Vitamin D intake, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D status and response to moderate vitamin D3 supplementation: a randomised controlled trial in East African and Finnish women.

PubMed

Adebayo, Folasade A; Itkonen, Suvi T; Öhman, Taina; Skaffari, Essi; Saarnio, Elisa M; Erkkola, Maijaliisa; Cashman, Kevin D; Lamberg-Allardt, Christel

2018-02-01

Insufficient vitamin D status (serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (S-25(OH)D)0·05 for differences between ethnic groups). In conclusion, high prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency existed among East African women living in Finland, despite higher vitamin D intake than their Finnish peers. Moderate vitamin D3 supplementation was effective in increasing S-25(OH)D in both groups of women, and no ethnic differences existed in the response to supplementation.

Patterns of trust in sources of health information.

PubMed

Lawson, Rob; Forbes, Sarah; Williams, John

2011-01-21

To understand the different patterns of trust that exist regarding different sources of information about health issues. Data from a large national health lifestyles survey of New Zealanders was examined using a factor analysis of trust toward 24 health information sources (HIS). Differences in trust are compared across a range of demographic variables. Factor analysis identified six different groupings of health information. Variations in trust in sources for health information are identified by age, employment status, level of education, income, sex and ethnic group. Systematic variations exist in the trust that people report with respect to different sources of health information. Understanding these variations may assist policymakers and other agencies which are responsible for planning the dissemination of health information.

The tumour biology of synchronous and metachronous colorectal liver metastases: a systematic review.

PubMed

Slesser, A A P; Georgiou, P; Brown, G; Mudan, S; Goldin, R; Tekkis, P

2013-04-01

Forty to fifty percent of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients develop colorectal liver metastases (CLM) that are either synchronous or metachronous in presentation. Clarifying whether there is a biological difference between the two groups of liver metastases or their primaries could have important clinical implications. A systematic review was performed using the following resources: MEDLINE from PubMed (1950 to present), Embase, Cochrane and the Web of Knowledge. Thirty-one articles met the inclusion criteria. The review demonstrated that the majority of studies found differences in molecular marker expression between colorectal liver metastases and their respective primaries in both the synchronous and metachronous groups. Studies investigating genetic aberrations demonstrated that the majority of changes in the primary tumour were 'maintained' in the colorectal liver metastases. A limited number of studies compared the primary tumours of the synchronous and metachronous groups and generally demonstrated no differences in marker expression. Although there were conflicting results, the colorectal liver metastases in the synchronous and metachronous groups demonstrated some differences in keeping with a more aggressive tumour subtype in the synchronous group. This review suggests that biological differences may exist between the liver metastases of the synchronous and metachronous groups. Whether there are biological differences between the primaries of the synchronous and metachronous groups remains undetermined due to the limited number of studies available. Future research is required to determine whether differences exist between the two groups and should include comparisons of the primary tumours.

Tight control of mild-moderate pre-existing or non-proteinuric gestational hypertension.

PubMed

Nabhan, Ashraf F; Elsedawy, Maged M

2011-07-06

The question of the target blood pressure in pregnant women with mild-moderate hypertension continues to be an area of debate. To compare tight versus very tight control of mild-moderate pre-existing or non-proteinuric gestational hypertension for improving outcomes We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (31 March 2011), CENTRAL (The Cochrane Library 2011, Issue 3), MEDLINE (January 1966 to March 2011), and the metaRegister of Controlled Trials (31 March 2011). We handsearched citation lists of relevant publications, review articles, and included studies. Randomized controlled trials of tight versus very tight control in pregnant women with mild or moderate pre-existing or non-proteinuric gestational hypertension. Two authors independently assessed trial quality and extracted data. We expressed results as risk ratio (RR) or mean differences, together with their 95% confidence intervals (CI). We included two studies (256 participants) with mild-moderate pre-existing or non-proteinuric gestational hypertension. There was no evidence of a difference between tight and very tight control groups regarding severe pre-eclampsia (risk ratio (RR) 1.28, 95% CI 0.97 to 1.70; two trials, 256 participants). More women in the tight group were hospitalized during their pregnancy (RR 2.53, 95% CI 1.14 to 5.63; one trial, 125 participants). There was no evidence of a difference in other outcome measures including fetal distress, IUGR, neonatal admission to a NICU, perinatal deaths, induction of labor and cesarean delivery between the tight and the very tight control groups. Gestational age at delivery had a non-significant mean difference (MD) of -0.15 weeks between the tight and very tight control groups (MD -0.15, 95% CI -1.52 to 1.21, random-effects, T² = 0.75, I² = 77%; two trials, 256 participants). The MD in birthweight between the tight and the very tight control group was not significant (MD -100.00 grams, 95% CI -363.69 to 163.69; one trial, 125 participants). For pregnant women with non-severe pre-existing or non-proteinuric gestational hypertension, there is insufficient evidence to determine how tight control of hypertension should be achieved to improve maternal and fetal-neonatal outcomes.

A Comparison of Intellectual Structure in Deaf and Hearing Children.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zwiebel, Abraham; Mertens, Donna M.

1985-01-01

Results of Snijders-Oomen Nonverbal Intelligence Test for 251 deaf and 101 hearing children in Israel included that (1) factor structure for total deaf group differs from that of hearing group; (2) differences in cognitive structure were evident by age level for deaf; and (3) differences exist between cognitive structures of hearing and deaf…

Appraisal of data for ground-water quality in Nebraska

USGS Publications Warehouse

Engberg, R.A.

1984-01-01

This report summarizes existing data for groundwater quality in Nebraska and indicates their adequacy as a data base. Analyses have been made of water from nearly 10,000 wells by 8 agencies. Those analyses that meet reliability criteria have been aggregated by geologic source of water into four principal aquifer groupings--Holocene-Pleistocene aquifers, Tertiary aquifers, Mesozoic aquifers, and Paleozoic aquifers. For each aquifer grouping, data for specific conductance and 24 constituents in the water are summarized statistically. Also, diagrams are presented showing differences in statistical parameters, or in chemical composition, of water from the different aquifer groupings. Additionally, for each grouping except Paleozoic aquifers, maps show ranges in concentration of dissolved solids, calcium, alkalinity, and sulfate. In areas where data are insufficient to delimit, ranges in concentration also are shown on the maps. Point-source contamination has been identified at 41 locations and nonpoint-source contamination in 3 areas, namely, the central Platte Valley, Holt County, and Boyd County. Potential for nonpoint-source contamination exists in 10 major areas, which together comprise more than one-third of the State. Existing data are mostly from specific projects having limited areas and objectives. Consequently, a lack of data exists for other areas and for certain geologic units, particularly the Mesozoic and Paleozoic aquifers. Specific data needs for each of the four principal aquifer groupings are indicated in a matrix table.

Psychosocial Development and Self-Actualization across Age Groups: Middle-Aged and Senior Adults Compared Developmentally.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Parkin, Kay; Gaa, John; Swank, Paul; Liberman, Dov

The research question examined was whether significant differences in psychosocial development and self-actualization exist between adult cohort groups whose childhood development occurred under very different social, economic, and technological circumstances. Subjects were 113 white middle-aged and elderly adults from similar socioeconomic…

Mumijo attenuates chemically induced inflammatory pain in mice.

PubMed

Malekzadeh, Golnaz; Dashti-Rahmatabadi, Mohammad Hossein; Zanbagh, Samira; Akhavi Mirab-bashii, Atefehsadat

2015-01-01

Mumijo (shilajit) has been well known in traditional medicine as a remedy for a number of diseases, such as bone fractures, wounds, inflammation, and headache. It is also widely used as an analgesic agent in folk medicine, but no scientific documentation exists concerning that effect. The current study was conducted to evaluate the ability of mumijo to reduce sensitivity to painful stimuli when compared with morphine sulfate and sodium diclofenac. A total of 176 animals were randomly and equally divided into 2 groups with 88 mice each-one for formalin test and the other for writhing test. For each test, the animals were allocated into 10 equal groups, based on the dosage of the analgesic, plus a negative control group, with 8 mice in each group. The analgesic effect of mumijo extract in doses of 0.75, 7.5, 75, and 750 mg/kg was assessed and compared witha group receiving distilled water-the negative control group, and that for groups receiving 1, 2, or 4 mg/kg of morphine sulfate or 10, 20, or 30 mg/kg of sodium diclofenac-the positive control groups. The results showed a significant decrease in pain intensity for all mice receiving doses of mumijo extract during a 1-h formalin test when compared with the distilled water group. For all the mumijo groups except the one receiving 750 mg/kg, the analgesic effect was significantly lower than that for the morphine sulfate group receiving 4 mg/kg. No significant differences existed between all mumijo and all diclofenac groups. In a writhing test, a significant inhibition of the pain response induced by acetic acid also occurred in all 4 mumijo-administered groups as opposed to the group receiving distilled water. No significant differences existed between the writhing response in groups receiving 75 and 750 mg/kg of mumijo and any doses of diclofenac or morphine. The comparison among the different doses of mumijo in the formalin test did not show any significant differences, but in the writhing test, the maximum dose showed a more effective analgesic action. The findings indicated a significant analgesic effect for mumijo extract on chronic pain in mice, occurring in a dose-independent manner.

Exploring the Dimensionality of Ethnic Minority Adaptation in Britain: An Analysis across Ethnic and Generational Lines

PubMed Central

Lessard-Phillips, Laurence

2015-01-01

In this article I explore the dimensionality of the long-term experiences of the main ethnic minority groups (their adaptation) in Britain. Using recent British data, I apply factor analysis to uncover the underlying number of factors behind variables deemed to be representative of the adaptation experience within the literature. I then attempt to assess the groupings of adaptation present in the data, to see whether a typology of adaptation exists (i.e. whether adaptation in different dimensions can be concomitant with others). The analyses provide an empirical evidence base to reflect on: (1) the extent of group differences in the adaptation process, which may cut across ethnic and generational lines; and (2) whether the uncovered dimensions of adaptation match existing theoretical views and empirical evidence. Results suggest that adaptation should be regarded as a multi-dimensional phenomenon where clear typologies of adaptation based on specific trade-offs (mostly cultural) appear to exist. PMID:28502998

Students' Perceptions of Classroom Group Work as a Function of Group Member Selection

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Myers, Scott A.

2012-01-01

The purpose of this assessment was to examine whether differences exist between students who self-select their classroom work group members and students who are randomly assigned to their classroom work groups in terms of their use of organizational citizenship behaviors with their work group members; their commitment to, trust in, and relational…

Comparison of the social systems of primates and feral horses: data from a newly established horse research site on Serra D'Arga, northern Portugal.

PubMed

Ringhofer, Monamie; Inoue, Sota; Mendonça, Renata S; Pereira, Carlos; Matsuzawa, Tetsuro; Hirata, Satoshi; Yamamoto, Shinya

2017-10-01

Horses are phylogenetically distant from primates, but considerable behavioral links exist between the two. The sociality of horses, characterized by group stability, is similar to that of primates, but different from that of many other ungulates. Although horses and primates are good models for exploring the evolution of societies in human and non-human animals, fewer studies have been conducted on the social system of horses than primates. Here, we investigated the social system of feral horses, particularly the determinant factors of single-male/multi-male group dichotomy, in light of hypotheses derived from studies of primate societies. Socioecological data from 26 groups comprising 208 feral horses on Serra D'Arga, northern Portugal suggest that these primate-based hypotheses cannot adequately explain the social system of horses. In view of the sympatric existence of multi- and single-male groups, and the frequent intergroup transfers and promiscuous mating of females with males of different groups, male-female relationships of horses appear to differ from those of polygynous primates.

Can parenting practices predict externalizing behavior problems among children with hearing impairment?

PubMed

Pino, María J; Castillo, Rosa A; Raya, Antonio; Herruzo, Javier

2017-11-09

To identify possible differences in the level of externalizing behavior problems among children with and without hearing impairment and determine whether any relationship exists between this type of problem and parenting practices. The Behavior Assessment System for Children was used to evaluate externalizing variables in a sample of 118 boys and girls divided into two matched groups: 59 with hearing disorders and 59 normal-hearing controls. Significant between-group differences were found in hyperactivity, behavioral problems, and externalizing problems, but not in aggression. Significant differences were also found in various aspects of parenting styles. A model for predicting externalizing behavior problems was constructed, achieving a predicted explained variance of 50%. Significant differences do exist between adaptation levels in children with and without hearing impairment. Parenting style also plays an important role.

A Framework for Semantic Group Formation in Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ounnas, Asma; Davis, Hugh C.; Millard, David E.

2009-01-01

Collaboration has long been considered an effective approach to learning. However, forming optimal groups can be a time consuming and complex task. Different approaches have been developed to assist teachers allocate students to groups based on a set of constraints. However, existing tools often fail to assign some students to groups creating a…

On the Influence of Grouping Practices on Classroom Teaching

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Aydin, Emin; Tugal, Ilker

2005-01-01

The article starts with a historical overview, discusses the arguments for and against ability grouping. It surveys the literature on different practices of grouping that exist in the American and British literature. The study mainly focuses on instructional grouping practices based on ability and on cooperation. It discusses arguments for and…

The Effect of Syllabus on Mathematical Knowledge

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Belsom, C. G. H.; Elton, L. R. B.

1974-01-01

Item analysis of a mathematics preknowledge test given to physics students revealed that significant differences existed on certain items between groups of students who had followed different mathematics syllabuses. (MLH)

Methods that remove batch effects while retaining group differences may lead to exaggerated confidence in downstream analyses

PubMed Central

Nygaard, Vegard; Rødland, Einar Andreas; Hovig, Eivind

2016-01-01

Removal of, or adjustment for, batch effects or center differences is generally required when such effects are present in data. In particular, when preparing microarray gene expression data from multiple cohorts, array platforms, or batches for later analyses, batch effects can have confounding effects, inducing spurious differences between study groups. Many methods and tools exist for removing batch effects from data. However, when study groups are not evenly distributed across batches, actual group differences may induce apparent batch differences, in which case batch adjustments may bias, usually deflate, group differences. Some tools therefore have the option of preserving the difference between study groups, e.g. using a two-way ANOVA model to simultaneously estimate both group and batch effects. Unfortunately, this approach may systematically induce incorrect group differences in downstream analyses when groups are distributed between the batches in an unbalanced manner. The scientific community seems to be largely unaware of how this approach may lead to false discoveries. PMID:26272994

On the global existence of hairy black holes and solitons in anti-de Sitter Einstein-Yang-Mills theories with compact semisimple gauge groups

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baxter, J. Erik

2016-10-01

We investigate the existence of black hole and soliton solutions to four dimensional, anti-de Sitter (adS), Einstein-Yang-Mills theories with general semisimple connected and simply connected gauge groups, concentrating on the so-called regular case. We here generalise results for the asymptotically flat case, and compare our system with similar results from the well-researched adS {mathfrak {su}}(N) system. We find the analysis differs from the asymptotically flat case in some important ways: the biggest difference is that for Λ <0, solutions are much less constrained as r→ infty , making it possible to prove the existence of global solutions to the field equations in some neighbourhood of existing trivial solutions, and in the limit of |Λ |→ infty . In particular, we can identify non-trivial solutions where the gauge field functions have no zeroes, which in the {mathfrak {su}}(N) case proved important to stability.

Effects of Scheduling Perceptions on Attitudes and Mobility in Different Part-Time Employee Types

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wittmer, Jenell L. S.; Martin, James E.

2011-01-01

Recent research supports the existence of a typology of part-time employees with demographic and behavioral differences. This research suggests that part-timers should not be viewed as one homogenous group and that certain part-time employee groups have fixed external role attachments, while others have more flexible attachments. Applying the…

Overcoming misconceptions of graph interpretation of kinematics motion using calculator based rangers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Olson, John R.

This is a quasi-experimental study of 261 first year high school students that analyzes gains made through the use of calculator based rangers attached to calculators. The study has qualitative components but is based on quantitative tests. Biechner's TUG-K test was used for the pretest, posttest, and post-posttest. The population was divided into one group that predicted the results before using the CBRs and another that did not predict first but completed the same activities. The data for the groups was further disaggregated into learning style groups (based on Kolb's Learning Styles Inventory), type of class (advanced vs. general physics), and gender. Four instructors used the labs developed by the author for this study and created significant differences between the groups by instructor based on interviews, participant observation and one way ANOVA. No significant differences were found between learning styles based on MANOVA. No significant differences were found between predict and nonpredict groups for the one way ANOVAs or MANOVA, however, some differences do exist as measured by a survey and participant observation. Significant differences do exist between gender and type of class (advanced/general) based on one way ANOVA and MANOVA. The males outscored the females on all tests and the advanced physics scored higher than the general physics on all tests. The advanced physics scoring higher was expected but the difference between genders was not.

Dietary patterns within educational groups and their association with CHD and stroke in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition-Netherlands cohort.

PubMed

Biesbroek, Sander; Kneepkens, Mirjam C; van den Berg, Saskia W; Fransen, Heidi P; Beulens, Joline W; Peeters, Petra H M; Boer, Jolanda M A

2018-04-01

Higher-educated people often have healthier diets, but it is unclear whether specific dietary patterns exist within educational groups. We therefore aimed to derive dietary patterns in the total population and by educational level and to investigate whether these patterns differed in their composition and associations with the incidence of fatal and non-fatal CHD and stroke. Patterns were derived using principal components analysis in 36 418 participants of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition-Netherlands cohort. Self-reported educational level was used to create three educational groups. Dietary intake was estimated using a validated semi-quantitative FFQ. Hazard ratios were estimated using Cox Proportional Hazard analysis after a mean follow-up of 16 years. In the three educational groups, similar 'Western', 'prudent' and 'traditional' patterns were derived as in the total population. However, with higher educational level a lower population-derived score for the 'Western' and 'traditional' patterns and a higher score on the 'prudent' pattern were observed. These differences in distribution of the factor scores illustrate the association between education and food consumption. After adjustments, no differences in associations between population-derived dietary patterns and the incidence of CHD or stroke were found between the educational groups (P interaction between 0·21 and 0·98). In conclusion, although in general population and educational groups-derived dietary patterns did not differ, small differences between educational groups existed in the consumption of food groups in participants considered adherent to the population-derived patterns (Q4). This did not result in different associations with incident CHD or stroke between educational groups.

[Paying attention to different health needs of different ethnic groups in process health for all program].

PubMed

Li, T G; Wang, M

2017-06-10

In recent years, great effort has been made in the promotion of health for all in China. Articles on column on chronic and non-communicable disease risk factors in Uighur population, analysis based on the investigation results of Uygur population health status in the Kashi area of Xinjiang of China and similar domestic and foreign studies showed that the health data in different countries are different. The differences in health related data exist in different ethnic groups even in same country or same ethnic group in different areas. Only by fully understanding the differences in disease and related factors among different ethnic groups, developing individualized health indicators and conducting targeted intervention, the goal of health for all can be achieved.

Multiple, correlated covariates associated with differential item functioning (DIF): Accounting for language DIF when education levels differ across languages.

PubMed

Gibbons, Laura E; Crane, Paul K; Mehta, Kala M; Pedraza, Otto; Tang, Yuxiao; Manly, Jennifer J; Narasimhalu, Kaavya; Teresi, Jeanne; Jones, Richard N; Mungas, Dan

2011-04-28

Differential item functioning (DIF) occurs when a test item has different statistical properties in subgroups, controlling for the underlying ability measured by the test. DIF assessment is necessary when evaluating measurement bias in tests used across different language groups. However, other factors such as educational attainment can differ across language groups, and DIF due to these other factors may also exist. How to conduct DIF analyses in the presence of multiple, correlated factors remains largely unexplored. This study assessed DIF related to Spanish versus English language in a 44-item object naming test. Data come from a community-based sample of 1,755 Spanish- and English-speaking older adults. We compared simultaneous accounting, a new strategy for handling differences in educational attainment across language groups, with existing methods. Compared to other methods, simultaneously accounting for language- and education-related DIF yielded salient differences in some object naming scores, particularly for Spanish speakers with at least 9 years of education. Accounting for factors that vary across language groups can be important when assessing language DIF. The use of simultaneous accounting will be relevant to other cross-cultural studies in cognition and in other fields, including health-related quality of life.

Multiple, correlated covariates associated with differential item functioning (DIF): Accounting for language DIF when education levels differ across languages

PubMed Central

Gibbons, Laura E.; Crane, Paul K.; Mehta, Kala M.; Pedraza, Otto; Tang, Yuxiao; Manly, Jennifer J.; Narasimhalu, Kaavya; Teresi, Jeanne; Jones, Richard N.; Mungas, Dan

2012-01-01

Differential item functioning (DIF) occurs when a test item has different statistical properties in subgroups, controlling for the underlying ability measured by the test. DIF assessment is necessary when evaluating measurement bias in tests used across different language groups. However, other factors such as educational attainment can differ across language groups, and DIF due to these other factors may also exist. How to conduct DIF analyses in the presence of multiple, correlated factors remains largely unexplored. This study assessed DIF related to Spanish versus English language in a 44-item object naming test. Data come from a community-based sample of 1,755 Spanish- and English-speaking older adults. We compared simultaneous accounting, a new strategy for handling differences in educational attainment across language groups, with existing methods. Compared to other methods, simultaneously accounting for language- and education-related DIF yielded salient differences in some object naming scores, particularly for Spanish speakers with at least 9 years of education. Accounting for factors that vary across language groups can be important when assessing language DIF. The use of simultaneous accounting will be relevant to other cross-cultural studies in cognition and in other fields, including health-related quality of life. PMID:22900138

Music training and child development: a review of recent findings from a longitudinal study.

PubMed

Habibi, Assal; Damasio, Antonio; Ilari, Beatriz; Elliott Sachs, Matthew; Damasio, Hanna

2018-03-06

Evidence suggests that learning to play music enhances musical processing skills and benefits other cognitive abilities. Furthermore, studies of children and adults indicate that the brains of musicians and nonmusicians are different. It has not been determined, however, whether such differences result from pre-existing traits, musical training, or an interaction between the two. As part of an ongoing longitudinal study, we investigated the effects of music training on children's brain and cognitive development. The target group of children was compared with two groups of children, one involved in sports and another not enrolled in any systematic afterschool training. Two years after training, we observed that children in the music group had better performance than comparison groups in musically relevant auditory skills and showed related brain changes. For nonmusical skills, children with music training, compared with children without music or with sports training, showed stronger neural activation during a cognitive inhibition task in regions involved in response inhibition despite no differences in performance on behavioral measures of executive function. No such differences were found between music and sports groups. We conclude that music training induces brain and behavioral changes in children, and those changes are not attributable to pre-existing biological traits. © 2018 New York Academy of Sciences.

An evaluation of a computer based education program for the diagnosis and management of dementia in primary care. An international study of the transcultural adaptations necessary for European dissemination.

PubMed

Degryse, J; De Lepeleire, J; Southgate, L; Vernooij-Dassen, M; Gay, B; Heyrman, J

2009-05-01

The aim of this study is to make an inventory of the changes that are needed to make an interactive computer based training program (ICBT) with a specific educational content, acceptable to professional communities with different linguistic,cultural and health care backgrounds in different European countries. Existing educational software, written in two languages was reviewed by GPs and primary care professionals in three different countries. Reviewers worked through the program using a structured critical reading grid. A 'simple' translation of the program is not sufficient. Minor changes are needed to take account of linguistic differences and medical semantics. Major changes are needed in respect of the existing clinical guidelines in every country related to differences in the existing health care systems. ICTB programs cannot easily be used in different countries and cultures. The development of a structured educational program needs collaboration between educationalists, domain experts, information technology advisers and software engineers. Simple validation of the content by local expert groups will not guarantee the program's exportability. It is essential to involve different national expert groups at every phase of the development process in order to disseminate it in other countries.

Effects of a Culturally Responsive Teaching Project on Teachers and Students in Selected Kanawha County, WV, Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hughes, Georgia K.; Cowley, Kimberly S.; Copley, Lisa D.; Finch, Nicole L.; Meehan, Merrill L.; Burns, Rebecca C.; Kusimo, Patricia S.; Keyes, Marian C.; Orletsky, Sandra R.; Holdzkom, David

2004-01-01

Differences in academic achievement among ethnic and socioeconomic groups, called achievement gaps, have been an issue in education for many years. Achievement gaps exist between upper- and lower-class students and between students of differing races and ethnic backgrounds. As a group, Black and Hispanic students perform less well on many…

Diffusion of innovations in social interaction systems. An agent-based model for the introduction of new drugs in markets.

PubMed

Pombo-Romero, Julio; Varela, Luis M; Ricoy, Carlos J

2013-06-01

The existence of imitative behavior among consumers is a well-known phenomenon in the field of Economics. This behavior is especially common in markets determined by a high degree of innovation, asymmetric information and/or price-inelastic demand, features that exist in the pharmaceutical market. This paper presents evidence of the existence of imitative behavior among primary care physicians in Galicia (Spain) when choosing treatments for their patients. From this and other evidence, we propose a dynamic model for determining the entry of new drugs into the market. To do this, we introduce the structure of the organization of primary health care centers and the presence of groups of doctors who are specially interrelated, as well as the existence of commercial pressure on doctors. For modeling purposes, physicians are treated as spins connected in an exponentially distributed complex network of the Watts-Strogatz type. The proposed model provides an explanation for the differences observed in the patterns of the introduction of technological innovations in different regions. The main cause of these differences is the different structure of relationships among consumers, where the existence of small groups that show a higher degree of coordination over the average is particularly influential. The evidence presented, together with the proposed model, might be useful for the design of optimal strategies for the introduction of new drugs, as well as for planning policies to manage pharmaceutical expenditure.

How Do Parents and Teachers of Gifted Students Perceive Group Work in Classrooms?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Saunders-Stewart, Katie S.; Walker, Cheryl L.; Shore, Bruce M.

2013-01-01

Although an abundance of information exists concerning advantages and disadvantages of certain grouping arrangements with highly able students in classroom settings, little research has focused on gifted children's parents' and teachers' opinions of group work. The present study explored potential differences between these opinions. Parents (n=…

"Te conozco, bacalao": Investigating the Influence of Social Stereotypes on Linguistic Attitudes

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Suarez Budenbender, Eva-Maria

2013-01-01

Dialectal differences are frequently cited by members of a majority group as their main means of identifying members of a minority ethnic group. However, existing stereotypes of minority language varieties and their speakers often suggest that social prejudices influence attitudes towards minority groups and their linguistic varieties. The present…

Temporal ventriloquism along the path of apparent motion: speed perception under different spatial grouping principles.

PubMed

Ogulmus, Cansu; Karacaoglu, Merve; Kafaligonul, Hulusi

2018-03-01

The coordination of intramodal perceptual grouping and crossmodal interactions plays a critical role in constructing coherent multisensory percepts. However, the basic principles underlying such coordinating mechanisms still remain unclear. By taking advantage of an illusion called temporal ventriloquism and its influences on perceived speed, we investigated how audiovisual interactions in time are modulated by the spatial grouping principles of vision. In our experiments, we manipulated the spatial grouping principles of proximity, uniform connectedness, and similarity/common fate in apparent motion displays. Observers compared the speed of apparent motions across different sound timing conditions. Our results revealed that the effects of sound timing (i.e., temporal ventriloquism effects) on perceived speed also existed in visual displays containing more than one object and were modulated by different spatial grouping principles. In particular, uniform connectedness was found to modulate these audiovisual interactions in time. The effect of sound timing on perceived speed was smaller when horizontal connecting bars were introduced along the path of apparent motion. When the objects in each apparent motion frame were not connected or connected with vertical bars, the sound timing was more influential compared to the horizontal bar conditions. Overall, our findings here suggest that the effects of sound timing on perceived speed exist in different spatial configurations and can be modulated by certain intramodal spatial grouping principles such as uniform connectedness.

Molecular subtypes of bladder cancer: Jekyll and Hyde or chalk and cheese?

PubMed

Knowles, Margaret A

2006-03-01

Cancer of the bladder shows divergent clinical behaviour following diagnosis and it has been proposed that two major groups of tumours exist that develop via different molecular pathways. Low-grade, non-invasive papillary tumours recur frequently, but patients with these tumours do not often suffer progression of disease to muscle invasion. In contrast, tumours that are invading muscle at diagnosis are aggressive and associated with significant mortality. Molecular studies have identified distinct genetic, epigenetic and expression changes in these groups. However, it is not yet clear whether there is direct progression of low-grade superficial tumours to become invasive (a Jeckell and Hyde scenario) or whether in those patients who apparently progress from one form of the disease to the other, different tumour clones are involved and that the two tumour groups are mutually exclusive ('chalk and cheese'). If the latter is true, then attempts to identify molecular markers to predict progression of low-grade superficial bladder tumours may be fruitless. Similarly, it is not clear whether other subgroups of tumours exist that arise via different molecular pathways. There is now a large amount of molecular information about bladder cancer that facilitates examination of these possibilities. Some recent studies provide evidence for the existence of at least one further group of tumours, high-grade superficial papillary tumours, which may develop via a distinct molecular pathway. Patients with such tumours do show increased risk of disease progression and for these there may exist a real progression continuum from non-invasive to invasive. If this is the case, definition of the molecular signature of this pathway and improved understanding of the biological consequences of the events involved will be pivotal in disease management.

A preliminary study of the influence of age of onset and childhood trauma on cortical thickness in major depressive disorder.

PubMed

Jaworska, Natalia; MacMaster, Frank P; Gaxiola, Ismael; Cortese, Filomeno; Goodyear, Bradley; Ramasubbu, Rajamannar

2014-01-01

Major depressive disorder (MDD) neural underpinnings may differ based on onset age and childhood trauma. We assessed cortical thickness in patients who differed in age of MDD onset and examined trauma history influence. Adults with MDD (N=36) and controls (HC; N=18) underwent magnetic resonance imaging. Twenty patients had MDD onset<24 years of age (pediatric onset) and 16 had onset>25 years of age (adult onset). The MDD group was also subdivided into those with (N=12) and without (N=19) physical and/or sexual abuse as assessed by the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ). Cortical thickness was analyzed with FreeSurfer software. Thicker frontal pole and a tendency for thinner transverse temporal cortices existed in MDD. The former was driven by the pediatric onset group and abuse history (independently), particularly in the right frontal pole. Inverse correlations existed between CTQ scores and frontal pole cortex thickness. A similar inverse relation existed with left inferior and right superior parietal cortex thickness. The superior temporal cortex tended to be thinner in pediatric versus adult onset groups with childhood abuse. This preliminary work suggests neural differences between pediatric and adult MDD onset. Trauma history also contributes to cytoarchitectural modulation. Thickened frontal pole cortices as a compensatory mechanism in MDD warrant evaluation.

Exact renormalization group equations: an introductory review

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bagnuls, C.; Bervillier, C.

2001-07-01

We critically review the use of the exact renormalization group equations (ERGE) in the framework of the scalar theory. We lay emphasis on the existence of different versions of the ERGE and on an approximation method to solve it: the derivative expansion. The leading order of this expansion appears as an excellent textbook example to underline the nonperturbative features of the Wilson renormalization group theory. We limit ourselves to the consideration of the scalar field (this is why it is an introductory review) but the reader will find (at the end of the review) a set of references to existing studies on more complex systems.

Cultural differences are not always reducible to individual differences.

PubMed

Na, Jinkyung; Grossmann, Igor; Varnum, Michael E W; Kitayama, Shinobu; Gonzalez, Richard; Nisbett, Richard E

2010-04-06

We show that differences in social orientation and in cognition that exist between cultures and social classes do not necessarily have counterparts in individual differences within those groups. Evidence comes from a large-scale study conducted with 10 measures of independent vs. interdependent social orientation and 10 measures of analytic vs. holistic cognitive style. The social measures successfully distinguish between interdependence (viewing oneself as embedded in relations with others) and independence (viewing oneself as disconnected from others) at the group level. However, the correlations among the measures were negligible. Similar results were obtained for the cognitive measures, for which there are no coherent individual differences despite the validity of the construct at the group level. We conclude that behavioral constructs that distinguish among groups need not be valid as measures of individual differences.

Exploring the Relationship of Organizational Culture and Implicit Leadership Theory to Performance Differences in the Nuclear and Fossil Energy Industry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cravey, Kristopher J.

Notable performance differences exist between nuclear and fossil power generation plants in areas such as safety, outage duration efficiency, and capacity factor. This study explored the relationship of organizational culture and implicit leadership theory to these performance differences. A mixed methods approach consisting of quantitative instruments, namely the Organizational Culture Assessment Instrument and the GLOBE Leadership Scales, and qualitative interviews were used in this study. Subjects were operations middle managers in a U.S. energy company that serves nuclear or fossil power plants. Results from the quantitative instruments revealed no differences between nuclear and fossil groups in regards to organizational culture types and implicit leadership theories. However, the qualitative results did reveal divergence between the two groups in regards to what is valued in the organization and how that drives behaviors and decision making. These organizational phenomenological differences seem to explain why performance differences exist between nuclear and fossil plants because, ultimately, they affect how the organization functions.

Impact of Early and Late Visual Deprivation on the Structure of the Corpus Callosum: A Study Combining Thickness Profile with Surface Tensor-Based Morphometry.

PubMed

Shi, Jie; Collignon, Olivier; Xu, Liang; Wang, Gang; Kang, Yue; Leporé, Franco; Lao, Yi; Joshi, Anand A; Leporé, Natasha; Wang, Yalin

2015-07-01

Blindness represents a unique model to study how visual experience may shape the development of brain organization. Exploring how the structure of the corpus callosum (CC) reorganizes ensuing visual deprivation is of particular interest due to its important functional implication in vision (e.g., via the splenium of the CC). Moreover, comparing early versus late visually deprived individuals has the potential to unravel the existence of a sensitive period for reshaping the CC structure. Here, we develop a novel framework to capture a complete set of shape differences in the CC between congenitally blind (CB), late blind (LB) and sighted control (SC) groups. The CCs were manually segmented from T1-weighted brain MRI and modeled by 3D tetrahedral meshes. We statistically compared the combination of local area and thickness at each point between subject groups. Differences in area are found using surface tensor-based morphometry; thickness is estimated by tracing the streamlines in the volumetric harmonic field. Group differences were assessed on this combined measure using Hotelling's T(2) test. Interestingly, we observed that the total callosal volume did not differ between the groups. However, our fine-grained analysis reveals significant differences mostly localized around the splenium areas between both blind groups and the sighted group (general effects of blindness) and, importantly, specific dissimilarities between the LB and CB groups, illustrating the existence of a sensitive period for reorganization. The new multivariate statistics also gave better effect sizes for detecting morphometric differences, relative to other statistics. They may boost statistical power for CC morphometric analyses.

IMPACT OF EARLY AND LATE VISUAL DEPRIVATION ON THE STRUCTURE OF THE CORPUS CALLOSUM: A STUDY COMBINING THICKNESS PROFILE WITH SURFACE TENSOR-BASED MORPHOMETRY

PubMed Central

Shi, Jie; Collignon, Olivier; Xu, Liang; Wang, Gang; Kang, Yue; Leporé, Franco; Lao, Yi; Joshi, Anand A.

2015-01-01

Blindness represents a unique model to study how visual experience may shape the development of brain organization. Exploring how the structure of the corpus callosum (CC) reorganizes ensuing visual deprivation is of particular interest due to its important functional implication in vision (e.g. via the splenium of the CC). Moreover, comparing early versus late visually deprived individuals has the potential to unravel the existence of a sensitive period for reshaping the CC structure. Here, we develop a novel framework to capture a complete set of shape differences in the CC between congenitally blind (CB), late blind (LB) and sighted control (SC) groups. The CCs were manually segmented from T1-weighted brain MRI and modeled by 3D tetrahedral meshes. We statistically compared the combination of local area and thickness at each point between subject groups. Differences in area are found using surface tensor-based morphometry; thickness is estimated by tracing the streamlines in the volumetric harmonic field. Group differences were assessed on this combined measure using Hotelling’s T2 test. Interestingly, we observed that the total callosal volume did not differ between the groups. However, our fine-grained analysis reveals significant differences mostly localized around the splenium areas between both blind groups and the sighted group (general effects of blindness) and, importantly, specific dissimilarities between the LB and CB groups, illustrating the existence of a sensitive period for reorganization. The new multivariate statistics also gave better effect sizes for detecting morphometric differences, relative to other statistics. They may boost statistical power for CC morphometric analyses. PMID:25649876

Exploratory studies of physiological components of motion sickness: Cardiopulmonary differences between high and low susceptibles

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Naifeh, K.

