notion of direct contact transduction into calcium release for contraction of an excitatory signal propagating at the cell surface. Couplings appear well suited to maintain direct, if transitory, connections to the extracellular space in addition to harboring channels for intracellular calcium release.

An electrophysiological follow up of patients with n-hexane polyneuropathy.

PubMed Central

Chang, Y C

1991-01-01

Electroneurographic (ENeG) and evoked potential (EP) studies were regularly performed on 11 printing workers with n-hexane polyneuropathy after cessation of exposure. At the initial examination, the ENeG studies simulated a demyelinative process. Further slowing of nerve conduction velocity, or further decreasing of action potential amplitude, or both in the follow up ENeG study were found in about half the patients. The motor distal latency did not worsen. Nerve conduction returned to normal earlier in the sensory than in the motor nerves. After the patients had regained full motor capability, conduction velocities in motor nerves were still significantly slowed. These ENeG characteristics correlate with the pathological and pathophysiological changes in experimental hexa-carbon neuropathies. The initial findings from the EP studies indicated a conduction abnormality in the central nervous system (CNS). Delayed worsening occurred in the amplitude of visual EPs in three patients. On serial follow up, the interpeak latency and interpeak amplitude of visual EPs improved little. Residual abnormalities were also found in the interpeak latency of auditory EPs in the brainstem and in the absolute latency of scalp somatosensory EPs from the peroneal nerve. Astroglial proliferation in the CNS probably impedes recovery of the abnormalities in EP. PMID:1993154

Very early predictors of conduct problems and crime: results from a national cohort study.

PubMed

Murray, Joseph; Irving, Barrie; Farrington, David P; Colman, Ian; Bloxsom, Claire A J

2010-11-01

  Longitudinal research has produced a wealth of knowledge about individual, family, and social predictors of crime. However, nearly all studies have started after children are age 5, and little is known about earlier risk factors. The 1970 British Cohort Study is a prospective population survey of more than 16,000 children born in 1970. Pregnancy, birth, child, parent, and socioeconomic characteristics were measured from medical records, parent interviews, and child assessments at birth and age 5. Conduct problems were reported by parents at age 10, and criminal convictions were self-reported by study members at ages 30-34.   Early (up to age 5) psychosocial risk factors were strong predictors of conduct problems and criminal conviction. Among pregnancy and birth measures, only prenatal maternal smoking was strongly predictive. Risk factors were similar for girls and boys. Additive risk scores predicted antisocial behaviour quite strongly.   Risk factors from pregnancy to age 5 are quite strong predictors of conduct problems and crime. New risk assessment tools could be developed to identify young children at high risk for later antisocial behaviour. © 2010 The Authors. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry © 2010 Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health.

Pubertal timing and adult obesity and cardiometabolic risk in women and men: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PubMed

Prentice, P; Viner, R M

2013-08-01

Obesity has complex multifactorial aetiology. It has been suggested by many, but not all, reports that earlier pubertal maturation may increase adult obesity risk. We conducted a systemic review and meta-analysis in both women and men, and hypothesised that any association between pubertal timing and adult obesity is likely to be confounded by childhood adiposity. In addition, we investigated whether pubertal timing is related to other cardiometabolic risk and long-term cardiovascular morbidity/mortality. Literature search was undertaken using MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Knowledge and TRIP databases, with a hand search of references. Both authors independently reviewed and extracted pre-defined data from all selected papers. Meta-analyses were conducted using Review Manager (RevMan) 5.0.24. A total of 48 papers were identified. Out of 34 studies, 30 reported an inverse relationship between pubertal timing and adult body mass index (BMI), the main adiposity measure used. Meta-analysis of 10 cohorts showed association between early menarche (menarche <12 vs ≥12 years) and increased adult BMI, with a standardised mean difference of 0.34 kg m(-2) (95% confidence interval: 0.33-0.34). Heterogeneity was large (I(2)=92%) but reduced significantly when grouped by outcome age. Late menarche (menarche ≥15 vs <15 years) was associated with decreased adult BMI, with a standardised mean difference of -0.26 kg m(-2) (95% confidence interval: -0.36, -0.21) (seven cohorts). Only eight papers included data on childhood BMI; the majority reported that childhood BMI only partially attenuated association between early menarche and later obesity. Although not suitable for meta-analysis, data on cardiometabolic risk factors and puberty suggested negative association between earlier pubertal timing and cardiovascular mortality, hypertension, metabolic syndrome (MetS) and abnormal glycaemia. Earlier pubertal timing is predictive of higher adult BMI and greater risk of obesity. This effect appears to be partially independent of childhood BMI. Earlier pubertal development appears to also be inversely correlated with risk of other cardiometabolic risk factors and cardiovascular mortality. Further work is needed to examine potential mechanisms and the level at which interventions may be targeted.

Timing and secular trend of pubertal development in Beijing girls.

PubMed

Chen, Fang-Fang; Wang, You-Fa; Mi, Jie

2014-02-01

Historical research is limited in changes in pubertal development in Chinese girls. We aimed to identify the timing of pubertal characteristics and the secular trend of menarche age among Beijing girls from the 1980s through the 2000s. Six data sets were analyzed, including the Beijing Child and Adolescent Metabolic Syndrome study in 2004, where 9778 Bejing girls aged 6-18 years were studied. The Fetal Origins of Adult Disease study provided retrospective menarche age from 1940 through 1960. Other four studies were conducted in Beijing to obtain supplementary information to assess secular trend in menarche age. Linear regression method was used to analyze the data. Among Beijing girls in 2004, the median age at menarche was 12.1 years, which was 0.6 years earlier in urban than in rural areas. The median age at Breast Tanner Stage 2 was 9.5 ± 1.2 years, representing 9.4 ± 1.1 years and 9.6 ± 1.2 years for urban and rural girls, respectively. In contrast, the median age at Pubic Hair Tanner Stage 2 was 11.1 ± 1.1 years, representing 10.8 ± 1.1 and 11.4 ± 1.1 years for urban and rural girls, respectively. The menarche age of urban girls decreased by 4.2 months per decade, and that of rural girls by 9.6 months per decade from 1980 to 2004. Urban girls mature earlier than rural girls in Beijing. A secular trend towards earlier menarche was observed between the 1980s and the 2000s.

Adenosine bronchial provocation with computerized wheeze detection in young infants with prolonged cough: correlation with long-term follow-up.

PubMed

Bentur, Lea; Beck, Raphael; Berkowitz, Drora; Hasanin, Jamal; Berger, Irit; Elias, Nael; Gavriely, Noam

2004-10-01

Chronic cough in babies is often associated with bronchial hyperreactivity (BHR). The objective documentation of BHR in babies is difficult, and acoustic methods have been described (provocative concentration of a substance causing wheeze) for conducting bronchial provocation tests (BPTs). We conducted a study to evaluate automatic computerized wheeze detection (CWD) in determining BHR in young infants with prolonged cough, and its correlation with the subsequent development of wheezing. Infants aged < 24 months with prolonged cough (ie, > 2 months) underwent acoustic BPTs with the response determined by CWD and auscultation by a physician. Telephone interviews with parents were conducted after 1 month and yearly for the next 3 years. A total of 28 infants who were 4 to 24 months old with prolonged cough were included in the study. Twenty of these infants (71.4%) had BHR as determined by a positive acoustic BPT result. In 11 of these 20 tests, the CWD occurred earlier, and in 9 tests it occurred at the same step as auscultation by a physician. Rhonchi or whistles often preceded wheezes. Seventeen of the 20 patients with BHR completed 3 years of follow-up. Of these, 14 had recurrent episodes of wheezing and shortness of breath, and 3 were well. Six of the eight adenosine-negative patients completed 3 years of follow-up and had no symptoms of BHR. Acoustic BPT is a technically feasible test for the detection of BHR in young infants. CWD provides an earlier detection of wheeze than stethoscope auscultation. In our group of infants, a positive acoustic BPT result had high correlation with symptoms compatible with BHR over the next 3 years.

Effects of extended photoperiod on sandhill crane reproduction

USGS Publications Warehouse

Gee, G.F.; Pendleton, G.W.; Wood, Don A.

1992-01-01

Photoperiod studies were conducted with greater sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis tabida) from 1969 to 1972 and from 1982 to 1987 at the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Maryland. When housed indoors and exposed to long photoperiods, males produced semen during winter. When exposed to artificially extended photoperiods during spring in outdoor pens, females apparently laid earlier in the year and laid more eggs than they would have without the added light. Cranes did not exhibit any signs of photorefractory response to extended photoperiods.

An Assessment of Energy-Related Career Paths of Senior Industrial Assessment Center Program Alumni

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

Martin, M.A.

2003-10-20

The purpose of this study was to assess the career paths of alumni from the U.S. Department of Energy's Industrial Assessment Center (IAC) program. IAC was originally named the Energy Analysis and Diagnostic Center (EADC) program when it began in association with four schools in 1976. The current IAC program provides funding to 26 engineering colleges, located in centers across the United States, to conduct energy, waste, and productivity assessments for small- to medium-sized manufacturing establishments within their respective regions. Through part-time employment with the university, students receive training and in turn conduct assessments for local manufacturers, under the directmore » supervision of engineering faculty. Annually, IAC participants conduct over 700 assessments, and each assessment generates recommendations for energy savings, energy cost savings, and waste and productivity cost savings customized for individual clients. An earlier study determined that energy savings could be attributed to alumni of the IAC program who take their IAC experiences with them to the professional workplace. During their careers, the alumni conduct additional energy assessments as well as influence energy efficiency through design, teaching and training, and other activities. Indeed, a significant level of program benefits can be attributed to the alumni. This project addressed such specific questions as: How many years after graduation are IAC alumni involved in energy-efficiency activities? What different methods do they use to influence energy-efficiency decisions? To answer these questions, the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UT) surveyed IAC senior alumni, defined as those who graduated in 1995 or earlier. Section 2 describes the survey used in this research. The actual survey can be found in Appendix A. Section 3 describes our approach to data collection. Section 4 presents descriptive statistics about the senior alumni who responded to the survey. Section 5 begins with the presentation of two frameworks used to help analyze the data about alumni career paths and then presents the career path results. Section 6 offers concluding remarks.« less

The impact of an early-morning radiologist work shift on the timeliness of communicating urgent imaging findings on portable chest radiography.

PubMed

Kaewlai, Rathachai; Greene, Reginald E; Asrani, Ashwin V; Abujudeh, Hani H

2010-09-01

The aim of this study was to assess the potential impact of staggered radiologist work shifts on the timeliness of communicating urgent imaging findings that are detected on portable overnight chest radiography of hospitalized patients. The authors conducted a retrospective study that compared the interval between the acquisition and communication of urgent findings on portable overnight critical care chest radiography detected by an early-morning shift for radiologists (3 am to 11 am) with historical experience with a standard daytime shift (8 am to 5 pm) in the detection and communication of urgent findings in a similar patient population a year earlier. During a 4-month period, 6,448 portable chest radiographic studies were interpreted on the early-morning radiologist shift. Urgent findings requiring immediate communication were detected in 308 (4.8%) studies. The early-morning shift of radiologists, on average, communicated these findings 2 hours earlier compared with the historical control group (P < .001). Staggered radiologist work shifts that include an early-morning shift can improve the timeliness of reporting urgent findings on overnight portable chest radiography of hospitalized patients. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Earlier adolescent substance use onset predicts stronger connectivity between reward and cognitive control brain networks.

PubMed

Weissman, David G; Schriber, Roberta A; Fassbender, Catherine; Atherton, Olivia; Krafft, Cynthia; Robins, Richard W; Hastings, Paul D; Guyer, Amanda E

2015-12-01

Early adolescent onset of substance use is a robust predictor of future substance use disorders. We examined the relation between age of substance use initiation and resting state functional connectivity (RSFC) of the core reward processing (nucleus accumbens; NAcc) to cognitive control (prefrontal cortex; PFC) brain networks. Adolescents in a longitudinal study of Mexican-origin youth reported their substance use annually from ages 10 to 16 years. At age 16, 69 adolescents participated in a resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging scan. Seed-based correlational analyses were conducted using regions of interest in bilateral NAcc. The earlier that adolescents initiated substance use, the stronger the connectivity between bilateral NAcc and right dorsolateral PFC, right dorsomedial PFC, right pre-supplementary motor area, right inferior parietal lobule, and left medial temporal gyrus. The regions that demonstrated significant positive linear relationships between the number of adolescent years using substances and connectivity with NAcc are nodes in the right frontoparietal network, which is central to cognitive control. The coupling of reward and cognitive control networks may be a mechanism through which earlier onset of substance use is related to brain function over time, a trajectory that may be implicated in subsequent substance use disorders. Copyright © 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Random sampling of constrained phylogenies: conducting phylogenetic analyses when the phylogeny is partially known.

PubMed

Housworth, E A; Martins, E P

2001-01-01

Statistical randomization tests in evolutionary biology often require a set of random, computer-generated trees. For example, earlier studies have shown how large numbers of computer-generated trees can be used to conduct phylogenetic comparative analyses even when the phylogeny is uncertain or unknown. These methods were limited, however, in that (in the absence of molecular sequence or other data) they allowed users to assume that no phylogenetic information was available or that all possible trees were known. Intermediate situations where only a taxonomy or other limited phylogenetic information (e.g., polytomies) are available are technically more difficult. The current study describes a procedure for generating random samples of phylogenies while incorporating limited phylogenetic information (e.g., four taxa belong together in a subclade). The procedure can be used to conduct comparative analyses when the phylogeny is only partially resolved or can be used in other randomization tests in which large numbers of possible phylogenies are needed.

Probability distributions of hydraulic conductivity for the hydrogeologic units of the Death Valley regional ground-water flow system, Nevada and California

USGS Publications Warehouse

Belcher, Wayne R.; Sweetkind, Donald S.; Elliott, Peggy E.

2002-01-01

The use of geologic information such as lithology and rock properties is important to constrain conceptual and numerical hydrogeologic models. This geologic information is difficult to apply explicitly to numerical modeling and analyses because it tends to be qualitative rather than quantitative. This study uses a compilation of hydraulic-conductivity measurements to derive estimates of the probability distributions for several hydrogeologic units within the Death Valley regional ground-water flow system, a geologically and hydrologically complex region underlain by basin-fill sediments, volcanic, intrusive, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks. Probability distributions of hydraulic conductivity for general rock types have been studied previously; however, this study provides more detailed definition of hydrogeologic units based on lithostratigraphy, lithology, alteration, and fracturing and compares the probability distributions to the aquifer test data. Results suggest that these probability distributions can be used for studies involving, for example, numerical flow modeling, recharge, evapotranspiration, and rainfall runoff. These probability distributions can be used for such studies involving the hydrogeologic units in the region, as well as for similar rock types elsewhere. Within the study area, fracturing appears to have the greatest influence on the hydraulic conductivity of carbonate bedrock hydrogeologic units. Similar to earlier studies, we find that alteration and welding in the Tertiary volcanic rocks greatly influence hydraulic conductivity. As alteration increases, hydraulic conductivity tends to decrease. Increasing degrees of welding appears to increase hydraulic conductivity because welding increases the brittleness of the volcanic rocks, thus increasing the amount of fracturing.

Syndromic surveillance of influenza activity in Sweden: an evaluation of three tools.

PubMed

Ma, T; Englund, H; Bjelkmar, P; Wallensten, A; Hulth, A

2015-08-01

An evaluation was conducted to determine which syndromic surveillance tools complement traditional surveillance by serving as earlier indicators of influenza activity in Sweden. Web queries, medical hotline statistics, and school absenteeism data were evaluated against two traditional surveillance tools. Cross-correlation calculations utilized aggregated weekly data for all-age, nationwide activity for four influenza seasons, from 2009/2010 to 2012/2013. The surveillance tool indicative of earlier influenza activity, by way of statistical and visual evidence, was identified. The web query algorithm and medical hotline statistics performed equally well as each other and to the traditional surveillance tools. School absenteeism data were not reliable resources for influenza surveillance. Overall, the syndromic surveillance tools did not perform with enough consistency in season lead nor in earlier timing of the peak week to be considered as early indicators. They do, however, capture incident cases before they have formally entered the primary healthcare system.

Why reread? Evidence from garden-path and local coherence structures.

PubMed

Christianson, Kiel; Luke, Steven G; Hussey, Erika K; Wochna, Kacey L

2017-07-01

Two eye-tracking experiments were conducted to compare the online reading and offline comprehension of main verb/reduced relative garden-path sentences and local coherence sentences. Rereading of early material in garden-path reduced relatives should be revisionary, aimed at reanalysing an earlier misparse; however, rereading of early material in a local coherence reduced relative need only be confirmatory, as the original parse of the earlier portion of these sentences is ultimately correct. Results of online and offline measures showed that local coherence structures elicited signals of reading disruption that arose earlier and lasted longer, and local coherence comprehension was also better than garden path comprehension. Few rereading measures in either sentence type were predicted by structural features of these sentences, nor was rereading related to comprehension accuracy, which was extremely low overall. Results are discussed with respect to selective reanalysis and good-enough processing.

A Review of Recent Research on Mechanics of Multifunctional Materials and Structures

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-03-15

electrical and/or thermal conductivity, sensing and actuation, energy harvesting/storage, self - healing capability, and electromagnetic interference...conductivity 13 3.2 Sensing and actuation 15 3.3 Energy harvesting/storage 21 3.4 Self - healing capability 25 3.5...earlier by Zou, et al. [12]. Recent developments in self - healing polymeric materials were reviewed by Wu, et al. [13]. Articles on energy harvesting for

Ride qualities criteria validation/pilot performance study: Flight test results

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nardi, L. U.; Kawana, H. Y.; Greek, D. C.

1979-01-01

Pilot performance during a terrain following flight was studied for ride quality criteria validation. Data from manual and automatic terrain following operations conducted during low level penetrations were analyzed to determine the effect of ride qualities on crew performance. The conditions analyzed included varying levels of turbulence, terrain roughness, and mission duration with a ride smoothing system on and off. Limited validation of the B-1 ride quality criteria and some of the first order interactions between ride qualities and pilot/vehicle performance are highlighted. An earlier B-1 flight simulation program correlated well with the flight test results.

Effects of anger and sadness on attentional patterns in decision making: an eye-tracking study.

PubMed

Xing, Cai

2014-02-01

Past research examining the effect of anger and sadness on decision making has associated anger with a relatively more heuristic decision-making approach. However, it is unclear whether angry and sad individuals differ while attending to decision-relevant information. An eye-tracking experiment (N=87) was conducted to examine the role of attention in links between emotion and decision making. Angry individuals looked more and earlier toward heuristic cues while making decisions, whereas sad individuals did not show such bias. Implications for designing persuasive messages and studying motivated visual processing were discussed.

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

Green, D.J.

Mining activity in the vicinity of Lynn Lake in north-west Manitoba resulted in development of a number of tailings ponds that are potential sources of acid drainage. Observations such as the presence of dead trees in the vicinity of tailings pond dikes and a distinctive green coloration in one effluent pond raised concerns that confinement of acid drainage in the tailings area may be compromised and causing renewed detrimental impacts to the Lynn River and surrounding area. This report presents results of water quality and sediment surveys conducted in the Lynn Lake area. Parameters studied include pH, conductivity, calcium, sulfate,more » iron, nickel, zinc, copper, cyanide, and presence of benthos. Comparisons of the results are made with results from earlier surveys in order to determine temporal trends.« less

Reduced pressure ice fog technique for controlled ice nucleation during freeze-drying.

PubMed

Patel, Sajal M; Bhugra, Chandan; Pikal, Michael J

2009-01-01

A method to achieve controlled ice nucleation during the freeze-drying process using an ice fog technique was demonstrated in an earlier report. However, the time required for nucleation was about 5 min, even though only one shelf was used, which resulted in Ostwald ripening (annealing) in some of the vials that nucleated earlier than the others. As a result, the ice structure was not optimally uniform in all the vials. The objective of the present study is to introduce a simple variation of the ice fog method whereby a reduced pressure in the chamber is utilized to allow more rapid and uniform freezing which is also potentially easier to scale up. Experiments were conducted on a lab scale freeze dryer with sucrose as model compound at different concentration, product load, and fill volume. Product resistance during primary drying was measured using manometric temperature measurement. Specific surface area of the freeze-dried cake was also determined. No difference was observed either in average product resistance or specific surface area for the different experimental conditions studied, indicating that with use of the reduced pressure ice fog technique, the solutions nucleated at very nearly the same temperature (-10 degrees C). The striking feature of the "Reduced Pressure Ice Fog Technique" is the rapid ice nucleation (less than a minute) under conditions where the earlier procedure required about 5 min; hence, effects of variable Ostwald ripening were not an issue.

Effect of family disintegration on age at menarche.

PubMed

Toromanović, Alma; Tahirović, Husref

2015-01-01

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of psychosocial factors on the age at menarche of girls in Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBH). A cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2002 to May 2003 in all Cantons of the FBH. The random stratified sample included 19.803 girls aged 9.0 to 17.5 years. Data were collected using the status quo method. Probit analysis was used to estimate median age at menarche and 95% confidence intervals. The present study shows that menarche occurred significantly earlier (p<0.05) in girls from dysfunctional families (median: 12.99 years, 95% confidence interval: 12.93-13.05) than in girls who grew up in intact families (median: 13.04 years, 95% confidence interval: 13.01-13.07). Analyzing separately the impact of each of family stressors on age at menarche, we found that menarcheal age was significantly lower in girls from single-mother families, whose parents are divorced, whose one parent is died and where alcoholism in family is present than in girls from intact families. Maturation was found to be earlier in girls from dysfunctional families then in those from intact families after the influence of place of residence and sibship size was eliminated. From our research we can conclude that the girls from dysfunctional families reached earlier age at menarche than their peers who grew up in normal families, and that this effect did not disappear after controlling for socioeconomic variables. Copyright © 2015 by Academy of Sciences and Arts of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Perceived Parent-Child Relations, Conduct Problems, and Clinical Improvement Following the Treatment of Oppositional Defiant Disorder.

PubMed

Booker, Jordan A; Ollendick, Thomas H; Dunsmore, Julie C; Greene, Ross W

2016-05-01

Our objective in this study was to examine the moderating influence of parent-child relationship quality (as viewed by the child) on associations between conduct problems and treatment responses for children with oppositional defiant disorder (ODD). To date, few studies have considered children's perceptions of relationship quality with parents in clinical contexts even though extant studies show the importance of this factor in children's behavioral adjustment in non-clinical settings. In this study, 123 children (ages 7 - 14 years, 61.8% male, 83.7% white) who fulfilled DSM-IV criteria for ODD received one of two psychosocial treatments: Parent Management Training or Collaborative & Proactive Solutions. In an earlier study, both treatments were found to be effective and equivalent in treatment outcomes (Ollendick et al., in press). In the current study, pre-treatment maternal reports of conduct problems and pre-treatment child reports of relations with parents were used to predict outcomes in ODD symptoms and their severity following treatment. Elevated reports of children's conduct problems were associated with attenuated reductions in both ODD symptoms and their severity. Perceived relationship quality with parents moderated the ties between conduct problems and outcomes in ODD severity but not the number of symptoms. Mother reports of elevated conduct problems predicted attenuated treatment response only when children viewed relationship quality with their parents as poorer. When children viewed the relationship as higher quality, they did not show an attenuated treatment response, regardless of reported conduct problems. The current findings underscore the importance of children's perspectives in treatment response and reductions in externalizing child behaviors.

Impact of monovalent cations on soil structure. Part I. Results of an Iranian soil

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Farahani, Elham; Emami, Hojat; Keller, Thomas; Fotovat, Amir; Khorassani, Reza

2018-01-01

This study investigated the impact of monovalent cations on clay dispersion, aggregate stability, soil pore size distribution, and saturated hydraulic conductivity on agricultural soil in Iran. The soil was incubated with treatment solutions containing different concentrations (0-54.4 mmol l-1) of potassium and sodium cations. The treatment solutions included two levels of electrical conductivity (EC=3 or 6 dS m-1) and six K:Na ratios per electrical conductivity level. At both electrical conductivity levels, spontaneously dispersible clay increased with increasing K concentration, and with increasing K:Na ratio. A negative linear relationship between percentage of water-stable aggregates and spontaneously dispersible clay was observed. Clay dispersion generally reduced the mean pore size, presumably due to clogging of pores, resulting in increased water retention. At both electrical conductivity levels, hydraulic conductivity increased with increasing exchangeable potassium percentage at low exchangeable potassium percentage values, but decreased with further increases in exchangeable potassium percentage at higher exchangeable potassium percentage. This is in agreement with earlier studies, but seems in conflict with our data showing increasing spontaneously dispersible clay with increasing exchangeable potassium percentage. Our findings show that clay dispersion increased with increasing K concentration and increasing K:Na ratio, demonstrating that K can have negative impacts on soil structure.

Is prenatal smoking associated with a developmental pattern of conduct problems in young boys?

PubMed

Wakschlag, Lauren S; Pickett, Kate E; Kasza, Kristen E; Loeber, Rolf

2006-04-01

Prenatal smoking is robustly associated with increased risk of conduct problems in offspring. Observational studies that provide detailed phenotypic description are critical for generating testable hypotheses about underlying processes through which the effects of prenatal smoking may operate. To this end, we use a developmental framework to examine the association of exposure with (1) oppositional defiant disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in young boys and (2) the pattern of delinquent behavior at adolescence. Using diagnostic measures and repeated measures of delinquency, we compare exposed and nonexposed boys from the youngest cohort of the Pittsburgh Youth Study (N = 448). Exposed boys were significantly more likely to (1) develop oppositional defiant disorder and comorbid oppositional defiant disorder-attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder but not attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder alone and (2) to have an earlier onset of significant delinquent behavior. The early emergence and developmental coherence of exposure-related conduct problems is striking and is consistent with a behavioral teratological model. Phenotypically, exposure-related conduct problems appear to be characterized by socially resistant and impulsively aggressive behavior. Whether prenatal smoking plays an etiological role in or is a risk marker for the development of conduct problems, exposed offspring are at increased risk of an early-starter pathway to conduct problems.

Electrical conductivity of MgH2 at multiple shock compression

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shakhray, Denis; Molodets, Alexander; Fortov, Vladimir

2011-06-01

The electrical conductivity of MgH2 has been studied under multishock compression. Earlier we had been experimentally studied metallization possibility of alane at high pressures in conditions quasiisentropic compression up to 100 GPa. A study of thermodynamic properties of MgH2 under multishock compression has been carried out also. High pressures and temperatures were obtained with an explosive device, which accelerates the metallic impactor up to 3 km/s. Identification of the hydride in experiments was made on the basis of calculations of phase trajectories loading a material in the area of existence of polymorphic phases including high-pressure phases of magnesium hydride (α and γ MgH2, hP1 and hP2). It is shown that occurrence of magnesium hydride electrical conductivity occurs in the field of existence of high-pressure hP2 phase This work was partially supported by the Presidium of the Russian Academy of Sciences within the Program of Basic Research ``Thermal Physics and Mechanics of Extreme Energy Effects and Physics of Strongly Compressed Matter and Russian Foundation for Basic Research Grant No. 10-02-01078.''

High temperature conductivity of potassium-beta(double prime)-alumina

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Williams, R. M.; Jeffries-Nakamura, B.; Underwood, M. L.; Ryan, M. A.; O'Connor, D.; Kikkert, S.

1992-01-01

Potassium beta(double prime)-alumina (BDPA) single crystals have been reported by several groups to leave higher ionic conductivity than sodium BDPA crystals at room temperature, and similar conductivities are obtained at temperatures up to 600-700 K. Potassium BDPA ceramics have been reported to have significantly poorer conductivities than those of sodium BDPA ceramics, but conductivity measurements at temperatures above 625 K have not been reported. In this study, K(+)-BDPA ceramics were prepared from Na(+)-BDPA ceramic using a modified version of the exchange reaction with KCl vapor reported by Crosbie and Tennenhouse (1982), and the conductivity has been measured in K vapor at temperatures up to 1223 K, using the method of Cole et al. (1979). The results indicate reasonable agreement with earlier data on K(+)-BDPA ceramic measured in a liquid K cell, but show that the K(+)-BDPA ceramic's conductivity approaches that of Na(+)-BDPA ceramic at higher temperatures, being within a factor of four at 700 K and 60 percent of the conductivity of Na(+)-BDPA at T over 1000 K. Both four-probe dc conductivity and four probe ac impedance measurements were used to characterize the conductivity. A rather abrupt change in the grain boundary resistance suggesting a possible phase change in the intergranular material, potassium aluminate, is seen in the ac impedance behavior.

High levels of cynical distrust partly predict premature mortality in middle-aged to ageing men.

PubMed

Šmigelskas, Kastytis; Joffė, Roza; Jonynienė, Jolita; Julkunen, Juhani; Kauhanen, Jussi

2017-08-01

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of cynical distrust on mortality in middle-aged and aging men. The analysis is based on Kuopio Ischemic Heart Disease study, follow-up from 1984 to 2011. Sample consisted of 2682 men, aged 42-61 years at baseline. Data on mortality was provided by the National Death Registry, causes of death were classified by the National Center of Statistics of Finland. Cynical distrust was measured at baseline using Cynical Distrust Scale. Survival analyses were conducted using Cox regression models. In crude estimates after 28 years of follow-up, high cynical distrust was associated with 1.5-1.7 higher hazards for earlier death compared to low cynical distrust. Adjusted for conventional risk factors, high cynical distrust was significantly associated regarding CVD-free men and CVD mortality, while non-CVD mortality in study sample was consistently but not significantly associated. The risk effects were more expressed after 12-20 years rather than in earlier or later follow-up. To conclude, high cynical distrust associates with increased risk of CVD mortality in CVD-free men. The associations with non-CVD mortality are weaker and not reach statistical significance.

Psychophysical experiments on the PicHunter image retrieval system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Papathomas, Thomas V.; Cox, Ingemar J.; Yianilos, Peter N.; Miller, Matt L.; Minka, Thomas P.; Conway, Tiffany E.; Ghosn, Joumana

2001-01-01

Psychophysical experiments were conducted on PicHunter, a content-based image retrieval (CBIR) experimental prototype with the following properties: (1) Based on a model of how users respond, it uses Bayes's rule to predict what target users want, given their actions. (2) It possesses an extremely simple user interface. (3) It employs an entropy- based scheme to improve convergence. (4) It introduces a paradigm for assessing the performance of CBIR systems. Experiments 1-3 studied human judgment of image similarity to obtain data for the model. Experiment 4 studied the importance of using: (a) semantic information, (b) memory of earlier input, and (c) relative and absolute judgments of similarity. Experiment 5 tested an approach that we propose for comparing performances of CBIR systems objectively. Finally, experiment 6 evaluated the most informative display-updating scheme that is based on entropy minimization, and confirmed earlier simulation results. These experiments represent one of the first attempts to quantify CBIR performance based on psychophysical studies, and they provide valuable data for improving CBIR algorithms. Even though they were designed with PicHunter in mind, their results can be applied to any CBIR system and, more generally, to any system that involves judgment of image similarity by humans.

Reforming of glucose and wood at the critical conditions of water

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Modell, M.

1977-01-01

Reforming of organics in aqueous solutions is being investigated as a potential waste treatment process. Earlier studies showed that glucose in water reacts to form a gaseous mixture of CO, H2, CH4, CO2, C2H6, and C2H4 in the vicinity of the critical conditions of water (374 C, 22 MPa). The earlier work has been extended to determine the effect of variations in temperature and feed concentration on the extent of gasification. The percent gasification decreases with increasing feed concentration, indicating an overall kinetic order less than unity. Surprisingly, the percent gasification decreases with increasing temperature. A number of preliminary experiments were conducted with maple sawdust feed, which was thought to be representative of complex organic wastes from paper and vegetable matter. Once again, no solid products were found under the critical conditions; the percent gasification ranged from 16 to 88 percent, depending on the feed composition and residence time.

Supersaturation, droplet spectra, and turbulent mixing in clouds

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gerber, H.

1990-01-01

Much effort has recently gone into explaining the observed broad precoalescence size distribution of droplets in cloud and fogs, because this differs from the results of condensational growth calculations which lead to much narrower distributions. A good example of droplet size-distribution broadening was observed on flight 17 (25 July) of the NRL tethered balloon during the 1987 FIRE San Nicolas Island IFO. These observations caused the interactions between cloud microphysics and turbulent mixing to be re-examined. The findings of Broadwell and Breidenthal (1982) who conducted laboratory and theoretical studies of mixing in shear flow, and those of Baker et al. (1984) who applied the earlier work to mixing in clouds, were used. Rather than looking at the 25 July case at SNI, earlier fog observations made at SUNY (6 Oct. 1982) which also indicated that shear-induced mixing was taking place, and which had a better collection of microphysical measurements including more precise supersaturation measurements and detailed vertical profiles of meteorological parameters were chosen instead.

Infant malnutrition predicts conduct problems in adolescents

PubMed Central

Galler, Janina R.; Bryce, Cyralene P.; Waber, Deborah P.; Hock, Rebecca S.; Harrison, Robert; Eaglesfield, G. David; Fitzmaurice, Garret

2013-01-01

Objectives The purpose of this study was to compare the prevalence of conduct problems in a well-documented sample of Barbadian adolescents malnourished as infants and a demographic comparison group and to determine the extent to which cognitive impairment and environmental factors account for this association. Methods Behavioral symptoms were assessed using a 76-item self-report scale in 56 Barbadian youth (11–17 years of age) with histories of protein–energy malnutrition (PEM) limited to the first year of life and 60 healthy classmates. Group comparisons were carried out by longitudinal and cross-sectional multiple regression analyses at 3 time points in childhood and adolescence. Results Self-reported conduct problems were more prevalent among previously malnourished youth (P < 0.01). Childhood IQ and home environmental circumstances partially mediated the association with malnutrition. Teacher-reported classroom behaviors at earlier ages were significantly correlated with youth conduct problems, confirming the continuity of conduct problems through childhood and adolescence. Discussion Self-reported conduct problems are elevated in children and adolescents with histories of early childhood malnutrition. Later vulnerability to increased conduct problems appears to be mediated by the more proximal neurobehavioral effects of the malnutrition on cognitive function and by adverse conditions in the early home environment. PMID:22584048

Infant malnutrition predicts conduct problems in adolescents.

PubMed

Galler, Janina R; Bryce, Cyralene P; Waber, Deborah P; Hock, Rebecca S; Harrison, Robert; Eaglesfield, G David; Fitzmaurice, Garret

2012-07-01

The purpose of this study was to compare the prevalence of conduct problems in a well-documented sample of Barbadian adolescents malnourished as infants and a demographic comparison group and to determine the extent to which cognitive impairment and environmental factors account for this association. Behavioral symptoms were assessed using a 76-item self-report scale in 56 Barbadian youth (11-17 years of age) with histories of protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) limited to the first year of life and 60 healthy classmates. Group comparisons were carried out by longitudinal and cross-sectional multiple regression analyses at 3 time points in childhood and adolescence. Self-reported conduct problems were more prevalent among previously malnourished youth (P < 0.01). Childhood IQ and home environmental circumstances partially mediated the association with malnutrition. Teacher-reported classroom behaviors at earlier ages were significantly correlated with youth conduct problems, confirming the continuity of conduct problems through childhood and adolescence. Self-reported conduct problems are elevated in children and adolescents with histories of early childhood malnutrition. Later vulnerability to increased conduct problems appears to be mediated by the more proximal neurobehavioral effects of the malnutrition on cognitive function and by adverse conditions in the early home environment.

Antihistamines and driving-related behavior : a review of the evidence for impairment

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2004-05-01

A review of the scientific literature concerning the effects of antihistamines on driving-related skills was conducted. After reviewing all pertinent publications from 1998 and earlier, a total of 130 publications were found to meet criteria for incl...

On-Campus Projects: Inventing a Microchip.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Basta, Nicholas

1985-01-01

In response to growth of microelectronics and changes in microchip design/manufacturing technology, universities are supporting class projects for students. Approximately 50 schools now conduct such programs which have resulted from earlier National Science Foundation sponsorship. Major advantages for the students include designing experience,…

Atelectasis and mechanical ventilation mode during conservative oxygen therapy: A before-and-after study.

PubMed

Suzuki, Satoshi; Eastwood, Glenn M; Goodwin, Mark D; Noë, Geertje D; Smith, Paul E; Glassford, Neil; Schneider, Antoine G; Bellomo, Rinaldo

2015-12-01

The purpose of the study is to assess the effect of a conservative oxygen therapy (COT) (target SpO2 of 90%-92%) on radiological atelectasis and mechanical ventilation modes. We conducted a secondary analysis of 105 intensive care unit patients from a pilot before-and-after study. The primary outcomes of this study were changes in atelectasis score (AS) of 555 chest radiographs assessed by radiologists blinded to treatment allocation and time to weaning from mandatory ventilation and first spontaneous ventilation trial (SVT). There was a significant difference in overall AS between groups, and COT was associated with lower time-weighted average AS. In addition, in COT patients, change from mandatory to spontaneous ventilation or time to first SVT was shortened. After adjustment for baseline characteristics and interactions between oxygen therapy, radiological atelectasis, and mechanical ventilation management, patients in the COT group had significantly lower "best" AS (adjusted odds ratio, 0.28 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 0.12-0.66]; P=.003) and greater improvement in AS in the first 7 days (adjusted odds ratio, 0.42 [95% CI, 0.17-0.99]; P=.049). Moreover, COT was associated with significantly earlier successful weaning from a mandatory ventilation mode (adjusted hazard ratio, 2.96 [95% CI, 1.73-5.04]; P<.001) and with shorter time to first SVT (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.77 [95% CI, 1.13-2.78]; P=.013). In mechanically ventilated intensive care unit patients, COT might be associated with decreased radiological evidence of atelectasis, earlier weaning from mandatory ventilation modes, and earlier first trial of spontaneous ventilation. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Risk determinants of acute mountain sickness in trekkers in the Nepali Himalaya: a 24-year follow-up.

PubMed

McDevitt, Marion; McIntosh, Scott E; Rodway, George; Peelay, Jitsupa; Adams, Doug L; Kayser, Bengt

2014-06-01

Exposure to altitude may lead to acute mountain sickness (AMS) in nonacclimatized individuals. We surveyed AMS prevalence and potential risk factors in trekkers crossing a 5400-m pass in Nepal and compared the results with those of 2 similar studies conducted 12 and 24 years earlier. In April 2010, 500 surveys were distributed to English-speaking trekkers at 3500 m on their way to 5400 m, of which 332 (66%) surveys were returned complete. Acute mountain sickness was quantified with the Lake Louise Scoring System (LLSS, cutoff ≥3 and ≥5) and the Environmental Statistical Questionnaire III AMS-C score (ESQ-III, cutoff ≥0.7). We surveyed demographics, body mass index (BMI), smoking habit, rate of ascent, awareness of AMS, and acetazolamide use. Prevalence of AMS was 22%, 23%, and 48% (ESQ-III ≥0.7, LLSS ≥5, and LLSS ≥3, respectively) lower when compared with earlier studies. Risk factors for AMS were younger age, female sex, higher BMI, and smoking habit. Forty-two percent had elementary knowledge about the risk and prevention of AMS. Forty-four percent used acetazolamide. Trekkers took longer to climb from 3500 to 5400 m than in earlier studies. Prevalence of AMS continued to decline over a period of 24 years, likely as a result of slower ascent and increased use of acetazolamide. The AMS risk factors of younger age, female sex, and high BMI are consistent with prior studies. Awareness of risk and prevention of AMS remains low, indicating an opportunity to better educate trekkers and potentially further reduce AMS prevalence. Copyright © 2014 Wilderness Medical Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Transfer coefficients in ultracold strongly coupled plasma

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bobrov, A. A.; Vorob'ev, V. S.; Zelener, B. V.

2018-03-01

We use both analytical and molecular dynamic methods for electron transfer coefficients in an ultracold plasma when its temperature is small and the coupling parameter characterizing the interaction of electrons and ions exceeds unity. For these conditions, we use the approach of nearest neighbor to determine the average electron (ion) diffusion coefficient and to calculate other electron transfer coefficients (viscosity and electrical and thermal conductivities). Molecular dynamics simulations produce electronic and ionic diffusion coefficients, confirming the reliability of these results. The results compare favorably with experimental and numerical data from earlier studies.

Digital Photon Correlation Data Processing Techniques

DTIC Science & Technology

1976-07-01

velocimeter signals. During the conduct of the contract a complementary theoretical effort with the NASA Langley Research Center was in progress ( NASI -13140...6.3.2 Variability Error In an earlier very brief contract with NASA Langley ( NASI -13140) a simplified variability error analysis was performed

Reflections on Expectations

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Santini, Joseph

2014-01-01

This article describes a teachers reflections on the matter of student expectations. Santini begins with a common understanding of the "Pygmalion effect" from research projects conducted in earlier years that intimated "people's expectations could influence other people in the world around them." In the world of deaf…

Electromagnetic Interference Behavior of Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes and Carbon Nanofibers Composites Under Fatigue

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-03-01

introducing conductive metallic materials onto or into the polymer composite. The earlier process steps included metallic paint coating, insertion......onboard from critical data loss to permanent damage. The ionized radiation strips electrons from atoms in the space plasma, creating charged

Apparatus for in situ prediction of the thermal conductivity of fiberglass batts using acoustic propagation constant

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tinianov, Brandon D.; Nakagawa, Masami; Muñoz, David R.

2006-02-01

This article describes a novel technique for the measurement of the thermal conductivity of low-density (12-18kg/m3) fiberglass insulation and other related fibrous insulation materials using a noninvasive acoustic apparatus. The experimental method is an extension of earlier acoustic methods based upon the evaluation of the propagation constant from the acoustic pressure transfer function across the test material. To accomplish this, an analytical model is employed that describes the behavior of sound waves at the outlet of a baffled waveguide. The model accounts for the behavior of the mixed impedance interface introduced by the test material. Current results show that the technique is stable for a broad range of absorber thicknesses and densities. Experimental results obtained in the laboratory show excellent correlation between the thermal conductivity and both the real and imaginary components of the propagation constant. Correlation of calculated propagation constant magnitude versus measured thermal conductivity gave an R2 of 0.94 for the bulk density range (12-18kg/m3) typical for manufactured fiberglass batt materials. As an improvement to earlier acoustic techniques, measurement is now possible in noisy manufacturing environments with a moving test material. Given the promise of such highly correlated measurements in a robust method, the acoustic technique is well suited to continuously measure the thermal conductivity of the material during its production, replacing current expensive off-line methods. Test cycle time is reduced from hours to seconds.

Re-examination of Chinese semantic processing and syntactic processing: evidence from conventional ERPs and reconstructed ERPs by residue iteration decomposition (RIDE).

PubMed

Wang, Fang; Ouyang, Guang; Zhou, Changsong; Wang, Suiping

2015-01-01

A number of studies have explored the time course of Chinese semantic and syntactic processing. However, whether syntactic processing occurs earlier than semantics during Chinese sentence reading is still under debate. To further explore this issue, an event-related potentials (ERPs) experiment was conducted on 21 native Chinese speakers who read individually-presented Chinese simple sentences (NP1+VP+NP2) word-by-word for comprehension and made semantic plausibility judgments. The transitivity of the verbs was manipulated to form three types of stimuli: congruent sentences (CON), sentences with a semantically violated NP2 following a transitive verb (semantic violation, SEM), and sentences with a semantically violated NP2 following an intransitive verb (combined semantic and syntactic violation, SEM+SYN). The ERPs evoked from the target NP2 were analyzed by using the Residue Iteration Decomposition (RIDE) method to reconstruct the ERP waveform blurred by trial-to-trial variability, as well as by using the conventional ERP method based on stimulus-locked averaging. The conventional ERP analysis showed that, compared with the critical words in CON, those in SEM and SEM+SYN elicited an N400-P600 biphasic pattern. The N400 effects in both violation conditions were of similar size and distribution, but the P600 in SEM+SYN was bigger than that in SEM. Compared with the conventional ERP analysis, RIDE analysis revealed a larger N400 effect and an earlier P600 effect (in the time window of 500-800 ms instead of 570-810ms). Overall, the combination of conventional ERP analysis and the RIDE method for compensating for trial-to-trial variability confirmed the non-significant difference between SEM and SEM+SYN in the earlier N400 time window. Converging with previous findings on other Chinese structures, the current study provides further precise evidence that syntactic processing in Chinese does not occur earlier than semantic processing.

Gender difference in early initiation of methamphetamine use among current methamphetamine users in Muse, Northern Shan State, Myanmar.

PubMed

Saw, Yu Mon; Saw, Thu Nandar; Yasuoka, Junko; Chan, Nyein; Kham, Nang Pann Ei; Khine, Wint; Cho, Su Myat; Jimba, Masamine

2017-05-08

Globally, methamphetamine (MA) use is a significant public health concern due to unprecedented health effects of its use. However, gender similarities and differences in early age of MA initiation and its risk factors among current MA users have been understudied in a developing country setting. A community-based, cross-sectional study was conducted using a computer assisted self-interviewing program from January to March 2013 in Muse, Northern Shan State, Myanmar. A total of 1362 (775 male and 587 female) self-reported current MA users aged between 18 and 35 years were recruited using respondent-driven sampling. Two gender-stratified multiple logistic regression models (models I and II) were done for analysis. For similarities, 73.0% of males and 60.5% of females initiated MA before their 18th birthday. The early age of MA initiation was positively associated with the reasons and places of the first time MA use among both genders. For differences, males [hazard ratio 1.35; 95% confidence interval, 1.18-1.54] had a significantly higher risk than females to initiate MA at earlier age. Among male users, participants who had bisexual/homosexual preferences were more likely to initiate MA use earlier. In contrast, female users who exchanged sex for money and/or drugs were more likely to initiate MA in earlier age. More than 60.0% of male and female participants initiated MA use early; however, males initiated use earlier than females. Although similarities were found among both genders, differences found in key risk factors for early age MA initiation suggest that gender-specific, MA prevention programs are urgently needed in Myanmar.

The road to cure in multiple myeloma starts with smoldering disease

PubMed Central

Salem, Karma Z; Ghobrial, Irene M

2015-01-01

Introduction Smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM) is a heterogeneous clinical entity that defines patients in the spectrum of disease progression from monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance to multiple myeloma (MM). Current standard of care is observation until end organ damage occurs. In spite of this, the scientific community has begun to question whether the strategy of watchful waiting should be replaced with earlier therapeutic intervention with the ultimate goal of preventing clonal heterogeneity and end organ damage. Areas covered In this review, we challenge the concept of observation as the best option of therapy in SMM. We present current data on diagnosis, prognostic factors of disease progression and studies that have been conducted to date to determine whether earlier therapeutic interventions will lead to an improvement in overall survival of patients with MM. Expert opinion If the recommendations of treatment of SMM were to change, the scientific body of evidence would have to overcome four major hurdles: to demonstrate that early intervention leads to prolonged survival and delay in development of end organ damage, that it does not have long-term toxicities, that it is implemented in patients with a high-likelihood of developing myeloma and that it does not lead to the outgrowth of more resistant clones. Only well-designed clinical trials will determine whether cure can be achieved with earlier interventions. PMID:25995973

Self-esteem and obsessive compulsive disorder.

PubMed

Husain, Nusrat; Chaudhry, Imran; Raza-ur-Rehman; Ahmed, Ghazal Riaz

2014-01-01

To explore the association between self-esteem and obsessive compulsive disorder in a low-income country, and to conduct an in-depth analysis into the said relationship by identifying any confounding variables that might exist. The cross-sectional study was conducted at the psychiatry out-patient clinic of Civil Hospital, Karachi, from January to March 2008, and comprised 65 patients diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder and 30 healthy controls. The participatnts completed the Janis and Field Social Adequacy scale and the Rosenberg Self-esteem scale. SPSS 15 was used for statistical analysis. Significantly different scores were reported on both measures of self-esteem between the patients and the controls (p<0.001 each), indicating reduced levels of self-esteem in the patients compared to the controls. Data replicated earlier findings from populations in high-income countries.

Statistical analysis of the horizontal divergent flow in emerging solar active regions

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

Toriumi, Shin; Hayashi, Keiji; Yokoyama, Takaaki, E-mail: shin.toriumi@nao.ac.jp

Solar active regions (ARs) are thought to be formed by magnetic fields from the convection zone. Our flux emergence simulations revealed that a strong horizontal divergent flow (HDF) of unmagnetized plasma appears at the photosphere before the flux begins to emerge. In our earlier study, we analyzed HMI data for a single AR and confirmed presence of this precursor plasma flow in the actual Sun. In this paper, as an extension of our earlier study, we conducted a statistical analysis of the HDFs to further investigate their characteristics and better determine the properties. From SDO/HMI data, we picked up 23more » flux emergence events over a period of 14 months, the total flux of which ranges from 10{sup 20} to 10{sup 22} Mx. Out of 23 selected events, 6 clear HDFs were detected by the method we developed in our earlier study, and 7 HDFs detected by visual inspection were added to this statistic analysis. We found that the duration of the HDF is on average 61 minutes and the maximum HDF speed is on average 3.1 km s{sup –1}. We also estimated the rising speed of the subsurface magnetic flux to be 0.6-1.4 km s{sup –1}. These values are highly consistent with our previous one-event analysis as well as our simulation results. The observation results lead us to the conclusion that the HDF is a rather common feature in the earliest phase of AR emergence. Moreover, our HDF analysis has the capability of determining the subsurface properties of emerging fields that cannot be directly measured.« less

Younger age of menopause in women with cerebral aneurysms.

PubMed

Ding, Christine; Toll, Valerie; Ouyang, Bichun; Chen, Michael

2013-07-01

The incidence of subarachnoid hemorrhage in women surges following menopause. Estrogen fluctuations have been implicated in cerebral aneurysm formation, growth and rupture and are thought to explain the well-known gender disparity. The aim of this study was to examine the association between age at menopause, which can determine lifetime estrogen exposure, and the presence of cerebral aneurysms. A retrospective case-control study was conducted by interviewing postmenopausal women with intradural cerebral aneurysms about their basic medical and gynecologic histories. This information was compared with the same data points collected from 4682 women contacted through random digit phone dialing in the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development-sponsored Contraceptive and Reproductive Experiences Study published in 2002. Among 76 consecutive postmenopausal women with cerebral aneurysms who were treated by a single physician and interviewed, multivariate logistic regression showed that later menopause age (OR 0.79, CI 0.63 to 0.996, p=0.046) was significantly associated with a lower aneurysm incidence. Premature menopause (<40 years) was seen in 26% of cases and 19% of controls (p=0.15). Each categorical increase in menopause age (<40, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, ≥55 years) decreased the likelihood by 21%. Despite a trend towards earlier mean age at menopause in the case group, the difference was not statistically significant. There is a trend showing that an earlier age at menopause is associated with the presence of a cerebral aneurysm. This suggests that loss of estrogen earlier in a woman's life may contribute to the pathogenesis of cerebral aneurysm. These data may identify a risk factor for cerebral aneurysm pathogenesis and also a potential target for future therapies.