1985-01-01

A comprehensive examination of cardiovascular autonomic response to motion sickness was studied and whether differences in cardiopulmonary function exist in high and low susceptibility groups were determined. Measurement techniques were developed as was test equipment for its ability to provide accurately new measures of interest and to test the adequately of these new measures in differentiating between susceptibility groups. It was concluded that these groups can be differentiated using simple, brief stressors and measurements of cardiodynamic function.

Comparative aspects of the purification and properties of cholinesterases

PubMed Central

Augustinsson, Klas-Bertil

1971-01-01

Recent years have seen great progress in the purification and characterization of cholinesterases. Investigation has indicated the existence of two principal groups: a fairly homogeneous group of acetylcholinesterases and a group of enzymes that utilize butyrylcholine, propionycholine, or benzoylcholine as substrates and that differ widely in their properties. This paper reviews the different types of cholinesterase and their sources, the importance of a proper choice of substrate in cholinesterase studies, methods for the purification of cholinesterases, and some of the properties of these enzymes. PMID:4938026

Different pain responses to chronic and acute pain in various ethnic/racial groups.

PubMed

Rahavard, Behnoosh B; Candido, Kenneth D; Knezevic, Nebojsa Nick

2017-09-01

Our goal in this study was to review the similarities and differences among ethnic groups and their respective responses to acute and chronic clinically related and experimentally induced pain. In this review, the PUBMED and Google-Scholar databases were searched to analyze articles that have assessed the variations in both acute and chronic pain responses among different ethnic/racial groups. According to the results from 42 reviewed articles, significant differences exist among ethnic-racial groups for pain prevalence as well as responses to acute and chronic pain. Compared with Caucasians, other ethnic groups are more susceptible to acute pain responses to nociceptive stimulation and to the development of long-term chronic pain. These differences need to be addressed and assessed more extensively in the future in order to minimize the pain management disparities among various ethnic-racial groups and also to improve the relationship between pain management providers and their patients.

Comparison of health-related quality of life among men with different co-existing severe mental disorders in treatment for substance use.

PubMed

Adan, Ana; Marquez-Arrico, Julia E; Gilchrist, Gail

2017-10-23

Patient-perceived health-related quality of life has become an important outcome in health care as an indicator of treatment effectiveness and recovery for patients with substance use disorder. As no study has assessed health-related quality of life among male patients with substance use disorder and co-existing severe mental illness, we compared health-related quality of life among patients with substance use disorder and the following severe mental illness diagnosis in Barcelona, Spain: schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and examined the associations with clinically related variables. Additionally, we compared results for health-related quality of life in patients with substance use disorder and severe mental illness, with Spanish population norms. We assessed 107 substance use disorder male patients using the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey comparing results across three groups with: comorbid schizophrenia (n = 37), comorbid bipolar disorder (n = 34), and comorbid major depressive disorder (n = 36). Multiple analyses of variance were performed to explore health-related quality of life by the type of co-existing SMI and linear regression analyses examined clinical correlates for the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey dimensions for each group. There were differences in Physical Functioning, Vitality and the Physical Composite Scale among groups. Poorer Physical Functioning was observed for patients with comorbid schizophrenia (80.13±3.27) and major depressive disorder (81.97±3.11) compared with comorbid bipolar disorder patients (94.26±1.93). Patients with substance use disorder and schizophrenia presented lower scores in Vitality (41.6±2.80) than those with co-existing bipolar disorder (55.68±3.66) and major depressive disorder (53.63±2.92). Finally, results in the Physical Composite Scale showed lower scores for patients with comorbid schizophrenia (51.06±1.41) and major depressive disorder (51.99±1.87) than for those with bipolar disorder (60.40±2.17). Moreover, all groups had poorer health-related quality of life, especially Social Functioning, Role-Emotional and Mental Health, compared with population norms. Different clinical variables (e.g. medical disease comorbidity, severity of addiction, psychiatric symptomatology, suicide attempts, drug relapses) were related to different health-related quality of life dimensions depending on the co-existing severe mental illness. Among male patients with substance use disorder, co-existing severe mental illness may influence some health-related quality of life dimensions and clinically related variables. Such differences may require tailored therapeutic interventions.

A Comparison of Federal Laws toward Disabled and Racial/Ethnic Groups in the USA.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Barnartt, Sharon N.; Seelman, Katherine

1988-01-01

The paper compares federal legislation for disabled people with that for racial and ethnic groups in the United States. The ways existing laws handle employment discrimination, integration in education, access, and equal protection under the law are considered. Clear differences for each group in the types of discrimination permitted are…

Health Benefits Mandates and Their Potential Impacts on Racial/Ethnic Group Disparities in Insurance Markets.

PubMed

Charles, Shana Alex; Ponce, Ninez; Ritley, Dominique; Guendelman, Sylvia; Kempster, Jennifer; Lewis, John; Melnikow, Joy

2017-08-01

Addressing racial/ethnic group disparities in health insurance benefits through legislative mandates requires attention to the different proportions of racial/ethnic groups among insurance markets. This necessary baseline data, however, has proven difficult to measure. We applied racial/ethnic data from the 2009 California Health Interview Survey to the 2012 California Health Benefits Review Program Cost and Coverage Model to determine the racial/ethnic composition of ten health insurance market segments. We found disproportional representation of racial/ethnic groups by segment, thus affecting the health insurance impacts of benefit mandates. California's Medicaid program is disproportionately Latino (60 % in Medi-Cal, compared to 39 % for the entire population), and the individual insurance market is disproportionately non-Latino white. Gender differences also exist. Mandates could unintentionally increase insurance coverage racial/ethnic disparities. Policymakers should consider the distribution of existing racial/ethnic disparities as criteria for legislative action on benefit mandates across health insurance markets.

[Post-treatment rehabilitation after autologous chondrocyte implantation: State of the art and recommendations of the Clinical Tissue Regeneration Study Group of the German Society for Accident Surgery and the German Society for Orthopedics and Orthopedic Surgery].

PubMed

Pietschmann, M F; Horng, A; Glaser, C; Albrecht, D; Bruns, J; Scheffler, S; Marlovits, S; Angele, P; Aurich, M; Bosch, U; Fritz, J; Frosch, K H; Kolombe, T; Richter, W; Petersen, J P; Nöth, U; Niemeyer, P; Jagodzinsky, M; Kasten, P; Ruhnau, K; Müller, P E

2014-03-01

Over the course of the past two decades autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) has become an important surgical technique for treating large cartilage defects. The original method using a periostal flap has been improved by using cell-seeded scaffolds for implantation, the matrix-based autologous chondrocyte implantation (mb-ACI) procedure. Uniform nationwide guidelines for post-ACI rehabilitation do not exist. A survey was conducted among the members of the clinical tissue regeneration study group concerning the current rehabilitation protocols and the members of the study group published recommendations for postoperative rehabilitation and treatment after ACI based on the results of this survey. There was agreement on fundamentals concerning a location-specific rehabilitation protocol (femoral condyle vs. patellofemoral joint). With regard to weight bearing and range of motion a variety of different protocols exist. Similar to this total agreement on the role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for postsurgical care was found but again a great variety of different protocols exist. This manuscript summarizes the recommendations of the members of the German clinical tissue regeneration study group on postsurgical rehabilitation and MRI assessment after ACI (level IVb/EBM).

Effect of nurse-directed hypertension treatment among First Nations people with existing hypertension and diabetes mellitus: the Diabetes Risk Evaluation and Microalbuminuria (DREAM 3) randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Tobe, Sheldon W; Pylypchuk, George; Wentworth, Joan; Kiss, Alexander; Szalai, John Paul; Perkins, Nancy; Hartman, Susan; Ironstand, Laurie; Hoppe, Jacqueline

2006-04-25

First Nations people with diabetes mellitus and hypertension are at greater risk of renal and cardiovascular complications than are non-native patients because of barriers to health care services. We conducted this randomized controlled trial to assess whether a community-based treatment strategy implemented by home care nurses would be effective in controlling hypertension in First Nations people with existing hypertension and type 2 diabetes. We compared 2 community-based strategies for controlling hypertension in First Nations people with existing hypertension and diabetes. In the intervention group, a home care nurse followed a predefined treatment algorithm of pharmacologic antihypertensive therapy. In the control group, treatment decisions were made by each subject's primary care physician. The primary outcome measure was the difference between the 2 groups in the change in systolic blood pressure after 12 months. Secondary outcome measures were the change in diastolic blood pressure over time, the change in urine albumin status and the incidence of adverse events. Both groups experienced a significant reduction in systolic blood pressure by the final visit (by 24.0 [standard deviation (SD) 13.5] mm Hg in the intervention group and by 17.0 [SD 18.6] mm Hg in the control group); p < 0.001 in each case). However, the difference between the 2 groups in this change was not significant. Patients in the intervention group had a larger decrease in diastolic blood pressure over time than did those in the control group (by 11.6 [SD 10.6] mm Hg v. 6.8 [SD 11.1] mm Hg respectively; p = 0.05). The groups did not differ significantly in terms of changes in urine albumin excretion or incidence of adverse events. High rates of blood pressure control in the community were achieved in both groups in the DREAM 3 study. The addition of a home care nurse to implement a treatment strategy for blood pressure control was more effective in lowering diastolic than systolic blood pressure compared with home care visits for blood pressure monitoring alone and follow-up treatment by a family physician.

Factors Affecting Regression-Discontinuity.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schumacker, Randall E.

The regression-discontinuity approach to evaluating educational programs is reviewed, and regression-discontinuity post-program mean differences under various conditions are discussed. The regression-discontinuity design is used to determine whether post-program differences exist between an experimental program and a control group. The difference…

Existence of standard models of conic fibrations over non-algebraically-closed fields

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

Avilov, A A

2014-12-31

We prove an analogue of Sarkisov's theorem on the existence of a standard model of a conic fibration over an algebraically closed field of characteristic different from two for three-dimensional conic fibrations over an arbitrary field of characteristic zero with an action of a finite group. Bibliography: 16 titles.

Similarities and Differences in Homophobia among African Americans versus Caucasians.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schulte, Lisa J.

2002-01-01

Conducted three studies to examine similarities and differences in homophobia among African American and white college students. Survey data indicated that while there were similarities in homophobia among the groups, differences existed in the level of negativity expressed. African American students expressed more negativity than did white…

Which In- and Out-of-School Factors Explain Variations in Learning across Different Socio Economic Groups? Findings from South Africa

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Smith, Michele C.

2011-01-01

Previous studies on the role of the school in influencing attainment in South African schools have concluded that the inequalities which are known to exist in these are still largely due to the legacy of the Apartheid system. More recently, policy focus has been on narrowing the gap between the attainment of different socio-economic groups by…

Association of sleep duration with blood glucose level of Gujarati Indian adolescents.

PubMed

Patel, Minal C; Shaikh, Wasim A; Singh, S K

2012-01-01

Recently studies conducted in various parts of the world indicate short sleep duration as a novel risk factor for development of type 2 diabetes. However, ethnic differences exist in the etiopathogenesis of diseases, the current study was undertaken to study the effect of sleep duration on the blood glucose level of Gujarati Indian adolescents. A randomized, non-experimental, cross-sectional study was done on the voluntary participants n = 332 Gujarati adolescent boys and girls of age group 13-20 years studying at the schools and colleges in the Anand district. The participants were assessed for their sleep duration, body composition and blood glucose level. The sleep duration was reported by the subjects as the number of hours they slept on most of the nights in a week over the last one-year. The observations of the study were then analyzed after grouping them into: 1) Adequate sleep duration at night, ASDN (> or = 7 hrs) and 2) Inadequate sleep duration at night, ISDN (< 7 hrs) groups. One-way ANOVA and post hoc Tuky-Krammer test were used for finding significant differences (P < 0.05) between groups. No significant difference was found in all parameters of body composition and fasting blood glucose level between the ASDN group and ISDN group in both boys and girls. However, gender difference exists in the body composition and blood glucose level. The current study indicates that inadequate sleep duration at night (< 7 hrs) does not affect the blood glucose level of the Gujarati Indian adolescents of age group 13-20 years.

Divergent marijuana trajectories among men: Socioeconomic, relationship, and life satisfaction outcomes in the mid-30s

PubMed Central

White, Helene R.; Bechtold, Jordan; Loeber, Rolf; Pardini, Dustin

2016-01-01

Background Given recent changes in marijuana policy in the United States, it is important to understand the long-term effects of marijuana use on adult functioning. We examined whether men who displayed different trajectories of marijuana use from adolescence through emerging adulthood (age ~15–26) differed in terms of socioeconomic, social, and life satisfaction outcomes in their mid-30s. Methods Data came from a longitudinal sample of men who were recruited in early adolescence (N = 506) and followed into adulthood. Four trajectory groups based on patterns of marijuana use from adolescence into emerging adulthood were compared on adult outcomes (age ~36) before and after controlling for co-occurring use of other substances and several pre-existing confounding factors in early adolescence. The potential moderating effect of race was also examined. Results Although there were initially group differences across all domains, once pre-existing confounds and co-occurring other substance use were included in the model, groups only differed in terms of partner and friend marijuana use. Chronic marijuana users reported the highest proportions of both. Frequent and persistent marijuana use was associated with lower socioeconomic status (SES) for Black men only. Conclusions After statistically accounting for confounding variables, chronic marijuana users were not at a heightened risk for maladjustment in adulthood except for lower SES among Black men. Chronic users were more likely to have friends and partners who also used marijuana. Future studies should take into account pre-existing differences when examining outcomes of marijuana use. PMID:26365837

Interlimb symmetry of dynamic knee joint stiffness and co-contraction is maintained in early stage knee osteoarthritis.

PubMed

Collins, A T; Richardson, R T; Higginson, J S

2014-08-01

Individuals with knee OA often exhibit greater co-contraction of antagonistic muscle groups surrounding the affected joint which may lead to increases in dynamic joint stiffness. These detrimental changes in the symptomatic limb may also exist in the contralateral limb, thus contributing to its risk of developing knee osteoarthritis. The purpose of this study is to investigate the interlimb symmetry of dynamic knee joint stiffness and muscular co-contraction in knee osteoarthritis. Muscular co-contraction and dynamic knee joint stiffness were assessed in 17 subjects with mild to moderate unilateral medial compartment knee osteoarthritis and 17 healthy control subjects while walking at a controlled speed (1.0m/s). Paired and independent t-tests determined whether significant differences exist between groups (p<0.05). There were no significant differences in dynamic joint stiffness or co-contraction between the OA symptomatic and OA contralateral group (p=0.247, p=0.874, respectively) or between the OA contralateral and healthy group (p=0.635, p=0.078, respectively). There was no significant difference in stiffness between the OA symptomatic and healthy group (p=0.600); however, there was a slight trend toward enhanced co-contraction in the symptomatic knees compared to the healthy group (p=0.051). Subjects with mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis maintain symmetric control strategies during gait. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Interlimb symmetry of dynamic knee joint stiffness and co-contraction is maintained in early stage knee osteoarthritis

PubMed Central

Collins, A.T.; Richardson, R.T.; Higginson, J.S.

2014-01-01

Individuals with knee OA often exhibit greater co-contraction of antagonistic muscle groups surrounding the affected joint which may lead to increases in dynamic joint stiffness. These detrimental changes in the symptomatic limb may also exist in the contralateral limb, thus contributing to its risk of developing knee osteoarthritis. The purpose of this study is to investigate the interlimb symmetry of dynamic knee joint stiffness and muscular co-contraction in knee osteoarthritis. Muscular co-contraction and dynamic knee joint stiffness were assessed in 17 subjects with mild to moderate unilateral medial compartment knee osteoarthritis and 17 healthy control subjects while walking at a controlled speed (1.0 m/s). Paired and independent t-tests determined whether significant differences exist between groups (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in dynamic joint stiffness or co-contraction between the OA symptomatic and OA contralateral group (p = 0.247, p = 0.874, respectively) or between the OA contralateral and healthy group (p = 0.635, p = 0.078, respectively). There was no significant difference in stiffness between the OA symptomatic and healthy group (p = 0.600); however, there was a slight trend toward enhanced co-contraction in the symptomatic knees compared to the healthy group (p = 0.051). Subjects with mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis maintain symmetric control strategies during gait. PMID:24768278

Statistical Learning and Dyslexia: A Systematic Review

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schmalz, Xenia; Altoè, Gianmarco; Mulatti, Claudio

2017-01-01

The existing literature on developmental dyslexia (hereafter: dyslexia) often focuses on isolating cognitive skills which differ across dyslexic and control participants. Among potential correlates, previous research has studied group differences between dyslexic and control participants in performance on statistical learning tasks. A statistical…

Children Associate Racial Groups with Wealth: Evidence from South Africa

PubMed Central

Olson, Kristina R.; Shutts, Kristin; Kinzler, Katherine D.; Weisman, Kara G.

2012-01-01

Group-based social hierarchies exist in nearly every society, yet little is known about whether children understand that they exist. The present studies investigated whether 3- to 10-year-old children (N=84) in South Africa associate higher-status racial groups with higher levels of wealth, one indicator of social status. Children matched higher-value belongings with White people more often than with multiracial or Black people and with multiracial people more often than with Black people, thus showing sensitivity to the de facto racial hierarchy in their society. There were no age-related changes in children’s tendency to associate racial groups with wealth differences. The implications of these results are discussed in light of the general tendency for people to legitimize and perpetuate the status quo. PMID:22860510

Reproductive Health of Urban Adolescents: Differences in the Behaviors, Cognitions, and Social Context of African-American and Puerto Rican Females

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Milan, Stephanie; Ethier, Kathleen; Lewis, Jessica; Kershaw, Trace; Niccolai, Linda; Ickovics, Jeannette

2006-01-01

Although ethnic and racial disparities exist in adolescent reproductive health, few studies have examined differences between members of different minority groups. This paper describes differences in measures of reproductive health behaviors, cognitions and social context between African-American (n=170) and Puerto Rican (n=150) adolescent females…

Population genetics and evaluation of genetic evidence for subspecies in the Semipalmated Sandpiper (Calidris pusilla)

USGS Publications Warehouse

Miller, Mark P.; Gratto-Trevor, Cheri; Haig, Susan M.; Mizrahi, David S.; Mitchell, Melanie M.; Mullins, Thomas D.

2013-01-01

Semipalmated Sandpipers (Calidris pusilla) are among the most common North American shorebirds. Breeding in Arctic North America, this species displays regional differences in migratory pathways and possesses longitudinal bill length variation. Previous investigations suggested that genetic structure may occur within Semipalmated Sandpipers and that three subspecies corresponding to western, central, and eastern breeding groups exist. In this study, mitochondrial control region sequences and nuclear microsatellite loci were used to analyze DNA of birds (microsatellites: n = 120; mtDNA: n = 114) sampled from seven North American locations. Analyses designed to quantify genetic structure and diversity patterns, evaluate genetic evidence for population size changes, and determine if genetic data support the existence of Semipalmated Sandpiper subspecies were performed. Genetic structure based only on the mtDNA data was observed, whereas the microsatellite loci provided no evidence of genetic differentiation. Differentiation among locations and regions reflected allele frequency differences rather than separate phylogenetic groups, and similar levels of genetic diversity were noted. Combined, the two data sets provided no evidence to support the existence of subspecies and were not useful for determining migratory connectivity between breeding sites and wintering grounds. Birds from western and central groups displayed signatures of population expansions, whereas the eastern group was more consistent with a stable overall population. Results of this analysis suggest that the eastern group was the source of individuals that colonized the central and western regions currently utilized by Semipalmated Sandpipers.

Dosimetric and toxicity comparison between prone and supine position IMRT for endometrial cancer

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

Beriwal, Sushil; Jain, Sheena K.; Heron, Dwight E.

2007-02-01

Purpose: To determine the dosimetric and toxicity differences between prone and supine position intensity-modulate radiotherapy in endometrial cancer patients treated with adjuvant radiotherapy. Methods: Forty-seven consecutive endometrial cancer patients treated with adjuvant RT were analyzed. Of these, 21 were treated in prone position and 26 in the supine position. Dose-volume histograms for normal tissue structures and targets were compared between the two groups. Acute and chronic toxicity were also compared between the cohorts. Results: The percentage of volume receiving 10, 20, 30, 40, 45, and 50 Gy for small bowel was 89.5%, 69%, 33%, 12.2%, 5%, and 0% in themore » prone group and 87.5%, 62.7%, 26.4%, 8%, 4.3%, and 0% in the supine group, respectively. The difference was not statistically significant. The dose-volume histograms for bladder and rectum were also comparable, except for a slightly greater percentage of volume receiving 10 Gy (1.5%) and 20 Gy (5%) for the rectum in the prone group. Acute small bowel toxicities were Grade 1 in 7 patients and Grade 2 in 14 patients in the prone group vs. Grade 1 in 6 patients and Grade 2 in 19 patients in the supine group. Chronic toxicity was Grade 1 in 7 patients and Grade 3 in 1 patient in the prone group and Grade 1 in 5 patients in the supine group. Conclusion: These preliminary results suggest that no difference exists in the dose to the normal tissue and toxicity between prone and supine intensity-modulated radiotherapy for endometrial cancer. Longer follow-up and more outcome studies are needed to determine whether any differences exist between the two approaches.« less

A Survey of Results from Voucher Experiments: Where We Are and What We Know. Civic Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Greene, Jay P.

This document is a review of eight studies of five existing voucher or school-choice programs conducted by four different groups of researchers. All studies have found important benefits of private school choice for families. Voucher programs do not appear to select primarily the best students. In all studies of existing choice programs the…

Racial/ethnic differences in perception of need for mental health treatment in a US national sample.

PubMed

Breslau, Joshua; Cefalu, Matthew; Wong, Eunice C; Burnam, M Audrey; Hunter, Gerald P; Florez, Karen R; Collins, Rebecca L

2017-08-01

To resolve contradictory evidence regarding racial/ethnic differences in perceived need for mental health treatment in the USA using a large and diverse epidemiologic sample. Samples from 6 years of a repeated cross-sectional survey of the US civilian non-institutionalized population were combined (N = 232,723). Perceived need was compared across three non-Hispanic groups (whites, blacks and Asian-Americans) and two Hispanic groups (English interviewees and Spanish interviewees). Logistic regression models were used to test for variation across groups in the relationship between severity of mental illness and perceived need for treatment. Adjusting statistically for demographic and socioeconomic characteristics and for severity of mental illness, perceived need was less common in all racial/ethnic minority groups compared to whites. The prevalence difference (relative to whites) was smallest among Hispanics interviewed in English, -5.8% (95% CI -6.5, -5.2%), and largest among Hispanics interviewed in Spanish, -11.2% (95% CI -12.4, -10.0%). Perceived need was significantly less common among all minority racial/ethnic groups at each level of severity. In particular, among those with serious mental illness, the largest prevalence differences (relative to whites) were among Asian-Americans, -23.3% (95% CI -34.9, -11.7%) and Hispanics interviewed in Spanish, 32.6% (95% CI -48.0, -17.2%). This study resolves the contradiction in empirical evidence regarding the existence of racial/ethnic differences in perception of need for mental health treatment; differences exist across the range of severity of mental illness and among those with no mental illness. These differences should be taken into account in an effort to reduce mental health-care disparities.

Racial/ethnic differences in perception of need for mental health treatment in a US national sample

PubMed Central

Breslau, Joshua; Cefalu, Matthew; Wong, Eunice C.; Burnam, M. Audrey; Hunter, Gerald P.; Florez, Karen R.; Collins, Rebecca L.

2017-01-01

Purpose To resolve contradictory evidence regarding racial/ethnic differences in perceived need for mental health treatment in the USA using a large and diverse epidemiologic sample. Methods Samples from 6 years of a repeated cross-sectional survey of the US civilian non-institutionalized population were combined (N = 232,723). Perceived need was compared across three non-Hispanic groups (whites, blacks and Asian-Americans) and two Hispanic groups (English interviewees and Spanish interviewees). Logistic regression models were used to test for variation across groups in the relationship between severity of mental illness and perceived need for treatment. Results Adjusting statistically for demographic and socioeconomic characteristics and for severity of mental illness, perceived need was less common in all racial/ethnic minority groups compared to whites. The prevalence difference (relative to whites) was smallest among Hispanics interviewed in English, −5.8% (95% CI −6.5, −5.2%), and largest among Hispanics interviewed in Spanish, - 11.2% (95% CI −12.4, −10.0%). Perceived need was significantly less common among all minority racial/ethnic groups at each level of severity. In particular, among those with serious mental illness, the largest prevalence differences (relative to whites) were among Asian-Americans, −23.3% (95% CI −34.9, −11.7%) and Hispanics interviewed in Spanish, 32.6% (95% CI −48.0, −17.2%). Conclusions This study resolves the contradiction in empirical evidence regarding the existence of racial/ethnic differences in perception of need for mental health treatment; differences exist across the range of severity of mental illness and among those with no mental illness. These differences should be taken into account in an effort to reduce mental health-care disparities. PMID:28550518

Ethnic Differences in Adolescents' Mental Distress, Social Stress, and Resources

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Choi, Heeseung; Meininger, Janet C.; Roberts, Robert E.

2006-01-01

Limited data on ethnic group differences among young adolescents exist regarding the prevalence of mental distress, social stress, and resources. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to examine ethnic differences among African American (AA), European American (EA), Hispanic American (HA), and Asian American adolescents in mental distress,…

Critical Conditions for Liquid Chromatography of Statistical Copolymers: Functionality Type and Composition Distribution Characterization by UP-LCCC/ESI-MS.

PubMed

Epping, Ruben; Panne, Ulrich; Falkenhagen, Jana

2017-02-07

Statistical ethylene oxide (EO) and propylene oxide (PO) copolymers of different monomer compositions and different average molar masses additionally containing two kinds of end groups (FTD) were investigated by ultra high pressure liquid chromatography under critical conditions (UP-LCCC) combined with electrospray ionization time-of flight mass spectrometry (ESI-TOF-MS). Theoretical predictions of the existence of a critical adsorption point (CPA) for statistical copolymers with a given chemical and sequence distribution1 could be studied and confirmed. A fundamentally new approach to determine these critical conditions in a copolymer, alongside the inevitable chemical composition distribution (CCD), with mass spectrometric detection, is described. The shift of the critical eluent composition with the monomer composition of the polymers was determined. Due to the broad molar mass distribution (MMD) and the presumed existence of different end group functionalities as well as monomer sequence distribution (MSD), gradient separation only by CCD was not possible. Therefore, isocratic separation conditions at the CPA of definite CCD fractions were developed. Although the various present distributions partly superimposed the separation process, the goal of separation by end group functionality was still achieved on the basis of the additional dimension of ESI-TOF-MS. The existence of HO-H besides the desired allylO-H end group functionalities was confirmed and their amount estimated. Furthermore, indications for a MSD were found by UPLC/MS/MS measurements. This approach offers for the first time the possibility to obtain a fingerprint of a broad distributed statistical copolymer including MMD, FTD, CCD, and MSD.

Organizational Effectiveness: A Comparative Analysis between Army and Navy Officers

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-12-01

evaluate leadership styles . These forty questions were modified from Fleishman’s leadership questionnaire. Comparative analyses were conducted among groups to determine if significant differences existed.

Objective assessment of laparoscopic skills using a virtual reality stimulator.

PubMed

Eriksen, J R; Grantcharov, T

2005-09-01

Virtual reality simulation has a great potential as a training and assessment tool of laparoscopic skills. The study was carried out to investigate whether the LapSim system (Surgical Science Ltd., Gothenburg, Sweden) was able to differentiate between subjects with different laparoscopic experience and thus to demonstrate its construct validity. Subjects 24 were divided into two groups: experienced (performed > 100 laparoscopic procedures, n = 10) and beginners (performed <10 laparoscopic procedures, n = 14). Assessment of laparoscopic skills was based on parameters measured by the computer system. Experienced surgeons performed consistently better than the residents. Significant differences in the parameters time and economy of motion existed between the two groups in seven of seven tasks. Regarding error parameters, differences existed in most but not all tasks. LapSim was able to differentiate between subjects with different laparoscopic experience. This indicates that the system measures skills relevant for laparoscopic surgery and can be used in training programs as a valid assessment tool.

Adjustment, Performance, and Involvement of College Students with Disabilities.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kroeger, Sue; Scalia, Vincent

1988-01-01

Examined group of disabled college students (N=50) to determine whether psychosocial problems exist with these students and, if so, whether these problems can predict academic performance/involvement. Results indicated subjects were less disturbed than normative group, did not differ in body attitudes, and were more distorted on beliefs leading to…

An Evaluation of a Peer Support Program to Improve Quality of Life with Breast Cancer

DTIC Science & Technology

1999-07-01

educated women there was no difference between the two groups. In addition we investigated the potential for heterogeneity in the intervention effect by...therapy than women in the control group (p=.005) (Table 28). This relationship only existed among the less educated women. Among the more highly

Sex hormones in Malay and Chinese men in Malaysia: are there age and race differences?

PubMed Central

Chin, Kok-Yong; Soelaiman, Ima-Nirwana; Mohamed, Isa Naina; Ahmad, Fairus; Ramli, Elvy Suhana Mohd; Aminuddin, Amilia; Ngah, Wan Zurinah Wan

2013-01-01

OBJECTIVES: Variations in the prevalence of sex-hormone-related diseases have been observed between Asian ethnic groups living in the same country; however, available data concerning their sex hormone levels are limited. The present study aimed to determine the influence of ethnicity and age on the sex hormone levels of Malay and Chinese men in Malaysia. METHODS: A total of 547 males of Malay and Chinese ethnicity residing in the Klang Valley Malaysia underwent a detailed screening, and their blood was collected for sex hormones analyses. RESULTS: Testosterone levels were normally distributed in the men (total, free and non-sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) bound fractions), and significant ethnic differences were observed (p<0.05); however, the effect size was small. In general, testosterone levels in males began to decline significantly after age 50. Significant ethnic differences in total, free and non-SHBG bound fraction estradiol levels were observed in the 20-29 and 50-59 age groups (p<0.05). The estradiol levels of Malay men decreased as they aged, but they increased for Chinese men starting at age 40. CONCLUSIONS: Small but significant differences in testosterone levels existed between Malay and Chinese males. Significant age and race differences existed in estradiol levels. These differences might contribute to the ethnic group differences in diseases related to sex hormones, which other studies have found in Malaysia. PMID:23525310

Sex hormones in Malay and Chinese men in Malaysia: are there age and race differences?

PubMed

Chin, Kok-Yong; Soelaiman, Ima-Nirwana; Mohamed, Isa Naina; Ahmad, Fairus; Ramli, Elvy Suhana Mohd; Aminuddin, Amilia; Ngah, Wan Zurinah Wan

2013-01-01

Variations in the prevalence of sex-hormone-related diseases have been observed between Asian ethnic groups living in the same country; however, available data concerning their sex hormone levels are limited. The present study aimed to determine the influence of ethnicity and age on the sex hormone levels of Malay and Chinese men in Malaysia. A total of 547 males of Malay and Chinese ethnicity residing in the Klang Valley Malaysia underwent a detailed screening, and their blood was collected for sex hormones analyses. Testosterone levels were normally distributed in the men (total, free and non-sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) bound fractions), and significant ethnic differences were observed (p<0.05); however, the effect size was small. In general, testosterone levels in males began to decline significantly after age 50. Significant ethnic differences in total, free and non-SHBG bound fraction estradiol levels were observed in the 20-29 and 50-59 age groups (p<0.05). The estradiol levels of Malay men decreased as they aged, but they increased for Chinese men starting at age 40. Small but significant differences in testosterone levels existed between Malay and Chinese males. Significant age and race differences existed in estradiol levels. These differences might contribute to the ethnic group differences in diseases related to sex hormones, which other studies have found in Malaysia.

Young and Older Adults' Gender Stereotype in Multitasking

PubMed Central

Strobach, Tilo; Woszidlo, Alesia

2015-01-01

In the present study, we investigated discrepancies between two components of stereotyping by means of the popular notion that women are better at multitasking behaviors: the cognitive structure in individuals (personal belief) and the perceived consensus regarding certain beliefs (perceived belief of groups). With focus on this notion, we examined whether there was empirical evidence for the stereotype's existence and whether and how it was shared among different age groups. Data were collected from 241 young (n = 129) and older (n = 112) German individuals. The reported perceptions of gender effects at multitasking were substantial and thus demonstrated the existence of its stereotype. Importantly, in young and older adults, this stereotype existed in the perception of attributed characteristics by members of a collective (perceived belief of groups). When contrasting this perceived belief of groups and the personal belief, older adults showed a similar level of conformation of the gender stereotype while young adults were able to differentiate between these perspectives. Thus, young adults showed a discrepancy between the stereotype's components cognitive structure in individuals and perceived consensus regarding certain beliefs. PMID:26733913

Young and Older Adults' Gender Stereotype in Multitasking.

PubMed

Strobach, Tilo; Woszidlo, Alesia

2015-01-01

In the present study, we investigated discrepancies between two components of stereotyping by means of the popular notion that women are better at multitasking behaviors: the cognitive structure in individuals (personal belief) and the perceived consensus regarding certain beliefs (perceived belief of groups). With focus on this notion, we examined whether there was empirical evidence for the stereotype's existence and whether and how it was shared among different age groups. Data were collected from 241 young (n = 129) and older (n = 112) German individuals. The reported perceptions of gender effects at multitasking were substantial and thus demonstrated the existence of its stereotype. Importantly, in young and older adults, this stereotype existed in the perception of attributed characteristics by members of a collective (perceived belief of groups). When contrasting this perceived belief of groups and the personal belief, older adults showed a similar level of conformation of the gender stereotype while young adults were able to differentiate between these perspectives. Thus, young adults showed a discrepancy between the stereotype's components cognitive structure in individuals and perceived consensus regarding certain beliefs.

A Structural Approach to the Validation of Hierarchical Training Sequences

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-06-01

consideration as can be examinedI -11- within existing constraints on time and resources. Second, for each con- nection to be studied, identify groups ... one group of learners who are taught all skills in a linear sequence whereas many groups learning different skills are needed to implement the White...meability. For example, suppose that a group of item sets were used to assess performance on three academic tasks, A, B, and C. Assume that task A was

[Spanish medical and psycho-technical model within the context of the second directive (91/439/EEC). Results when conducted on a specific group of drivers (45-70 age range)].

PubMed

Montoro González, Luis; Mirabet Lis, Enrique

2003-01-01

Directive 91/439/EEC marked the start of what the European Economic Community driver's license is going to be like at some time in the future. However, differences currently exist with regard to the driver license eligibility requirements and renewal periods. This study provides the results of the physical and psychotechnical exam conducted on 606 drivers of the following characteristics: both males and females, aged between 45-70, revising the group 1 (B) license, and with a renewal period of less than 5 years. Five years later some of these qualified drivers were examined again in order to check changes with regard to previous exam results. Results show that 86.47% were qualified the same; 12.21% were qualified with some restriction and 1.65% was unqualified. By age groups, it was found that the older the applicants, the lower the percentage of those qualified and the higher the percentage of those qualified with some restriction (in the 45-49 age range, 93.19% are qualified, while the percentage qualified in the 65-69 age group is 67.35%). Within five years time, 11.13% of the qualified drivers had made some change in their status (9.98% qualified with some restriction, 1.15% unqualified), significant differences also having been found by age groups (in the 45-49 age group, 6.8% had change in status compared to 18.1% in the 65-69 age group). Therefore, differences can be said to exist between the different ages and the qualifications obtained to keep a driver's license, and a significant percentage of qualified drivers undergo some change in their eligibility within a minimum five-year period.