KSC01pp0149

NASA Image and Video Library

2001-01-20

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Solid rocket booster cables are exposed after removal of the SRB system tunnel cover. The SRB is part of Space Shuttle Atlantis, rolled back from Launch Pad 39A in order to conduct tests on the cables. A prior extensive evaluation of NASA’s SRB cable inventory on the shelf revealed conductor damage in four (of about 200) cables. Shuttle managers decided to prove the integrity of the system tunnel cables already on Atlantis before launching. Workers are conducting inspections, making continuity checks and conducting X-ray analysis on the cables. The launch has been rescheduled no earlier than Feb. 6.

Family income trajectory during childhood is associated with adiposity in adolescence: a latent class growth analysis.

PubMed

Kendzor, Darla E; Caughy, Margaret O; Owen, Margaret Tresch

2012-08-05

Childhood socioeconomic disadvantage has been linked with obesity in cross-sectional research, although less is known about how changes in socioeconomic status influence the development of obesity. Researchers have hypothesized that upward socioeconomic mobility may attenuate the health effects of earlier socioeconomic disadvantage; while downward socioeconomic mobility might have a negative influence on health despite relative socioeconomic advantages at earlier stages. The purpose of the current study was to characterize trajectories of family income during childhood, and to evaluate the influence of these trajectories on adiposity at age 15. Data were collected as part of the Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development (SECCYD) between 1991 and 2007 at 10 sites across the United States. A latent class growth analysis (LCGA) was conducted to identify trajectories of family income from birth to 15 years of age. Analyses of covariance (ANCOVAs) were conducted to determine whether measures of adiposity differed by trajectory, while controlling for relevant covariates. The LCGA supported a 5-class trajectory model, which included two stable, one downward, and two upward trajectories. ANCOVAs indicated that BMI percentile, waist circumference, and skinfold thicknesses at age 15 differed significantly by trajectory, such that those who experienced downward mobility or stable low income had greater adiposity relative to the more advantaged trajectories. Conversely, upwardly mobile children and those with consistently adequate incomes had similar and more positive outcomes relative to the most disadvantaged trajectories. Findings suggest that promoting upward socioeconomic mobility among disadvantaged families may have a positive impact on obesity-related outcomes in adolescence.

Model aerodynamic test results for two variable cycle engine coannular exhaust systems at simulated takeoff and cruise conditions. Comprehensive data report. Volume 2: Tabulated aeroynamic data book 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nelson, D. P.

1981-01-01

Tabulated data from wind tunnel tests conducted to evaluate the aerodynamic performance of an advanced coannular exhaust nozzle for a future supersonic propulsion system are presented. Tests were conducted with two test configurations: (1) a short flap mechanism for fan stream control with an isentropic contoured flow splitter, and (2) an iris fan nozzle with a conical flow splitter. Both designs feature a translating primary plug and an auxiliary inlet ejector. Tests were conducted at takeoff and simulated cruise conditions. Data were acquired at Mach numbers of 0, 0.36, 0.9, and 2.0 for a wide range of nozzle operating conditions. At simulated supersonic cruise, both configurations demonstrated good performance, comparable to levels assumed in earlier advanced supersonic propulsion studies. However, at subsonic cruise, both configurations exhibited performance that was 6 to 7.5 percent less than the study assumptions. At takeoff conditions, the iris configuration performance approached the assumed levels, while the short flap design was 4 to 6 percent less. Data are provided through test run 25.

Model aerodynamic test results for two variable cycle engine coannular exhaust systems at simulated takeoff and cruise conditions. [Lewis 8 by 6-foot supersonic wind tunnel tests

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nelson, D. P.

1980-01-01

Wind tunnel tests were conducted to evaluate the aerodynamic performance of a coannular exhaust nozzle for a proposed variable stream control supersonic propulsion system. Tests were conducted with two simulated configurations differing primarily in the fan duct flowpaths: a short flap mechanism for fan stream control with an isentropic contoured flow splitter, and an iris fan nozzle with a conical flow splitter. Both designs feature a translating primary plug and an auxiliary inlet ejector. Tests were conducted at takeoff and simulated cruise conditions. Data were acquired at Mach numbers of 0, 0.36, 0.9, and 2.0 for a wide range of nozzle operating conditions. At simulated supersonic cruise, both configurations demonstrated good performance, comparable to levels assumed in earlier advanced supersonic propulsion studies. However, at subsonic cruise, both configurations exhibited performance that was 6 to 7.5 percent less than the study assumptions. At take off conditions, the iris configuration performance approached the assumed levels, while the short flap design was 4 to 6 percent less.

A spectral method determination of the first critical Rayleigh number for a low-Prandtl number crystal melt in a cylindrical container

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dietz, C. M., Jr.; Diplas, P.

1993-01-01

The onset of laminar axisymmetric Rayleigh-Benard convection is investigated for a low-Prandtl number liquid metal in a cylindrical container. All surfaces are considered to be solid and no-slip. Two separate cases are examined for the thermal boundary conditions at the side wall, one with conducting and the other with insulated surface. The governing Boussinesq system is first perturbed and then simplified by introducing a Stokes stream function. Subsequently, a Chebyshev Galerkin spectral model is employed to reduce the simplified system to a system of first-order nonlinear ordinary differential equations. A local stability analysis determines the two values of the first critical Rayleigh number, Ra(sub cl), for the insulated and conducting side walls. As expected, the conducting Ra(sub cl) value of 2882.5 obtained from the present approach exceeded the corresponding insulated Ra(sub cl) value of 2331.6. For the insulated case, an earlier study using a different numerical approach suggests that Ra(sub cl) = 2261.9, while an experimental study measured Ra(sub cl) = 2700.

Fluorescence in situ detection of human cutaneous melanoma: study of diagnostic parameters of the method.

PubMed

Chwirot, B W; Chwirot, S; Sypniewska, N; Michniewicz, Z; Redzinski, J; Kurzawski, G; Ruka, W

2001-12-01

Multicenter study of the diagnostic parameters was conducted by three groups in Poland to determine if in situ fluorescence detection of human cutaneous melanoma based on digital imaging of spectrally resolved autofluorescence can be used as a tool for a preliminary selection of patients at increased risk of the disease. Fluorescence examinations were performed for 7228 pigmented lesions in 4079 subjects. Histopathologic examinations showed 56 cases of melanoma. A sensitivity of fluorescence detection of melanoma was 82.7% in agreement with 82.5% found in earlier work. Using as a reference only the results of histopathologic examinations obtained for 568 cases we found a specificity of 59.9% and a positive predictive value of 17.5% (melanomas versus all pigmented lesions) or 24% (melanomas versus common and dysplastic naevi). The specificity and positive predictive value found in this work are significantly lower than reported earlier but still comparable with those reported for typical screening programs. In conclusion, the fluorescence method of in situ detection of melanoma can be used in screening large populations of patients for a selection of patients who should be examined by specialists.

Determinants of breast-feeding patterns in an urban society of India.

PubMed

Nath, D C; Goswami, G

1997-08-01

Breast feeding is the focus of rapidly growing interest in many areas of demographic research. However, relatively few rigorous studies on breast-feeding patterns and correlates in contemporary India have been published. This study uses data from a retrospective survey conducted in 1991-1992 to investigate current breast-feeding patterns and to identify the key factors that influence the duration of exclusive breast feeding and infant's age at the time of weaning in an urban Hindu society of the northeast Indian state of Assam. Applying life table procedures and a hazards regression model, we found evidence that the median duration of exclusive breast feeding and infant's age at the time of weaning were negatively associated with mother's education, per capita income, and social status of the household. Those infants who were breast-fed longer at night than in the daytime were also at greater risk of earlier introduction of non-breast-milk foods and of earlier termination of breast feeding than infants who were breast-fed longer during the day. Gender bias toward males in rearing infants prevails in this urban society, and male infants were found to have a significantly lower risk of early weaning than female infants.

Spoken language and everyday functioning in 5-year-old children using hearing aids or cochlear implants.

PubMed

Cupples, Linda; Ching, Teresa Yc; Button, Laura; Seeto, Mark; Zhang, Vicky; Whitfield, Jessica; Gunnourie, Miriam; Martin, Louise; Marnane, Vivienne

2017-09-12

This study investigated the factors influencing 5-year language, speech and everyday functioning of children with congenital hearing loss. Standardised tests including PLS-4, PPVT-4 and DEAP were directly administered to children. Parent reports on language (CDI) and everyday functioning (PEACH) were collected. Regression analyses were conducted to examine the influence of a range of demographic variables on outcomes. Participants were 339 children enrolled in the Longitudinal Outcomes of Children with Hearing Impairment (LOCHI) study. Children's average receptive and expressive language scores were approximately 1 SD below the mean of typically developing children, and scores on speech production and everyday functioning were more than 1 SD below. Regression models accounted for 70-23% of variance in scores across different tests. Earlier CI switch-on and higher non-verbal ability were associated with better outcomes in most domains. Earlier HA fitting and use of oral communication were associated with better outcomes on directly administered language assessments. Severity of hearing loss and maternal education influenced outcomes of children with HAs. The presence of additional disabilities affected outcomes of children with CIs. The findings provide strong evidence for the benefits of early HA fitting and early CI for improving children's outcomes.

40 CFR 610.43 - Chassis dynamometer procedures.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

..., the following modifications will be employed: (i) No evaporative emission loss, as specified by 40 CFR... no earlier than 36 hours before the emission test. (iii) While the test fuel must meet the... specified in § 600.111. (c) Steady state tests. Constant speed, road load tests may be conducted to help...

40 CFR 610.43 - Chassis dynamometer procedures.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

..., the following modifications will be employed: (i) No evaporative emission loss, as specified by 40 CFR... no earlier than 36 hours before the emission test. (iii) While the test fuel must meet the... specified in § 600.111. (c) Steady state tests. Constant speed, road load tests may be conducted to help...

40 CFR 610.43 - Chassis dynamometer procedures.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

..., the following modifications will be employed: (i) No evaporative emission loss, as specified by 40 CFR... no earlier than 36 hours before the emission test. (iii) While the test fuel must meet the... specified in § 600.111. (c) Steady state tests. Constant speed, road load tests may be conducted to help...

40 CFR 610.43 - Chassis dynamometer procedures.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

..., the following modifications will be employed: (i) No evaporative emission loss, as specified by 40 CFR... no earlier than 36 hours before the emission test. (iii) While the test fuel must meet the... specified in § 600.111. (c) Steady state tests. Constant speed, road load tests may be conducted to help...

40 CFR 610.43 - Chassis dynamometer procedures.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

..., the following modifications will be employed: (i) No evaporative emission loss, as specified by 40 CFR... no earlier than 36 hours before the emission test. (iii) While the test fuel must meet the... specified in § 600.111. (c) Steady state tests. Constant speed, road load tests may be conducted to help...

Interactions among cultivation, weeds, and a bio-fungicide in organic Vidalia sweet onion

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Weed management in organic Vidalia® sweet onion (Allium cepa) is largely dependent on multiple cultivations with a tine weeder. Earlier research suggested cultivation with a tine weeder did not predispose onion bulbs to infection during storage. Trials were conducted from 2012 through 2014 near Ly...

Early harvest affects sugarcane ratooning ability in Louisiana

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The number of sugarcane processors in Louisiana has decreased over time forcing growers to begin the harvest season earlier for fear of complete cane loss at the end of the harvest period due to freezing temperatures during this period of late winter. Experiments were conducted to investigate effec...

A Survey of Registered Nurses in New York State.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

New York State Education Dept., Albany. Bureau of Postsecondary Research and Information Systems.

As part of the 1989 triennial registration of registered nurses (RNs) in New York State, a survey of professional, personal, and practice characteristics of nurses was conducted. Basic information from this survey is enhanced by information from earlier surveys to illustrate significant trends. Usable survey questionnaires were received from…

Modulation of Adrenal Steroidogenesis by Environmental Chemicals and the Impact on reproductive function.

EPA Science Inventory

This project was based upon outcomes from earlier work conducted under APM 465 to test the hypothesis that the chlorotriazine herbicide, atrazine (ATR), causes an increase in serum estrogens through an induction of aromatase (CYP19) gene expression. The current research has invol...

Cold Exposure Exacerbates the Development of Diabetic Polyneuropathy in the Rat

PubMed Central

Kasselman, Lora J.; Veves, Aristidis; Gibbons, Christopher H.; Rutkove, Seward B.

2009-01-01

Diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN) and cold-induced nerve injury share several pathogenic mechanisms. This study explores whether cold exposure contributes to the development of DPN. Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats and controls were exposed to a room temperature (23°C) or cold environment (10°C). H-reflex, tail and sciatic motor, and sensory nerve conduction studies were performed. Analyses of sural nerve, intraepidermal nerve fibers, and skin and nerve nitrotyrosine ELISAs were performed. Diabetic animals exposed to a cold environment had an increased H-reflex four weeks earlier than diabetic room temperature animals (P = .03). Cold-exposed diabetic animals also had greater reduction in motor conduction velocities at 20 weeks (P = .017), decreased skin nerve fiber density (P = .037), and increased skin nitrotyrosine levels (P = .047). Cold exposure appears to hasten the development of DPN in the rat STZ model of diabetes. These findings support that further study into the relationship between ambient temperature and DPN is warranted. PMID:20130819

Conducting Molecular Epidemiological Research in the Age of HIPAA: A Multi-Institutional Case-Control Study of Breast Cancer in African-American and European-American Women

PubMed Central

Ambrosone, Christine B.; Ciupak, Gregory L.; Bandera, Elisa V.; Jandorf, Lina; Bovbjerg, Dana H.; Zirpoli, Gary; Pawlish, Karen; Godbold, James; Furberg, Helena; Fatone, Anne; Valdimarsdottir, Heiddis; Yao, Song; Li, Yulin; Hwang, Helena; Davis, Warren; Roberts, Michelle; Sucheston, Lara; Demissie, Kitaw; Amend, Kandace L.; Tartter, Paul; Reilly, James; Pace, Benjamin W.; Rohan, Thomas; Sparano, Joseph; Raptis, George; Castaldi, Maria; Estabrook, Alison; Feldman, Sheldon; Weltz, Christina; Kemeny, Margaret

2009-01-01

Breast cancer in African-American (AA) women occurs at an earlier age than in European-American (EA) women and is more likely to have aggressive features associated with poorer prognosis, such as high-grade and negative estrogen receptor (ER) status. The mechanisms underlying these differences are unknown. To address this, we conducted a case-control study to evaluate risk factors for high-grade ER- disease in both AA and EA women. With the onset of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, creative measures were needed to adapt case ascertainment and contact procedures to this new environment of patient privacy. In this paper, we report on our approach to establishing a multicenter study of breast cancer in New York and New Jersey, provide preliminary distributions of demographic and pathologic characteristics among case and control participants by race, and contrast participation rates by approaches to case ascertainment, with discussion of strengths and weaknesses. PMID:19865486

Critical analysis of submerged membrane sequencing batch reactor operating conditions.

PubMed

McAdam, Ewan; Judd, Simon J; Gildemeister, René; Drews, Anja; Kraume, Matthias

2005-10-01

To evaluate the Submerged Membrane Sequencing Batch Reactor process, several short-term studies were conducted to define critical flux, membrane aeration and intermittent filtration operation. Critical flux trials indicated that as mixed liquor suspended solids increased in concentration so would the propensity for membrane fouling. Consequently in order to characterise the impact of biomass concentration increase (that develops during permeate withdrawal) upon submerged microfiltration operation, two longer term studies were conducted, one with a falling hydraulic head and another with a continuous hydraulic head (as in membrane bio-reactors). Trans membrane pressure data was used to predict the maximum possible operating periods at 10 and 62 days for the falling hydraulic head and continuous hydraulic head respectively. Further analysis revealed that falling hydraulic head operation would require 21% more aeration to maintain a consistent crossflow velocity than continuous operation and would rely on pumping for full permeate withdrawal 80% earlier. This study concluded that further optimisation would be required to make this technology technically and economically viable.

New secondary batteries utilizing electronically conductive polymer cathodes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Martin, Charles R.; White, Ralph E.

1989-01-01

The objectives of this project are to optimize the transport rates in electronically conductive polypyrrole films by controlling the morphology of the film and to assess the utility of these films as cathodes in a lithium/polypyrrole secondary battery. During this research period, progress has been made in improving the charge transport rate of the supermolecular-engineered polypyrrole electrode by eliminating the polypyrrole baselayer that hampered earlier work. Also, the fibril density of the polypyrrole electrode was increased, providing more electroactive sites per unit area.

Implementing a screening program for acromegaly in Latin America: necessity versus feasibility.

PubMed

Danilowicz, Karina; Fainstein Day, Patricia; Manavela, Marcos P; Herrera, Carlos Javier; Deheza, María Laura; Isaac, Gabriel; Juri, Ariel; Katz, Debora; Bruno, Oscar D

2016-08-01

Acromegaly is a rare disease with a large burden due its associated comorbidities and the life-long management required. Since the occurrence and severity of associated complications are related to length of exposure to the excess growth hormone seen in acromegaly, early diagnosis is imperative. The delay in diagnosis, however, can be long, and may be the result of a lack of disease awareness and screening programs. Since acromegaly is an uncommon disease, finding ways to increase recognition and diagnosis that would permit early detection in a logical and cost-effective manner could be a challenge. We conducted a retrospective literature review for information relating to the screening and diagnosis of acromegaly using PubMed. The aim was to assess whether an acromegaly-screening program in Latin America (and elsewhere) would be both of use and be feasible. An earlier diagnosis allows earlier initiation of treatment, such as surgery and/or drugs, which leads to more successful disease management (biochemical control) and better outcomes. Since the delay in diagnosis can be long, we believe that clear opportunities exist for earlier (and increased) detection of acromegaly. This can be achieved by increasing disease awareness for earlier recognition of symptoms and by using targeted screening (rather than mass screening) programs.

Epithelial conduction in hydromedusae.

PubMed

Mackie, G O; Passano, L M

1968-09-01

Sarsia, Euphysa, and other hydromedusae have been studied by electrophysiological techniques and are found to have nonnervous conducting epithelia resembling those described earlier for siphonophores. Simple, nonmuscular epithelia fire singly or repetitively following brief electrical stimuli. The pulses recorded with suction electrodes are biphasic, initially positive, and show amplitudes of 0.75-2.0 mv, durations of 5-15 msec, and velocities of 15-35 cm/sec with short refractory periods. In the swimming muscle (myoepithelium) 2.0-4.0 mv composite events lasting 150-300 msec are associated with contraction waves. Propagation in nonnervous epithelia is typically all-or-none, nondecremental, and unpolarized. The subumbrellar endoderm lamella conducts independently of the adjacent ectoderm. The lower regions of the tentacles do not show propagated epithelial events. The spread of excitation in conducting epithelia and associated effector responses are described. Examples are given of interaction between events seemingly conducted in the nervous system and those in nonnervous epithelia. Either system may excite the other. Spontaneous activity, however, appears to originate in the nervous system. Conduction in nonnervous tissues is unaffected by excess Mg(++) in concentrations suppressing presumed nervous activity, although this may not be a wholly adequate criterion for distinguishing components of the two systems. Evidence from old work by Romanes is considered in the light of these findings and the general significance of epithelial conduction is discussed.

FY 1993 report on aluminum-nitrate testing at the ETF

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

Goodman, M.D.D.; Wise, M.D.

1993-09-30

This report summarizes the progress of the Aluminum Nitrate Nonhydrate (ANN) testing program at the F/H-Area Effluent Treatment Facility (ETF) for Fiscal Year 1993. Three tests were conducted in the months of February, April, and September. The tests yielded data that validated earlier conclusions that the addition of ANN to non-routine feed has a positive effect on the performance of ETF`s submicron filtration unit. Performance was observed to increase from 30--309%, depending on the season. The data also supports SRTC`s earlier conclusion that an optimal aluminum concentration exists in the range of 30--40 ppm, and concentrations above this range beginmore » to retard filtration performance. A rudimentary mathematical model that would predict Stage 1 flux was also developed during FY93. The model allowed for a more concise comparison of filter test runs, as well as increase the efficiency of the testing program by allowing shorter test runs to be conducted. It is postulated that the model can be further optimized to include aluminum concentration and time of year as independent variables that determine Stage 1 flux. Such a model should unequivocally prove the merits of pretreating ETF`s wastewater with aluminum nitrate. To proceed with the development of the model, further testing is proposed with stringent control of the aluminum concentration in the feed. In order to account for seasonal effects, one test should be conducted each month for Fiscal Year 1994. High Level Waste Engineering requests permission to conduct these test runs according to the following schedule: conduct tests in even numbered months beginning with October with routine influent as it is collected from normal process sewer influents and conduct tests in odd numbered months beginning with November with non-routine feed from H-Retention Basin.« less

The ac and dc performance of polymeric insulating materials under accelerated aging in a fog chamber

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

Gorur, R.S.; Cherney, E.A.; Hackam, R.

1988-10-01

The paper presents the results of the dc performance of polymeric insulating materials in a fog chamber. The materials evaluated in fog produced from low (250 ..mu..S/cm) and high (1000 ..mu..S/cm) conductivity water include cylindrical rod samples of high temperature vulcanized (HTV) silicone rubber and ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber containing various amounts of either alumina trihydrate (ATH) or silica fillers, or both. Comparison is made of material performance obtained with ac which was reported in an earlier study. In both low and high conductivity fog, the time to failure with ac and +dc was very similar, but amore » reduction by a factor of about four was observed in the time to failure with -dc. For both ac and dc, silicone rubber performed better than EPDM samples in low conductivity fog, while the order of performance was reversed in high conductivity fog. A theoretical model to determine the effect of dry band discharges on material is presented. Good agreement of the predicted behavior of materials with the experimental findings is shown.« less

A Critical Evaluation of the Updated Evidence for Casting for Equinus Deformity in Children with Cerebral Palsy.

PubMed

Tustin, Kylee; Patel, Anita

2017-01-01

Equinus deformity is common in ambulant children with cerebral palsy (CP). Although lower leg casting is frequently used, the physiological basis for casting and effects beyond range of motion (ROM) gains are unclear. This review critically evaluates the updated evidence for casting in the management of ankle equinus in children with CP. Comprehensive searches were conducted using electronic databases AMED, MEDLINE, CINAHL, Scopus, PEDro and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, publication years 2005-2014, in order to identify literature published since an earlier comprehensive systematic review. Only studies evaluating lower leg casting for conservative management of equinus deformity in children with CP were considered. Two independent raters critically appraised studies against the hierarchy of levels of evidence and rigour of study conduct questions proposed by the American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine's methodology for systematic review. Four relevant systematic reviews were identified, although these largely concerned earlier literature. Five original studies were included, all demonstrating improvement in dorsiflexion ROM. Combined treatment with botulinum toxin and casting offered greater and/or more sustained ROM gains than botulinum toxin alone in three studies. Effects on gait parameters and motor function were inconsistent. Participation outcomes were not evaluated. Methodological limitations make firm conclusions difficult. Recent years have offered little progress in the state of evidence for casting in the management of equinus deformity. Casting appears to offer at least short-term improvement in ankle dorsiflexion, although the proposition that this improves function or avoids surgery is not well substantiated. Future research needs to ensure more robust study design and broader evaluation across domains of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health to determine the functional and long-term effect of casting for equinus deformity. Greater knowledge is required of the effect of casting on muscle structure and function in spastic CP. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Childhood hair product use and earlier age at menarche in a racially diverse study population: a pilot study.

PubMed

James-Todd, Tamarra; Terry, Mary Beth; Rich-Edwards, Janet; Deierlein, Andrea; Senie, Ruby

2011-06-01

Previous studies suggest that hair products containing endocrine disrupting chemicals could alter puberty. We evaluated the association between childhood hair product use and age at menarche in a racially diverse study population. We recruited 300 African-American, African-Caribbean, Hispanic, and white women from the New York City metropolitan area who were between 18-77 years of age. Data were collected retrospectively on hair oil, lotion, leave-in conditioner, perm, and other types of hair products used before age 13. Recalled age at menarche ranged from 8 to 19 years. We used multivariable binomial regression to evaluate the association between hair product use and age at menarche (<12 vs. ≥12), adjusting for potential confounders. African-Americans were more likely to use hair products and reached menarche earlier than other racial/ethnic groups. Women reporting childhood hair oil use had a risk ratio of 1.4 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.1-1.9) for earlier menarche, adjusting for race/ethnicity and year of birth. Hair perm users had an increased risk for earlier menarche (adjusted risk ratio = 1.4, 95% CI: 1.1-1.8). Other types of hair products assessed in this study were not associated with earlier menarche. Childhood hair oil and perm use were associated with earlier menarche. If replicated, these results suggest that hair product use may be important to measure in evaluating earlier age at menarche. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Defect engineering of the electronic transport through cuprous oxide interlayers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fadlallah, Mohamed M.; Eckern, Ulrich; Schwingenschlögl, Udo

2016-06-01

The electronic transport through Au-(Cu2O)n-Au junctions is investigated using first-principles calculations and the nonequilibrium Green’s function method. The effect of varying the thickness (i.e., n) is studied as well as that of point defects and anion substitution. For all Cu2O thicknesses the conductance is more enhanced by bulk-like (in contrast to near-interface) defects, with the exception of O vacancies and Cl substitutional defects. A similar transmission behavior results from Cu deficiency and N substitution, as well as from Cl substitution and N interstitials for thick Cu2O junctions. In agreement with recent experimental observations, it is found that N and Cl doping enhances the conductance. A Frenkel defect, i.e., a superposition of an O interstitial and O substitutional defect, leads to a remarkably high conductance. From the analysis of the defect formation energies, Cu vacancies are found to be particularly stable, in agreement with earlier experimental and theoretical work.

simulation of the DNA force-extension curve

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shinaberry, Gregory; Mikhaylov, Ivan; Balaeff, Alexander

A molecular dynamics simulation study of the force-extension curve of double-stranded DNA is presented. Extended simulations of the DNA at multiple points along the force-extension curve are conducted with DNA end-to-end length constrained at each point. The calculated force-extension curve qualitatively reproduces the experimental one. The DNA conformational ensemble at each extension shows that the famous plateau of the force-extension curve results from B-DNA melting, whereas the formation of the earlier-predicted novel DNA conformation called 'zip-DNA' takes place at extensions past the plateau. An extensive analysis of the DNA conformational ensemble in terms of base configuration, backbone configuration, solvent interaction energy, etc., is conducted in order to elucidate the physical origin of DNA elasticity and the main interactions responsible for the shape of the force-extension curve.

Hydraphiles enhance antimicrobial potency against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Bacillus subtilis.

PubMed

Patel, Mohit B; Garrad, Evan C; Stavri, Ariel; Gokel, Michael R; Negin, Saeedeh; Meisel, Joseph W; Cusumano, Zachary; Gokel, George W

2016-06-15

Hydraphiles are synthetic amphiphiles that form ion-conducting pores in liposomal membranes. These pores exhibit open-close behavior when studied by planar bilayer conductance techniques. In previous work, we showed that when co-administered with various antibiotics to the DH5α strain of Escherichia coli, they enhanced the drug's potency. We report here potency enhancements at low concentrations of hydraphiles for the structurally and mechanistically unrelated antibiotics erythromycin, kanamycin, rifampicin, and tetracycline against Gram negative E. coli (DH5α and K-12) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, as well as Gram positive Bacillus subtilis. Earlier work suggested that potency increases correlated to ion transport function. The data presented here comport with the function of hydraphiles to enhance membrane permeability in addition to, or instead of, their known function as ion conductors. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Conformational analysis of compstatin analogues with molecular dynamics simulations in explicit water.

PubMed

Tamamis, Phanourios; Skourtis, Spiros S; Morikis, Dimitrios; Lambris, John D; Archontis, Georgios

2007-09-01

The cyclic 13-residue peptide compstatin is a potential therapeutic agent against the unregulated activation of the complement system. A thorough knowledge of its structural and dynamical properties in solution may assist the design of improved complement inhibitors. NMR studies have suggested that the 5-8 segment of free compstatin folds into a critical for activity 5-8 beta turn and the rest of the peptide is mainly disordered. Earlier computational studies of compstatin analogues with a polar-hydrogen/generalized-Born approximation reproduced the 5-8 turn, but also indicated the formation of beta-hairpin or alpha-helical elements and the existence of interactions between certain charged or aromatic sidechains. However, these features are absent or partly present in the NMR spectra, due to extensive conformational averaging. In order to check the compstatin properties with a more rigorous model of the intra- and intermolecular interactions, we conduct here 98-ns all-atom/explicit-water simulations of three compstatin analogues with variable activity; a native analogue, the more active mutant V4W/H9A and the inactive mutant Q5G. The 5-8 beta-turn population is in good accord with NMR. For the systems studied here, the simulations suggest that the 5-8 turn population does not correlate strictly with activity, in agreement with earlier mutational studies. Furthermore, they show structural differences among the analogues outside the 5-8 region. The possible role of these differences in activity is discussed. The probability of beta-hairpin or alpha-helix elements is much smaller with respect to the polar-hydrogen/GB simulations, and the persistent Trp4-Trp7 or Asp6-Arg11 sidechain interactions of the earlier GB studies are not reproduced. The present simulations extend the NMR data and improve our understanding of the properties of compstatin and related analogues.

Clinical tests of an ultrasonic periodontal probe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hinders, Mark K.; Lynch, John E.; McCombs, Gayle B.

2002-05-01

A new ultrasonic periodontal probe has been developed that offers the potential for earlier detection of periodontal disease activity, non-invasive diagnosis, and greater reliability of measurement. A comparison study of the ultrasonic probe to both a manual probe, and a controlled-force probe was conducted to evaluate its clinical effectiveness. Twelve patients enrolled into this study. Two half-month examinations were conducted on each patient, scheduled one hour apart. A one-way analysis of variance was performed to compare the results for the three sets of probing depth measurements, followed by a repeated measures analysis to assess the reproducibility of the different probing techniques. These preliminary findings indicate that manual and ultrasonic probing measure different features of the pocket. Therefore, it is not obvious how the two depth measurements correspond to each other. However, both methods exhibited a similar tendency toward increasing pocket depths as Gingival Index scores increased. Based on the small sample size, further studies need to be conducted using a larger population of patients exhibiting a wider range of disease activity. In addition, studies that allow histological examination of the pocket after probing will help further evaluate the clinical effectiveness the ultrasonic probe. Future studies will also aid in the development of more effective automated feature recognition algorithms that convert the ultrasonic echoes into pocket depth readings.

Transactional Relations between Motivational Beliefs and Help Seeking from Teachers and Peers across Adolescence.

PubMed

Amemiya, Jamie; Wang, Ming-Te

2017-08-01

Adolescents often avoid seeking academic help when needed, making it important to understand the motivational processes that support help seeking behavior. Using expectancy-value theory as a framework, this study examined transactional relations between motivational beliefs (i.e., academic self-concept or academic importance) and seeking help from teachers and peers across adolescence (i.e., from approximately age 12 to 17 years). Data were collected from 1479 adolescents (49% female; 61.9% African American, 31.2% European American, 6.9% other race). Analyses were conducted with cross-lagged panel models using three waves of data from seventh, ninth, and eleventh grade. Results indicated that both academic self-concept and academic importance were associated with increases in teacher help seeking in earlier adolescence, but were associated only with increases in peer help seeking in later adolescence. Help-seeking behavior positively influenced motivational beliefs, with teacher help seeking increasing academic self-concept earlier in adolescence and peer help seeking increasing academic importance later in adolescence. These transactional relations differed by adolescents' prior achievement and racial background, but not by adolescents' gender.

78 FR 42999 - Financial Crimes Enforcement Network; Comment Request; Renewal Without Change-Administrative...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-07-18

...: Businesses or other for-profit and non-profit institutions. Frequency: N/A. An agency may not conduct or... made available for review as soon as possible but no earlier than five business days after the close of... international terrorism, and to implement counter-money laundering programs and compliance procedures.\\1...

Tracking Citations: A Science Detective Story

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chirkina, Galina V.; Grigorenko, Elena L.

2014-01-01

The earliest hypothesis concerning the phonetic-phonological roots of reading and writing learning disabilities is usually attributed to Boder in the U.S. literature. Yet by following a trail of references to work in psychology and education conducted some 30 years earlier in the USSR, we find the seeds of this idea already well established in the…

40 CFR 63.653 - Monitoring, recordkeeping, and implementation plan for emissions averaging.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... § 63.120 of subpart G; and (ii) For closed vent systems with control devices, conduct an initial design... different times, and/or in different submittals, later submittals may refer to earlier submittals instead of... controlled using a treatment process or series of treatment processes that achieves an emission reduction...

International Space Station (ISS) Plasma Contactor Unit (PCU) Utilization Plan Assessment Update

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hernandez-Pellerano, Amri; Iannello, Christopher J.; Wollack, Edward J.; Wright, Kenneth H.; Garrett, Henry B.; Ging, Andrew T.; Katz, Ira; Keith, R. Lloyd; Minow, Joseph I.; Willis, Emily M.;

Minimize emissions and improve efficacy with low permeability tarp and deep injection in soil fumigation

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Soil fumigation targets high pest control efficiency and low environmental impact. Earlier field data show that most fumigated treatments provided 100% kill for plant parasitic nematodes in the soil above 3 ft depth, but not below due to insufficient fumigant delivery. A fumigation trial was conduct...

Optical-to-optical interface device

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jacobson, A. D.; Bleha, W. P.; Miller, L.; Grinberg, J.; Fraas, L.; Margerum, D.

1975-01-01

An investigation was conducted to develop an optical-to-optical interface device capable of performing real-time incoherent-to-incoherent optical image conversion. The photoactivated liquid crystal light valve developed earlier represented a prototype liquid crystal light valve device capable of performing these functions. A device was developed which had high performance and extended lifetime.

76 FR 18383 - Extension of Sunset Date for Attorney Advisor Program

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-04-04

... rule. SUMMARY: We are extending for 2 years our rule authorizing attorney advisors to conduct certain prehearing procedures and to issue fully favorable decisions. The current rule will expire on August 10, 2011... would end on August 10, 2009, unless we decided either to terminate the rule earlier or to extend it...

Laminar-flow flight experiments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wagner, Richard D.; Maddalon, Dal V.; Bartlett, D. W.; Collier, F. S., Jr.; Braslow, A. L.

1989-01-01

The flight testing conducted over the past 10 years in the NASA laminar-flow control (LFC) will be reviewed. The LFC program was directed towards the most challenging technology application, the high supersonic speed transport. To place these recent experiences in perspective, earlier important flight tests will first be reviewed to recall the lessons learned at that time.

Evaluating Programs for Strengthening Teaching and Leadership

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Teacher Incentive Fund, US Department of Education, 2016

2016-01-01

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) expects all Teacher Incentive Fund (TIF) grantees to conduct an evaluation of their programs. Experience with earlier rounds of TIF grants has shown that evaluations can provide valuable information for managing and improving TIF-supported activities, as well as evidence that these activities have had a…

Speaking English in Finnish Content-Based Classrooms

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nikula, Tarja

2007-01-01

CLIL (Content and Language Integrated Learning) is a term widely used in Europe to refer to different forms of content based education, often conducted in English. Earlier research on CLIL has tended to focus on matters of language learning or content mastery rather than on details of classroom interaction. This paper investigates how English is…

Task Analysis: A Systematic Approach to Designing New Careers Programs.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jackson, Vivian C.

This guide presents the primary approaches, tools, and techniques utilized by the New Careers Training Laboratory (NCTL) staff to provide skills in training and to conduct agency task analyses. Much of the technical information has been taken from an earlier NCTL publication by Tita Beal, "A New Careers Guide for Career Development…

Exploring Classroom Assessment Practices: The Case of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Inbar-Lourie, Ofra; Donitsa-Schmidt, Smadar

2009-01-01

The research investigated the factors which underlie the perceptions and usage of alternative assessment procedures among EFL teachers in Israel. The research was conducted within the framework of an earlier model by Hargreaves and colleagues comprising four perspectives--technological, cultural, political and postmodern--to account for teachers'…

Dyadic Interaction in Creative Thinking and Problem Solving.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Torrance, E. Paul

The author reviews the research conducted on dyadic interaction and its role in the development of creative thinking and problem solving. Earlier research has shown that children at a certain stage prefer to work alone rather than with other children. However, empirical data have shown on the whole that dyadic interactions result in better…

Safeguards Technology Strategic Planning Pentachart

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

Carroll, C. J.

Builds on earlier strategic planning workshops conducted for SGIT, SGTS, and SGCP. Many of recommendations from these workshops have been successfully implemented at the IAEA. Provide a context for evaluating new approaches for anticipated safeguards challenges of the future. Approach used by government and military to plan for an uncertain future. Uses consensus decision-making.

Radiographic evaluation of third molar development in 6- to 24-year-olds

PubMed Central

Jung, Yun-Hoa

2014-01-01

Purpose This study investigated the developmental stages of third molars in relation to chronological age and compared third molar development according to location and gender. Materials and Methods A retrospective analysis of panoramic radiographs of 2490 patients aged between 6 and 24 years was conducted, and the developmental stages of the third molars were evaluated using the modified Demirjian's classification. The mean age, standard deviation, minimal and maximal age, and percentile distributions were recorded for each stage of development. A Mann-Whitney U test was performed to test the developmental differences in the third molars between the maxillary and mandibular arches and between genders. A linear regression analysis was used for assessing the correlation between the third molar development and chronological age. Results The developmental stages of the third molars were more advanced in the maxillary arch than the mandibular arch. Males reached the developmental stages earlier than females. The average age of the initial mineralization of the third molars was 8.57 years, and the average age at apex closure was 21.96 years. The mean age of crown completion was 14.52 and 15.04 years for the maxillary and the mandibular third molars, respectively. Conclusion The developmental stages of the third molars clearly showed a strong correlation with age. The third molars developed earlier in the upper arch than the lower arch; further, they developed earlier in males than in females. PMID:25279338

Association Analysis of Polymorphisms in TOMM40, CR1, PVRL2, SORL1, PICALM, and 14q32.13 Regions in Colombian Alzheimer Disease Patients.

PubMed

Ortega-Rojas, Jenny; Morales, Luis; Guerrero, Esneyder; Arboleda-Bustos, Carlos E; Mejia, Adriana; Forero, Diego; Lopez, Luis; Pardo, Rodrigo; Arboleda, Gonzalo; Yunis, Juan; Arboleda, Humberto

2016-01-01

We evaluated the association of several single-nucleotide polymorphisms in different genes including APOE, TOMM40, CR1, PVRL2, SORL1, PICALM, and GWA_14q32.13 in a Colombian sample of Late-Onset Alzheimer disease (LOAD) patients. A case-control study was conducted in 362 individuals (181 LOADs and 181 controls) to determine the association of single-nucleotide polymorphisms in APOE (e2, e3, and e4), TOMM40 (rs2075650), CR1 (rs665640), PVRL2 (rs6859), SORL1 (rs11218304), PICALM (rs3851179), and GWA_14q32.13 (rs11622883) with LOAD in a sample from Colombia. We were able to confirm the previously reported association of the APOE4 allele with AD. In addition, we report a new significant association with rs2075650 of TOMM40 for LOAD in our sample. We did not detect any significant interaction between TOMM40 and APOE4 carriers (heterozygous or homozygous) for disease risk development. However, Kaplan-Meier survival analyses suggest that AD patients with TOMM40 allele rs2075650-G have an average age of disease onset of 6 years earlier compared with carriers of the A allele. In addition, the age of disease onset is earlier if APOE4/4 is present. Our findings suggest that rs2075650 of TOMM40 could be involved in earlier presentation of LOAD in the Colombian population.

Using CCT Diagrams to Optimize the Composition of an As-Rolled Dual-Phase Steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Coldren, A. Phillip; Eldis, George T.

1980-03-01

A continuous-cooling transformation (CCT) diagram study was conducted for the purpose of optimizing the composition of a Mn-Si-Cr-Mo as-rolled dual-phase (ARDP) steel. The individual effects of chromium, molybdenum, and silicon on the allowable cooling rates were determined. On the basis of the CCT diagram study and other available information, an optimum composition was selected. Data from recent mill trials at three steel companies, involving steels with compositions in or near the newly recommended range, are presented and compared with earlier mill trial data. The comparison shows that the optimized composition is highly effective in making the steel's properties more uniform and reproducible in the as-rolled condition.

Sexual behavior of unmarried Colombian university students: a follow-up.

PubMed

Alzate, H

1989-06-01

Since the mid-1970s, the author has conducted periodic surveys of the sexual behavior of the students of Caldas University, Manizales, Colombia. This study presents the results of the latest follow-up. It documents the accelerated convergence of male and female sexual behavior in a culture which, up to a few years ago, fully adhered to the double standard. The most striking change relates to the increase in the incidence of female premarital coitus, from 38.3% five years earlier to 64.6%, and perhaps 80% among those students who eventually marry. However, the study also shows that prostitution still plays an important role in the sexual lives of male students.

Visual ecology and potassium conductances of insect photoreceptors.

PubMed

Frolov, Roman; Immonen, Esa-Ville; Weckström, Matti

2016-04-01

Voltage-activated potassium channels (Kv channels) in the microvillar photoreceptors of arthropods are responsible for repolarization and regulation of photoreceptor signaling bandwidth. On the basis of analyzing Kv channels in dipteran flies, it was suggested that diurnal, rapidly flying insects predominantly express sustained K(+) conductances, whereas crepuscular and nocturnally active animals exhibit strongly inactivating Kv conductances. The latter was suggested to function for minimizing cellular energy consumption. In this study we further explore the evolutionary adaptations of the photoreceptor channelome to visual ecology and behavior by comparing K(+) conductances in 15 phylogenetically diverse insects, using patch-clamp recordings from dissociated ommatidia. We show that rapid diurnal flyers such as the blowfly (Calliphora vicina) and the honeybee (Apis mellifera) express relatively large noninactivating Kv conductances, conforming to the earlier hypothesis in Diptera. Nocturnal and/or slow-moving species do not in general exhibit stronger Kv conductance inactivation in the physiological membrane voltage range, but the photoreceptors in species that are known to rely more on vision behaviorally had higher densities of sustained Kv conductances than photoreceptors of less visually guided species. No statistically significant trends related to visual performance could be identified for the rapidly inactivating Kv conductances. Counterintuitively, strong negative correlations were observed between photoreceptor capacitance and specific membrane conductance for both sustained and inactivating fractions of Kv conductance, suggesting insignificant evolutionary pressure to offset negative effects of high capacitance on membrane filtering with increased conductance. Copyright © 2016 the American Physiological Society.

Measuring pilot workload in a motion base simulator. III - Synchronous secondary task

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kantowitz, Barry H.; Bortolussi, Michael R.; Hart, Sandra G.

1987-01-01

This experiment continues earlier research of Kantowitz et al. (1983) conducted in a GAT-1 motion-base trainer to evaluate choice-reaction secondary tasks as measures of pilot work load. The earlier work used an asynchronous secondary task presented every 22 sec regardless of flying performance. The present experiment uses a synchronous task presented only when a critical event occurred on the flying task. Both two- and four-choice visual secondary tasks were investigated. Analysis of primary flying-task results showed no decrement in error for altitude, indicating that the key assumption necessary for using a choice secondary task was satisfied. Reaction times showed significant differences between 'easy' and 'hard' flight scenarios as well as the ability to discriminate among flight tasks.

Utilities of gossip across organizational levels : Multilevel selection, free-riders, and teams.

PubMed

Kniffin, Kevin M; Wilson, David Sloan

2005-09-01

Gossip is a subject that has been studied by researchers from an array of disciplines with various foci and methods. We measured the content of language use by members of a competitive sports team across 18 months, integrating qualitative ethnographic methods with quantitative sampling and analysis. We hypothesized that the use of gossip will vary significantly depending on whether it is used for self-serving or group-serving purposes. Our results support a model of gossip derived from multilevel selection theory that expects gossip to serve group-beneficial rules when rewards are partitioned at the group level on a scale that permits mutual monitoring. We integrate our case study with earlier studies of gossip conducted by anthropologists, psychologists, and management researchers.

Early Initiation of Substance Use as an Indicator of Problematic Substance Use Among Young Men Who Have Sex with Men (YMSM).

PubMed

Kecojevic, Aleksandar; Basch, Corey H; Lankenau, Stephen E

2018-01-02

Much research has documented that young men who have sex with men (YMSM) are at higher risk for substance use-related problems. This study examined the age of substance use initiation and it's relationship to current substance use-related problems among substance-using YMSM. A cross-sectional survey of 191 YMSM (aged 18 to 29) with recent histories of prescription drug misuse was conducted in Philadelphia in 2012-13. Participants were surveyed about age of initiation of cigarette smoking, alcohol use to the point of intoxication, marijuana, prescription, and illicit drugs, and about alternate modes of prescription drug administration. The severity of participants' current substance use related problems was measured using the Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST-10). Mean age of initiation was 14.6 years for cigarette smoking, 15.3 years for alcohol use to the point of intoxication, 15.2 years for marijuana, 16.8 years for prescription drugs, and 17.9 years for illicit drugs. Use of 2 or more substances by the age of 15 was reported by 56% of the participants. Odds of substance-related problems were significantly greater among those who reported earlier initiation of alcohol, prescription drugs, or polysubstance use. Odds of prescription drug misuse via altered routes of administration were significantly greater among participants with earlier onset of alcohol, marijuana, prescription, illicit drugs, or polysubstance use. This study demonstrates that earlier initiation of substance use is associated with higher risk of substance-related problems among substance-using YMSM. Early interventions addressing substance use initiation could benefit this population.

Effects of anhydrous AlCl3 dopant on the structural, optical and electrical properties of PVA-PVP polymer composite films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shanmugam, G.; Krishnakumar, V.

2018-05-01

Polymer composite films based on PVA-PVP with AlCl3 as the dopant at different concentrations were prepared using solution casting technique. XRD patterns reveal the increase in amorphousity of the films with AlCl3 doping. Optical absorption studies exhibit that the values of optical absorption coefficient, direct and indirect optical band gaps are found to decrease with increase in AlCl3 concentration. It confirms the charge transfer in complexes between the polymer and the dopant. The dielectric studies show the increase in dielectric constant at low frequency with increasing AlCl3 concentration and temperature. The ac conductivity and ionic conductivity increase with the AlCl3 content and the maximum value at room temperature is found to be 6.89 × 10-4 and 8.05 × 10-5 S/cm for higher AlCl3 doped PVA-PVP film. The estimated ionic conductivity value is three or four orders of magnitude greater than those obtained in the certain representative polymer-salt complexes as reported earlier. Electrical modulus plots confirm the removal of electrode polarization and the low conductivity relaxation time with Al doping. The activation energy estimated from the temperature dependent dc conductivity plot is agreed well with the migration energy calculated from the temperature dependent electric modulus plot.

Determination of electrical properties of degraded mixed ionic conductors: Impedance studies with applied dc voltage

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bayer, T. J. M.; Carter, J. J.; Wang, Jian-Jun; Klein, Andreas; Chen, Long-Qing; Randall, C. A.

2017-12-01

Under electrical bias, mixed ionic conductors such as SrTiO3 are characterized by oxygen vacancy migration which leads to resistance degradation. The defect chemistry to describe the relationship between conductivity and oxygen vacancies is usually obtained by high temperature conductivity data or quenching experiments. These techniques can investigate the equilibrated state only. Here, we introduce a new approach using in-situ impedance studies with applied dc voltage to analyze the temperature dependent electrical properties of degraded SrTiO3 single crystals. This procedure is most beneficial since it includes electric field driven effects. The benefits of the approach are highlighted by comparing acceptor doped and undoped SrTiO3. This approach allows the determination of the temperature activation of both anodic and cathodic conductivity of Fe-doped SrTiO3 in the degraded state. The anodic activation energy matches well with the published results, while the activation energy of the degraded cathode region reported here is not in agreement with earlier assumptions. The specific discrepancies of the experimental data and the published defect chemistry are discussed, and a defect chemistry model that includes the strong temperature dependence of the electron conductivity in the cathode region is proposed.

Systematic review of interventions to improve prescribing.

PubMed

Ostini, Remo; Hegney, Desley; Jackson, Claire; Williamson, Margaret; Mackson, Judith M; Gurman, Karin; Hall, Wayne; Tett, Susan E

2009-03-01

To update 2 comprehensive reviews of systematic reviews on prescribing interventions and identify the latest evidence about the effectiveness of the interventions. Systematic searches for English-language reports of experimental and quasi-experimental research were conducted in PubMed (1951-May 2007), EMBASE (1974-March 2008), International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (1970-March 2008), and 11 other bibliographic databases of medical, social science, and business research. Following an initial title screening process and after selecting 6 specific intervention categories (identified from the previous reviews) in community settings, 2 reviewers independently assessed abstracts and then full studies for relevance and quality and extracted relevant data using formal assessment and data extraction tools. Results were then methodically incorporated into the findings of the 2 earlier reviews of systematic reviews. DATA SELECTION AND SYNTHESIS: Twenty-nine of 26,314 articles reviewed were assessed to be of relevant, high-quality research. Audit and feedback, together with educational outreach visits, were the focus of the majority of recent, high-quality research into prescribing interventions. These interventions were also the most effective in improving prescribing practice. A smaller number of studies included a patient-mediated intervention; this intervention was not consistently effective. There is insufficient recent research into manual reminders to confidently update earlier reviews and there remains insufficient evidence to draw conclusions regarding the effectiveness of local consensus processes or multidisciplinary teams. Educational outreach as well as audit and feedback continue to dominate research into prescribing interventions. These 2 prescribing interventions also most consistently show positive results. Much less research is conducted into other types of interventions and there is still very little effort to systematically test why interventions do or do not work.

Conducting omega-3 clinical trials with cardiovascular outcomes: Proceedings of a workshop held at ISSFAL 2014.

PubMed

Rice, Harry B; Bernasconi, Aldo; Maki, Kevin C; Harris, William S; von Schacky, Clemens; Calder, Philip C

2016-04-01

In contrast to earlier long-chain (LC) omega-3 (i.e. EPA and DHA) investigations, some recent studies have not demonstrated significant effects of EPA and DHA on cardiovascular disease (CVD) outcomes. The neutral findings may have been due to experimental design issues, such as: maintenance on aggressive cardiovascular drug treatment overshadowing the benefits of LC omega-3s, high background LC omega-3 intake, too few subjects in the study, treatment duration too short, insufficient LC omega-3 dosage, increase in omega-6 fatty acid intake during the study, failure to assess the LC omega-3 status of the subjects prior to and during treatment and lack of clarity concerning which mechanisms were expected to produce benefits. At the 11th ISSFAL Congress, a workshop was held on conducting LC omega-3 clinical trials with cardiovascular outcomes, with the goal of gaining a better understanding concerning aspects of experimental design that should be considered when planning clinical studies related to EPA and DHA and potential cardiovascular benefits. Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of homicide recidivism and Schizophrenia

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background The aim of this study was to estimate the proportion of homicide recidivists among population studies of homicide offenders with schizophrenia. Methods Systematic review and meta-analysis of published studies of homicide associated with schizophrenia conducted in defined populations and indexed in Medline, PsychINFO, or Embase between January 1960 and November 2013. Published data was supplemented with unpublished data about recidivism obtained by personal communication from the authors of published studies of homicide and schizophrenia. Random effects meta-analysis was used to calculate a pooled estimate of the proportion of homicide recidivists. Results Three studies reported that 4.3%, 4.5%, and 10.7% of homicide offenders with schizophrenia had committed an earlier homicide. Unpublished data were obtained from the authors of 11 studies of homicide in schizophrenia published in English between 1980 and 2013. The authors of 2 studies reported a single case of homicide recidivism and the authors of 9 studies reported no cases. The rates of homicide recidivism between studies were highly heterogeneous (I-square = 79). The pooled estimate of the proportion of homicide offenders with schizophrenia who had committed an earlier homicide was 2.3% (95% CI (Confidence Interval) 0.07% to 7.2%), a figure that was not reported in any individual study. The pooled proportion of homicide recidivists from published reports was more than ten times greater (8.6%, 95% CI 5.7%-12.9%) than the pooled proportion of homicide recidivists estimated from data provided by personal communication (0.06%, 95% CI 0.02% to 1.8%). Conclusions In most jurisdictions, homicide recidivism by people with schizophrenia is less common than published reports have suggested. The reasons for the variation in the rates of homicide recidivism between studies are unclear, although in most jurisdictions long-term secure treatment and supervision after release appears to be effective in preventing homicide recidivism. A prospective study conducted in a large population or in multiple jurisdictions over a long period of time might result in a more accurate estimate the risk of a second homicide by a person with schizophrenia. PMID:24548381

Systematic review and meta-analysis of homicide recidivism and schizophrenia.

PubMed

Golenkov, Andrei; Nielssen, Olav; Large, Matthew

2014-02-18

The aim of this study was to estimate the proportion of homicide recidivists among population studies of homicide offenders with schizophrenia. Systematic review and meta-analysis of published studies of homicide associated with schizophrenia conducted in defined populations and indexed in Medline, PsychINFO, or Embase between January 1960 and November 2013. Published data was supplemented with unpublished data about recidivism obtained by personal communication from the authors of published studies of homicide and schizophrenia. Random effects meta-analysis was used to calculate a pooled estimate of the proportion of homicide recidivists. Three studies reported that 4.3%, 4.5%, and 10.7% of homicide offenders with schizophrenia had committed an earlier homicide. Unpublished data were obtained from the authors of 11 studies of homicide in schizophrenia published in English between 1980 and 2013. The authors of 2 studies reported a single case of homicide recidivism and the authors of 9 studies reported no cases. The rates of homicide recidivism between studies were highly heterogeneous (I-square = 79). The pooled estimate of the proportion of homicide offenders with schizophrenia who had committed an earlier homicide was 2.3% (95% CI (Confidence Interval) 0.07% to 7.2%), a figure that was not reported in any individual study. The pooled proportion of homicide recidivists from published reports was more than ten times greater (8.6%, 95% CI 5.7%-12.9%) than the pooled proportion of homicide recidivists estimated from data provided by personal communication (0.06%, 95% CI 0.02% to 1.8%). In most jurisdictions, homicide recidivism by people with schizophrenia is less common than published reports have suggested. The reasons for the variation in the rates of homicide recidivism between studies are unclear, although in most jurisdictions long-term secure treatment and supervision after release appears to be effective in preventing homicide recidivism. A prospective study conducted in a large population or in multiple jurisdictions over a long period of time might result in a more accurate estimate the risk of a second homicide by a person with schizophrenia.

Security risk assessment: applying the concepts of fuzzy logic.

PubMed

Bajpai, Shailendra; Sachdeva, Anish; Gupta, J P

2010-01-15

Chemical process industries (CPI) handling hazardous chemicals in bulk can be attractive targets for deliberate adversarial actions by terrorists, criminals and disgruntled employees. It is therefore imperative to have comprehensive security risk management programme including effective security risk assessment techniques. In an earlier work, it has been shown that security risk assessment can be done by conducting threat and vulnerability analysis or by developing Security Risk Factor Table (SRFT). HAZOP type vulnerability assessment sheets can be developed that are scenario based. In SRFT model, important security risk bearing factors such as location, ownership, visibility, inventory, etc., have been used. In this paper, the earlier developed SRFT model has been modified using the concepts of fuzzy logic. In the modified SRFT model, two linguistic fuzzy scales (three-point and four-point) are devised based on trapezoidal fuzzy numbers. Human subjectivity of different experts associated with previous SRFT model is tackled by mapping their scores to the newly devised fuzzy scale. Finally, the fuzzy score thus obtained is defuzzyfied to get the results. A test case of a refinery is used to explain the method and compared with the earlier work.

Mean reversion in the current account of forty-eight african countries: Evidence from the Panel SURADF test

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chu, Hsiao-Ping; Chang, Tsangyao; Chang, Hsu-Ling; Su, Chi-Wei; Yuan, Young

2007-10-01

Here, the Panel seemingly unrelated regressions augmented Dickey-Fuller test (SURADF) test, first introduced and advanced by Breuer et al. [Misleading inferences from panel unit-root tests with an illustration from purchasing power parity, Rev. Int. Econ. 9(3) (2001) 482-493], is used to investigate the mean-reverting behavior of the current account of 48 African countries during the 1980-2004 periods. The empirical results from numerous panel-based unit root tests, conducted earlier, indicated that the current account of each of these countries is stationary; however, when Breuer et al.'s (2001) Panel SURADF test is conducted, it is found that a unit root exists in the current account of 11 of the countries studied. These results have one extremely important policy implication for the 48 African countries studied: the current account deficit of most is sustainable, and thus signifying that those nations should have no incentive to default on their international debt.

Mortality Salience, System Justification, and Candidate Evaluations in the 2012 U.S. Presidential Election.

PubMed

Sterling, Joanna; Jost, John T; Shrout, Patrick E

2016-01-01

Experiments conducted during the 2004 and 2008 U.S. presidential elections suggested that mortality salience primes increased support for President George W. Bush and Senator John McCain, respectively. Some interpreted these results as reflecting "conservative shift" following exposure to threat, whereas others emphasized preferences for "charismatic" leadership following exposure to death primes. To assess both hypotheses in the context of a new election cycle featuring a liberal incumbent who was considered to be charismatic, we conducted four experiments shortly before the 2012 election involving President Barack Obama and Governor Mitt Romney. Contrary to earlier studies, there was little evidence that mortality salience, either by itself or in interaction with political orientation, affected overall candidate ratings or voting intentions. However, a significant interaction between mortality salience and system justification in some studies indicated a more circumscribed effect. The failure to "replicate" previous results in the context of this election may be attributable to disagreement among participants as to which of the candidates better represented the societal status quo.

Additional EIPC Study Analysis. Final Report

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

Hadley, Stanton W; Gotham, Douglas J.; Luciani, Ralph L.

Between 2010 and 2012 the Eastern Interconnection Planning Collaborative (EIPC) conducted a major long-term resource and transmission study of the Eastern Interconnection (EI). With guidance from a Stakeholder Steering Committee (SSC) that included representatives from the Eastern Interconnection States Planning Council (EISPC) among others, the project was conducted in two phases. Phase 1 involved a long-term capacity expansion analysis that involved creation of eight major futures plus 72 sensitivities. Three scenarios were selected for more extensive transmission- focused evaluation in Phase 2. Five power flow analyses, nine production cost model runs (including six sensitivities), and three capital cost estimations weremore » developed during this second phase. The results from Phase 1 and 2 provided a wealth of data that could be examined further to address energy-related questions. A list of 14 topics was developed for further analysis. This paper brings together the earlier interim reports of the first 13 topics plus one additional topic into a single final report.« less

Single pilot IFR accident data analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Harris, D. F.; Morrisete, J. A.

1982-01-01

The aircraft accident data recorded and maintained by the National Transportation Safety Board for 1964 to 1979 were analyzed to determine what problems exist in the general aviation single pilot instrument flight rules environment. A previous study conducted in 1978 for the years 1964 to 1975 provided a basis for comparison. The purpose was to determine what changes, if any, have occurred in trends and cause-effect relationships reported in the earlier study. The increasing numbers have been tied to measures of activity to produce accident rates which in turn were analyzed in terms of change. Where anomalies or unusually high accident rates were encountered, further analysis was conducted to isolate pertinent patterns of cause factors and/or experience levels of involved pilots. The bulk of the effort addresses accidents in the landing phase of operations. A detailed analysis was performed on controlled/uncontrolled collisions and their unique attributes delineated. Estimates of day vs. night general aviation activity and accident rates were obtained.

KSC01pp0134

NASA Image and Video Library

2001-01-19

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space Shuttle Atlantis begins rolling back to the Vehicle Assembly Building on the crawler-transporter. In the VAB workers will conduct inspections, make continuity checks and conduct X-ray analysis on the 36 solid rocket booster cables located inside each booster’s system tunnel. An extensive evaluation of NASA’s SRB cable inventory revealed conductor damage in four (of about 200) cables on the shelf. Shuttle managers decided to prove the integrity of the system tunnel cables already on Atlantis before launching Jan. 19. The launch has been rescheduled no earlier than Feb. 6

KSC01padig015

NASA Image and Video Library

2001-01-19

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space Shuttle Atlantis begins moving back to the Vehicle Assembly Building where workers will conduct inspections, make continuity checks and conduct X-ray analysis on the 36 solid rocket booster cables located inside each booster’s system tunnel. An extensive evaluation of NASA’s SRB cable inventory revealed conductor damage in four (of about 200) cables on the shelf. Shuttle managers decided to prove the integrity of the system tunnel cables already on Atlantis before launching Jan. 19. The launch has been rescheduled no earlier than Feb. 6

Dirac quasiparticle tunneling in a NG/ferromagnetic barrier/SG graphene junction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Soodchomshom, Bumned; Tang, I.-Ming; Hoonsawat, Rassmidara

2009-07-01

We study the tunneling conductance in a spin dependent barrier NG/F B/SG graphene junction, where NG, F B and SG are normal graphene, gate ferromagnetic graphene barrier with thickness d and the graphene s-wave superconductor, respectively. In our work, the quasiparticle scattering process at the interfaces is based on quasi particles governed by the Dirac Bogoliubov-de Gennes equation with effective speed of light vF ∼ 10 6 m/s. The conductance of the junction is calculated based on Blonder-Tinkham-Klapwijk (BTK) formalism. The oscillatory conductance under varying gate potential and exchange energy in F B and the conductance induced by specular Andreev reflection are studied. By taking into account both effects of barrier strengths due to the gate potential χ∼Vd/ℏv and the exchange energy χ∼Ed/ℏv in the F B region, we find that the zero bias conductance of junction depends only on the ferromagnetic barrier strength χex in F B, when the Fermi energy in SG is very much larger than that the Fermi energy in NG ( EFS ≫ EFN). The oscillatory conductance peaks can be controlled by either varying χex or χG. In the limiting case, by setting Eex = 0, the conductance in a NG/N B/SG graphene junction, where SG is the s-wave superconductor, is also studied in order to compare with two earlier contradicted data. Our result agrees with what was obtained by Linder and Sudbo [J. Linder, A. Sudbo, Phys. Rev. B 77 (2008) 64507], which confirms the contradiction to what was given by Bhattacharjee and Sengupta [S. Bhattacharjee, K. Sengupta, Phys. Rev. Lett. 97 (2006) 217001].

Developing and Sustaining a Research Agenda in Special Education Teacher Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Maheady, Larry

2018-01-01

This article was developed from an earlier invitation to discuss what it was like to teach at a comprehensive arts and science college with a large teacher education program while also trying to conduct and publish applied research. Were there any particular tricks to getting things done that could be handed down to younger professionals working…

Pallet industry relying more on recovered wood material

Treesearch

J. Bejune; R. Bush; Philip A. Araman; B. Hansen; D. Cumbo

2002-01-01

This article is a research report titled, Wood Use Trends in the Pallet and Container Industry: 1992 - 1999, that was published by the authors earlier this year. The research was conducted by Virginia Tech in collaboration with the U.S. Forest Service Southern Research Station. Part one, published in the September, 2002 issue of Pallet Enterprise, summarized the...

DQC Comments on the Posted Recommendations Regarding Data Security and Privacy Protections

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Data Quality Campaign, 2010

2010-01-01

The U.S. Department of Education is conducting several activities to address privacy and security issues related to education data. Earlier this year a contractor for the Department convened a group of privacy and security experts and produced a report with recommendations to the Department on ways they can address emerging challenges in…

Age and Gender Characteristics of Adolescents' Attitudes toward Sports

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sobkin, V. S.; Abrosimova, Z. B.; Adamchuk, D. V.; Baranova, E. V.

2006-01-01

The data presented in this article were obtained in a questionnaire survey of 2,893 students in the seventh, ninth, and eleventh grades of general education schools in Moscow. The survey was conducted by the Center of Sociology of Education of the Russian Academy of Education in 2002. Earlier publications by the same authors dealing with materials…

Courtside: Unflagging Efforts

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zirkel, Perry A.

2004-01-01

In late October 2000, Franklin Scott and Nicholas Thomas, 11th-graders at a high school in Alachua County, Florida, each displayed a Confederate flag on campus. Scott did so on his pickup truck, and Thomas did so on his T-shirt. The principal, Lamar Simmons, had given each of them a warning when they had engaged in such conduct earlier in the…

School-Based Mental Health and Behavioral Programs for Low-Income, Urban Youth: A Systematic and Meta-Analytic Review

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Farahmand, Farahnaz K.; Grant, Kathryn E.; Polo, Antonio J.; Duffy, Sophia N.; Dubois, David L.

2011-01-01

A systematic and meta-analytic review was conducted of the effectiveness of school-based mental health and behavioral programs for low-income, urban youth. Applying criteria from an earlier systematic review (Rones & Hoagwood, 2000) of such programs for all populations indicated substantially fewer effective programs for low-income, urban…

Health effects of inhaled gasoline engine emissions.

PubMed

McDonald, Jacob D; Reed, Matthew D; Campen, Matthew J; Barrett, Edward G; Seagrave, JeanClare; Mauderly, Joe L

2007-01-01

Despite their prevalence in the environment, and the myriad studies that have shown associations between morbidity or mortality with proximity to roadways (proxy for motor vehicle exposures), relatively little is known about the toxicity of gasoline engine emissions (GEE). We review the studies conducted on GEE to date, and summarize the findings from each of these studies. While there have been several studies, most of the studies were conducted prior to 1980 and thus were not conducted with contemporary engines, fuels, and driving cycles. In addition, many of the biological assays conducted during those studies did not include many of the assays that are conducted on contemporary inhalation exposures to air pollutants, including cardiovascular responses and others. None of the exposures from these earlier studies were characterized at the level of detail that would be considered adequate today. A recent GEE study was conducted as part of the National Environmental Respiratory Center (www.nercenter.org). In this study several in-use mid-mileage General Motors (Chevrolet S-10) vehicles were purchased and utilized for inhalation exposures. An exposure protocol was developed where engines were operated with a repeating California Unified Driving Cycle with one cold start per day. Two separate engines were used to provide two cold starts over a 6-h inhalation period. The exposure atmospheres were characterized in detail, including detailed chemical and physical analysis of the gas, vapor, and particle phase. Multiple rodent biological models were studied, including general toxicity and inflammation (e.g., serum chemistry, lung lavage cell counts/differentials, cytokine/chemokine analysis, histopathology), asthma (adult and in utero exposures with pulmonary function and biochemical analysis), cardiovascular effects (biochemical and electrocardiograph changes in susceptible rodent models), and susceptibility to infection (Pseudomonas bacteria challenge). GEE resulted in significant biological effects for upregulation of MIP-2, clearance of Pseudomonas bacteria, development of allergic response after in utero exposure, and cardiovascular indicators of vasoconstriction, oxidant stress, and damage.

Epithelial Conduction in Hydromedusae

PubMed Central

Mackie, G. O.; Passano, L. M.

1968-01-01

Sarsia, Euphysa, and other hydromedusae have been studied by electrophysiological techniques and are found to have nonnervous conducting epithelia resembling those described earlier for siphonophores. Simple, nonmuscular epithelia fire singly or repetitively following brief electrical stimuli. The pulses recorded with suction electrodes are biphasic, initially positive, and show amplitudes of 0.75–2.0 mv, durations of 5–15 msec, and velocities of 15–35 cm/sec with short refractory periods. In the swimming muscle (myoepithelium) 2.0–4.0 mv composite events lasting 150–300 msec are associated with contraction waves. Propagation in nonnervous epithelia is typically all-or-none, nondecremental, and unpolarized. The subumbrellar endoderm lamella conducts independently of the adjacent ectoderm. The lower regions of the tentacles do not show propagated epithelial events. The spread of excitation in conducting epithelia and associated effector responses are described. Examples are given of interaction between events seemingly conducted in the nervous system and those in nonnervous epithelia. Either system may excite the other. Spontaneous activity, however, appears to originate in the nervous system. Conduction in nonnervous tissues is unaffected by excess Mg++ in concentrations suppressing presumed nervous activity, although this may not be a wholly adequate criterion for distinguishing components of the two systems. Evidence from old work by Romanes is considered in the light of these findings and the general significance of epithelial conduction is discussed. PMID:19873635

Epithelial Conduction in Hydromedusae

PubMed Central

Mackie, G. O.; Passano, L. M.

1968-01-01

Sarsia, Euphysa, and other hydromedusae have been studied by electrophysiological techniques and are found to have nonnervous conducting epithelia resembling those described earlier for siphonophores. Simple, non-muscular epithelia fire singly or repetitively following brief electrical stimuli. The pulses recorded with suction electrodes are biphasic, initially positive, and show amplitudes of 0.75–2.0 mv, durations of 5–15 msec, and velocities of 15–35 cm/sec with short refractory periods. In the swimming muscle (myoepithelium) 2.0–4.0 mv composite events lasting 150–300 msec are associated with contraction waves. Propagation in nonnervous epithelia is typically all-or-none, nondecremental, and unpolarized. The subumbrellar endoderm lamella conducts independently of the adjacent ectoderm. The lower regions of the tentacles do not show propagated epithelial events. The spread of excitation in conducting epithelia and associated effector responses are described. Examples are given of interaction between events seemingly conducted in the nervous system and those in nonnervous epithelia. Either system may excite the other. Spontaneous activity, however, appears to originate in the nervous system. Conduction in nonnervous tissues is unaffected by excess Mg++ in concentrations suppressing presumed nervous activity, although this may not be a wholly adequate criterion for distinguishing components of the two systems. Evidence from old work by Romanes is considered in the light of these findings and the general significance of epithelial conduction is discussed. PMID:4386662

Epithelial conduction in hydromedusae.

PubMed

Mackie, G O; Passano, L M

1968-10-01

Sarsia, Euphysa, and other hydromedusae have been studied by electrophysiological techniques and are found to have nonnervous conducting epithelia resembling those described earlier for siphonophores. Simple, non-muscular epithelia fire singly or repetitively following brief electrical stimuli. The pulses recorded with suction electrodes are biphasic, initially positive, and show amplitudes of 0.75-2.0 mv, durations of 5-15 msec, and velocities of 15-35 cm/sec with short refractory periods. In the swimming muscle (myoepithelium) 2.0-4.0 mv composite events lasting 150-300 msec are associated with contraction waves. Propagation in nonnervous epithelia is typically all-or-none, nondecremental, and unpolarized. The subumbrellar endoderm lamella conducts independently of the adjacent ectoderm. The lower regions of the tentacles do not show propagated epithelial events. The spread of excitation in conducting epithelia and associated effector responses are described. Examples are given of interaction between events seemingly conducted in the nervous system and those in nonnervous epithelia. Either system may excite the other. Spontaneous activity, however, appears to originate in the nervous system. Conduction in nonnervous tissues is unaffected by excess Mg(++) in concentrations suppressing presumed nervous activity, although this may not be a wholly adequate criterion for distinguishing components of the two systems. Evidence from old work by Romanes is considered in the light of these findings and the general significance of epithelial conduction is discussed.

Comparison of erector spinae and hamstring muscle activities and lumbar motion during standing knee flexion in subjects with and without lumbar extension rotation syndrome.

PubMed

Kim, Si-hyun; Kwon, Oh-yun; Park, Kyue-nam; Kim, Moon-Hwan

2013-12-01

The aim of this study was to compare the activity of the erector spinae (ES) and hamstring muscles and the amount and onset of lumbar motion during standing knee flexion between individuals with and without lumbar extension rotation syndrome. Sixteen subjects with lumbar extension rotation syndrome (10 males, 6 females) and 14 healthy subjects (8 males, 6 females) participated in this study. During the standing knee flexion, surface electromyography (EMG) was used to measure muscle activity, and surface EMG electrodes were attached to both the ES and hamstring (medial and lateral) muscles. A three-dimensional motion analysis system was used to measure kinematic data of the lumbar spine. An independent-t test was conducted for the statistical analysis. The group suffering from lumbar extension rotation syndrome exhibited asymmetric muscle activation of the ES and decreased hamstring activity. Additionally, the group with lumbar extension rotation syndrome showed greater and earlier lumbar extension and rotation during standing knee flexion compared to the control group. These data suggest that asymmetric ES muscle activation and a greater amount of and earlier lumbar motion in the sagittal and transverse plane during standing knee flexion may be an important factor contributing to low back pain. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Emerging and continuing trends in vaccine opposition website content.

PubMed

Bean, Sandra J

2011-02-24

Anti-vaccination websites appeal to persons searching the Internet for vaccine information that reinforces their predilection to avoid vaccination for themselves or their children. Few published studies have systematically examined these sites. The aim of this study was to employ content analysis as a useful tool for examining and comparing anti-vaccination websites for recurring and changing emphases in content, design, and credibility themes since earlier anti-vaccination website content analyses were conducted. Between February and May 2010, using a commonly available search engine followed by a deep web search, 25 websites that contained anti-vaccination content were reviewed and analyzed for 24 content, 14 design, and 13 credibility attributes. Although several content claims remained similar to earlier analyses, two new themes emerged: (1) the 2009 H1N1 epidemic threat was "manufactured," and (2) the increasing presence of so-called "expert" testimony in opposing vaccination. Anti-vaccination websites are constantly changing in response to the trends in public health and the success of vaccination. Monitoring the changes can permit public health workers to mount programs more quickly to counter the opposition arguments. Additionally, opposition claims commonly appeal to emotions whereas the supporting claims appeal to reason. Effective vaccine support may be better served by including more emotionally compelling content. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A measurement device for electromagnetic flow tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vauhkonen, M.; Hänninen, A.; Lehtikangas, O.

2018-01-01

Electromagnetic flow meters have succesfully been used in many industries to measure the mean flow velocity of conductive liquids. This technology works reliably in single phase flows with axisymmetric flow profiles but can be inaccurate with asymmetric flows, which are encountered, for example, in multiphase flows, pipe elbows and T-junctions. Some computational techniques and measurement devices with multiple excitation coils and measurement electrodes have recently been proposed to be used in cases of asymmetric flows. In earlier studies, we proposed a computational approach for electromagnetic flow tomography (EMFT) for estimating velocity fields utilizing several excitation coils and a set of measurement electrodes attached to the surface of the pipe. This approach has been shown to work well with simulated data but has not been tested extensively with real measurements. In this paper, an EMFT system with four excitation coils and 16 measurement electrodes is introduced. The system is capable of using both square wave and sinusoidal coil current excitations and all the coils can be excited individually, also enabling parallel excitations with multiple frequencies. The studies undertaken in the paper demonstrate that the proposed EMFT system, together with the earlier introduced velocity field reconstruction approach, is capable of producing reliable velocify field estimates in a laboratory environment with both axisymmetric and asymmetric single phase flows.

Conducting research interviews with bereaved family carers: when do we ask?

PubMed

Bentley, Brenda; O'Connor, Moira

2015-03-01

Interviews with bereaved family carers to examine the end-of-life experience of the deceased are important tools for palliative care researchers, but the ethics of approaching the bereaved when they are grieving and vulnerable is often debated. The aim of this study was to explore the insights of bereaved family carers about the most appropriate time to be involved in a research interview about the end of life and death of their family member. This qualitative study used a social constructionist framework. Twenty-two bereaved family carers of people with motor neurone disease (MND) and cancer were interviewed in Western Australia. Most family carers (86%) feel comfortable being interviewed about the death of their family member within the first 5 months of bereavement, with 43% reporting they could be interviewed within weeks after death. Family carers reported that recall would be better earlier in bereavement and felt it may be helpful to them to talk about their experiences earlier. They said bereaved people should be allowed to decide for themselves when to be involved in an interview. These findings indicate that interviews with the bereaved may be most fruitful for researchers and beneficial to family carers when they are allowed to make the choice about timing for themselves, beginning weeks after the death of their family member.

Subsurface imaging of an abandoned solid waste landfill site in Norman, Oklahoma

USGS Publications Warehouse

Zume, J.T.; Tarhule, A.; Christenson, S.

2006-01-01

Leachate plume emanating from an old unlined municipal landfill site near the city of Norman, Oklahoma, is discharging into the underlying alluvial aquifer. Subsurface imaging techniques, electrical resistivity tomography and electrical conductivity (EC) logging, were used on the site to detect and map the position of the leachate plume. Anomalous EC zones, delineated with the two methods, correlated with the occurrence of the plume detected by water chemistry analyses from multilevel monitoring wells. Specific conductance, a potential indicator of leachate contamination, ranged from 1861 to 7710 ??S/cm in contaminated zones and from 465 to 2180 ??S/cm in uncontaminated ground water. Results are in agreement with those from earlier studies that the leachate plume emerges from the landfill along preferential pathways. Additionally, there are indications that the leading edge of the plume has migrated, at least, 200 m away from the landfill in the direction of ground water flow. ?? 2006 National Ground Water Association.

Mechanical Degradation of Graphite/PVDF Composite Electrodes: A Model-Experimental Study

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

Takahashi, Kenji; Higa, Kenneth; Mair, Sunil

2015-12-11

Mechanical failure modes of a graphite/polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) composite electrode for lithium-ion batteries were investigated by combining realistic stress-stain tests and mathematical model predictions. Samples of PVDF mixed with conductive additive were prepared in a similar way to graphite electrodes and tested while submerged in electrolyte solution. Young's modulus and tensile strength values of wet samples were found to be approximately one-fifth and one-half of those measured for dry samples. Simulations of graphite particles surrounded by binder layers given the measured material property values suggest that the particles are unlikely to experience mechanical damage during cycling, but that the fatemore » of the surrounding composite of PVDF and conductive additive depends completely upon the conditions under which its mechanical properties were obtained. Simulations using realistic property values produced results that were consistent with earlier experimental observations.« less

Forced underwater laminar flows with active magnetohydrodynamic metamaterials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Culver, Dean; Urzhumov, Yaroslav

2017-12-01

Theory and practical implementations for wake-free propulsion systems are proposed and proven with computational fluid dynamic modeling. Introduced earlier, the concept of active hydrodynamic metamaterials is advanced by introducing magnetohydrodynamic metamaterials, structures with custom-designed volumetric distribution of Lorentz forces acting on a conducting fluid. Distributions of volume forces leading to wake-free, laminar flows are designed using multivariate optimization. Theoretical indications are presented that such flows can be sustained at arbitrarily high Reynolds numbers. Moreover, it is shown that in the limit Re ≫102 , a fixed volume force distribution may lead to a forced laminar flow across a wide range of Re numbers, without the need to reconfigure the force-generating metamaterial. Power requirements for such a device are studied as a function of the fluid conductivity. Implications to the design of distributed propulsion systems underwater and in space are discussed.

Alcohol enquiry by GPs - Understanding patients' perspectives: A qualitative study.

PubMed

Tam, Chun Wah Michael; Leong, Louis; Zwar, Nicholas; Hespe, Charlotte

2015-01-01

Patients' beliefs and attitudes toward receiving alcohol enquiry from general practitioners (GPs) are unclear. These need to be understood to implement pragmatic, early detection and brief intervention strategies. We purposively sampled 23 participants from respondents of an earlier survey conducted in a general practice clinic in Sydney, Australia. Semi-structured interviews were conducted between June and August 2014, recorded, transcribed and analysed using grounded theory method to develop an explanatory model. There were three factors that influenced patients' acceptability of alcohol enquiry by GPs: • perceived relevance of the alcohol enquiry dialogue to the consultation • approach and language used in the patient-doctor interaction • unease regarding the moral and stigmatising dimension of alcohol consumption. Patients are positive towards the role of GPs in health promotion, but nonetheless have reservations towards engaging in alcohol discussions. Setting the context for alcohol dialogue, linking it to patients' agendas, collaborative consultation styles and respecting patients' sensitivity may improve acceptability.

Variations in a university subject pool as a function of earlier or later participation and self-report: a replication and extension.

PubMed

Bernard, Larry C; Walsh, R Patricia

2002-10-01

The present study replicated and extended earlier research on temporal sampling effects in university subject pools. Data were obtained from 236 participants, 79 men and 157 women, in a university subject pool during a 15-wk. semester. Without knowing the purpose of the study, participants self-selected to participate earlier (Weeks 4 and 5; n = 105) or later (Weeks 14 and 15; n = 131). Three hypotheses were investigated: (1) that the personality patterns of earlier and later participants on the NEO Personality Inventory-Revised and the Personality Research Form differ significantly, with earlier participants scoring higher on the latter scales reflecting social responsibility and higher on former Conscientiousness and Neuroticism scales; (2) that there are similar significant differences between participants in the earlier and later groups compared to the male and female college normative samples for the two tests: and (3) that earlier participants will have higher actual Scholastic Assessment Test scores and Grade Point Averages. Also investigated was whether participants' foreknowledge that their actual Scholastic Assessment Test scores and Grade Point Averages would be obtained would affect their accuracy of self-report. In contrast to prior research, neither the first nor second hypothesis was supported by the current study; there do not appear to be consistent differences on personality variables. However, the third hypothesis was supported. Earlier participants had higher actual high school Grade Point Average, college Grade Point Average, and Scholastic Assessment Test Verbal scores. Foreknowledge that actual Scholastic Assessment Test scores and Grade Point Averages would be obtained did not affect the accuracy of self-report. In addition, later participants significantly over-reported their scores, and significantly more women than men and more first-year than senior-year subjects participated in the early group.

Workers in the VAB test SRB cables on STS-98 solid rocket boosters

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2001-01-01

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- United Space Alliance SRB technician Richard Bruns attaches a cable end cover to a cable pulled from the solid rocket booster on Space Shuttle Atlantis. The Shuttle was rolled back from Launch Pad 39A in order to conduct tests on the SRB cables. A prior extensive evaluation of NASA'''s SRB cable inventory on the shelf revealed conductor damage in four (of about 200) cables. Shuttle managers decided to prove the integrity of the system tunnel cables already on Atlantis before launching. Workers are conducting inspections, making continuity checks and conducting X-ray analysis on the cables. The launch has been rescheduled no earlier than Feb. 6.

The critical role of personality and organizational factors as determinants of reactions to restricted and stressful environments. [undersea habitats

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Helmreich, Robert L.

1987-01-01

Research into the impact of personality factors on groups in various settings is reviewed as an introduction to a brief discussion of personality and group behavior research needs relevant to the space program. Significant findings of some earlier research are summarized, and methodological problems are touched on. The study of intergroup and intragroup conflict in a stressful environment, as exemplified particularly by undersea habitats, is seen as being of consequence for long-term space missions. It is concluded that adequate research can only be conducted as an adjunct to data collection from operational stressful environments, and not from laboratory experiments.

Quantitation of heavy ion damage to the mammalian brain - Some preliminary findings

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cox, A. B.; Kraft, L. M.

1984-01-01

For several years, studies have been conducted regarding late effects of particulate radiations in mammalian tissues, taking into account the brains of rodents and lagomorphs. Recently, it has become feasible to quantify pathological damage and morpho-physiologic alterations accurately in large numbers of histological specimens. New investigative procedures make use of computer-assisted automated image analysis systems. Details regarding the employed methodology are discussed along with the results of the information. The radiations of high linear energy transfer (LET) cause apparently earlier and more dramatic shrinkage of olfactory glomeruli in exposed rabbit brains than comparable doses of Co-60 gamma photons.

Science and Supplies Launched to Space Station on This Week @NASA – November 17, 2017

NASA Image and Video Library

2017-11-17

An Orbital ATK Cygnus cargo spacecraft arrived at the International Space Station on Nov. 14, carrying about 7,400 pounds of supplies, and science and research materials. The Cygnus – named after late NASA astronaut Eugene Cernan – was launched two days earlier from our Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. Cygnus also carried several small satellites designed to conduct technology demonstrations of laser communication, research on the effects of microgravity on bacterial antibiotic resistance, and a variety of other studies. Also, Dream Chaser Free Flight Test, Mars 2020 Supersonic Parachute Test, and New “Gravity Assist” Podcast Debuts!

Project Towards No Drug Abuse (TND): Needs Assessment of a Social Service Referral Telephone Program for High Risk Youth

PubMed Central

SUSSMAN, STEVE; SKARA, SILVANA; PUMPUANG, PATCHAREEYA

2011-01-01

The purpose of this study was to conduct a needs assessment of a potential social service resource telephone program component among high risk youth who received the Project Towards No Drug Abuse (TND) classroom-based program (approximately 1 year earlier). Results supported youths’ overwhelming receptiveness of a social service referral program. The vast majority of respondents indicated a strong desire for resource and referral information on vocational, educational, recreational, transportation, and mental health and drug counseling. Further research is needed to investigate the effectiveness of the provision of social service resource information on drug use among emerging adults. PMID:18720266

Benchmarking reference services: step by step.

PubMed

Buchanan, H S; Marshall, J G

1996-01-01

This article is a companion to an introductory article on benchmarking published in an earlier issue of Medical Reference Services Quarterly. Librarians interested in benchmarking often ask the following questions: How do I determine what to benchmark; how do I form a benchmarking team; how do I identify benchmarking partners; what's the best way to collect and analyze benchmarking information; and what will I do with the data? Careful planning is a critical success factor of any benchmarking project, and these questions must be answered before embarking on a benchmarking study. This article summarizes the steps necessary to conduct benchmarking research. Relevant examples of each benchmarking step are provided.

Fate of napropamide herbicide in selected Malaysian soils.

PubMed

Sadegh-Zadeh, Fardin; Wahid, Samsuri A; Seh-Bardan, Bahi J; Othman, Radziah; Omar, Dzolkhifli

2012-01-01

This study was carried out to determine the sorption-desorption, degradation and leaching of napropamide in selected Malaysian soils. The sorption capacities of the selected Malaysian soils for napropamide were the following in descending order: Linau > Teringkap > Gunung Berinchang > Jambu > Rudua > Baging soil. The results indicate that napropamide degradation decreased with increasing soil sorption capacity. Napropamide was leached out earlier in the Baging soil than the other soils. Overall, the application of napropamide in the selected Malaysian soils would not pose a threat to the environment except in soil with low organic matter and clay content and high hydraulic conductivity, such as the Baging soil.

Atomic-level study of a thickness-dependent phase change in gold thin films heated by an ultrafast laser.

PubMed

Gan, Yong; Shi, Jixiang; Jiang, Shan

2012-08-20

An ultrafast laser-induced phase change in gold thin films with different thicknesses has been simulated by the method of coupling the two-temperature model and the molecular dynamics, including transient optical properties. Numerical results show that the decrease of film thickness leads to faster melting in the early nonequilibrium time and a larger melting depth. Moreover, earlier occurrence and a higher rate of resolidification are observed for the thicker film. Further analysis reveals that the mechanism for the thickness-dependent phase change in the films is the fast electron thermal conduction in the nonequilibrium state.

Functional trait values, not trait plasticity, drive the invasiveness of Rosa sp. in response to light availability.

PubMed

Murphy, Jennifer E; Burns, Jean H; Fougère-Danezan, Marie; Drenovsky, Rebecca E

2016-12-01

Functional trait plasticity in resource capture traits has been suggested as an underlying mechanism promoting invasive species establishment and spread. Earlier studies on this mechanism treat invasiveness as a discrete characteristic (i.e., invasive vs. noninvasive) and do not consider the potential impacts of evolutionary history. In the present study, we used a continuous measure of invasiveness and a phylogenetic framework to quantify the relationship between functional trait expression, plasticity, and invasiveness in Rosa. In a manipulative greenhouse experiment, we evaluated how light availability affects functional traits and their plasticity in Rosa sp. and the out-group species, Potentilla recta, which vary in their invasiveness. Across functional traits, we found no significant relationship between plasticity and invasiveness. However, more invasive roses demonstrated an ability to produce a more branched plant architecture, promoting optimal light capture. Invasiveness also was linked with lower photosynthetic and stomatal conductance rates, leading to increased water-use efficiency (WUE) in more invasive roses. Our results suggest that functional trait values, rather than plasticity, promote invasive rose success, counter to earlier predictions about the role of plasticity in invasiveness. Furthermore, our study indicates that invasive roses demonstrate key functional traits, such as increased WUE, to promote their success in the high-light, edge habitats they commonly invade. © 2016 Botanical Society of America.

Self-reported exposure to intimate partner violence among women and men in Sweden: results from a population-based survey

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background Few population-based studies assessing IPV among randomly selected women and men have been conducted in Sweden. Hence, the aim of the current study was to explore self-reported exposure, associated factors, social and behavioural consequences of and reasons given for using psychological, physical and sexual intimate partner violence (IPV) among women and men residing in Sweden. Methods Cross-sectional postal survey of women and men aged 18–65 years. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with exposure to IPV. Results Past-year IPV exposure rates were similar in women and men; however, earlier-in-life estimates were higher in women. Poor to moderate social support, growing up with domestic violence and being single, widowed or divorced were associated with exposure to all forms of IPV in men and women. Women and men tended to report different social consequences of IPV. Conclusions Our finding that women reported greater exposure to IPV earlier-in-life but not during the past year suggests the importance of taking this time frame into account when assessing gender differences in IPV. In-depth, qualitative studies that consider masculinities, femininities power and gender orders would be beneficial for extending and deepening our understanding of the gendered matter of IPV. PMID:24034631

Ignition and combustion of bulk metals at normal, elevated and reduced gravity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Branch, Melvyn C.; Daily, John W.; Abbud-Madrid, Angel

1995-01-01

Knowledge of the oxidation, ignition, and combustion of bulk metals is important for fire safety in the production, management, and utilization of liquid and gaseous oxygen for ground based and space applications. This proposal outlines studies in continuation of research initiated earlier under NASA support to investigate the ignition and combustion characteristics of bulk metals under varying gravity conditions. Metal ignition and combustion have not been studied previously under these conditions and the results are important not only for improved fire safety but also to increase knowledge of basic ignition and combustion mechanisms. The studies completed to date have led to the development of a clean and reproducible ignition source and diagnostic techniques for combustion measurements and have provided normal, elevated, and reduced gravity combustion data on a variety of different pure metals. The research conducted under this grant will use the apparatus and techniques developed earlier to continue the elevated and low gravity experiments, and to develop the overall modeling of the ignition and combustion process. Metal specimens are to be ignited using a xenon short-arc lamp and measurements are to be made of the ignition energy, surface temperature history, burning rates, spectroscopy of surface and gas products, and surface morphology and chemistry. Elevated gravity will be provided by the University of Colorado Geotechnical Centrifuge and microgravity will be obtained in NASA's DC-9 Reduced Gravity aircraft.

Determinants of Patient Delay in Seeking Diagnosis and Treatment among Moroccan Women with Cervical Cancer

PubMed Central

Hanchi, Zaki; Bekkali, Rachid; Ahid, Samir; Mesfioui, Abdelhalem

2016-01-01

Introduction. This study sought to investigate potential determinants of patient delay among Moroccan women with cervical cancer. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted from June 2014 to June 2015 at the National Institute of Oncology in Rabat. Data were collected using questionnaire among patients with cervical cancer locally advanced or metastatic (stages IIA–IVB). Medical records were abstracted to complete clinical information. An interval longer than 90 days between discovery of initial symptoms and presentation to a provider was defined as a patient delay. Results. Four hundred and one patients with cervical cancer enrolled in this study. The mean age was 52.4 years (SD = 11.5). 53.6% were illiterate. Abnormal vaginal bleeding was identified for 65.8% of patients. 60.1% were diagnosed at stages IIA-IIB. 55.4% were found having patient delay. The regression analyses showed the association between literacy (p < 0.001), distance of the place of the first consultation (p = 0.031), abnormal vaginal bleeding as an earlier symptom (p < 0.001), stage at diagnosis (p < 0.03), knowledge of symptoms (p < 0.001), knowledge of causes (p = 0.008), and practice of gynecological exam during the last three years (p = 0.018) and the patient delay. Conclusion. Educational messages should aim at increasing awareness of cervical cancer, assisting women in symptom recognition, and encouraging earlier presentation. PMID:27882055

CFTR mediates noradrenaline-induced ATP efflux from DRG neurons.

PubMed

Kanno, Takeshi; Nishizaki, Tomoyuki

2011-09-24

In our earlier study, noradrenaline (NA) stimulated ATP release from dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons as mediated via β(3) adrenoceptors linked to G(s) protein involving protein kinase A (PKA) activation, to cause allodynia. The present study was conducted to understand how ATP is released from DRG neurons. In an outside-out patch-clamp configuration from acutely dissociated rat DRG neurons, single-channel currents, sensitive to the P2X receptor inhibitor PPADS, were evoked by approaching the patch-electrode tip close to a neuron, indicating that ATP is released from DRG neurons, to activate P2X receptor. NA increased the frequency of the single-channel events, but such NA effect was not found for DRG neurons transfected with the siRNA to silence the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. In the immunocytochemical study using acutely dissociated rat DRG cells, CFTR was expressed in neurons alone, but not satellite cells, fibroblasts, or Schwann cells. It is concluded from these results that CFTR mediates NA-induced ATP efflux from DRG neurons as an ATP channel.

Elevated major ion concentrations inhibit larval mayfly growth and development.

PubMed

Johnson, Brent R; Weaver, Paul C; Nietch, Christopher T; Lazorchak, James M; Struewing, Katherine A; Funk, David H

2015-01-01

Anthropogenic disturbances, including those from developing energy resources, can alter stream chemistry significantly by elevating total dissolved solids. Field studies have indicated that mayflies (Order Ephemeroptera) are particularly sensitive to high total dissolved solids. In the present study, the authors measured 20-d growth and survivorship of larval Neocloeon triangulifer exposed to a gradient of brine salt (mixed NaCl and CaCl2 ) concentrations. Daily growth rates were reduced significantly in all salt concentrations above the control (363 µS cm(-1) ) and larvae in treatments with specific conductance >812 µS cm(-1) were in comparatively earlier developmental stages (instars) at the end of the experiment. Survivorship declined significantly when specific conductance was >1513 µS cm(-1) and the calculated 20-d 50% lethal concentration was 2866 µS cm(-1) . The present study's results provide strong experimental evidence that elevated ion concentrations similar to those observed in developing energy resources, such as oil and gas drilling or coal mining, can adversely affect sensitive aquatic insect species. © 2014 SETAC.

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

Tsuo, Y.S.; Deng, X.J.; Smith, E.B.

We have studied the rehydrogenation and post-hydrogenation of a-Si:H using a Kaufman ion beam source. The achievement of an air-mass-one (AM1), photo-to-dark conductivity ratio of 5.6 x 10/sup 5/ with a rehydrogenated a-Si:H sample was reported earlier (Y. S. Tsuo, E. B. Smith, and S. K. Deb, Appl. Phys. Lett. 51, 1436 (1987)). In this communication we report recent results of the rehydrogenation study and new results of a study of the post-hydrogenation of amorphous silicon deposited by glow discharge at 480 /sup 0/C. AM1 photo-to-dark conductivity ratios as high as 9.5 x 10/sup 6/ (with a photoconductivity of 8.6more » x 10/sup -6/ ..cap omega.. cm/sup -1/) and 1.1 x 10/sup 5/ (with a photoconductivity of 6.3 x 10/sup -6/ ..cap omega.. cm/sup -1/) have been obtained with a rehydrogenated sample and a post-hydrogenated sample, respectively. We also report the results of the hydrogen depth profile and photostability measurements of these samples.« less

Factors that Influence Body Image Representations of Black Muslim Women

PubMed Central

2008-01-01

Research on the body image perceptions of black women is limited. Although previous body image studies have explored the intersection between race and gender, the influence of religion has been neglected. Guided by a grounded theory framework, the focus of this investigation, conducted in Upstate New York, USA, was to examine the role of race and religion in the body image perceptions of 22 African-American Sunni Muslim women. Analysis of individual interviews revealed that, in contrast to using standard medical guidelines, participants’ views about their bodies were largely based on positive images of an earlier body size/shape, social and family expectations and contexts, cultural norms and values, and spirituality and religious beliefs. Although the body image perceptions of black Muslim women were similar to those expressed in previous body image studies with black women, participants expressed the importance of highlighting the spiritual versus physical self by adhering to religious guidelines regarding proper dress and appearance. These findings suggest that religion, race, and gender are all important factors to be considered when conducting body image studies with black women. PMID:18384923

An assessment of the impact of science experiences on the career choices of male and female biology students

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kahle, Jane Butler; Matyas, Marsha Lakes; Cho, Hee-Hyung

Earlier studies of gender differences in science courses and careers have identified three probable causes: numbers of mathematics courses, level of science achievement, and attitudes toward science. Recently, differential science experiences have been suggested as a factor contributing to the gender differences found in science interest and achievement. A study of science activities, both within and outside of school, has been conducted. Although both boys and girls report similar classroom experiences, boys more often than girls report extracurricular science activities. The findings suggest that equal experiences within science classrooms do not overcome the advantage that boys hold due to more extracurricular science activities. Increased experiences in science, however, have led to more positive attitudes toward science among the girls in this study.

Timing of maturation and predictors of Tanner stage transitions in boys enrolled in a contemporary British cohort.

PubMed

Monteilh, Carolyn; Kieszak, Stephanie; Flanders, W Dana; Maisonet, Mildred; Rubin, Carol; Holmes, Adrianne K; Heron, Jon; Golding, Jean; McGeehin, Michael A; Marcus, Michele

2011-01-01

This study describes the timing of puberty in 8- to 14-year-old boys enrolled in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) and identifies factors associated with earlier achievement of advanced pubic hair stages. Women were enrolled during pregnancy and their offspring were followed prospectively. We analysed self-reported pubic hair Tanner staging collected annually. We used survival models to estimate median age of attainment of pubic hair stage >1, stage >2 and stage >3 of pubic hair development. We also constructed multivariable logistic regression models to identify factors associated with earlier achievement of pubic hair stages. Approximately 5% of the boys reported Tanner pubic hair stage >1 at age 8; 99% of boys were at stage >1 by age 14. The estimated median ages of entry into stages of pubic hair development were 11.4 years [95% confidence interval (CI) 11.3, 11.4] for stage >1, 12.7 years [95% CI 12.7, 12.8] for stage >2 and 13.5 years [95% CI 13.5, 13.6] for stage >3. Predictors of younger age at Tanner stage >1 included low birthweight, younger maternal age at delivery and being taller at age 8. Associations were found between younger age at attainment of stage >2 and gestational diabetes and taller or heavier body size at age 8. Being taller or heavier at age 8 also predicted younger age at Tanner stage >3. The results give added support to the strong influence of pre-adolescent body size on male pubertal development; the tallest and heaviest boys at 8 years achieved each stage earlier and the shortest boys later. Age at attainment of pubic hair Tanner stages in the ALSPAC cohort are similar to ages reported in other European studies that were conducted during overlapping time periods. This cohort will continue to be followed for maturational information until age 17. © 2010 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Genetic anticipation in BRCA1/2 families after controlling for ascertainment bias and cohort effect

PubMed Central

Guindalini, Rodrigo Santa Cruz; Song, Andrew; Fackenthal, James D.; Olopade, Olufunmilayo I.; Huo, Dezheng

2016-01-01

Background Genetic anticipation, the earlier onset of disease in successive generations, has been reported in hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome (HBOC), but little is known about its underlying mechanisms. Ascertainment bias is a reason that has been suggested in previous studies. Likewise, cohort effect, which may be due to environmental factors, can be misinterpreted as genetic anticipation. Methods We conducted a review of pedigrees in 176 kindreds segregating deleterious mutations in BRCA1/2 genes who had at least two consecutive generations of the same cancer (breast or ovarian). Using mutation probabilities as analytical weights in weighted random-effect models, we calculated generational differences in age of onset of breast/ovarian cancer. Then we further controlled for ascertainment bias by excluding probands and adjusted for birth cohort effect in the anticipation models. Results The mean age of breast cancer for the probands’ generation was 41.9 years, which was 6.8 years and 9.8 years earlier than the parents’ and grandparents’ generations, respectively. The anticipation effect for breast cancer remained significant after excluding probands. There was a birth cohort effect: patients born in 1930s and 1940s had breast cancer 5.0 and 7.6 years earlier than patients born before 1920. The difference in breast cancer age of onset across generations was no longer significant after adjusting for birth cohort effect. Conclusions The observed anticipation effect was mainly driven by a decrease in age of onset across birth cohorts, underscoring the need for risk reducing interventions that target changing environmental/lifestyle factors in BRCA1/2 carriers. PMID:26992017

Evidence for two surface ruptures in the past 500 years on the San Andreas fault at Frazier Mountain, California

USGS Publications Warehouse

Lindvall, S.C.; Rockwell, T.K.; Dawson, T.E.; Helms, J.G.; Bowman, K.W.

2002-01-01

We conducted paleoseismic studies in a closed depression along the San Andreas fault on the north flank of Frazier Mountain near Frazier Park, California. We recognized two earthquake ruptures in our trench exposure and interpreted the most recent rupture, event 1, to represent the historical 1857 earthquake. We also exposed evidence of an earlier surface rupture, event 2, along an older group of faults that did not rerupture during event 1. Radiocarbon dating of the stratigraphy above and below the earlier event constrains its probable age to between A.D. 1460 and 1600. Because we documented continuous, unfaulted stratigraphy between the earlier event horizon and the youngest event horizon in the portion of the fault zone exposed, we infer event 2 to be the penultimate event. We observed no direct evidence of an 1812 earthquake in our exposures. However, we cannot preclude the presence of this event at our site due to limited age control in the upper part of the section and the possibility of other fault strands beyond the limits of our exposures. Based on overlapping age ranges, event 2 at Frazier Mountain may correlate with event B at the Bidart fan site in the Carrizo Plain to the northwest and events V and W4 at Pallett Creek and Wrightwood, respectively, to the southeast. If the events recognized at these multiple sites resulted from the same surface rupture, then it appears that the San Andreas fault has repeatedly failed in large ruptures similar in extent to 1857.

Indication and method of frozen section in vaginal radical trachelectomy.