In vitro evaluation of the fracture resistance and microleakage of porcelain laminate veneers bonded to teeth with composite fillings after cyclic loading

PubMed Central

Sadighpour, Leyla; Fallahi Sichani, Babak; Kharazi Fard, Mohamd Javad

2014-01-01

PURPOSE There is insufficient data regarding the durability of porcelain laminate veneers bonded to existing composite fillings. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the fracture resistance and microleakage of porcelain laminate veneers bonded to teeth with existing composite fillings. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty maxillary central incisors were divided into three groups (for each group, n=10): intact teeth (NP), teeth with class III composite fillings (C3) and teeth with class IV cavities (C4). Porcelain laminate veneers were made using IPS-Empress ceramic and bonded with Panavia F2 resin cement. The microleakage of all of the specimens was tested before and after cyclic loading (1 × 106 cycles, 1.2 Hz). The fracture resistance values (N) were measured using a universal testing machine, and the mode of failure was also examined. The statistical analyses were performed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey post hoc tests (α=.05). RESULTS There was a significant difference in the mean microleakage of group C4 compared with group NT (P=.013). There was no significant difference in the fracture loads among the groups. CONCLUSION The microleakage and failure loads of porcelain laminate veneers bonded to intact teeth and teeth with standard class III composite fillings were not significantly different. PMID:25177471

[Are There any Differences in Quality or Complication Rate in Total Knee Arthroplasty after Establishing a Centre for Endoprosthesis?

PubMed

Düzgünoglu, Muzaffer; Hönle, Wolfgang; Scheller, Alexander; Schuh, Alexander

2018-05-18

The aim of the study is to show whether there are any changes in quality or incidence of complications in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) after establishing a centre for endoprothesis (EPZ). We conducted a retrospective study comparing 100 TKAs one year before establishing an EPZ (Group I) with 100 TKAs one year after establishing an EPZ (group II). Data were collected by analysing our electronic documentation system, and the report of the rehabilitation hospital. The following parameters were documented which are necessary to establish an EPZ: existence of X-rays before and after operation. Existence of full length weight bearing X-ray before operation or using a navigation device. Existence of preoperative planning, duration of TKA below 100 minutes. The following complications were documented: Periprosthetic infections, occurrence of periprosthetic fissures/fractures, thrombembolism, neurologic complications, patients' satisfaction rate with the hospital stay and mortality rate. Additionally femorotibial angle, femoral angle, tibial angle and tibial slope were measured. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS 22.0. using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, the Qui-Square test and the Mann-Whitney U test. There were no statistical differences in local or systemic complications. The mean duration of operation was 82.9 min in group I (min.: 55, max.: 141) und 81.5 min in group II (min.: 57, max.: 129; p > 0.05). In group I, there were 20/100 cases (20%) with operation time longer than 100 minutes, in group II 13/100 cases (13%; p < 0.001). Analysis of anatomical femorotibial angle, femur angle, tibial angle and tibial slope showed no significant differences. The rate of documented survey of patients' satisfaction rate improved from 62% in group I to 98% in group II (p < 0.001). By establishing an EPZ, we achieved a significant improvement in the parameters operation time > 100 minutes and documented survey of patients' satisfaction rate, but not in complication rate. Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

Nondestructive Intervention to Multi-Agent Systems through an Intelligent Agent

PubMed Central

Han, Jing; Wang, Lin

2013-01-01

For a given multi-agent system where the local interaction rule of the existing agents can not be re-designed, one way to intervene the collective behavior of the system is to add one or a few special agents into the group which are still treated as normal agents by the existing ones. We study how to lead a Vicsek-like flocking model to reach synchronization by adding special agents. A popular method is to add some simple leaders (fixed-headings agents). However, we add one intelligent agent, called ‘shill’, which uses online feedback information of the group to decide the shill's moving direction at each step. A novel strategy for the shill to coordinate the group is proposed. It is strictly proved that a shill with this strategy and a limited speed can synchronize every agent in the group. The computer simulations show the effectiveness of this strategy in different scenarios, including different group sizes, shill speed, and with or without noise. Compared to the method of adding some fixed-heading leaders, our method can guarantee synchronization for any initial configuration in the deterministic scenario and improve the synchronization level significantly in low density groups, or model with noise. This suggests the advantage and power of feedback information in intervention of collective behavior. PMID:23658695

Relationship between Omnibus and Post-hoc Tests: An Investigation of performance of the F test in ANOVA.

PubMed

Chen, Tian; Xu, Manfei; Tu, Justin; Wang, Hongyue; Niu, Xiaohui

2018-02-25

Comparison of groups is a common statistical test in many biomedical and psychosocial research studies. When there are more than two groups, one first performs an omnibus test for an overall difference across the groups. If this null is rejected, one then proceeds to the next step of post-hoc pairwise group comparisons to determine sources of difference. Otherwise, one stops and declares no group difference. A common belief is that if the omnibus test is significant, there must exist at least two groups that are significantly different and vice versa. Thus, when the omnibus test is significant, but no post-hoc between-group comparison shows significant difference, one is bewildered at what is going on and wondering how to interpret the results. At the end of the spectrum, when the omnibus test is not significant, one wonders if all post-hoc tests will be non-significant as well so that stopping after a nonsignificant omnibus test will not lead to any missed opportunity of finding group difference. In this report, we investigate this perplexing phenomenon and discuss how to interpret such results.

Ethnic and Gender Differences in Advanced Placement Exam Performance: A Multiyear National Analysis

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Holmes, Maria Alexander

2013-01-01

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze ethnic and gender differences in Advanced Placement (AP) exam performance of U.S. high school students. Specifically, the extent to which differences exist in overall AP exam performance scores within and between four ethnic groups (i.e., Asian, Black, Hispanic, and White) was investigated. Within…

Contextual Complexity and Violent Delinquency among Black and White Males. Institute for Research on Poverty Discussion Paper.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bruce, Marino A.

Most social scientists assert that Whites and African Americans exist in different economic, political, and social environments and that these contextual differences contribute substantially to group differences in violence and other antisocial outcomes. This paper uses data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health and structural…

Influences on Students' Views on Religions and Education in England and Estonia

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Neill, Sean; Schihalejev, Olga

2011-01-01

Structural modelling offers an overall pattern of relationships; this paper looks at differences in students' attitude structures between England and Estonia. Where different coherent sets of beliefs exist in a national sample, factor analysis, which focuses on sets of responses which differ between groups, should be able to separate them out.…

Population dynamics of obligate cooperators

PubMed Central

Courchamp, F.; Grenfell, B.; Clutton-Brock, T.

1999-01-01

Obligate cooperative breeding species demonstrate a high rate of group extinction, which may be due to the existence of a critical number of helpers below which the group cannot subsist. Through a simple model, we study the population dynamics of obligate cooperative breeding species, taking into account the existence of a lower threshold below which the instantaneous growth rate becomes negative. The model successively incorporates (i) a distinction between species that need helpers for reproduction, survival or both, (ii) the existence of a migration rate accounting for dispersal, and (iii) stochastic mortality to simulate the effects of random catastrophic events. Our results suggest that the need for a minimum number of helpers increases the risk of extinction for obligate cooperative breeding species. The constraint imposed by this threshold is higher when helpers are needed for reproduction only or for both reproduction and survival. By driving them below this lower threshold, stochastic mortality of lower amplitude and/or lower frequency than for non-cooperative breeders may be sufficient to cause the extinction of obligate cooperative breeding groups. Migration may have a buffering effect only for groups where immigration is higher than emigration; otherwise (when immigrants from nearby groups are not available) it lowers the difference between actual group size and critical threshold, thereby constituting a higher constraint.

Multivariate analysis of meat production traits in Murciano-Granadina goat kids.

PubMed

Zurita-Herrera, P; Delgado, J V; Argüello, A; Camacho, M E

2011-07-01

Growth, carcass quality, and meat quality data from Murciano-Granadina kids (n=61) raised under three different systems were collected. Canonical discriminatory analysis and cluster analysis of the entire meat production process and its stages were performed using the rearing systems as grouping criteria. All comparisons resulted in significant differences and indicated the existence of three products with different quality characteristics as a result of the three rearing systems. Differences among groups were greater when comparing carcass and meat qualities as compared with growth differences. The paired analyses of canonical correlations among groups of variables integrated in growth, carcass and meat quality, resulted in all being statistically significant, pointing out the canonical correlation coefficient between carcass quality and meat quality. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Cross-Cultural and Gender Differences in ADHD Among Young Adults.

PubMed

Gómez-Benito, Juana; Van de Vijver, Fons J R; Balluerka, Nekane; Caterino, Linda

2015-10-29

This study explored the effect of cultural and gender differences in ADHD among Spanish, African American, Hispanic American, and European American young adults. Structural equivalence between the four groups was examined by Tucker's phi coefficient. A MANCOVA was carried out with cultural groups and gender as factors and age as covariate. Structural equivalence was observed across all groups, and no differential item functioning was found. No significant effect was found for gender, although, with the exception of the Hispanic group, males scored higher than females. Furthermore, small, though significant, cultural differences were found. The lowest levels of ADHD were observed in the European American group and the highest in the Hispanic American group. ADHD symptoms, notably inattention, showed some decline with age. Findings extend existing data and suggest a relationship between culture and the development of ADHD, which might be mediated by parenting style. © The Author(s) 2015.

[HLA A, B, C and DR antigens in a urban population from Santiago of Chile].

PubMed

Rodríguez, L; Scagliotti, P; Quiroga, T

1993-05-01

HLA antigens vary in different ethnical groups and in Chile there are no reports on the frequency of these antigens in a normal representative population. The few existing studies are of indigenous populations and control groups, without including HLA-DR antigens. Therefore, the aim of this study was to study the frequency of HLA A, B and C antigens in 349 individuals and HLA-DR in 257, using the microlymphocytotoxicity method, and compared the results with those on normal caucasian populations (Europe and USA). Significant differences were found for 7 antigens of group A, 10 of group B, 4 of group C and 6 of group DR. The observed difference allow us to conclude that the population from Santiago has a distinct HLA antigen distribution. This fact must be bore in mind future studies in genetics, paternity or autoimmune diseases.

Breast cancer in Latinas: gene expression, differential response to treatments, and differential toxicities in Latinas compared with other population groups.

PubMed

Patel, Tejal A; Colon-Otero, Gerardo; Bueno Hume, Celyne; Copland, John A; Perez, Edith A

2010-01-01

Disparities in clinical outcomes of breast cancer have been described among different racial and ethnic groups in the U.S. Convincing data exist showing that Latina women have a lower incidence of breast cancer but a higher breast cancer-related mortality rate compared with white women. Noticeable differences in breast cancer incidence are present even within different Latina subsets with a higher incidence in second- and third-generation women compared with foreign born. An increasing amount of data exists pointing to significant differences in the genetics and biology of breast cancer in Latinas as a significant contributor to the higher mortality, including a higher incidence of triple-negative breast cancers (which do not overexpress HER-2 protein and are negative for estrogen receptors and progesterone receptors). Other social and environmental factors are likely to play a significant role as well, including a lower rate of screening mammography, variable access to medical care, among others. Recent data are inconclusive regarding differences among racial/ethnic groups in the response to chemotherapy. Data on racial/ethnic variations in the pharmacogenomics of chemotherapy, endocrine treatments, and toxicity are more limited, with some data suggesting differences in frequencies of polymorphisms of genes involved in the metabolism of some of these agents. Further studies are needed on this subject.

Sparse Group Penalized Integrative Analysis of Multiple Cancer Prognosis Datasets

PubMed Central

Liu, Jin; Huang, Jian; Xie, Yang; Ma, Shuangge

2014-01-01

SUMMARY In cancer research, high-throughput profiling studies have been extensively conducted, searching for markers associated with prognosis. Because of the “large d, small n” characteristic, results generated from the analysis of a single dataset can be unsatisfactory. Recent studies have shown that integrative analysis, which simultaneously analyzes multiple datasets, can be more effective than single-dataset analysis and classic meta-analysis. In most of existing integrative analysis, the homogeneity model has been assumed, which postulates that different datasets share the same set of markers. Several approaches have been designed to reinforce this assumption. In practice, different datasets may differ in terms of patient selection criteria, profiling techniques, and many other aspects. Such differences may make the homogeneity model too restricted. In this study, we assume the heterogeneity model, under which different datasets are allowed to have different sets of markers. With multiple cancer prognosis datasets, we adopt the AFT (accelerated failure time) model to describe survival. This model may have the lowest computational cost among popular semiparametric survival models. For marker selection, we adopt a sparse group MCP (minimax concave penalty) approach. This approach has an intuitive formulation and can be computed using an effective group coordinate descent algorithm. Simulation study shows that it outperforms the existing approaches under both the homogeneity and heterogeneity models. Data analysis further demonstrates the merit of heterogeneity model and proposed approach. PMID:23938111

Tolerance and Education in Multicultural Societies

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wiater, Werner, Ed.; Manschke, Doris, Ed.

2011-01-01

This book examines the concepts of tolerance and education in multicultural societies. It focuses on different aspects of multiculturalism in these societies and considers possible conflicts and tensions as well as best-practice examples of co-existence among different cultural groups. Special emphasis is placed on educational issues and schools.…

The Shadows of Difference: Ethnicity and Young Children's Friendships

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Barron, Ian

2011-01-01

This paper explores the interaction of ethnicity and friendship in a kindergarten in England. Existing literature from different traditions, such as developmental psychology, sociocultural theory and postmodernism, suggests that pre-school children tend to choose friends from the same ethnic group. The research was carried out using an…

Current State of Guangxi Compulsory Education Equity and Countermeasures

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Xu, Yuan

2009-01-01

This study maps education inequity in Guangxi province from various perspectives and argues that the inequity generally exists among different areas and different groups within the province. The author then provides some policy suggestions for the government to correct the education imbalances. (Contains 1 table.) [This article was translated by…

Alternative Placements: Does a Difference Exist in the LD Populations?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Olson, Judy; Midgett, Jeanice

1984-01-01

The performance of learning disabled male elementary students in self-contained classes (N=35) and resource rooms (N=50) was compared on five diagnostic tests and factors of retention, chronological age, and behavior. Results indicated a difference only in the intelligence factor between the groups. (Authors)

The Impact of Noninvariant Intercepts in Latent Means Models

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Whittaker, Tiffany A.

2013-01-01

Latent means methods such as multiple-indicator multiple-cause (MIMIC) and structured means modeling (SMM) allow researchers to determine whether or not a significant difference exists between groups' factor means. Strong invariance is typically recommended when interpreting latent mean differences. The extent of the impact of noninvariant…

[Cytokine changes in community-acquired pneumonia in elderly and intervention of traditional Chinese medicine].

PubMed

Ye, Shanghe; Gong, Guolang; Zheng, Haiwen; Hu, Guohua; Xia, Tao

2010-06-01

To make a study of the cytokine changes in community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in the elderly and the intervention of traditional Chinese medicine that can clear away the lung-heat and dissipate blood stasis (Qingfeihuayu soup). The 82 cases with CAP in the elderly were divided at random into two treatment group and control group. Based on heteropathy, the treatment group was given Qingfeihuayu soup two times a day. The control group was given Rocephin 2 g once daily for 7 days. The clinical effect and the changes in TNF-alpha, IL-6 and IL-10 were observed before and after the treatment. A healthy group was also set up. Before treatment, IL-6 and TNF-alpha in both groups were higher than the healthy group (P < 0.01) and IL-10 lower than the healthy group (P < 0.01). After treatment, IL-6 and TNF-alpha in both groups decreased (P < 0.01) while IL-10 in treatment group increased. There existed a great difference compared with the control group (P < 0.01). The total effective rate in the treatment group is 92.50% while the control group is 85.71%. thus have a great difference (P < 0.05). During the process of the development of CAP in the elderly, there existed the phenomenon of the excessive release of TNF-alpha, IL-6 and the too much inhibition of IL-10. The unbalance of TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-10 can be a monitoring index reflecting the severity of the disease. The Chinese medicine Qingfeihuayu soup has obviously have regulating and clinical effect.

Transracial Communication.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Smith, Arthur L.

This book explores and explains communication among different racial groups within the scope of existing communication theory. Following a brief introduction, chapters cover "Directions in Transracial Communication" (definitions, process, structurization, and purpose); "Culture and Transracial Communication" (a viewpoint on…

Ethnic Intermarriage and Social Cohesion. What Can We Learn from Yugoslavia?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Smits, Jeroen

2010-01-01

Social cohesion theory is tested using data on ethnic intermarriage in former Yugoslavia. Before the disintegration of Yugoslavia, the proportion of marriages outside the own ethnic group was generally low, but in this respect large differences among the groups existed. The proportion of mixed marriages with a Serbian partner was much higher among…

Effect of Cooperative Learning on Achievement of Students in General Science at Secondary Level

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Parveen, Qaisara; Batool, Sadia

2012-01-01

The aim of the study was to explore the effects of cooperative learning on General Science achievement among 9th class students. Based upon previous research literature it was hypothesized that significant difference existed between the mean posttest scores of General Science achievement of experimental group and control group. The pretest…

In the Beginning-There Is the Introduction-and Your Study Hypothesis.

PubMed

Vetter, Thomas R; Mascha, Edward J

2017-05-01

Writing a manuscript for a medical journal is very akin to writing a newspaper article-albeit a scholarly one. Like any journalist, you have a story to tell. You need to tell your story in a way that is easy to follow and makes a compelling case to the reader. Although recommended since the beginning of the 20th century, the conventional Introduction-Methods-Results-And-Discussion (IMRAD) scientific reporting structure has only been the standard since the 1980s. The Introduction should be focused and succinct in communicating the significance, background, rationale, study aims or objectives, and the primary (and secondary, if appropriate) study hypotheses. Hypothesis testing involves posing both a null and an alternative hypothesis. The null hypothesis proposes that no difference or association exists on the outcome variable of interest between the interventions or groups being compared. The alternative hypothesis is the opposite of the null hypothesis and thus typically proposes that a difference in the population does exist between the groups being compared on the parameter of interest. Most investigators seek to reject the null hypothesis because of their expectation that the studied intervention does result in a difference between the study groups or that the association of interest does exist. Therefore, in most clinical and basic science studies and manuscripts, the alternative hypothesis is stated, not the null hypothesis. Also, in the Introduction, the alternative hypothesis is typically stated in the direction of interest, or the expected direction. However, when assessing the association of interest, researchers typically look in both directions (ie, favoring 1 group or the other) by conducting a 2-tailed statistical test because the true direction of the effect is typically not known, and either direction would be important to report.

ABO blood groups, Rhesus negativity, and primary biliary cirrhosis

PubMed Central

Hamlyn, A. N.; Morris, J. S.; Sherlock, S.

1974-01-01

The distribution of blood groups and Rhesus negativity in 91 British patients with primary biliary cirrhosis was compared with a sample of registered blood donors. There were no significant differences from the expected proportions calculated from the control groups. Although the number of cases studied is small the analysis does not confirm previous reports of an excess of A group in the disease. If a genetic basis exists for primary biliary cirrhosis alternative markers must be found. PMID:4211827

Computer simulation of population dynamics inside the urban environment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Andreev, A. S.; Inovenkov, I. N.; Echkina, E. Yu.; Nefedov, V. V.; Ponomarenko, L. S.; Tikhomirov, V. V.

2017-12-01

In this paper using a mathematical model of the so-called “space-dynamic” approach we investigate the problem of development and temporal dynamics of different urban population groups. For simplicity we consider an interaction of only two population groups inside a single urban area with axial symmetry. This problem can be described qualitatively by a system of two non-stationary nonlinear differential equations of the diffusion type with boundary conditions of the third type. The results of numerical simulations show that with a suitable choice of the diffusion coefficients and interaction functions between different population groups we can receive different scenarios of population dynamics: from complete displacement of one population group by another (originally more “aggressive”) to the “peaceful” situation of co-existence of them together.

Analysis of Stakeholder's Behaviours for an Improved Management of an Agricultural Coastal Region in Oman

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khatri, Ayisha Al; Jens, Grundmann; der Weth Rüdiger, van; Niels, Schütze

2015-04-01

Al Batinah coastal area is the main agricultural region in Oman. Agriculture is concentrated in Al Batinah, because of more fertile soils and easier access to water in the form of groundwater compared to other administrative areas in the country. The region now is facing a problem as a result of over abstraction of fresh groundwater for irrigation from the main aquifer along the coast. This enforces the inflow of sea water into the coastal aquifer and causes salinization of the groundwater. As a consequence the groundwater becomes no longer suitable for irrigation which impacts the social and economical situation of farmers as well as the environment. Therefore, the existing situation generates conflicts between different stakeholders regarding water availability, sustainable aquifer management, and profitable agricultural production in Al Batinah region. Several management measures to maintain the groundwater aquifer in the region, were implemented by the government. However, these solutions showed only limited successes for the existing problem. The aim of this study now is to evaluate the implementation potential of several management interventions and their combinations by analysing opinions and responses of all relevant stakeholders in the region. This is done in order to identify potential conflicts among stakeholders to a participatory process within the frame of an integrated water resources management and to support decision makers in taking more informed decisions. Questionnaires were designed for collecting data from different groups of stakeholders e.g. water professionals, farmers from the study area and decision makers of different organizations and ministries. These data were analysed statistically for each group separately as well as regarding relations amongst groups by using the SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Science) software package. Results show, that the need to improve the situation is supported by all groups. However, significant differences exist between groups on how to achieve this improvement, since farmers prefer management interventions operating more on the water resources side while decision makers support measures for a better management on the water demand side. Furthermore, the opinions within single groups are sometimes contradicting for several management interventions. The use of more advanced statistical methods like discriminant analysis or Bayesian network allow for identifying factors and drivers to explain these differences. Both approaches, will help to understand stakeholder's behaviours and to evaluate the implementation potential of several management interventions. Keywords IWRM, Stakeholder participation, field survey, statistical analysis, Oman

Upgrading Existing Buildings to Universal Design. What Cost-Benefit Analyses Can Tell Us.

PubMed

Aslaksen, Finn

2016-01-01

This article is based on a project aimed at finding the benefits of different measures to upgrade existing public buildings and outdoor areas to be accessible for all. The study was initiated by The Ministry of Children and Equality. The ministry asked for a study of benefits based on a stated preferences (SP) method and an easy-to-complete calculation tool for CBA. In the project 18 commonly used measures and their typical costs were identified. The benefits of each measure were analysed in a stated preference study. The SP analyses included 9 multiple choices in 4 different sequences in an Internet based survey with 800 respondents. The project concluded that it is possible to use stated preferences survey to identify the respondent's valuation of measures to improve accessibility in existing buildings. Some of the measures have a high cost-/benefit ratio. The project report including the calculation manual is based on the average valuation for each measure. But in the background analyses (not referred in the report) there are also some analyses of valuations for target groups for the various measures. The target groups were defined for each measure based on information about the respondents' abilities and use of technical aids. The analyses presented in this paper indicate how valuation varies between the target groups and the average population. This is named the measures profile. Some measures have benefits for the target group that are only twice as high as for the average citizen while another type of measures has high benefits only the target group. The first type which has a wide profile often has high overall socioeconomic benefits, while the last group with a narrow profile more often has low overall socioeconomic benefits, but may be very important for certain user groups and therefore essential for the elimination of discrimination and exclusion of those groups.

Information findability: An informal study to explore options for improving information findability for the systems analysis group

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

Stoecker, Nora Kathleen

2014-03-01

A Systems Analysis Group has existed at Sandia National Laboratories since at least the mid-1950s. Much of the groups work output (reports, briefing documents, and other materials) has been retained, along with large numbers of related documents. Over time the collection has grown to hundreds of thousands of unstructured documents in many formats contained in one or more of several different shared drives or SharePoint sites, with perhaps five percent of the collection still existing in print format. This presents a challenge. How can the group effectively find, manage, and build on information contained somewhere within such a large setmore » of unstructured documents? In response, a project was initiated to identify tools that would be able to meet this challenge. This report documents the results found and recommendations made as of August 2013.« less

Speaking in Character: Voice Communication in Virtual Worlds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wadley, Greg; Gibbs, Martin R.

This chapter summarizes 5 years of research on the implications of introducing voice communication systems to virtual worlds. Voice introduces both benefits and problems for players of fast-paced team games, from better coordination of groups and greater social presence of fellow players on the positive side, to negative features such as channel congestion, transmission of noise, and an unwillingness by some to use voice with strangers online. Similarly, in non-game worlds like Second Life, issues related to identity and impression management play important roles, as voice may build greater trust that is especially important for business users, yet it erodes the anonymity and ability to conceal social attributes like gender that are important for other users. A very different mixture of problems and opportunities exists when users conduct several simultaneous conversations in multiple text and voice channels. Technical difficulties still exist with current systems, including the challenge of debugging and harmonizing all the participants' voice setups. Different groups use virtual worlds for very different purposes, so a single modality may not suit all.

Differences in Student Misbehavior after Completing In-School Suspension between Rural High School and Suburban High School Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Welch, Martin Ervind

2010-01-01

This study investigated the differences that exist in rural and suburban high school student misbehavior after completing in-school suspension (ISS) in Alabama's Mobile County Public School System. The independent variables of rural or suburban, gender, and ethnicity were used to determine the differences of the various groups. The archival…

Revisiting the impact of job satisfaction and organizational commitment on nurse turnover intention: an individual differences analysis.

PubMed

De Gieter, Sara; Hofmans, Joeri; Pepermans, Roland

2011-12-01

Nurse turnover is an important contributing factor to the worldwide nursing shortage. Many studies have examined the antecedents of nurse turnover to gain a better understanding of the problem and help hospitals reduce their turnover rates. However, an important shortcoming of this research stream is its exclusive focus on explaining turnover behavior of the "average nurse", thereby disregarding individual differences between nurses and groups of nurses. To examine individual differences in the relationships between two crucial turnover antecedents - job satisfaction and organizational commitment - and nurse turnover intention. A sample of 287 nurses working for a variety of Belgian hospitals participated in the study. A survey method was used to collect quantitative data, which were analyzed through standard multiple linear regression, mixture regression models and t-tests. In the total sample of hospital nurses, both job satisfaction and organizational commitment significantly predicted nurse turnover intention. However, subsequent individual differences analyses revealed the existence of two subgroups of nurses. In the satisfaction focused group, only job satisfaction was found to predict nurse turnover intention, whereas in the satisfaction and commitment focused group both job satisfaction and organizational commitment were related to turnover intention. Furthermore, nurses in the latter group displayed stronger turnover intention, were significantly younger and had less job tenure and organizational tenure than nurses in the satisfaction focused group. The debate on the antecedents of nurse turnover still continues, as the existing models fail to fully grasp nurse turnover. The present study identifies individual differences in nurse turnover antecedents among groups of nurses as a possible reason for the absence of one comprehensive turnover model that holds for the general nursing population. Further studies are needed in order to capture the total impact of the underlying individual differences in nurse turnover antecedents. 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

[Analysis of different health status based on characteristics of the facial spectrum photometric color].

PubMed

Xu, Jiatuo; Wu, Hongjin; Lu, Luming; Tu, Liping; Zhang, Zhifeng; Chen, Xiao

2012-12-01

This paper is aimed to observe the difference of facial color of people with different health status by spectral photometric color measuring technique according to the theory of facial color diagnosis in Internal Classic. We gathered the facial color information about the health status of persons in healthy group (183), sub-healthy group (287) and disease group (370) respectively. The information included L, a, b, C values and reflection of different wavelengths in 400-700nm with CM-2600D spectral photometric color measuring instrument on 8 points. The results indicated that overall complexion color values of the people in the three groups were significantly different. The persons in the disease group looked deep dark in features. The people in the sub-healthy group looked pale in features. The loci L, a, b, C values were with varying degrees of significant differences (P < 0.05) at 6 points among the groups, and the central position of the face in all the groups was the position with most significant differences. Comparing the facial color information at the same point of the people in the three groups, we obtained each group's diagnostic special point. There existed diagnostic values in distinguishing disease status and various status of health in some degree by spectral photometric color measuring technique. The present method provides a prosperous quantitative basis for Chinese medical inspection of the complexion diagnosis.

Childhood Music Training Induces Change in Micro and Macroscopic Brain Structure: Results from a Longitudinal Study.

PubMed

Habibi, Assal; Damasio, Antonio; Ilari, Beatriz; Veiga, Ryan; Joshi, Anand A; Leahy, Richard M; Haldar, Justin P; Varadarajan, Divya; Bhushan, Chitresh; Damasio, Hanna

2017-11-08

Several studies comparing adult musicians and nonmusicians have shown that music training is associated with structural brain differences. It is not been established, however, whether such differences result from pre-existing biological traits, lengthy musical training, or an interaction of the two factors, or if comparable changes can be found in children undergoing music training. As part of an ongoing longitudinal study, we investigated the effects of music training on the developmental trajectory of children's brain structure, over two years, beginning at age 6. We compared these children with children of the same socio-economic background but either involved in sports training or not involved in any systematic after school training. We established at the onset that there were no pre-existing structural differences among the groups. Two years later we observed that children in the music group showed (1) a different rate of cortical thickness maturation between the right and left posterior superior temporal gyrus, and (2) higher fractional anisotropy in the corpus callosum, specifically in the crossing pathways connecting superior frontal, sensory, and motor segments. We conclude that music training induces macro and microstructural brain changes in school-age children, and that those changes are not attributable to pre-existing biological traits. © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

The BOLD signal and neurovascular coupling in autism.

PubMed

Reynell, Clare; Harris, Julia J

2013-10-01

BOLD (blood oxygen level dependent) fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) is commonly used to study differences in neuronal activity between human populations. As the BOLD response is an indirect measure of neuronal activity, meaningful interpretation of differences in BOLD responses between groups relies upon a stable relationship existing between neuronal activity and the BOLD response across these groups. However, this relationship can be altered by changes in neurovascular coupling or energy consumption, which would lead to problems in identifying differences in neuronal activity. In this review, we focus on fMRI studies of people with autism, and comparisons that are made of their BOLD responses with those of control groups. We examine neurophysiological differences in autism that may alter neurovascular coupling or energy use, discuss recent studies that have used fMRI to identify differences between participants with autism and control participants, and explore experimental approaches that could help attribute between-group differences in BOLD signals to either neuronal or neurovascular factors. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The BOLD signal and neurovascular coupling in autism

PubMed Central

Reynell, Clare; Harris, Julia J.

2013-01-01

BOLD (blood oxygen level dependent) fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) is commonly used to study differences in neuronal activity between human populations. As the BOLD response is an indirect measure of neuronal activity, meaningful interpretation of differences in BOLD responses between groups relies upon a stable relationship existing between neuronal activity and the BOLD response across these groups. However, this relationship can be altered by changes in neurovascular coupling or energy consumption, which would lead to problems in identifying differences in neuronal activity. In this review, we focus on fMRI studies of people with autism, and comparisons that are made of their BOLD responses with those of control groups. We examine neurophysiological differences in autism that may alter neurovascular coupling or energy use, discuss recent studies that have used fMRI to identify differences between participants with autism and control participants, and explore experimental approaches that could help attribute between-group differences in BOLD signals to either neuronal or neurovascular factors. PMID:23917518

America's Democracy Colleges: The Civic Engagement of Community College Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Angeli Newell, Mallory

2014-01-01

This study explored the civic engagement of current two- and four-year students to explore whether differences exist between the groups and what may explain the differences. Using binary logistic regression and Ordinary Least Squares regression it was found that community-based engagement was lower for two- than four-year students, though…

Participatory Equity and Student Outcomes in Living-Learning Programs of Differing Thematic Types

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Soldner, Matthew Edward

2011-01-01

This study evaluated participatory equity in varying thematic types of living-learning programs and, for a subset of student group x program type combinations found to be below equity, used latent mean modeling to determine whether statistically significant mean differences existed between the outcome scores of living-learning participants and…

Racial Contrasts in Hemoglobin Levels and Dietary Patterns Related to Hematopoiesis in Children: The Bogalusa Heart Study.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nicklas, Theresa A.; And Others

1987-01-01

Racial differences in hemoglobin were explored in pre-adolescent and adolescent children. After controlling for variations in dietary patterns, race accounted for a notable proportion of hemoglobin variance in both age groups. These differences exist independently of nutrient intake and maturational changes. (Author/VM)

Gender Differences in Performance of Script Analysis by Older Adults

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Helmes, E.; Bush, J. D.; Pike, D. L.; Drake, D. G.

2006-01-01

Script analysis as a test of executive functions is presumed sensitive to cognitive changes seen with increasing age. Two studies evaluated if gender differences exist in performance on scripts for familiar and unfamiliar tasks in groups of cognitively intact older adults. In Study 1, 26 older adults completed male and female stereotypical…

Effects of Alternate Test Formats in Online Courses

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Francis, Alan

2010-01-01

The purpose of this study was to compare differences in methods of testing for two undergraduate online courses to determine the effect of alternate test formats in relation to participant grades. Specific purposes of this study were to determine whether a difference existed in student test scores between the control and treatment groups and…

Sequence memory based on coherent spin-interaction neural networks.

PubMed

Xia, Min; Wong, W K; Wang, Zhijie

2014-12-01

Sequence information processing, for instance, the sequence memory, plays an important role on many functions of brain. In the workings of the human brain, the steady-state period is alterable. However, in the existing sequence memory models using heteroassociations, the steady-state period cannot be changed in the sequence recall. In this work, a novel neural network model for sequence memory with controllable steady-state period based on coherent spininteraction is proposed. In the proposed model, neurons fire collectively in a phase-coherent manner, which lets a neuron group respond differently to different patterns and also lets different neuron groups respond differently to one pattern. The simulation results demonstrating the performance of the sequence memory are presented. By introducing a new coherent spin-interaction sequence memory model, the steady-state period can be controlled by dimension parameters and the overlap between the input pattern and the stored patterns. The sequence storage capacity is enlarged by coherent spin interaction compared with the existing sequence memory models. Furthermore, the sequence storage capacity has an exponential relationship to the dimension of the neural network.

Impact of small groups with heterogeneous preference on behavioral evolution in population evacuation.

PubMed

Wang, Tao; Huang, Keke; Wang, Zhen; Zheng, Xiaoping

2015-01-01

Up to now, there have been a great number of mechanisms to explain the individual behavior and population traits, which seem of particular significance in evolutionary biology and social behavior analysis. Among them, small groups and heterogeneity are two useful frameworks to the above issue. However, vast majority of existing works separately consider both scenarios, which is inconsistent with realistic cases in our life. Here we propose the evolutionary games of heterogeneous small groups (namely, different small groups possess different preferences to dilemma) to study the collective behavior in population evacuation. Importantly, players usually face completely different dilemmas inside and outside the small groups. By means of numerous computation simulations, it is unveiled that the ratio of players in one certain small group directly decides the final behavior of the whole population. Moreover, it can also be concluded that heterogeneous degree of preference for different small groups plays a key role in the behavior traits of the system, which may validate some realistic social observations. The proposed framework is thus universally applicable and may shed new light into the solution of social dilemmas.

Methods for estimating aboveground biomass and its components for five Pacific Northwest tree species

Treesearch

Krishna P. Poudel; Temesgen. Hailemariam

2015-01-01

Performance of three groups of methods to estimate total and/or component aboveground biomass was evaluated using the data collected from destructively sampled trees in different parts of Oregon. First group of methods used analytical approach to estimate total and component biomass using existing equations, and produced biased estimates for our dataset. The second...

Women's Life Course in Northern Plains Indian Societies: Achieving the Honored Rank of Old Lady.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kehoe, Alice B.

Among Indian groups of the Northwestern Plains (Blackfoot, Plains Cree, Dakota, Plains Ojibwa), older persons are respected for the spiritual power they have obtained. Differences exist between the several ethnic groups, but in general they assume that attainment of maturity and then old age proves spiritual power and makes the elder a proper…

Kinship-based politics and the optimal size of kin groups

PubMed Central

Hammel, E. A.

2005-01-01

Kin form important political groups, which change in size and relative inequality with demographic shifts. Increases in the rate of population growth increase the size of kin groups but decrease their inequality and vice versa. The optimal size of kin groups may be evaluated from the marginal political product (MPP) of their members. Culture and institutions affect levels and shapes of MPP. Different optimal group sizes, from different perspectives, can be suggested for any MPP schedule. The relative dominance of competing groups is determined by their MPP schedules. Groups driven to extremes of sustainability may react in Malthusian fashion, including fission and fusion, or in Boserupian fashion, altering social technology to accommodate changes in size. The spectrum of alternatives for actors and groups, shaped by existing institutions and natural and cultural selection, is very broad. Nevertheless, selection may result in survival of particular kinds of political structures. PMID:16091466

Kinship-based politics and the optimal size of kin groups.