PubMed

Chênevert, Jacinthe; Têtu, Bernard; Plante, Marie; Roy, Michel; Renaud, Marie-Claude; Grégoire, Jean; Grondin, Katherine; Dubé, Valérie

2009-09-01

Vaginal radical trachelectomy (VRT) is a fertility-sparing surgical technique used as an alternative to radical hysterectomy in early stage cervical carcinoma. With the advent of VRT, preoperative evaluation of the surgical margin has become imperative, because if the tumor is found within 5 mm of the endocervical margin, additional surgical resection is required. In a study published earlier from our center, we came to the conclusion that a frozen section should be conducted only when a cancerous lesion is grossly visible, and that it could be omitted in normal-looking specimens or VRT with nonspecific lesions. Since then, 53 VRT have been performed in our center, and frozen sections were conducted according to these recommendations. Fifteen VRT were grossly normal, 24 had a nonspecific lesion and 14 showed a grossly visible lesion. Final margins were satisfactory on all 15 grossly normal specimens. Of the 24 VRT with nonspecific lesions, 2 cases for which no frozen section was performed had unsatisfactory final margins (<5 mm). Of the 14 VRT with grossly visible lesions, 3 cases were inadequately evaluated by frozen section due to sampling errors, which led to unsatisfactory final margin assessment. These results confirm that a frozen section can be omitted on normal looking VRT specimens, but contrary to results published earlier, we recommend that a frozen section be performed on all VRT with nonspecific lesions. As for VRT with a grossly visible lesion, frozen section evaluation is still warranted, and we recommend increasing the sampling to improve the adequacy of frozen sections.

[Genetic, epidemiologic and clinical study of familial prostate cancer].

PubMed

Valéri, Antoine

2002-01-01

Prostate cancer (CaP) is the most frequent cancer among men over 50 and its frequency increases with age. It has become a significant public health problem due to the ageing population. Epidemiologists report familial aggregation in 15 to 25% of cases and inherited susceptibility with autosomal dominant or X-linked model in 5 to 10% of cases. Clinical and biological features of familial CaP remain controversial. To perform: (1) Genetic study of familial Cap (mapping of susceptibility genes), (2) epidemiologic study (prevalence, associated cancers in the genealogy, model of transmission), and clinical study of familial CaP. (I) conducting a nationwide family collection (ProGène study) with 2+ CaP we have performed a genomewide linkage analysis and identified a predisposing locus on 1q42.2-43 named PCaP (Predisposing to Cancer of the Prostate); (II) conducting a systematic genealogic analysis of 691 CaP followed up in 3 University departments of urology (Hospitals of Brest, Paris St Louis and Nancy) we have observed: (1) 14.2% of familial and 3.6% of hereditary CaP, (2) a higher risk of breast cancer in first degree relatives of probands (CaP+) in familial CaP than in sporadic CaP and in early onset CaP (< 55 years) when compared with late onset CaP ([dG]75 years), (3) an autosomal dominant model with brother-brother dependance), (4) the lack of specific clinical or biological feature (except for early onset) in hereditary CaP when compared with sporadic CaP. (1) The mapping of a susceptibility locus will permit the cloning of a predisposing gene on 1q42.2-43, offer the possibility of genetic screening in families at risk and permit genotype/phenotype correlation studies; (2) the transmission model will improve parameteric linkage studies; (3) the lack of distinct specific clinical patterns suggest diagnostic and follow up modalities for familial and hereditary CaP similar to sporadic cancer while encouraging early screening of families at risk, given the earlier onset (5 to 10 years earlier) observed.

Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2012. Current Population Reports P60-245

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

DeNavas-Walt, Carmen; Proctor, Bernadette D.; Smith, Jessica C.

2013-01-01

This report presents data on income, poverty, and health insurance coverage in the United States based on information collected in the 2013 and earlier Current Population Survey Annual Social and Economic Supplements (CPS ASEC) conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau. For most groups, the 2012 income, poverty, and health insurance estimates were not…

Sugarbeet Activities of the USDA-ARS East Lansing Conducted in Cooperation with Saginaw Valley Bean and Beet Farm during 2008

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Four evaluation plots were planted at the Michigan State University Saginaw Valley Bean and Beet Research Farm in 2008. Test 08BB01 was specifically designed to evaluate a number of non-traditional yield and physiological measures that had been suggested from earlier trials, in addition to the more ...

Patient with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome with intermittent pre-excitation under subarachnoid block for urological surgery

PubMed Central

Garg, Rakesh; Sinha, Renu; Nishad, PK

2011-01-01

Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome is one of the pre-excitation syndromes in which activation of an accessory atrioventricular (AV) conduction pathway leads to bypass the AV node and cause earlier ventricular activation than the normal pathway. We report a patient with intermittent WPW syndrome who repeatedly manifested pre-excitation after subarachnoid block. PMID:21712875

The defect and transport properties of acceptor doped TlBr: role of dopant exsolution and association.

PubMed

Bishop, Sean R; Tuller, Harry L; Ciampi, Guido; Higgins, William; Engel, Johanna; Churilov, Alexei; Shah, Kanai S

2012-08-07

The role of acceptor dopants (S and Se) in controlling the ionic conductivity of single crystal TlBr, grown by the vertical Bridgman method, was examined as a function of temperature with the aid of impedance spectroscopy. Several features in the conductivity were identified and related to acceptor dopant-Br vacancy association, acceptor dopant exsolution, and Br vacancy mobility. The corresponding enthalpies for these processes were extracted from the data and were found to be equal to H(a) = 0.42 ± 0.07 eV, H(sol) = 1.55 ± 0.18 eV and H(m,Br) = 0.31 ± 0.02 eV respectively, the latter consistent with earlier studies on donor doped and undoped TlBr. A long term conductivity decay in the extrinsic region, attributed to S or Se exsolution, was observed. The time constant associated with exsolution was found to be thermally activated with an activation energy of 0.47 ± 0.1 eV. Estimates for Se solubility at different temperatures are provided.

Generalization of the van der Pauw relationship derived from electrostatics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Weiss, Jonathan D.

2011-08-01

In an earlier paper, this author, along with two others Weiss et al. (2008) [1], demonstrated that the original van der Pauw relationship could be derived from three-dimensional electrostatics, as opposed to van der Pauw's use of conformal mapping. The earlier derivation was done for a conducting material of rectangular cross section with contacts placed at the corners. Presented here is a generalization of the previous work involving a square sample and a square array of electrodes that are not confined to the corners, since this measurement configuration could be a more convenient one. As in the previous work, the effects of non-zero sample thickness and contact size have been investigated. Buehler and Thurber derived a similar relationship using an infinite series of current images on a large and thin conducting sheet to satisfy the conditions at the boundary of the sample. The results presented here agree with theirs numerically, but analytic agreement could not be shown using any of the perused mathematical literature. By simply equating the two solutions, it appears that, as a byproduct of this work, a new mathematical relationship has been uncovered. Finally, the application of this methodology to the Hall Effect is discussed.

X-Ray Micro-CT Observations of Hydrate Pore Habit and Lattice Boltzmann Simulations on Permeability Evolution in Hydrate Bearing Sediments (HBS)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, X.; Espinoza, N.; Verma, R.; Prodanovic, M.

2017-12-01

We use X-ray micro-computed tomography (μCT) to observe xenon hydrate growth. During xenon hydrate formation in a single pore and a sandpack, we observe heterogeneous (patchy) hydrate distribution at both pore (10 μm) and core scales (10 cm). These results present similarities with earlier observations on naturally occurring and synthetic hydrate-bearing sediment (HBS). Based on image analyses of xenon hydrate in the single pore, we find that, under the quasi-isothermal condition, the xenon volumetric growth rate versus overpressurization curve fits an Arrhenius type equation. Using the μCT images of HBS, we are able to calculate the permeability of HBS using a lattice Boltzmann method. We find the reduced permeability versus hydrate saturation curve fits a simple Corey-type model as suggested by earlier studies. However, patchy distribution of hydrate does not permit a straightforward interpretation of the saturation exponent. This work provides fundamental observations of hydrate growth and pore habit in sediments and how hydrate habit affects the hydraulic conductivity of HBS. Further implications can be extended to the strength, seismic velocities and electrical properties of HBS.

Airway complications have a greater impact on the outcomes of living-donor lobar lung transplantation recipients than cadaveric lung transplantation recipients.

PubMed

Sugimoto, Seiichiro; Yamane, Masaomi; Otani, Shinji; Kurosaki, Takeshi; Okahara, Shuji; Hikasa, Yukiko; Toyooka, Shinichi; Kobayashi, Motomu; Oto, Takahiro

2018-04-21

Airway complications (ACs) after living-donor lobar lung transplantation (LDLLT) could have different features from those after cadaveric lung transplantation (CLT). We conducted this study to compare the characteristics of ACs after LDLLT vs. those after CLT and investigate their impact on outcomes. We reviewed, retrospectively, data on 163 recipients of lung transplantation, including 83 recipients of LDLLT and 80 recipients of CLT. The incidence of ACs did not differ between LDLLT and CLT. The initial type of AC after LDLLT was limited to stenosis in all eight patients, whereas that after CLT consisted of stenosis in three patients and necrosis in ten patients (p = 0.0034). ACs after LDLLT necessitated significantly earlier initiation of treatment than those after CLT (p = 0.032). The overall survival rate of LDLLT recipients with an AC was significantly lower than that of those without an AC (p = 0.030), whereas the overall survival rate was comparable between CLT recipients with and those without ACs (p = 0.25). ACs after LDLLT, limited to bronchial stenosis, require significantly earlier treatment and have a greater adverse impact on survival than ACs after CLT.

Drama-induced affect and pain sensitivity.

PubMed

Zillmann, D; de Wied, M; King-Jablonski, C; Jenzowsky, S

1996-01-01

This study was conducted to examine the pain-ameliorating and pain-sensitizing effects of exposure to emotionally engaging drama. Specifically, the consequences for pain sensitivity of exposure to dramatic expositions differing in both excitatory and hedonic qualities were determined. Hedonically negative, neutral, and positive affective states were induced in male respondents by exposure to excerpts from cinematic drama. Pain sensitivity was assessed by the cuff-pressure procedure before and after exposure and by the cold pressor test after exposure only. When compared against the control condition, pain sensitivity diminished under conditions of hedonically positive affect. An inverse effect was suggested for hedonically negative conditions, but proved tentative and statistically unreliable. The findings are consistent with earlier demonstrations of mood effects on pain sensitivity. Unlike inconclusive earlier findings concerning the magnitude of directional effects, however, they suggest an asymmetry that emphasizes the pain-ameliorating effect of positive affects while lending little, if any, support to the proposal of a pain-sensitizing effect of negative affects. The investigation did not accomplish the intended creation of conditions necessary to test the proposal that heightened sympathetic activity diminishes pain sensitivity. The utility of a rigorous determination of this hypothesized relationship is emphasized, and procedures for a viable test of the proposal are suggested.

[A study of sympathetic skin response to the damage of autonomic nerves function in patients with chronic N-hexane poisoning].

PubMed

Situ, Jie; Wu, Jian; Wang, Jing-lin; Zhu, De-xiang; Zhang, Jian-jie; Liu, Wei-wei; Qin, Zhuo-hui

2012-05-01

To study the sympathetic skin response (SSR) to the effects of N-hexane on autonomic nerves function in patients with chronic N-hexane poisoning. The subjects in present study included 30 controls and 37 cases with chronic N-hexane poisoning. Also 37 patients were divided into 3 subgroups (mild, moderate and severe poisoning) according to diagnostic criteria of occupational diseases. All subjects were examined by SSR test and nerve conduction velocity (NCV) test. All patients were reexamined by SSR and NCV every 1 ∼ 2 months. The differences in SSR parameters (latency, amplitude) among groups were observed. In the severe poisoning subgroup, the changes of SSR and NCV parameters (conduction velocity, amplitude) in different poisoning stages were observed. There were significant differences in SSR latency of upper extremity among groups and the significant differences in SSR amplitude of upper and lower extremity among groups (P < 0.05). No significant differences in SSR parameters were found between the adjacent groups (P > 0.05). There were significant differences in SSR latency of upper extremity during different periods and the significant differences in SSR amplitude of upper and lower extremity during different periods among all groups (P < 0.05). The change of SSR parameters consistent with that in NCV. The longest SSR latency of upper extremity and the smallest SSR amplitudes of upper and lower extremity appears 1 - 2 months earlier than that of the smallest action potential amplitude. The damage of autonomic nerves induced by N-hexane increased with poisoning progresses. The damage of autonomic nerves corresponded with the damage of myelin sheath of large myelinated nerves, but which appeared 1 - 2 months earlier than the damage of axon of large myelinated nerves. SSR test may serve as a method to detect the damage of autonomic nerves function in patients with chronic N-hexane poisoning.

Experimental Study and Computational Simulations of Key Pebble Bed Thermo-mechanics Issues for Design and Safety

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

Tokuhiro, Akira; Potirniche, Gabriel; Cogliati, Joshua

2014-07-08

An experimental and computational study, consisting of modeling and simulation (M&S), of key thermal-mechanical issues affecting the design and safety of pebble-bed (PB) reactors was conducted. The objective was to broaden understanding and experimentally validate thermal-mechanic phenomena of nuclear grade graphite, specifically, spheres in frictional contact as anticipated in the bed under reactor relevant pressures and temperatures. The contact generates graphite dust particulates that can subsequently be transported into the flowing gaseous coolent. Under postulated depressurization transients and with the potential for leaked fission products to be adsorbed onto graphite 'dust', there is the potential for fission products to escapemore » from the primary volume. This is a design safety concern. Furthermore, earlier safety assessment identified the distinct possibility for the dispersed dust to combust in contact with air if sufficient conditions are met. Both of these phenomena were noted as important to design review and containing uncertainty to warrant study. The team designed and conducted two separate effects tests to study and benchmark the potential dust-generation rate, as well as study the conditions under which a dust explosion may occure in a standardized, instrumented explosion chamber.« less

Influence of conduct problems and depressive symptomatology on adolescent substance use: developmentally proximal versus distal effects.

PubMed

Maslowsky, Julie; Schulenberg, John E; Zucker, Robert A

2014-04-01

The identification of developmentally specific windows at which key predictors of adolescent substance use are most influential is a crucial task for informing the design of appropriately targeted substance use prevention and intervention programs. The current study examined effects of conduct problems and depressive symptomatology on changes in alcohol, cigarette, and marijuana from 8th through 12th grade. We examined the effects of relatively developmentally distal versus proximal mental health problems on adolescent substance use and tested for gender differences. With a national, longitudinal sample from the Monitoring the Future study (N = 3,014), structural equation modeling was used to test the effects of 8th and 10th grade conduct problems and depressive symptomatology on subsequent changes in alcohol, cigarette, and marijuana use from 8th through 12th grade. Results indicated that relatively distal (8th grade) mental health problems were stronger predictors of increases in alcohol, cigarette, and marijuana use than were relatively more proximal (10th grade) mental health problems. Eighth grade conduct problems had the strongest effects on alcohol and marijuana use, and 8th grade depressive symptomatology had the strongest effects on cigarette use. Few gender differences were observed. These results suggest that intervening in earlier appearing conduct problems and depressive symptomatology may lead to a reduction in adolescent substance use in 10th and 12th grades and beyond. PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2014 APA, all rights reserved.

Using diurnal streamflow and conductivity data to monitor and forecast runoff in a snowmelt dominated watershed

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Miller, S.; Miller, S. N.

2016-12-01

Natural diurnal fluctuations in streamflow are common in many types of streams and scales for different reasons (i.e. snowmelt, evapotranspiration, infiltration, precipitation). Scientific literature has placed little consideration on the role diurnal cycles as they may appear insignificant from a water management point of view; however, recent insights into the timing and shape of the diurnal cycle have led to new methods for eco-hydrologic characterization of a given watershed. The diurnal effect is usually not detectible from visual investigation of a stream, but requires a minimum of hourly continuous measurement. In the 1990s the United States Geological Survey began collecting hourly river stage measurements for thousands of stream gauge stations across the US, ushering in new methods of analysis and comparison. A nested watershed study with ten stream gauging stations recording sub-hourly river stage was deployed in a snowmelt-dominated region of the Medicine Bow National Forest in southeastern Wyoming in 2013. In addition, at each stream gauging station sub-hourly conductivity and temperature data was recorded to aid in eco-hydrologic characterization of the different watersheds. Early summer results show asymmetry in the diurnal cycle during snowmelt, with a steeper rising and a flatter falling limb. As snowmelt becomes a less contributing component of streamflow later in the season, the asymmetry shifts to a flatter rising limb and steeper falling limb. Stream conductivity is low during snowmelt and begins to gradually increase as baseflow becomes a larger portion of total streamflow. The study region is recovering from a mountain pine beetle epidemic that peaked in 2008. Prior research suggests the bark beetle epidemic has had little effect on annual streamflow patterns; however, several results show an earlier shift in the day of year in which peak annual streamflow is observed. The diurnal cycle is likely to comprise a larger percentage of daily streamflow during snowmelt in post-epidemic forests, as more solar radiation is available to penetrate to the ground surface and induce snowmelt, contributing to the effect of an earlier observed peak annual streamflow.

KSC01pp0133

NASA Image and Video Library

2001-01-19

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space Shuttle Atlantis is ready to roll back to the Vehicle Assembly Building via the crawler-transporter. In the VAB workers will conduct inspections, make continuity checks and conduct X-ray analysis on the 36 solid rocket booster cables located inside each booster’s system tunnel. An extensive evaluation of NASA’s SRB cable inventory revealed conductor damage in four (of about 200) cables on the shelf. Shuttle managers decided to prove the integrity of the system tunnel cables already on Atlantis before launching Jan. 19. The launch has been rescheduled no earlier than Feb. 6

KSC01padig016

NASA Image and Video Library

2001-01-19

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Traveling about 1 mph on the crawler-transporter, Space Shuttle Atlantis begins the 3.4-mile trek back to the Vehicle Assembly Building. In the VAB workers will conduct inspections, make continuity checks and conduct X-ray analysis on the 36 solid rocket booster cables located inside each booster’s system tunnel. An extensive evaluation of NASA’s SRB cable inventory revealed conductor damage in four (of about 200) cables on the shelf. Shuttle managers decided to prove the integrity of the system tunnel cables already on Atlantis before launching Jan. 19. The launch has been rescheduled no earlier than Feb. 6

KSC01padig022

NASA Image and Video Library

2001-01-19

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space Shuttle Atlantis joins blue skies and palm trees on the Florida landscape. Atlantis is rolling back from Launch Pad 39A to the Vehicle Assembly Building so that workers can conduct inspections, make continuity checks and conduct X-ray analysis on the 36 SRB cables located inside each booster’s system tunnel. An extensive evaluation of NASA’s SRB cable inventory revealed conductor damage in four (of about 200) cables on the shelf. Shuttle managers decided to prove the integrity of the system tunnel cables already on Atlantis before launching Jan. 19. The launch has been rescheduled no earlier than Feb. 6

Finite element modeling of the electromechanical coupling in ionic polymer transducers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Akle, Barbar; Habchi, Wassim; Wallmersperger, Thomas; Leo, Donald

2010-04-01

Several researchers are actively studying Ionomeric polymer transducers (IPT) as a large strain low voltage Electro- Active Polymer (EAP) actuator. EAPs are devices that do not contain any moving parts leading to a potential large life time. Furthermore, they are light weight and flexible. An IPT is made of an ion saturated polymer usually Nafion, sandwiched between two electrodes made of a mixture of Nafion and electrically conductive particles usually RuO2 or platinum. Nafion is an acid membrane in which the cations are mobile while the anions are covalently fixed to the polymer structure. Upon the application of an electric potential on the order of 2V at the electrodes the mobile positive ions migrate towards the cathode leading to bending strains in the order of 5%. Our earlier studies demonstrate that the cations develop thin boundary layers around the electrode. Later developments in this finite element model captured the importance of adding particles in the electrode. This study presents the electromechanical coupling in ionic polymer transducers. Since all our earlier models were restricted to the electro-chemical part, here we will introduce the chemomechanical coupling. This coupling is performed based on previous studies (Akle and Leo) in which the authors experimentally showed that the mechanical strain in IPTs is proportional to a linear term and a quadratic term of the charge accumulated at the electrode. The values of the linear and quadratic terms are extracted from experimental data.

Fetal anomalies produced subsequent to treatment of zygotes with ethylene oxide or ethyl methanesulfonate are not likely due to the usual genetic causes.

PubMed

Katoh, M; Cacheiro, N L; Cornett, C V; Cain, K T; Rutledge, J C; Generoso, W M

1989-02-01

Earlier studies in this laboratory revealed that ethylene oxide (EtO) or ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) induced high frequencies of midgestation and late fetal deaths, and of malformations among some of the surviving fetuses, when female mice were exposed at the time of fertilization of their eggs or during the early pronuclear stage of the zygote. Effects of the two mutagens are virtually identical. Thus, in investigating the mechanisms responsible for the dramatic effects in the early pronuclear zygotes, the two compounds were used interchangeably in the experiments. First, a reciprocal zygote-transfer study was conducted in order to determine whether the effect is directly on the zygotes or indirectly through maternal toxicity. And second, cytogenetic analyses of pronuclear metaphases, early cleavage embryos, and midgestation fetuses were carried out. The zygote transplantation experiment rules out maternal toxicity as a factor in the fetal maldevelopment. Together with the strict stage specificity observed in the earlier studies, this result points to a genetic cause for the abnormalities. However, the cytogenetic studies failed to show structural or numerical chromosome aberrations. Since intragenic base changes and deletions may also be ruled out, it appears that the lesions in question induced in zygotes by the two mutagens are different from conventional ones and, therefore, could be a novel one in experimental mammalian mutagenesis. Alternatively, the mechanism could involve a non-mutational 'imprinting' process that caused changes in gene expression.

Battery energy storage market feasibility study

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

Kraft, S.; Akhil, A.

1997-07-01

Under the sponsorship of the Department of Energy`s Office of Utility Technologies, the Energy Storage Systems Analysis and Development Department at Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) contracted Frost and Sullivan to conduct a market feasibility study of energy storage systems. The study was designed specifically to quantify the energy storage market for utility applications. This study was based on the SNL Opportunities Analysis performed earlier. Many of the groups surveyed, which included electricity providers, battery energy storage vendors, regulators, consultants, and technology advocates, viewed energy storage as an important enabling technology to enable increased use of renewable energy and as amore » means to solve power quality and asset utilization issues. There are two versions of the document available, an expanded version (approximately 200 pages, SAND97-1275/2) and a short version (approximately 25 pages, SAND97-1275/1).« less

Health care strategies to promote earlier presentation of symptomatic breast cancer: perspectives of women and family physicians

PubMed Central

Heisey, R.; Clemons, M.; Granek, L.; Fergus, K.; Hum, S.; Lord, B.; McCready, D.R.; Fitzgerald, B.

2011-01-01

Background Many women with symptoms suggestive of a breast cancer diagnosis delay presentation to their family physician. Although factors associated with delay have been well described, there is a paucity of data on strategies to mitigate delay. Objectives We conducted a qualitative research project to examine factors related to delay and to identify health care system changes that might encourage earlier presentation. Methods Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with women who sought care 12 weeks or more after self-detection of breast cancer symptoms and with family physicians whose practices included patients meeting that criterion. Results The women and physicians both suggested a need for clearer screening mammography guidelines for women 40–49 years of age and for better messaging concerning breast awareness. The use of additional hopeful testimonials from breast cancer survivors were suggested to help dispel the notion of cancer as a “death sentence.” Educational initiatives were proposed, aimed at both increasing awareness of “non-lump” breast cancer symptoms and advising women that a previous benign diagnosis does not ensure that future symptoms are not cancer. Women wanted empathic nonjudgmental access to care. Improved methods to track compliance with screening mammography and with periodic health exams and access to a rapid diagnostic process were suggested. Conclusions A list of “at-risk situations for delay” in diagnosis of breast cancer was developed for physicians to assist in identifying women who might delay. Health care system changes actionable both at the health policy level and in the family physician’s office were identified to encourage earlier presentation of women with symptomatic breast cancer. PMID:21980254

Lung-cancer mortality among Vermont granite workers: factors influencing exposure–response evaluation

PubMed Central

Vacek, Pamela M; Callas, Peter W

2017-01-01

Objective To understand why 2 studies relating crystalline silica exposure to lung-cancer mortality in Vermont granite workers yielded conflicting results. Methods Data used in the 2 studies were linked to identify discrepancies. Mortality data and employment histories from the earlier study were revised based on data obtained in the later study. SMR were computed and Poisson regressions corresponding to those in the earlier study were performed using the original and revised data. Analyses were repeated with the addition of workers omitted from the earlier study. Results After correction of incomplete mortality and employment information in the original data, the overall SMR for the cohort in the earlier study increased from 1.17 (95% CI 1.03 to 1.36) to 1.39 (95% CI 1.22 to 1.59), and was similar to the SMR of 1.37 observed in the later study (95% CI 1.23 to 1.52). The exposure–response relationship was attenuated, particularly when person-years in all exposure categories were included in the analysis. Inclusion of additional workers had a smaller impact on the SMRs but further attenuated the exposure–response relationship. Conclusions Differing results from the 2 studies are partly attributable to incomplete vital status and work history information used in the earlier study, as well as differences in cohort inclusion criteria. However, differences in length of follow-up and other factors likely play a larger role. PMID:27821675

Prevalence of absolute pitch: a comparison between Japanese and Polish music students.

PubMed

Miyazaki, Ken'ichi; Makomaska, Sylwia; Rakowski, Andrzej

2012-11-01

Comparable large-scale surveys including an on-site pitch-naming test were conducted with music students in Japan and Poland to obtain more convincing estimates of the prevalence of absolute pitch (AP) and examine how musical experience relates to AP. Participants with accurate AP (95% correct identification) accounted for 30% of the Japanese music students, but only 7% of the Polish music students. This difference in the performance of pitch naming was related to the difference in musical experience. Participants with AP had begun music training at an earlier age (6 years or earlier), and the average year of commencement of musical training was more than 2 years earlier for the Japanese music students than for the Polish students. The percentage of participants who had received early piano lessons was 94% for the Japanese musically trained students but was 72% for the Polish music students. Approximately one-third of the Japanese musically trained students had attended the Yamaha Music School, where lessons on piano or electric organ were given to preschool children in parallel with fixed-do solfège singing training. Such early music instruction was not as common in Poland. The relationship of AP with early music training is discussed.

The Psychological Effects of Unemployment and Unsatisfactory Employment on Young Adults: Findings from a 10-Year Longitudinal Study.

PubMed

Winefield, Anthony H; Delfabbro, Paul H; Winefield, Helen R; Duong, David; Malvaso, Catia

2017-01-01

The purpose of the present study was to extend the external validity of an earlier longitudinal study of school leavers by including participants from a representative sample of secondary schools. Questionnaires were administered annually to a sample of South Australian school leavers over a 10-year period. At Time 1 participants were in the last compulsory year of high school aged around 15 years and at Time 10 they were aged around 25 years. Results confirmed those from an earlier longitudinal study showing that the transition from school to satisfactory employment was associated with significant improvements in psychological well-being, whereas transition from school to unemployment or unsatisfactory employment showed no change in psychological well-being. The current findings extended the external validity of the earlier study because whereas participants in the earlier study were sampled from co-educational metropolitan public high schools, the current study included participants from every kind of high school: single sex as well as co-educational, rural as well as metropolitan, and private as well as public.

Minimum-norm cortical source estimation in layered head models is robust against skull conductivity error☆☆☆

PubMed Central

Stenroos, Matti; Hauk, Olaf

2013-01-01

The conductivity profile of the head has a major effect on EEG signals, but unfortunately the conductivity for the most important compartment, skull, is only poorly known. In dipole modeling studies, errors in modeled skull conductivity have been considered to have a detrimental effect on EEG source estimation. However, as dipole models are very restrictive, those results cannot be generalized to other source estimation methods. In this work, we studied the sensitivity of EEG and combined MEG + EEG source estimation to errors in skull conductivity using a distributed source model and minimum-norm (MN) estimation. We used a MEG/EEG modeling set-up that reflected state-of-the-art practices of experimental research. Cortical surfaces were segmented and realistically-shaped three-layer anatomical head models were constructed, and forward models were built with Galerkin boundary element method while varying the skull conductivity. Lead-field topographies and MN spatial filter vectors were compared across conductivities, and the localization and spatial spread of the MN estimators were assessed using intuitive resolution metrics. The results showed that the MN estimator is robust against errors in skull conductivity: the conductivity had a moderate effect on amplitudes of lead fields and spatial filter vectors, but the effect on corresponding morphologies was small. The localization performance of the EEG or combined MEG + EEG MN estimator was only minimally affected by the conductivity error, while the spread of the estimate varied slightly. Thus, the uncertainty with respect to skull conductivity should not prevent researchers from applying minimum norm estimation to EEG or combined MEG + EEG data. Comparing our results to those obtained earlier with dipole models shows that general judgment on the performance of an imaging modality should not be based on analysis with one source estimation method only. PMID:23639259

Contemporary American Indian Studies

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Larson, Sidner

2009-01-01

In his keynote address to the Fifth Annual American Indian Studies Consortium in 2005 David Wilkins began by commenting on earlier attempts to formally organize such a gathering in ways that might help establish and accredit Indian studies programs. He said he had the sense that the thrust of earlier meetings "was really an opportunity for Native…

An evaluation of corn earworm damage and thresholds in soybean

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Adams, Brian Patrick

Interactions between corn earworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), and soybean, Glycine max L. (Merrill), were investigated in the Mid-South to evaluate thresholds and damage levels. Field studies were conducted in both indeterminate and determinate modern cultivars to evaluate damage, critical injury levels, and soybean response to simulated corn earworm injury. Field studies were also conducted to evaluate the response of indeterminate cultivars to infestations of corn earworm. Field studies were also conducted to investigate the relationship between pyrethroid insecticide application and corn earworm oviposition in soybean. Results of field studies involving simulated corn earworm damage indicated the need for a dynamic threshold that becomes more conservative as soybean phenology progressed through the reproductive growth stages. This suggested that soybean was more tolerant to fruit loss during the earlier reproductive stages and was able to compensate for fruit loss better during this time than at later growth stages. Results of field studies involving infestations of corn earworm indicated that current thresholds are likely too liberal. This resulted in economic injury level tables being constructed based upon a range of crop values and control costs, however, a general action threshold was also recommended for indeterminate soybean in the Mid-South. Field study results investigating the relationship of pyrethroid application and corn earworm oviposition indicated that even in the presence of an insecticide, corn earworm prefers to oviposit in the upper portion of the canopy, as well as on the leaves as opposed to all other plant parts, consistent with all previous literature.

US Military Aircraft Cost Handbook.

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-03-01

authority 20. ABSIRACr (Coctinus -,e rve.,. afaw it ncvaea7y ad Identifiy by block number) ... Management Consulting & Research, Inc. ( MCR ) collected...methodology is called TASCFORM-AIR. Management Consulting & Research, Inc. ( MCR ) uner subcontracto-assist in this effort, has developed the US...expanded. This edition was produced as part of the current TASC/ MCR effort for OSD Net Assessment to build on the earlier cost-performance work conducted

38 CFR 20.702 - Rule 702. Scheduling and notice of hearings conducted by the Board of Veterans' Appeals in...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

..., whichever is earlier. The request must be in writing, but the grounds for the request need not be stated..., but are not limited to, illness of the appellant and/or representative, difficulty in obtaining... writing and must explain why a new hearing date is necessary. If good cause is shown, the hearing will be...

38 CFR 20.702 - Rule 702. Scheduling and notice of hearings conducted by the Board of Veterans' Appeals in...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

..., whichever is earlier. The request must be in writing, but the grounds for the request need not be stated..., but are not limited to, illness of the appellant and/or representative, difficulty in obtaining... writing and must explain why a new hearing date is necessary. If good cause is shown, the hearing will be...

38 CFR 20.702 - Rule 702. Scheduling and notice of hearings conducted by the Board of Veterans' Appeals in...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

..., whichever is earlier. The request must be in writing, but the grounds for the request need not be stated..., but are not limited to, illness of the appellant and/or representative, difficulty in obtaining... writing and must explain why a new hearing date is necessary. If good cause is shown, the hearing will be...

38 CFR 20.702 - Rule 702. Scheduling and notice of hearings conducted by the Board of Veterans' Appeals in...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

..., whichever is earlier. The request must be in writing, but the grounds for the request need not be stated..., but are not limited to, illness of the appellant and/or representative, difficulty in obtaining... writing and must explain why a new hearing date is necessary. If good cause is shown, the hearing will be...

38 CFR 20.702 - Rule 702. Scheduling and notice of hearings conducted by the Board of Veterans' Appeals in...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

..., whichever is earlier. The request must be in writing, but the grounds for the request need not be stated..., but are not limited to, illness of the appellant and/or representative, difficulty in obtaining... writing and must explain why a new hearing date is necessary. If good cause is shown, the hearing will be...

Emergency School Aid Act (ESAA) Evaluation: Results of Supplemental Analyses Conducted in the Contract Extension Period.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Carriere, Ronald A.; And Others

This report focuses on a set of supplemental analyses that were performed on portions of the Emergency School Aid Act (ESAA) evaluation data. The goal of these analyses was to explore additional relationships in the data that might help to inform program policy, to confirm and/or further explicate some of the findings reported earlier, and to put…

Scientific and Technical Personnel in Industry, 1960

DTIC Science & Technology

1960-01-01

calculated on the bass ofunmromded research and development. fgrsadteeoemynot correspond exactly with those ludicated by the Sujec to a standard...second type, designated as secondary esti- As a result of all the exclusions described above, mates, were components of the primary estimates. a... design , beginning with the 1959 survey. A earlier ones conducted by the Bureau of Labor fairly detailed two-way breakdown of scientific Statistics for

Mobile Technology in Undergraduate Nursing Education: A Systematic Review.

PubMed

Lee, Hyejung; Min, Haeyoung; Oh, Su-Mi; Shim, Kaka

2018-04-01

This study aimed to identify and systematically review the literature on the use of mobile technology in nursing education. The research findings could evidence the effectiveness of mobile technology in undergraduate nursing students' learning outcomes. Computerized searches were conducted using the Ovid-MEDLINE, Ovid-EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and CINAHL databases for relevant primary studies and limited to those between 2000 and February 2018. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-experimental studies published in either English or Korean were included and critically appraised using Joanna Briggs Institute tools. Seven RCTs and 7 quasi-experimental studies were identified. The mobile device and intervention applied varied throughout all the studies. Studies published earlier in the 2000s found that immediate access to clinical and pharmacological referencing information through the mobile device increased students' efficacy in clinical practice. Later studies, which were mostly conducted in Korea, reported that smartphone-based applications could promote nursing students' learning motivation and satisfaction but not their clinical skills and knowledge. We still seem to be in the beginning stage of implementing mobile technology in nursing education due to the limited implication of mobile technology and inconsistent research conclusions. In the future, rigorous primary empirical studies are needed to suggest the effective use of mobile devices in nursing education.

Mobile Technology in Undergraduate Nursing Education: A Systematic Review

PubMed Central

Lee, Hyejung; Oh, Su-mi; Shim, Kaka

2018-01-01

Objectives This study aimed to identify and systematically review the literature on the use of mobile technology in nursing education. The research findings could evidence the effectiveness of mobile technology in undergraduate nursing students' learning outcomes. Methods Computerized searches were conducted using the Ovid-MEDLINE, Ovid-EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and CINAHL databases for relevant primary studies and limited to those between 2000 and February 2018. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-experimental studies published in either English or Korean were included and critically appraised using Joanna Briggs Institute tools. Results Seven RCTs and 7 quasi-experimental studies were identified. The mobile device and intervention applied varied throughout all the studies. Studies published earlier in the 2000s found that immediate access to clinical and pharmacological referencing information through the mobile device increased students' efficacy in clinical practice. Later studies, which were mostly conducted in Korea, reported that smartphone-based applications could promote nursing students' learning motivation and satisfaction but not their clinical skills and knowledge. Conclusions We still seem to be in the beginning stage of implementing mobile technology in nursing education due to the limited implication of mobile technology and inconsistent research conclusions. In the future, rigorous primary empirical studies are needed to suggest the effective use of mobile devices in nursing education. PMID:29770243

Conductivity of graphene in the framework of Dirac model: Interplay between nonzero mass gap and chemical potential

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Klimchitskaya, G. L.; Mostepanenko, V. M.; Petrov, V. M.

2017-12-01

The complete theory of electrical conductivity of graphene at arbitrary temperature is developed with taking into account mass-gap parameter and chemical potential. Both the in-plane and out-of-plane conductivities of graphene are expressed via the components of the polarization tensor in (2+1)-dimensional space-time analytically continued to the real frequency axis. Simple analytic expressions for both the real and imaginary parts of the conductivity of graphene are obtained at zero and nonzero temperature. They demonstrate an interesting interplay depending on the values of mass gap and chemical potential. In the local limit, several results obtained earlier using various approximate and phenomenological approaches are reproduced, refined, and generalized. The numerical computations of both the real and imaginary parts of the conductivity of graphene are performed to illustrate the obtained results. The analytic expressions for the conductivity of graphene obtained in this paper can serve as a guide in the comparison between different theoretical approaches and between experiment and theory.

HINDERED DIFFUSION OF ASPHALTENES AT EVALUATED TEMPERATURE AND PRESSURE

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

JAMES A. GUIN; SURYA VADLAMANI

1998-10-03

During this time period, the PhD student working on this project, Mr. X. Yang, graduated and has obtained employment with Michelin Tire Company in their research and development laboratory. A new MS student, Mr. Surya Vadlamani, is now working on the project. The work conducted in this time period will form part of Mr. Vadlamani�s MS thesis. Also during the current time period, a no-cost extension was obtained for the project, which will allow Mr. Vadlamani to complete the research work required for the MS degree in chemical engineering. Since Mr. Vadlamani was new to the project and in ordermore » to provide appropriate training, it was necessary to conduct some experimental work in the same ranges as performed earlier by Mr. Yang in order to provide continuity and insure duplication of the experimental data. The new data obtained by Mr. Vadlamani agree well in general with the earlier data obtained by Mr. Yang and extend the earlier data to a higher temperature range. Specifically, during this time period, uptake experiments were performed at temperatures from 25 0 C to 300 o C for the adsorptive diffusion of quinoline in cyclohexane and mineral oil onto alumina catalyst pellets. These experiments were conducted in a 40 cm 3 microautoclave, as contrasted with the previous work done in the much larger 1-liter autoclave. The use of the microautoclave is more economical from both a purchasing and waste disposal standpoint due to the small quantities of solvents and catalysts utilized, and is also significantly safer at the higher temperatures. Model simulation results showed that the mathematical model incorporating diffusion and adsorption mechanisms satisfactorily fitted the adsorptive diffusion of quinoline onto the alumina catalyst in a fairly wide temperature range of 25 o C to 300 o C. The logarithm of the adsorption constant, obtained by simulating the experimental data with the model solution, was found to be linearly dependent on temperature. The data obtained using the microautoclave agreed well with the previous data obtained using the larger 1-liter autoclave.« less

Egg characteristics and hatch performance of Athens Canadian Random Bred 1955 meat-type chickens and 2013 Cobb 500 broilers.

PubMed

Collins, K E; McLendon, B L; Wilson, J L

2014-09-01

Athens Canadian Random Bred (ACRB) chickens, a 1955 meat-type control strain, were incubated with the 2013 Cobb 500 broiler to determine differences in egg composition, conductance values, incubation duration, hatch performance, and yolk utilization. Unincubated ACRB eggs had greater percentage solids than Cobb 500 eggs. The ACRB eggs had a greater solid portion as yolk, whereas the Cobb 500 devoted more solid percentage to albumen. Percentage shell was not different between the strains, but ACRB eggs had 2.7% greater percentage moisture loss after 18 d of incubation than Cobb 500 eggs. Conductance, conductance constant, and conductance standardized to a 100 g egg weight basis were all higher for ACRB eggs than Cobb 500 eggs at 12 and 18 d of incubation. The Cobb 500 chicks hatched 6 h earlier than ACRB chicks. The Cobb 500 incubation duration was 498 h, and the ACRB incubation duration was 504 h. There was no difference between the strains for percentage infertile eggs, embryonic mortality, hatchability, or salable chicks. The ACRB chicks hatched with a smaller dried residual yolk sac as a percentage of chick weight compared with the Cobb 500. Both strains had an average relative yolk-free chick weight of 61% of average initial egg weight. Thus the Cobb 500 eggs had decreased gas exchange across the eggshell, which may have contributed to the earlier hatch and decreased yolk utilization. Modern Cobb 500 broiler embryonic metabolism appears to have either become more dependent on albumen rather than yolk or has become more efficient with yolk reserves during development. Broiler hatch performance does not appear to have changed over the past 58 yr. © 2014 Poultry Science Association Inc.

Experimental study of adaptive pointing and tracking for large flexible space structures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Boussalis, D.; Bayard, D. S.; Ih, C.; Wang, S. J.; Ahmed, A.

1991-01-01

This paper describes an experimental study of adaptive pointing and tracking control for flexible spacecraft conducted on a complex ground experiment facility. The algorithm used in this study is based on a multivariable direct model reference adaptive control law. Several experimental validation studies were performed earlier using this algorithm for vibration damping and robust regulation, with excellent results. The current work extends previous studies by addressing the pointing and tracking problem. As is consistent with an adaptive control framework, the plant is assumed to be poorly known to the extent that only system level knowledge of its dynamics is available. Explicit bounds on the steady-state pointing error are derived as functions of the adaptive controller design parameters. It is shown that good tracking performance can be achieved in an experimental setting by adjusting adaptive controller design weightings according to the guidelines indicated by the analytical expressions for the error.

Phrenic Nerve Reconstruction and Bilateral Diaphragm Plication After Lobectomy.

PubMed

Shinohara, Shuichi; Yamada, Tetsu; Ueda, Mitsuhiro; Ishinagi, Hiroyoshi; Matsuoka, Takahisa; Nagai, Shinjiro; Matsuoka, Katsunari; Miyamoto, Yoshihiro

2017-07-01

A 49-year-old man with left phrenic nerve paralysis caused by mediastinal tumor resection 28 years earlier was found to have a nodule in the right upper lobe. The right phrenic nerve was severed during right upper lobectomy but was reconstructed along with bilateral plication of the diaphragm. The patient was weaned from the ventilator during the daytime on postoperative day 13 and was discharged home on postoperative day 48. Three months postoperatively, chest fluoroscopic imaging showed recovery of movement of the right diaphragm. Nerve conduction studies showed improvement of function of the reconstructed right phrenic nerve. Copyright © 2017 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Overview of radiation effects research in photonics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Webb, Robert C.; Cohn, Lewis M.; Taylor, Edward W.; Greenwell, Roger A.

1995-05-01

A brief overview of ongoing radiation effects research in photonics is presented focusing on integrated optic and acousto-optic components. A short summary of radiation-induced effects in electro-optic modulators, detector arrays, and other photonic technologies is presented along with extensive references. The coordinated radiation effects studies among researchers within the Tri-Service Organizations and international experimental teams are beginning to demonstrate consistent measurements of radiation-induced effects in photonic components and confirming earlier reported data. This paper will present an overview of these coordinated investigations and focus on key research being conducted with the AFMC Phillips Laboratory, Naval Research Laboratory, Defence Nuclear Agency, NATO Nuclear Effects Task Group, and the Tri-Service Photonics Coordinating Committee.

Human Cells Display Reduced Apoptotic Function Relative to Chimpanzee Cells

PubMed Central

McDonald, John F.

2012-01-01

Previously published gene expression analyses suggested that apoptotic function may be reduced in humans relative to chimpanzees and led to the hypothesis that this difference may contribute to the relatively larger size of the human brain and the increased propensity of humans to develop cancer. In this study, we sought to further test the hypothesis that humans maintain a reduced apoptotic function relative to chimpanzees by conducting a series of apoptotic function assays on human, chimpanzee and macaque primary fibroblastic cells. Human cells consistently displayed significantly reduced apoptotic function relative to the chimpanzee and macaque cells. These results are consistent with earlier findings indicating that apoptotic function is reduced in humans relative to chimpanzees. PMID:23029431

Survey of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis in Japan.

PubMed

Abe, Yusaku; Hashimoto, Koichi; Iinuma, Kazuie; Ohtsuka, Yoko; Ichiyama, Takashi; Kusuhara, Koichi; Nomura, Keiko; Mizuguchi, Masashi; Aiba, Hideo; Suzuki, Yasuhiro; Mizusawa, Hidehiro; Hosoya, Mitsuaki

2012-12-01

Investigators conducted a retrospective epidemiological study of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, a fatal disease caused by measles infection, over the past few years in Japan. Data on 118 cases obtained from a questionnaire sent to attending physicians were analyzed. The annual incidence of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis was approximately 0.03 cases per million from 2001 to 2005. Children infected with measles at a young age (<12 months) showed a high incidence of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, and those infected before 6 months of age showed earlier onset. Because a positive correlation was found between the prevalence of measles and the onset of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, particularly among children infected at an early age, it is vital to eradicate measles infection by vaccination.

An earlier age of breast cancer diagnosis related to more frequent use of antiperspirants/deodorants and underarm shaving.

PubMed

McGrath, K G

2003-12-01

Breast cancer incidence suggests a lifestyle cause. A lifestyle factor used near the breast is the application of antiperspirants/deodorants accompanied by axillary shaving. A previous study did not support a link with breast cancer. If these habits have a role in breast cancer development, women using antiperspirants/deodorants and shaving their underarms frequently would be expected to have an earlier age of diagnosis than those doing so less often. An earlier age of diagnosis would also be expected in those starting to use deodorants and shaving at an earlier age. This is the first study to investigate the intensity of underarm exposure in a cohort of breast cancer survivors. Four hundred and thirty-seven females diagnosed with breast cancer were surveyed. Once grouped by their frequency of underarm hygiene habits, the mean age of diagnosis was the primary end point. Secondary end points included the overall frequency of these habits, and potential usage group confounding variables were evaluated. All statistical tests were two-sided. Frequency and earlier onset of antiperspirant/deodorant usage with underarm shaving were associated with an earlier age of breast cancer diagnosis. Combined habits are likely for this earlier age of diagnosis. In conclusion, underarm shaving with antiperspirant/deodorant use may play a role in breast cancer. It is not clear which of these components are involved. Reviewed literature insinuates absorption of aluminium salts facilitated by dermal barrier disruption. Case-controlled investigations are needed before alternative underarm hygiene habits are suggested.

Changes in Attitudes of P.S.S.C. Physics Students: A Second Look

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gardner, P. L.

1973-01-01

Reports data which provide a partial replication of an earlier study of changes in attitudes of Physical Science Study Committee (PSSC) physics students. Data from the present research failed to support earlier findings. Several reasons for the discrepancies are advanced. (JR)

Personality Factors and Occupational Specialty Choice.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Borges, Nicole J.; Jones, Bonnie J.

This study is a continuation of an earlier investigation of personality and medical specialty choice. The earlier study determined that personality differences existed among family practitioners, anesthesiologists, and general surgeons. Based on this initial research, an attempt was made to answer the question of how the personality factors of…

Mortality Salience, System Justification, and Candidate Evaluations in the 2012 U.S. Presidential Election

PubMed Central

Sterling, Joanna; Jost, John T.; Shrout, Patrick E.

2016-01-01

Experiments conducted during the 2004 and 2008 U.S. presidential elections suggested that mortality salience primes increased support for President George W. Bush and Senator John McCain, respectively. Some interpreted these results as reflecting “conservative shift” following exposure to threat, whereas others emphasized preferences for “charismatic” leadership following exposure to death primes. To assess both hypotheses in the context of a new election cycle featuring a liberal incumbent who was considered to be charismatic, we conducted four experiments shortly before the 2012 election involving President Barack Obama and Governor Mitt Romney. Contrary to earlier studies, there was little evidence that mortality salience, either by itself or in interaction with political orientation, affected overall candidate ratings or voting intentions. However, a significant interaction between mortality salience and system justification in some studies indicated a more circumscribed effect. The failure to “replicate” previous results in the context of this election may be attributable to disagreement among participants as to which of the candidates better represented the societal status quo. PMID:26982197

Study of Spray Disintegration in Accelerating Flow Fields

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nurick, W. H.

1972-01-01

An analytical and experimental investigation was conducted to perform "proof of principlem experiments to establish the effects of propellant combustion gas velocity on propella'nt atomization characteristics. The propellants were gaseous oxygen (GOX) and Shell Wax 270. The fuel was thus the same fluid used in earlier primary cold-flow atomization studies using the frozen wax method. Experiments were conducted over a range in L* (30 to 160 inches) at two contraction ratios (2 and 6). Characteristic exhaust velocity (c*) efficiencies varied from SO to 90 percent. The hot fire experimental performance characteristics at a contraction ratio of 6.0 in conjunction with analytical predictions from the drovlet heat-up version of the Distributed Energy Release (DER) combustion computer proDam showed that the apparent initial dropsize compared well with cold-flow predictions (if adjusted for the gas velocity effects). The results also compared very well with the trend in perfomnce as predicted with the model. significant propellant wall impingement at the contraction ratio of 2.0 precluded complete evaluation of the effect of gross changes in combustion gas velocity on spray dropsize.

Adiposity rebound and the development of metabolic syndrome.

PubMed

Koyama, Satomi; Ichikawa, Go; Kojima, Megumi; Shimura, Naoto; Sairenchi, Toshimi; Arisaka, Osamu

2014-01-01

The age of adiposity rebound (AR) is defined as the time at which BMI starts to rise after infancy and is thought to be a marker of later obesity. To determine whether this age is related to future occurrence of metabolic syndrome, we investigated the relationship of the timing of AR with metabolic consequences at 12 years of age. A total of 271 children (147 boys and 124 girls) born in 1995 and 1996 were enrolled in the study. Serial measurements of BMI were conducted at the ages of 4 and 8 months and 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 years, based on which age of AR was calculated. Plasma lipids and blood pressure were measured at 12 years of age. An earlier AR (<4 years of age) was associated with a higher BMI (≥ 20) and a lipoprotein phenotype representative of insulin resistance. This phenotype consists of elevated triglycerides, apolipoprotein B, and atherogenic index and decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in boys and elevated apolipoprotein B in girls at 12 years of age. The earlier AR was also related to elevated blood pressure in boys. This longitudinal population-based study indicates that children who exhibit AR at a younger age are predisposed to future development of metabolic syndrome. Therefore, monitoring of AR may be an effective method for the early identification of children at risk for metabolic syndrome.

Comparison of human embryomorphokinetic parameters in sequential or global culture media.

PubMed

Kazdar, Nadia; Brugnon, Florence; Bouche, Cyril; Jouve, Guilhem; Veau, Ségolène; Drapier, Hortense; Rousseau, Chloé; Pimentel, Céline; Viard, Patricia; Belaud-Rotureau, Marc-Antoine; Ravel, Célia

2017-08-01

A prospective study on randomized patients was conducted to determine how morphokinetic parameters are altered in embryos grown in sequential versus global culture media. Eleven morphokinetic parameters of 160 single embryos transferred were analyzed by time lapse imaging involving two University-affiliated in vitro fertilization (IVF) centers. We found that the fading of the two pronuclei occurred earlier in global (22.56±2.15 hpi) versus sequential media (23.63±2.71 hpi; p=0.0297). Likewise, the first cleavage started earlier at 24.52±2.33 hpi vs 25.76±2.95 hpi (p=0.0158). Also, the first cytokinesis was shorter in global medium, lasting 18±10.2 minutes in global versus 36±37.8 minutes in sequential culture medium (p <0.0001). We also observed a significant shortening in the duration of the 2-cell stage in sequential medium: 10.64 h±2.75 versus 11.66 h±1.11 in global medium (p=0.0225) which suggested a faster progression of the embryos through their first mitotic cell cycle. In conclusion, morphokinetic analysis of human embryos by Time lapse imaging reveals significant differences in five kinetic variables according to culture medium. Our study highlights the need to adapt morphokinetic analysis accordingly to the type of media used to best support human early embryo development.

Acquisition of locative utterances in Norwegian: structure-building via lexical learning.

PubMed

Mitrofanova, Natalia; Westergaard, Marit

2018-03-15

This paper focuses on the acquisition of locative prepositional phrases in L1 Norwegian. We report on two production experiments with children acquiring Norwegian as their first language and compare the results to similar experiments conducted with Russian children. The results of the experiments show that Norwegian children at age 2 regularly produce locative utterances lacking overt prepositions, with the rate of preposition omission decreasing significantly by age 3. Furthermore, our results suggest that phonologically strong and semantically unambiguous locative items appear earlier in Norwegian children's utterances than their phonologically weak and semantically ambiguous counterparts. This conclusion is confirmed by a corpus study. We argue that our results are best captured by the Underspecified P Hypothesis (UPH; Mitrofanova, 2017), which assumes that, at early stages of grammatical development, the underlying structure of locative utterances is underspecified, with more complex functional representations emerging gradually based on the input. This approach predicts that the rate of acquisition in the domain of locative PPs should be influenced by the lexical properties of individual language-specific grammatical elements (such as frequency, morphological complexity, phonological salience, or semantic ambiguity). Our data from child Norwegian show that this prediction is borne out. Specifically, the results of our study suggest that phonologically more salient and semantically unambiguous items are mastered earlier than their ambiguous and phonologically less salient counterparts, despite the higher frequency of the latter in the input (Clahsen et al., 1996).

Japan–France–US comparison of infant weaning from mother's viewpoint

PubMed Central

Negayama, Koichi; Norimatsu, Hiroko; Barratt, Marguerite; Bouville, Jean-François

2012-01-01

Background: Breastfeeding and weaning are strongly connected with infant–mother mutual autonomy, and hence are good touchstones to examine the characteristics of the mother–child relationship. Comparison of the weaning practice gives a framework to understand characteristics of the mother–infant relationship. Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare three industrialised countries concerning the relationship between feeding and weaning practices and its reasons, mother's perception of child care, and of breast milk and formula. Methods: A questionnaire study on weaning practice was conducted for 310 Japanese, 756 French, and 222 American mothers with 4- to 20-month-old infants. Results: French mothers expected and had accomplished weaning at an earlier age of the infant, compared to Japanese and American mothers. Perceived insufficiency of breast milk was the leading reason for the termination of breastfeeding for Japanese mothers at the earlier stages, whereas back to work was the more important reason for French mothers. Japanese mothers were more negative in their image of themselves as mothers, whereas French mothers felt more burdened by child-care. Japanese mothers who terminated breastfeeding because of perceived breast milk insufficiency were also those who were less motivated to breastfeed. Conclusion: Weaning is a significant framework to interpret cultural differences in mother–infant relationship. The perceived insufficiency is interpreted as a solution of conflict between the social pressure to breastfeed and its burden. PMID:22745518

Studies on gallium nitride doped ferrite-polypyrrole nanocomposites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Indrakanti, Rajani; Brahmaji Rao, V.; Udaya Kiran, C.

2018-06-01

This communication reports the synthesis and characterisation of two novel Intrinsic conducting polymer nano composites (ICPN s) with the formulae Ga (2x+2) N Fe 2(49-x) O3—PPY synthesized using Impregnation technique. The Gallium nitride ferrite nano particles were synthesized for x = 1 and x = 5 using the above stichiometric equation earlier by Sol—Gel route. The chemical composition in the assembly of the ICPNs were Ga4NFe96O3-3%,10%,30% Polypyrrole, Ga12NFe88O3-3%,10%,30% Polypyrrole by weight. The Sci-Finder software failed to trace any earlier articles or reviews related to these ICNPs synthesised by us in the literature. X-ray Diffractometric (Structural), Morphological, EDAX SAED, IR spectroscopic characterizations were done on the synthesized nanocomposites. Structural studies reveal the semi-crystalline nature of composites. The average crystallite size of nano composites is decreased when compared with nano ferrites. SEM findings reveal that the shape for higher percentage of PPY is nano rods; for lower percentage it is globular. TEM reveals good dispersion and average particle size from histograms are calculated. The FT- IR bands of PPY and GaNFe2O3 are observed which show strong interaction between PPY- GaNFe2O3. Also there is a shift of bands in GaNFe2O3-PPY nano composites when compared to the bands of PPY.

[Effect of light regimens on the age dynamics of estrous function and serum prolactin level in rats].

PubMed

Vinogradova, I A; Chernova, I V

2006-01-01

The effect of different light regimens (standard 12 h. light : 12 h. darkness LD; 24-hour constant light LL, light deprivation DD, natural light regimen of the North-West of Russia NL) on the age dynamics of estrous function and on the serum prolactin in female LIO rats has been studied for two years. The rats were maintained at the one of above-mentioned regimes from the age of 25 days. The cytological monitoring of the estrous cycle was conducted every three months. The level of prolactin was studied at the age of 6, 12, 18 and 24 months. It has been found out that the regimen of constant light (LL) and the spring-summer period lead to earlier maturation, premature age-related changes of the rats' estrous cycle and to the increase of the level of serum prolactin in comparison with those in rats kept at the LD regimen. Light deprivation (DD) leads to the opposite changes. It has been noted that the exposure to constant light during the whole year is accompanied by more expressed and earlier developed age-related changes of estrous cycle in comparison with the natural light of the North-West of Russia with its peculiar year photoperiodicity (short day in autumn-winter period and white nights in spring-summer period).

Sensitivity to Audiovisual Temporal Asynchrony in Children With a History of Specific Language Impairment and Their Peers With Typical Development: A Replication and Follow-Up Study

PubMed Central

2017-01-01

Purpose Earlier, my colleagues and I showed that children with a history of specific language impairment (H-SLI) are significantly less able to detect audiovisual asynchrony compared with children with typical development (TD; Kaganovich & Schumaker, 2014). Here, I first replicate this finding in a new group of children with H-SLI and TD and then examine a relationship among audiovisual function, attention skills, and language in a combined pool of children. Method The stimuli were a pure tone and an explosion-shaped figure. Stimulus onset asynchrony (SOA) varied from 0–500 ms. Children pressed 1 button for perceived synchrony and another for asynchrony. I measured the number of synchronous perceptions at each SOA and calculated children's temporal binding windows. I, then, conducted multiple regressions to determine if audiovisual processing and attention can predict language skills. Results As in the earlier study, children with H-SLI perceived asynchrony significantly less frequently than children with TD at SOAs of 400–500 ms. Their temporal binding windows were also larger. Temporal precision and attention predicted 23%–37% of children's language ability. Conclusions Audiovisual temporal processing is impaired in children with H-SLI. The degree of this impairment is a predictor of language skills. Once understood, the mechanisms underlying this deficit may become a new focus for language remediation. PMID:28715546

Precocious development of self-awareness in dolphins.

PubMed

Morrison, Rachel; Reiss, Diana

2018-01-01

Mirror-self recognition (MSR) is a behavioral indicator of self-awareness in young children and only a few other species, including the great apes, dolphins, elephants and magpies. The emergence of self-awareness in children typically occurs during the second year and has been correlated with sensorimotor development and growing social and self-awareness. Comparative studies of MSR in chimpanzees report that the onset of this ability occurs between 2 years 4 months and 3 years 9 months of age. Studies of wild and captive bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) have reported precocious sensorimotor and social awareness during the first weeks of life, but no comparative MSR research has been conducted with this species. We exposed two young bottlenose dolphins to an underwater mirror and analyzed video recordings of their behavioral responses over a 3-year period. Here we report that both dolphins exhibited MSR, indicated by self-directed behavior at the mirror, at ages earlier than generally reported for children and at ages much earlier than reported for chimpanzees. The early onset of MSR in young dolphins occurs in parallel with their advanced sensorimotor development, complex and reciprocal social interactions, and growing social awareness. Both dolphins passed subsequent mark tests at ages comparable with children. Thus, our findings indicate that dolphins exhibit self-awareness at a mirror at a younger age than previously reported for children or other species tested.

Conducting Research Interviews with Bereaved Family Carers: When Do We Ask?

PubMed Central

O'Connor, Moira

2015-01-01

Abstract Background: Interviews with bereaved family carers to examine the end-of-life experience of the deceased are important tools for palliative care researchers, but the ethics of approaching the bereaved when they are grieving and vulnerable is often debated. Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the insights of bereaved family carers about the most appropriate time to be involved in a research interview about the end of life and death of their family member. Methods: This qualitative study used a social constructionist framework. Twenty-two bereaved family carers of people with motor neurone disease (MND) and cancer were interviewed in Western Australia. Results: Most family carers (86%) feel comfortable being interviewed about the death of their family member within the first 5 months of bereavement, with 43% reporting they could be interviewed within weeks after death. Family carers reported that recall would be better earlier in bereavement and felt it may be helpful to them to talk about their experiences earlier. They said bereaved people should be allowed to decide for themselves when to be involved in an interview. Conclusions: These findings indicate that interviews with the bereaved may be most fruitful for researchers and beneficial to family carers when they are allowed to make the choice about timing for themselves, beginning weeks after the death of their family member. PMID:25517136

Lung-cancer mortality among Vermont granite workers: factors influencing exposure-response evaluation.

PubMed

Vacek, Pamela M; Callas, Peter W

2017-03-01

To understand why 2 studies relating crystalline silica exposure to lung-cancer mortality in Vermont granite workers yielded conflicting results. Data used in the 2 studies were linked to identify discrepancies. Mortality data and employment histories from the earlier study were revised based on data obtained in the later study. SMR were computed and Poisson regressions corresponding to those in the earlier study were performed using the original and revised data. Analyses were repeated with the addition of workers omitted from the earlier study. After correction of incomplete mortality and employment information in the original data, the overall SMR for the cohort in the earlier study increased from 1.17 (95% CI 1.03 to 1.36) to 1.39 (95% CI 1.22 to 1.59), and was similar to the SMR of 1.37 observed in the later study (95% CI 1.23 to 1.52). The exposure-response relationship was attenuated, particularly when person-years in all exposure categories were included in the analysis. Inclusion of additional workers had a smaller impact on the SMRs but further attenuated the exposure-response relationship. Differing results from the 2 studies are partly attributable to incomplete vital status and work history information used in the earlier study, as well as differences in cohort inclusion criteria. However, differences in length of follow-up and other factors likely play a larger role. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/.

Geochemistry of Rock Samples Collected from the Iron Hill Carbonatite Complex, Gunnison County, Colorado

USGS Publications Warehouse

Van Gosen, Bradley S.

2008-01-01

A study conducted in 2006 by the U.S. Geological Survey collected 57 surface rock samples from nine types of intrusive rock in the Iron Hill carbonatite complex. This intrusive complex, located in Gunnison County of southwestern Colorado, is known for its classic carbonatite-alkaline igneous geology and petrology. The Iron Hill complex is also noteworthy for its diverse mineral resources, including enrichments in titanium, rare earth elements, thorium, niobium (columbium), and vanadium. This study was performed to reexamine the chemistry and metallic content of the major rock units of the Iron Hill complex by using modern analytical techniques, while providing a broader suite of elements than the earlier published studies. The report contains the geochemical analyses of the samples in tabular and digital spreadsheet format, providing the analytical results for 55 major and trace elements.

When family enters the picture: the model of cultural negotiation and gendered experiences of Japanese academic sojourners in the United States.

PubMed

Sakamoto, Izumi

2006-07-01

A grounded-theory study aimed at reconceptualizing cultural adaptation processes from gender role and family/couple perspectives while critically drawing from acculturation and culture and self literatures. In-depth interviews with 34 Japanese academic sojourners (international students, scholars) and their spouses (a total of 50 interviews with select longitudinal interviews) were conducted. The author earlier developed the Model of Cultural Negotiation (2001; 2006) capturing uneven and cyclical processes of dealing with multiple cultural contexts. The current study further develops more tailored versions of this model, Family-Based (Couple-Based) Cultural Negotiation and Individual-Based Cultural Negotiation, highlighting the impacts of family/couple and gender roles, especially for female spouses. These conceptualizations afford a sophisticated understanding of the processes of culture.

Pharmacological interventions to improve cognition and adaptive functioning in Down syndrome: Strides to date.

PubMed

Hart, Sarah J; Visootsak, Jeannie; Tamburri, Paul; Phuong, Patrick; Baumer, Nicole; Hernandez, Maria-Clemencia; Skotko, Brian G; Ochoa-Lubinoff, Cesar; Liogier D'Ardhuy, Xavier; Kishnani, Priya S; Spiridigliozzi, Gail A

2017-11-01

Although an increasing number of clinical trials have been developed for cognition in Down syndrome, there has been limited success to date in identifying effective interventions. This review describes the progression from pre-clinical studies with mouse models to human clinical trials research using pharmacological interventions to improve cognition and adaptive functioning in Down syndrome. We also provide considerations for investigators when conducting human clinical trials and describe strategies for the pharmaceutical industry to advance the field in drug discovery for Down syndrome. Future research focusing on earlier pharmaceutical interventions, development of appropriate outcome measures, and greater collaboration between industry, academia, advocacy, and regulatory groups will be important for addressing limitations from prior studies and developing potential effective interventions for cognition in Down syndrome. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Enhanced Performance of Streamline-Traced External-Compression Supersonic Inlets

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Slater, John W.

2015-01-01

A computational design study was conducted to enhance the aerodynamic performance of streamline-traced, external-compression inlets for Mach 1.6. Compared to traditional external-compression, two-dimensional and axisymmetric inlets, streamline-traced inlets promise reduced cowl wave drag and sonic boom, but at the expense of reduced total pressure recovery and increased total pressure distortion. The current study explored a new parent flowfield for the streamline tracing and several variations of inlet design factors, including the axial displacement and angle of the subsonic cowl lip, the vertical placement of the engine axis, and the use of porous bleed in the subsonic diffuser. The performance was enhanced over that of an earlier streamline-traced inlet such as to increase the total pressure recovery and reduce total pressure distortion.

Experimental realization of nondestructive discrimination of Bell states using a five-qubit quantum computer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sisodia, Mitali; Shukla, Abhishek; Pathak, Anirban

2017-12-01

A scheme for distributed quantum measurement that allows nondestructive or indirect Bell measurement was proposed by Gupta et al [1]. In the present work, Gupta et al.'s scheme is experimentally realized using the five-qubit super-conductivity-based quantum computer, which has been recently placed in cloud by IBM Corporation. The experiment confirmed that the Bell state can be constructed and measured in a nondestructive manner with a reasonably high fidelity. A comparison of the outcomes of this study and the results obtained earlier in an NMR-based experiment (Samal et al. (2010) [10]) has also been performed. The study indicates that to make a scalable SQUID-based quantum computer, errors introduced by the gates (in the present technology) have to be reduced considerably.

Regression analysis of mixed panel count data with dependent terminal events.

PubMed

Yu, Guanglei; Zhu, Liang; Li, Yang; Sun, Jianguo; Robison, Leslie L

2017-05-10

Event history studies are commonly conducted in many fields, and a great deal of literature has been established for the analysis of the two types of data commonly arising from these studies: recurrent event data and panel count data. The former arises if all study subjects are followed continuously, while the latter means that each study subject is observed only at discrete time points. In reality, a third type of data, a mixture of the two types of the data earlier, may occur and furthermore, as with the first two types of the data, there may exist a dependent terminal event, which may preclude the occurrences of recurrent events of interest. This paper discusses regression analysis of mixed recurrent event and panel count data in the presence of a terminal event and an estimating equation-based approach is proposed for estimation of regression parameters of interest. In addition, the asymptotic properties of the proposed estimator are established, and a simulation study conducted to assess the finite-sample performance of the proposed method suggests that it works well in practical situations. Finally, the methodology is applied to a childhood cancer study that motivated this study. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Optimal early active mobilisation protocol after extensor tendon repairs in zones V and VI: A systematic review of literature.

PubMed

Collocott, Shirley Jf; Kelly, Edel; Ellis, Richard F

2018-03-01

Early mobilisation protocols after repair of extensor tendons in zone V and VI provide better outcomes than immobilisation protocols. This systematic review investigated different early active mobilisation protocols used after extensor tendon repair in zone V and VI. The purpose was to determine whether any one early active mobilisation protocol provides superior results. An extensive literature search was conducted to identify articles investigating the outcomes of early active mobilisation protocols after extensor tendon repair in zone V and VI. Databases searched were AMED, Embase, Medline, Cochrane and CINAHL. Studies were included if they involved participants with extensor tendon repairs in zone V and VI in digits 2-5 and described a post-operative rehabilitation protocol which allowed early active metacarpophalangeal joint extension. Study designs included were randomised controlled trials, observational studies, cohort studies and case series. The Structured Effectiveness Quality Evaluation Scale was used to evaluate the methodological quality of the included studies. Twelve articles met the inclusion criteria. Two types of early active mobilisation protocols were identified: controlled active motion protocols and relative motion extension splinting protocols. Articles describing relative motion extension splinting protocols were more recent but of lower methodological quality than those describing controlled active motion protocols. Participants treated with controlled active motion and relative motion extension splinting protocols had similar range of motion outcomes, but those in relative motion extension splinting groups returned to work earlier. The evidence reviewed suggested that relative motion extension splinting protocols may allow an earlier return to function than controlled active motion protocols without a greater risk of complication.

Sleep/wake behaviours of elite athletes from individual and team sports.

PubMed

Lastella, Michele; Roach, Gregory D; Halson, Shona L; Sargent, Charli

2015-01-01

Sleep is an essential component for athlete recovery due to its physiological and psychological restorative effects, yet few studies have explored the habitual sleep/wake behaviour of elite athletes. The aims of the present study were to investigate the habitual sleep/wake behaviour of elite athletes, and to compare the differences in sleep between athletes from individual and team sports. A total of 124 (104 male, 20 female) elite athletes (mean ± s: age 22.2 ± 3.0 years) from five individual sports and four team sports participated in this study. Participants' sleep/wake behaviour was assessed using self-report sleep diaries and wrist activity monitors for a minimum of seven nights (range 7-28 nights) during a typical training phase. Mixed-effects analyses of variances were conducted to compare the differences in the sleep/wake behaviour of athletes from two sport types (i.e. individual and team). Overall, this sample of athletes went to bed at 22:59 ± 1.3, woke up at 07:15 ± 1.2 and obtained 6.8 ± 1.1 h of sleep per night. Athletes from individual sports went to bed earlier, woke up earlier and obtained less sleep (individual vs team; 6.5 vs 7.0 h) than athletes from team sports. These data indicate that athletes obtain well below the recommended 8 h of sleep per night, with shorter sleep durations existing among athletes from individual sports.

Efficacy and safety of superficial chemical peeling in treatment of active acne vulgaris*

PubMed Central

Al-Talib, Hassanain; Al-khateeb, Alyaa; Hameed, Ayad; Murugaiah, Chandrika

2017-01-01

Acne vulgaris is an extremely common condition affecting the pilosebaceous unit of the skin and characterized by presence of comedones, papules, pustules, nodules, cysts, which might result in permanent scars. Acne vulgaris commonly involve adolescents and young age groups. Active acne vulgaris is usually associated with several complications like hyper or hypopigmentation, scar formation and skin disfigurement. Previous studies have targeted the efficiency and safety of local and systemic agents in the treatment of active acne vulgaris. Superficial chemical peeling is a skin-wounding procedure which might cause some potentially undesirable adverse events. This study was conducted to review the efficacy and safety of superficial chemical peeling in the treatment of active acne vulgaris. It is a structured review of an earlier seven articles meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The clinical assessments were based on pretreatment and post-treatment comparisons and the role of superficial chemical peeling in reduction of papules, pustules and comedones in active acne vulgaris. This study showed that almost all patients tolerated well the chemical peeling procedures despite a mild discomfort, burning, irritation and erythema have been reported; also the incidence of major adverse events was very low and easily manageable. In conclusion, chemical peeling with glycolic acid is a well-tolerated and safe treatment modality in active acne vulgaris while salicylic acid peels is a more convenient for treatment of darker skin patients and it showed significant and earlier improvement than glycolic acid PMID:28538881

Efficacy and safety of superficial chemical peeling in treatment of active acne vulgaris.

PubMed

Al-Talib, Hassanain; Al-Khateeb, Alyaa; Hameed, Ayad; Murugaiah, Chandrika

2017-01-01

Acne vulgaris is an extremely common condition affecting the pilosebaceous unit of the skin and characterized by presence of comedones, papules, pustules, nodules, cysts, which might result in permanent scars. Acne vulgaris commonly involve adolescents and young age groups. Active acne vulgaris is usually associated with several complications like hyper or hypopigmentation, scar formation and skin disfigurement. Previous studies have targeted the efficiency and safety of local and systemic agents in the treatment of active acne vulgaris. Superficial chemical peeling is a skin-wounding procedure which might cause some potentially undesirable adverse events. This study was conducted to review the efficacy and safety of superficial chemical peeling in the treatment of active acne vulgaris. It is a structured review of an earlier seven articles meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The clinical assessments were based on pretreatment and post-treatment comparisons and the role of superficial chemical peeling in reduction of papules, pustules and comedones in active acne vulgaris. This study showed that almost all patients tolerated well the chemical peeling procedures despite a mild discomfort, burning, irritation and erythema have been reported; also the incidence of major adverse events was very low and easily manageable. In conclusion, chemical peeling with glycolic acid is a well-tolerated and safe treatment modality in active acne vulgaris while salicylic acid peels is a more convenient for treatment of darker skin patients and it showed significant and earlier improvement than glycolic acid.

Psychological health in siblings who lost a brother or sister to cancer 2 to 9 years earlier.

PubMed

Eilegård, Alexandra; Steineck, Gunnar; Nyberg, Tommy; Kreicbergs, Ulrika

2013-03-01

The objective of this study was to assess long-term psychological distress in siblings who lost a brother or sister to cancer 2 to 9 years earlier, as compared with a control group of non-bereaved siblings from the general population. During 2009, we conducted a nationwide follow-up study in Sweden by using an anonymous study-specific questionnaire. Siblings who had lost a brother or sister to cancer between the years 2000 and 2007 and also a control group of non-bereaved siblings from the general population were invited to participate. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was used to measure psychological distress, and to test for differences in the ordinal outcome responses between the groups, we used Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney rank-sum test. Among the bereaved siblings, 174/240 (73%) participated and 219/293 (75%) among the non-bereaved. Self-assessed low self-esteem (p = 0.002), difficulties falling asleep (p = 0.005), and low level of personal maturity (p = 0.007) at follow-up were more prevalent among bereaved siblings. However, anxiety (p = 0.298) and depression (p = 0.946), according to HADS, were similar. Bereaved siblings are at increased risk of low self-esteem, low level of personal maturity and difficulties falling asleep as compared with non-bereaved peers. Yet, the bereaved were not more likely to report anxiety or depression. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Systematic review of early surgery for chronic pancreatitis: impact on pain, pancreatic function, and re-intervention.

PubMed

Yang, Catherine J; Bliss, Lindsay A; Schapira, Emily F; Freedman, Steven D; Ng, Sing Chau; Windsor, John A; Tseng, Jennifer F

2014-10-01

Surgical intervention has traditionally been reserved as the last management option for pain in chronic pancreatitis. Recently, there has been a call for surgery to be offered earlier in the disease process. The objectives of this review were to evaluate the effect of early surgery on postoperative pain, pancreatic function, and re-intervention rates in chronic pancreatitis. A systematic literature search through EMBASE, Cochrane Review, and PubMed from January 1950 to January 2014 was conducted. Citations found in relevant papers are hand-searched. Data which could be pooled were analyzed using Revman (v5.2). Risk of bias analysis was conducted. Of the 2,886 potentially eligible studies identified, 11 studies met the inclusion criteria. There was large heterogeneity in the study designs, and studies were conducted over a lengthy time span. Seven studies examined pain, three studies examined pancreatic function, and three studies examined rates of re-intervention. Meta-analysis of the three studies with comparative raw data regarding complete pain relief showed that early surgery was associated with an increased likelihood of complete postoperative pain relief (RR = 1.67, 95% CI 1.09-2.56, p = 0.02). Early surgery was also associated with reduced risk of pancreatic insufficiency and low re-intervention rates. Data from this study supports considering early surgery for pain management in patients with chronic pancreatitis, with the potential of a reduced risk of pancreatic insufficiency and the need for further intervention. Further prospective randomized studies are warranted comparing early surgery against conservative step-up approaches.

Differential Effects of Positive and Negative Reinforcement on Two Psychoanalytic Character Types

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cooperman, Marc; Child, Irvin L.

1971-01-01

The present study attempted to duplicate earlier findings and to investigate the effects of mechanical as well as personal reinforcement. However, the acquisition and extinction differences between oral and anal scoring types reported in the earlier studies were not obtained with either personal or mechanical reinforcement. (Author)

The Equity of Public School Finance in Missouri: 1977-1981. A Research Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ryan, Sharon; Walker, Anne

Updated were statistics of an earlier study done by the Education Commission of the States (ECS) in 1980, entitled "The Missouri School Finance Study." The recent results differed from the earlier study's, illustrating the extent to which revenues per pupil depended on local property wealth and income. The results of the first study…

Density of Electronic States in the Conduction Band of Ultrathin Films of Naphthalenedicarboxylic Anhydride and Naphthalenetetracarboxylic Dianhydride on the Surface of Oxidized Silicon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Komolov, A. S.; Lazneva, E. F.; Gerasimova, N. B.; Panina, Yu. A.; Baramygin, A. V.; Zashikhin, G. D.; Pshenichnyuk, S. A.

2018-04-01

The results of examination of the electronic structure of the conduction band of naphthalenedicarboxylic anhydride (NDCA) films in the process of their deposition on the surface of oxidized silicon are presented. These results were obtained using total current spectroscopy (TCS) in the energy range from 5 to 20 eV above the Fermi level. The energy position of the primary maxima of the density of unoccupied states (DOUS) of an NDCA film was determined based on the experimental TCS data and calculated data and compared with the position of the DOUS maxima of a naphthalenetetracarboxylic dianhydride (NTCDA) film. The theoretical analysis involved calculating the energies and the spatial distribution of orbitals of the molecules under study at the B3LYP/6-31G(d) DFT (density functional theory) level and correcting the obtained energies in accordance with the procedure that was proven effective in earlier studies of the conduction band of films of small conjugated organic molecules. It was found that the DOUS maxima of the NTCDA film in the studied energy interval from 5 to 20 eV above the Fermi level are shifted toward lower electron energies by 1-2 eV relative to the corresponding DOUS maxima of the NDCA film Subdivision of the Ufa Federal Research Centre of the.

Predicting Drinking Onset with Discrete-Time Survival Analysis in Offspring from the San Diego Prospective Study

PubMed Central

Trim, Ryan S.; Schuckit, Marc A.; Smith, Tom L.

2009-01-01

Previous research has shown that an early onset of drinking is associated with a range of problematic drinking outcomes in adulthood. However, earlier drinking is also linked to additional characteristics that themselves predict alcohol problems including male gender, a family history (FH) of alcoholism, age, race, parental alcoholism, depression symptoms, prior drug use, and conduct problems. This study tested the relationship between the age of first drink (AFD) and a range of risk factors that predict the onset of alcohol use. Participants were offspring from the San Diego Prospective Study (SDPS) who were at least 15 years old at the time of their most recent interview (n=147). Discrete-time survival analysis (DTSA) was used to relate multiple characteristics to the hazard function of alcohol onset across a relevant age range. The results demonstrated the predicted relationships to AFD for conduct problems, male gender, prior marijuana use, and a FH of alcoholism, even when these characteristics were estimated together. Furthermore, an interaction occurred such that offspring with both conduct problems and marijuana use were at substantially higher risk for alcohol use onset during this time period than would be predicted from the effect of these two risk factors alone. However, age at interview, ethnicity, parent education, and depressive symptoms did not predict the pattern of onset of drinking. Implications for future research and prevention efforts are discussed. PMID:19959300

A meta-analysis of placebo-controlled trials of omega-3 fatty acid augmentation in schizophrenia: Possible stage-specific effects.

PubMed

Chen, Alexander T; Chibnall, John T; Nasrallah, Henry A

2015-11-01

Omega-3 fatty acids have shown promise as an adjunctive treatment for schizophrenia. However, efficacy across studies has been inconsistent. We conducted a meta-analysis of published controlled studies with the goal of detecting different efficacy profiles at various stages of schizophrenia. An online search was conducted for randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials, and a meta-analysis was conducted. Ten studies met the criteria for inclusion. Among patients in the prodromal phase of schizophrenia, omega-3 supplementation reduced psychotic symptom severity and lowered conversion rates to first-episode psychosis. In patients with first-episode schizophrenia, omega-3 decreased nonpsychotic symptoms, required lower antipsychotic medication dosages, and improved early treatment response rates. Omega-3 had mixed results in patients with stable chronic schizophrenia, with only some patients experiencing significant benefits. Among patients with chronic schizophrenia, use of omega-3 fatty acids both by those experiencing acute exacerbations and those who had discontinued antipsychotic medications resulted in worsening of psychotic symptoms. The data suggest that omega-3 fatty acids may be efficacious in reducing clinical symptoms for patients in the earlier stages of schizophrenia (prodrome and first episode), while producing mixed results for patients in the chronic stages. Based on these results, omega-3 fatty acids would not be recommended for acute exacerbations in patients with chronic schizophrenia nor for relapse prevention after discontinuation of antipsychotics.

Value Analysis of Digital Breast Tomosynthesis for Breast Cancer Screening in a US Medicaid Population.

PubMed

Miller, Jeffrey D; Bonafede, Machaon M; Herschorn, Sally D; Pohlman, Scott K; Troeger, Kathleen A; Fajardo, Laurie L

2017-04-01

Better understanding regarding the clinical-economic value of digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) for breast cancer screening for Medicaid enrollees is needed to help inform sound, value-based decision making. The objective of this study was to conduct a clinical-economic value analysis of DBT for breast cancer screening among women enrolled in Medicaid to assess the potential clinical benefits, associated expenditures, and net budget impact of DBT. Two annual screening mammography scenarios were evaluated with an economic model: (1) full-field digital mammography and (2) combined full-field digital mammography and DBT. The model focused on two main drivers of DBT value: (1) capacity for DBT to reduce the number of women recalled for additional follow-up imaging and diagnostic services and (2) capacity of DBT to facilitate earlier diagnosis of cancer at earlier stages, when treatment costs are lower. Model analysis results showed that the use of DBT as a mammographic screening modality by Medicaid enrollees potentially reduces the need for follow-up diagnostic services and improves the detection of invasive cancers, allowing earlier, less costly treatment. With the modest incremental reimbursement of $37 for DBT expected for a typical Medicaid claim, annual cost savings from DBT predicted by the model amounts to $8.14 per patient, potentially translating into more than $12,000 savings per year for an average-sized Medicaid plan and as much as $207,000 savings per year for a typical state Medicaid program. Wider adoption of DBT presents an opportunity to deliver value-based care to Medicaid programs and to help address disparities and barriers to accessing preventive care by some of the nation's most vulnerable citizens. Copyright © 2016 American College of Radiology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Earlier Age of Onset of Chronic Hypertension and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus After a Hypertensive Disorder of Pregnancy or Gestational Diabetes Mellitus.

PubMed

Heida, Karst Y; Franx, Arie; van Rijn, Bas B; Eijkemans, Marinus J C; Boer, Jolanda M A; Verschuren, Monique W M; Oudijk, Martijn A; Bots, Michiel L; van der Schouw, Yvonne T

2015-12-01

A prospective cohort study was conducted to assess the impact of a history of hypertensive disorder of pregnancy (HDP) or gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) on the risk and age of onset of hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D), and cardiovascular disease (CVD) later in life, independent of hypertension and T2D. Between 1993 and 1997, 22 265 ever-pregnant women were included from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition-NL study, aged 20 to 70 years at baseline. Details on complications of pregnancy and known hypertension were obtained by questionnaire. Blood pressure was measured at enrollment. Participants were followed for the occurrence of CVD events. Data were analyzed using ANCOVA, multivariable logistic regression, and Cox proportional hazard (with HDP and GDM as time-dependent variables for T2D and CVD) models. At enrollment, women with a HDP reported diagnosis of hypertension 7.7 years earlier (95% confidence interval [CI] 6.9-8.5) and women with GDM reported diagnosis of T2D 7.7 years earlier (95% CI 5.8-9.6) than women without pregnancy complications. After adjustment for potential confounders, HDP was associated with presence of hypertension at enrollment (odds ratio 2.12, 95% CI 1.98-2.28) and onset of CVD later in life (hazard ratio 1.21, 95% CI 1.10-1.32). After including the intermediates hypertension and T2D in the model, the risk of CVD later in life decreased (hazard ratio 1.09, 95% CI 1.00-1.20). GDM was associated with an increased risk of developing T2D later in life (hazard ratio 3.68, 95% CI 2.77-4.90), but not with risk of CVD. HDP and GDM have a substantial impact on the risk of CVD and are potentially important indicators for preventive cardiovascular risk management. © 2015 American Heart Association, Inc.

Battery energy storage market feasibility study -- Expanded report

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

Kraft, S.; Akhil, A.

1997-09-01

Under the sponsorship of the US Department of Energy`s Office of Utility Technologies, the Energy Storage Systems Analysis and Development Department at Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) contracted Frost and Sullivan to conduct a market feasibility study of energy storage systems. The study was designed specifically to quantify the battery energy storage market for utility applications. This study was based on the SNL Opportunities Analysis performed earlier. Many of the groups surveyed, which included electricity providers, battery energy storage vendors, regulators, consultants, and technology advocates, viewed battery storage as an important technology to enable increased use of renewable energy and asmore » a means to solve power quality and asset utilization issues. There are two versions of the document available, an expanded version (approximately 200 pages, SAND97-1275/2) and a short version (approximately 25 pages, SAND97-1275/1).« less

Evaluation of the William S. Hall Psychiatric Institute Clinical Psychology Internship: a replication and extension.

PubMed

Stader, Sandra R; Myers, DeRosset; Forand, Angela Q; Holmes, George R; McNulty, George F; Frey, Linda; Bolton, Staci S

2010-12-01

This study extends three earlier investigations involving participants who completed their predoctoral clinical psychology internship at the William S. Hall Psychiatric Institute. Intern graduates (N = 37) evaluated how effectively their internship training prepared them for seven aspects of their current work as practicing psychologists. Participants also rated the relevancy of 24 different internship training experiences to their current work and how much these experiences contributed to their development as clinical psychologists. The present study, in conjunction with the three previous studies, covers most of the 40-year period since the inception of the internship program. Analysis of the current data indicates the internship has improved over time and was deemed an exceptional training experience by its graduates. Findings may be of particular interest to internship directors and faculty interested in improving their training program and those who plan to conduct a self-study to maintain their accreditation for clinical psychology internship.

KSC01padig024

NASA Image and Video Library

2001-01-19

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space Shuttle Atlantis nears the Vehicle Assembly Building (left) and Launch Control Center on its way back from Launch Pad 39A. Atlantis is rolling back to the VAB so that workers can conduct inspections, make continuity checks and conduct X-ray analysis on the 36 solid rocket booster cables located inside each booster’s system tunnel. An extensive evaluation of NASA’s SRB cable inventory revealed conductor damage in four (of about 200) cables on the shelf. Shuttle managers decided to prove the integrity of the system tunnel cables already on Atlantis before launching Jan. 19. The launch has been rescheduled no earlier than Feb. 6

Standing shocks in a two-fluid solar wind

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Habbal, Shadia R.; Hu, You Qiu; Esser, Ruth

1994-01-01

We present a numerical study of the formation of standing shocks in the solar wind using a two-fluid time-dependent model in the presence of Alfven waves. Included in this model is the adiabatic cooling and thermal conduction of both electrons and protons. In this study, standing shocks develop in the flow when additional critical points form as a result of either localized momentum addition or rapid expansion of the flow tube below the existing sonic point. While the flow speed and density exhibit the same characteristics as found in earlier studies of the formation of standing shocks, the inclusion of electron and proton heat conduction produces different signatures in the electron and proton temperature profiles across the shock layer. Owing to the strong heat conduction, the electron temperature is nearly continuous across the shock, but its gradient has a negative jump across it, thus producing a net heat flux out of the shock layer. The proton temperature exhibits the same characteristics for shocks produced by momentum addition but behaves differently when the shock is formed by the rapid divergence of the flow tube. The adiabatic cooling in a rapidly diverging flow tube reduces the proton temperature so substantially that the proton heat conduction becomes negligible in the vicinity of the shock. As a result, protons experience a positive jump in temperature across the shock. While Alfven waves do not affect the formation of standing shocks, they contribute to the change of the mmomentum and energy balance across them. We also find that for this solar wind model the inclusion of thermal conduction and adiabatic cooling for the elctrons and protons increases significantly the range of parameters characterizing the formation of standing shocks over those previously found for isothermal and polytropic models.

Parenting and children's representations of family predict disruptive and callous-unemotional behaviors

PubMed Central

Wagner, Nicholas J.; Mills-Koonce, W. Roger; Willoughby, Michael T.; Zvara, Bharathi; Cox, Martha J.

2015-01-01

Data from a large prospective longitudinal study (n = 1,239) was used to investigate the association between observed sensitive parenting in early childhood and children's representations of family relationships as measured by the Family Drawing Paradigm (FDP) in first grade as well as the extent to which these representations partially mediate the influences of early caregiving experiences on later conduct problems and callous-unemotional behaviors. A structural equation modeling approach revealed that less sensitive parenting at 24, 36, and 58 months predicts higher levels of conduct problems (CP) and callous-unemotional (CU) behaviors in first grade controlling for earlier measures of CP and CU behaviors. Results also indicated that greater dysfunctional family representations, as assessed with the FDP, are significantly associated with higher CU behaviors in the first grade, but not CP. Finally, a test of the indirect pathway suggests that children's dysfunctional family representations may, in part, account for the association between sensitive parenting and CU behaviors. PMID:26010385

A flux-limited treatment for the conductive evaporation of spherical interstellar gas clouds

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dalton, William W.; Balbus, Steven A.

1993-01-01

In this work, we present and analyze a new analytic solution for the saturated (flux-limited) thermal evaporation of a spherical cloud. This work is distinguished from earlier analytic studies by allowing the thermal conductivity to change continuously from a diffusive to a saturated form, in a manner usually employed only in numerical calculations. This closed form solution will be of interest as a computational benchmark. Using our calculated temperature profiles and mass-loss rates, we model the thermal evaporation of such a cloud under typical interstellar medium (ISM) conditions, with some restrictions. We examine the ionization structure of the cloud-ISM interface and evaluate column densities of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, neon, and silicon ions toward the cloud. In accord with other investigations, we find that ionization equilibrium is far from satisfied under the assumed conditions. Since the inclusion of saturation effects in the heat flux narrows the thermal interface relative to its classical structure, we also find that saturation effects tend to lower predicted column densities.

Transactional effects among maternal depression, neighborhood deprivation, and child conduct problems from early childhood through adolescence: A tale of two low-income samples.

PubMed

Shaw, Daniel S; Sitnick, Stephanie L; Reuben, Julia; Dishion, Thomas J; Wilson, Melvin N

2016-08-01

The current study sought to advance our understanding of transactional processes among maternal depression, neighborhood deprivation, and child conduct problems (CP) using two samples of low-income families assessed repeatedly from early childhood to early adolescence. After accounting for initial levels of negative parenting, independent and reciprocal effects between maternal depressive symptoms and child CP were evident across both samples, beginning in early childhood and continuing through middle childhood and adolescence. In addition, neighborhood effects were consistently found in both samples after children reached age 5, with earlier neighborhood effects on child CP and maternal depression found in the one exclusively urban sample of families with male children. The results confirm prior research on the independent contribution of maternal depression and child CP to the maintenance of both problem behaviors. The findings also have implications for designing preventative and clinical interventions to address child CP for families living in high-risk neighborhoods.

Childhood psychopathology and adolescent cigarette smoking: a prospective survival analysis in children at high risk for substance use disorders.

PubMed

Clark, Duncan B; Cornelius, Jack

2004-06-01

Children of parents with substance use disorders (SUDs) have been shown to demonstrate an increased risk for cigarette smoking in adolescence. In this prospective study, we hypothesized that adolescent cigarette smoking risk would be accounted for by childhood disruptive behavior disorders and parent cigarette smoking. Preadolescent children (ages 10-12 years) of fathers with SUD considered at high average risk (HAR; n=274) and children of fathers without SUD or major psychopathology considered at low average risk (LAR; n=298) participated in structured interviews to determine mental disorder diagnoses and substance use history. Both parents were assessed. The age of onset of daily tobacco use was determined in three follow-up assessments conducted through late adolescence. Conduct disorder (CD) and parental smoking predicted earlier daily cigarette smoking, and mediated the relationship between risk status and offspring daily cigarette smoking. Through the identification of childhood characteristics predicting daily cigarette smoking in adolescence, these results may facilitate targeting of early childhood preventive interventions.

Swath bathymetric survey of Englebright Lake, Yuba-Nevada Counties, California

USGS Publications Warehouse

Childs, Jonathan R.; Stevenson, Andrew J.

2006-01-01

In March, 2004, the USGS conducted a swath bathymetric survey of Englebright Lake, a 9-mile long reservoir located in the Sierra Nevada foothills of northern California on the Yuba River. This survey was follow-on to an earlier bathymetric survey and sediment thickness analysis done by the USGS in 2001 (Childs and others, 2003). The primary purpose of these studies is to assess the quantity and nature of the sediment that has accumulated since the dam was completed in 1940. The specific purpose of the swath bathymetry was to map in high detail the prograding delta that is being formed as the lake fills in with sediment. In the event of another large flood such as occurred on January 1, 1997, the survey could be repeated to determine the effect of such an event on the sediment volume and distribution. This study was conducted under the auspices of the Upper Yuba River Studies Program (UYRSP) . The UYRSP is funded by the CALFED Bay-Delta Program, whose mission is to "develop and implement a long-term comprehensive plan that will restore ecological health and improve water management for beneficial uses of the San Francisco Bay-Delta System".

Workers in the VAB test SRB cables on STS-98 solid rocket boosters

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2001-01-01

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- NASA and United Space Alliance SRB technicians hook up solid rocket booster cables to a Cirris Signature Touch 1 cable tester. From left are Loren Atkinson and Steve Swichkow, with NASA, and Jeff Suter, with USA. The SRB is part of Space Shuttle Atlantis, rolled back from Launch Pad 39A in order to conduct tests on the cables. A prior extensive evaluation of NASA'''s SRB cable inventory on the shelf revealed conductor damage in four (of about 200) cables. Shuttle managers decided to prove the integrity of the system tunnel cables already on Atlantis before launching. Workers are conducting inspections, making continuity checks and conducting X-ray analysis on the cables. The launch has been rescheduled no earlier than Feb. 6.

Workers in the VAB test SRB cables on STS-98 solid rocket boosters

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2001-01-01

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- In the Vehicle Assembly Building, United Space Alliance SRB technician Frank Meyer pulls cables out of the solid rocket booster system tunnel. Cable end covers are in a box near his feet. The SRB is part of Space Shuttle Atlantis, rolled back from Launch Pad 39A in order to conduct tests on the cables. A prior extensive evaluation of NASA'''s SRB cable inventory on the shelf revealed conductor damage in four (of about 200) cables. Shuttle managers decided to prove the integrity of the system tunnel cables already on Atlantis before launching. Workers are conducting inspections, making continuity checks and conducting X-ray analysis on the cables. The launch has been rescheduled no earlier than Feb. 6.

Personality maturation around the world: a cross-cultural examination of social-investment theory.

PubMed

Bleidorn, Wiebke; Klimstra, Theo A; Denissen, Jaap J A; Rentfrow, Peter J; Potter, Jeff; Gosling, Samuel D

2013-12-01

During early adulthood, individuals from different cultures across the world tend to become more agreeable, more conscientious, and less neurotic. Two leading theories offer different explanations for these pervasive age trends: Five-factor theory proposes that personality maturation is largely determined by genetic factors, whereas social-investment theory proposes that personality maturation in early adulthood is largely the result of normative life transitions to adult roles. In the research reported here, we conducted the first systematic cross-cultural test of these theories using data from a large Internet-based sample of young adults from 62 nations (N = 884,328). We found strong evidence for universal personality maturation from early to middle adulthood, yet there were significant cultural differences in age effects on personality traits. Consistent with social-investment theory, results showed that cultures with an earlier onset of adult-role responsibilities were marked by earlier personality maturation.

EFFECTS OF LASER RADIATION ON MATTER: Maximum depth of keyhole melting of metals by a laser beam

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pinsker, V. A.; Cherepanov, G. P.

1990-11-01

A calculation is reported of the maximum depth and diameter of a narrow crater formed in a stationary metal target exposed to high-power cw CO2 laser radiation. The energy needed for erosion of a unit volume is assumed to be constant and the energy losses experienced by the beam in the vapor-gas channel are ignored. The heat losses in the metal are allowed for by an analytic solution of the three-dimensional boundary-value heat-conduction problem of the temperature field in the vicinity of a thin but long crater with a constant temperature on its surface. An approximate solution of this problem by a method proposed earlier by one of the present authors was tested on a computer. The dimensions of the thin crater were found to be very different from those obtained earlier subject to a less rigorous allowance for the heat losses.

Sick sinus syndrome as a complication of mediastinal radiation therapy

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

Pohjola-Sintonen, S.; Toetterman, K.J.K.; Kupari, M.

1990-06-01

A 33-year-old man who had received mediastinal radiation therapy for Hodgkin's disease 12 years earlier developed a symptomatic sick sinus syndrome requiring the implantation of a permanent pacemaker. The sick sinus syndrome and a finding of an occult constrictive pericarditis were considered to be due to the previous mediastinal irradiation. A ventricular pacemaker was chosen because mediastinal radiotherapy also increases the risk of developing atrioventricular conduction defects.

Faster Forgetting Contributes to Impaired Spatial Memory in the PDAPP Mouse: Deficit in Memory Retrieval Associated with Increased Sensitivity to Interference?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Daumas, Stephanie; Sandin, Johan; Chen, Karen S.; Kobayashi, Dione; Tulloch, Jane; Martin, Stephen J.; Games, Dora; Morris, Richard G. M.

2008-01-01

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the possibility of faster forgetting by PDAPP mice (a well-established model of Alzheimer's disease as reported by Games and colleagues in an earlier paper). Experiment 1, using mice aged 13-16 mo, confirmed the presence of a deficit in a spatial reference memory task in the water maze by hemizygous…

Screening for Generalized Anxiety Disorder in inpatient psychosomatic rehabilitation: pathological worry and the impact of depressive symptoms

PubMed Central

Salzer, Simone; Stiller, Christian; Tacke-Pook, Achim; Jacobi, Claus; Leibing, Eric

2009-01-01

Objective: Pathological worry is considered to be a defining feature for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). The Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ) is an instrument for assessing pathological worry. Two earlier studies demonstrated the suitability of the PSWQ as screening instrument for GAD in outpatient and non-clinical samples. This study examined the suitability of the PSWQ as a screening instrument for GAD in a German inpatient sample (N=237). Furthermore, a comparison of patients with GAD and patients with depression and other anxiety disorders regarding pathological worry and depression was carried out in a sub-sample of N=118 patients. Method: Cut-off scores optimizing sensitivity, optimizing specificity and simultaneously optimizing both sensitivity and specificity were calculated for the PSWQ score by receiver operating characteristic analysis (ROC). Differences regarding pathological worry and depression measured by the PSWQ and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) across five diagnostic subgroups were examined by conducting one-way ANOVAs. The influence of depression on pathological worry was controlled by conducting an ANCOVA with BDI score as a covariate. Results: The ROC analysis showed an area under the curve of AUC=.67 (p=0.02) with only 54.4% of the patients correctly classified. Comparison of diagnostic subgroups showed that after controlling the influence of depression, differences referring to pathological worry between diagnostic subgroups no longer existed. Conclusions: Contrary to the earlier results we found that the use of the PSWQ as a screening instrument for GAD at least in a sample of psychotherapy inpatients is not meaningful. Instead of that, the PSWQ can be used to discriminate high from low worriers in clinical samples. Thus, the instrument can be useful in establishing e.g. symptom-oriented group interventions as they are established in behavioural-medicine inpatient settings. Furthermore, our findings stress the influence of (comorbid) depressive symptoms on the process of worrying. PMID:19742048

Screening for Generalized Anxiety Disorder in inpatient psychosomatic rehabilitation: pathological worry and the impact of depressive symptoms.

PubMed

Salzer, Simone; Stiller, Christian; Tacke-Pook, Achim; Jacobi, Claus; Leibing, Eric

2009-07-09

Pathological worry is considered to be a defining feature for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). The Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ) is an instrument for assessing pathological worry. Two earlier studies demonstrated the suitability of the PSWQ as screening instrument for GAD in outpatient and non-clinical samples. This study examined the suitability of the PSWQ as a screening instrument for GAD in a German inpatient sample (N=237). Furthermore, a comparison of patients with GAD and patients with depression and other anxiety disorders regarding pathological worry and depression was carried out in a sub-sample of N=118 patients. Cut-off scores optimizing sensitivity, optimizing specificity and simultaneously optimizing both sensitivity and specificity were calculated for the PSWQ score by receiver operating characteristic analysis (ROC). Differences regarding pathological worry and depression measured by the PSWQ and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) across five diagnostic subgroups were examined by conducting one-way ANOVAs. The influence of depression on pathological worry was controlled by conducting an ANCOVA with BDI score as a covariate. The ROC analysis showed an area under the curve of AUC=.67 (p=0.02) with only 54.4% of the patients correctly classified. Comparison of diagnostic subgroups showed that after controlling the influence of depression, differences referring to pathological worry between diagnostic subgroups no longer existed. Contrary to the earlier results we found that the use of the PSWQ as a screening instrument for GAD at least in a sample of psychotherapy inpatients is not meaningful. Instead of that, the PSWQ can be used to discriminate high from low worriers in clinical samples. Thus, the instrument can be useful in establishing e.g. symptom-oriented group interventions as they are established in behavioural-medicine inpatient settings. Furthermore, our findings stress the influence of (comorbid) depressive symptoms on the process of worrying.