PubMed

Hammel, E A

2005-08-16

Kin form important political groups, which change in size and relative inequality with demographic shifts. Increases in the rate of population growth increase the size of kin groups but decrease their inequality and vice versa. The optimal size of kin groups may be evaluated from the marginal political product (MPP) of their members. Culture and institutions affect levels and shapes of MPP. Different optimal group sizes, from different perspectives, can be suggested for any MPP schedule. The relative dominance of competing groups is determined by their MPP schedules. Groups driven to extremes of sustainability may react in Malthusian fashion, including fission and fusion, or in Boserupian fashion, altering social technology to accommodate changes in size. The spectrum of alternatives for actors and groups, shaped by existing institutions and natural and cultural selection, is very broad. Nevertheless, selection may result in survival of particular kinds of political structures.

Are there socioeconomic differences in myocardial infarction event rates and fatality among patients with angina pectoris?

PubMed Central

Manderbacka, Kristiina; Hetemaa, Tiina; Keskimäki, Ilmo; Luukkainen, Pekka; Koskinen, Seppo; Reunanen, Antti

2006-01-01

Background Systematic socioeconomic differences in mortality have been reported among myocardial infarction (MI) patients in many countries, including Finland. The findings have been similar irrespective of country, study period, age group, or length of follow up, but few studies have examined the disparities among other groups of coronary patients. This study examined whether similar socioeconomic differences in outcomes exist among patients with angina pectoris (AP). Methods The data were based on individual register linkages among a population based 40–79 year‐old cohort of 61 350 patients with incident AP or MI during 1995–1998 in Finland. Two year coronary heart disease mortality and one year MI incidence and its 28 day case fatality was studied among AP patients using Cox's and logistic regression analysis, and the results compared with those of the MI patient group. Results A clear socioeconomic pattern was found in two year coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality: the lower the socioeconomic group the higher the mortality risk. The socioeconomic patterning of mortality was similar to that found among MI patients. Controlling for comorbidity or disease severity did not change the results. Among AP patients a similar pattern was also found in MI incidence during the follow up, but no systematic socioeconomic differences were detected in its 28 day case fatality. Conclusions Socioeconomic differences in CHD outcomes also exist among angina patients. These results suggest that targeted measures of secondary prevention are needed among CHD patients with lower socioeconomic status to reduce socioeconomic disparities in fatal and non‐fatal coronary events. PMID:16614336

Ethnic/racial differences in the prevalence of injurious spanking and other child physical abuse in a National Survey of Adolescents.

PubMed

Hawkins, Alesia Oscea; Danielson, Carla Kmett; de Arellano, Michael A; Hanson, Rochelle F; Ruggiero, Kenneth J; Smith, Daniel W; Saunders, Benjamin E; Kilpatrick, Dean G

2010-08-01

Limited research has examined whether similar patterns in injurious spanking and other forms of child physical abuse (CPA) exist across specific ethnic/racial groups. The authors examined and compared differences in the lifetime prevalence of injurious spanking and CPA in two national samples of adolescents across ethnic/racial groups and over time. Participants were 4,023 youth (12-17 years) and 3,614 youth (12-17 years) who participated in the 1995 National Survey of Adolescents (NSA) and 2005 National Survey of Adolescents-Replication (NSA-R), respectively. Adolescents, who were identified through random digit dial procedures, completed a telephone interview assessment. Results indicated significant ethnic/racial variation across groups in reports of injurious spanking in the NSA and the NSA-R samples; however, significant differences were not observed within groups between the two samples over time. Ethnic/racial differences also were found between groups in reports of CPA in the NSA-R sample. Limitations and future directions of this research are discussed.

Minimalist approach to the classification of symmetry protected topological phases

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xiong, Zhaoxi

A number of proposals with differing predictions (e.g. group cohomology, cobordisms, group supercohomology, spin cobordisms, etc.) have been made for the classification of symmetry protected topological (SPT) phases. Here we treat various proposals on equal footing and present rigorous, general results that are independent of which proposal is correct. We do so by formulating a minimalist Generalized Cohomology Hypothesis, which is satisfied by existing proposals and captures essential aspects of SPT classification. From this Hypothesis alone, formulas relating classifications in different dimensions and/or protected by different symmetry groups are derived. Our formalism is expected to work for fermionic as well as bosonic phases, Floquet as well as stationary phases, and spatial as well as on-site symmetries.

Evaluation of electronic discussion groups as a teaching/learning strategy in an evidence-based medicine course: a pilot study.

PubMed

Kamin, C; Glicken, A; Hall, M; Quarantillo, B; Merenstein, G

2001-01-01

As course directors, we wished to incorporate small group learning into our Evidence-based Medicine course for students to get feedback on the development of a well constructed, researchable clinical question. Scheduling of these groups was problematic. We sought to evaluate computer-mediated communication as an alternative to face-to-face small groups. Students were randomly assigned to either face-to-face small groups or asynchronous, electronic, small groups. Final examination scores were analyzed with an analysis of variance to determine if there were differences in student performance based on group type. Student survey items were analyzed using Fisher's Exact test to determine if there were differences in student attitudes based on group type. There were no significant differences found in overall student performance. Significant differences in student attitudes were found to exist with respect to: (1) participation in discussions, with face-to-face groups reporting greater participation; (2) putting more thought into comments, with electronic groups reporting more thought put into comments; and (3) difficulty relating to other students in the class, with electronic groups reporting more difficulty. We found electronic discussion groups (computer-mediated communication) to be a viable teaching/learning strategy with no adverse effects on student performance or attitudes.

The Belief That Market Transactions Are Mutually Beneficial: A Comparison of the Views of Students in Economics and Other Disciplines

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Goossens, Amélie; Méon, Pierre-Guillaume

2015-01-01

Using a survey of a large group of first- and final-year students of different disciplines to study their beliefs in the existence of mutual benefits of market transactions, the authors observe significant differences between economics and business students versus students of other disciplines. These differences increase over time, due partly to…

Uruguayan secondary school students speak up about tobacco: results from focus group discussions in and around Montevideo.

PubMed

Peterson, Erin; Harrell, Melissa; Springer, Andrew; Medina, José; Martinez, Lucía; Perry, Cheryl; Estol, Diego

2017-07-01

This qualitative research study investigated intrapersonal, interpersonal, and environmental factors that shape young adolescent tobacco use behaviors in Uruguay. Focus groups were conducted in the summer of 2012 and fall of 2013 in four secondary schools in Montevideo, Uruguay, including two private schools and two public schools. A total of four focus groups were led in each school, composed of 4-6 students each, 16 focus groups in total. Data analysis utilized NVivo software and included deductive and inductive content analysis. Overwhelmingly, students reported that the onset of smoking occurred in the second year of secondary school. The primary intrapersonal factors that were found to be universal among respondents identified that smoking was a performance in groups, to garner attention from their peers. Students interviewed most often stated that the greatest interpersonal factors for smoking were to look older, as a rite of passage, and for group membership. Environmental factors cited most often indicate that they smoked during unsupervised time, either at night or around the short Uruguayan school day. Focus group interviews revealed that adolescents had easy access to cigarettes for purchase through small family owned grocery stores, even though laws exist preventing the sale of cigarettes to minors. Few differences were cited between strata related to cigarette use in adolescents. The differences that do exist are most apparent across gender, though there were a few observed differences when stratified by public and private school. Findings from this study indicate that key factors across ecological levels (intrapersonal, interpersonal, and environmental) should be taken into consideration when designing tobacco prevention programs for youth in Uruguay. A multiple-component approach which addresses risk factors at all of these levels, implemented in schools, may be particularly well-suited to this setting.

Factors that influence self-reported general health status among different Asian ethnic groups: evidence from the Roadmap to the New Horizon: Linking Asians to Improved Health and Wellness study.

PubMed

Maty, Siobhan C; Leung, Holden; Lau, Christine; Kim, Gemma

2011-06-01

Little is known about the determinants of self-reported general health status among different Asian ethnic subgroups. Using a community-based participatory research approach, we designed, administered, and analyzed a cross-sectional survey of 705 Asians (292 Chinese, 226 Korean, 187 Vietnamese) in the Portland, Oregon region to describe associations between general health status and several sociodemographic and health-related factors in pooled and ethnic-group-stratified samples. Ethnic variation existed in all covariate distributions, except employment, public-service use, language use, health status, visiting healthcare providers, sleep habits, and use of prayer, meditation, yoga or acupuncture. Acculturation measures were strong predictors of poor/fair health in logistic regression models regardless of ethnicity. Ethnic variation in outcome status existed for all remaining covariates. Most health-related research overlooks the heterogeneity within the Asian population. These findings highlight substantial variability in the associations between self-reported general health status and sociodemographic and health-related measures between Asian ethnic groups.

Between-group differences in nutrition- and health- related psychosocial factors among US adults and their associations with diet, exercise, and weight status

PubMed Central

Wang, Youfa; Chen, Xiaoli

2012-01-01

Background Large disparities exist across ethnic and socioeconomic status (SES) groups regarding obesity and other chronic diseases. Eliminating health disparities is a national priority in the US. Objective To test between-group differences in nutrition- and health-related psychosocial factors (NHRPF) and their associations with US adults’ diet, exercise, and weight status. Design and participants/setting Nationally representative data from the Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals and the Diet and Health Knowledge Survey in 1994-96 from 4,356 US adults aged 20-65 years were used. Diet was assessed using 24-hour recalls; NHRPF, by 25 questions; weight status, by self-reported weight and height. Index scores were created to measure NHRPF. Diet quality was assessed using the US Department of Agriculture 2005 Healthy Eating Index (HEI). Statistical analyses Multivariate linear and logistic regression models were conducted to examine the associations. Results Some ethnic differences in NHRPF existed but were small. There were statistically significant (P<0.05) and large ethnic differences in diet (blacks had the worst average HEI; whites, the best, at 47.6 vs. 52.3, respectively). Groups with higher SES had better NHRPF (had better nutrition knowledge and beliefs, made better food choices, and had better awareness of nutrition-related health risks) and HEI. Subjects with high school education had higher NHRPF score (37.2 vs. 35.7) and HEI (54.5 vs. 49.5) than those with less than a high school education. Conclusions Ethnic differences among American adults’ NHRPF were small, but SES differences were greater. More efforts are needed to study the influences of the complex interactions between individual and social environmental factors that affect Americans’ diet and weight status and to explain related ethnic disparities. PMID:22709700

Registered Nurses' personal rights vs. professional responsibility in caring for members of underserved and disenfranchised populations.

PubMed

Maze, Claire D Martino

2005-05-01

Health disparities exist and refer to the chasms in health status between the advantaged and disadvantaged. Intense multiculturalism will require different approaches and moral obligations to work with these groups and urgency exists to develop nursing caring strategies when dealing with these populations. Development of nursing curricula which identify prejudicial thinking and intolerance for marginalized groups will help to decrease fears and increase nurses' willingness to provide culturally competent health care for underserved and disenfranchised populations. Caring for members of disenfranchised groups instills fear at some level in nurses who are working with these individuals. This fear may be due, in part, to the potential harm nurses perceive the patient may cause them, or perhaps it is because they feel they could possibly be in the individual's situation at some point in their lives. Prejudice and discrimination continue to exist in society and have adversely affected the health care system and the nursing profession. Discrimination may be based on differences due to age, ability, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or any characteristics by which people differ. Registered Nurses are accountable for nursing decisions and actions regardless of personal preferences. Due to the rapidly changing healthcare system the nurse faces increasing ethical dilemmas and human rights issues. Nurses are individually accountable for caring for each patient and the right to refuse an assignment should be carefully interpreted to avoid patient abandonment. Nurses' objections can be based on moral, ethical, or religious beliefs not on personal preferences and in an emergency the nurse must provide treatment regardless of any personal objections.

Understanding the impact of socioeconomic differences in breast cancer survival in England and Wales: avoidable deaths and potential gain in expectation of life.

PubMed

Rutherford, M J; Andersson, T M-L; Møller, H; Lambert, P C

2015-02-01

Socioeconomic differences in cancer patient survival are known to exist for women diagnosed with breast cancer. Standard metrics tend not to place great emphasis on evaluating the actual impact of these differences. We used two alternative, but related, methods of reporting the impact of socioeconomic differences for breast cancer patients in England and Wales. We calculated the average gain in life years for each patient should socioeconomic differences in relative survival be removed and show how this is related to the number of all-cause deaths that could be postponed by removing socioeconomic differences in cancer patient survival. Our results indicate that deprivation differences for women with breast cancer exist and result in women from more deprived areas losing a larger proportion of their life due to a diagnosis of cancer. We also estimate that on average 1.1 years could be gained for a 60 year old breast cancer patient in the most deprived group by improving their relative survival to match the least deprived group. However, our results also show that deprivation differences in general survival have a large impact on life expectancy; showing that over two-thirds of the gap in differential life expectancy is explained by differences in other-cause survival. Socioeconomic differences in relative survival have an impact on life expectancy for patients and result in higher early mortality for more deprived patients. However, differences in general survival across socioeconomic groups explain a larger proportion of the deprivation gap in life expectancy for breast cancer patients. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

ON THE NOTION OF WELL-DEFINED TECTONIC REGIMES FOR TERRESTRIAL PLANETS IN THIS SOLAR SYSTEM AND OTHERS

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

Lenardic, A.; Crowley, J. W., E-mail: ajns@rice.edu, E-mail: jwgcrowley@gmail.com

2012-08-20

A model of coupled mantle convection and planetary tectonics is used to demonstrate that history dependence can outweigh the effects of a planet's energy content and material parameters in determining its tectonic state. The mantle convection-surface tectonics system allows multiple tectonic modes to exist for equivalent planetary parameter values. The tectonic mode of the system is then determined by its specific geologic and climatic history. This implies that models of tectonics and mantle convection will not be able to uniquely determine the tectonic mode of a terrestrial planet without the addition of historical data. Historical data exists, to variable degrees,more » for all four terrestrial planets within our solar system. For the Earth, the planet with the largest amount of observational data, debate does still remain regarding the geologic and climatic history of Earth's deep past but constraints are available. For planets in other solar systems, no such constraints exist at present. The existence of multiple tectonic modes, for equivalent parameter values, points to a reason why different groups have reached different conclusions regarding the tectonic state of extrasolar terrestrial planets larger than Earth ({sup s}uper-Earths{sup )}. The region of multiple stable solutions is predicted to widen in parameter space for more energetic mantle convection (as would be expected for larger planets). This means that different groups can find different solutions, all potentially viable and stable, using identical models and identical system parameter values. At a more practical level, the results argue that the question of whether extrasolar terrestrial planets will have plate tectonics is unanswerable and will remain so until the temporal evolution of extrasolar planets can be constrained.« less

Netball team members, but not hobby group members, distinguish team characteristics from group characteristics.

PubMed

Stillman, Jennifer A; Fletcher, Richard B; Carr, Stuart C

2007-04-01

Research on groups is often applied to sport teams, and research on teams is often applied to groups. This study investigates the extent to which individuals have distinct schemas for groups and teams. A list of team and group characteristics was generated from 250 individuals, for use in this and related research. Questions about teams versus groups carry an a priori implication that differences exist; therefore, list items were presented to new participants and were analyzed using signal detection theory, which can accommodate a finding of no detectable difference between a nominated category and similar items. Participants were 30 members from each of the following: netball teams, the general public, and hobby groups. Analysis revealed few features that set groups apart from teams; however, teams were perceived as more structured and demanding, requiring commitment and effort toward shared goals. Team and group characteristics were more clearly defined to team members than they were to other participant groups. The research has implications for coaches and practitioners.

The socialization of dominance: peer group contextual effects on homophobic and dominance attitudes.

PubMed

Poteat, V Paul; Espelage, Dorothy L; Green, Harold D

2007-06-01

Using the framework of social dominance theory, the current investigation tested for the contextual effects of adolescent peer groups on individuals' homophobic and social dominance attitudes. Results from multilevel models indicated that significant differences existed across peer groups on homophobic attitudes. In addition, these differences were accounted for on the basis of the hierarchy-enhancing or -attenuating climate of the group. A group socialization effect on individuals' social dominance attitudes over time was also observed. Furthermore, the social climate of the peer group moderated the stability of individuals' social dominance attitudes. Findings support the need to examine more proximal and informal group affiliations and earlier developmental periods in efforts to build more comprehensive theoretical models explaining when and how prejudiced and dominance attitudes are formed and the way in which they are perpetuated. (c) 2007 APA, all rights reserved.

The relations between reading and spelling: an examination of subtypes of reading disability.

PubMed

Bar-Kochva, Irit; Amiel, Meirav

2016-07-01

Three groups of reading-disabled children were found in studies of English, German, and French: a group with a double deficit in reading and spelling, a group with a single spelling deficit, and a more rarely reported group presenting a single reading deficit. This study set out to examine whether these groups can be found in adults, readers and spellers of Hebrew, which differs from the previously studied orthographies in many aspects. To this end, Hebrew-speaking adults with or without reading disability were administered various literacy and literacy-related tests. Results confirm the existence of the same three groups. While all shared a phonological deficit, subtle differences in phonological decoding ability and in speed of processing distinguished between the groups. The study therefore suggests that the previously reported associations and dissociations between reading and spelling are not restricted to English, German, or French and may not be only developmental in nature.

Bayesian Bigot? Statistical Discrimination, Stereotypes, and Employer Decision Making

PubMed Central

Pager, Devah; Karafin, Diana

2010-01-01

Much of the debate over the underlying causes of discrimination centers on the rationality of employer decision making. Economic models of statistical discrimination emphasize the cognitive utility of group estimates as a means of dealing with the problems of uncertainty. Sociological and social-psychological models, by contrast, question the accuracy of group-level attributions. Although mean differences may exist between groups on productivity-related characteristics, these differences are often inflated in their application, leading to much larger differences in individual evaluations than would be warranted by actual group-level trait distributions. In this study, the authors examine the nature of employer attitudes about black and white workers and the extent to which these views are calibrated against their direct experiences with workers from each group. They use data from fifty-five in-depth interviews with hiring managers to explore employers’ group-level attributions and their direct observations to develop a model of attitude formation and employer learning. PMID:20686633

The Superheavy Elements and Anti-Gravity

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

Anastasovski, Petar K.

2004-02-04

The essence of any propulsion concept is to overcome gravity. Anti-gravity is a natural means to achieve this. Thus, the technology to pursue anti-gravity, by using superheavy elements, may provide a new propulsion paradigm. The theory of superluminal relativity provides a hypothesis for existence of elements with atomic number up to Z = 145, some of which may possess anti-gravity properties. Analysis results show that curved space-time exists demonstrating both gravitic and anti-gravitic properties not only around nuclei but inside the nuclei as well. Two groups of elements (Z < 64 and 63 < Z <145) exist that demonstrate thesemore » capabilities. The nuclei of the first group of elements have the masses with only the property of gravity. The nuclei of the elements of the second group have the masses with both properties: gravity and anti-gravity in two different ranges of curved space-time around the nuclei.. The hypothetical element with Z = 145 is the unique among all elements whose nucleus has only anti-gravity property. It is proposed that this element be named Hawking, in honour of Stephen W. Hawking.« less

The Superheavy Elements and Anti-Gravity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anastasovski, Petar K.

2004-02-01

The essence of any propulsion concept is to overcome gravity. Anti-gravity is a natural means to achieve this. Thus, the technology to pursue anti-gravity, by using superheavy elements, may provide a new propulsion paradigm. The theory of superluminal relativity provides a hypothesis for existence of elements with atomic number up to Z = 145, some of which may possess anti-gravity properties. Analysis results show that curved space-time exists demonstrating both gravitic and anti-gravitic properties not only around nuclei but inside the nuclei as well. Two groups of elements (Z < 64 and 63 < Z <145) exist that demonstrate these capabilities. The nuclei of the first group of elements have the masses with only the property of gravity. The nuclei of the elements of the second group have the masses with both properties: gravity and anti-gravity in two different ranges of curved space-time around the nuclei.. The hypothetical element with Z = 145 is the unique among all elements whose nucleus has only anti-gravity property. It is proposed that this element be named Hawking, in honour of Stephen W. Hawking.

The Sport Participation Model Questionnaire: A Tool for the Assessment of Sport Orientations

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Aicinena, Steve; Eldridge, James

2006-01-01

The Sport Participation Model Questionnaire (SPMQ) was given to two hundred and sixty-four subjects to determine if significant differences existed in the composite scores of parents, coaches, youth sport participants, high school participants and college students; if the groups differed in their responses to pooled items; and if subject groups…

The Work-Study Interface: Similarities and Differences between Ethnic Minority and Ethnic Majority Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Meeuwisse, Marieke; de Meijer, Lonneke A.; Born, Marise Ph.; Severiens, Sabine E.

2017-01-01

Given the poorer academic outcomes of non-Western ethnic minority students compared to ethnic majority students, we investigated whether differences exist in work-study interface between ethnic groups. We tested a work-study interface model, in which the work-related factors work-study congruence, job control, job demands, work hours, job…

The Influence of Social Class and Race on Language Test Performance and Spontaneous Speech of Preschool Children.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Johnson, Dale L.

This investigation compares child language obtained with standardized tests and samples of spontaneous speech obtained in natural settings. It was hypothesized that differences would exist between social class and racial groups on the unfamiliar standard tests, but such differences would not be evident on spontaneous speech measures. Also, higher…

The Road to Law School and Beyond: Examining Challenges to Racial and Ethnic Diversity in the Legal Profession. LSAC Research Report Series.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wilder, Gita Z.

To explore possible sources of the underrepresentation of minority groups in law school, this paper brings together existing data that describe the participation of members of different racial/ethnic groups, especially African Americans and Hispanics, at successive points along the way to employment in the law. It focuses on the process by which…

Scaling and universality in heart rate variability distributions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rosenblum, M. G.; Peng, C. K.; Mietus, J. E.; Havlin, S.; Stanley, H. E.; Goldberger, A. L.

1998-01-01

We find that a universal homogeneous scaling form describes the distribution of cardiac variations for a group of healthy subjects, which is stable over a wide range of time scales. However, a similar scaling function does not exist for a group with a common cardiopulmonary instability associated with sleep apnea. Subtle differences in the distributions for the day- and night-phase dynamics for healthy subjects are detected.

Scaling and universality in heart rate variability distributions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ivanov, P. Ch; Rosenblum, M. G.; Peng, C.-K.; Mietus, J. E.; Havlin, S.; Stanley, H. E.; Goldberger, A. L.

We find that a universal homogeneous scaling form describes the distributions of cardiac variations for a group of healthy subjects, which is stable over a wide range of time scales. However, a similar scaling function does not exist for a group with a common cardiopulmonary instability associated with sleep apnea. Subtle differences in the distributions for the day- and night-phase dynamics for healthy subjects are detected.

Predicting Citizen Satisfaction with Government Services in Belize

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-03-26

treatments are being executed on existing groups as the community population, a quasi-experimental approach using the nonequivalent control group design ... design and survey procedures before concluding with a discussion of the anticipated significance of the research . Chapter II is an article to be...York School Belize City, Belize $75,000 Experiment Design While both Hansen and this research effort answer distinctly different questions, the

Laughlin states on the Poincaré half-plane and their quantum group symmetry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alimohammadi, M.; Mohseni Sadjadi, H.

1996-09-01

We find the Laughlin states of the electrons on the Poincaré half-plane in different representations. In each case we show that a quantum group 0305-4470/29/17/025/img5 symmetry exists such that the Laughlin states are a representation of it. We calculate the corresponding filling factor by using the plasma analogy of the fractional quantum Hall effect.

[Effect of hyperglycaemia on fetal heart in pregnant rats].

PubMed

Zou, Yan; Ding, Yiling

2009-02-01

To investigate the effect of hyperglycaemia on the cardiomyodial change of rat fetus. Thirty clean SD pregnant rats were randomly dividing into group A, B and C, 10 in each group. Group A were injected intraperitoneally 50 mg/kg streptozotocin on the 6th day of pregnancy, Group B were injected the same dose on the 13th day of pregnancy, while Group C were injected intraperitoneally 0.1 mmol/L citrate buffer solution on the 6th day of pregnancy. All rats were killed on the 21st day of pregnancy, the total fetus, live fetus, weight, and length of fetus were recorded. The blood glucose in the fetal rats was measured, and the fetal hearts were collected. The fetal hearts were pathologically examined under light microscope and electron microscope. Immunohistochemical staining was applied to determine Caspase-3 in the heart of fetus. (1) The blood glucose of pregnant rats in the 3 groups showed no difference before intervening (P>0.05). There was significant difference between Group A and C, Group B and C after intervening (P<0.01), but no significant difference between Group A and B was found (P>0.05). (2 )The fetus in Group A and B was heavier and longer than in Group C, with significant difference (P<0.01), but not between Group A and B (P>0.05). The blood glucose of fetus in Group A and B was lower than that in Group C, with significant difference (P<0.01), but not between Group A and B (P>0.05). The rate of fetal death in Group A, B, and C were 31.96%,12.84%, and 3.88%, respectively. Significant deviation existed in the 3 groups (P<0.01). (3) Under light microscope, fetal hearts in Group A and B showed disorder, cardiac muscle cells swelled. There were vacuoles in cytolymph and necrosis in the myocardial tissue. Significant deviation in the integral of fetal necrosis existed in the 3 groups (P<0.01). (4) Caspase-3 was detected in the fetal hearts, the positive area ratio and mean OD value had significant deviation in the 3 groups (P<0.01).(5) Under the electron microscope, cardiomyocytes wrinkled, mitochondrion decreased, myofibril ruptured, while sarcomere blurred. The density of mitochondria in cardiamyocyte in Group A was lower than that in Group B and C (P<0.01), and the average volume of mitochondria of Group A and B was higher than that in Group C (P<0.01). There is apparent pathological change of fetal hearts in pregnant rats with hyperglycaemia. The longer the duration, the more obvious the change.

[Effect of urinary Tamm-horsfall protein concentration changes under centrifugation and its association with urolithiasis formation in rats].

PubMed

Chen, Yuanhao; Guo, Heqing; Sun, Bin; Li, Jianye; Yan, Jingmin; Hong, Quan; Zou, Zhikang; Wang, Jianchang

2014-04-15

To explore the concentration changes of Tamm-Horsefall protein (THP) under centrifugation in rat urine and discuss its association with urolithiasis formation. A total of 40 Wistar rats were divided randomly into 4 groups of flying with stone (A), flying without stone (B), stone without flying (C) and control (D). After centrifugation, the THP concentrations of each group were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Then urinary system was dissected, stained with hematoxylin & eosin and observed under electron microscopy to examine the distribution and number of each section. The SPSS 13.0 software was used for data analyses. Group A showed significant difference in THP concentrations with groups C and D ( (11 ± 4) vs (15 ± 6), (17 ± 4) ng/ml, P = 0.037 and 0.005).No statistically significant difference existed between groups A and B ((11 ± 5) ng/ml, P = 0.998) or groups C and D (P = 0.422). Group B had significant difference in THP concentrations with groups D (P = 0.036). Regarding the number of stones in ureter, Group A had statistically significant difference with B (P = 0.029).However, there was no difference in the number of bladder stones.In kidney stones, there was significant difference (P = 0.029) on "+ +" rating. Centrifugation may reduce the urinary concentration of THP so as cause urolithiasis formation in rats.

Grade 1 to 6 Thai students' existing ideas about light: Across-age study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Horasirt, Yupaporn; Yuenyong, Chokchai

2018-01-01

This paper aimed to investigate Grade 1 to 6 Thai (6 - 12 years old) students' existing ideas about light, sight, vision, source of light. The participants included 36 Grade 1 to 6 students (6 students in each Grade) who studying at a primary school in Khon Kaen. The method of this study is a descriptive qualitative research design. The tools included the two-tiered test about light and open-ended question. Students' responses were categorized the students' existing ideas about light. Findings indicated that young students held various existing ideas about light that could be categorized into 6 different groups relating to sight, vision, and source of light. The paper discussed these students' existing ideas for developing constructivist learning about light in Thailand context.

Robust clustering of languages across Wikipedia growth

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ban, Kristina; Perc, Matjaž; Levnajić, Zoran

2017-10-01

Wikipedia is the largest existing knowledge repository that is growing on a genuine crowdsourcing support. While the English Wikipedia is the most extensive and the most researched one with over 5 million articles, comparatively little is known about the behaviour and growth of the remaining 283 smaller Wikipedias, the smallest of which, Afar, has only one article. Here, we use a subset of these data, consisting of 14 962 different articles, each of which exists in 26 different languages, from Arabic to Ukrainian. We study the growth of Wikipedias in these languages over a time span of 15 years. We show that, while an average article follows a random path from one language to another, there exist six well-defined clusters of Wikipedias that share common growth patterns. The make-up of these clusters is remarkably robust against the method used for their determination, as we verify via four different clustering methods. Interestingly, the identified Wikipedia clusters have little correlation with language families and groups. Rather, the growth of Wikipedia across different languages is governed by different factors, ranging from similarities in culture to information literacy.

Robust clustering of languages across Wikipedia growth.

PubMed

Ban, Kristina; Perc, Matjaž; Levnajić, Zoran

2017-10-01

Wikipedia is the largest existing knowledge repository that is growing on a genuine crowdsourcing support. While the English Wikipedia is the most extensive and the most researched one with over 5 million articles, comparatively little is known about the behaviour and growth of the remaining 283 smaller Wikipedias, the smallest of which, Afar, has only one article. Here, we use a subset of these data, consisting of 14 962 different articles, each of which exists in 26 different languages, from Arabic to Ukrainian. We study the growth of Wikipedias in these languages over a time span of 15 years. We show that, while an average article follows a random path from one language to another, there exist six well-defined clusters of Wikipedias that share common growth patterns. The make-up of these clusters is remarkably robust against the method used for their determination, as we verify via four different clustering methods. Interestingly, the identified Wikipedia clusters have little correlation with language families and groups. Rather, the growth of Wikipedia across different languages is governed by different factors, ranging from similarities in culture to information literacy.

Robust clustering of languages across Wikipedia growth

PubMed Central

Ban, Kristina; Levnajić, Zoran

2017-01-01

Wikipedia is the largest existing knowledge repository that is growing on a genuine crowdsourcing support. While the English Wikipedia is the most extensive and the most researched one with over 5 million articles, comparatively little is known about the behaviour and growth of the remaining 283 smaller Wikipedias, the smallest of which, Afar, has only one article. Here, we use a subset of these data, consisting of 14 962 different articles, each of which exists in 26 different languages, from Arabic to Ukrainian. We study the growth of Wikipedias in these languages over a time span of 15 years. We show that, while an average article follows a random path from one language to another, there exist six well-defined clusters of Wikipedias that share common growth patterns. The make-up of these clusters is remarkably robust against the method used for their determination, as we verify via four different clustering methods. Interestingly, the identified Wikipedia clusters have little correlation with language families and groups. Rather, the growth of Wikipedia across different languages is governed by different factors, ranging from similarities in culture to information literacy. PMID:29134106

Forgotten resources of older home care clients: focus group study in Finland.

PubMed

Turjamaa, Riitta; Hartikainen, Sirpa; Pietilä, Anna-Maija

2013-09-01

In this qualitative focus group study, the resources available to older home-dwelling people, particularly incoming and existing home care clients, are described from the viewpoint of home care professionals (n = 32). The data were analyzed using inductive content analysis. There were three categories of older people requiring resources from the viewpoint of interviewers: home-dwelling people, incoming home care clients, and existing home care clients. Based on the analysis, the resources of older home-dwelling people were categorized in terms of support, meaningful life, everyday activities, and environment. Incoming home care client resources were support, out-of-home activities, in-home activities, and environment. Existing client resources were described in terms of support, everyday activities, and environment. Home care professionals described the resources of the older home-dwelling people in diverse ways, but those of the perspective of existing clients were reduced. The biggest difference was in everyday activities. Psychological and social resources, including meaningful life and social relationships, seemed to be forgotten. All available resources must be taken into account, especially in the everyday home care services for existing home care clients. © 2013 Wiley Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.

Using existing case-mix methods to fund trauma cases.

PubMed

Monakova, Julia; Blais, Irene; Botz, Charles; Chechulin, Yuriy; Picciano, Gino; Basinski, Antoni

2010-01-01

Policymakers frequently face the need to increase funding in isolated and frequently heterogeneous (clinically and in terms of resource consumption) patient subpopulations. This article presents a methodologic solution for testing the appropriateness of using existing grouping and weighting methodologies for funding subsets of patients in the scenario where a case-mix approach is preferable to a flat-rate based payment system. Using as an example the subpopulation of trauma cases of Ontario lead trauma hospitals, the statistical techniques of linear and nonlinear regression models, regression trees, and spline models were applied to examine the fit of the existing case-mix groups and reference weights for the trauma cases. The analyses demonstrated that for funding Ontario trauma cases, the existing case-mix systems can form the basis for rational and equitable hospital funding, decreasing the need to develop a different grouper for this subset of patients. This study confirmed that Injury Severity Score is a poor predictor of costs for trauma patients. Although our analysis used the Canadian case-mix classification system and cost weights, the demonstrated concept of using existing case-mix systems to develop funding rates for specific subsets of patient populations may be applicable internationally.

Parenting in an Individualistic Culture with a Collectivistic Cultural Background: The Case of Turkish Immigrant Families with Toddlers in the Netherlands

PubMed Central

Yaman, Ayşe; van IJzendoorn, Marinus H.; Bakermans-Kranenburg, Marian J.; Linting, Mariëlle

2010-01-01

Expanding our knowledge on parenting practices of immigrant families is crucial for designing culturally sensitive parenting intervention programs in countries with high immigration rates. We investigated differences in patterns of parenting between second-generation immigrant and native families with young children. Authoritarian and authoritative control and sensitivity of second-generation Turkish immigrant mothers of 2-year-old children (n = 70) and native Dutch mothers (n = 70) were observed in the home and in the laboratory. Controlling for maternal age and education, Turkish immigrant mothers were less supportive, gave less clear instructions to their children, were more intrusive and were less authoritative in their control strategies than native Dutch mothers. No differences were found in authoritarian control. In both ethnic groups supportive presence, clarity of instruction, authoritative control, and low intrusiveness loaded on one factor. No differences between ethnic groups were found in gender-differentiated parenting. Maternal emotional connectedness to the Turkish culture was associated with less authoritative control, whereas more use of the Turkish language was related to more sensitivity. Even though mean level differences in parenting behaviors still exist between second-generation Turkish immigrant and native Dutch mothers, the patterns of associations between parenting behaviors were comparable for both groups. This suggests that existing parenting interventions for native families may be applicable to second-generation Turkish immigrants as well. PMID:20835387

Parenting in an Individualistic Culture with a Collectivistic Cultural Background: The Case of Turkish Immigrant Families with Toddlers in the Netherlands.

PubMed

Yaman, Ayşe; Mesman, Judi; van Ijzendoorn, Marinus H; Bakermans-Kranenburg, Marian J; Linting, Mariëlle

2010-10-01

Expanding our knowledge on parenting practices of immigrant families is crucial for designing culturally sensitive parenting intervention programs in countries with high immigration rates. We investigated differences in patterns of parenting between second-generation immigrant and native families with young children. Authoritarian and authoritative control and sensitivity of second-generation Turkish immigrant mothers of 2-year-old children (n = 70) and native Dutch mothers (n = 70) were observed in the home and in the laboratory. Controlling for maternal age and education, Turkish immigrant mothers were less supportive, gave less clear instructions to their children, were more intrusive and were less authoritative in their control strategies than native Dutch mothers. No differences were found in authoritarian control. In both ethnic groups supportive presence, clarity of instruction, authoritative control, and low intrusiveness loaded on one factor. No differences between ethnic groups were found in gender-differentiated parenting. Maternal emotional connectedness to the Turkish culture was associated with less authoritative control, whereas more use of the Turkish language was related to more sensitivity. Even though mean level differences in parenting behaviors still exist between second-generation Turkish immigrant and native Dutch mothers, the patterns of associations between parenting behaviors were comparable for both groups. This suggests that existing parenting interventions for native families may be applicable to second-generation Turkish immigrants as well.

Reducing Noise in a College Library.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Luyben, Paul D.; And Others

1981-01-01

Discusses an experiment on controlling library noise by rearrangement of furniture groupings and the separation of existing clusters of furniture. While electromechanical tests showed no significant differences, user measures indicated more acceptable noise levels. There are numerous illustrations and 30 references. (RAA)

A false dichotomy? Mental illness and lone-actor terrorism.

PubMed

Corner, Emily; Gill, Paul

2015-02-01

We test whether significant differences in mental illness exist in a matched sample of lone- and group-based terrorists. We then test whether there are distinct behavioral differences between lone-actor terrorists with and without mental illness. We then stratify our sample across a range of diagnoses and again test whether significant differences exist. We conduct a series of bivariate, multivariate, and multinomial statistical tests using a unique dataset of 119 lone-actor terrorists and a matched sample of group-based terrorists. The odds of a lone-actor terrorist having a mental illness is 13.49 times higher than the odds of a group actor having a mental illness. Lone actors who were mentally ill were 18.07 times more likely to have a spouse or partner who was involved in a wider movement than those without a history of mental illness. Those with a mental illness were more likely to have a proximate upcoming life change, more likely to have been a recent victim of prejudice, and experienced proximate and chronic stress. The results identify behaviors and traits that security agencies can utilize to monitor and prevent lone-actor terrorism events. The correlated behaviors provide an image of how risk can crystalize within the individual offender and that our understanding of lone-actor terrorism should be multivariate in nature.

Is there a difference between the effects of single and triple indirect moxibustion stimulations on skin temperature changes of the posterior trunk surface?

PubMed

Mori, Hidetoshi; Kuge, Hiroshi; Tanaka, Tim Hideaki; Taniwaki, Eiichi; Ohsawa, Hideo

2011-06-01

To determine whether any difference exists in responses to indirect moxibustion (IM) relative to thermal stimulation duration. In experiment 1, 9 subjects attended two experimental sessions consisting of single stimulation with IM or triple stimulation with IM, using a crossover design. A K-type thermocouple temperature probe was fixed on the skin surface at the GV14 acupuncture point. IM stimulation was administered to the top of the probe in order to measure the temperature curve. In addition, each subject evaluated his or her subjective feeling of heat on a visual analogue scale after each stimulation. Experiment 2 was conducted on 42 participants, divided into three groups according to the envelope allocation method: single stimulation with IM (n=20), triple stimulation with IM (n=11) and a control group (n=11). A thermograph was used to obtain the skin temperature on the posterior trunk of the participant. To analyse skin temperature, four arbitrary frames (the scapular, interscapular, lumbar and vertebral regions) were made on the posterior trunk. In experiment 1, no significant difference in maximum temperature was found in IM and subjective feeling of heat intensity between single and triple stimulation with IM. In experiment 2, increases in skin temperature occurred on the posterior trunk, but no differences in skin temperature occurred between the groups receiving single and triple stimulation with IM. No difference exists in the skin temperature response to moxibustion between the single and triple stimulation with IM.

The mechanical effect of the existing cement mantle on the in-cement femoral revision.

PubMed

Keeling, Parnell; Lennon, Alexander B; Kenny, Patrick J; O'Reilly, Peter; Prendergast, Patrick J

2012-08-01

Cement-in-cement revision hip arthroplasty is an increasingly popular technique to replace a loose femoral stem which retains much of the original cement mantle. However, some concern exists regarding the retention of the existing fatigued and aged cement in such cement-in-cement revisions. This study investigates whether leaving an existing fatigued and aged cement mantle degrades the mechanical performance of a cement-in-cement revision construct. Primary cement mantles were formed by cementing a polished stem into sections of tubular steel. If in the test group, the mantle underwent conditioning in saline to simulate ageing and was subject to a fatigue of 1 million cycles. If in the control group no such conditioning or fatigue was carried out. The cement-in-cement procedure was then undertaken. Both groups underwent a fatigue of 1 million cycles subsequent to the revision procedure. Application of a Mann-Whitney test on the recorded subsidence (means: 0.51, 0.46, n=10+10, P=0.496) and inducible displacement (means: 0.38, 0.36, P=0.96) revealed that there was no statistical difference between the groups. This study represents further biomechanical investigation of the mechanical behaviour of cement-in-cement revision constructs. Results suggest that pre-revision fatigue and ageing of the cement may not be deleterious to the mechanical performance of the revision construct. Thus, this study provides biomechanical evidence to back-up recent successes with this useful revision technique. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Application of the criteria for classification of existing chemicals as dangerous for the environment.

PubMed

Knacker, T; Schallnaß, H J; Klaschka, U; Ahlers, J

1995-11-01

The criteria for classification and labelling of substances as "dangerous for the environment" agreed upon within the European Union (EU) were applied to two sets of existing chemicals. One set (sample A) consisted of 41 randomly selected compounds listed in the European Inventory of Existing Chemical Substances (EINECS). The other set (sample B) comprised 115 substances listed in Annex I of Directive 67/548/EEC which were classified by the EU Working Group on Classification and Labelling of Existing Chemicals. The aquatic toxicity (fish mortality,Daphnia immobilisation, algal growth inhibition), ready biodegradability and n-octanol/water partition coefficient were measured for sample A by one and the same laboratory. For sample B, the available ecotoxicological data originated from many different sources and therefore was rather heterogeneous. In both samples, algal toxicity was the most sensitive effect parameter for most substances. Furthermore, it was found that, classification based on a single aquatic test result differs in many cases from classification based on a complete data set, although a correlation exists between the biological end-points of the aquatic toxicity test systems.

Bayesian analysis of Jolly-Seber type models

USGS Publications Warehouse

Matechou, Eleni; Nicholls, Geoff K.; Morgan, Byron J. T.; Collazo, Jaime A.; Lyons, James E.

2016-01-01

We propose the use of finite mixtures of continuous distributions in modelling the process by which new individuals, that arrive in groups, become part of a wildlife population. We demonstrate this approach using a data set of migrating semipalmated sandpipers (Calidris pussila) for which we extend existing stopover models to allow for individuals to have different behaviour in terms of their stopover duration at the site. We demonstrate the use of reversible jump MCMC methods to derive posterior distributions for the model parameters and the models, simultaneously. The algorithm moves between models with different numbers of arrival groups as well as between models with different numbers of behavioural groups. The approach is shown to provide new ecological insights about the stopover behaviour of semipalmated sandpipers but is generally applicable to any population in which animals arrive in groups and potentially exhibit heterogeneity in terms of one or more other processes.

Cross-cultural differences in relationship- and group-based trust.

PubMed

Yuki, Masaki; Maddux, William W; Brewer, Marilynn B; Takemura, Kosuke

2005-01-01

Two experiments explored differences in depersonalized trust (trust toward a relatively unknown target person) across cultures. Based on a recent theoretical framework that postulates predominantly different bases for group behaviors in Western cultures versus Eastern cultures, it was predicted that Americans would tend to trust people primarily based on whether they shared category memberships; however, trust for Japanese was expected to be based on the likelihood of sharing direct or indirect interpersonal links. Results supported these predictions. In both Study 1 (questionnaire study) and Study 2 (online money allocation game), Americans trusted ingroup members more than outgroup members; however, the existence of a potential indirect relationship link increased trust for outgroup members more for Japanese than for Americans. Implications for understanding group processes across cultures are discussed.

Effects of sol-gel processed silica coating on bond strength of resin cements to glass-infiltrated alumina ceramic.

PubMed

Xie, Haifeng; Wang, Xiaozu; Wang, Yu; Zhang, Feimin; Chen, Chen; Xia, Yang

2009-02-01

The aim of this study was to verify the effects of sol-gel processed silica coating on the bond strength between resin cement and glass-infiltrated aluminum oxide ceramic. Silica coatings were prepared on glass-infiltrated aluminum oxide ceramic surface via the sol-gel process. Atomic Force Microscope (AFM), Fourier Transmission Infrared spectrum (FTIR), and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) were used for coating characterization. Forty-eight blocks of glass-infiltrated aluminum oxide ceramic were fabricated. The ceramic surfaces were polished following sandblasting. Three groups of specimens (16 for each group) with different surface treatment were prepared. Group P: no treatment; group PO: treated with silane solution; group PTO: silica coating via sol-gel process, followed by silane application. Composite cylinders were luted with resin cement to the test specimens. Half of the specimens in each group were stored in distilled water for 24 h and the other half were stored in distilled water for 30 days before shear loading in a universal testing machine until failure. Selected ceramic surfaces were analyzed to identify the failure mode using a scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Nanostructured silica coatings were prepared on glass-infiltrated aluminum oxide ceramic surfaces by the sol-gel process. The silicon element on the ceramic surface increased significantly after the coating process. The mean shear bond strength values (standard deviation) before artificial aging were: group P: 1.882 +/- 0.156 MPa; group PO: 2.177 +/- 0.226 MPa; group PTO: 3.574 +/- 0.671 MPa. Statistically significant differences existed between group PTO and group P, and group PTO and groups PO. The failure mode for group P and group PO was adhesive, while group PTO was mixed. The mean shear bond strength values (standard deviation) after artificial aging were: group P: 1.594 +/- 0.111 MPa; group PO: 2.120 +/- 0.339 MPa; group PTO: 2.955 +/- 0.113 MPa. Statistically significant differences existed between each two groups after artificial aging, group P had the lowest bond durability, and group PTO had the highest bond durability. The sol-gel process is an effective way to prepare silica coating on dental glass-infiltrated alumina ceramic. Sol-gel processed silica coating can improve the resin bond strength of glass-infiltrated alumina ceramic.

Gender and the experience of moral distress in critical care nurses.

PubMed

O'Connell, Christopher B

2015-02-01

Nursing practice is complex, as nurses are challenged by increasingly intricate moral and ethical judgments. Inadequately studied in underrepresented groups in nursing, moral distress is a serious problem internationally for healthcare professionals with deleterious effects to patients, nurses, and organizations. Moral distress among nurses has been shown to contribute to decreased job satisfaction and increased turnover, withdrawal from patients, physical and psychological symptoms, and intent to leave current position or to leave the profession altogether. Do significant gender differences exist in the moral distress scores of critical care nurses? This study utilized a quantitative, descriptive methodology to explore moral distress levels in a sample of critical care nurses to determine whether gender differences exist in their mean moral distress scores. Participants (n = 31) were critical care nurses from an American Internet nursing community who completed the Moral Distress Scale-Revised online over a 5-day period in July 2013. Institutional review board review approved the study, and accessing and completing the survey implied informed consent. The results revealed a statistically significant gender difference in the mean moral distress scores of participants. Females reported statistically significantly higher moral distress scores than did males. Overall, the moral distress scores for both groups were relatively low. The findings of a gender difference have not previously been reported in the literature. However, other findings are consistent with previous studies on moral distress. Although the results of this study are not generalizable, they do suggest the need for continuing research on moral distress in underrepresented groups in nursing, including cultural and ethnic groups. © The Author(s) 2014.

Gene differentiation among ten endogamous groups of West Bengal, India.

PubMed

Chakraborty, R; Walter, H; Mukherjee, B N; Malhotra, K C; Sauber, P; Banerjee, S; Roy, M

1986-11-01

Ten endogamous populations of West Bengal, India have been surveyed for genetic variation in 12 systems. These populations encompass all social ranks in the caste hierarchy and cover almost the entire geographic area of the state. Gene diversity analysis suggests that these groups exhibit significant allele frequency variation at all but three loci. The overall genetic difference is not, however, in accord with the classification based on caste. Two low-ranking scheduled caste groups are, in fact, in close proximity with the high-caste ones, suggesting evidence of past generations of gene flow among them. Three different clusters of groups emerge from the present data, providing support for the anthropologic assertion that in Bengal Proto-Australoid, Caucasoid, and Mongoloid racial elements generally coexist. However, these three components are not uniformly present in all groups. Geographic separation of the groups is a strong determinant of the gene differentiation that exists among these populations.

Recent modifications of chitosan for adsorption applications: a critical and systematic review.

PubMed

Kyzas, George Z; Bikiaris, Dimitrios N

2015-01-09

Chitosan is considered to be one of the most promising and applicable materials in adsorption applications. The existence of amino and hydroxyl groups in its molecules contributes to many possible adsorption interactions between chitosan and pollutants (dyes, metals, ions, phenols, pharmaceuticals/drugs, pesticides, herbicides, etc.). These functional groups can help in establishing positions for modification. Based on the learning from previously published works in literature, researchers have achieved a modification of chitosan with a number of different functional groups. This work summarizes the published works of the last three years (2012-2014) regarding the modification reactions of chitosans (grafting, cross-linking, etc.) and their application to adsorption of different environmental pollutants (in liquid-phase).

Correlations between personality traits and specific groups of alpha waves in the human EEG.

PubMed

Johannisson, Tomas

2016-01-01

Background. Different individuals have alpha waves with different wavelengths. The distribution of the wavelengths is assumed to be bell-shaped and smooth. Although this view is generally accepted, it is still just an assumption and has never been critically tested. When exploring the relationship between alpha waves and personality traits, it makes a huge difference if the distribution of the alpha waves is smooth or if specific groups of alpha waves can be demonstrated. Previous studies have not considered the possibility that specific groups of alpha waves may exist. Methods. Computerized EEGs have become standard, but wavelength measurements are problematic when based on averaging procedures using the Fourier transformation because such procedures cause a large systematic error. If the actual wavelength is of interest, it is necessary to go back to basic physiology and use raw EEG signals. In the present study, measurements were made directly from sequences of alpha waves where every wave could be identified. Personality dimensions were measured using an inventory derived from the International Personality Item Pool. Results. Recordings from 200 healthy individuals revealed that there are three main groups of alpha waves. These groups had frequencies around 8, 10, and 12 waves per second. The middle group had a bimodal distribution, and a subdivision gave a total of four alpha groups. In the center of each group, the degree of extraversion was high and the degree of neuroticism was low. Many small differences in personality traits were found when the centers were compared with one another. This gave four personality profiles that resemble the four classical temperaments. When people in the surrounding zones were compared with those in the centers, relatively large differences in personality traits were found. Conclusions. Specific groups of alpha waves exist, and these groups have to be taken into account when correlations are made to personality dimensions and temperament types. There is a link between alpha waves and personality traits, and this link implies that there is an underlying relationship. To explain the nature of this relationship, there are two hypotheses that can be applied. One of these deals with the general organization of the forebrain and the other explains why the brain generates alpha waves.

Child mental health differences amongst ethnic groups in Britain: a systematic review

PubMed Central

Goodman, Anna; Patel, Vikram; Leon, David A

2008-01-01

Background Inter-ethnic differences have been reported for many mental health outcomes in the UK, but no systematic review on child mental health has been published. The aim of this review is to compare the population-based prevalence of child mental disorders between ethnic groups in Britain, and relate these findings to ethnic differences in mental health service use. Methods A systematic search of bibliographic databases for population-based and clinic-based studies of children aged 0–19, including all ethnic groups and the main child mental disorders. We synthesised findings by comparing each minority group to the White British study sample. Results 31 population-based and 18 clinic-based studies met the inclusion criteria. Children in the main minority groups have similar or better mental health than White British children for common disorders, but may have higher rates for some less common conditions. The causes of these differences are unclear. There may be unmet need for services among Pakistani and Bangladeshi children. Conclusion Inter-ethnic differences exist but are largely unexplained. Future studies should address the challenges of cross-cultural psychiatry and investigate reasons for inter-ethnic differences. PMID:18655701

Participant, Rater, and Computer Measures of Coherence in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

PubMed Central

Rubin, David C.; Deffler, Samantha A.; Ogle, Christin M.; Dowell, Nia M.; Graesser, Arthur C.; Beckham, Jean C.

2015-01-01

We examined the coherence of trauma memories in a trauma-exposed community sample of 30 adults with and 30 without PTSD. The groups had similar categories of traumas and were matched on multiple factors that could affect the coherence of memories. We compared the transcribed oral trauma memories of participants with their most important and most positive memories. A comprehensive set of 28 measures of coherence including 3 ratings by the participants, 7 ratings by outside raters, and 18 computer-scored measures, provided a variety of approaches to defining and measuring coherence. A MANOVA indicated differences in coherence among the trauma, important, and positive memories, but not between the diagnostic groups or their interaction with these memory types. Most differences were small in magnitude; in some cases, the trauma memories were more, rather than less, coherent than the control memories. Where differences existed, the results agreed with the existing literature, suggesting that factors other than the incoherence of trauma memories are most likely to be central to the maintenance of PTSD and thus its treatment. PMID:26523945

Dissociation between facial and bodily expressions in emotion recognition: A case study.

PubMed

Leiva, Samanta; Margulis, Laura; Micciulli, Andrea; Ferreres, Aldo

2017-12-21

Existing single-case studies have reported deficit in recognizing basic emotions through facial expression and unaffected performance with body expressions, but not the opposite pattern. The aim of this paper is to present a case study with impaired emotion recognition through body expressions and intact performance with facial expressions. In this single-case study we assessed a 30-year-old patient with autism spectrum disorder, without intellectual disability, and a healthy control group (n = 30) with four tasks of basic and complex emotion recognition through face and body movements, and two non-emotional control tasks. To analyze the dissociation between facial and body expressions, we used Crawford and Garthwaite's operational criteria, and we compared the patient and the control group performance with a modified one-tailed t-test designed specifically for single-case studies. There were no statistically significant differences between the patient's and the control group's performances on the non-emotional body movement task or the facial perception task. For both kinds of emotions (basic and complex) when the patient's performance was compared to the control group's, statistically significant differences were only observed for the recognition of body expressions. There were no significant differences between the patient's and the control group's correct answers for emotional facial stimuli. Our results showed a profile of impaired emotion recognition through body expressions and intact performance with facial expressions. This is the first case study that describes the existence of this kind of dissociation pattern between facial and body expressions of basic and complex emotions.

African-Americans, Hispanic Americans, and non-Hispanic whites without GERD or reflux symptoms have equivalent 24-h pH esophageal acid exposure.

PubMed

Vega, Kenneth J; Langford, Tracy; Palacio, Carlos; Watts, Janet; Jamal, M Mazen

2013-12-01

Ambulatory esophageal pH monitoring is, currently, the recommended diagnostic exam for gastroesophageal reflux disease. Data are currently available for African-American (AA) and non-Hispanic white (nHw) volunteers among United States ethnic groups. The purpose of this study was to obtain normal values of 24-h esophageal pH by monitoring healthy adult Hispanic American (HA) volunteers and to compare these with values obtained from healthy AA and nHw volunteers to determine if ethnic variation exists in 24-h esophageal pH. 24-h Dual esophageal pH monitoring was performed for healthy AA, HA, and nHw. Values for total number of reflux episodes, episodes longer than 5 min, total reflux time, and longest reflux episode in the proximal and/or distal esophagus were obtained for all groups. Differences between groups were considered significant if p<0.05. One-hundred and thirty-six subjects volunteered and completed 24-h pH testing. Fifty-three were AA, 25 HA, and 58 nHw, with males accounting for 52, 47, and 47%, respectively, of each group. AA were older than nHw only and nHw had a lower body mass index than both AA and HA. Shorter study duration was observed for HA than for AA and nHw. No difference was observed between ethnic groups for any measured pH data in the proximal or distal esophagus. No difference exists in values obtained during esophageal pH monitoring among healthy AA, HA, and nHw. This indicates that currently accepted normal values of ambulatory esophageal pH monitoring can be used for all major United States ethnic groups without compromising diagnostic accuracy.

Identifying Two Groups of Entitled Individuals: Cluster Analysis Reveals Emotional Stability and Self-Esteem Distinction.

PubMed

Crowe, Michael L; LoPilato, Alexander C; Campbell, W Keith; Miller, Joshua D

2016-12-01

The present study hypothesized that there exist two distinct groups of entitled individuals: grandiose-entitled, and vulnerable-entitled. Self-report scores of entitlement were collected for 916 individuals using an online platform. Model-based cluster analyses were conducted on the individuals with scores one standard deviation above mean (n = 159) using the five-factor model dimensions as clustering variables. The results support the existence of two groups of entitled individuals categorized as emotionally stable and emotionally vulnerable. The emotionally stable cluster reported emotional stability, high self-esteem, more positive affect, and antisocial behavior. The emotionally vulnerable cluster reported low self-esteem and high levels of neuroticism, disinhibition, conventionality, psychopathy, negative affect, childhood abuse, intrusive parenting, and attachment difficulties. Compared to the control group, both clusters reported being more antagonistic, extraverted, Machiavellian, and narcissistic. These results suggest important differences are missed when simply examining the linear relationships between entitlement and various aspects of its nomological network.

Changes in Data Sharing and Data Reuse Practices and Perceptions among Scientists Worldwide

PubMed Central

Tenopir, Carol; Dalton, Elizabeth D.; Allard, Suzie; Frame, Mike; Pjesivac, Ivanka; Birch, Ben; Pollock, Danielle; Dorsett, Kristina

2015-01-01

The incorporation of data sharing into the research lifecycle is an important part of modern scholarly debate. In this study, the DataONE Usability and Assessment working group addresses two primary goals: To examine the current state of data sharing and reuse perceptions and practices among research scientists as they compare to the 2009/2010 baseline study, and to examine differences in practices and perceptions across age groups, geographic regions, and subject disciplines. We distributed surveys to a multinational sample of scientific researchers at two different time periods (October 2009 to July 2010 and October 2013 to March 2014) to observe current states of data sharing and to see what, if any, changes have occurred in the past 3–4 years. We also looked at differences across age, geographic, and discipline-based groups as they currently exist in the 2013/2014 survey. Results point to increased acceptance of and willingness to engage in data sharing, as well as an increase in actual data sharing behaviors. However, there is also increased perceived risk associated with data sharing, and specific barriers to data sharing persist. There are also differences across age groups, with younger respondents feeling more favorably toward data sharing and reuse, yet making less of their data available than older respondents. Geographic differences exist as well, which can in part be understood in terms of collectivist and individualist cultural differences. An examination of subject disciplines shows that the constraints and enablers of data sharing and reuse manifest differently across disciplines. Implications of these findings include the continued need to build infrastructure that promotes data sharing while recognizing the needs of different research communities. Moving into the future, organizations such as DataONE will continue to assess, monitor, educate, and provide the infrastructure necessary to support such complex grand science challenges. PMID:26308551

Attrition in nursing among Black and White nurses.

PubMed

Smith, Steven A; Crow, Stephen M; Hartman, Sandra J

2007-04-01

Fundamental to dealing with the problems associated with attracting and retaining nurses during a tight labour market are issues centreing upon attrition from the field. In the United States, attrition has become such a significant issue that efforts to attract individuals to the field and recruit them to positions in the health care industry are not adequate to offset the flow of individuals from the field, much less bring in the additional nurses who are needed for an ageing population with increasing health care needs. As an example of the seriousness of the problem, it is probably safe to say that of the students who graduate from nursing schools each year and who enter the field of nursing, a significant number will no longer be practicing after 5 years in the profession. In a high attrition environment, even if many individuals were entering nursing, these losses will potentially offset any gains that are made. From the perspective of this study, it is important to know what is leading nurses to leave their careers. Do all nurses face the same challenges in the course of their careers, or is the pattern of turnover somewhat different for different groups of nurses or those in different stages of their careers? In this study, we consider what career differences may exist between the two major groups of nurses in the USA today -- Black and White nurses -- and ask whether there are differences between the two groups in terms of 'whether' and 'why' they may be leaving the field. Our primary purpose was to determine if differences in attrition exist between Black and White nurses, and if so, where in the career process are those differences most pronounced. Based on our analysis of data from the National Science Foundation, we do find significant differences in patterns of attrition for the two groups and we suggest what we believe may be their implications for policy.

Changes in data sharing and data reuse practices and perceptions among scientists worldwide

USGS Publications Warehouse

Tenopir, Carol; Dalton, Elizabeth D.; Allard, Suzie; Frame, Mike; Pjesivac, Ivanka; Birch, Ben; Pollock, Danielle; Dorsett, Kristina

2015-01-01

The incorporation of data sharing into the research lifecycle is an important part of modern scholarly debate. In this study, the DataONE Usability and Assessment working group addresses two primary goals: To examine the current state of data sharing and reuse perceptions and practices among research scientists as they compare to the 2009/2010 baseline study, and to examine differences in practices and perceptions across age groups, geographic regions, and subject disciplines. We distributed surveys to a multinational sample of scientific researchers at two different time periods (October 2009 to July 2010 and October 2013 to March 2014) to observe current states of data sharing and to see what, if any, changes have occurred in the past 3–4 years. We also looked at differences across age, geographic, and discipline-based groups as they currently exist in the 2013/2014 survey. Results point to increased acceptance of and willingness to engage in data sharing, as well as an increase in actual data sharing behaviors. However, there is also increased perceived risk associated with data sharing, and specific barriers to data sharing persist. There are also differences across age groups, with younger respondents feeling more favorably toward data sharing and reuse, yet making less of their data available than older respondents. Geographic differences exist as well, which can in part be understood in terms of collectivist and individualist cultural differences. An examination of subject disciplines shows that the constraints and enablers of data sharing and reuse manifest differently across disciplines. Implications of these findings include the continued need to build infrastructure that promotes data sharing while recognizing the needs of different research communities. Moving into the future, organizations such as DataONE will continue to assess, monitor, educate, and provide the infrastructure necessary to support such complex grand science challenges.

Three controlled trials of interventions to increase recruitment to a randomized controlled trial of mobile phone based smoking cessation support.

PubMed

Free, Caroline; Hoile, Elizabeth; Robertson, Steven; Knight, Rosemary

2010-06-01

Recruitment is a major challenge for trials but there is little evidence regarding interventions to increase trial recruitment. We report three controlled trials of interventions to increase recruitment to the Txt2stop trial. To evaluate: Trial 1. The impact on registrations of a text message regarding an online registration facility; Trial 2. The impact on randomizations of sending pound5 with a covering letter to those eligible to join the trial; Trial 3. The impact on randomizations of text messages containing quotes from existing participants. Single blind controlled trials with allocation concealment. Trial 1: A text message regarding our new online registration facility; Trial 2: A letter with pound5 enclosed; Trial 3: A series of four text messages containing quotes from participants. The control group in each trial received standard Txt2stop procedures. Trial 1: 3.6% (17/470) of the intervention group and 1.1% (5/467) of the control group registered for the trial, risk difference 2.5% (95% CI 0.6-4.5). 0% (0/ 470) of the intervention group and 0.2% (1/467) of the control group registered successfully online, risk difference -0.2 (95% CI -0.6-0.2); Trial 2: 4.5% (11/246) of the intervention group and 0.4% (1/245) of the control group were randomized into the Txt2stop trial, risk difference 4.0% (95% CI 1.4-6.7); Trial 3: 3.5% (14/405) of the intervention group and 0% (0/406) of the control group were randomized into the Txt2stop trial, risk difference 3.5 (95% CI 1.7-5.2). There were no baseline data available for trial 1. Allocation of participant IDs in trials 2 and 3 were systematic. Sending a text message about an online registration facility increased registrations to Txt2stop, but did not increase online registrations. Sending a pound5 reimbursement for participants' time and sending text messages containing quotes from existing participants increased randomizations into the Txt2stop trial. Clinical Trials 2010; 7: 265-273. http://ctj.sagepub.com.

Understanding the genetic diversity and population structure of yam (Dioscorea alata L.) using microsatellite markers

PubMed Central

Arnau, Gemma; MN, Sheela; Chair, Hana; Lebot, Vincent; K, Abraham; Perrier, Xavier; Petro, Dalila; Penet, Laurent; Pavis, Claudie

2017-01-01

Yams (Dioscorea sp.) are staple food crops for millions of people in tropical and subtropical regions. Dioscorea alata, also known as greater yam, is one of the major cultivated species and most widely distributed throughout the tropics. Despite its economic and cultural importance, very little is known about its origin, diversity and genetics. As a consequence, breeding efforts for resistance to its main disease, anthracnose, have been fairly limited. The objective of this study was to contribute to the understanding of D. alata genetic diversity by genotyping 384 accessions from different geographical regions (South Pacific, Asia, Africa and the Caribbean), using 24 microsatellite markers. Diversity structuration was assessed via Principal Coordinate Analysis, UPGMA analysis and the Bayesian approach implemented in STRUCTURE. Our results revealed the existence of a wide genetic diversity and a significant structuring associated with geographic origin, ploidy levels and morpho-agronomic characteristics. Seventeen major groups of genetically close cultivars have been identified, including eleven groups of diploid cultivars, four groups of triploids and two groups of tetraploids. STRUCTURE revealed the existence of six populations in the diploid genetic pool and a few admixed cultivars. These results will be very useful for rationalizing D. alata genetic resources in breeding programs across different regions and for improving germplasm conservation methods. PMID:28355293

Systems Biology to Support Nanomaterial Grouping.

PubMed

Riebeling, Christian; Jungnickel, Harald; Luch, Andreas; Haase, Andrea

2017-01-01

The assessment of potential health risks of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) is a challenging task due to the high number and great variety of already existing and newly emerging ENMs. Reliable grouping or categorization of ENMs with respect to hazards could help to facilitate prioritization and decision making for regulatory purposes. The development of grouping criteria, however, requires a broad and comprehensive data basis. A promising platform addressing this challenge is the systems biology approach. The different areas of systems biology, most prominently transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics, each of which provide a wealth of data that can be used to reveal novel biomarkers and biological pathways involved in the mode-of-action of ENMs. Combining such data with classical toxicological data would enable a more comprehensive understanding and hence might lead to more powerful and reliable prediction models. Physico-chemical data provide crucial information on the ENMs and need to be integrated, too. Overall statistical analysis should reveal robust grouping and categorization criteria and may ultimately help to identify meaningful biomarkers and biological pathways that sufficiently characterize the corresponding ENM subgroups. This chapter aims to give an overview on the different systems biology technologies and their current applications in the field of nanotoxicology, as well as to identify the existing challenges.

Teacher Working Conditions: Perceptions of Novice and Experienced K-12 Virtual School Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Francis, Tiffany

2017-01-01

The purpose of this study was to examine if there is a difference between novice and experienced teachers' perceptions of the working conditions at the K-12 virtual school. This study examined the teachers' total years employed at the school to determine if a difference exists in the groups' perceptions of the teacher working conditions. Teacher…

Carolina bays of the Savannah River Plant

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

Schalles, J.F.; Sharitz, R.R.; Gibbons, J.W.

1989-01-01

Much of the research to date on the Carolina bays of the Savannah River Plant and elsewhere has focused on certain species or on environmental features. Different levels of detail exist for different groups of organisms and reflect the diverse interests of previous investigators. This report summarizes aspects of research to date and presents data from numerous studies. 70 refs., 14 figs., 12 tabs.

Motivational profiles in high school students: Differences in behavioural and emotional homework engagement and academic achievement.

PubMed

Regueiro, Bibiana; Núñez, José C; Valle, Antonio; Piñeiro, Isabel; Rodríguez, Susana; Rosário, Pedro

2016-12-12

This work examined whether combinations of academic and non-academic goals generated different motivational profiles in high school students. Besides, differences in homework behavioural engagement (i.e. amount of homework, time spent in homework, homework time management), homework emotional engagement (i.e. homework anxiety) and academic achievement were analysed. Participants were 714 high school students (43.4% boys and 56.6% girls). The study of potential motivational profiles was conducted by latent profile analysis, and the differences between the motivational profiles regarding homework variables and academic achievement were analysed using multivariate analysis. The results indicate the existence of five groups of motivational profiles: a group of students with multiple goals, a group of unmotivated students, two groups of students with a predominance of learning goals and, finally, a group comprising students with a high fear of failure. Both the group with multiple goals and the learning goals-oriented groups reported to do more homework, spending more time on homework, making better use of that time and having a higher academic achievement than counterparts. The avoidance-failure group and the group with multiple goals showed higher levels of homework anxiety. Globally, these results provide support for a person-centred approach. © 2016 International Union of Psychological Science.

Postural time-to-contact as a precursor of visually induced motion sickness.

PubMed

Li, Ruixuan; Walter, Hannah; Curry, Christopher; Rath, Ruth; Peterson, Nicolette; Stoffregen, Thomas A

2018-06-01

The postural instability theory of motion sickness predicts that subjective symptoms of motion sickness will be preceded by unstable control of posture. In previous studies, this prediction has been confirmed with measures of the spatial magnitude and the temporal dynamics of postural activity. In the present study, we examine whether precursors of visually induced motion sickness might exist in postural time-to-contact, a measure of postural activity that is related to the risk of falling. Standing participants were exposed to oscillating visual motion stimuli in a standard laboratory protocol. Both before and during exposure to visual motion stimuli, we monitored the kinematics of the body's center of pressure. We predicted that postural activity would differ between participants who reported motion sickness and those who did not, and that these differences would exist before participants experienced subjective symptoms of motion sickness. During exposure to visual motion stimuli, the multifractality of sway differed between the Well and Sick groups. Postural time-to-contact differed between the Well and Sick groups during exposure to visual motion stimuli, but also before exposure to any motion stimuli. The results provide a qualitatively new type of support for the postural instability theory of motion sickness.

Identification of clinical phenotypes in knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review of the literature.

PubMed

Dell'Isola, A; Allan, R; Smith, S L; Marreiros, S S P; Steultjens, M

2016-10-12

Knee Osteoarthritis (KOA) is a heterogeneous pathology characterized by a complex and multifactorial nature. It has been hypothesised that these differences are due to the existence of underlying phenotypes representing different mechanisms of the disease. The aim of this study is to identify the current evidence for the existence of groups of variables which point towards the existence of distinct clinical phenotypes in the KOA population. A systematic literature search in PubMed was conducted. Only original articles were selected if they aimed to identify phenotypes of patients aged 18 years or older with KOA. The methodological quality of the studies was independently assessed by two reviewers and qualitative synthesis of the evidence was performed. Strong evidence for existence of specific phenotypes was considered present if the phenotype was supported by at least two high-quality studies. A total of 24 studies were included. Through qualitative synthesis of evidence, six main sets of variables proposing the existence of six phenotypes were identified: 1) chronic pain in which central mechanisms (e.g. central sensitisation) are prominent; 2) inflammatory (high levels of inflammatory biomarkers); 3) metabolic syndrome (high prevalence of obesity, diabetes and other metabolic disturbances); 4) Bone and cartilage metabolism (alteration in local tissue metabolism); 5) mechanical overload characterised primarily by varus malalignment and medial compartment disease; and 6) minimal joint disease characterised as minor clinical symptoms with slow progression over time. This study identified six distinct groups of variables which should be explored in attempts to better define clinical phenotypes in the KOA population.

Roots of the Revolution: A New Image of Man

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Miller, Wesley

1972-01-01

There exist today two groups, each seeing the world through different eyes-one cool, detached, rational; the other passionate, involved, visceral. Thus the conflict has developed between those who wish to experience the environment and those who would control it. (Author/RK)

Emergent patterns in interacting neuronal sub-populations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kamal, Neeraj Kumar; Sinha, Sudeshna

2015-05-01

We investigate an ensemble of coupled model neurons, consisting of groups of varying sizes and intrinsic dynamics, ranging from periodic to chaotic, where the inter-group coupling interaction is effectively like a dynamic signal from a different sub-population. We observe that the minority group can significantly influence the majority group. For instance, when a small chaotic group is coupled to a large periodic group, the chaotic group de-synchronizes. However, counter-intuitively, when a small periodic group couples strongly to a large chaotic group, it leads to complete synchronization in the majority chaotic population, which also spikes at the frequency of the small periodic group. It then appears that the small group of periodic neurons can act like a pacemaker for the whole network. Further, we report the existence of varied clustering patterns, ranging from sets of synchronized clusters to anti-phase clusters, governed by the interplay of the relative sizes and dynamics of the sub-populations. So these results have relevance in understanding how a group can influence the synchrony of another group of dynamically different elements, reminiscent of event-related synchronization/de-synchronization in complex networks.