Is improved lane keeping during cognitive load caused by increased physical arousal or gaze concentration toward the road center?

PubMed

Li, Penghui; Markkula, Gustav; Li, Yibing; Merat, Natasha

2018-08-01

Driver distraction is one of the main causes of motor-vehicle accidents. However, the impact on traffic safety of tasks that impose cognitive (non-visual) distraction remains debated. One particularly intriguing finding is that cognitive load seems to improve lane keeping performance, most often quantified as reduced standard deviation of lateral position (SDLP). The main competing hypotheses, supported by current empirical evidence, suggest that cognitive load improves lane keeping via either increased physical arousal, or higher gaze concentration toward the road center, but views are mixed regarding if, and how, these possible mediators influence lane keeping performance. Hence, a simulator study was conducted, with participants driving on a straight city road section whilst completing a cognitive task at different levels of difficulty. In line with previous studies, cognitive load led to increased physical arousal, higher gaze concentration toward the road center, and higher levels of micro-steering activity, accompanied by improved lane keeping performance. More importantly, during the high cognitive task, both physical arousal and gaze concentration changed earlier in time than micro-steering activity, which in turn changed earlier than lane keeping performance. In addition, our results did not show a significant correlation between gaze concentration and physical arousal on the level of individual task recordings. Based on these findings, various multilevel models for micro-steering activity and lane keeping performance were conducted and compared, and the results suggest that all of the mechanisms proposed by existing hypotheses could be simultaneously involved. In other words, it is suggested that cognitive load leads to: (i) an increase in arousal, causing increased micro-steering activity, which in turn improves lane keeping performance, and (ii) an increase in gaze concentration, causing lane keeping improvement through both (a) further increased micro-steering activity and (b) a tendency to steer toward the gaze target. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Ab initio computational study on the lattice thermal conductivity of Zintl clathrates [Si19P4] Cl4 and Na4[Al4Si19

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Härkönen, Ville J.; Karttunen, Antti J.

2016-08-01

The lattice thermal conductivity of silicon clathrate framework Si23 and two Zintl clathrates, [Si19P4] Cl4 and Na4[Al4Si19] , is investigated by using an iterative solution of the linearized Boltzmann transport equation in conjunction with ab initio lattice dynamical techniques. At 300 K, the lattice thermal conductivities for Si23, [Si19P4] Cl4 , and Na4[Al4Si19] were found to be 43 W/(m K), 25 W/(m K), and 2 W/(m K), respectively. In the case of Na4[Al4Si19] , the order-of-magnitude reduction in the lattice thermal conductivity was found to be mostly due to relaxation times and group velocities differing from Si23 and [Si19P4] Cl4 . The difference in the relaxation times and group velocities arises primarily due to the phonon spectrum at low frequencies, resulting eventually from the differences in the second-order interatomic force constants (IFCs). The obtained third-order IFCs were rather similar for all materials considered here. The present findings are similar to those obtained earlier for some skutterudites. The predicted lattice thermal conductivity of Na4[Al4Si19] is in line with the experimentally measured thermal conductivity of recently synthesized type-I Zintl clathrate Na8[Al8Si38] (polycrystalline samples).

Impact of Educational Intervention Concerning Awareness and Behaviors Relating to Avian Influenza (H5N1) in a High-Risk Population in Vietnam

PubMed Central

Manabe, Toshie; Thuy, Pham Thi Phuong; Can, Vu Van; Takasaki, Jin; Huyen, Dinh Thi Thanh; Chau, Nguyen Thi My; Shimbo, Takuro; Ha, Bui Thi Thu; Izumi, Shinyu; Hanh, Tran Thuy; Chau, Ngo Quy; Kudo, Koichiro

2011-01-01

Background Early initiation of treatment is essential for treatment of avian influenza A/H5N1 viral infection in humans, as the disease can lead to rapid development of severe pneumonia which can result in death. Contact with infected poultry is known to be a significant risk factor for contraction of H5N1 infection. However, handling and encountering poultry are a part of most peoples' daily lives, especially in rural communities in Vietnam where epidemic outbreaks among poultry have been continuously reported. Enhancing proper knowledge relating to H5N1 and to the importance of early initiation of treatment are crucial. The aim of this study was to develop an effective educational program to enhance awareness of H5N1 and motivate people to access to health care earlier when H5N1 infection is suspected or likely. Methodology and Principal Findings A study was conducted in two agricultural communities (intervention and control groups) in the Ninh Binh province in Vietnam, where epidemic outbreaks of avian influenza have recently occurred in birds. A unique educational intervention was developed and provided to the intervention group, and no intervention was provided to the control group. A knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) survey was conducted in both groups with a face-to-face interview by trained local healthcare workers at time points before and after the educational intervention. KAP scores were compared between the different time points and between the groups. How educational intervention influenced awareness relating to H5N1 and accessibility of healthcare in the population was analyzed. The study indicated an increased awareness of H5N1 and increased reliance on local health care workers. Conclusions The novel educational program which was developed for this study impacted awareness of H5N1, and resulted in more people seeking early access to healthcare, and also resulted in earlier medical intervention for patients with H5N1 avian influenza infection in Vietnam. PMID:21887303

Fatal poisoning in drug addicts in the Nordic countries in 2012.

PubMed

Simonsen, K Wiese; Edvardsen, H M E; Thelander, G; Ojanperä, I; Thordardottir, S; Andersen, L V; Kriikku, P; Vindenes, V; Christoffersen, D; Delaveris, G J M; Frost, J

2015-03-01

This report is a follow-up to a study on fatal poisoning in drug addicts conducted in 2012 by a Nordic working group. Here we analyse data from the five Nordic countries: Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. Data on sex, number of deaths, places of death, age, main intoxicants and other drugs detected in the blood were recorded. National data are presented and compared between the Nordic countries and with data from similar studies conducted in 1991, 1997, 2002 and 2007. The death rates (number of deaths per 100,000 inhabitants) increased in drug addicts in Finland, Iceland and Sweden but decreased in Norway compared to the rates in earlier studies. The death rate was stable in Denmark from 1991 to 2012. The death rate remained highest in Norway (5.79) followed by Denmark (5.19) and Iceland (5.16). The differences between the countries diminished compared to earlier studies, with death rates in Finland (4.61) and Sweden (4.17) approaching the levels in the other countries. Women accounted for 15-27% of the fatal poisonings. The median age of the deceased drug addicts was still highest in Denmark, and deaths of addicts >45 years old increased in all countries. Opioids remained the main cause of death, but medicinal opioids like methadone, buprenorphine, fentanyl and tramadol mainly replaced heroin. Methadone was the main intoxicant in Denmark and Sweden, whereas heroin/morphine caused the most deaths in Norway. Finland differed from the other Nordic countries in that buprenorphine was the main intoxicant with only a few heroin/morphine and methadone deaths. Deaths from methadone, buprenorphine and fentanyl increased immensely in Sweden compared to 2007. Poly-drug use was widespread in all countries. The median number of drugs per case varied from 4 to 5. Heroin/morphine, medicinal opioids, cocaine, amphetamines, benzodiazepines and alcohol were the main abused drugs. However, less widely used drugs, like gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB), methylphenidate, fentanyl and pregabalin, appeared in all countries. New psychotropic substances emerged in all countries, with the largest selection, including MDPV, alpha-PVP and 5-IT, seen in Finland and Sweden. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Seasonal changes in concentrations of plasma LH and prolactin associated with the advance in the development of photorefractoriness and molt by high temperature in the starling.

PubMed

Dawson, Alistair; Sharp, Peter J

2010-05-15

In a study on starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) kept on a simulated annual cycle in photoperiod, temperature had no effect on the timing or rate of testicular maturation but high temperature resulted in an advance in the timing of testicular regression and molt (Dawson, 2005). This study asks whether the earlier gonadal regression in response to higher temperature represents a central neuroendocrine response to temperature, and secondly, whether prolactin plays a role in the earlier regression. Castrated starlings were kept on a simulated annual cycle of photoperiod at either 8 or 18 degrees C. Circulating LH and prolactin concentrations were measured and the progress of the post-nuptial molt was recorded as an external indicator of the development of photorefractoriness. Additionally plasma prolactin was measured in samples taken from intact male and female starlings in the 2005 study. In castrated birds, LH concentrations decreased three weeks earlier at 18 degrees C. These birds also showed the same three week advance in molt as males and females in the earlier study. This demonstrates that the advance in regression caused by higher temperatures probably results from a central neuroendocrine mechanism, i.e., an advance in photorefractoriness, rather than an effect at the level of the gonads. Temperature had a highly significant effect on the changes in prolactin - peak prolactin occurred three weeks earlier at 18 degrees C. However, there was no clear consistent significant difference in prolactin between the two temperatures in advance of the onset of photorefractoriness, so the advance in photorefractoriness may not be mediated by prolactin. The higher temperature resulted in a significantly earlier decrease in prolactin and this may be causally related to the advance in molt. Copyright 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Teaching and Learning with Online Historical Maps

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bolick, Cheryl Mason

2006-01-01

Teaching social studies with historical maps allows teachers and students not only to examine a historical event or place, but to analyze the story behind the map. Historical maps can provide insight into the people and cultures of earlier times. Studying these historic maps may help students challenge the notion that people of earlier time…

Discerning selective traditions in science education: a qualitative study of teachers' responses to what is important in science teaching

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sund, Per

2016-06-01

Science teachers have differing views about what students should learn. Their teaching experience often leads them to develop habitual answers to students' questions, such as—why should I learn this? Some teachers argue that students need to learn more `canonical' science knowledge so that they can become scientists, while others tell students to apply scientific knowledge in order to make their everyday lives easier. If a group of teachers argue and act in similar ways in similar situations, they can be described as working in a similar collective habit. In this study these are called selective traditions in science teaching. In practical terms they work well in everyday, multifaceted, hectic teaching situations. However, the traditions can obstruct the inclusion of socio-scientific issues in national science education tests. Some research has been conducted on selective traditions in written curriculum material, although little is known about how they can be discerned in teachers' descriptions of their science teaching. This study draws on Dewey's discussion of the interplay between individual and collective habits to discern teaching traditions by regarding them as institutionalized teaching habits. A firmly developed analytical tool is applied to the extensive data consisting of twenty-nine Swedish science teachers' responses in semi-structured interviews. The methodology used in this study is inspired by earlier environmental and sustainability education research. The results are discussed in relation to earlier research on `scientific literacy' and how research can support teachers' changes of practice to encourage students to perform better in large-scale tests.

Earlier Age at Menopause, Work and Tobacco Smoke Exposure

PubMed Central

Fleming, Lora E; Levis, Silvina; LeBlanc, William G; Dietz, Noella A; Arheart, Kristopher L; Wilkinson, James D; Clark, John; Serdar, Berrin; Davila, Evelyn P; Lee, David J

2009-01-01

Objective Earlier age at menopause onset has been associated with increased all cause, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality risks. Risk of earlier age at menopause associated with primary and secondary tobacco smoke exposure was assessed. Design Cross-sectional study using a nationally representative sample of US women. Methods 7596 women participants (representing an estimated 79 million US women) from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III were asked: time since last menstrual period, occupation, and tobacco use (including home and workplace secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure). Blood cotinine and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels were assessed. Logistic regressions for the odds of earlier age at menopause, stratified on race/ethnicity in women 25-50 years and adjusted for survey design, were controlled for age, BMI, education, tobacco smoke exposure, and occupation. Results Among 5029 US women ≥ 25 years with complete data, earlier age at menopause was found among all smokers, and among service and manufacturing industry sector workers. Among women age 25-50 years, there was an increased risk of earlier age at menopause with both primary smoking and with SHS exposure, particularly among Black women. Conclusions Primary tobacco use and SHS exposure were associated with an increased odds of earlier age at menopause in a representative sample of US women. Earlier age at menopause was found for some women worker groups with greater potential occupational SHS exposure. Thus, control of SHS exposures in the workplace may decrease the risk of mortality and morbidity associated with earlier age at menopause in US women workers. PMID:18626414

Impact of unilateral conductive hearing loss due to aural atresia on academic performance in children.

PubMed

Kesser, Bradley W; Krook, Kaelyn; Gray, Lincoln C

2013-09-01

This study evaluates the effect of unilateral conductive hearing loss secondary to aural atresia on elementary school children's academic performance. Case control survey and review of audiometric data. One hundred thirty-two surveys were mailed to families of children with aural atresia, and 48 surveys were sent to families of children with unilateral sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) to identify rates of grade retention, use of any resource, and behavioral problems. Audiometric data of the cohort were tabulated. Of the 40 atresia patients, none repeated a grade, but 65% needed some resources: 12.5% currently use a hearing aid, 32.5% use(d) a frequency-modulated system in school, 47.5% had an Individualized Education Plan, and 45% utilized speech therapy. Compared to the unilateral SNHL group and a cohort of children with unilateral SNHL in an earlier study, children with unilateral atresia were less likely to repeat a grade. Children in both unilateral atresia and SNHL groups were more likely to utilize some resource in the academic setting compared to the unilateral SNHL children in the prior study. Unilateral conductive hearing loss due to aural atresia has an impact on academic performance in children, although not as profound when compared to children with unilateral SNHL. The majority of these children with unilateral atresia utilize resources in the school setting. Parents, educators, and health care professionals should be aware of the impact of unilateral conductive hearing loss and offer appropriate habilitative services. Copyright © 2013 The American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society, Inc.

Effects of competition outcome on testosterone concentrations in humans: An updated meta-analysis.

PubMed

Geniole, Shawn N; Bird, Brian M; Ruddick, Erika L; Carré, Justin M

2017-06-01

A contribution to a special issue on Hormones and Human Competition. Since Archer's (2006) influential meta-analysis, there has been a major increase in the number of studies investigating the effect of competition outcome on testosterone reactivity patterns in humans. Despite this increased research output, there remains debate as to whether competition outcome modulates testosterone concentrations. The present paper examines this question using a meta-analytic approach including papers published over the last 35years. Moreover, it provides the first meta-analytic estimate of the effect of competition outcome on testosterone concentrations in women. Results from a meta-analysis involving 60 effect sizes and >2500 participants indicated that winners of a competition demonstrated a larger increase in testosterone concentrations relative to losers (D=0.20)-an effect that was highly heterogeneous. This 'winner-loser' effect was most robust in studies conducted outside the lab (e.g., in sport venues) (D=0.43); for studies conducted in the lab, the effect of competition outcome on testosterone reactivity patterns was relatively weak (D=0.08), and only found in studies of men (D=0.15; in women: D=-0.04). Further, the 'winner-loser' effect was stronger among studies in which pre-competition testosterone was sampled earlier than (D=0.38, after trim and fill correction) rather than within (D=0.09) 10min of the start of the competition. Therefore, these results also provide important insight regarding study design and methodology, and will be a valuable resource for researchers conducting subsequent studies on the 'winner loser' effect. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Prevalence of overweight/obesity among the medical students, Malaysia.

PubMed

Gopalakrishnan, S; Ganeshkumar, P; Prakash, M V S; Christopher; Amalraj, V

2012-08-01

Overweight and obesity are defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may impair health. Body mass index is a simple index of weight-for-height that is commonly used in classifying overweight and obesity in adult populations and individuals. A study was conducted to screen the medical students of AIMST University for overweight/obesity using Body Mass Index(BMI) and to determine the prevalence among them. This is an institution based cross sectional study was conducted among 290 medical students using a pre-tested questionnaire and measured their Body Mass Index (BMI). Data obtained was analyzed statistically by calculating proportions. Out of 290 students who participated in the study, 45.2% were males. In the study, 14.8% were found to be overweight (BMI 23-24.9 kg/m2); 13.7% of males and 15.7% of females. Pre-obese students (BMI 25-29kg/m2) accounted for 15.9% of the total (males 18.3% and females 13.8%). 5.2% were found to be obese (BMI > 30 kg/m2): males 9.2% and females 1.9%. Also 14.8% were found to be underweight (males 12.2% and females 17.0%). The study group consisted of 63.8% Indian, 32.4% Chinese and 3.8% Malay students. The study reveals that the prevalence of overweight and obesity among the medical students of AIMST University is on the high, which is comparable to the findings of earlier studies conducted in Malaysia, reinforcing the need to encourage healthy lifestyle, healthy food habits and a physically active daily routine, among the adolescents and youth of this country.

Bilateral lesions of nucleus subpretectalis/interstitio-pretecto-subpretectalis (SP/IPS) selectively impair figure-ground discrimination in pigeons.

PubMed

Scully, Erin N; Acerbo, Martin J; Lazareva, Olga F

2014-01-01

Earlier, we reported that nucleus rotundus (Rt) together with its inhibitory complex, nucleus subpretectalis/interstitio-pretecto-subpretectalis (SP/IPS), had significantly higher activity in pigeons performing figure-ground discrimination than in the control group that did not perform any visual discriminations. In contrast, color discrimination produced significantly higher activity than control in the Rt but not in the SP/IPS. Finally, shape discrimination produced significantly lower activity than control in both the Rt and the SP/IPS. In this study, we trained pigeons to simultaneously perform three visual discriminations (figure-ground, color, and shape) using the same stimulus displays. When birds learned to perform all three tasks concurrently at high levels of accuracy, we conducted bilateral chemical lesions of the SP/IPS. After a period of recovery, the birds were retrained on the same tasks to evaluate the effect of lesions on maintenance of these discriminations. We found that the lesions of the SP/IPS had no effect on color or shape discrimination and that they significantly impaired figure-ground discrimination. Together with our earlier data, these results suggest that the nucleus Rt and the SP/IPS are the key structures involved in figure-ground discrimination. These results also imply that thalamic processing is critical for figure-ground segregation in avian brain.

Challenging a dogma: five-year survival does not equal cure in all colorectal cancer patients.

PubMed

Abdel-Rahman, Omar

2018-02-01

The current study tried to evaluate the factors affecting 10- to 20- years' survival among long term survivors (>5 years) of colorectal cancer (CRC). Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database (1988-2008) was queried through SEER*Stat program.Univariate probability of overall and cancer-specific survival was determined and the difference between groups was examined. Multivariate analysis for factors affecting overall and cancer-specific survival was also conducted. Among node positive patients (Dukes C), 34% of the deaths beyond 5 years can be attributed to CRC; while among M1 patients, 63% of the deaths beyond 5 years can be attributed to CRC. The following factors were predictors of better overall survival in multivariate analysis: younger age, white race (versus black race), female gender, Right colon location (versus rectal location), earlier stage and surgery (P <0.0001 for all parameters). Similarly, the following factors were predictors of better cancer-specific survival in multivariate analysis: younger age, white race (versus black race), female gender, Right colon location (versus left colon and rectal locations), earlier stage and surgery (P <0.0001 for all parameters). Among node positive long-term CRC survivors, more than one third of all deaths can be attributed to CRC.

Annual variation in the timing of coral spawning in a high-latitude environment: influence of temperature.

PubMed

Nozawa, Yoko

2012-06-01

This study was conducted at a high-latitude location (32°N; Kochi, Japan), where annual seawater temperatures show large fluctuations due to the meandering of the Kuroshio Current, providing a unique opportunity to examine the influence of temperature on coral reproduction. Annual spawning of individual colonies of four reef coral species-two Acropora species (Acropora hyacinthus and A. japonica) and two faviid species (Favites pentagona and Platygyra contorta)-was monitored in situ for 4 years in 2006-2009. The spawning of the four species always occurred around the last quarter moon in the local summer, July or August, irrespective of high annual variations in seawater temperatures (from 23.7 to 29.5 °C) and weather during the spawning period. However, the exact timing of spawning during the spawning period varied among the years and was correlated with the cumulative seawater temperature during the late period of gametogenesis (0-3 months before spawning). When seawater temperatures were higher, spawning occurred in the earlier spawning month (July) and vice versa, except in A. hyacinthus, which always spawned in July. In the case of the two Acropora species, higher (lower) temperatures led to spawning earlier (later) in the lunar cycle. Seawater temperature may have an influence on gametogenesis, causing the shift in spawning timing.

From the front line, report from a near paperless hospital: mixed reception among health care professionals.

PubMed

Lium, Jan-Tore; Laerum, Hallvard; Schulz, Tom; Faxvaag, Arild

2006-01-01

Many Norwegian hospitals that are equipped with an electronic medical record (EMR) system now have proceeded to withdraw the paper-based medical record from clinical workflow. In two previous survey-based studies on the effect of removing the paper-based medical record on the work of physicians, nurses and medical secretaries, we concluded that to scan and eliminate the paper based record was feasible, but that the medical secretaries were the group that reported to benefit the most from the change. To further explore the effects of removing the paper based record, especially in regard to medical personnel, we now have conducted a follow up study of a hospital that has scanned and eliminated its paper-based record. A survey of 27 physicians, 60 nurses and 30 medical secretaries was conducted. The results were compared with those from a previous study conducted three years earlier at the same department. The questionnaire (see online Appendix) covered the frequency of use of the EMR system for specific tasks by physicians, nurses and medical secretaries, the ease of performing these tasks compared to previous routines, user satisfaction and computer literacy. Both physicians and nurses displayed increased use of the EMR compared to the previous study, while medical secretaries reported generally unchanged but high use. The increase in use was not accompanied by a similar change in factors such as computer literacy or technical changes, suggesting that these typical success factors are necessary but not sufficient.

The association between obesity and dengue severity among pediatric patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis

PubMed Central

Dahlui, Maznah; Jamil, Nor’ashikin; Peramalah, Devi; Wai, Hoe Victor Chee; Bulgiba, Awang; Rampal, Sanjay

2018-01-01

Background Severe dengue infection often has unpredictable clinical progressions and outcomes. Obesity may play a role in the deterioration of dengue infection due to stronger body immune responses. Several studies found that obese dengue patients have a more severe presentation with a poorer prognosis. However, the association was inconclusive due to the variation in the results of earlier studies. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to explore the relationship between obesity and dengue severity. Methods We performed a systematic search of relevant studies on Ovid (MEDLINE), EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Scopus and grey literature databases. At least two authors independently conducted the literature search, selecting eligible studies, and extracting data. Meta-analysis using random-effects model was conducted to compute the pooled odds ratio with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Findings We obtained a total of 13,333 articles from the searches. For the final analysis, we included a total of fifteen studies among pediatric patients. Three cohort studies, two case-control studies, and one cross-sectional study found an association between obesity and dengue severity. In contrast, six cohort studies and three case-control studies found no significant relationship between obesity and dengue severity. Our meta-analysis revealed that there was 38 percent higher odds (Odds Ratio = 1.38; 95% CI:1.10, 1.73) of developing severe dengue infection among obese children compared to non-obese children. We found no heterogeneity found between studies. The differences in obesity classification, study quality, and study design do not modify the association between obesity and dengue severity. Conclusion This review found that obesity is a risk factor for dengue severity among children. The result highlights and improves our understanding that obesity might influence the severity of dengue infection. PMID:29415036

Postpartum Maternal Moods and Infant Size Predict Performance on a National High School Entrance Examination

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Galler, Janina R.; Ramsey, Frank C.; Harrison, Robert H.; Taylor, John; Cumberbatch, Glenroy; Forde, Victor

2004-01-01

Background: In an earlier series of studies, we documented the effects of feeding practices and postnatal maternal mood on the growth and development of 226 Barbadian children during the first few months of life. In this report, we extend our earlier studies by examining predictive relationships between infant size, feeding practices and…

Another Look at the Relative Impact of Workplace Design on Training Transfer for Supervisory Communication Skills

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hillsman, Terron L.; Kupritz, Virginia W.

2010-01-01

This ethnographic study extends the findings of earlier research that authenticated the impact of workplace design features on newly acquired communication skills back on the job. The qualitative nature of the earlier study, however, limited quantitative measurement of workplace design features that may have an impact on learned skills. This study…

Case study of flexure and shear strengthening of RC beams by CFRP using FEA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jankowiak, Iwona

2018-01-01

In the paper the preliminary results of study on strengthening RC beams by means of CFRP materials under mixed shear-flexural work condition are presented. The Finite Element Method analyses were performed using numerical models proposed and verified earlier by the results of laboratory tests [4, 5] for estimation of effectiveness of CFRP strengthening of RC beams under flexure. The currently conducted analyses deal with 3D models of RC beams under mixed shear-flexural loading conditions. The symmetry of analyzed beams was taken into account (in both directions). The application of Concrete Damage Plasticity (CDP) model of RC beam allowed to predict a layout and propagation of cracks leading to failure. Different cases of strengthening were analyzed: with the use of CFRP strip or CFRP closed hoops as well as with the combination of above mentioned. The preliminary study was carried out and the first results were presented.

Building characteristics associated with moisture related problems in 8,918 Swedish dwellings.

PubMed

Hägerhed-Engman, Linda; Bornehag, Carl-Gustaf; Sundell, Jan

2009-08-01

Moisture problems in buildings have in a number of studies been shown to increase the risk for respiratory symptoms. The study Dampness in Buildings and Health (DBH) was initiated with the aim to identify health relevant exposures related to dampness in buildings. A questionnaire study about home environment with a focus on dampness problems and health was conducted in one county of Sweden (8,918 homes, response rate 79%). Building characteristics that were associated with one or more of the dampness indicators were for single-family houses, older houses, flat-roofed houses built in the 1960s and 1970s, houses with a concrete slab on the ground that were built before 1983. Moreover, tenancy and earlier renovation due to mould or moisture problems was strongly associated with dampness. A perception of dry air was associated with window-pane condensation, e.g. humid indoor air.

The Benefits of Peer Collaboration: A Replication with a Delayed Posttest.

PubMed

Fleming, Victoria Manion; Alexander, Joyce M.

2001-10-01

The benefits of peer collaboration on strategy use, metacognitive causal attribution, and recall were supported in an earlier study (Manion & Alexander, 1997). Following that study two primary questions remained: Would the observed benefits last beyond an immediate posttest, and would they last regardless of which strategy the children chose to use? The current investigation explores those questions. Thirty-one fourth-grade students from two public schools in Sydney, Australia, experienced either a peer-collaborative treatment condition or an individual task (control condition). A posttest was conducted 5.5 weeks later. As was the case in the original study, children in the treatment condition outperformed children in the control condition in strategy use, metacognitive understanding of strategy chosen, and recall gain. Benefits also sustained regardless of the strategy children chose to implement on the task. Most importantly, the benefits lasted after a period of over a month. Implications for future research are discussed. Copyright 2001 Academic Press.

Conducting a narrative analysis.

PubMed

Emden, C

1998-07-01

This paper describes the process of narrative analysis as undertaken within a nursing study on scholars and scholarship. If follows an earlier paper titled: Theoretical perspectives on narrative inquiry that described the influencing ideas of Bruner (1987) and Roof (1994) upon the same study. Analysis procedures are described here in sufficient detail for other researchers wishing to implement a similar approach to do so. The process as described has two main components: (A) strategies of 'core story creation' and 'employment'; and (B) issues and dilemmas of narrative analysis, especially relating to rigour. The ideas of Polkinghorne (1988), Mishler (1986), and Labov (in Mishler 1986a) are introduced in so far as they impinge upon the analysis process. These relate especially to the development of key terms, and to the analysis strategies of core story creation and employment. Outcomes of the study in question are termed 'Signposting the lived-world of scholarship'.

Prevalence of Sexual Dysfunctions

PubMed Central

Simons, Jeffrey; Carey, Michael P.

2008-01-01

Ten years of research that has provided data regarding the prevalence of sexual dysfunctions is reviewed. A thorough review of the literature identified 52 studies that have been published in the 10 years since an earlier review by Spector and Carey (1990). Community samples indicate a current prevalence of 0 - 3% for male orgasmic disorder, 0 - 5% for erectile disorder, and 0 - 3% for male hypoactive sexual desire disorder. Pooling current and 1-year figures provides community prevalence estimates of 7 - 10% for female orgasmic disorder and 4 - 5% for premature ejaculation. Stable community estimates of the current prevalence for the other sexual dysfunctions remain unavailable. Prevalence estimates obtained from primary care and sexuality clinic samples are characteristically higher. Although a relatively large number of studies have been conducted since Spector and Carey’s (1990) review, the lack of methodological rigor of many studies limits the confidence that can be placed in these findings. PMID:11329727

Effect of treatment in a constructed wetland on toxicity of textile wastewater

USGS Publications Warehouse

Baughman, G.L.; Perkins, W.S.; Lasier, P.J.; Winger, P.V.

2003-01-01

Constructed wetlands for treating wastewater have proliferated in recent years and their characteristics have been studied extensively. In most cases, constructed wetlands have been used primarily for removal of nutrients and heavy metals. Extensive literature is available concerning construction and use of wetlands for treatment of wastewater. Even so, quantitative descriptions of wetland function and processes are highly empirical and difficult to extrapolate. The processes involved in removal of pollutants by wetlands are poorly understood, especially for waste streams as complex as textile effluents. The few studies conducted on treatment of textile wastewater in constructed wetlands were cited in earlier publications. Results of a two-year study of a full-scale wetland treating textile effluent are presented here. The paper describes the effects of the wetland on aquatic toxicity of the wastewater and draws conclusions about the utility and limitations of constructed wetlands for treatment of textile effluents.

Interaction of the plasma tail of comet Bradfield 1979L on 1980 February 6 with a possibly flare-generated solar-wind disturbance

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Niedner, M. B., Jr.; Brandt, J. C.; Zwickl, R. D.; Bame, S. J.

1983-01-01

Solar-wind plasma data from the ISEE-3 and Helios 2 spacecraft were examined in order to explain a uniquely rapid 10 deg turning of the plasma tail of comet Bradfield 1979l on 1980 February 6. An earlier study conducted before the availability of in situ solar-wind data (Brandt et al., 1980) suggested that the tail position angle change occurred in response to a solar-wind velocity shear across the polar component changed by approximately 50 km/s. The present contribution confirms this result and further suggests that the comet-tail activity was caused by non-corotating, disturbed plasma flows probably associated with an Importance 1B solar flare.

The relative contributions of psychiatric symptoms and psychotropic medications on the sleep-wake profile of young persons with anxiety, depression and bipolar disorders.

PubMed

Robillard, Rébecca; Oxley, Cristal; Hermens, Daniel F; White, Django; Wallis, Ryan; Naismith, Sharon L; Whitwell, Bradley; Southan, James; Scott, Elizabeth M; Hickie, Ian B

2016-09-30

This study investigated the relative contribution of psychiatric symptoms and psychotropic medications on the sleep-wake cycle. Actigraphy and clinical assessments (Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale) were conducted in 146 youths with anxiety, depression or bipolar disorders. Independently of medications, mania symptoms were predictive of lower circadian amplitude and rhythmicity. Independently of diagnosis and symptoms severity: i) antipsychotics were related to longer sleep period and duration, ii) serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors to longer sleep period, and iii) agomelatine to earlier sleep onset. Manic symptoms and different subclasses of medications may have independent influences on the sleep-wake cycle of young people with mental disorders. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.

Longevity increased by positive self-perceptions of aging.

PubMed

Levy, Becca R; Slade, Martin D; Kunkel, Suzanne R; Kasl, Stanislav V

2002-08-01

This research found that older individuals with more positive self-perceptions of aging, measured up to 23 years earlier, lived 7.5 years longer than those with less positive self-perceptions of aging. This advantage remained after age, gender, socioeconomic status, loneliness, and functional health were included as covariates. It was also found that this effect is partially mediated by will to live. The sample consisted of 660 individuals aged 50 and older who participated in a community-based survey, the Ohio Longitudinal Study of Aging and Retirement (OLSAR). By matching the OLSAR to mortality data recently obtained from the National Death Index, the authors were able to conduct survival analyses. The findings suggest that the self-perceptions of stigmatized groups can influence longevity.

Experimental investigations on airfoils with different geometries in the domain of high angles of attack-flow separation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Keil, J.

1985-01-01

Wind tunnel tests were conducted on airfoil models in order to study the flow separation phenomena occurring for high angles of attack. Pressure distribution on wings of different geometries were measured. Results show that for three-dimensional airfoils layout and span lift play a role. Separation effects on airfoils with moderate extension are three-dimensional. The flow domains separated from the air foil must be treated three-dimensionally. The rolling-up of separated vortex layers increases with angle in intensity and induction effect and shows strong nonlinearities. Boundary layer material moves perpendicularly to the flow direction due to the pressure gradients at the airfoil; this has a stabilizing effect. The separation starts earlier with increasing pointed profiles.

A methodological analysis of chaplaincy research: 2000-2009.

PubMed

Galek, Kathleen; Flannelly, Kevin J; Jankowski, Katherine R B; Handzo, George F

2011-01-01

The present article presents a comprehensive review and analysis of quantitative research conducted in the United States on chaplaincy and closely related topics published between 2000 and 2009. A combined search strategy identified 49 quantitative studies in 13 journals. The analysis focuses on the methodological sophistication of the studies, compared to earlier research on chaplaincy and pastoral care. Cross-sectional surveys of convenience samples still dominate the field, but sample sizes have increased somewhat over the past three decades. Reporting of the validity and reliability of measures continues to be low, although reporting of response rates has improved. Improvements in the use of inferential statistics and statistical controls were also observed, compared to previous research. The authors conclude that more experimental research is needed on chaplaincy, along with an increased use of hypothesis testing, regardless of the research designs that are used.

Probabilistic failure assessment with application to solid rocket motors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jan, Darrell L.; Davidson, Barry D.; Moore, Nicholas R.

1990-01-01

A quantitative methodology is being developed for assessment of risk of failure of solid rocket motors. This probabilistic methodology employs best available engineering models and available information in a stochastic framework. The framework accounts for incomplete knowledge of governing parameters, intrinsic variability, and failure model specification error. Earlier case studies have been conducted on several failure modes of the Space Shuttle Main Engine. Work in progress on application of this probabilistic approach to large solid rocket boosters such as the Advanced Solid Rocket Motor for the Space Shuttle is described. Failure due to debonding has been selected as the first case study for large solid rocket motors (SRMs) since it accounts for a significant number of historical SRM failures. Impact of incomplete knowledge of governing parameters and failure model specification errors is expected to be important.

Efficacy of isoniazid prophylactic therapy in prevention of tuberculosis in children: a meta–analysis

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background Children are highly susceptible to tuberculosis; thus, there is need for safe and effective preventive interventions. Our objective was to evaluate the efficacy of isoniazid in prevention of tuberculosis morbidity and mortality in children aged 15 years or younger by performing a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. To our knowledge, this is the first meta-analysis evaluating efficacy of isoniazid prophylaxis in prevention of tuberculosis in children. Methods A systematic search of the literature was done to identify randomized controlled trials evaluating isoniazid prophylaxis efficacy among children. Each study was evaluated for relevance and validity for inclusion in the analysis. Subgroup analyses were conducted based on study quality, HIV status, tuberculosis endemicity, type of prophylaxis and age of participants. Results Eight studies comprising 10,320 participants were included in this analysis. Upon combining data from all eight studies, isoniazid prophylaxis was found to be efficacious in preventing development of tuberculosis, with a pooled RR of 0.65 (95% CI 0.47, 0.89) p = 0.004 , with confidence intervals adjusted for heterogeneity. Among the sub-group analyses conducted, only age of the participants yielded dramatic differences in the summary estimate of efficacy, suggesting that age might be an effect modifier of the efficacy of isoniazid among children, with no effect realised in children initiating isoniazid at four months of age or earlier and an effect being present in older children. Excluding studies in which isoniazid was initiated at four months of age or earlier yielded an even stronger effect (RR = 0.41 (95% CI 0.31, 0.55) p <0.001). Data on the effect of isoniazid on all-cause mortality, excluding studies in which isoniazid was initiated in infants, yielded an imprecise estimate of mortality benefit (RR = 0.58 (95% CI 0.31, 1.09) p = 0.092). Conclusion Isoniazid prophylaxis reduces the risk of developing tuberculosis by 59% among children aged 15 years or younger excluding children initiated during early infancy for primary prophylaxis (RR = 0.41, 95% CI 0.31, 0.55 p < 0.001) . However, further studies are needed to assess effects on mortality and to determine prophylaxis effectiveness in very young children and among HIV-infected children. PMID:24555539

Taboo thoughts and doubt/checking

PubMed Central

Pinto, Anthony; Eisen, Jane L.; Mancebo, Maria C.; Greenberg, Benjamin D.; Stout, Robert L.; Rasmussen, Steven A.

2007-01-01

The purpose of this report was to improve upon earlier factor analyses of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) symptom categories by minimizing the heterogeneity in the aggressive obsessions category. An exploratory factor analysis was conducted on data from 293 adults with primary OCD. The resulting five factors (Symmetry/Ordering, Hoarding, Doubt/Checking, Contamination/Cleaning, and Taboo Thoughts) are phenomenologically more homogeneous than prior category-based factors and are consistent with those derived in previous item-level analyses. PMID:17368563

Microgravity simulations with human lymphocytes in the free fall machine and in the random positioning machine

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schwarzenberg, M.; Pippia, P.; Meloni, M. A.; Cossu, G.; Cogoli-Greuter, M.; Cogoli, A.

1998-01-01

The purpose of this paper is to present the results obtained in our laboratory with both instruments, the FFM [free fall machine] and the RPM [random positioning machine], to compare them with the data from earlier experiments with human lymphocytes conducted in the FRC [fast rotating clinostat] and in space. Furthermore, the suitability of the FFM and RPM for research in gravitational cell biology is discussed.

Stars of type MS with evidence of white dwarf companions. [IUE, Main Sequence (MS)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Peery, Benjamin F., Jr.

1986-01-01

A search for white dwarf companions of MS-type stars was conducted, using IUE. The overendowments of these stars in typical S-process nuclides suggest that they, like the Ba II stars, may owe their peculiar compositions to earlier mass transfer. Short-wavelength IUE spectra show striking emission line variability in HD35155, HD61913, and 4 Ori; HD35155 and 4 Ori show evidence of white dwarf companions.

Phononic thermal conductivity in silicene: the role of vacancy defects and boundary scattering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barati, M.; Vazifehshenas, T.; Salavati-fard, T.; Farmanbar, M.

2018-04-01

We calculate the thermal conductivity of free-standing silicene using the phonon Boltzmann transport equation within the relaxation time approximation. In this calculation, we investigate the effects of sample size and different scattering mechanisms such as phonon–phonon, phonon-boundary, phonon-isotope and phonon-vacancy defect. We obtain some similar results to earlier works using a different model and provide a more detailed analysis of the phonon conduction behavior and various mode contributions. We show that the dominant contribution to the thermal conductivity of silicene, which originates from the in-plane acoustic branches, is about 70% at room temperature and this contribution becomes larger by considering vacancy defects. Our results indicate that while the thermal conductivity of silicene is significantly suppressed by the vacancy defects, the effect of isotopes on the phononic transport is small. Our calculations demonstrate that by removing only one of every 400 silicon atoms, a substantial reduction of about 58% in thermal conductivity is achieved. Furthermore, we find that the phonon-boundary scattering is important in defectless and small-size silicene samples, especially at low temperatures.

Correlates of posttraumatic epilepsy 35 years following combat brain injury(CME)

PubMed Central

Raymont, V.; Salazar, A.M.; Lipsky, R.; Goldman, D.; Tasick, G.; Grafman, J.

2010-01-01

Background: The Vietnam Head Injury Study (VHIS) is a prospective, longitudinal follow-up of 1,221 Vietnam War veterans with mostly penetrating head injuries (PHIs). The high prevalence (45%–53%) of posttraumatic epilepsy (PTE) in this unique cohort makes it valuable for study. Methods: A standardized multidisciplinary neurologic, cognitive, behavioral, and brain imaging evaluation was conducted on 199 VHIS veterans plus uninjured controls, some 30 to 35 years after injury, as part of phase 3 of this study. Results: The prevalence of seizures (87 patients, 43.7%) was similar to that found during phase 2 evaluations 20 years earlier, but 11 of 87 (12.6%) reported very late onset of PTE after phase 2 (more than 14 years after injury). Those patients were not different from patients with earlier-onset PTE in any of the measures studied. Within the phase 3 cohort, the most common seizure type last experienced was complex partial seizures (31.0%), with increasing frequency after injury. Of subjects with PTE, 88% were receiving anticonvulsants. Left parietal lobe lesions and retained ferric metal fragments were associated with PTE in a logistic regression model. Total brain volume loss predicted seizure frequency. Conclusions: Patients with PHI carry a high risk of PTE decades after their injury, and so require long-term medical follow-up. Lesion location, lesion size, and lesion type were predictors of PTE. GLOSSARY ABLe = Analysis of Brain Lesions; AFQT = Armed Forces Qualification Test; AIR = Automated Image Registration; CHI = closed head injury; GAD = glutamic acid decarboxylase; PH1 = phase 1; PH2 = phase 2; PH3 = phase 3; PHI = penetrating head injury; PTE = posttraumatic epilepsy; TBI = traumatic brain injury; VHIS = Vietnam Head Injury Study; WAIS = Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale. PMID:20644150

Interplanetary double-shock ensembles with anomalous electrical conductivity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dryer, M.

1972-01-01

Similarity theory is applied to the case of constant velocity, piston-driven, shock waves. This family of solutions, incorporating the interplanetary magnetic field for the case of infinite electric conductivity, represents one class of experimentally observed, flare-generated shock waves. This paper discusses the theoretical extension to flows with finite conductivity (presumably caused by unspecified modes of wave-particle interactions). Solutions, including reverse shocks, are found for a wide range of magnetic Reynolds numbers from one to infinity. Consideration of a zero and nonzero ambient flowing solar wind (together with removal of magnetic considerations) enables the recovery of earlier similarity solutions as well as numerical simulations. A limited comparison with observations suggests that flare energetics can be reasonably estimated once the shock velocity, ambient solar wind velocity and density, and ambient azimuthal Alfven Mach number are known.

Workers in the VAB test SRB cables on STS-98 solid rocket boosters

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2001-01-01

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- Working near the top of a solid rocket booster, NASA and United Space Alliance SRB technicians hook up SRB cables to a Cirris Signature Touch 1 cable tester. From left are Steve Swichkow, with NASA, and Jim Silviano (back to camera) and Jeff Suter, with USA. The SRB is part of Space Shuttle Atlantis, rolled back from Launch Pad 39A in order to conduct tests on the cables. A prior extensive evaluation of NASA'''s SRB cable inventory on the shelf revealed conductor damage in four (of about 200) cables. Shuttle managers decided to prove the integrity of the system tunnel cables already on Atlantis before launching. Workers are conducting inspections, making continuity checks and conducting X-ray analysis on the cables. The launch has been rescheduled no earlier than Feb. 6.

Extended season for northern butterflies.

PubMed

Karlsson, Bengt

2014-07-01

Butterflies are like all insects in that they are temperature sensitive and a changing climate with higher temperatures might effect their phenology. Several studies have found support for earlier flight dates among the investigated species. A comparative study with data from a citizen science project, including 66 species of butterflies in Sweden, was undertaken, and the result confirms that most butterfly species now fly earlier during the season. This is especially evident for butterflies overwintering as adults or as pupae. However, the advancement in phenology is correlated with flight date, and some late season species show no advancement or have even postponed their flight dates and are now flying later in the season. The results also showed that latitude had a strong effect on the adult flight date, and most of the investigated species showed significantly later flights towards the north. Only some late flying species showed an opposite trend, flying earlier in the north. A majority of the investigated species in this study showed a general response to temperature and advanced their flight dates with warmer temperatures (on average they advanced their flight dates by 3.8 days/°C), although not all species showed this response. In essence, a climate with earlier springs and longer growing seasons seems not to change the appearance patterns in a one-way direction. We now see butterflies on the wings both earlier and later in the season and some consequences of these patterns are discussed. So far, studies have concentrated mostly on early season butterfly-plant interactions but also late season studies are needed for a better understanding of long-term population consequences.

Microgravity and immunity: Changes in lymphocyte gene expression.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Risin, D.; Ward, N. E.; Risin, S. A.; Pellis, N. R.

Earlier studies had shown that modeled and true microgravity MG cause multiple direct effects on human lymphocytes MG inhibits lymphocyte locomotion suppresses polyclonal and antigen-specific activation affects signal transduction mechanisms as well as activation-induced apoptosis In this study we assessed changes in gene expression associated with lymphocyte exposure to microgravity in an attempt to identify microgravity-sensitive genes MGSG in general and specifically those genes that might be responsible for the functional and structural changes observed earlier Two sets of experiments targeting different goals were conducted In the first set T-lymphocytes from normal donors were activated with anti-CD3 and IL2 and then cultured in 1g static and modeled MG MMG conditions Rotating Wall Vessel bioreactor for 24 hours This setting allowed searching for MGSG by comparison of gene expression patterns in zero and 1 g gravity In the second set - activated T-cells after culturing for 24 hours in 1g and MMG were exposed three hours before harvesting to a secondary activation stimulus PHA thus triggering the apoptotic pathway Total RNA was extracted using the RNeasy isolation kit Qiagen Valencia CA Affymetrix Gene Chips U133A allowing testing for 18 400 human genes were used for microarray analysis The experiments were performed in triplicates with T-cells obtained from different blood donors to minimize the possible input of biological variation in gene expression and discriminate changes that are associated with the

Evidence and role of phlebitis and lipid infiltration in the onset and pathogenesis of Wooden Breast Disease in modern broiler chickens.

PubMed

Papah, Michael B; Brannick, Erin M; Schmidt, Carl J; Abasht, Behnam

2017-12-01

Wooden Breast Disease (WBD), a myopathy that frequently affects modern broiler chickens, is a disorder that has been associated with significant economic losses in the poultry industry. To examine tissue changes associated with the onset and early pathogenesis of this disorder, a time-series experiment was conducted using chickens from a high-breast-muscle-yield, purebred commercial broiler line. Birds were raised for up to seven weeks, with a subset of birds sampled weekly. Breast muscle tissues were extracted at necropsy and processed for analysis by light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Histologic presentation indicated localized phlebitis with lipogranulomas in Week 1, focal single-myofibril degeneration in Week 2 preceding an inflammatory response that started in Week 3. Lesions in Week 4 were characterized by multifocal to diffuse muscle fibre degeneration, necrosis, interstitial oedema accompanied by increased lipid and inflammatory cell infiltration. Lesions in Weeks 5-7 revealed diffuse muscle degeneration, necrosis, fibrosis and fatty infiltration with lipogranulomas. Ultrastructural examination showed myofibrillar splitting and degeneration, irregular, displaced and degenerated Z-lines, mitochondrial degeneration and interstitial fibrosis with dense regular collagen fibres. This study, therefore, demonstrates that WBD exhibits an earlier onset in modern broilers than when detectable by clinical examination. Further, this study shows that the disease assumes a progressive course with acute vasculitis, lipid deposition and myodegeneration occurring in the earlier stages, followed by a chronic fibrotic phase.

[Effects of sand-covering on apple trees transpiration and fruit quality in dry land orchards of Longdong, Gansu].

PubMed

Zhang, Kun; Yin, Xiao-ning; Liu, Xiao-yong; Wang, Fa-lin

2010-11-01

Aiming at the seasonal drought in the dry land orchards of Longdong, Gansu Province, a sand-covering experiment was conducted with 15-year-old Nagafu No. 2 apple trees, with the soil water content, temperature, stem sap flow velocity, leaf stomatal conductance, and fruit quality measured. In the orchard covered with 5-cm-thick riversand, the increment of soil temperature in February-April was lower than 1 degrees C, while in June-July, it was 2.44 degrees C and 2.61 degrees C on sunny and cloudy days, respectively. The soil water content was over 60% of field capacity throughout the growing season. On sunny days with high soil water content (H season), the stem sap flow curve presented a wide peak. Under sand- covering, the sap flow started 0.6 h earlier, and the maximum sap flow velocity was 25.5% higher than the control. On cloudy days of H season, the maximum sap flow velocity was 165.6% higher than the control. On sunny days with low soil water content (L season), the sap flow curve had a single peak, and under sand covering, the sap flow started 0.5-1 h earlier than the control on sunny days. The maximum sap flow velocity was 794 g x h(-1). On cloudy days of L season, the sap flow started 1 h earlier, and the maximum sap flow velocity was 311.0% higher than the control. The evaporation of the control was 156.0% higher than that of sand-covering from March to July, suggesting that excessive ground water evaporation was the main reason to cause soil drought. Under sand-covering, single fruit mass was improved obviously whereas fruit firmness was reduced slightly, and soluble solids, vitamin C, total sugar, and organic acid contents were somewhat promoted.

Population Education in Social Studies: Some Sample Lessons for the Secondary Level.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization, Bangkok (Thailand). Regional Office for Education in Asia and the Pacific.

This booklet consists of 10 sample lessons integrating population education into the social studies. It is one of four in a series. Materials differ from those in an earlier series (1980) in that lessons are presented at the secondary level only; there is no duplication of lessons from the earlier series in terms of content and teaching…

[Does childhood obesity affect sexual development?].

PubMed

Wagner, I V; Sergeyev, E; Dittrich, K; Gesing, J; Neef, M; Adler, M; Geserick, M; Pfäffle, R W; Körner, A; Kiess, W

2013-04-01

The process of pubertal development is only partly understood and is influenced by many different factors. During the twentieth century there was a general trend toward earlier pubertal development. Fat mass is thought to be a major inducer of puberty. Owing to the rising epidemic of childhood obesity, the relationship between body composition in children and the rate and timing of puberty needs to be investigated. Some studies suggest that central obesity is associated with an earlier onset of pubertal development. Rapid weight gain in early life is linked to advanced puberty in both sexes. A clear correlation exists between increasing body mass index (BMI) and earlier pubertal development in girls. In boys the data are controversial: The majority of studies propose that there is an earlier puberty and voice break in obese boys, but some studies show the opposite. There are several factors and mechanisms that seem to link obesity and puberty, for example, leptin, adipocytokines, and gut peptides. Important players include genetic variation and environmental factors (e.g., endocrine-disrupting chemicals). This article presents the latest studies and evidence on this topic, underlining the inconsistencies in the data and, therefore, the need for further research in this area.

Incidence of clinically suspected venous thromboembolism in British Indian patients.