Grouped to Achieve: Are There Benefits to Assigning Students to Heterogeneous Cooperative Learning Groups Based on Pre-Test Scores?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Werth, Arman Karl

Cooperative learning has been one of the most widely used instructional practices around the world since the early 1980's. Small learning groups have been in existence since the beginning of the human race. These groups have grown in their variance and complexity overtime. Classrooms are getting more diverse every year and instructors need a way to take advantage of this diversity to improve learning. The purpose of this study was to see if heterogeneous cooperative learning groups based on student achievement can be used as a differentiated instructional strategy to increase students' ability to demonstrate knowledge of science concepts and ability to do engineering design. This study includes two different groups made up of two different middle school science classrooms of 25-30 students. These students were given an engineering design problem to solve within cooperative learning groups. One class was put into heterogeneous cooperative learning groups based on student's pre-test scores. The other class was grouped based on random assignment. The study measured the difference between each class's pre-post gains, student's responses to a group interaction form and interview questions addressing their perceptions of the makeup of their groups. The findings of the study were that there was no significant difference between learning gains for the treatment and comparison groups. There was a significant difference between the treatment and comparison groups in student perceptions of their group's ability to stay on task and manage their time efficiently. Both the comparison and treatment groups had a positive perception of the composition of their cooperative learning groups.

Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorders with co-existing substance use disorder is characterized by early antisocial behaviour and poor cognitive skills

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is associated with an increased risk of co-existing substance abuse. The Swedish legislation on compulsory healthcare can be applied to persons with severe substance abuse who can be treated involuntarily during a period of six months. This context enables a reliable clinical assessment of ADHD in individuals with severe substance use disorder (SUD). Methods In the context of compulsory care for individuals with severe SUD, male patients were assessed for ADHD, co-morbid psychiatric symptoms, psychosocial background, treatment history, and cognition. The data from the ADHD/SUD group (n = 60) was compared with data from (1) a group of individuals with severe substance abuse without known ADHD (SUD group, n = 120), as well as (2) a group with ADHD from an outpatient psychiatric clinic (ADHD/Psych group, n = 107). Results Compared to the general SUD group in compulsory care, the ADHD/SUD group had already been significantly more often in compulsory care during childhood or adolescence, as well as imprisoned more often as adults. The most common preferred abused substance in the ADHD/SUD group was stimulant drugs, while alcohol and benzodiazepine abuse was more usual in the general SUD group. Compared to the ADHD/Psych group, the ADHD/SUD group reported more ADHD symptoms during childhood and performed poorer on all tests of general intellectual ability and executive functions. Conclusions The clinical characteristics of the ADHD/SUD group differed from those of both the SUD group and the ADHD/Psych group in several respects, indicating that ADHD in combination with SUD is a particularly disabling condition. The combination of severe substance abuse, poor general cognitive ability, severe psychosocial problems, including indications of antisocial behaviour, and other co-existing psychiatric conditions should be considered in treatment planning for adults with ADHD and SUD. PMID:24330331

Biocompatibility of orthodontic adhesives in rat subcutaneous tissue

PubMed Central

dos SANTOS, Rogério Lacerda; PITHON, Matheus Melo; FERNANDES, Alline Birra Nolasco; CABRAL, Márcia Grillo; RUELLAS, Antônio Carlos de Oliveira

2010-01-01

Objective The objective of the present study was to verify the hypothesis that no difference in biocompatibility exists between different orthodontic adhesives. Material and Methods Thirty male Wistar rats were used in this study and divided into five groups (n=6): Group 1 (control, distilled water), Group 2 (Concise), Group 3 (Xeno III), Group 4 (Transbond XT), and Group 5 (Transbond plus Self-Etching Primer). Two cavities were performed in the subcutaneous dorsum of each animal to place a polyvinyl sponge soaked with 2 drops of the respective adhesive in each surgical loci. Two animals of each group were sacrificed after 7, 15, and 30 days, and their tissues were analyzed by using an optical microscope. Results At day 7, Groups 3 (Transbond XT) and 4 (Xeno III) showed intense mono- and polymorphonuclear inflammatory infiltrate with no differences between them, whereas Groups 1 (control) and 2 (Concise) showed moderate mononuclear inflammatory infiltrate. At day 15, severe inflammation was observed in Group 3 (Transbond XT) compared to other groups. At day 30, the same group showed a more expressive mononuclear inflammatory infiltrate compared to other groups. Conclusion Among the orthodontic adhesive analyzed, it may be concluded that Transbond XT exhibited the worst biocompatibility. However, one cannot interpret the specificity of the data generated in vivo animal models as a human response. PMID:21085807

SU-E-T-649: Quality Assurances for Proton Therapy Delivery Equipment

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

Arjomandy, B; Kase, Y; Flanz, J

2015-06-15

Purpose: The number of proton therapy centers has increased dramatically over the past decade. Currently, there is no comprehensive set of guidelines that addresses quality assurance (QA) procedures for the different technologies used for proton therapy. The AAPM has charged task group 224 (TG-224) to provide recommendations for QA required for accurate and safe dose delivery, using existing and next generation proton therapy delivery equipment. Methods: A database comprised of QA procedures and tolerance limits was generated from many existing proton therapy centers in and outside of the US. These consist of proton therapy centers that possessed double scattering, uniformmore » scanning, and pencil beams delivery systems. The diversity in beam delivery systems as well as the existing devices to perform QA checks for different beam parameters is the main subject of TG-224. Based on current practice at the clinically active proton centers participating in this task group, consensus QA recommendations were developed. The methodologies and requirements of the parameters that must be verified for consistency of the performance of the proton beam delivery systems are discussed. Results: TG-224 provides procedures and QA checks for mechanical, imaging, safety and dosimetry requirements for different proton equipment. These procedures are categorized based on their importance and their required frequencies in order to deliver a safe and consistent dose. The task group provides daily, weekly, monthly, and annual QA check procedures with their tolerance limits. Conclusions: The procedures outlined in this protocol provide sufficient information to qualified medical physicists to perform QA checks for any proton delivery system. Execution of these procedures should provide confidence that proton therapy equipment is functioning as commissioned for patient treatment and delivers dose safely and accurately within the established tolerance limits. The report will be published in late 2015.« less

Experimental observation of different soliton types in a net-normal group-dispersion fiber laser.

PubMed

Feng, Zhongyao; Rong, Qiangzhou; Qiao, Xueguang; Shao, Zhihua; Su, Dan

2014-09-20

Different soliton types are observed in a net-normal group-dispersion fiber laser based on nonlinear polarization rotation for passive mode locking. The proposed laser can deliver a dispersion-managed soliton, typical dissipation solitons, and a quasi-harmonic mode-locked pulse, a soliton bundle, and especially a dark pulse by only appropriately adjusting the linear cavity phase delay bias using one polarization controller at the fixed pump power. These nonlinear waves show different features, including the spectral shapes and time traces. The experimental observations show that the five soliton types could exist in the same laser cavity, which implies that integrable systems, dissipative systems, and dark pulse regimes can transfer and be switched in a passively mode-locked laser. Our studies not only verify the numeral simulation of the different soliton-types formation in a net-normal group-dispersion operation but also provide insight into Ginzburg-Landau equation systems.

Protonation-modulated localization of excess electrons in histidine aqueous solutions revealed by ab initio molecular dynamics simulations: anion-centered versus cation-centered localization.

PubMed

Gao, Liang; Bu, Yuxiang

2017-05-31

In this work, we present an ab initio molecular dynamics simulation study on the interaction of an excess electron (EE) with histidine in its aqueous solution. Two different configurations of histidine (imidazole group protonated or not) are considered to reflect its different existing forms in neutral or slightly acidic surroundings. The simulation results indicate that localizations of EEs in different aqueous histidine solutions are quite different and are strongly affected by protonation of the side chain imidazole group and are thus pH-controlled. In neutral aqueous histidine solution, an EE localizes onto the carboxyl anionic group of the amino acid backbone after a relatively lengthy diffuse state, performing just like in an aliphatic amino acid solution. But in weakly acidic solution in which the side chain imidazole group is protonated, an EE undergoes a short lifetime diffuse state and finally localizes on the protonated imidazole group. We carefully examine these two different localization dynamics processes and analyze the competition between different dominating groups in their corresponding electron localization mechanisms. To explain the difference, we investigate the frontier molecular orbitals of these two systems and find that their energy levels and compositions are important to determine these differences. These findings can provide helpful information to understand the interaction mechanisms of low energy EEs with amino acids and even oligopeptides, especially with aromatic rings.

Modules of co-regulated metabolites in turmeric (Curcuma longa) rhizome suggest the existence of biosynthetic modules in plant specialized metabolism

PubMed Central

Xie, Zhengzhi; Gang, David R.

2009-01-01

Turmeric is an excellent example of a plant that produces large numbers of metabolites from diverse metabolic pathways or networks. It is hypothesized that these metabolic pathways or networks contain biosynthetic modules, which lead to the formation of metabolite modules—groups of metabolites whose production is co-regulated and biosynthetically linked. To test whether such co-regulated metabolite modules do exist in this plant, metabolic profiling analysis was performed on turmeric rhizome samples that were collected from 16 different growth and development treatments, which had significant impacts on the levels of 249 volatile and non-volatile metabolites that were detected. Importantly, one of the many co-regulated metabolite modules that were indeed readily detected in this analysis contained the three major curcuminoids, whereas many other structurally related diarylheptanoids belonged to separate metabolite modules, as did groups of terpenoids. The existence of these co-regulated metabolite modules supported the hypothesis that the 3-methoxyl groups on the aromatic rings of the curcuminoids are formed before the formation of the heptanoid backbone during the biosynthesis of curcumin and also suggested the involvement of multiple polyketide synthases with different substrate selectivities in the formation of the array of diarylheptanoids detected in turmeric. Similar conclusions about terpenoid biosynthesis could also be made. Thus, discovery and analysis of metabolite modules can be a powerful predictive tool in efforts to understand metabolism in plants. PMID:19073964

WAIS differences between murderers and attackers referred for evaluation.

PubMed

Wagner, E E; Klein, I

1977-02-01

12 first and second degree murderers were matched on sex and age with subjects who had perpetrated aggressive interpersonal attacks short of homicide. Both groups had been referred for psychological testing by courts and social agencies. A substantial and significant difference in IQ was found in favor of the attackers over the murderers. Results were interpreted as lending credence to the hypothesis that differences in IQ exist among important sub-populations of murderers.

A comparison study of immune-inflammatory response in electroacupuncture and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation for patients undergoing supratentorial craniotomy

PubMed Central

Li, Guoyan; Li, Shuqin; Sun, Lizhi; Lin, Fangcai; Wang, Baoguo

2015-01-01

Objective: The effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on immuno-inflammatory response was tested and the differences between electroacupuncture (EA) and TENS in immuno-inflammatory response in patients undergoing supratentorial craniotomy were explored. Methods: 51 patients received craniotomy were randomly divided into 3 groups: control (group C, n=18), EA (group A, n=19) and TENS (group T, n=14) groups. Blood samples were collected before anesthesia (T0) and 30 min (T1), 2 h (T2) and 4 h (T3) after induction of anesthesia to measure the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-8, IL-10, IgM, IgA and IgG. Results: No significant difference existed between group A and group T during craniotomy. IgM and IgA decreased significantly in group C compared with groups A and T at T2 and T3 time points. Compared with group C, there were significant differences in TNF-α, IgM and IgA levels at T0 in groups A and T; no significant difference was found in the levels of IgG, IL-10 and IL-8. Conclusion: EA and TENS could reduce immunosuppression in patients undergoing supratentorial craniotomy and it has significance in choice of treatment in immunosuppressive therapy. PMID:25785107

A comparison study of immune-inflammatory response in electroacupuncture and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation for patients undergoing supratentorial craniotomy

PubMed Central

Li, Guoyan; Li, Shuqin; Sun, Lizhi; Lin, Fangcai; Wang, Baoguo

2015-01-01

Objective: The effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on immuno-inflammatory response was tested and the differences between electroacupuncture (EA) and TENS in immuno-inflammatory response in patients undergoing supratentorial craniotomy were explored. Methods: 51 patients received craniotomy were divided randomly into 3 groups: control (group C, n=18), EA (group A, n=19) and TENS (group T, n=14) groups. Blood samples were collected before anesthesia (T0) and 30 min (T1), 2 h (T2) and 4 h (T3) after induction of anesthesia to measure the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-8, IL-10, IgM, IgA and IgG.. Results: No significant difference existed between groups A and group T during craniotomy. IgM and IgA decreased significantly in group C compared with groups A and T at T2 and T3 time points. Compared with group C, there were significant difference in TNF-α, IgM and IgA level at T0 in groups A and T; no significant difference was found in the levels of IgG, IL-10 and IL-8. Conclusion: EA and TENS could reduce immunosuppression in patients undergoing supratentorial craniotomy and it has significance in choice of treatment in immunosuppressive therapy. PMID:25932216

A Study to Determine if a Difference Exists Among the Cumulative Incidence of Acute Respiratory Disease Hospital Admissions of Three Groups of Army Basic Trainees as Defined by the Design of Barracks in Which They Are Housed

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-08-01

number) Using chi-square tests of homogeneity, a selected sample of Army Basic Trainees at Ft. Jackso was studied to determine if there was a...Period of training for sample soldiers was January to May 1985. Results of testing for the female trainees indicated no significant difference in incidence...of ARD among three barracks groups. Results of testing for male trainees indicated statistically significant dif -erences of ARD among each of three

A new species of Hyla (Anura: Hylidae) from the Sierra Mixes, Oaxaca, Mexico, with comments on ontogenetic variation in the tadpoles

USGS Publications Warehouse

Ustach, P.C.; Mendelson, J.R.; McDiarmid, R.W.; Campbell, J.A.

2000-01-01

We describe a new species of Hyla that differs from the similar-loohng species H. pentheter by reaching a larger size, ha\\iing a smaller tympanum, more webbing on the feet, more extensive nuptial excrescences, and a different color pattern on the flanks. \\Ve tentatively place this new species in the phenetic assemblage commonly referred to as the H. bistincta group. \\Ve describe and illlistrate the tadpole and discuss ontogenetic variation among tadpoles, with reference to existing information on tadpoles of other species from the H. bistincta group.

Gender, culture, and mathematics performance

PubMed Central

Hyde, Janet S.; Mertz, Janet E.

2009-01-01

Using contemporary data from the U.S. and other nations, we address 3 questions: Do gender differences in mathematics performance exist in the general population? Do gender differences exist among the mathematically talented? Do females exist who possess profound mathematical talent? In regard to the first question, contemporary data indicate that girls in the U.S. have reached parity with boys in mathematics performance, a pattern that is found in some other nations as well. Focusing on the second question, studies find more males than females scoring above the 95th or 99th percentile, but this gender gap has significantly narrowed over time in the U.S. and is not found among some ethnic groups and in some nations. Furthermore, data from several studies indicate that greater male variability with respect to mathematics is not ubiquitous. Rather, its presence correlates with several measures of gender inequality. Thus, it is largely an artifact of changeable sociocultural factors, not immutable, innate biological differences between the sexes. Responding to the third question, we document the existence of females who possess profound mathematical talent. Finally, we review mounting evidence that both the magnitude of mean math gender differences and the frequency of identification of gifted and profoundly gifted females significantly correlate with sociocultural factors, including measures of gender equality across nations. PMID:19487665

Gender, culture, and mathematics performance.

PubMed

Hyde, Janet S; Mertz, Janet E

2009-06-02

Using contemporary data from the U.S. and other nations, we address 3 questions: Do gender differences in mathematics performance exist in the general population? Do gender differences exist among the mathematically talented? Do females exist who possess profound mathematical talent? In regard to the first question, contemporary data indicate that girls in the U.S. have reached parity with boys in mathematics performance, a pattern that is found in some other nations as well. Focusing on the second question, studies find more males than females scoring above the 95th or 99th percentile, but this gender gap has significantly narrowed over time in the U.S. and is not found among some ethnic groups and in some nations. Furthermore, data from several studies indicate that greater male variability with respect to mathematics is not ubiquitous. Rather, its presence correlates with several measures of gender inequality. Thus, it is largely an artifact of changeable sociocultural factors, not immutable, innate biological differences between the sexes. Responding to the third question, we document the existence of females who possess profound mathematical talent. Finally, we review mounting evidence that both the magnitude of mean math gender differences and the frequency of identification of gifted and profoundly gifted females significantly correlate with sociocultural factors, including measures of gender equality across nations.

Is encopresis always the result of constipation?

PubMed Central

Benninga, M A; Büller, H A; Heymans, H S; Tytgat, G N; Taminiau, J A

1994-01-01

Encopresis is often the result of chronic constipation in the majority of paediatric patients. In clinical practice, however, encopresis is also seen without constipation and it is unknown whether these two clinical variants are based on similar or different pathophysiological mechanisms, requiring different therapeutic approaches. We analysed clinical symptoms, colonic transit time (CTT), orocaecal transit time (OCTT), anorectal manometric profiles, and behavioural scores. Patients were divided into two groups, one consisted of 111 children with paediatric constipation, and another group of 50 children with encopresis and/or soiling without constipation. Significant clinical differences in children with encopresis/soiling existed compared with children with paediatric constipation regarding: bowel movements per week, the number of daytime soiling episodes, the presence of night time soiling, the presence and number of encopresis episodes, normal stools, pain during defecation, abdominal pain, and good appetite. Total and segmental CTT were significantly prolonged in paediatric constipation compared with encopresis/soiling, 62.4 (3.6-384) and 40.2 (10.8-104.4) hours, respectively. No significant differences were found in OCTT. Among the two groups, all manometric parameters were comparable, except for a significantly higher threshold of sensation in children with paediatric constipation. The defecation dynamics were abnormal in 59% and 46% in paediatric constipation and encopresis/soiling, respectively, and were significantly different from controls. Using the child behaviour checklist no significant differences were found when comparing children with paediatric constipation and encopresis/soiling, while both patient groups differed significantly from controls. In conclusion, our findings support the concept of the existence of encopresis as a distinct entity in children with defecation disorders. Identification of such children is based on clinical symptoms, that is, normal defecation frequency, absence of abdominal or rectal palpable mass, in combination with normal marker studies and normal anal manometric threshold of sensation, Thus, encopresis is not always the result of constipation and can be the only clinical presentation of a defecation disorder. PMID:7979489

A Novel Coupling Pattern in Computational Science and Engineering Software

EPA Science Inventory

Computational science and engineering (CSE) software is written by experts of certain area(s). Due to the specialization, existing CSE software may need to integrate other CSE software systems developed by different groups of experts. The coupling problem is one of the challenges...

A Novel Coupling Pattern in Computational Science and Engineering Software

EPA Science Inventory

Computational science and engineering (CSE) software is written by experts of certain area(s). Due to the specialization,existing CSE software may need to integrate other CSE software systems developed by different groups of experts. Thecoupling problem is one of the challenges f...

Comparison of maternal morbidity and medical costs during pregnancy and delivery between patients with gestational diabetes and patients with pre-existing diabetes

PubMed Central

Son, K H; Lim, N-K; Lee, J-W; Cho, M-C; Park, H-Y

2015-01-01

Aims To evaluate the effects of gestational diabetes and pre-existing diabetes on maternal morbidity and medical costs, using data from the Korea National Health Insurance Claims Database of the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service. Methods Delivery cases in 2010, 2011 and 2012 (459 842, 442 225 and 380 431 deliveries) were extracted from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service database. The complications and medical costs were compared among the following three pregnancy groups: normal, gestational diabetes and pre-existing diabetes. Results Although, the rates of pre-existing diabetes did not fluctuate (2.5, 2.4 and 2.7%) throughout the study, the rate of gestational diabetes steadily increased (4.6, 6.2 and 8.0%). Furthermore, the rates of pre-existing diabetes and gestational diabetes increased in conjunction with maternal age, pre-existing hypertension and cases of multiple pregnancy. The risk of pregnancy-induced hypertension, urinary tract infections, premature delivery, liver disease and chronic renal disease were greater in the gestational diabetes and pre-existing diabetes groups than in the normal group. The risk of venous thromboembolism, antepartum haemorrhage, shoulder dystocia and placenta disorder were greater in the pre-existing diabetes group, but not the gestational diabetes group, compared with the normal group. The medical costs associated with delivery, the costs during pregnancy and the number of in-hospital days for the subjects in the pre-existing diabetes group were the highest among the three groups. Conclusions The study showed that the rates of pre-existing diabetes and gestational diabetes increased with maternal age at pregnancy and were associated with increases in medical costs and pregnancy-related complications. PMID:25472691

Geographic structure evidenced in the toxic dinoflagellate Alexandrium pacificum Litaker (A. catenella - group IV (Whedon & Kofoid) Balech) along Japanese and Chinese coastal waters.

PubMed

Genovesi, Benjamin; Berrebi, Patrick; Nagai, Satoshi; Reynaud, Nathalie; Wang, Jinhui; Masseret, Estelle

2015-09-15

The intra-specific diversity and genetic structure within the Alexandrium pacificum Litaker (A. catenella - Group IV) populations along the Temperate Asian coasts, were studied among individuals isolated from Japan to China. The UPGMA dendrogram and FCA revealed the existence of 3 clusters. Assignment analysis suggested the occurrence of gene flows between the Japanese Pacific coast (cluster-1) and the Chinese Zhejiang coast (cluster-2). Human transportations are suspected to explain the lack of genetic difference between several pairs of distant Japanese samples, hardly explained by a natural dispersal mechanism. The genetic isolation of the population established in the Sea of Japan (cluster-3) suggested the existence of a strong ecological and geographical barrier. Along the Pacific coasts, the South-North current allows limited exchanges between Chinese and Japanese populations. The relationships between Temperate Asian and Mediterranean individuals suggested different scenario of large-scale dispersal mechanisms. Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Effects of Ginkgo biloba extract on cerebral oxygen and glucose metabolism in elderly patients with pre-existing cerebral ischemia.

PubMed

Xu, Lili; Hu, Zhiyong; Shen, Jianjun; McQuillan, Patrick M

2015-04-01

Cerebral injury caused by hypoperfusion during the perioperative period is one of the main causes of disability and death in patients after major surgery. No effective protective or preventative strategies have been identified. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of Ginkgo biloba extract on cerebral oxygen and glucose metabolism in elderly patients with known, pre-existing cerebral ischemia. Sixty ASA (American Society of Anesthesiologists) II-III patients, diagnosed with vertebral artery ischemia by transcranial Doppler ultrasonography (TCD), and scheduled for elective total hip replacement surgery, were enrolled in the study. They were randomly allocated to receive either 1mg/kg Ginkgo biloba extract (G group n=30) or normal saline (D group n=30) after induction of anesthesia. Blood samples were collected from radial artery and jugular venous bulb catheters for blood gas analysis and determination of glucose and lactate concentrations preoperatively, before surgical incision, at the end of surgery, and on post-op day 1. Arterial O2 content (CaO2), jugular venous O2 content (CjvO2), arteriovenous O2 content difference (Da-jvO2), cerebral oxygen extraction rate (CEO2), and arteriovenous glucose and lactate content differences (Da-jvGlu and Da-jvLac) were calculated. There were no significant differences in CaO2 or Da-jvGlu during surgery between groups (p>0.05). However, the Ginkgo group had higher CjvO2, internal jugular venous oxygen saturation (SjvO2) and lower CEO2, Da-jvO2 and Da-jvLac at the end of surgery (T2) and on post-op day 1 (T3) than those in the control group (p<0.05). Ginkgo biloba extract can improve cerebral oxygen supply, decrease cerebral oxygen extraction rate and consumption, and help maintain the balance between cerebral oxygen supply and consumption. It has no effect, however, on cerebral glucose metabolism in elderly patients with known, pre-existing cerebral ischemia. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Using the stepladder technique to facilitate the performance of audioconferencing groups.

PubMed

Rogelberg, Steven G; O'Connor, Matthew S; Sederburg, Matthew

2002-10-01

Organizational workforces are becoming increasingly dispersed. To facilitate communications among individuals or groups of people located in a number of different locations, teleconferencing technologies, such as audioconferencing, have been developed. The authors examined whether a structural group intervention, the stepladder technique, can facilitate the task performance of 4-person groups (n = 52) when using audioconferencing. Consistent with research conducted on face-to-face groups, the stepladder technique was found to facilitate the decision-making performance of groups interacting via audioconference. The authors postulated that certain structural elements of the stepladder technique compensate for obstacles inherent in nonvisual communications. Supplementary analyses examined best member influence and the existence of order of entry effects into the stepladder process.

Measuring change for a multidimensional test using a generalized explanatory longitudinal item response model.

PubMed

Cho, Sun-Joo; Athay, Michele; Preacher, Kristopher J

2013-05-01

Even though many educational and psychological tests are known to be multidimensional, little research has been done to address how to measure individual differences in change within an item response theory framework. In this paper, we suggest a generalized explanatory longitudinal item response model to measure individual differences in change. New longitudinal models for multidimensional tests and existing models for unidimensional tests are presented within this framework and implemented with software developed for generalized linear models. In addition to the measurement of change, the longitudinal models we present can also be used to explain individual differences in change scores for person groups (e.g., learning disabled students versus non-learning disabled students) and to model differences in item difficulties across item groups (e.g., number operation, measurement, and representation item groups in a mathematics test). An empirical example illustrates the use of the various models for measuring individual differences in change when there are person groups and multiple skill domains which lead to multidimensionality at a time point. © 2012 The British Psychological Society.

A typology of household-level adaptation to coastal flooding and its spatio-temporal patterns.

PubMed

Koerth, Jana; Vafeidis, Athanasios T; Carretero, Silvina; Sterr, Horst; Hinkel, Jochen

2014-01-01

The predicted sea-level rise and changes in storm surge regimes are expected to lead to an increasing risk of flooding in coastal regions. Accommodation can be an alternative to protection in many areas, with household-level adaptation potentially constituting an important element of such a strategy, as it can significantly reduce costs. To date, a systematic typology of household-level adaptation to coastal flooding does not exist. In order to bridge this gap, we conducted a series of quantitative surveys in different coastal areas in Denmark, Germany and Argentina. We applied a cluster analysis in order to categorise the adaptive behaviour of coastal households. Coastal households were found to cluster in four groups that we term: the comprehensives, the theoreticians, the minimalists and the structurals. With the exception of households focusing on the implementation of high-effort structural measures, our results show the affiliation to these groups to follow a specific temporal sequence. At the same time, large differences in category affiliation exist between the study areas. Risk communication tools can utilise our typology to selectively target specific types of households or to ensure that the information needs of all groups are addressed.

Landing Error Scoring System Differences Between Single-Sport and Multi-Sport Female High School-Aged Athletes.

PubMed

Beese, Mark E; Joy, Elizabeth; Switzler, Craig L; Hicks-Little, Charlie A

2015-08-01

Single-sport specialization (SSS) is becoming more prevalent in youth athletes. Deficits in functional movement have been shown to predispose athletes to injury. It is unclear whether a link exists between SSS and the development of functional movement deficits that predispose SSS athletes to an increased risk of knee injury. To determine whether functional movement deficits exist in SSS athletes compared with multi-sport (M-S) athletes. Cross-sectional study. Soccer practice fields. A total of 40 (21 SSS [age = 15.05 ± 1.2 years], 19 M-S [age = 15.32 ± 1.2 years]) female high school athlete volunteers were recruited through local soccer clubs. All SSS athletes played soccer. Participants were grouped into 2 categories: SSS and M-S. All participants completed 3 trials of the standard Landing Error Scoring System (LESS) jump-landing task. They performed a double-legged jump from a 30-cm platform, landing on a rubber mat at a distance of half their body height. Upon landing, participants immediately performed a maximal vertical jump. Values were assigned to each trial using the LESS scoring criteria. We averaged the 3 scored trials and then used a Mann-Whitney U test to test for differences between groups. Participant scores from the jump-landing assessment for each group were also placed into the 4 defined LESS categories for group comparison using a Pearson χ(2) test. The α level was set a priori at .05. Mean scores were 6.84 ± 1.81 for the SSS group and 6.07 ± 1.93 for the M-S group. We observed no differences between groups (z = -1.44, P = .15). A Pearson χ(2) analysis revealed that the proportions of athletes classified as having excellent, good, moderate, or poor LESS scores were not different between the SSS and M-S groups ([Formula: see text] = 1.999, P = .57). Participation in soccer alone compared with multiple sports did not affect LESS scores in adolescent female soccer players. However, the LESS scores indicated that most female adolescent athletes may be at an increased risk for knee injury, regardless of the number of sports played.

The Effect of an Authentic Acute Physical Education Session of Dance on Elementary Students' Selective Attention

PubMed Central

Stylianou, M.; Dyson, B.; Banville, D.; Dryden, C.; Colby, R.

2018-01-01

There have been calls to test the potential benefits of different forms of physical activity (PA) to executive function, particularly in authentic settings. Hence, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of an acute dance session within an existing physical education class on students' selective attention. The study employed a pre/posttest quasi-experimental design with a comparison group in one Aotearoa, New Zealand, primary school. Participants were 192 students (comparison group = 104 students) in Years 5 and 6. The intervention group participated in a dance-based physical education lesson while the comparison group continued their regular classroom work. PA during the physical education lesson was monitored using accelerometers. Selective attention was assessed at pretest and after the comparison/physical education sessions with the d2 Test of Attention. 2 × 2 ANOVA results suggested a significant time effect for all three measures, no significant group effects for any measures, and significant time by group interactions for TN and CP but not for E%. The intervention group improved significantly more than the comparison group for TN and CP. This study's findings suggest that existing school opportunities focused on cognitively engaging PA, such as dance, can improve aspects of students' selective attention. PMID:29662903

The Effect of an Authentic Acute Physical Education Session of Dance on Elementary Students' Selective Attention.

PubMed

Kulinna, P H; Stylianou, M; Dyson, B; Banville, D; Dryden, C; Colby, R

2018-01-01

There have been calls to test the potential benefits of different forms of physical activity (PA) to executive function, particularly in authentic settings. Hence, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of an acute dance session within an existing physical education class on students' selective attention. The study employed a pre/posttest quasi-experimental design with a comparison group in one Aotearoa, New Zealand, primary school. Participants were 192 students (comparison group = 104 students) in Years 5 and 6. The intervention group participated in a dance-based physical education lesson while the comparison group continued their regular classroom work. PA during the physical education lesson was monitored using accelerometers. Selective attention was assessed at pretest and after the comparison/physical education sessions with the d2 Test of Attention. 2 × 2 ANOVA results suggested a significant time effect for all three measures, no significant group effects for any measures, and significant time by group interactions for TN and CP but not for E %. The intervention group improved significantly more than the comparison group for TN and CP. This study's findings suggest that existing school opportunities focused on cognitively engaging PA, such as dance, can improve aspects of students' selective attention.

How surface functional groups influence fracturation in nanofluids droplets dry-outs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brutin, David; Carle, Florian

2012-11-01

We report an experimental investigation of the drying of a deposited droplets of nanofluids with different surface functional groups. For identical nano-particles diameter, material and concentration, identical drying conditions, the substrate and the functional groups at the nano-particles surface are changed. Both flow motion, adhesion, gelation and fracturation occur during the evaporation of this complex matter leading to different final typical patterns. The differences in between the patterns are explained based on the surface chemical potential. Crack shapes and wavelengths are globally proportional to the electrical charges carried at the nano- particles surface which is a new parameter to implement in existing predicting models. Presently only the colloid concentration and softness and the deposit thickness are used (Allain and Limat, 1995). The authors gratefully acknowledge the help and the fruitful discussions raised with J.B. Lang.

An Empirical Comparison of Methods for Equating with Randomly Equivalent Groups of 50 to 400 Test Takers. Research Report. ETS RR-10-05

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Livingston, Samuel A.; Kim, Sooyeon

2010-01-01

A series of resampling studies investigated the accuracy of equating by four different methods in a random groups equating design with samples of 400, 200, 100, and 50 test takers taking each form. Six pairs of forms were constructed. Each pair was constructed by assigning items from an existing test taken by 9,000 or more test takers. The…

Patterns of lumbar disc degeneration are different in degenerative disc disease and disc prolapse magnetic resonance imaging analysis of 224 patients.

PubMed

Kanna, Rishi M; Shetty, Ajoy Prasad; Rajasekaran, S

2014-02-01

Existing research on lumbar disc degeneration has remained inconclusive regarding its etiology, pathogenesis, symptomatology, prevention, and management. Degenerative disc disease (DDD) and disc prolapse (DP) are common diseases affecting the lumbar discs. Although they manifest clinically differently, existing studies on disc degeneration have included patients with both these features, leading to wide variations in observations. The possible relationship or disaffect between DDD and DP is not fully evaluated. To analyze the patterns of lumbar disc degeneration in patients with chronic back pain and DDD and those with acute DP. Prospective, magnetic resonance imaging-based radiological study. Two groups of patients (aged 20-50 years) were prospectively studied. Group 1 included patients requiring a single level microdiscectomy for acute DP. Group 2 included patients with chronic low back pain and DDD. Discs were assessed by magnetic resonance imaging through Pfirmann grading, Schmorl nodes, Modic changes, and the total end-plate damage score for all the five lumbar discs. Group 1 (DP) had 91 patients and group 2 (DDD) had 133 patients. DP and DDD patients differed significantly in the number, extent, and severity of degeneration. DDD patients had a significantly higher number of degenerated discs than DP patients (p<.000). The incidence of multilevel and pan-lumbar degeneration was also significantly higher in DDD group. The pattern of degeneration also differed in both the groups. DDD patients had predominant upper lumbar involvement, whereas DP patients had mainly lower lumbar degeneration. Modic changes were more common in DP patients, especially at the prolapsed level. Modic changes were present in 37% of prolapsed levels compared with 9.9% of normal discs (p<.00). The total end-plate damage score had a positive correlation with disc degeneration in both the groups. Further the mean total end-plate damage score at prolapsed level was also significantly higher. The results suggest that patients with disc prolapse, and those with back pain with DDD are clinically and radiologically different groups of patients with varying patterns, severity, and extent of disc degeneration. This is the first study in literature to compare and identify significant differences in these two commonly encountered patient groups. In patients with single-level DP, the majority of the other discs are nondegenerate, the lower lumbar spine is predominantly involved and the end-plate damage is higher. Patients with back pain and DDD have larger number of degenerate discs, early multilevel degeneration, and predominant upper lumbar degeneration. The knowledge that these two groups of patients are different clinically and radiologically is critical for our improved understanding of the disease and for future studies on disc degeneration and disc prolapse. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Multi Groups Cooperation based Symbiotic Evolution for TSK-type Neuro-Fuzzy Systems Design

PubMed Central

Cheng, Yi-Chang; Hsu, Yung-Chi

2010-01-01

In this paper, a TSK-type neuro-fuzzy system with multi groups cooperation based symbiotic evolution method (TNFS-MGCSE) is proposed. The TNFS-MGCSE is developed from symbiotic evolution. The symbiotic evolution is different from traditional GAs (genetic algorithms) that each chromosome in symbiotic evolution represents a rule of fuzzy model. The MGCSE is different from the traditional symbiotic evolution; with a population in MGCSE is divided to several groups. Each group formed by a set of chromosomes represents a fuzzy rule and cooperate with other groups to generate the better chromosomes by using the proposed cooperation based crossover strategy (CCS). In this paper, the proposed TNFS-MGCSE is used to evaluate by numerical examples (Mackey-Glass chaotic time series and sunspot number forecasting). The performance of the TNFS-MGCSE achieves excellently with other existing models in the simulations. PMID:21709856

Cheiloscopy and blood groups: Aid in forensic identification.

PubMed

Karim, Bushra; Gupta, Devanand

2014-10-01

Every person has certain features that make them radically distinct from others. One such feature is lip prints. Lip prints remain the same throughout life and are uninfluenced by injuries, diseases, or environmental changes. Different individuals have specific blood groups according to the various antigen-antibody reactions in their bloodstream. To determine the distribution of different patterns of lip prints among subjects having different ABO and Rh blood groups. To determine the correlation between respective characteristics of subjects. In this study, lip prints were obtained from 122 subjects (62 males and 60 females), and associated blood-group matching was performed to determine the predominant lip print type and to determine any correlation between lip print types and blood groups. Tsuchihashi's classification of type I (complete vertical grooves), type I' (incomplete vertical grooves), type II (forking grooves), type III (intersecting grooves), type IV (reticular grooves), and type V (indeterminate grooves) was used to compare with the ABO and Rh blood grouping systems. No correlation was found between lip prints and blood groups. No significant correlation exists between blood group and lip prints. Lip prints play a vital role in identification because they are unique.

Tabulation of asbestos-related terminology

USGS Publications Warehouse

Lowers, Heather; Meeker, Greg

2002-01-01

The term asbestos has been defined in numerous publications including many State and Federal regulations. The definition of asbestos often varies depending on the source or publication in which it is used. Differences in definitions also exist for the asbestos-related terms acicular, asbestiform, cleavage, cleavage fragment, fiber, fibril, fibrous, and parting. An inexperienced reader of the asbestos literature would have difficulty understanding these differences and grasping many of the subtleties that exist in the literature and regulatory language. Disagreement among workers from the industrial, medical, mineralogical, and regulatory communities regarding these definitions has fueled debate as to their applicability to various morphological structures and chemical compositions that exist in the amphibole and serpentine groups of minerals. This debate has significant public health, economic and legal implications. This report summarizes asbestos-related definitions taken from a variety of academic, industrial, and regulatory sources. This summary is by no means complete but includes the majority of significant definitions currently applied in the discipline.

Existence of the sugar-bisulfite adducts and its inhibiting effect on degradation of monosaccharide in acid system.

PubMed

Shi, Yan

2014-02-01

Degradation of fermentable monosaccharides is one of the primary concerns for acid prehydrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass. Recently, in our research on degradation of pure monosaccharides in aqueous SO₂ solution by gas chromatography (GC) analysis, we found that detected yield was not actual yield of each monosaccharide due to the existence of sugar-bisulfite adducts, and a new method was developed by ourselves which led to accurate detection of recovery yield of each monosaccharide in aqueous SO₂ solution by GC analysis. By the use of this method, degradation of each monosaccharide in aqueous SO₂ was investigated and results showed that sugar-bisulfite adducts have different inhibiting effect on degradation of each monosaccharide in aqueous SO₂ because of their different stability. In addition, NMR testing also demonstrated possible existence of reaction between conjugated based HSO₃(-) and aldehyde group of sugars in acid system.

Treatment of Periprosthetic Infections: An Economic Analysis

PubMed Central

Hernández-Vaquero, Daniel; Fernández-Fairen, Mariano; Torres, Ana; Menzie, Ann M.; Fernández-Carreira, José Manuel; Murcia-Mazon, Antonio; Merzthal, Luis

2013-01-01

This review summarizes the existing economic literature, assesses the value of current data, and presents procedures that are the less costly and more effective options for the treatment of periprosthetic infections of knee and hip. Optimizing antibiotic use in the prevention and treatment of periprosthetic infection, combined with systemic and behavioral changes in the operating room, the detection and treatment of high-risk patient groups, as well as the rational management of the existing infection by using the different procedures according to each particular case, could allow for improved outcomes and lead to the highest quality of life for patients and the lowest economic impact. Nevertheless, the costeffectiveness of different interventions to treat periprosthetic infections remains unclear. PMID:23781163

Gender Differential Item Functioning on a National Field-Specific Test: The Case of PhD Entrance Exam of TEFL in Iran

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ahmadi, Alireza; Bazvand, Ali Darabi

2016-01-01

Differential Item Functioning (DIF) exists when examinees of equal ability from different groups have different probabilities of successful performance in a certain item. This study examined gender differential item functioning across the PhD Entrance Exam of TEFL (PEET) in Iran, using both logistic regression (LR) and one-parameter item response…

Self Concept: A Comparison of Negro-, Anglo- and Spanish-American Students Across Ethnic, Sex, and Socioeconomic Variables.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Healey, Gary W.

The purposes of this study were to determine: (1) if differences existed in the self-concept among Negro, Anglo, and Spanish American students; and (2) the extent to which these differences were influenced by ethnic group membership, socioeconomic position, sex, or the interaction among these variables. This study was carried out in a New Mexico…

The round window diameter in congenital aural atresia and comparison with sensorineural hearing loss and control group.

PubMed

Saylisoy, Suzan; Incesulu, Armagan; Kaya, Ercan; Pinarbasli, Ozgur; Adapinar, Baki

2014-01-01

The aim of this study was to measure round window (RW) diameters in patients with congenital aural atresia (CAA) or sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) and a normal control group and to analyze whether differences exist between these groups. Temporal bone computed tomographic scans of 12 patients with CAA (5 males, 7 females) aged 1 to 50 years (median age, 6 years), 12 patients with SNHL (8 males, 4 females) aged 2 to 32 years (median age, 5 years), and 11 patients (3 males, 7 females) aged 2 months to 53 years (median age, 8 years) randomly selected from a pool of patients with unilateral chronic otitis media or cholesteatoma were reviewed. We measured RW diameter on oblique reconstruction planes. To prevent possible individual differences, skull width was measured. There were no statistically significant differences between all groups for skull width. Both RW diameter and RW membrane width were found smaller in the CAA group than both SNHL group and control group with statistical significance, whereas there were no statistically significant differences between the SNHL group and the control group. We found that both the RW diameter and RW membrane width in CAA were smaller than those in the control group. If this finding is supported in future studies, the production of floating mass transducer with different sizes may be useful. We suggest that RW diameter should be measured in each patient before operation and thus a floating mass transducer with the appropriate caliber should be chosen.

Treatment outcomes in patients with migraine: an ex-post-facto comparison of two in-patient facilities.

PubMed

Weidenhammer, W; Linde, K; Melchart, D

2004-08-01

In two hospitals we performed an open, prospective observational study on patients with chronic headache as a measure of internal quality assurance using identical methods. Available data were subordinately analysed in order to compare both studies. Are the patient samples of both hospitals comparable? If not, which form of statistical adjustment is recommended? Are there differences in the outcome measures of both facilities? The outcomes were defined as differences between baseline values and values at discharge from hospital, respectively 6 months after. Frequency of headache attacks, intensity of pain, intensity of general complaints as well as of concomitant symptoms, and quality of life were determined in advance as dependent variables. To compare both patient groups univariate analysis of variance without and with inclusion of covariates were used. For calculating propensity scores (conditional probability of belonging to one of two groups) a logistic regression with the same covariates serving as independent variables was performed. 426 patients with the main diagnosis "Migraine" and complete data sets concerning the covariates were selected for analysis. 87% of patients are female, the mean age is 45.5 +/- 11.7 years (range 14-73 yrs). 4 out of 11 potential covariates show statistically significant differences between the patients of both hospitals. Correct classification of patients by means of the propensity score succeeds in 67%. Comparing the outcomes at discharge from hospital, significant differences between both groups exist which are, with one exception, not affected by controlling for covariates. 6 months after discharge two of the initial differences between both patient groups are no longer present. These findings are independent from the statistical technique of risk adjustment. Because of the observed differences between both patient groups it is recommended to adjust data by regression analysis in order to enhance comparability. The choice for one of the two proposed techniques is secondary. With respect to the analyses clear differences between both hospitals exist in short-term outcomes, disappearing 6 months later. Copyright 2004 S. Karger GmbH, Freiburg

Diversity and Disparity in Dementia: The Impact of Ethnoracial Differences in Alzheimer’s Disease

PubMed Central

Chin, Alexander L.; Negash, Selamawit; Hamilton, Roy

2012-01-01

Debate exists regarding differences in the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in African Americans and Hispanics in the United States, with some evidence suggesting that the prevalence of AD may be considerably higher in these groups than in non-Hispanic whites. Despite this possible disparity, patients of minority ethnoracial groups often receive delayed diagnosis or inadequate treatment for dementia. This review investigates these disparities by conceptualizing the dementia disease process as a product of both biological and cultural factors. Ethnoracial differences in biological risk factors, such as genetics and cardiovascular disease, may help to explain disparities in the incidence and prevalence of AD, while race-specific cultural factors may impact diagnosis and treatment. Cultural factors include differences in perceptions about what is normal aging and what is not, lack of adequate access to medical care, and issues of trust between minority groups and the medical establishment. The diagnosis of AD in diverse populations may also be complicated by racial biases inherent in cognitive screening tools widely used by clinicians, but controlling for literacy level or using savings scores in psychometric analyses has the potential to mitigate these biases. We also suggest that emerging biomarker-based diagnostic tools may be useful in further characterizing diverse populations with AD. Recognizing the gap in communication that exists between minority communities and the medical research community, we propose that education and outreach are a critical next step in the effort to understand AD as it relates to diverse populations. PMID:21399486

Diversity and disparity in dementia: the impact of ethnoracial differences in Alzheimer disease.

PubMed

Chin, Alexander L; Negash, Selamawit; Hamilton, Roy

2011-01-01

Debate exists regarding differences in the prevalence of Alzheimer disease (AD) in African Americans and Hispanics in the United States, with some evidence suggesting that the prevalence of AD may be considerably higher in these groups than in non-Hispanic whites. Despite this possible disparity, patients of minority ethnoracial groups often receive delayed diagnosis or inadequate treatment for dementia. This review investigates these disparities by conceptualizing the dementia disease process as a product of both biological and cultural factors. Ethnoracial differences in biological risk factors, such as genetics and cardiovascular disease, may help to explain disparities in the incidence and prevalence of AD, whereas race-specific cultural factors may impact diagnosis and treatment. Cultural factors include differences in perceptions about what is normal aging and what is not, lack of adequate access to medical care, and issues of trust between minority groups and the medical establishment. The diagnosis of AD in diverse populations may also be complicated by racial biases inherent in cognitive screening tools widely used by clinicians, but controlling for literacy level or using savings scores in psychometric analyses has the potential to mitigate these biases. We also suggest that emerging biomarker-based diagnostic tools may be useful in further characterizing diverse populations with AD. Recognizing the gap in communication that exists between minority communities and the medical research community, we propose that education and outreach are a critical next step in the effort to understand AD as it relates to diverse populations.

40 CFR Table 3 to Subpart U of... - Group 1 Storage Vessels at Existing Affected Sources

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 10 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Group 1 Storage Vessels at Existing... SOURCE CATEGORIES National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutant Emissions: Group I Polymers and Resins Pt. 63, Subpt. U, Table 3 Table 3 to Subpart U of Part 63—Group 1 Storage Vessels at Existing...

40 CFR Table 3 to Subpart U of... - Group 1 Storage Vessels at Existing Affected Sources

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 9 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Group 1 Storage Vessels at Existing... SOURCE CATEGORIES National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutant Emissions: Group I Polymers and Resins Pt. 63, Subpt. U, Table 3 Table 3 to Subpart U of Part 63—Group 1 Storage Vessels at Existing...

40 CFR Table 3 to Subpart U of... - Group 1 Storage Vessels at Existing Affected Sources

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 10 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Group 1 Storage Vessels at Existing... SOURCE CATEGORIES National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutant Emissions: Group I Polymers and Resins Pt. 63, Subpt. U, Table 3 Table 3 to Subpart U of Part 63—Group 1 Storage Vessels at Existing...

40 CFR Table 3 to Subpart U of... - Group 1 Storage Vessels at Existing Affected Sources

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 9 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Group 1 Storage Vessels at Existing... SOURCE CATEGORIES National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutant Emissions: Group I Polymers and Resins Pt. 63, Subpt. U, Table 3 Table 3 to Subpart U of Part 63—Group 1 Storage Vessels at Existing...

40 CFR Table 3 to Subpart U of... - Group 1 Storage Vessels at Existing Affected Sources

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 10 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Group 1 Storage Vessels at Existing... SOURCE CATEGORIES National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutant Emissions: Group I Polymers and Resins Pt. 63, Subpt. U, Table 3 Table 3 to Subpart U of Part 63—Group 1 Storage Vessels at Existing...

Psychosocial dwarfism: psychopathological aspects and putative neuroendocrine markers.

PubMed

Muñoz-Hoyos, Antonio; Molina-Carballo, Antonio; Augustin-Morales, Maríadelcarmen; Contreras-Chova, Francisco; Naranjo-Gómez, Ana; Justicia-Martínez, Fuensanta; Uberos, José

2011-06-30

There exists an extensive terminology for defining the situation of children who, in varying circumstances, suffer from affective deprivation (AD), within an unsatisfactory family situation or in institutions. Nevertheless, the neuroendocrine mechanisms (if they exist) determining it have yet to be identified. Our objective was to determine if specific neuroendocrine markers, all of them previously implicated in affective disorders, could be modified, and in which sense, in affective deprivation syndrome of the child. For this purpose, we studied three separate groups of children: (1) control group (CG); (2) children suffering from AD; and (3) children with non-organic failure to thrive (NOFT). In every case, we studied the serum levels of melatonin, serotonin, β-endorphins and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH); and kynurenine pathway tryptophan metabolites (both during the day and at night). Significantly, there was a conspicuous reduction in the levels of each of the neuroendocrine markers (melatonin, serotonin, β-endorphins and ACTH) in the group suffering from affective deficiency, a diminution which was even more noticeable in the group of patients presenting delayed growth. Furthermore, as also occurs in other affective disorders, there were corresponding modifications in the metabolisation of tryptophan. We report the existence of neuroendocrine mechanisms that are associated with the above-mentioned clinical manifestations in these patients, mechanisms that may underlie the close connection existing between AD syndrome and the cause of NOFT. These data suggest that the AD syndrome and NOFT comprise a single process, but one with a different evolutionary continuum of psychosocial dwarfism. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effect of self-consistency group intervention for adolescents with schizophrenia: An inpatient randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

She, Pan; Zeng, Hongling; Yang, Bingxiang

2016-02-01

The aim of the study was to explore the efficacy of structural group therapy on the self-consistency and congruence of inpatient adolescents with a diagnosis of schizophrenia. Sixty inpatient adolescents with schizophrenia were randomly assigned to an intervention group (n = 30) and a control group (n = 30). The intervention group was provided with a 12-session structural group therapy program for six weeks (1 h, two times per week), while the control group participated in a handicraft group. All patients were assessed with the Self-Consistency and Congruence Scale (SCCS) and the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) at pretest, posttest, three-month and one-year follow-up. The results were analyzed using t-test and repeated measures ANOVA. The two groups had no significant difference at the pre-test of outcome measures (p > 0.05). Significant differences existed between the two groups in ego-dystonic, self-flexibility, SCCS scores, positive syndrome, general psychopathology and PANSS scores after the intervention (p < 0.05). At the three-month follow-up, ego-dystonic, self-flexibility and PANSS scores were also found to be significantly different between the two groups (p < 0.05). But the outcome measures were not significantly different between the two groups at the one-year follow-up. Structural group therapy in a mental health setting had a positive effect on improving self-consistency and congruence, positive symptoms and general psychopathology of inpatient adolescents with a diagnosis of schizophrenia. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Derivation of Apollo 14 High-Al Basalts from Distinct Source Regions at Discrete Times: New Constraints

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Neal, C. R.; Shih, C.-Y.; Reese, Y.; Nyquist, L. E.; Kramer, G. Y.

2006-01-01

Apollo 14 basalts occur predominantly as clasts in breccias, but represent the oldest volcanic products that were returned from the Moon [1]. These basalts are relatively enriched in Al2O3 (11-16 wt%) compared to other mare basalts (7-11 wt%) and were originally classified into 5 compositional groups [2,3]. Neal et al. [4] proposed that a continuum of compositions existed. These were related through assimilation (of KREEP) and fractional crystallization (AFC). Age data, however, show that at least three volcanic episodes are recorded in the sample collection [1,5,6]. Recent work has demonstrated that there are three, possibly four groups of basalts in the Apollo 14 sample collection that were erupted from different source regions at different times [7]. This conclusion was based upon incompatible trace element (ITE) ratios of elements that should not be fractionated from one another during partial melting (Fig. 1). These groups are defined as Group A (Groups 4 & 5 of [3]), Group B (Groups 1 & 2 of [3]), and Group C (Group 3 of [3]). Basalt 14072 is distinct from Groups A-C.

Recent Modifications of Chitosan for Adsorption Applications: A Critical and Systematic Review

PubMed Central

Kyzas, George Z.; Bikiaris, Dimitrios N.

2015-01-01

Chitosan is considered to be one of the most promising and applicable materials in adsorption applications. The existence of amino and hydroxyl groups in its molecules contributes to many possible adsorption interactions between chitosan and pollutants (dyes, metals, ions, phenols, pharmaceuticals/drugs, pesticides, herbicides, etc.). These functional groups can help in establishing positions for modification. Based on the learning from previously published works in literature, researchers have achieved a modification of chitosan with a number of different functional groups. This work summarizes the published works of the last three years (2012–2014) regarding the modification reactions of chitosans (grafting, cross-linking, etc.) and their application to adsorption of different environmental pollutants (in liquid-phase). PMID:25584681

Social Justice and Social Order: Binding Moralities across the Political Spectrum

PubMed Central

2016-01-01

Two studies explored the relationship between political ideology and endorsement of a range of moral principles. Political liberals and conservatives did not differ on intrapersonal or interpersonal moralities, which require self-regulation. However differences emerged on collective moralities, which involve social regulation. Contrary to Moral Foundations Theory, both liberals and conservatives endorsed a group-focused binding morality, specifically Social Justice and Social Order respectively. Libertarians were the group without a binding morality. Although Social Justice and Social Order appear conflictual, analyses based on earlier cross-cultural work on societal tightness-looseness suggest that countries actually benefit in terms of economic success and societal well-being when these group-based moralities co-exist and serve as counterweights in social regulation. PMID:27031103

Differences between early and late involvement of palliative home care in oncology care: A focus group study with palliative home care teams.

PubMed

Dhollander, Naomi; Deliens, Luc; Van Belle, Simon; De Vleminck, Aline; Pardon, Koen

2018-05-01

To date, no randomised controlled trials on the integration of specialised palliative home care into oncology care have been identified. Information on whether existing models of integrated care are applicable to the home care system and how working procedures and skills of the palliative care teams might require adaptation is missing. To gain insight into differences between early and late involvement and the effect on existing working procedures and skills as perceived by palliative home care teams. Qualitative study - focus group interviews. Six palliative home care teams in Flanders, Belgium. Participants included physicians, nurses and psychologists. Differences were found concerning (1) reasons for initiation, (2) planning of care process, (3) focus on future goals versus problems, (4) opportunity to provide holistic care, (5) empowerment of patients and (6) empowerment of professional caregivers. A shift from a medical approach to a more holistic approach is the most noticeable. Being involved earlier also results in a more structured follow-up and in empowering the patient to be part of the decision-making process. Early involvement creates the need for transmural collaboration, which leads to the teams taking on more supporting and coordinating tasks. Being involved earlier leads to different tasks and working procedures and to the need for transmural collaboration. Future research might focus on the development of an intervention model for the early integration of palliative home care into oncology care. To develop this model, components of existing models might need to be adapted or extended.

Is Dyslexia a Brain Disorder?

PubMed Central

Parrila, Rauno

2018-01-01

Specific word reading difficulty, commonly termed ‘developmental dyslexia’, refers to the low end of the word reading skill distribution but is frequently considered to be a neurodevelopmental disorder. This term implies that brain development is thought to be disrupted, resulting in an abnormal and dysfunctional brain. We take issue with this view, pointing out that there is no evidence of any obvious neurological abnormality in the vast majority of cases of word reading difficulty cases. The available relevant evidence from neuroimaging studies consists almost entirely of correlational and group-differences studies. However, differences in brains are certain to exist whenever differences in behavior exist, including differences in ability and performance. Therefore, findings of brain differences do not constitute evidence for abnormality; rather, they simply document the neural substrate of the behavioral differences. We suggest that dyslexia is best viewed as one of many expressions of ordinary ubiquitous individual differences in normal developmental outcomes. Thus, terms such as “dysfunctional” or “abnormal” are not justified when referring to the brains of persons with dyslexia. PMID:29621138

Clustering and group selection of multiple criteria alternatives with application to space-based networks.

PubMed

Malakooti, Behnam; Yang, Ziyong

2004-02-01

In many real-world problems, the range of consequences of different alternatives are considerably different. In addition, sometimes, selection of a group of alternatives (instead of only one best alternative) is necessary. Traditional decision making approaches treat the set of alternatives with the same method of analysis and selection. In this paper, we propose clustering alternatives into different groups so that different methods of analysis, selection, and implementation for each group can be applied. As an example, consider the selection of a group of functions (or tasks) to be processed by a group of processors. The set of tasks can be grouped according to their similar criteria, and hence, each cluster of tasks to be processed by a processor. The selection of the best alternative for each clustered group can be performed using existing methods; however, the process of selecting groups is different than the process of selecting alternatives within a group. We develop theories and procedures for clustering discrete multiple criteria alternatives. We also demonstrate how the set of alternatives is clustered into mutually exclusive groups based on 1) similar features among alternatives; 2) ideal (or most representative) alternatives given by the decision maker; and 3) other preferential information of the decision maker. The clustering of multiple criteria alternatives also has the following advantages. 1) It decreases the set of alternatives to be considered by the decision maker (for example, different decision makers are assigned to different groups of alternatives). 2) It decreases the number of criteria. 3) It may provide a different approach for analyzing multiple decision makers problems. Each decision maker may cluster alternatives differently, and hence, clustering of alternatives may provide a basis for negotiation. The developed approach is applicable for solving a class of telecommunication networks problems where a set of objects (such as routers, processors, or intelligent autonomous vehicles) are to be clustered into similar groups. Objects are clustered based on several criteria and the decision maker's preferences.

Accessing medication information by ethnic minorities: barriers and possible solutions.

PubMed

Schaafsma, Evelyn S; Raynor, Theo D; de Jong-van den Berg, Lolkje T

2003-10-01

This review discusses two main questions: how suitable is current consumer medication information for minority ethnic groups, and what are effective strategies to overcome existing barriers. The focus is on minority groups whose first language is not the language of the healthcare system. We searched electronic databases and printed scientific journals focusing on (ethnic) minorities, health and/or (intercultural) communication. We also asked a discussion group for references. We found only a few articles on intercultural communication on medication or pharmacy information and one article on the improvement of intercultural communication in the pharmacy. Barriers to the access of medication information by ethnic minorities include second language issues and cultural differences due to different health beliefs, together with the low socio-economic status often seen among ethnic minorities. Cultural differences also exist among different socio-economic classes rather than only among ethnic groups. Most often, informal interpreters are used to improve intercultural communication. However, this may result in miscommunication due to a lack of medical knowledge or training on the part of the interpreter. To minimise miscommunication, bilingual health professionals or health interpreters/advocates can be used, although communication problems may still occur. The effectiveness of written information depends on the literacy skills of the target population. Cultural, medical and dialect biases should be avoided by testing the material. Multimedia systems may be alternatives to conventional written information. Barriers that ethnic minorities face in accessing medication information and possible solutions involving counselling and additional tools were identified for pharmacy practice. However, more research is needed to develop effective strategies for patient counselling in pharmacy to meet the needs of ethnic minorities.

Dialect Variation of Copula and Auxiliary Verb BE: African American English–Speaking Children With and Without Gullah/Geechee Heritage

PubMed Central

Oetting, Janna B.

2017-01-01

Purpose We compared copula and auxiliary verb BE use by African American English–speaking children with and without a creole heritage, using Gullah/Geechee as the creole criterion, to determine if differences exist, the nature of the differences, and the impact of the differences on interpretations of ability. Method Data came from 38 children, aged 5 to 6 years (19 with Gullah/Geechee and 19 without Gullah/Geechee heritage). All were developing language typically, with groups matched on gender, maternal education, and, when possible, test scores. The children's productions of BE were elicited using a screener, probes, and language samples. Results Although many similarities were documented, the 2 groups' BE systems differed in 3 ways: use of unique forms (i.e., də), unique use of shared forms (i.e., BEEN), and rates of use of shared forms (e.g., am, is, was/were, was for were). Although most noticeable in the language samples, differences surfaced across tasks and showed the potential to affect interpretations of ability. Conclusions Dialect variation that is tied to children's creole heritage exists, involves 3 types of variation, and potentially affects interpretations of ability. Effects of a heritage language and different types of variation should be considered in research and clinical endeavors with African American English–speaking children. PMID:28796859

Seroconversion rates to combined measles-mumps-rubella-varicella vaccine of children with upper respiratory tract infection.

PubMed

Dennehy, P H; Saracen, C L; Peter, G

1994-10-01

To determine if upper respiratory tract infection (URI) affects the seroconversion rate or quantitative response to each component of a combined measles-mumps-rubella-varicella vaccine. One hundred forty-nine children between 15 and 18 months of age were prospectively divided into two groups according to the presence of URI or recent history of URI symptoms within the 4 weeks before vaccination. Once stratified, 74 children in the healthy group and 75 children in the URI group were randomly assigned to receive one of three lots of measles-mumps-rubella varicella vaccine by subcutaneous injection into the deltoid area. Serum was obtained from each child just before vaccination and 4 to 6 weeks later for measuring antibody levels against each virus. Prevaccination antibody levels against each virus in the URI and healthy groups did not differ. Nine children had pre-existing antibodies to varicella and six to mumps; no child had positive serologies for measles or rubella before vaccination. Children with pre-existing antibody were excluded from analysis of seroconversion for that virus. Seroconversion to measles, mumps, and rubella occurred in 100% of children in both groups. Mean antibody levels did not differ between the healthy and URI groups for measles (111 vs 122), mumps (97 vs 108), or rubella (96 vs 102). Three (4%) of 70 children with URIs in whom varicella serologies were available failed to seroconvert to varicella vaccine although none of the 69 healthy children had vaccine failure (P = .24). The mean varicella antibody level was 11.3 +/- 1.4 in the healthy children, which did not differ significantly from the level of 9.5 +/- 0.9 in the URI group. Seroconversion to measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella was not significantly affected by the presence of a concurrent or recent URI in 15- to 18-month-old children.

40 CFR Table 3 to Subpart Jjj of... - Group 1 Storage Vessels at Existing Affected Sources Producing the Listed Thermoplastics

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 11 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Group 1 Storage Vessels at Existing... Pollutant Emissions: Group IV Polymers and Resins Pt. 63, Subpt. JJJ, Table 3 Table 3 to Subpart JJJ of Part 63—Group 1 Storage Vessels at Existing Affected Sources Producing the Listed Thermoplastics...

40 CFR Table 3 to Subpart Jjj of... - Group 1 Storage Vessels at Existing Affected Sources Producing the Listed Thermoplastics

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 12 2012-07-01 2011-07-01 true Group 1 Storage Vessels at Existing... Pollutant Emissions: Group IV Polymers and Resins Pt. 63, Subpt. JJJ, Table 3 Table 3 to Subpart JJJ of Part 63—Group 1 Storage Vessels at Existing Affected Sources Producing the Listed Thermoplastics...

40 CFR Table 3 to Subpart Jjj of... - Group 1 Storage Vessels at Existing Affected Sources Producing the Listed Thermoplastics

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 12 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Group 1 Storage Vessels at Existing... Hazardous Air Pollutant Emissions: Group IV Polymers and Resins Pt. 63, Subpt. JJJ, Table 3 Table 3 to Subpart JJJ of Part 63—Group 1 Storage Vessels at Existing Affected Sources Producing the Listed...

40 CFR Table 3 to Subpart Jjj of... - Group 1 Storage Vessels at Existing Affected Sources Producing the Listed Thermoplastics

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 11 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 true Group 1 Storage Vessels at Existing... Pollutant Emissions: Group IV Polymers and Resins Pt. 63, Subpt. JJJ, Table 3 Table 3 to Subpart JJJ of Part 63—Group 1 Storage Vessels at Existing Affected Sources Producing the Listed Thermoplastics...

40 CFR Table 3 to Subpart Jjj of... - Group 1 Storage Vessels at Existing Affected Sources Producing the Listed Thermoplastics

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 12 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Group 1 Storage Vessels at Existing... Hazardous Air Pollutant Emissions: Group IV Polymers and Resins Pt. 63, Subpt. JJJ, Table 3 Table 3 to Subpart JJJ of Part 63—Group 1 Storage Vessels at Existing Affected Sources Producing the Listed...

Cognitive subtypes of mathematics learning difficulties in primary education.

PubMed

Bartelet, Dimona; Ansari, Daniel; Vaessen, Anniek; Blomert, Leo

2014-03-01

It has been asserted that children with mathematics learning difficulties (MLD) constitute a heterogeneous group. To date, most researchers have investigated differences between predefined MLD subtypes. Specifically MLD children are frequently categorized a priori into groups based on the presence or absence of an additional disorder, such as a reading disorder, to examine cognitive differences between MLD subtypes. In the current study 226 third to six grade children (M age=131 months) with MLD completed a selection of number specific and general cognitive measures. The data driven approach was used to identify the extent to which performance of the MLD children on these measures could be clustered into distinct groups. In particular, after conducting a factor analysis, a 200 times repeated K-means clustering approach was used to classify the children's performance. Results revealed six distinguishable clusters of MLD children, specifically (a) a weak mental number line group, (b) weak ANS group, (c) spatial difficulties group, (d) access deficit group, (e) no numerical cognitive deficit group and (f) a garden-variety group. These findings imply that different cognitive subtypes of MLD exist and that these can be derived from data-driven approaches to classification. These findings strengthen the notion that MLD is a heterogeneous disorder, which has implications for the way in which intervention may be tailored for individuals within the different subtypes. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Between-group differences in nutrition- and health-related psychosocial factors among US adults and their associations with diet, exercise, and weight status.

PubMed

Wang, Youfa; Chen, Xiaoli

2012-04-01

Large disparities exist across ethnic and socioeconomic status groups regarding obesity and other chronic diseases. Eliminating health disparities is a national priority in the United States. To test between-group differences in nutrition- and health-related psychosocial factors (NHRPF) and their associations with US adults' diet, exercise, and weight status. DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS/SETTING: Nationally representative data from the Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals and the Diet and Health Knowledge Survey 1994-96 from 4,356 US adults aged 20 to 65 years were used. Diet was assessed using 24-hour recalls, NHRPF was assessed by 25 questions, and weight status was determined by self-reported weight and height. Index scores were created to measure NHRPF. Diet quality was assessed using the US Department of Agriculture 2005 Healthy Eating Index (HEI). Multivariate linear and logistic regression models were conducted to examine the associations. Some ethnic differences in NHRPF existed but were small. There were statistically significant (P<0.05) and large ethnic differences in diet (blacks had the worst average HEI and whites the best at 47.6 vs 52.3, respectively). Groups with higher socioeconomic status had better NHRPF (ie, had better nutrition knowledge and beliefs, made better food choices, and had better awareness of nutrition-related health risks) and HEI score. Subjects with high school education had higher NHRPF score (37.2 vs 35.7) and HEI score (54.5 vs 49.5) than those with less than a high school education. Ethnic differences among American adults' NHRPF were small, but socioeconomic status differences were greater. More efforts are needed to study the influences of the complex interactions between individual and social environmental factors that affect Americans' diet and weight status and to explain related ethnic disparities. Copyright © 2012 Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

A comparison of students' achievement and attitude as a function of lecture/lab sequencing in a non-science majors introductory biology course

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hurst March, Robin Denise

This investigation compared student achievement and attitudes toward science from three different sequencing approaches used in teaching biology to nonscience students. The three sequencing approaches were the lecture course only, lecture/laboratory courses taken together, and laboratory with previously taken lecture approach. The purposes of this study were to determine if (1) a relationship exists between the Attitude Towards Science in School Assessment (ATSSA) scores (Germann, 1988) and biology achievement, (2) a difference exists among the ATSSA scores and sequencing, (3) a difference exists among the biology achievement scores and sequencing, and (4) the ATSSA is a reliable instrument of science attitude assessment for the undergraduate students in an introductory biology nonmajors laboratory and lecture courses at a research I institution during the fall semester 1996. Fifty-four students comprised the lecture only group, 90 students comprised the lecture and laboratory taken together approach, and 23 students comprised the laboratory only approach. Research questions addressed were (1) What are the differences in student biology achievement as a function of the three different methods of instruction? (2) What are the differences in student attitude towards science as a function of the three different methods of instruction? (3) What is the relationship between post-attitude (ATSSA) and biology achievement for each of the three methods of instruction? An analysis of variance utilized the mean posttest scores on the ATSSA and mean achievement scores as the dependent variables. The independent variables were the three different sequences of enrollment in introductory biology. At the.05 level of significance, it was found that no significant difference existed between the ATTS and laboratory/lecture sequence. At the.05 level of significance, it was found that no significant difference existed between achievement and laboratory/lecture sequence. A Pearson product moment correlation was used to see if a relationship existed between posttest ATSSA scores and achievement totals in each sequence. A significant relationship was noted between the ATSSA and achievement in each sequence that involved a laboratory component.

Laryngoscope plastic blades in scheduled general anesthesia patients: a comparative randomized study.

PubMed

Galinski, Michel; Catineau, Jean; Rayeh, Fatima; Muret, Jane; Ciebiera, Jean-Pierre; Plantevin, Frédéric; Foucrier, Arnaud; Tual, Loic; Combes, Xavier; Adnet, Frédéric

2011-03-01

To compare two brands of disposable plastic laryngoscope blades, Vital View plastic blades and Heine XP plastic blades, with the reusable Heine Classic+ Macintosh metal blades. Prospective randomized, controlled, single-blinded study. Operating room of a university-affiliated hospital. 519 patients without criteria for predicted difficult intubation, undergoing scheduled surgery during general anesthesia. Patients were randomized to three groups according to laryngoscope blade brand. Difficult tracheal intubation was evaluated by the Intubation Difficulty Scale (IDS) (IDS > 5 = procedure involving moderate to major difficulty). The percentage of intubations with an IDS > 5 was 3.1% in Group M (metal blade group), 5.1% in Group V (Vital View plastic blade group), and 10.0% in Group H (Heine plastic blade group). A significant difference was noted between Groups M and H (P = 0.02) but not between Groups M and V. Intubation may be more challenging when using Heine XP plastic blades but no significant difference exists between Vital-View plastic blades and Heine Classic+ metal blades. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Geographic differences in perioperative opioid administration in children

PubMed Central

Rabbitts, Jennifer A.; Groenewald, Cornelius B.; Räsänen, Jukka

2012-01-01

Objectives To investigate whether geographic differences exist in perioperative opioid administration to children. Aim To investigate whether perioperative fentanyl use for cleft lip and palate surgery varies between children of three different geographic regions. Background Differences have been found in perioperative opioid administration to children of differing ethnicity in the U.S.A. Whether similar differences exist in perioperative opioid administration to children residing in different geographic regions is unknown. Methods/materials We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of ASA I children who underwent surgery under standardized general anesthesia between January 2010 and April 2011 during SMILE Network International mission trips to Africa, India and Central and South America. Perioperative administration of fentanyl was compared between these three locations. Results We analyzed data from 79 children who underwent surgery in Africa, 76 in India and 153 in Central and South America. Children in Central and South America were given less than 50% of the intraoperative amount of fentanyl (2.0 ± 1.2 mcg/kg) administered to children in Africa (4.1 ± 2.4 mcg/kg; p<0.001) and children in India (4.3 ± 2.2 mcg/kg; p < 0.001). Postoperatively, fentanyl was administered in equivalent doses to all groups. Conclusions Children in Central and South America received less opioid intraoperatively than African and Indian children, under standardized anesthesia for cleft surgeries. Further research is necessary to elucidate the mechanisms underlying these group differences. PMID:22324378

Gender differences in computer-mediated communication: a systematic literature review of online health-related support groups.