PubMed

Siddiqui, B M; Patel, M S; Rudge, S; Best, A; Mangwani, J

2018-05-01

Introduction Venous thromboembolism (VTE) remains a major public health issue around the world. Ethnicity is known to alter the incidence of VTE. To our knowledge, there are no reports in the literature investigating the incidence of VTE in British Indians. The aim of this study was to investigate the rates of symptomatic VTE in British Indian patients in the UK. Methods Patients referred to our institution between January 2011 and August 2013 with clinically suspected VTE were eligible for inclusion in the study. Those not of British Indian or Caucasian ethnicity were excluded. A retrospective review of these two cohorts was conducted. Results Overall, 15,529 cases were referred to our institution for suspected VTE. This included 1,498 individuals of British Indian ethnicity. Of these, 182 (12%) had confirmed VTE episodes. A further 13,159 of the patients with suspected VTE were coded as Caucasian, including 2,412 (16%) who had confirmed VTE events. VTE rates were a third lower in British Indians with clinically suspected VTE than in the equivalent Caucasian group. The British Indian cohort presented with VTE at a much earlier age than Caucasians (mean 57.0 vs 68.0 years). Conclusions This study suggests that British Indian patients have a lower incidence of VTE and are more likely to present at an earlier age than Caucasians. There was no significant difference in VTE type (deep vein thrombosis vs pulmonary embolism) among the ethnic groups. Clinicians should be aware of variations within ethnicities but should continue to adhere to existing VTE prevention guidance.

Is science in danger of sanctifying the wolf?

USGS Publications Warehouse

Mech, L. David

2012-01-01

Historically the wolf (Canis lupus) was hated and extirpated from most of the contiguous United States. The federal Endangered Species Act fostered wolf protection and reintroduction which improved the species' image. Wolf populations reached biological recovery in the Northern Rocky Mountains and upper Midwest, and the animal has been delisted from the Endangered Species List in those areas. Numerous studies in National Parks suggest that wolves, through trophic cascades, have caused ecosystems to change in ways many people consider positive. Several studies have been conducted in Yellowstone National Park where wolf interactions with their prey, primarily elk (Cervus elaphus), are thought to have caused reduction of numbers or changes in movements and behavior. Some workers consider the latter changes to have led to a behaviorally-mediated trophic cascade. Either the elk reduction or the behavioral changes are hypothesized to have fostered growth in browse, primarily willows (Salix spp.) and aspen (Populus spp.), and that growth has resulted in increased beavers (Castor Canadensis), songbirds, and hydrologic changes. The wolf's image thus has gained an iconic cachet. However, later research challenges several earlier studies' findings such that earlier conclusions are now controversial; especially those related to causes of browse regrowth. In any case, any such cascading effects of wolves found in National Parks would have little relevance to most of the wolf range because of overriding anthropogenic influences there on wolves, prey, vegetation, and other parts of the food web. The wolf is neither a saint nor a sinner except to those who want to make it so.

Comparative performance of a modified Space Shuttle Reentry Anti-G Suit (REAGS) with and without pressure socks

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Krutz, R. W., Jr.; Ripley, G. L.; Marshall, J. A.; Sawin, C. F.

1994-01-01

In a prior study, the Armstrong Laboratory (AL) demonstrated that +G(sub z) protection during simulated shuttle reentry could be improved with an extended coverage anti-G suit with pressure socks but no abdominal bladder (REAGS). In a subsequent study conducted at the NASA Johnson Space Center it was shown that REAGS had a down side which included restricted mobility (during simulated shuttle egress) and a larger boot size needed for the pressure socks. The present study was conducted using a modified REAGS to increase mobility during egress. The size of the crotch opening was increased, and the fabric covering the buttocks was replaced with more elastic material. Six healthy male members of the AL centrifuge panel served as subjects for the study. As in the earlier study, subjects received 20 to 35 mg of IV Lasix approximately 6 hours before being exposed to a simulated space shuttle reentry +G(sub z) profile on the AL centrifuge, which induced a mean weight loss of 2.8 percent, range 2.1 percent to 3.7 percent. The REAGS was inflated to 1.0 psig 10 minutes prior to G onset. The G-profile was identical to that used in the previous REAGS study. Physiologic parameters monitored were also the same, i.e., eye-level systolic blood pressure (ELBP) using the Finapres digital cuff technique and heart rate and rhythm. Subjective comments were obtained from questionnaires administered after the increased G exposure. Systolic ELBP was maintained at 60 mm Hg or above by pressurizing the anti-G suit in 0.5 psig increments up to a maximum pressure of 2.5 psig. There were no significant differences in mean G-suit pressure required to maintain systolic ELBP at 60 mm Hg or above between the REAGS worn with and without pressure socks. Maximum mean G-levels achieved during the GOR were also the same under both experimental conditions, i.e., 4.7 G with socks and 4.6 G without socks. These G-levels were essentially the same as recorded earlier with the unmodified REAGS. There were no significant differences in comfort rating during the G exposure assigned by subjects when they wore the modified REAGS with or without the pressure socks.

Ozone risk assessment for agricultural crops in Europe: Further development of stomatal flux and flux-response relationships for European wheat and potato

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pleijel, H.; Danielsson, H.; Emberson, L.; Ashmore, M. R.; Mills, G.

Applications of a parameterised Jarvis-type multiplicative stomatal conductance model with data collated from open-top chamber experiments on field grown wheat and potato were used to derive relationships between relative yield and stomatal ozone uptake. The relationships were based on thirteen experiments from four European countries for wheat and seven experiments from four European countries for potato. The parameterisation of the conductance model was based both on an extensive literature review and primary data. Application of the stomatal conductance models to the open-top chamber experiments resulted in improved linear regressions between relative yield and ozone uptake compared to earlier stomatal conductance models, both for wheat ( r2=0.83) and potato ( r2=0.76). The improvement was largest for potato. The relationships with the highest correlation were obtained using a stomatal ozone flux threshold. For both wheat and potato the best performing exposure index was AF st6 (accumulated stomatal flux of ozone above a flux rate threshold of 6 nmol ozone m -2 projected sunlit leaf area, based on hourly values of ozone flux). The results demonstrate that flux-based models are now sufficiently well calibrated to be used with confidence to predict the effects of ozone on yield loss of major arable crops across Europe. Further studies, using innovations in stomatal conductance modelling and plant exposure experimentation, are needed if these models are to be further improved.

Predicting drinking onset with discrete-time survival analysis in offspring from the San Diego prospective study.

PubMed

Trim, Ryan S; Schuckit, Marc A; Smith, Tom L

2010-03-01

Previous research has shown that an early onset of drinking is associated with a range of problematic drinking outcomes in adulthood. However, earlier drinking is also linked to additional characteristics that themselves predict alcohol problems including male gender, a family history (FH) of alcoholism, age, race, parental alcoholism, depression symptoms, prior drug use, and conduct problems. This study tested the relationship between the age of first drink (AFD) and a range of risk factors that predict the onset of alcohol use. Participants were offspring from the San Diego Prospective Study (SDPS) who were at least 15 years old at the time of their most recent interview (n=147). Discrete-time survival analysis (DTSA) was used to relate multiple characteristics to the hazard function of alcohol onset across a relevant age range. The results demonstrated the predicted relationships to AFD for conduct problems, male gender, prior marijuana use, and a FH of alcoholism, even when these characteristics were estimated together. Furthermore, an interaction occurred such that offspring with both conduct problems and marijuana use were at substantially higher risk for alcohol use onset during this time period than would be predicted from the effect of these two risk factors alone. However, age at interview, ethnicity, parent education, and depressive symptoms did not predict the pattern of onset of drinking. Implications for future research and prevention efforts are discussed. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.

Caregiver and patient reported outcomes after repair of cleft lip and/or palate in the Philippines.

PubMed

Sharp, Helen M; Canady, John W; Ligot, Fernando A C; Hague, Rebecca A; Gutierrez, Johcille; Gutierrez, Johnny

2008-03-01

To establish the feasibility of conducting outcomes research among patients treated during a medical mission and to identify the salient outcomes for patients and caregivers in one region of the Philippines. Prospective structured interview conducted in or near participants' homes on the island of Cebu, Philippines. Individuals who had surgery at least 6 months earlier within the study region were eligible. Recipients of surgery were located from surgical records and by word of mouth. (1) Proportion of individuals located. (2) Primary outcomes of oral cleft repair identified for the sample. Of 99 people on a surgical list, 52 (53%) were located, eight were excluded (ineligible, unavailable, or inaccessible), and 44 agreed to participate in the study. Ten participants were identified via word of mouth. Seventy-five interviews were conducted (21 caregiver-patient pairs, one adolescent, and 32 caregivers of a child <7 years). Nearly all participants (99%) would encourage others to pursue surgery. Open-ended questions were coded to identify primary outcomes: improved speech (52%), improved eating (25%), social benefits (14%), and improved appearance (6%). Caregivers (50%) and patients (68%) reported that improved speech was the most important change after surgery. Patients and caregivers ascribe positive changes related to cleft surgery. Outcomes research requires cooperation with local professionals who can communicate effectively. These data serve to demonstrate feasibility and as a model for future studies of treatment outcomes in follow-up to international medical missions.

An Outbreak of Norovirus Infections Among Lunch Customers at a Restaurant, Tampere, Finland, 2015.

PubMed

Vo, Thuan Huu; Okasha, Omar; Al-Hello, Haider; Polkowska, Aleksandra; Räsänen, Sirpa; Bojang, Merja; Nuorti, J Pekka; Jalava, Katri

2016-09-01

On January 29, 2015, the city of Tampere environmental health officers were informed of a possible foodborne outbreak among customers who had eaten lunch in restaurant X. Employees of electric companies A and B had a sudden onset of gastrointestinal symptoms. We conducted a retrospective cohort study to identify the vehicle, source, and causative agent of the outbreak. A case was defined as an employee of companies A or B with diarrhea and/or vomiting who ate lunch at Restaurant X on January 26, 2015. All employees of the companies attending the implicated lunch were invited to participate in the cohort study. Environmental investigation was conducted. Twenty-one responders were included in statistical analysis, of which 11 met with the case definition. Of the 15 food items consumed by participants, four food items were associated with gastroenteritis. Of four kitchen staff, three tested positive for norovirus GIP7, the strain was found earlier in the community. No patient samples were obtained. Level of hygiene in the kitchen was inadequate. Infected kitchen staff probably transmitted norovirus by inadequate hygiene practices. No new cases associated with Restaurant X were reported after the hygiene practices were improved.

A Preventive Intervention Program for Urban African American Youth Attending an Alternative Education Program: Background, Implementation, and Feasibility.

PubMed

Carswell, Steven B; Hanlon, Thomas E; O'Grady, Kevin E; Watts, Amy M; Pothong, Pattarapan

2009-01-01

This paper presents background, implementation, and feasibility findings associated with planning and conducting an after-school intervention program in an alternative education setting designed to prevent the initiation and escalation of violence and substance abuse among urban African American youth at high risk for life-long problem behaviors. Evolving from earlier preventive interventions implemented in clinic and school settings, the program, entitled The Village Model of Care, consisted of structured group mentoring, parental support, and community outreach services administered to alternative education students and their primary caregiver(s) during the school year. Over a two-year intake period, 109 youth participated in the present process evaluation study. Findings from the study not only provided relevant demographic information on the characteristics of youth likely to be included in such programs but also indicated the importance of including the family in the rehabilitation effort and the need for school administrative system support for the underlying alternative education approach. The information presented in this report has a direct bearing on the planning of future prevention efforts conducted in similar settings that are aimed at reducing problem behaviors and promoting positive lifestyles among high-risk youth.

[Success factors in public healthy eating campaigns: a case study].

PubMed

Aschemann-Witzel, J; Pérez-Cueto, F J A; Strand, M; Verbeke, W; Bech-Larsen, T

2012-01-01

Public campaigns and interventions are rarely fully evaluated regarding their effectiveness. The analysis of past, successful activities can contribute to the future development of public campaigns and interventions for healthier eating. The study of public campaigns and interventions for healthier eating aimed at identifying the underlying success factors and describing their relation. Interviews were conducted with representatives of 11 cases that had been identified as especially successful in an earlier research step. The interviews were analysed with regard to possible success factors and the latter used to develop a model of success factor interrelation. It was found that success of the cases was first, attributed to characteristics of the macro environment or to public private partnerships in the initiation of campaigns, second, to the engagement of social communities, elements of empowerment of the target group and the implementation of social marketing measures, and thirdly, in citizens adoption of the campaign and in accompanying structural changes. The model and identified success factors underline that success can stem from three crucial phases: the set up of a campaign, the conduction and finally, the interrelation with the citizen. The model can serve as a guide in the future development of campaigns.

Precision controllability of the YF-17 airplane

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sisk, T. R.; Mataeny, N. W.

1980-01-01

A flying qualities evaluation conducted on the YF-17 airplane permitted assessment of its precision controllability in the transonic flight regime over the allowable angle of attack range. The precision controllability (tailchase tracking) study was conducted in constant-g and windup turn tracking maneuvers with the command augmentation system (CAS) on, automatic maneuver flaps, and the caged pipper gunsight depressed 70 mils. This study showed that the YF-17 airplane tracks essentially as well at 7 g's to 8 g's as earlier fighters did at 4 g's to 5 g's before they encountered wing rock. The pilots considered the YF-17 airplane one of the best tracking airplanes they had flown. Wing rock at the higher angles of attack degraded tracking precision, and lack of control harmony made precision controllability more difficult. The revised automatic maneuver flap schedule incorporated in the airplane at the time of the tests did not appear to be optimum. The largest tracking errors and greatest pilot workload occurred at high normal load factors at low angles of attack. The pilots reported that the high-g maneuvers caused some tunnel vision and that they found it difficult to think clearly after repeated maneuvers.

Polybenzimidazole block copolymers for fuel cell: synthesis and studies of block length effects on nanophase separation, mechanical properties, and proton conductivity of PEM.

PubMed

Maity, Sudhangshu; Jana, Tushar

2014-05-14

A series of meta-polybenzimidazole-block-para-polybenzimidazole (m-PBI-b-p-PBI), segmented block copolymers of PBI, were synthesized with various structural motifs and block lengths by condensing the diamine terminated meta-PBI (m-PBI-Am) and acid terminated para-PBI (p-PBI-Ac) oligomers. NMR studies and existence of two distinct glass transition temperatures (Tg), obtained from dynamical mechanical analysis (DMA) results, unequivocally confirmed the formation of block copolymer structure through the current polymerization methodology. Appropriate and careful selection of oligomers chain length enabled us to tailor the block length of block copolymers and also to make varieties of structural motifs. Increasingly distinct Tg peaks with higher block length of segmented block structure attributed the decrease in phase mixing between the meta-PBI and para-PBI blocks, which in turn resulted into nanophase segregated domains. The proton conductivities of proton exchange membrane (PEM) developed from phosphoric acid (PA) doped block copolymer membranes were found to be increasing substantially with increasing block length of copolymers even though PA loading of these membranes did not alter appreciably with varying block length. For example when molecular weight (Mn) of blocks were increased from 1000 to 5500 then the proton conductivities at 160 °C of resulting copolymers increased from 0.05 to 0.11 S/cm. Higher block length induced nanophase separation between the blocks by creating less morphological barrier within the block which facilitated the movement of the proton in the block and hence resulting higher proton conductivity of the PEM. The structural varieties also influenced the phase separation and proton conductivity. In comparison to meta-para random copolymers reported earlier, the current meta-para segmented block copolymers were found to be more suitable for PBI-based PEM.

Movement of tagged dredged sand at thalweg disposal sites in the Upper Mississippi River. Volume 2. Savanna Bay and Duck Creek sites

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

Paddock, R.A.; McCown, D.L.

Experiments were conducted on the Upper Mississippi River at two sites, Savanna Bay and Duck Creek, to investigate the movement of dredged sand after disposal in the thalweg. These experiments are part of a larger study, which includes similar experiments conducted earlier at two other sites on the Upper Mississippi River. At the Savanna Bay site, hydraulically dredged sand was tagged with sand coated with fluorescent dye before being deposited as a pile in the thalweg. Bathymetric surveys and surficial bottom sampling were conducted on five occasions over a nine-month period following disposal to identify changes in the topography ofmore » the pile and to detect the presence of dyed sand. At the Duck Creek site, only bathymetric surveys were conducted. The general behavior of the disposal piles at these two new sites was similar to that of the piles at the first two sites. Topographic evidence of the piles disappeared, and bottom conditions similar to the predisposal conditions were reestablished following the first period of high river flows after disposal. At Savanna Bay, as had happened at the first two sites, the tagged sand remained in the main river channel as it moved downstream in response to flood currents and did not migrate into nearby border areas, backwaters, or sloughs. 6 references, 89 figures, 2 tables.« less

Timing and Variability of Postpartum Sleep in Relation to Daytime Performance

PubMed Central

McBean, Amanda L.; Montgomery-Downs, Hawley E.

2013-01-01

Postpartum women have highly disturbed sleep, also known as sleep fragmentation. Fragmentation extends their total sleep period, also disrupting sleep timing. A stable and earlier sleep period among non-postpartum populations are related to better performance, physical health, and mental health. However, sleep timing has not been examined among postpartum women who are also vulnerable to daytime impairment. The study objective was to examine how the timing and regularity of sleep during the early postpartum period are related to daytime functioning across postpartum weeks 2-13. In this field-based study, 71 primiparous women wore an actigraph, a small wrist-worn device that monitors sleep and sleep timing, for the 12-week study period. Mothers self-administered a 5-minute psychomotor vigilance test (PVT) each morning to evaluate the number of >500ms response lapses. They also completed a Morningness-Eveningness scale at the beginning of the study to identify chronotype. After controlling for maternal age, earlier sleep timing was associated with significantly fewer PVT lapses at postpartum weeks 9,12; a more stable sleep midpoint was associated with significantly fewer PVT lapses at postpartum weeks 2,5-13. Earlier sleep midpoints were related to more stable sleep midpoints at postpartum week 2 and a morning-type chronotype. An earlier sleep midpoint was also associated with a reduced slope of worsening PVT lapses across weeks. Across the first 12 postpartum weeks, women with earlier or more stable sleep periods had less daytime impairment than women with later or more variable sleep midpoints. Postpartum women with earlier sleep midpoints also showed less severe decrements in performance across time, which has been attributed to cumulative impacts of sleep disturbance. These data suggest the sleep period, in addition to sleep duration and fragmentation, should be more closely examined, particularly among vulnerable women, as it may affect the neurobehavioral performance of new mothers. PMID:24041725

Effect of a fall prevention program on balance maintenance using a quasi-experimental design in real-world settings.

PubMed

Robitaille, Yvonne; Fournier, Michel; Laforest, Sophie; Gauvin, Lise; Filiatrault, Johanne; Corriveau, Hélène

2012-08-01

To examine the effect of a fall prevention program offered under real-world conditions on balance maintenance several months after the program. To explore the program's impact on falls. A quasi-experimental study was conducted among community-dwelling seniors, with pre- and postintervention measures of balance performance and self-reported falls. Ten community-based organizations offered the intervention (98 participants) and 7 recruited participants to the study's control arm (102 participants). An earlier study examined balance immediately after the 12-week program. The present study focuses on the 12-month effect. Linear regression (balance) and negative binomial regression (falls) procedures were performed.falls. During the 12-month study period, experimental participants improved and maintained their balance as reflected by their scores on three performance tests. There was no evidence of an effect on falls.falls. Structured group exercise programs offered in community-based settings can maintain selected components of balance for several months after the program's end.

Atrioventricular node functional remodeling induced by atrial fibrillation.

PubMed

Zhang, Youhua; Mazgalev, Todor N

2012-09-01

The atrioventricular node (AVN) plays a vital role in determining the ventricular rate during atrial fibrillation (AF). AF results in profound electrophysiological and structural remodeling in the atria as well as the sinus node. However, it is unknown whether AVN undergoes remodeling during AF. To determine whether AVN undergoes functional remodeling during AF. AVN conduction properties were studied in vitro in 9 rabbits with AF and 10 normal controls. A previously validated index of AVN dual-pathway electrophysiology, His-electrogram alternans, was used to monitor fast-pathway or slow-pathway (SP) AVN conduction in these experiments. AVN conduction properties were further studied in vivo in 7 dogs with chronic AF and 8 controls. Compared with the control rabbits, the rabbits with AF had a longer AVN conduction time (83 ± 16 ms vs 68 ± 7 ms; P <.01), longer AVN effective refractory period (141 ± 27 ms vs 100 ± 9 ms; P <.01), an earlier transition from fast-pathway to SP conduction (at a longer prematurity, 249 ± 60 ms vs 171 ± 24 ms; P <.01), and a slower ventricular rate during simulated AF (RR interval 249 ± 42 ms vs 202 ± 12 ms; P <.01). Notably, a larger proportion of conducted beats utilized the SP in AF preparations (92% ± 12% vs 63% ± 32%; P <.05). Long-term AF in dogs resulted in a longer atrioventricular conduction time and AVN effective refractory period and a slower ventricular rate during AF compared with the controls. Pronounced AVN functional electrophysiological remodeling occurs after long-term AF, which could lead to a spontaneous slowing of the ventricular rate. Furthermore, the SP dominance during AF underscores the effectiveness of its modification by ablation for ventricular rate control during AF. Copyright © 2012 Heart Rhythm Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Advanced Artificial Dielectric Materials for Millimeter Wavelength Applications. Part A

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-04-01

composites. (For our earlier results, see Figure 9.16 of Refer- ence 3 and Figure 18-25 of Reference 2.) We defer presenting these results until the next...impor- tant." Our results and interpretation are completely opposite, [15] F. Lado and S. Torquato, "Effective properties of two-phase disordered...Torquato and F. Lado , "Effective properties of 33 two-phase disordered composite media: Il. Evaluation of bounds on the conductivity and bulk modulus

Exploratory Development of an Ultrafast-Curing Wound Dressing

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-05-31

mils thick: Formulation 2 and 5 .. 36 17. Elution Rates for the 30% Chlorhexidine Gluconate ADD’s at t=0 and Stored at the Temperature Extremes (400C...determined from the in vivo trials conducted earlier (9). The 6 mil thick dressing (Formulation 2) demonstrated effectiveness when tested on guinea pigs...This dressing released approximately 3000 micrograms/sq. cm. in 72 hours or about 64% of the 12 mil dressing tested for shelf stability (Figure 16

Wide-Band Monolithic Acoustoelectric Memory Correlators.

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-11-01

piezoelectric and non- earlier analysis of thin- oxide varactors . The new analysis ex- conducting. Tapped structures which satisfy this criterion are plains...for tapped LiNbO3/metal- oxide - important realization. The logical consequence is that only silicon [26] structures is, in fact, not applicable here. It...Clarke, "The GaAs SAW depletion layer of’ the diode array. A more complex structure, diode storage correlalor," in 1980 Ultrasonics Synp. Proc., pp a GaAs

[Technical peculiarities of trans-sphenoidal surgical interventions for prolactin-secreting pituitary adenoma].

PubMed

Vozniak, O M

2013-10-01

The results of treatment of 84 patients, operated on for prolactinoma, using transsphenoidal access, were analyzed. All the stages of transsphenoidal surgical treatment are depicted in details, beginning from the patient's position on operative table and distribution of the devices in operating room and up to performance of nasal tamponade. There was established the dependence of the surgical intervention radicalism from the tumor topographo-histological peculiarities and from the earlier conducted treatment as well.

3-D Object Pose Determination Using Complex EGI

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-10-01

the length of edges of the polyhedron from the EGI. Dane and Bajcsy [4] make use of the Gaussian Image to spatially segment a group of range points...involving real range data of two smooth objects were conducted. The two smooth objects are the torus and ellipsoid, whose databases have been created...in the simulations earlier. 5.0.1 Implementational Issues The torus and ellipsoid were crafted out of clay to resemble the models whose databases were

Evaluating Experimental Artifacts in Hydrothermal Prebiotic Synthesis Experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smirnov, Alexander; Schoonen, Martin A. A.

2003-04-01

Control experiments with ultra pure deionized water were conducted to evaluate the organic contamination in hydrothermal prebiotic experiments. Different combinations of reaction vessel material, sampling tubing and stirring were tested and the amounts of organic contaminants determined. All tested types of polymer tubing were proven to introduce organic contaminants (formate, acetate and propionate ions) into the reacting solution. Stainless steel has a catalytic effect on the decomposition of formate, consistent with earlier work at high temperatures and pressures.

Economics of collaborative care for management of depressive disorders: a community guide systematic review.

PubMed

Jacob, Verughese; Chattopadhyay, Sajal K; Sipe, Theresa Ann; Thota, Anilkrishna B; Byard, Guthrie J; Chapman, Daniel P

2012-05-01

Major depressive disorders are frequently underdiagnosed and undertreated. Collaborative Care models developed from the Chronic Care Model during the past 20 years have improved the quality of depression management in the community, raising intervention cost incrementally above usual care. This paper assesses the economic efficiency of collaborative care for management of depressive disorders by comparing its economic costs and economic benefits to usual care, as informed by a systematic review of the literature. The economic review of collaborative care for management of depressive disorders was conducted in tandem with a review of effectiveness, under the guidance of the Community Preventive Services Task Force, a nonfederal, independent group of public health leaders and experts. Economic review methods developed by the Guide to Community Preventive Services were used by two economists to screen, abstract, adjust, and summarize the economic evidence of collaborative care from societal and other perspectives. An earlier economic review that included eight RCTs was included as part of the evidence. The present economic review expanded the evidence with results from studies published from 1980 to 2009 and included both RCTs and other study designs. In addition to the eight RCTs included in the earlier review, 22 more studies of collaborative care that provided estimates for economic outcomes were identified, 20 of which were evaluations of actual interventions and two of which were based on models. Of seven studies that measured only economic benefits of collaborative care in terms of averted healthcare or productivity loss, four found positive economic benefits due to intervention and three found minimal or no incremental benefit. Of five studies that measured both benefits and costs, three found lower collaborative care cost because of reduced healthcare utilization or enhanced productivity, and one found the same for a subpopulation of the intervention group. One study found that willingness to pay for collaborative care exceeded program costs. Among six cost-utility studies, five found collaborative care was cost effective. In two modeled studies, one showed cost effectiveness based on comparison of $/disability-adjusted life-year to annual per capita income; the other demonstrated cost effectiveness based on the standard threshold of $50,000/quality-adjusted life year, unadjusted for inflation. Finally, six of eight studies in the earlier review reported that interventions were cost effective on the basis of the standard threshold. The evidence indicates that collaborative care for management of depressive disorders provides good economic value. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Earlier surgical intervention in congenital heart disease results in better outcome and resource utilization.

PubMed

Panni, Roheena Z; Ashfaq, Awais; Amanullah, Muhammad M

2011-12-29

Congenital heart disease (CHD) accounts for a major proportion of disease in the pediatric age group. The objective of the study was to estimate the cost of illness associated with CHD pre, intra and postoperatively; among patients referred to a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. This is the first study conducted to estimate the cost of managing CHD in Pakistan. A prevalence based cost of illness study design was used to estimate the cost of cardiac surgery (corrective & palliative) for congenital heart defects in children ≤ 5 years of age from June 2006 to June 2009. A total of 120 patients were enrolled after obtaining an informed consent and the data was collected using a pre-tested questionnaire. The mean age at the time of surgery in group A (1-12 mo age) was 6.08 ± 2.80 months and in group B (1-5 yrs) was 37.10 ± 19.94 months. The cost of surgical admission was found to be significantly higher in the older group, p = 0.001. The total number and cost of post-operative outpatient visits was also higher in group B, p = 0.003. Pre and post operative hospital admissions were not found to be significantly different among the two groups, p = 0.166 and 0.627, respectively. The number of complications were found to be different between the two groups (p = 0.019). Majority of these were contributed by hemorrhage and post-operative seizures. This study concluded that significant expenditure is incurred by people with CHD; with the implication that resources could be saved by earlier detection and awareness campaigns.

Motivational and contextual determinants of HPV-vaccination uptake: A longitudinal study among mothers of girls invited for the HPV-vaccination.

PubMed

Pot, Mirjam; van Keulen, Hilde M; Ruiter, Robert A C; Eekhout, Iris; Mollema, Liesbeth; Paulussen, Theo W G M

2017-07-01

In the Netherlands, HPV-vaccination uptake among 12-year-old girls remains to be lower (61% in 2016) than expected. The present study is about 1) replicating the extent to which social-psychological determinants found in earlier cross-sectional studies explain HPV-vaccination intention, and 2) testing whether HPV-vaccination intention, as well as other social-psychological determinants, are good predictors of future HPV-vaccination uptake in a longitudinal design. A random sample of mothers of girls invited for the vaccination in 2015 was drawn from the Dutch vaccination register (Praeventis) (N=36,000) and from three online panels (N=2483). Two months prior to the vaccination of girls, their mothers were requested to complete a web-based questionnaire by letter (Praeventis sample) or by e-mail (panel samples). HPV-vaccination uptake was derived from Praeventis. Backward linear and logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine most dominant predictors of HPV-vaccination intention and uptake, respectively. The total sample used for data analyses consisted of 8062 mothers. Response rates were 18% for the Praeventis sample and 47% for the panel samples. HPV-vaccination intention was best explained by attitude, beliefs, subjective norms, habit, and perceived relative effectiveness of the vaccination; they explained 83% of the variance in HPV-vaccination intention. Intention appeared to be the only stable predictor of HPV-vaccination uptake and explained 43% of the variance in HPV-vaccination uptake. These results confirm what was found by earlier cross-sectional studies, and provide strong leads for selecting relevant targets in the planning of future communication strategies aiming to improve HPV-vaccination uptake. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Factors associated with dropout in a group weight-loss programme: a longitudinal investigation.

PubMed

Yackobovitch-Gavan, M; Steinberg, D M; Endevelt, R; Benyamini, Y

2015-02-01

Attrition is a major limitation of most weight management intervention programmes. The present study aimed to conduct an extensive investigation of personal, sociodemographic and treatment-related factors associated with attrition at different stages of a 10-week group weight-loss programme. The present study is part of a longitudinal, clinical intervention study comparing three conditions in a 10-week group programme: Control, Behavioural Intentions and Implementation Intentions. The study included 587 participants with a mean (SD) age of 46 (11) years (range 18-78 years) and a mean (SD) body mass index (BMI) of 31.9 (5.5) kg m(-2), with 90% being female. To characterise dropout in each week separately, as well as overall dropout (dropout until week 9, the median time of dropout), we tested several logistic regression models, including multiple imputations to cope with missing data. The results of the different dropout models consistently showed that a smaller reduction in BMI in the first 2 weeks of the programme was the strongest predictor of dropout. Dropout in the tenth and last week differed from the earlier weeks both in the relatively high dropout rate (56% of total dropout) and in that, in contrast to earlier weeks, the week 10 model included the reduction in BMI during the last 2 weeks before dropout but did not include the reduction in BMI at the initiation of the intervention. Weight-loss in the beginning of the programme is a crucial independent determinant of dropout in each week except the last one. This finding is important because it suggests a simple assessment for a major dropout risk factor in adult weight-loss intervention programmes. © 2014 The British Dietetic Association Ltd.

Bone Microstructure of Pareiasaurs (Parareptilia) from the Karoo Basin, South Africa: Implications for Growth Strategies and Lifestyle Habits.

PubMed

Canoville, Aurore; Chinsamy, Anusuya

2017-06-01

Numerous morphological studies have been carried out on pareiasaurs; yet their taxonomy and biology remain incompletely understood. Earlier works have suggested that these herbivorous parareptiles had a short juvenile period as compared to the duration of adulthood. Several studies further suggested an (semi-) aquatic lifestyle for these animals, but more recent investigations have proposed a rather terrestrial habitat. Bone paleohistology is regarded as a powerful tool to assess aspects of tetrapod paleobiology, but few studies have been conducted on pareiasaurs. The present study assesses intra and inter-specific histovariability of pareiasaurs and provides fresh insights into their paleobiology, thereby permitting a re-evaluation of earlier hypotheses. Our sample comprises various skeletal elements and several specimens covering most of the taxonomic and stratigraphic spectrum of South African pareiasaurs, including large and basal forms from the Middle Permian, as well as smaller and more derived forms from the Late Permian. Our results concerning size of elements and histological tissues show that for pareiasaurs, element size is not a good indicator of ontogenetic age, and furthermore, suggest that the specific diversity of the Middle Permian pareiasaurs may have been underestimated. The bone histology of these animals shows that they experienced a relatively rapid growth early in ontogeny. Periosteal growth later slowed down, but seems to have been protracted for several years during adulthood. Pareiasaur bone microanatomy is unusual for continental tetrapods, in having spongious stylopod diaphyses and thin compact cortices. Rigorous paleoecological interpretations are thus limited since no modern analogue exists for these animals. Anat Rec, 300:1039-1066, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

[A study of epilepsy according to the age at onset and monitored for 3 years in a regional reference paediatric neurology unit].

PubMed

Ochoa-Gómez, Laura; López-Pisón, Javier; Lapresta Moros, Carlos; Fuertes Rodrigo, Cristina; Fernando Martínez, Ruth; Samper-Villagrasa, Pilar; Monge-Galindo, Lorena; Peña-Segura, José Luis; García-Jiménez, María Concepción

2017-01-01

A study of epilepsy, according to the age at onset of the crisis and its causes, monitored by a Paediatric Neurology Unit over a period of three years. Historical cohorts study was conducted by reviewing the Paediatric Neurology medical records data base of epileptic children followed-up from 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2010. A total of 4,595 children were attended during the study period. The diagnosis of epilepsy was established in 605 (13.17%): 277 (45.79%) symptomatic, 156 (25.79%) idiopathic, and 172 (28.43%) with cryptogenic epilepsy. Absence epilepsy and benign childhood epilepsy with centro-temporal spikes are the idiopathic epileptic syndromes most prevalent, and the most prevalent symptomatic epilepsies are prenatal encephalopathies. More than one-quarter (26.12%) of epilepsies began in the first year of life, and 67.72% were symptomatic. Refractory epilepsy was observed in 25.29%, 42.46% with cognitive impairment, 26.45% with motor involvement, and 9.92% with an autism spectrum disorder, being more frequent at an earlier age of onset. The absence of a universally accepted classification of epileptic syndromes makes tasks like this difficult, starting with the terminology. A useful classification would be aetiological, with two groups: a large group with established aetiology, or very likely genetic syndromes, and another with no established cause. The age of onset of epilepsy in each aetiological group helps in the prognosis, which is worsened by refractoriness and associated neurodevelopmental disorders, and are generally worse at an earlier onset and in certain aetiologies. Copyright © 2015 Asociación Española de Pediatría. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

Changing patterns of childhood mortality in Wolverhampton

PubMed Central

Moore, A

2005-01-01

Objectives: To review the incidence and characteristics of preventable childhood deaths in an urban population in the UK and to determine whether the excess of preventable deaths seen previously in Asian girls still exists. Design: A retrospective survey of childhood deaths from 1996–2002 classified in terms of preventability and compared with a previous study conducted 20 years earlier from 1976–82. Setting: The city of Wolverhampton in the UK. Main outcome measures: Deaths from all causes in children under the age of 5 years. Results: There has been a reduction in the number of deaths in all age groups and from all causes. The postneonatal mortality rate fell from 6.5/1000 in 1976 to 3.1/1000 live births in 2002 largely because of the fall in the numbers of deaths caused by sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Preventable deaths are still associated with low birth weight (p<0.001) and poverty (unemployment and overcrowding in the earlier study (p<0.05) and with the Townsend score in this study (p<0.02)). There were fewer deaths among Asians and no female excess. There was a new category not seen in the previous study, deaths caused by homicide. The death rate for homicide in the first year of life was much higher in Wolverhampton (18.7/100 000) than in England and Wales (4.6/100 000). Conclusions: Low birth weight and adverse socioeconomic conditions remain important factors associated with preventable deaths. There is no longer an increased risk of preventable death in Asian girls. The number of non-accidental deaths is a major cause for concern. PMID:15970609

A transient laboratory method for determining the hydraulic properties of 'tight' rocks-II. Application

USGS Publications Warehouse

Neuzil, C.E.; Cooley, C.; Silliman, Stephen E.; Bredehoeft, J.D.; Hsieh, P.A.

1981-01-01

In Part I a general analytical solution for the transient pulse test was presented. Part II presents a graphical method for analyzing data from a test to obtain the hydraulic properties of the sample. The general solution depends on both hydraulic conductivity and specific storage and, in theory, analysis of the data can provide values for both of these hydraulic properties. However, in practice, one of two limiting cases may apply in which case it is possible to calculate only hydraulic conductivity or the product of hydraulic conductivity times specific storage. In this paper we examine the conditions when both hydraulic parameters can be calculated. The analyses of data from two tests are presented. In Appendix I the general solution presented in Part I is compared with an earlier analysis, in which compressive storage in the sample is assumed negligible, and the error in calculated hydraulic conductivity due to this simplifying assumption is examined. ?? 1981.

Evoked prior learning experience and approach to learning as predictors of academic achievement.

PubMed

Trigwell, Keith; Ashwin, Paul; Millan, Elena S

2013-09-01

In separate studies and research from different perspectives, five factors are found to be among those related to higher quality outcomes of student learning (academic achievement). Those factors are higher self-efficacy, deeper approaches to learning, higher quality teaching, students' perceptions that their workload is appropriate, and greater learning motivation. University learning improvement strategies have been built on these research results. To investigate how students' evoked prior experience, perceptions of their learning environment, and their approaches to learning collectively contribute to academic achievement. This is the first study to investigate motivation and self-efficacy in the same educational context as conceptions of learning, approaches to learning and perceptions of the learning environment. Undergraduate students (773) from the full range of disciplines were part of a group of over 2,300 students who volunteered to complete a survey of their learning experience. On completing their degrees 6 and 18 months later, their academic achievement was matched with their learning experience survey data. A 77-item questionnaire was used to gather students' self-report of their evoked prior experience (self-efficacy, learning motivation, and conceptions of learning), perceptions of learning context (teaching quality and appropriate workload), and approaches to learning (deep and surface). Academic achievement was measured using the English honours degree classification system. Analyses were conducted using correlational and multi-variable (structural equation modelling) methods. The results from the correlation methods confirmed those found in numerous earlier studies. The results from the multi-variable analyses indicated that surface approach to learning was the strongest predictor of academic achievement, with self-efficacy and motivation also found to be directly related. In contrast to the correlation results, a deep approach to learning was not related to academic achievement, and teaching quality and conceptions of learning were only indirectly related to achievement. Research aimed at understanding how students experience their learning environment and how that experience relates to the quality of their learning needs to be conducted using a wider range of variables and more sophisticated analytical methods. In this study of one context, some of the relations found in earlier bivariate studies, and on which learning intervention strategies have been built, are not confirmed when more holistic teaching-learning contexts are analysed using multi-variable methods. © 2012 The British Psychological Society.

Republished study: long-term toxicity of a Roundup herbicide and a Roundup-tolerant genetically modified maize.

PubMed

Séralini, Gilles-Eric; Clair, Emilie; Mesnage, Robin; Gress, Steeve; Defarge, Nicolas; Malatesta, Manuela; Hennequin, Didier; de Vendômois, Joël Spiroux

2014-01-01

The health effects of a Roundup-tolerant NK603 genetically modified (GM) maize (from 11% in the diet), cultivated with or without Roundup application and Roundup alone (from 0.1 ppb of the full pesticide containing glyphosate and adjuvants) in drinking water, were evaluated for 2 years in rats. This study constitutes a follow-up investigation of a 90-day feeding study conducted by Monsanto in order to obtain commercial release of this GMO, employing the same rat strain and analyzing biochemical parameters on the same number of animals per group as our investigation. Our research represents the first chronic study on these substances, in which all observations including tumors are reported chronologically. Thus, it was not designed as a carcinogenicity study. We report the major findings with 34 organs observed and 56 parameters analyzed at 11 time points for most organs. Biochemical analyses confirmed very significant chronic kidney deficiencies, for all treatments and both sexes; 76% of the altered parameters were kidney-related. In treated males, liver congestions and necrosis were 2.5 to 5.5 times higher. Marked and severe nephropathies were also generally 1.3 to 2.3 times greater. In females, all treatment groups showed a two- to threefold increase in mortality, and deaths were earlier. This difference was also evident in three male groups fed with GM maize. All results were hormone- and sex-dependent, and the pathological profiles were comparable. Females developed large mammary tumors more frequently and before controls; the pituitary was the second most disabled organ; the sex hormonal balance was modified by consumption of GM maize and Roundup treatments. Males presented up to four times more large palpable tumors starting 600 days earlier than in the control group, in which only one tumor was noted. These results may be explained by not only the non-linear endocrine-disrupting effects of Roundup but also by the overexpression of the EPSPS transgene or other mutational effects in the GM maize and their metabolic consequences. Our findings imply that long-term (2 year) feeding trials need to be conducted to thoroughly evaluate the safety of GM foods and pesticides in their full commercial formulations.

Dynamic aspects of soil water availability for isohydric plants: Focus on root hydraulic resistances

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Couvreur, V.; Vanderborght, J.; Draye, X.; Javaux, M.

2014-11-01

Soil water availability for plant transpiration is a key concept in agronomy. The objective of this study is to revisit this concept and discuss how it may be affected by processes locally influencing root hydraulic properties. A physical limitation to soil water availability in terms of maximal flow rate available to plant leaves (Qavail) is defined. It is expressed for isohydric plants, in terms of plant-centered variables and properties (the equivalent soil water potential sensed by the plant, ψs eq; the root system equivalent conductance, Krs; and a threshold leaf water potential, ψleaf lim). The resulting limitation to plant transpiration is compared to commonly used empirical stress functions. Similarities suggest that the slope of empirical functions might correspond to the ratio of Krs to the plant potential transpiration rate. The sensitivity of Qavail to local changes of root hydraulic conductances in response to soil matric potential is investigated using model simulations. A decrease of radial conductances when the soil dries induces earlier water stress, but allows maintaining higher night plant water potentials and higher Qavail during the last week of a simulated 1 month drought. In opposition, an increase of radial conductances during soil drying provokes an increase of hydraulic redistribution and Qavail at short term. This study offers a first insight on the effect of dynamic local root hydraulic properties on soil water availability. By better understanding complex interactions between hydraulic processes involved in soil-plant hydrodynamics, better prospects on how root hydraulic traits mitigate plant water stress might be achieved.

Patient-Entered Wellness Data and Tailored Electronic Recommendations Increase Preventive Care.

PubMed

Foucher-Urcuyo, Julie; Longworth, David; Roizen, Michael; Hu, Bo; Rothberg, Michael B

2017-01-01

We investigated whether a tool using patient-entered wellness data to generate tailored electronic recommendations improved preventive care delivery. We conducted a mixed-methods retrospective study of primary care encounters utilizing an Integrated Wellness Tool with a matched-comparison before-and-after study design. Encounters took place at a single clinic within the Cleveland Clinic Health System. The primary outcome was preventive orders placed. Index patients were matched, based on propensity scores, with comparison patients seen in the same clinic several months earlier. Five providers conducted 863 patient encounters using the tool during the study period. During encounters using the tool, providers placed more orders for smoking cessation programs (2.4 vs 0.5%, P < .01), lifestyle medicine (2.4 vs 0%, P < .01) and psychology (2.3 vs 1.0%, P = .04) consults, online nutrition (2.4 vs 1.4%, P = .04) and stress management (5.5 vs 0.9%, P < .01) programs, spirometry (5.9 vs 1.7%, P < .01) and polysomnography (6.3 vs 1.3%, P < .01) tests, and antidepressant (7.2 vs 3.9%, P = .01) and hypnotic (2.2 vs 0.7%, P = .01) medications when compared with matched encounters. Patients are willing to enter lifestyle data, and these data influence provider orders. © Copyright 2017 by the American Board of Family Medicine.

A review of principles in design and usability testing of tactile technology for individuals with visual impairments.

PubMed

Horton, Emily L; Renganathan, Ramkesh; Toth, Bryan N; Cohen, Alexa J; Bajcsy, Andrea V; Bateman, Amelia; Jennings, Mathew C; Khattar, Anish; Kuo, Ryan S; Lee, Felix A; Lim, Meilin K; Migasiuk, Laura W; Zhang, Amy; Zhao, Oliver K; Oliveira, Marcio A

2017-01-01

To lay the groundwork for devising, improving, and implementing new technologies to meet the needs of individuals with visual impairments, a systematic literature review was conducted to: a) describe hardware platforms used in assistive devices, b) identify their various applications, and c) summarize practices in user testing conducted with these devices. A search in relevant EBSCO databases for articles published between 1980 and 2014 with terminology related to visual impairment, technology, and tactile sensory adaptation yielded 62 articles that met the inclusion criteria for final review. It was found that while earlier hardware development focused on pin matrices, the emphasis then shifted toward force feedback haptics and accessible touch screens. The inclusion of interactive and multimodal features has become increasingly prevalent. The quantity and consistency of research on navigation, education, and computer accessibility suggest that these are pertinent areas of need for the visually impaired community. Methodologies for usability testing ranged from case studies to larger cross-sectional studies. Many studies used blindfolded sighted users to draw conclusions about design principles and usability. Altogether, the findings presented in this review provide insight on effective design strategies and user testing methodologies for future research on assistive technology for individuals with visual impairments.

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

Goltz, M.N.; Hopkins, G.D.; Kawakami, B.T.

A trichloroethylene (TCE) ground water plume at Edwards AFB in Southern California is being used to demonstrate in situ aerobic cometabolic bioremediation in the field. The bioremediation system that will be demonstrated at Edwards was developed over nine years of research and testing in the laboratory and at a pilot field site located at Moffett Federal Airfield in Mountain View, California. Studies conducted at the Moffett field site have demonstrated that TCE can be effectively biodegraded cometabolically through the introduction into the subsurface of a primary substrate and an oxygen source to support the growth and energy requirements of amore » native population of microorganisms. A system to demonstrate the feasibility of in situ aerobic cometabolic bioremediation is presently being constructed at Edwards, using an area of the plume having TCE concentrations ranging up to 1 mg/L. A major objective of the Edwards study will be to investigate how a primary substrate and an oxygen source can be efficiently mixed and transported to indigenous microorganisms, in order to promote cometabolic degradation of TCE. In this presentation, the earlier studies at Moffett, as well as the preliminary modeling work and site characterization which have been conducted in preparation for the Edwards demonstration, will be presented. In addition, problems encountered and lessons learned bringing an innovative technology from the laboratory to the field will be discussed.« less

An Analysis of the Dimensionality of the Pupil Control Ideology Scale.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Graham, Steve; And Others

1985-01-01

The present study replicated an earlier investigation using the Pupil Control Ideology (PCI). The findings were congruent with earlier results. Consequently, it was recommended that the PCI should be refined and that the 10 item, unidimensional scale should be used in future investigations. (Author/LMO)

Theoretical and Applied Implications of Precisely Measuring Learning Rates

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Skinner, Christopher H.

2008-01-01

Nist and Joseph (2008) have confirmed earlier research showing that adding and interspersing a large number of time-consuming learning trials targeting known items (e.g., incremental rehearsal (IR) or interspersal) retards student learning rates. In addition, their current study has confirmed earlier research that adding and interspersing known…

The experience of being a female carrier of haemophilia and the mother of a haemophilic child.

PubMed

Myrin-Westesson, L; Baghaei, F; Friberg, F

2013-03-01

Limited research has been conducted on how the female carrier experiences her life with a haemophilic child, and earlier studies are mostly questionnaire-based. No previous qualitative study on the female carrier's situation has been conducted in Sweden. The aim of the study was to describe the lived experience of being a carrier of severe or moderate haemophilia and of being the mother of a haemophilic child. The study was conducted via qualitative interviews and analysed by means of a phenomenological hermeneutic method; a total of 13 haemophilia carriers were interviewed in 2010. Being a carrier of haemophilia and having a haemophilic child was life changing. The women moved from a state of sad, guilty chaos to reconciling themselves with the new situation. Our analysis revealed three acts in which phenomena appeared: the time after diagnosis, the turning point and reconciliation with a changing life. Emerging as crucial to the process of reconciliation with a changing life was a sense of being fully informed and supported. The Haemophilia Treatment Centre (HTC) should create an environment that encourages learning, and the team should invite and encourage the woman's partner to be actively involved in the child's care. Moreover, the results indicate that it would be beneficial to invite female carriers to receive patient education at the HTC before they plan to start a family. During this visit, the woman may gain a greater understanding of her carriership to prepare her for future decisions concerning prenatal diagnosis, for example. © 2012 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

The association between cannabis use and earlier age at onset of schizophrenia and other psychoses: meta-analysis of possible confounding factors.

PubMed

Myles, Nicholas; Newall, Hannah; Nielssen, Olav; Large, Matthew

2012-01-01

A recent meta-analysis showed that the mean age of onset of psychosis among cannabis users was almost three years earlier than that of non-cannabis users. However, because cannabis users usually smoke tobacco, the use of tobacco might independently contribute to the earlier onset of psychosis. We aimed to use meta-analysis to compare the extent to which cannabis and tobacco use are each associated with an earlier age at onset of schizophrenia and other psychoses. We also examined other factors that might have contributed to the finding of an earlier age of onset among cannabis users, including the proportion of males in the samples, the diagnostic inclusion criteria and aspects of study quality. The electronic databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO and ISI Web of Science, were searched for English-language peer-reviewed publications that reported age at onset of schizophrenia and other psychoses separately for cannabis users and non-users, or for tobaccosmokers and non-smokers. Meta-analysis showed that the age at onset of psychosis for cannabis users was 32 months earlier than for cannabis non-users (SMD=- 0.399, 95%CI -0.493 - -0.306, z=-8.34, p < 0.001), and was two weeks later in tobacco smokers compared with non-smokers (SMD=0.002, 95%CI -0.094 - 0.097, z=0.03, p=0.974). The main results were not affected by subgroup analyses examining studies of a single sex, the methods for making psychiatric diagnoses and measures of study quality. The results suggest that the association between cannabis use and earlier onset of psychosis is robust and is not the result either of tobacco smoking by cannabis using patients or the other potentially confounding factors we examined. This supports the hypothesis that, in some patients, cannabis use plays a causal role in the development of schizophrenia and raises the possibility of treating schizophrenia with new pharmacological treatments that have an affinity for endo-cannabinoid receptors.

Ultrahigh figure-of-merit for hydrogen generation from sodium borohydride using ternary metal catalysts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, Lunghao; Ceccato, R.; Raj, R.

We report further increase in the figure-of-merit (FOM) for hydrogen generation from NaBH 4 than reported in an earlier paper [1], where a sub-nanometer layer of metal catalysts are deposited on carbon nanotube paper (CNT paper) that has been functionalized with polymer-derived silicon carbonitride (SiCN) ceramic film. Ternary, Ru-Pd-Pt, instead of the binary Pd-Pt catalyst used earlier, together with a thinner CNT paper is shown to increase the figure-of-merit by up to a factor of six, putting is above any other known catalyst for hydrogen generation from NaBH 4. The catalysts are prepared by first impregnating the functionalized CNT-paper with solutions of the metal salts, followed by reduction in a sodium borohydride solution. The reaction mechanism and the catalyst efficiency are described in terms of an electric charge transfer, whereby the negative charge on the BH 4 - ion is exchanged with hydrogen via the electronically conducting SiCN/CNT substrate [1].

Seasonal abundance and vertical distribution of capelin (Mallotus villosus) in relation to water temperature at a coastal site off eastern Newfoundland

USGS Publications Warehouse

Methven, David A.; Piatt, John F.

1991-01-01

The seasonal abundance and vertical distribution of capelin in relation to water temperature have been investigated by conducting repeated hydroacoustic surveys at a coastal site off eastern Newfoundland. Water temperatures were warmer in 1983 than in 1984 as indicated by the earlier appearance and greater depth of the seasonal thermocline. Correspondingly, schools of capelin appeared earlier, were more abundant, and extended deeper in the water column in 1983 than in 1984. Most capelin were found between the surface and the 5°C isotherm. In both years, initial peaks of capelin abundance occurred when nearshore water temperatures increased from about 0-1°C to above 6°C and, at or near, periods of maximum tidal oscillation. Short-term variations in the depth of the 5°C isotherm were related to nearshore wind-induced upwelling events. Annual variations corresponded to the volume of cold (>0°C) water and sea-ice transported south by the Labrador Current.

Face recognition using facial expression: a novel approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singh, Deepak Kumar; Gupta, Priya; Tiwary, U. S.

2008-04-01

Facial expressions are undoubtedly the most effective nonverbal communication. The face has always been the equation of a person's identity. The face draws the demarcation line between identity and extinction. Each line on the face adds an attribute to the identity. These lines become prominent when we experience an emotion and these lines do not change completely with age. In this paper we have proposed a new technique for face recognition which focuses on the facial expressions of the subject to identify his face. This is a grey area on which not much light has been thrown earlier. According to earlier researches it is difficult to alter the natural expression. So our technique will be beneficial for identifying occluded or intentionally disguised faces. The test results of the experiments conducted prove that this technique will give a new direction in the field of face recognition. This technique will provide a strong base to the area of face recognition and will be used as the core method for critical defense security related issues.

Conductive tracks of 30-MeV C60 clusters in doped and undoped tetrahedral amorphous carbon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krauser, J.; Gehrke, H.-G.; Hofsäss, H.; Trautmann, C.; Weidinger, A.

2013-07-01

In insulating tetrahedral amorphous carbon (ta-C), the irradiation with 30-MeV C60 cluster ions leads to the formation of well conducting tracks. While electrical currents through individual tracks produced with monoatomic projectiles (e.g. Au or U) often exhibit rather large track to track fluctuations, C60 clusters are shown to generate highly conducting tracks with very narrow current distributions. Additionally, all recorded current-voltage curves show linear characteristics. These findings are attributed to the large specific energy loss dE/dx of the 30-MeV C60 clusters. We also investigated C60 tracks in ta-C films which were slightly doped with B, N or Fe during film growth. Doping apparently increases the ion track conductivity. However, at the same time the insulating characteristics of the pristine ta-C film can be reduced. The present C60 results are compared with data from earlier experiments with monoatomic heavy ion beams. The investigations were performed by means of atomic force microscopy including temperature dependent conductivity measurements of single ion tracks.

A Quantitative Study of Simulated Bicuspid Aortic Valves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Szeto, Kai; Nguyen, Tran; Rodriguez, Javier; Pastuszko, Peter; Nigam, Vishal; Lasheras, Juan

2010-11-01

Previous studies have shown that congentially bicuspid aortic valves develop degenerative diseases earlier than the standard trileaflet, but the causes are not well understood. It has been hypothesized that the asymmetrical flow patterns and turbulence found in the bileaflet valves together with abnormally high levels of strain may result in an early thickening and eventually calcification and stenosis. Central to this hypothesis is the need for a precise quantification of the differences in the strain rate levels between bileaflets and trileaflet valves. We present here some in-vitro dynamic measurements of the spatial variation of the strain rate in pig aortic vales conducted in a left ventricular heart flow simulator device. We measure the strain rate of each leaflet during the whole cardiac cycle using phase-locked stereoscopic three-dimensional image surface reconstruction techniques. The bicuspid case is simulated by surgically stitching two of the leaflets in a normal valve.

Symptom Presentation and Prescription of Sleep Medications for Veterans With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.

PubMed

Greenbaum, Mark A; Neylan, Thomas C; Rosen, Craig S

2017-02-01

This study tested whether sleep medications prescribed to veterans diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are being targeted to patients who report more severe insomnia or nightmares. Secondary analysis of survey and pharmacy data was conducted in samples of veterans from two periods: from 2006 to 2008 and from 2009 to 2013. Logistic regression tested associations between self-reported insomnia and nightmare severity, and being prescribed trazodone, prazosin, zolpidem, and benzodiazepines, controlling for PTSD severity and other covariates. In both samples, insomnia severity independently predicted trazodone receipt, and nightmare severity independently predicted prazosin receipt. In the later study, insomnia severity predicted receipt of zolpidem. Veterans in the later sample were more likely to receive trazodone, prazosin, and non-benzodiazepine hypnotics, and less likely to receive benzodiazepines than those in the earlier sample. Further research is needed to evaluate and optimize pharmacological and psychosocial treatments for sleep problems among veterans with PTSD.

Patients' Interpersonal Communication Experiences in the Context of Type 2 Diabetes Care.

PubMed

Peltola, Maija; Isotalus, Pekka; Åstedt-Kurki, Päivi

2018-03-01

The aim of our study is to determine the relational communication characteristics of professional-patient communication situations that have either facilitated or impeded patients' self-management. Conducted from the perspective of Finnish patients in the context of type 2 diabetes care, we used as our research methods an open e-survey and semistructured interviews. Data were analyzed using inductive qualitative content analysis. The critical incident technique was utilized throughout in all these methods. The results show that both positive and negative experiences described by patients were connected to four multidimensional relational communication characteristics: (a) building trust in the other party in the professional-patient relationship, (b) willingness to communicate, (c) emotional presence, and (d) appropriateness. Although the findings support the recommendations of earlier studies concerning individually tailored patient-centered care, acknowledging the characteristics in question can be used as a communication frame for constructing significant care relationships from the perspective of patients' self-management.

[Autism, neurodevelopment and early detection].

PubMed

Martos-Pérez, J

2006-02-13

Autistic disorder is briefly explained and defined in the light of recent research. From the perspective offered by ontogenesis and the acquisitions that take place during normal development, we present an updated vision of the genesis of autistic disorder and also review the most significant data provided by the different studies that have been conducted on the subject. Detection of the disorder is clearly a difficult task before the age of one year and, in any case, the earliest symptoms are clearly linked to the social and communicative interaction that characteristically takes place at the end of the infant's first year of life. Early detection of the disorder is made possible precisely because of alterations in social and communicative development and, in general, the appearance of psychological functions that play a significant role in the process of humanisation. The article concludes by pointing out the need for further studies that focus on the possible alteration of earlier socio-emotional and affective manifestations.

Acoustic emission characterization of steel fibre reinforced concrete during bending

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aggelis, D. G.; Soulioti, D. V.; Sapouridis, N.; Barkoula, N. M.; Paipetis, A. S.; Matikas, T. E.

2010-04-01

The acoustic emission (AE) behaviour of steel fibre reinforced concrete is studied in this paper. The experiments were conducted in four-point bending with concurrent monitoring of AE signals. The sensors used, were of broadband response in order to capture a wide range of fracturing phenomena. The results indicate that AE parameters undergo significant changes much earlier than the final fracture of the specimens, even if the AE hit rate seems approximately constant. Specifically, the Ib-value which takes into account the amplitude distribution of the recent AE hits decreases when the load reaches about 60-70 % of its maximum value. Additionally, the average frequency of the signals decreases abruptly when a fracture incident occurs, indicating that matrix cracking events produce higher frequencies than fibre pull-out events. It is concluded that proper study of AE parameters enables the characterization of structural health of large structures in cases where remote monitoring is applied.

Prognostic factors for work ability in women with chronic low back pain consulting primary health care: a 2-year prospective longitudinal cohort study.

PubMed

Nordeman, Lena; Gunnarsson, Ronny; Mannerkorpi, Kaisa

2014-05-01

To investigate prognostic factors for future work ability in women with chronic low back pain (CLBP) consulting primary health care. A 2-year prospective longitudinal cohort study of female patients with CLBP within the primary health care was conducted. Patients were assessed at the first assessment and after 2 years. Prognostic factors for work ability (yes/no) were analyzed by multivariate regression. A total of 130 patients were included at first assessment. After 2 years, 123 patients (95%) were followed up. The 6-minute walk test, depression, and earlier work ability predicted work ability at the 2-year follow-up. A nomogram was constructed to assess the probability of future work ability. The 6-minute walk test, work ability, and depression predicted work ability for women with CLBP after 2 years.

Dependence of phonatory effort on hydration level.

PubMed

Verdolini, K; Titze, I R; Fennell, A

1994-10-01

In this study, a double-blind placebo-controlled approach was used to assess the relation between hydration level and phonatory effort. Twelve adult, untrained voice users with normal voices participated as subjects. Each subject received a 4-hour hydration treatment, a 4-hour dehydration treatment, and a 4-hour placebo (control) treatment. Following each treatment, phonatory effort was measured with a physiological measure, phonation threshold pressure (PTP), and with a psychological measure, direct magnitude estimation of perceived phonatory effort (DMEPPE). Summarizing the results across these measures, the findings indicated an inverse relation between phonatory effort and hydration level, but primarily for high-pitched phonation tasks. The findings for PTPs replicated those from an earlier study conducted without double-blind experimental manipulations (Verdolini-Marston, Titze, & Druker, 1990). Theoretical discussion focuses on the possible role of vocal fold tissue viscosity for hydration and dehydration effects, although direct measures of tissue viscosity are lacking.

Sensitivity ranking for freshwater invertebrates towards hydrocarbon contaminants.

PubMed

Gerner, Nadine V; Cailleaud, Kevin; Bassères, Anne; Liess, Matthias; Beketov, Mikhail A

2017-11-01

Hydrocarbons have an utmost economical importance but may also cause substantial ecological impacts due to accidents or inadequate transportation and use. Currently, freshwater biomonitoring methods lack an indicator that can unequivocally reflect the impacts caused by hydrocarbons while being independent from effects of other stressors. The aim of the present study was to develop a sensitivity ranking for freshwater invertebrates towards hydrocarbon contaminants, which can be used in hydrocarbon-specific bioindicators. We employed the Relative Sensitivity method and developed the sensitivity ranking S hydrocarbons based on literature ecotoxicological data supplemented with rapid and mesocosm test results. A first validation of the sensitivity ranking based on an earlier field study has been conducted and revealed the S hydrocarbons ranking to be promising for application in sensitivity based indicators. Thus, the first results indicate that the ranking can serve as the core component of future hydrocarbon-specific and sensitivity trait based bioindicators.

Surface proton transport of fully protonated poly(aspartic acid) thin films on quartz substrates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nagao, Yuki; Kubo, Takahiro

2014-12-01

Thin film structure and the proton transport property of fully protonated poly(aspartic acid) (P-Asp100) have been investigated. An earlier study assessed partially protonated poly(aspartic acid), highly oriented thin film structure and enhancement of the internal proton transport. In this study of P-Asp100, IR p-polarized multiple-angle incidence resolution (P-MAIR) spectra were measured to investigate the thin film structure. The obtained thin films, with thicknesses of 120-670 nm, had no oriented structure. Relative humidity dependence of the resistance, proton conductivity, and normalized resistance were examined to ascertain the proton transport property of P-Asp100 thin films. The obtained data showed that the proton transport of P-Asp100 thin films might occur on the surface, not inside of the thin film. This phenomenon might be related with the proton transport of the biological system.

Ecohealth Interventions Limit Triatomine Reinfestation following Insecticide Spraying in La Brea, Guatemala

PubMed Central

Lucero, David E.; Morrissey, Leslie A.; Rizzo, Donna M.; Rodas, Antonieta; Garnica, Roberto; Stevens, Lori; Bustamante, Dulce M.; Monroy, Maria Carlota

2013-01-01

In this study, we evaluate the effect of participatory Ecohealth interventions on domestic reinfestation of the Chagas disease vector Triatoma dimidiata after village-wide suppression of the vector population using a residual insecticide. The study was conducted in the rural community of La Brea, Guatemala between 2002 and 2009 where vector infestation was analyzed within a spatial data framework based on entomological and socio-economic surveys of homesteads within the village. Participatory interventions focused on community awareness and low-cost home improvements using local materials to limit areas of refuge and alternative blood meals for the vector within the home, and potential shelter for the vector outside the home. As a result, domestic infestation was maintained at ≤ 3% and peridomestic infestation at ≤ 2% for 5 years beyond the last insecticide spraying, in sharp contrast to the rapid reinfestation experienced in earlier insecticide only interventions. PMID:23382173

Experimental study of the effect on span loading on aircraft wakes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Corsiglia, V. R.; Rossow, V. J.; Ciffone, D. L.

1975-01-01

Measurements were made in the NASA-Ames 40- by 80-foot wind tunnel of the rolling moment induced on a following model in the wake 13.6 spans behind a subsonic transport model for a variety of trailing edge flap settings of the generator. It was found that the rolling moment on the following model was reduced substantially, compared to the conventional landing configuration, by reshaping the span loading on the generating model to approximate a span loading, found in earlier studies, which resulted in reduced wake velocities. This was accomplished by retracting the outboard trailing edge flaps. It was concluded, based on flow visualization conducted in the wind tunnel as well as in a water tow facility, that this flap arrangement redistributes the vorticity shed by the wing along the span to form three vortex pairs that interact to disperse the wake.

Undergraduate Consent Form Reading in Relation to Conscientiousness, Procrastination, and the Point-of-Time Effect.

PubMed

Theiss, Justin D; Hobbs, William B; Giordano, Peter J; Brunson, Olivia M

2014-07-01

Informed consent is central to conducting ethical research with human participants. The present study investigated differences in consent form reading in relation to conscientiousness, procrastination, and the point-of-time (PT) effect among undergraduate participants at a U.S. university. As hypothesized, conscientious participants and those who signed up to participate in a research study more days in advance and for earlier sessions (PT effect) read the consent form more thoroughly. However, procrastination was not related to consent form reading. Most importantly, consent form reading in general was poor, with 80% of participants demonstrating that they had not read the consent form. Conscientious participants were more likely to self-report reading the consent form, irrespective of their measured consent form reading. The article closes with suggestions to improve the process of obtaining informed consent with undergraduate participants. © The Author(s) 2014.

Localising semantic and syntactic processing in spoken and written language comprehension: an Activation Likelihood Estimation meta-analysis.

PubMed

Rodd, Jennifer M; Vitello, Sylvia; Woollams, Anna M; Adank, Patti

2015-02-01

We conducted an Activation Likelihood Estimation (ALE) meta-analysis to identify brain regions that are recruited by linguistic stimuli requiring relatively demanding semantic or syntactic processing. We included 54 functional MRI studies that explicitly varied the semantic or syntactic processing load, while holding constant demands on earlier stages of processing. We included studies that introduced a syntactic/semantic ambiguity or anomaly, used a priming manipulation that specifically reduced the load on semantic/syntactic processing, or varied the level of syntactic complexity. The results confirmed the critical role of the posterior left Inferior Frontal Gyrus (LIFG) in semantic and syntactic processing. These results challenge models of sentence comprehension highlighting the role of anterior LIFG for semantic processing. In addition, the results emphasise the posterior (but not anterior) temporal lobe for both semantic and syntactic processing. Crown Copyright © 2014. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

SPITFIRE-1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ryntz, Edward F.

1995-01-01

The purpose of this effort is to develop low-cost rapid forming superplastic aluminum that will be evaluated in pilot production trials for automotive SPF components. The alloy development study conducted under SPITFIRE-1 showed that the addition of CU or Mn to the base 5083 aluminum alloy refined the grain size, leading to enhanced superplastic properties. In SPITFIRE-2, these alloy variants will be further refined and studied to meet the target properties established earlier in the program. Mechanical properties, component forming and post-forming properties will be evaluated. Also, the alloy production process, including thermomechanical processing (TMP) optimization to reduce production cost, will be investigated during SPITFIRE-2. After identifying preferred compositions and production processing, the most promising alloy will be manufactured into production coils for verification during SPITFIRE-3. Components will be produced from these coils in SPITFIRE-4, and the process and component performance will be assessed.

Impact of sex education on knowledge and attitude of adolescent school children of Loni village.

PubMed

Avachat, Shubhada Sunil; Phalke, Deepak Baburao; Phalke, Vaishali Deepak

2011-11-01

Reproductive capability is now established at earlier age. But the subject of adolescent sexuality is taboo in most societies. There is widespread ignorance about risks of unprotected sex, problems among adolescents. Unfortunately need of sex education is not perceived and fulfilled in India especially in rural areas. The present study was conducted to assess the need and demonstrate the impact of sex education among adolescent school children. The impact of sex education workshop was tested by analysing pre- and postintervention questionnaire. The felt need of sex education increased considerably and the knowledge regarding contraceptives increased from manifolds after the intervention. There was significant increase in knowledge about menstrual hygiene, sexually transmitted diseases, etc, after sex education workshop. This study concludes that there is intense need of sex education and it has significant impact on knowledge of adolescent school children.

Combining destination diversion decisions and critical in-flight event diagnosis in computer aided testing of pilots

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rockwell, T. H.; Giffin, W. C.; Romer, D. J.

1984-01-01

Rockwell and Giffin (1982) and Giffin and Rockwell (1983) have discussed the use of computer aided testing (CAT) in the study of pilot response to critical in-flight events. The present investigation represents an extension of these earlier studies. In testing pilot responses to critical in-flight events, use is made of a Plato-touch CRT system operating on a menu based format. In connection with the typical diagnostic problem, the pilot was presented with symptoms within a flight scenario. In one problem, the pilot has four minutes for obtaining the information which is needed to make a diagnosis of the problem. In the reported research, the attempt has been made to combine both diagnosis and diversion scenario into a single computer aided test. Tests with nine subjects were conducted. The obtained results and their significance are discussed.

Workers in the VAB test SRB cables on STS-98 solid rocket boosters

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2001-01-01

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- Working near the top of a solid rocket booster, NASA and United Space Alliance SRB technicians hook up SRB cables to a CIRRUS computer for testing. From left are Jim Glass, with USA, performing a Flex test on the cable; Steve Swichkow, with NASA, and Jim Silviano, with USA, check the results on a computer. The SRB is part of Space Shuttle Atlantis, rolled back from Launch Pad 39A in order to conduct tests on the cables. A prior extensive evaluation of NASA'''s SRB cable inventory on the shelf revealed conductor damage in four (of about 200) cables. Shuttle managers decided to prove the integrity of the system tunnel cables already on Atlantis before launching. Workers are conducting inspections, making continuity checks and conducting X-ray analysis on the cables. The launch has been rescheduled no earlier than Feb. 6.

Hearing levels in US adults aged 20-69 Years: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2002

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Murphy, William J.; Themann, Christa L.; Franks, John R.

2005-04-01

The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) is a nationally representative, population-based survey designed to assess the health and nutritional status of the civilian, non-institutionalized US population. Data were collected through a personal interview regarding health history and through physical examination. Earlier NHANES surveys were conducted on a periodic basis; however, in 1999, NHANES began collecting data on a continuing, annual basis. During NHANES I, which ran from 1971-1975, audiometric testing was conducted on adults aged 25-74 years. No subsequent testing of adults was conducted in the NHANES program until 1999, when NHANES began audiometric testing of adults aged 20-69 years. This report examines the hearing levels for adults in the United States and compares them with the hearing data from NHANES I. Hearing levels are grouped by age and are grouped by ethnicity and gender.

The relationship between treatment access and spending in a managed behavioral health organization.

PubMed

Cuffel, B J; Regier, D

2001-07-01

This study replicated an earlier study that showed a linear relationship between level of treatment access and behavioral health spending. The study reported here examined whether this relationship varies by important characteristics of behavioral health plans. Access rates and total spending over a five- to seven-year period were computed for 30 behavioral health plans. Regression analysis was used to estimate the relationship between access and spending and to examine whether it varied with the characteristics of benefit plans. A linear relationship was found between level of treatment access and behavioral health spending. However, the relationship closely paralleled that found in the earlier study only for benefit plans with an employee assistance program linked to the managed behavioral health organization and for plans that do not allow the use of out-of-network providers. The results of this study replicate those of the earlier study in showing a linear relationship between access and spending, but they suggest that the magnitude of this relationship may vary according to key plan characteristics.

Application of video-based technology for the simultaneous measurement of accommodation and vergence.

PubMed

Suryakumar, Rajaraman; Meyers, Jason P; Irving, Elizabeth L; Bobier, William R

2007-01-01

Accommodation and vergence are two ocular motor systems that interact during binocular vision. Independent measurement of the response dynamics of each system has been achieved by the application of optometers and eye trackers. However, relatively few devices, typically earlier model optometers, allow the simultaneous assessment of accommodation and vergence. In this study we describe the development and application of a custom designed high-speed digital photorefractor that allows for rapid measures of accommodation (up to 75Hz). In addition the photorefractor was also synchronized with a video-based stereo eye tracker to allow a simultaneous measurement of accommodation and vergence. Analysis of accommodation and vergence could then be conducted offline. The new instrumentation is suitable for investigation of young children and could be potentially used for clinical populations.

Birthweight-discordance and differences in early parenting relate to monozygotic twin differences in behaviour problems and academic achievement at age 7.

PubMed

Asbury, Kathryn; Dunn, Judith F; Plomin, Robert

2006-03-01

This longitudinal monozygotic (MZ) twin differences study explored associations between birthweight and early family environment and teacher-rated behaviour problems and academic achievement at age 7. MZ differences in anxiety, hyperactivity, conduct problems, peer problems and academic achievement correlated significantly with MZ differences in birthweight and early family environment, showing effect sizes of up to 2%. As predicted by earlier research, associations increased at the extremes of discordance, even in a longitudinal, cross-rater design, with effect sizes reaching as high as 12%. As with previous research some of these non-shared environmental (NSE) relationships appeared to operate partly as a function of SES, family chaos and maternal depression. Higher-risk families generally showed stronger negative associations.

Nowcasting and forecasting of the magnetopause and bow shock—A status update

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Petrinec, S. M.; Redmon, R. J.; Rastaetter, L.

2017-01-01

There has long been interest in knowing the shape and location of the Earth's magnetopause and of the standing fast-mode bow shock upstream of the Earth's magnetosphere. This quest for knowledge spans both the research and operations arenas. Pertinent to the latter, nowcasting and near-term forecasting are important for determining the extent to which the magnetosphere is compressed or expanded due to the influence of the solar wind bulk plasma and fields and the coupling to other magnetosphere-ionosphere processes with possible effects on assets. This article provides an update to a previous article on the same topic published 15 years earlier, with focus on studies that have been conducted, the current status of nowcasting and forecasting of geophysical boundaries, and future endeavors.

Origin of cometary and chondritic refractory organics: Ion irradiation experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Quirico, E.; Faure, M.; Faure, A.; Baklouti, D.; Boduch, P.; Rothard, H.; Ballanzat, E.; Dartois, E.; Brunetto, R.; Bonal, L.; Beck, P.; Schmitt, B.; Duprat, J.; Engrand, C.

2017-09-01

The formation process of Refractory Organic matter present in chondrites and Interplanetary Dust Particles (IDPs) of cometary and asteroidal origin is a debated issue. Earlier studies have advocated a formation step in a hot environment, however the potential role of ion irradiation has been so far poorly constrained. We present here experimental simulations that address this issue, comprising thermal degradation and ion irradiation experiments conducted at GANIL (Caen France) and CSNSM (Orsay France). We show that unlike thermal reactions, ion irradiation might lead to ROM-like material under very stringent conditions on both the nuclear dose and the nature of precursor. These very narrow conditions suggest that forming ROM without any action of thermal reactions is extremely difficult in astrophysical environments, either ISM or the proto-solar disk.

Advanced thermionic energy conversion

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Britt, E. J.; Fitzpatrick, G. D.; Hansen, L. K.; Rasor, N. S.

1974-01-01

Basic analytical and experimental exploration was conducted on several types of advanced thermionic energy converters, and preliminary analysis was performed on systems utilizing advanced converter performance. The Pt--Nb cylindrical diode which exhibited a suppressed arc drop, as described in the preceding report, was reassembled and the existence of the postulated hydrid mode of operation was tentatively confirmed. Initial data obtained on ignited and unignited triode operation in the demountable cesium vapor system essentially confirmed the design principles developed in earlier work, with a few exceptions. Three specific advanced converter concepts were selected as candidates for concentrated basic study and for practical evaluation in fixed-configuration converters. Test vehicles and test stands for these converters and a unique controlled-atmosphere station for converter assembly and processing were designed, and procurement was initiated.

[Atomoxetine and piracetam in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children].

PubMed

Zavadenko, N N; Suvorinova, N Iu

2008-01-01

Therapeutic effect of atomoxetine and piracetam has been assessed in the open controlled study included 42 patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), aged from 6 to 13 years. Group 1 (16 patients) received atomoxetine (strattera) in daily dosage 0,8-1,2 mg/kg as a monotherapy for 6 weeks. Patients of group 2 (14 children) received piracetam as a monotherapy in daily dosage 50-70 mg/kg for 6 weeks. No pharmacological therapy was conducted in group 3 (a control one) which included 12 patients with ADHD. The high effectiveness of both atomoxetine and piracetam has been shown. However, comparing to piracetam, the therapeutic effect of atomoxetine was reached earlier (two weeks after the beginning of therapy) and was more pronounced for all components of syndromes.

Scalability of Several Asynchronous Many-Task Models for In Situ Statistical Analysis.

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

Pebay, Philippe Pierre; Bennett, Janine Camille; Kolla, Hemanth

This report is a sequel to [PB16], in which we provided a first progress report on research and development towards a scalable, asynchronous many-task, in situ statistical analysis engine using the Legion runtime system. This earlier work included a prototype implementation of a proposed solution, using a proxy mini-application as a surrogate for a full-scale scientific simulation code. The first scalability studies were conducted with the above on modestly-sized experimental clusters. In contrast, in the current work we have integrated our in situ analysis engines with a full-size scientific application (S3D, using the Legion-SPMD model), and have conducted nu- mericalmore » tests on the largest computational platform currently available for DOE science ap- plications. We also provide details regarding the design and development of a light-weight asynchronous collectives library. We describe how this library is utilized within our SPMD- Legion S3D workflow, and compare the data aggregation technique deployed herein to the approach taken within our previous work.« less

Re-examination of sea lamprey control policies for the St. Marys River: Completion of an adaptive management cycle

USGS Publications Warehouse

Jones, Michael L.; Brenden, Travis O.; Irwin, Brian J.

2015-01-01

The St. Marys River (SMR) historically has been a major producer of sea lampreys (Petromyzon marinus) in the Laurentian Great Lakes. In the early 2000s, a decision analysis (DA) project was conducted to evaluate sea lamprey control policies for the SMR; this project suggested that an integrated policy of trapping, sterile male releases, and Bayluscide treatment was the most cost-effective policy. Further, it concluded that formal assessment of larval sea lamprey abundance and distribution in the SMR would be valuable for future evaluation of control strategies. We updated this earlier analysis, adding information from annual larval assessments conducted since 1999 and evaluating additional control policies. Bayluscide treatments continued to be critical for sea lamprey control, but high recruitment compensation minimized the effectiveness of trapping and sterile male release under current feasible ranges. Because Bayluscide control is costly, development of strategies to enhance trapping success remains a priority. This study illustrates benefits of an adaptive management cycle, wherein models inform decisions, are updated based on learning achieved from those decisions, and ultimately inform future decisions.

Revisiting the Benefits of Higher Education. A Report by the Bedford Group for Lifecourse and Statistical Studies, Institute of Education.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bynner, John; Dolton, Peter; Feinstein, Leon; Makepeace, Gerry; Malmberg, Lars; Woods, Laura

An earlier report presented preliminary findings on the wider benefits of higher education in England, drawing on data collected at age 33 from the National Child Development Study, based on a cohort born in 1958 and a sample of more than 16,000. This report updates the earlier conclusions through new findings from a more extensive analysis…

Novel bioassay demonstrates attraction of the white potato cyst nematode Globodera pallida (Stone) to non-volatile and volatile host plant cues.

PubMed

Farnier, Kevin; Bengtsson, Marie; Becher, Paul G; Witzell, Johanna; Witzgall, Peter; Manduríc, Sanja

2012-06-01

Potato cyst nematodes (PCNs) are a major pest of solanaceous crops such as potatoes, tomatoes, and eggplants and have been widely studied over the last 30 years, with the majority of earlier studies focusing on the identification of natural hatching factors. As a novel approach, we focused instead on chemicals involved in nematode orientation towards its host plant. A new dual choice sand bioassay was designed to study nematode responses to potato root exudates (PRE). This bioassay, conducted together with a traditional hatching bioassay, showed that biologically active compounds that induce both hatching and attraction of PCNs can be collected by water extraction of incised potato roots. Furthermore, our results demonstrated that PCN also were attracted by potato root volatiles. Further work is needed to fully understand how PCNs use host plant chemical cues to orientate towards hosts. Nevertheless, the simple attraction assay used in this study provides an important tool for the identification of host-emitted attractants.

Environmental process improvement feasibility study and demonstration program

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Martin, Rodger L.

1994-01-01

This report is the final product of an environmental study conducted by Western Commercial Space Center, Inc. under contract to Tennessee-Calspan Center for Space Transportation and Applied Research. The purpose of this investigation is to accurately document the current environmental and permitting processes associated with commercial space launch activity at Vandenberg AFB, and make recommendations to streamline those processes. The particular areas of interest focus on: identifying applicable Federal, state, and local laws, Department of Defense directives, and Air force regulations; defining the environmental process on Vandenberg AFB and how it relates with other agencies, including Federal and state regulatory agencies; and defining the air quality permit process. Study investigation results are applied to an example Pilot Space Launch Vehicle (PSLV) planning to launch from Vandenberg AFB. The PSLV space hardware is analyzed with respect to environmental and permitting issues associated with vehicle processing, facilities required (existing or new), and launch. The PSLV verified the earlier findings of the study and gave insight into streamlining recommendations.

The use of potassium hydroxide (KOH) solution as a suitable approach to isolate plastics ingested by marine organisms.

PubMed

Kühn, Susanne; van Werven, Bernike; van Oyen, Albert; Meijboom, André; Bravo Rebolledo, Elisa L; van Franeker, Jan A

2017-02-15

In studies of plastic ingestion by marine wildlife, visual separation of plastic particles from gastrointestinal tracts or their dietary content can be challenging. Earlier studies have used solutions to dissolve organic materials leaving synthetic particles unaffected. However, insufficient tests have been conducted to ensure that different categories of consumer products partly degraded in the environment and/or in gastrointestinal tracts were not affected. In this study 63 synthetic materials and 11 other dietary items and non-plastic marine debris were tested. Irrespective of shape or preceding environmental history, most polymers resisted potassium hydroxide (KOH) solution, with the exceptions of cellulose acetate from cigarette filters, some biodegradable plastics and a single polyethylene sheet. Exposure of hard diet components and other marine debris showed variable results. In conclusion, the results confirm that usage of KOH solutions can be a useful approach in general quantitative studies of plastic ingestion by marine wildlife. Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Research on marine actinobacteria in India.

PubMed

Sivakumar, K; Sahu, Maloy Kumar; Thangaradjou, T; Kannan, L

2007-09-01

Marine actinobacteriology is one of the major emerging areas of research in tropics. Marine actinobacteria occur on the sediments and in water and also other biomass (mangrove) and substrates (animal). These organisms are gaining importance not only for their taxonomic and ecological perspectives, but also for their unique metabolites and enzymes. Many earlier studies on these organisms were confined only to the temperate regions. In tropical environment, investigations on them have gained importance only in the last two decades. So far, from the Indian peninsula, 41 species of actinobacteria belonging to 8 genera have been recorded. The genus, Streptomyces of marine origin has been more frequently recorded. Of 9 maritime states of India, only 4 have been extensively covered for the study of marine actinobacteria. Most of the studies conducted pertain to isolation, identification and maintenance of these organisms in different culture media. Further, attention has been focused on studying their antagonistic properties against different pathogens. Their biotechnological potentials are yet to be fully explored.

The emergence of community health worker programmes in the late apartheid era in South Africa: An historical analysis

PubMed Central

van Ginneken, Nadja; Lewin, Simon; Berridge, Virginia

2010-01-01

There is re-emerging interest in community health workers (CHWs) as part of wider policies regarding task-shifting within human resources for health. This paper examines the history of CHW programmes established in South Africa in the later apartheid years (1970s–1994) – a time of innovative initiatives. After 1994, the new democratic government embraced primary healthcare (PHC), however CHW initiatives were not included in their health plan and most of these programmes subsequently collapsed. Since then a wide array of disease-focused CHW projects have emerged, particularly within HIV care. Thirteen oral history interviews and eight witness seminars were conducted in South Africa in April 2008 with founders and CHWs from these earlier programmes. These data were triangulated with written primary sources and analysed using thematic content analysis. The study suggests that 1970s–1990s CHW programmes were seen as innovative, responsive, comprehensive and empowering for staff and communities, a focus which respondents felt was lost within current programmes. The growth of these earlier projects was underpinned by the struggle against apartheid. Respondents felt that the more technical focus of current CHW programmes under-utilise a valuable human resource which previously had a much wider social and health impact. These prior experiences and lessons learned could usefully inform policy-making frameworks for CHWs in South Africa today. PMID:20638169

Hydrogen storage in lithium hydride: A theoretical approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Banger, Suman; Nayak, Vikas; Verma, U. P.

2018-04-01

First principles calculations have been carried out to analyze structural stability of lithium hydride (LiH) in NaCl phase using the full potential linearized augmented plane wave (FP-LAPW) method within the framework of density functional theory (DFT). Calculations have been extended to physiosorbed H-atom compounds LiH·H2, LiH·3H2 and LiH·4H2. The obtained results are discussed in the paper. The results for LiH are in excellent agreement with earlier reported data. The obtained direct energy band gap of LiH is 3.0 eV which is in excellent agreement with earlier reported theoretical band gap. The electronic band structure plots of the hydrogen adsorbed compounds show metallic behavior. The elastic constants, anisotropy factor, shear modulus, Young's modulus, Poisson's ratio and cohesive energies of all the compounds are calculated. Calculation of the optical spectra such as the real and imaginary parts of dielectric function, optical reflectivity, absorption coefficient, optical conductivity, refractive index, extinction coefficient and electron energy loss are performed for the energy range 0-15 eV. The obtained results for LiH·H2, LiH·3H2 and LiH·4H2, are reported for the first time. This study has been made in search of materials for hydrogen storage. It is concluded that LiH is a promising material for hydrogen storage.

Pubertal development timing in urban Chinese boys.

PubMed

Ma, H-M; Chen, S-K; Chen, R-M; Zhu, C; Xiong, F; Li, T; Wang, W; Liu, G-L; Luo, X-P; Liu, L; Du, M-L

2011-10-01

We describe current pubertal development in healthy urban Chinese boys. A cross-sectional study of the pubertal development of 18,807 urban Chinese boys aged from 3.50 to 18.49years was conducted between 2003 and 2005. Testicular volume was evaluated with a Prader orchidometer. Pubic hair development was assessed according to the Tanner method. Data on spermarche were collected using the status quo method. Probit analysis was used to calculate the median age and 95% CI at different stages of testicular development, pubic hair development and spermarche. By age 9, 12.99% of the boys had a testicular volume of 4mL or greater. The median age of onset of puberty defined as the age at attainment of testicular volume of 4mL or greater was 10.55 (95% CI 10.27-10.79) years. The median age for onset of pubic hair development (PH(2) ) and spermarche was 12.78 (95%CI 12.67-12.89) years and 14.05 (95%CI 13.80-14.32) years, respectively. Pubertal onset in urban Chinese boys is earlier than currently used clinical norms but their pubic hair development occurs relatively late in comparison with the reported data from numerous other countries. There is also evidence of a secular trend towards an earlier age of spermarche since 1979 in Chinese urban boys. © 2011 The Authors. International Journal of Andrology © 2011 European Academy of Andrology.

Diet Quality and Physical Activity Outcome Improvements Resulting From a Church-Based Diet and Supervised Physical Activity Intervention for Rural, Southern, African American Adults: Delta Body and Soul III.

PubMed

Thomson, Jessica L; Goodman, Melissa H; Tussing-Humphreys, Lisa

2015-09-01

We assessed the effects of a 6-month, church-based, diet and supervised physical activity intervention, conducted between 2011 and 2012, on improving diet quality and increasing physical activity of Southern, African American adults. Using a quasi-experimental design, eight self-selected, eligible churches were assigned to intervention or control. Assessments included dietary, physical activity, anthropometric, and clinical measures. Mixed model regression analysis and McNemar's test were used to determine if within and between group differences were significant. Cohen's d effect sizes for selected outcomes also were computed and compared with an earlier, lower dose intervention. Retention rates were 84% (102/122) for control and 76% (219/287) for intervention participants. Diet quality components, including fruits, vegetables, discretionary calories, and total quality, improved significantly in the intervention group. Strength/flexibility physical activity also increased in the intervention group, while both aerobic and strength/flexibility physical activity significantly decreased in the control group. Effect sizes for selected health outcomes were larger in the current intervention as compared to an earlier, less intense iteration of the study. Results suggest that more frequent education sessions as well as supervised group physical activity may be key components to increasing the efficacy of behavioral lifestyle interventions in rural, Southern, African American adults. © 2015 Society for Public Health Education.

The emergence of community health worker programmes in the late apartheid era in South Africa: An historical analysis.

PubMed

van Ginneken, Nadja; Lewin, Simon; Berridge, Virginia

2010-09-01

There is re-emerging interest in community health workers (CHWs) as part of wider policies regarding task-shifting within human resources for health. This paper examines the history of CHW programmes established in South Africa in the later apartheid years (1970s-1994) - a time of innovative initiatives. After 1994, the new democratic government embraced primary healthcare (PHC), however CHW initiatives were not included in their health plan and most of these programmes subsequently collapsed. Since then a wide array of disease-focused CHW projects have emerged, particularly within HIV care. Thirteen oral history interviews and eight witness seminars were conducted in South Africa in April 2008 with founders and CHWs from these earlier programmes. These data were triangulated with written primary sources and analysed using thematic content analysis. The study suggests that 1970s-1990s CHW programmes were seen as innovative, responsive, comprehensive and empowering for staff and communities, a focus which respondents felt was lost within current programmes. The growth of these earlier projects was underpinned by the struggle against apartheid. Respondents felt that the more technical focus of current CHW programmes under-utilise a valuable human resource which previously had a much wider social and health impact. These prior experiences and lessons learned could usefully inform policy-making frameworks for CHWs in South Africa today. Copyright 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Spiral-Wave Dynamics in a Mathematical Model of Human Ventricular Tissue with Myocytes and Fibroblasts

PubMed Central

Nayak, Alok Ranjan; Shajahan, T. K.; Panfilov, A. V.; Pandit, Rahul

2013-01-01

Cardiac fibroblasts, when coupled functionally with myocytes, can modulate the electrophysiological properties of cardiac tissue. We present systematic numerical studies of such modulation of electrophysiological properties in mathematical models for (a) single myocyte-fibroblast (MF) units and (b) two-dimensional (2D) arrays of such units; our models build on earlier ones and allow for zero-, one-, and two-sided MF couplings. Our studies of MF units elucidate the dependence of the action-potential (AP) morphology on parameters such as , the fibroblast resting-membrane potential, the fibroblast conductance , and the MF gap-junctional coupling . Furthermore, we find that our MF composite can show autorhythmic and oscillatory behaviors in addition to an excitable response. Our 2D studies use (a) both homogeneous and inhomogeneous distributions of fibroblasts, (b) various ranges for parameters such as , and , and (c) intercellular couplings that can be zero-sided, one-sided, and two-sided connections of fibroblasts with myocytes. We show, in particular, that the plane-wave conduction velocity decreases as a function of , for zero-sided and one-sided couplings; however, for two-sided coupling, decreases initially and then increases as a function of , and, eventually, we observe that conduction failure occurs for low values of . In our homogeneous studies, we find that the rotation speed and stability of a spiral wave can be controlled either by controlling or . Our studies with fibroblast inhomogeneities show that a spiral wave can get anchored to a local fibroblast inhomogeneity. We also study the efficacy of a low-amplitude control scheme, which has been suggested for the control of spiral-wave turbulence in mathematical models for cardiac tissue, in our MF model both with and without heterogeneities. PMID:24023798

Systematic Review of Psychosocial Interventions for People With Spinal Cord Injury During Inpatient Rehabilitation: Implications for Evidence-Based Practice.

PubMed

Li, Yan; Bressington, Daniel; Chien, Wai Tong

2017-12-01

The bio-psychosocial model of spinal cord injury (SCI) highlights that psychosocial care is of equal importance as physical rehabilitation, and should be offered in the earlier stages of inpatient rehabilitation. This systematic review aimed to identify interventional research regarding psychosocial care for people with SCI during inpatient rehabilitation and synthesize the evidence of the effects and characteristics of these studies. A systematic search of relevant literature published between 1985 to July 2016 was conducted with six databases (Scopus, MEDLINE, CINAHL, Science Citation Index Expanded, PsycINFO, and the China Academic Journal Full-text Database). Reference lists of the identified articles were reviewed to find additional relevant articles. A total of four randomized controlled trials and seven non-randomized controlled trials were included in this review. The interventions focused on specialized types of SCI population with relatively high levels of psychological distress, pain or pressure ulcers. Studies reported some varied or inconsistent improvements in participants' cognitive appraisal, psychosocial adaptation or mental health but there were no significant effects on their coping ability. Due to the heterogeneity of the studies, findings were synthesized narratively without conducting meta-analysis. This review found promising evidence that approaches to psychosocial care for people with SCI can improve their cognitive appraisal and psychosocial adaptation. Significant methodological limitations weakened study findings. Additionally, because studies were conducted in only a few developed countries with subgroups of patients having specific illness characteristics or severity, their generalizability to the wider SCI population is uncertain. Therefore, future research should adopt more robust study designs to test psychosocial interventions for SCI patients with different socio-cultural backgrounds and psychological adjustment conditions in the early stages of rehabilitation. © 2017 Sigma Theta Tau International.

From alcohol initiation to tolerance to problems: Discordant twin modeling of a developmental process

PubMed Central

Deutsch, Arielle R.; Slutske, Wendy S.; Lynskey, Michael T.; Bucholz, Kathleen K.; Madden, Pamela A. F.; Heath, Andrew C.; Martin, Nicholas G.

2017-01-01

The current study examined a stage-based alcohol use trajectory model to test for potential causal effects of earlier drinking milestones on later drinking milestones in a combined sample of two cohorts of Australian monozygotic and same-sex dizygotic twins (N = 7,398, age M = 30.46, SD = 2.61, 61% mal 56% monozygotic twins). Ages of drinking, drunkenness, regular drinking, tolerance, first nontolerance alcohol use disorder symptom, and alcohol use disorder symptom onsets were assessed retrospectively. Ages of milestone attainment (i.e., age-of-onset) and time between milestones (i.e., time-to-even were examined via frailty models within a multilevel discordant twin design. For age-of-onset models, earlier ages of onset of antecedent drinking milestones increased hazards for earlier ages of onset for more proximal subsequent drinking milestones. For the time-to-event models, however, earlier ag of onset for the “starting” milestone decreased risk for a shorter time period between the starting and the “ending” milestone. Earlier age of onset of intermediate milestones between starting and ending drinking milestones had the opposite effect, increasing risk for a shorter time period between the starti and ending milestones. These results are consistent with a causal effect of an earlier age of drinking milestone onset on temporally proximal subsequent drinking milestones. PMID:27417028

High relative humidity increases yield, harvest index, flowering, and gynophore growth of hydroponically grown peanut plants

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mortley, D. G.; Bonsi, C. K.; Loretan, P. A.; Hill, W. A.; Morris, C. E.

2000-01-01

Growth chamber experiments were conducted to study the physiological and growth response of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) to 50% and 85% relative humidity (RH). The objective was to determine the effects of RH on pod and seed yield, harvest index, and flowering of peanut grown by the nutrient film technique (NFT). 'Georgia Red' peanut plants (14 days old) were planted into growth channels (0.15 x 0.15 x 1.2 m). Plants were spaced 25 cm apart with 15 cm between channels. A modified half-Hoagland solution with an additional 2 mM Ca was used. Solution pH was maintained between 6.4 and 6.7, and electrical conductivity (EC) ranged between 1100 and 1200 microS cm-1. Temperature regimes of 28/22 degrees C were maintained during the light/dark periods (12 hours each) with photosynthetic photon flux (PPF) at canopy level of 500 micromoles-m-2s-1. Foliage and pod fresh and dry weights, total seed yield, harvest index (HI), and seed maturity were greater at high than at low RH. Plants grown at 85% RH had greater total and individual leaflet area and stomatal conductance, flowered 3 days earlier and had a greater number of flowers reaching anthesis. Gynophores grew more rapidly at 85% than at 50% RH.

Prominent metallic surface conduction and the singular magnetic response of topological Dirac fermion in three-dimensional topological insulator Bi1.5Sb0.5Te1.7Se1.3.

PubMed

Dutta, Prithwish; Pariari, Arnab; Mandal, Prabhat

2017-07-07

We report semiconductor to metal-like crossover in the temperature dependence of resistivity (ρ) due to the switching of charge transport from bulk to surface channel in three-dimensional topological insulator Bi 1.5 Sb 0.5 Te 1.7 Se 1.3 . Unlike earlier studies, a much sharper drop in ρ(T) is observed below the crossover temperature due to the dominant surface conduction. Remarkably, the resistivity of the conducting surface channel follows a rarely observable T 2 dependence at low temperature, as predicted theoretically for a two-dimensional Fermi liquid system. The field dependence of magnetization shows a cusp-like paramagnetic peak in the susceptibility (χ) at zero field over the diamagnetic background. The peak is found to be robust against temperature and χ decays linearly with the field from its zero-field value. This unique behavior of the χ is associated with the spin-momentum locked topological surface state in Bi 1.5 Sb 0.5 Te 1.7 Se 1.3 . The reconstruction of the surface state with time is clearly reflected through the reduction of the peak height with the age of the sample.

Possible existence of wormholes in the central regions of halos

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

Rahaman, Farook, E-mail: rahaman@iucaa.ernet.in; Salucci, P., E-mail: salucci@sissa.it; INFN, Sezione di Trieste, Via Valerio 2, 34127, Trieste

2014-11-15

An earlier study (Rahaman, et al., 2014 and Kuhfittig, 2014) has demonstrated the possible existence of wormholes in the outer regions of the galactic halo, based on the Navarro–Frenk–White (NFW) density profile. This paper uses the Universal Rotation Curve (URC) dark matter model to obtain analogous results for the central parts of the halo. This result is an important compliment to the earlier result, thereby confirming the possible existence of wormholes in most of the spiral galaxies. - Highlights: • Earlier we showed possible existence of wormholes in the outer regions of halo. • We obtain here analogous results for themore » central parts of the galactic halo. • Our result is an important compliment to the earlier result. • This confirms possible existence of wormholes in most of the spiral galaxies.« less

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

Bahig, Houda; Simard, Dany; Létourneau, Laurent

Purpose: To determine the incidence of pseudoprogression (PP) after spine stereotactic body radiation therapy based on a detailed and quantitative assessment of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) morphologic tumor alterations, and to identify predictive factors distinguishing PP from local recurrence (LR). Methods and Materials: A retrospective analysis of 35 patients with 49 spinal segments treated with spine stereotactic body radiation therapy, from 2009 to 2014, was conducted. The median number of follow-up MRI studies was 4 (range, 2-7). The gross tumor volumes (GTVs) within each of the 49 spinal segments were contoured on the pretreatment and each subsequent follow-up T1- andmore » T2-weighted MRI sagittal sequence. T2 signal intensity was reported as the mean intensity of voxels constituting each volume. LR was defined as persistent GTV enlargement on ≥2 serial MRI studies for ≥6 months or on pathologic confirmation. PP was defined as a GTV enlargement followed by stability or regression on subsequent imaging within 6 months. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used for estimation of actuarial local control, disease-free survival, and overall survival. Results: The median follow-up was 23 months (range, 1-39 months). PP was identified in 18% of treated segments (9 of 49) and LR in 29% (14 of 49). Earlier volume enlargement (5 months for PP vs 15 months for LR, P=.005), greater GTV to reference nonirradiated vertebral body T2 intensity ratio (+30% for PP vs −10% for LR, P=.005), and growth confined to 80% of the prescription isodose line (80% IDL) (8 of 9 PP cases vs 1 of 14 LR cases, P=.002) were associated with PP on univariate analysis. Multivariate analysis confirmed an earlier time to volume enlargement and growth within the 80% IDL as significant predictors of PP. LR involved the epidural space in all but 1 lesion, whereas PP was confined to the vertebral body in 7 of 9 cases. Conclusions: PP was observed in 18% of treated spinal segments. Tumor growth confined to the 80% IDL and earlier time to tumor enlargement were predictive for PP.« less

Lindsey and Boe on forward flight deck

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-02-26

S133-E-006081 (25 Feb. 2011) --- On space shuttle Discovery’s forward flight deck, astronauts Steve Lindsey (right), STS-133 commander, and Eric Boe, pilot, switch seats for a brief procedure as the crew heads toward a weekend docking with the International Space Station. Earlier the crew conducted thorough inspections of the shuttle’s thermal tile system using the Remote Manipulator System/Orbiter Boom Sensor System (RMS/OBSS) and special cameras. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

ALONE, UNARMED, AND UNAFRAID OVER CUBA: THE STORY OF MAJOR RUDY ANDERSON

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-06-01

Junior. Major Anderson was a U-2 pilot during the Cuban Missile Crisis and was shot down on 27 October 1962 while conducting a reconnaissance...the SA-2 Guideline). Two and a half years earlier one of his friends, Francis Gary Powers, flying a similarly configured U-2, was shot down over... shot down the first US reconnaissance flight on 8 April 1950.8 The Soviets were frustrated by the continual US overflights and wanted to put an

Taboo thoughts and doubt/checking: a refinement of the factor structure for obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms.

PubMed

Pinto, Anthony; Eisen, Jane L; Mancebo, Maria C; Greenberg, Benjamin D; Stout, Robert L; Rasmussen, Steven A

2007-06-30

The purpose of this report was to improve upon earlier factor analyses of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) symptom categories by minimizing the heterogeneity in the aggressive obsessions category. An exploratory factor analysis was conducted on data from 293 adults with primary OCD. The resulting five factors (Symmetry/Ordering, Hoarding, Doubt/Checking, Contamination/Cleaning, and Taboo Thoughts) are phenomenologically more homogeneous than prior category-based factors and are consistent with those derived in previous item-level analyses.

Security Sector Reform in Liberia: Mixed Results from Humble Beginnings

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-03-01

require enhanced efforts to produce reliable crime statistics and the conduct of victimization surveys among the population of Monrovia and the rural...action. SSR IN CONTEXT The concept of SSR was first put forward to a larger public in a speech by Clare Short, the first minister of the United...earlier, but it was speeches by Short and the policy statements by her department from 1998 to 2002 that made SSR prominent as a term and as a