PubMed

Mo, Phoenix K H; Malik, Sumaira H; Coulson, Neil S

2009-04-01

Previous research has contended that the unique characteristics of the Internet might remove some of the gender differences that exist in face-to-face healthcare. The aims of the present study were to systematically review studies that have examined gender differences in communication within online health communities. A literature search was conducted to identify studies addressing gender differences in messages posted to online health-related support groups. Out of the 1186 articles identified, twelve were retrieved for review. Half of the studies examined gender differences by comparing male and female cancer discussion boards. The literature review revealed that some gender differences were observed in these studies. However, for studies that analysed mixed-gender communities, gender differences were less evident. Results seemed to reveal gender differences in communications in single-sex online health support groups, and similarities in communication patterns in mixed-sex online health support groups. However, findings should be treated with caution due to the diversity in studies and methodological issues highlighted in the present review. There is a need for health care professionals to take into account a range of situational and contextual factors that may affect how men and women use online health support groups. However, more robust research is needed before concrete guidelines can be developed to help health care professionals develop effective online support interventions.

Comparative evaluation of border molding using two different techniques in maxillary edentulous arches: A clinical study

PubMed Central

Qanungo, Anchal; Aras, Meena Ajay; Chitre, Vidya; Coutinho, Ivy; Rajagopal, Praveen; Mysore, Ashwin

2016-01-01

Purpose: The aim of this in vivo study was to compare the single-step border molding technique using injectable heavy viscosity addition silicone with sectional border molding technique using low fusing impression compound by evaluating the retention of heat cure trial denture bases. Materials and Methods: Ten completely edentulous patients in need of prostheses were included in this study. Two border molding techniques, single-step (Group 1) and sectional (Group 2), were compared for retention. Both border molding techniques were performed in each patient. In both techniques, definitive wash impression was made with light viscosity addition silicone. The final results were analyzed using paired t-test to determine whether significant differences existed between the groups. Results: The t-value (3.031) infers that there was a significant difference between Group 1 and Group 2 (P = 0.014). The retention obtained in Group 2 (mean = 9.05 kgf) was significantly higher than that of Group 1 (mean = 8.26 kgf). Conclusion: Sectional border molding technique proved to be more retentive as compared to single-step border molding although clinically the retention appeared comparable. PMID:27746597

Bells Test: Are there differences in performance between adult groups aged 40-59 and 60-75?

PubMed Central

Paiva, Silvio Cesar Escovar; Viapiana, Vanisa Fante; Cardoso, Caroline de Oliveira; Fonseca, Rochele Paz

2017-01-01

Objective To verify whether differences exist between groups of Brazilian adults aged 40-59 and 60-75 in respective performance on the Bells Test, given the dearth of literature investigating the relationship between focused visual attention and the age factor. Methods Eighty-four neurologically healthy adults (half aged 40-59 and half 60-75) with high educational level (40-59 years group: M=17.75 years' education; SD=4.00; 60-75 years group: M=15.85 years education; SD=3.19) were assessed using the Bells Test. Data on accuracy and processing speed were compared between groups by ANCOVA, controlled for the covariates education and frequency of reading and writing habits. Results There were no significant differences between the age groups. Conclusion It is suggested that aging influences sustained and focused attention and speed processing after 75 years of age on visual cancellation paradigms, when executive and attentional changes tend to be more marked. Further studies should investigate healthy older and oldest-old adults, as well as groups with low and intermediate educational backgrounds. In addition, Brazilian clinical populations should also be characterized, particularly those with neurological disorders that might have visual hemineglect. PMID:29213492

Monetary reward processing in obese individuals with and without binge eating disorder.

PubMed

Balodis, Iris M; Kober, Hedy; Worhunsky, Patrick D; White, Marney A; Stevens, Michael C; Pearlson, Godfrey D; Sinha, Rajita; Grilo, Carlos M; Potenza, Marc N

2013-05-01

An important step in obesity research involves identifying neurobiological underpinnings of nonfood reward processing unique to specific subgroups of obese individuals. Nineteen obese individuals seeking treatment for binge eating disorder (BED) were compared with 19 non-BED obese individuals (OB) and 19 lean control subjects (LC) while performing a monetary reward/loss task that parses anticipatory and outcome components during functional magnetic resonance imaging. Differences in regional activation were investigated in BED, OB, and LC groups during reward/loss prospect, anticipation, and notification. Relative to the LC group, the OB group demonstrated increased ventral striatal and ventromedial prefrontal cortex activity during anticipatory phases. In contrast, the BED group relative to the OB group demonstrated diminished bilateral ventral striatal activity during anticipatory reward/loss processing. No differences were observed between the BED and LC groups in the ventral striatum. Heterogeneity exists among obese individuals with respect to the neural correlates of reward/loss processing. Neural differences in separable groups with obesity suggest that multiple, varying interventions might be important in optimizing prevention and treatment strategies for obesity. Copyright © 2013 Society of Biological Psychiatry. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Redesigning the United States Marine Corps Contingency Contracting Process of Knowledge Sharing and Tool Usage

DTIC Science & Technology

2001-12-01

Group 1999, Davenport and Prusak 1998). Although differences do exist, the four models are similar. In the amalgamated model , the phases of the KMLC...15 Phase 1, create, is the discovery and development of new knowledge (Despres and Chavel 1999, Gartner Group 1999). Phase 2, organize, involves...This generally entails modeling and analysis that results in one or more (re)designs for the process in question. The process, along with

New molecular method to detect denitrifying anaerobic methane oxidation bacteria from different environmental niches.

PubMed

Xu, Sai; Lu, Wenjing; Muhammad, Farooq Mustafa; Liu, Yanting; Guo, Hanwen; Meng, Ruihong; Wang, Hongtao

2018-03-01

The denitrifying anaerobic methane oxidation is an ecologically important process for reducing the potential methane emission into the atmosphere. The responsible bacterium for this process was Candidatus Methylomirabilis oxyfera belonging to the bacterial phylum of NC10. In this study, a new pair of primers targeting all the five groups of NC10 bacteria was designed to amplify NC10 bacteria from different environmental niches. The results showed that the group A was the dominant NC10 phylum bacteria from the sludges and food waste digestate while in paddy soil samples, group A and group B had nearly the same proportion. Our results also indicated that NC10 bacteria could exist in a high pH environment (pH9.24) from the food waste treatment facility. The Pearson relationship analysis showed that the pH had a significant positive relationship with the NC10 bacterial diversity (p<0.05). The redundancy analysis further revealed that the pH, volatile solid and nitrite nitrogen were the most important factors in shaping the NC10 bacterial structure (p=0.01) based on the variation inflation factors selection and Monte Carlo test (999 times). Results of this study extended the existing molecular tools for studying the NC10 bacterial community structures and provided new information on the ecological distributions of NC10 bacteria. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Black Men in College: Implications for HBCUs and beyond

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Palmer, Robert T., Ed.; Wood, J. Luke, Ed.

2011-01-01

"Black Men in College" provides vital information about how to effectively support, retain, and graduate Black male undergraduates. This edited collection centers on the notion that Black male collegians are not a homogenous group; rather, they are representative of rarely acknowledged differences that exist among them. This valuable text suggests…

Families Speak to Early Childhood Teachers: Impressions and Expectations

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Thomas, Suzanne B.; Dykes, Frank

2013-01-01

Investigators interviewed 54 families of children with disabilities ages seven through nine to examine the expectations that families of young children hold for their child's teacher. Responses themes were examined to determine if a pattern existed between families of different groups of children. Results reveal many families expressed true…

Engaging FCS Partners in an International Service Learning Initiative

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Keino, Leah C.; Torrie, Margaret C.; Hausafus, Cheryl O.; Trost, Betty C.

2010-01-01

Several definitions of service learning exist. For this initiative, the authors used Torres and Sinton's (2000) definition that students are learning about social issues and applying new knowledge to real problems in their communities. This project entailed a partnership of committed citizens of different groups (middle, secondary, and university…

Visual and Auditory Memory: Relationships to Reading Achievement.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bruning, Roger H.; And Others

1978-01-01

Good and poor readers' visual and auditory memory were tested. No group differences existed for single mode presentation in recognition frequency or latency. With multimodal presentation, good readers had faster latencies. Dual coding and self-terminating memory search hypotheses were supported. Implications for the reading process and reading…

Technology Transfer and Utilization Methodology; Further Analysis of the Linker Concept.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jolly, James A.; Creighton, J. W.

This study is based on a comparison of data from two independent studies of technology utilization and dissemination methodology that sought to identify the behavior characteristics of "linkers" and "stabilizers" and their relative existence within different groups of technical personnel. Hypothesis for this study is that the…

The "Protocenter" Concept: A Method for Teaching Stereochemistry

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lewis, David E.

2010-01-01

The "protocenter", defined as an atom carrying two different attached groups in a nonlinear arrangement, is proposed as a concept useful for the introduction of chirality and geometric isomerism in introductory organic chemistry classes. Two protocenters are the minimum requirement for stereoisomers of a compound to exist. Protocenters may be…

Current Ethnomusicology in Alaska.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Johnston, Thomas F.

The systematic study of Eskimo, Indian, and Aleut musical sound and behavior in Alaska, though conceded to be an important part of white efforts to foster understanding between different cultural groups and to maintain the native cultural heritage, has received little attention from Alaskan educators. Most existing ethnomusical studies lack one or…

Written Expression in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Meta-Analysis

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Finnegan, Elizabeth; Accardo, Amy L.

2018-01-01

Although studies exist measuring the effectiveness of writing interventions for students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), research assessing the writing skills for this group is sparse. The present study identified differences in the written expression of individuals with ASD compared to typically developing (TD) peers, using variables…

Gender, Parenthood, and Work Hours of Physicians.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Grant, Linda; And Others

1990-01-01

Data from 204 young physicians (147 men, 57 women) revealed that parenthood significantly reduced women's, but not men's, practice hours. No significant gender differences existed for nonparents. Gaps between ideal and actual practice hours were smaller for mothers than for other groups, suggesting that mothers were more satisfied than other…

Insecure Attachment and Eating Pathology in Early Adolescence: Role of Emotion Regulation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

van Durme, Kim; Braet, Caroline; Goossens, Lien

2015-01-01

The present study investigated whether associations exist between attachment dimensions toward mother and different forms of eating pathology (EP) in a group of early adolescent boys and girls, and whether these associations were mediated by maladaptive emotion regulation (ER) strategies. Developmentally appropriate self-report questionnaires were…

Racial and Ethnic Barriers in Counseling.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Vontress, Clemmont E.

There are numerous problems involved in counseling minority group members. Rapport is difficult to establish because of the racial and/or cultural attitudes client and counselor have toward one another; consequently the client often finds his own goals in opposition to those of counseling. The existing cultural gap also leads to different patterns…

Does the mind map learning strategy facilitate information retrieval and critical thinking in medical students?

PubMed

D'Antoni, Anthony V; Zipp, Genevieve Pinto; Olson, Valerie G; Cahill, Terrence F

2010-09-16

A learning strategy underutilized in medical education is mind mapping. Mind maps are multi-sensory tools that may help medical students organize, integrate, and retain information. Recent work suggests that using mind mapping as a note-taking strategy facilitates critical thinking. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether a relationship existed between mind mapping and critical thinking, as measured by the Health Sciences Reasoning Test (HSRT), and whether a relationship existed between mind mapping and recall of domain-based information. In this quasi-experimental study, 131 first-year medical students were randomly assigned to a standard note-taking (SNT) group or mind map (MM) group during orientation. Subjects were given a demographic survey and pre-HSRT. They were then given an unfamiliar text passage, a pre-quiz based upon the passage, and a 30-minute break, during which time subjects in the MM group were given a presentation on mind mapping. After the break, subjects were given the same passage and wrote notes based on their group (SNT or MM) assignment. A post-quiz based upon the passage was administered, followed by a post-HSRT. Differences in mean pre- and post-quiz scores between groups were analyzed using independent samples t-tests, whereas differences in mean pre- and post-HSRT total scores and subscores between groups were analyzed using ANOVA. Mind map depth was assessed using the Mind Map Assessment Rubric (MMAR). There were no significant differences in mean scores on both the pre- and post-quizzes between note-taking groups. And, no significant differences were found between pre- and post-HSRT mean total scores and subscores. Although mind mapping was not found to increase short-term recall of domain-based information or critical thinking compared to SNT, a brief introduction to mind mapping allowed novice MM subjects to perform similarly to SNT subjects. This demonstrates that medical students using mind maps can successfully retrieve information in the short term, and does not put them at a disadvantage compared to SNT students. Future studies should explore longitudinal effects of mind-map proficiency training on both short- and long-term information retrieval and critical thinking.

Controlling self-assembly of diphenylalanine peptides at high pH using heterocyclic capping groups.

PubMed

Martin, Adam D; Wojciechowski, Jonathan P; Robinson, Andrew B; Heu, Celine; Garvey, Christopher J; Ratcliffe, Julian; Waddington, Lynne J; Gardiner, James; Thordarson, Pall

2017-03-08

Using small angle neutron scattering (SANS), it is shown that the existence of pre-assembled structures at high pH for a capped diphenylalanine hydrogel is controlled by the selection of N-terminal heterocyclic capping group, namely indole or carbazole. At high pH, changing from a somewhat hydrophilic indole capping group to a more hydrophobic carbazole capping group results in a shift from a high proportion of monomers to self-assembled fibers or wormlike micelles. The presence of these different self-assembled structures at high pH is confirmed through NMR and circular dichroism spectroscopy, scanning probe microscopy and cryogenic transmission electron microscopy.

Ethnicity, Social Support, and Depression Among Elderly Chilean People.

PubMed

Gallardo-Peralta, Lorena P; Sánchez-Moreno, Esteban; López De Roda, Ana Barrón; Arias Astray, Andrés

2015-01-01

Recent evidence regarding the relationship between social support and depression in elderly people shows the important role of ethnicity. This research describes the characteristics of social support in a sample of elderly people aged 60 and above living in northern Chile (n = 493), and analyzes the differences in the relationship between social support and depression between an indigenous group (Aymara population, n = 147) and a nonindigenous group (white, Caucasian, mestizo, n = 346). Various dimensions of social support were considered: structural elements, functional social support according to source, and community participation. The results show the existence of significant differences in the characteristics and dimensions of social support depending on sex, ethnicity, and marital status. Further, the central role of the family group is observed for both Aymara and nonindigenous elderly people. The hierarchical regression models obtained result in notable differences in the role of the structural, functional, and community elements of support in explaining depression for the ethnic groups considered.

Effect of Different Concentrations of Chlorhexidine in Glass-ionomer Cements on In Vivo Biocompatibility.

PubMed

Lacerda-Santos, Rogério; Sampaio, Gêisa Aiane de Morais; Moura, Mirella de Fátima Liberato; Carvalho, Fabiola Galbiatti de; Santos, Antonielson Dos; Pithon, Matheus Melo; Alves, Polliana Muniz

To examine whether a difference exists between the in vivo biocompatibility of glass-ionomer cements (GICs) containing chlorhexidine (CHX) in different concentrations. Eighty-four male Wistar rats were distributed into 7 groups (n = 12) and received subcutaneous implants of small tubes containing different materials, as follows: Ketac control (K), Ketac-CHX 10% (K10), Ketac-CHX 18% (K18), Resilience control (R), Resilience-CHX 10% (R10), Resilience-CHX 18% (R18), Control (polyethylene). The animals were then sacrificed on post-insertion days 7, 15 and 30, and tissues were examined under an optical microscope for inflammatory infiltrate, edema, necrosis, granulation tissue, multinucleated giant cells, and collagen fibers. The results were statistically analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn's tests (p < 0.05). Groups K18 and R18 showed larger areas of intense inflammatory infiltrate, with significant differences between group C and groups K18 and R18 (p = 0.007) at 7 days, and between groups C and K18 (p = 0.017) at 15 days. In terms of tissue repair, groups K18 and R18 demonstrated a lower quantity of collagen fibers with significant differences from group C (p = 0.019) at 7 days, and between group K18 and group C (p = 0.021) at 15 days. The 18% concentration of CHX was shown to have a toxic effect. The 10% concentration of CHX was shown to be suitable for tissue contact. The addition of CHX to the glass-ionomer cements is a highly promising method for obtaining of an antibacterial GIC for use in clinical practice.

Analyzing Activity Behavior and Movement in a Naturalistic Environment using Smart Home Techniques

PubMed Central

Cook, Diane J.; Schmitter-Edgecombe, Maureen; Dawadi, Prafulla

2015-01-01

One of the many services that intelligent systems can provide is the ability to analyze the impact of different medical conditions on daily behavior. In this study we use smart home and wearable sensors to collect data while (n=84) older adults perform complex activities of daily living. We analyze the data using machine learning techniques and reveal that differences between healthy older adults and adults with Parkinson disease not only exist in their activity patterns, but that these differences can be automatically recognized. Our machine learning classifiers reach an accuracy of 0.97 with an AUC value of 0.97 in distinguishing these groups. Our permutation-based testing confirms that the sensor-based differences between these groups are statistically significant. PMID:26259225

Analyzing Activity Behavior and Movement in a Naturalistic Environment Using Smart Home Techniques.

PubMed

Cook, Diane J; Schmitter-Edgecombe, Maureen; Dawadi, Prafulla

2015-11-01

One of the many services that intelligent systems can provide is the ability to analyze the impact of different medical conditions on daily behavior. In this study, we use smart home and wearable sensors to collect data, while ( n = 84) older adults perform complex activities of daily living. We analyze the data using machine learning techniques and reveal that differences between healthy older adults and adults with Parkinson disease not only exist in their activity patterns, but that these differences can be automatically recognized. Our machine learning classifiers reach an accuracy of 0.97 with an area under the ROC curve value of 0.97 in distinguishing these groups. Our permutation-based testing confirms that the sensor-based differences between these groups are statistically significant.

Age and Electromyographic Frequency Alterations during Walking in Children with Cerebral Palsy

PubMed Central

Lauer, Richard T.; Pierce, Samuel R.; Tucker, Carole A.; Barbe, Mary F.; Prosser, Laura A.

2009-01-01

The use of surface electromyography (sEMG) recorded during ambulation has provided valuable insight into motor development and changes with age in the pediatric population. However, no studies have reported sEMG differences with age in the children with cerebral palsy (CP). In this study, data from 50 children were divided retrospectively into four groups, representing either an older (above the age of 7 years) or younger (below the age of 7 years) age group with either typical development (TD) or CP. Data were analyzed from 16 children in the younger age group with TD, and eight in the older age group with TD. Data were also available from 14 in the younger age group with CP, and 12 in the older age group with CP. SEMG signals from the rectus femoris (RF) and medial hamstring (MH) were analyzed using wavelet techniques to examine time-frequency content. RF muscle activity was statistically different between all groups (p<0.001), with an elevated instantaneous mean frequency (IMNF) in the older TD group than the younger TD group, an elevated IMNF in the younger CP group than the older CP group, and elevated IMNF in both CP groups compared to both TD groups. Activity for the MH muscle followed the same pattern except for the CP young and old group comparison, which indicated no difference. The results indicate that differences in neuromuscular activation exist between younger and older groups of children with both TD and CP, and may provide new insight into muscle activity pattern changes during the development of walking. PMID:19854058

40 CFR Table 3 to Subpart Ppp of... - Group 1 Storage Vessels at Existing and New Affected Sources

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 12 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Group 1 Storage Vessels at Existing...—Group 1 Storage Vessels at Existing and New Affected Sources Vessel capacity(cubic meters) Vapor Pressure a (kilopascals) 75 ≤capacity pressure of total...

40 CFR Table 3 to Subpart Ppp of... - Group 1 Storage Vessels at Existing and New Affected Sources

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 12 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Group 1 Storage Vessels at Existing...—Group 1 Storage Vessels at Existing and New Affected Sources Vessel capacity(cubic meters) Vapor Pressure a (kilopascals) 75 ≤ capacity pressure of...

Effects of the Schema Therapy and Mindfulness on the Maladaptive Schemas Hold by the Psoriasis Patients with the Psychopathology Symptoms

PubMed Central

Gojani, Parvin Jamali; Masjedi, Mohsen; Khaleghipour, Shahnaz; Behzadi, Ehsan

2017-01-01

Background: This study aimed to compare the effects of the schema along with mindfulness-based therapies in the psoriasis patients. Materials and Methods: This semi-experimental study with post- and pre-tests was conducted on the psoriasis patients in the Dermatology Clinic of the Isfahan Alzahra Hospital, Iran using the convenience sampling in 2014. The patients had a low general health score. The experimental groups included two treatment groups of schema-based (n = 8) and mindfulness (n = 8). Both groups received eight 90-min sessions therapy once a week; they were compared with 8 patients in the control group. To evaluate the psoriasis patients’ maladaptive schema, Young schema questionnaire was used. Data were analyzed through the covariance analysis test. Results: There was a significant difference between the schema-based therapy and mindfulness groups with the control group. There was also a significant difference between the schema-based therapy groups consisting of the defeated schema, dependence/incompetence schema, devotion schema, stubbornly criteria schema, merit schema, restraint/inadequate self-discipline schema, and the control group. Moreover, a significant difference existed between the maladaptive schema of mindfulness therapy group and the controls. There was a significant difference concerning the improvement of the psychopathologic symptoms between the mindfulness therapy group and the control group. Conclusions: This study showed similar effects of both the schema and mindfulness-based therapies on the maladaptive schemas in improving the psoriasis patients with the psychopathologic symptoms. PMID:28217649

Group II chaperonins: new TRiC(k)s and turns of a protein folding machine.

PubMed

Gutsche, I; Essen, L O; Baumeister, W

1999-10-22

In the past decade, the eubacterial group I chaperonin GroEL became the paradigm of a protein folding machine. More recently, electron microscopy and X-ray crystallography offered insights into the structure of the thermosome, the archetype of the group II chaperonins which also comprise the chaperonin from the eukaryotic cytosol TRiC. Some structural differences from GroEL were revealed, namely the existence of a built-in lid provided by the helical protrusions of the apical domains instead of a GroES-like co-chaperonin. These structural studies provide a framework for understanding the differences in the mode of action between the group II and the group I chaperonins. In vitro analyses of the folding of non-native substrates coupled to ATP binding and hydrolysis are progressing towards establishing a functional cycle for group II chaperonins. A protein complex called GimC/prefoldin has recently been found to cooperate with TRiC in vivo, and its characterization is under way. Copyright 1999 Academic Press.

Analyses of the vertical and temporal distribution of sulfate-reducing bacteria in Lake Aha (China)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, M. Y.; Liang, X. B.; Yuan, X. Y.; Zhang, W.; Zeng, J.

2008-03-01

In April and September of 2005, two sediment cores were collected from Lake Aha, which is polluted by the acid mine drainage of the mining industries. Sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) groups and their quantity were analyzed by using PCR and FISH (fluorescence in situ hybridization), respectively. The results showed that four SRB groups ( Desulfotomaculum, Desulfobulbus, Desulfococcus Desulfonema Desulfosarcina and Desulfovibrio Desulfomicrobium) were detected in September, while only three SRB groups ( Desulfotomaculum, Desulfobulbus and Desulfococcus Desulfonema Desulfosarcina) were detected in April. Desulfovibrio Desulfomicrobium was not detected and was expected to exist inactively, in April. Meanwhile, the distribution of every SRB group was wider in September than in April. The results indicated that different SRB groups had different vertical and temporal distribution. The vertical and temporal distribution of SRB was mainly in the upper sediments, and the number of SRB groups and quantity were larger in September than in April. It suggested that the environmental conditions of sediments in September were more suitable for SRB.

Education-Related Gender Differences in Health in Rural China

PubMed Central

Wu, Jing; Liu, Yuanli; Rao, Keqin; Sun, Qi; Qian, Juncheng; Li, Zhu

2004-01-01

We investigated gender differences in education-related health inequalities in rural China. Household interview data were obtained from 6 provinces in 1993 and 2001. Remarkable health inequalities existed and favored the higher educational groups; among women, the inequalities were greater and health inequalities increased from 1993 to 2001. Education serves as a more powerful mediating factor for health inequalities among women than among men in rural China. PMID:15451739

Social Effects of Health Care Reform: Medicaid Expansion under the Affordable Care Act and changes in Volunteering

PubMed Central

Sohn, Heeju; Timmermans, Stefan

2017-01-01

Do public health policy interventions result in pro-social behaviors? The Affordable Care Act (ACA)’s Medicaid expansions were responsible for the largest gains in public insurance coverage since its inception in 1965. These gains were concentrated in states that opted to expand Medicaid eligibility and provide a unique opportunity to study not just medical but also social consequences of increased public health coverage. This article examines the association between Medicaid and volunteer work. Volunteerism is implicated in individuals’ health and well-being yet it is highly correlated with a person’s existing socioeconomic resources. Medicaid expansions improved financial security and a sense of health—two factors that predict volunteer work—for a socioeconomic group that has had low levels of volunteerism. Difference-in-difference analyses of the Volunteer Supplement of the Current Population Survey (2010–2015) find increased reports of formal volunteering for organizations as well as informal helping behaviors between neighbors for low-income non-elderly adults who would have likely benefited from expansions. Furthermore, increased volunteer work associated with Medicaid was greater among minority groups and narrowed existing ethnic differences in volunteerism in states that expanded Medicaid eligibility. PMID:29142907

Gender-dependent differences in degree of facial wrinkles.

PubMed

Tsukahara, Kazue; Hotta, Mitsuyuki; Osanai, Osamu; Kawada, Hiromitsu; Kitahara, Takashi; Takema, Yoshinori

2013-02-01

This study aimed to reveal gender-dependent differences in the degree of facial wrinkles. Subjects comprised 173 Japanese men and women, divided into four groups according to age. Photographs were taken from nine facial regions and used to classify the intensity of wrinkles into five grades. In addition, replicas were taken from five facial sites and used to measure surface roughness. Data were compared between men and women within each age group. In all age groups, men showed increased forehead wrinkles compared with women. In contrast, no gender-dependent differences were found in upper eyelid wrinkles. Other facial wrinkles were greater in men than in women in all except the oldest group (age, 65-75 years), in which wrinkles in women were greater than or equal to those in men. Our results showed that gender-dependent differences exist in the degree of facial wrinkles. In general, men tend to have more severe wrinkles than women. This tendency disappeared or was reversed in some regions of the face and in individuals more than 60 years old. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Two Populations of Sunspots: Differential Rotation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nagovitsyn, Yu. A.; Pevtsov, A. A.; Osipova, A. A.

2018-03-01

To investigate the differential rotation of sunspot groups using the Greenwich data, we propose an approach based on a statistical analysis of the histograms of particular longitudinal velocities in different latitude intervals. The general statistical velocity distributions for all such intervals are shown to be described by two rather than one normal distribution, so that two fundamental rotation modes exist simultaneously: fast and slow. The differentiality of rotation for the modes is the same: the coefficient at sin2 in Faye's law is 2.87-2.88 deg/day, while the equatorial rotation rates differ significantly, 0.27 deg/day. On the other hand, an analysis of the longitudinal velocities for the previously revealed two differing populations of sunspot groups has shown that small short-lived groups (SSGs) are associated with the fast rotation mode, while large long-lived groups (LLGs) are associated with both fast and slow modes. The results obtained not only suggest a real physical difference between the two populations of sunspots but also give new empirical data for the development of a dynamo theory, in particular, for the theory of a spatially distributed dynamo.

A morphologic and quantitative comparison of mechanoreceptors in the tibial remnants of the ruptured human anterior cruciate ligament.

PubMed

Sha, Lin; Xie, Guoming; Zhao, Song; Zhao, Jinzhong

2017-02-01

Reconstruction of the ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) does not always result in expected successful outcome. A satisfactory outcome depends not only on the tightness or strength of the graft but also on the quality of proprioceptive restoration. Mechanoreceptors of ACL are supposed to play considerable roles in the proprioceptive feedback system of knee. This study aimed to observe the condition and number of the surviving mechanoreceptors in the tibial remnant of ruptured ACL in human knees.From April 2009 to January 2012, 60 patients with existing free tibial remnants who had undergone arthroscopic ACL reconstruction were enrolled and divided into 4 groups according to the time duration of injury to surgery (Group I: no more than 3 months; Group II: 3 to 6 months; Group III, 6 months to 1 year; Group IV: more than 1 year). Six normal ACL specimens were taken as controls. Specimens were obtained from ACL tibial remnant and stained by the immunohistochemical staining method. The type, size, and quantity of mechanoreceptors were observed under the light microscope. A total of 92 Ruffini-like corpuscles, 9 Pacini-like corpuscles, 5 unclassified neural endings, and free nerve endings were identified via immunohistochemical staining.There were no significant differences in the number of mechanoreceptors in the 5 groups (P = 0.238). Some degenerative changes were observed in Group IV. The results suggest that the residual mechanoreceptors in the ruptured ACL exhibit long-term survival and showed no obvious signs of withering within 1 year.Residual mechanoreceptors do exist in the tibial remnants of ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in human knees and identified clearly by using immunohistochemistry staining. No significant difference was found regarding quantitative variation of the residual mechanoreceptors about the injury duration.

A study of the dynamics of sex differences in adulthood.

PubMed

Trofimova, Irina

2013-01-01

Studies of gender differences using primarily young individuals show that males, on average, perform better than females in physical activities but worse than females on tests of verbal abilities. There is however a controversy about the existence of these sex differences in adulthood. Our study used 1271 participants from four cultural backgrounds (Chinese, multi-generation Canadians, Indu-Canadians, and European-Canadians) divided in five age groups. We measured sex differences in the time required for participants to complete a lexical task experiment, and also assessed their verbal tempo and physical endurance using a validated temperament test (Structure of Temperament Questionnaire). We found a significant female advantage in time on the lexical task and on the temperament scale of social-verbal tempo, and a male advantage on the temperament scale of physical endurance. These sex differences, however, were more pronounced in young age groups (17-24), fading in older groups. This "middle age-middle sex" phenomenon suggests that sex differences in these two types of abilities observed in younger groups might be "a matter of age," and should not be attributed to gender in general. A one-dimensional approach to sex differences (common in meta-analytic studies) therefore overlooks a possible interaction of sex differences with age.

Regulation of substituent groups on morphologies and self-assembly of organogels based on some azobenzene imide derivatives

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jiao, Tifeng; Wang, Yujin; Zhang, Qingrui; Zhou, Jingxin; Gao, Faming

2013-04-01

In this paper, new azobenzene imide derivatives with different substituent groups were designed and synthesized. Their gelation behaviors in 21 solvents were tested as novel low-molecular-mass organic gelators. It was shown that the alkyl substituent chains and headgroups of azobenzene residues in gelators played a crucial role in the gelation behavior of all compounds in various organic solvents. More alkyl chains in molecular skeletons in present gelators are favorable for the gelation of organic solvents. Scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy observations revealed that the gelator molecules self-assemble into different aggregates, from wrinkle, lamella, and belt to fiber with the change of solvents. Spectral studies indicated that there existed different H-bond formations between amide groups and conformations of methyl chains. The present work may give some insight to the design and character of new organogelators and soft materials with special molecular structures.

Regulation of substituent groups on morphologies and self-assembly of organogels based on some azobenzene imide derivatives

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

In this paper, new azobenzene imide derivatives with different substituent groups were designed and synthesized. Their gelation behaviors in 21 solvents were tested as novel low-molecular-mass organic gelators. It was shown that the alkyl substituent chains and headgroups of azobenzene residues in gelators played a crucial role in the gelation behavior of all compounds in various organic solvents. More alkyl chains in molecular skeletons in present gelators are favorable for the gelation of organic solvents. Scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy observations revealed that the gelator molecules self-assemble into different aggregates, from wrinkle, lamella, and belt to fiber with the change of solvents. Spectral studies indicated that there existed different H-bond formations between amide groups and conformations of methyl chains. The present work may give some insight to the design and character of new organogelators and soft materials with special molecular structures. PMID:23566628

[Short term memory and severe language disorders in the child].

PubMed

Gras-Vincendon, A; Belion, M; Abecassis, J; Bursztejn, C

1994-10-01

Memory, and particularly short-term memory or "working memory" (Baddeley), is involved in language acquisition in children. We have studied short-term memory, with verbal-and non verbal tests, of 8 children suffering from developmental dysphasia compared with other ones, matched in terms of age and performance I.Q. (W.I.S.C.-R.). The digit span did not significantly differ in the two groups, while the visuo-spatial span was lower in the dysphasic group. The memorization of a list of monosyllabic words by dysphasic children was poor in the absence of visual presentation and improved by it. Differences between dysphasic and control-children are unlikely to be due to speech rate which does not significantly differ from one group to the other one. The results suggest the existence, in language disordered children, of cognitive functions disorders much more important than those directly involved in the speech production.

[New Ways of Communication - Results of the Working Group 5 of the Forum Future Public Health, Berlin 2016].

PubMed

Ziese, Thomas; Moebus, Susanne

2017-11-01

Good communication is an essential feature of public health. The existing communication channels from sender to receiver are increasingly supplemented or even replaced by new forms of communication such as social media in all areas of life. Public Health must adopt these changes in order to make its concerns and results accessible to different user groups. 1. Many groups of the population (e. g. migrants, socially disadvantaged) are hard to reach for purposes of communication. Different addressees need different forms of communication, including social media. Appropriate access routes must be identified and used for communication. 2. Strategies must be developed on how public health information can be effectively communicated via social media. They must be professionally sound, reliable and quality-assured, and regular updating must ensured. 3. Participation and dialogue are important elements of effective public health communication. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

What makes an automated teller machine usable by blind users?

PubMed

Manzke, J M; Egan, D H; Felix, D; Krueger, H

1998-07-01

Fifteen blind and sighted subjects, who featured as a control group for acceptance, were asked for their requirements for automated teller machines (ATMs). Both groups also tested the usability of a partially operational ATM mock-up. This machine was based on an existing cash dispenser, providing natural speech output, different function menus and different key arrangements. Performance and subjective evaluation data of blind and sighted subjects were collected. All blind subjects were able to operate the ATM successfully. The implemented speech output was the main usability factor for them. The different interface designs did not significantly affect performance and subjective evaluation. Nevertheless, design recommendations can be derived from the requirement assessment. The sighted subjects were rather open for design modifications, especially the implementation of speech output. However, there was also a mismatch of the requirements of the two subject groups, mainly concerning the key arrangement.

[Semantic interference and pathological anxiety: experimental approach in generalized anxiety].

PubMed

Azaïs, F; Granger, B; Debray, Q

1994-01-01

Patients with D.S.M. III-R generalized anxiety disorder and normal controls performed a computerized Stroop color naming-task in which they named colors of threat-related, positive and neutral words. Compared to controls, generalized anxious patients revealed a longer response latency for threat-related words, without correlation with anxious measures on Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. In normal control group, response delay to emotional words was correlated to anxious score on STAI-Trait. There was no difference between the two groups in a recognition memory task. The results suggest existence of different semantic interference in categorical and normal anxiety, without implication of explicit memory.

Atrophy of the quadriceps muscle in children with a painful hip.

PubMed

Robben, S G; Lequin, M H; Meradji, M; Diepstraten, A F; Hop, W C

1999-09-01

The objective of this study was to determine the degree of muscle wasting of various components of the quadriceps muscle in children with a painful hip. Between January 1994 and September 1997, 327 consecutive children with a unilateral painful hip and/or limping were evaluated prospectively with ultrasonography. Quadriceps thickness was measured on both sides. Moreover, muscle thickness was measured in 59 control subjects. The patients were divided into eight groups; transient synovitis (n = 134), Perthes' disease (n = 35), slipped capital femoral epiphysis (n = 5), osteomyelitis (n = 4), aspecific synovitis (n = 5), rheumatoid arthritis (n = 3) and miscellaneous (n = 16). In 125 patients, no sonographic and radiological abnormalities were found and during follow-up the symptoms disappeared ('no pathology' group). Ipsilateral muscle wasting was present in all patient groups, whereas the control subjects showed no significant difference in muscle thickness between legs. The degree of muscle wasting was compared between transient synovitis, the 'no pathology' group, Perthes' disease and control subjects. For both quadriceps and vastus intermedius muscles, there was a significant difference between these groups, except between control subjects and the 'no pathology' group. For the rectus femoris muscle, there was a significant difference between these groups, except between transient synovitis and 'no pathology'. Muscle wasting showed a positive correlation with duration of symptoms and pre-existing muscle mass. In conclusion, different diseases show different degrees of muscle wasting, and there are different patterns of muscle wasting of various components of the quadriceps femoris muscle.

Effects of different preparation procedures during tooth whitening on enamel bonding.

PubMed

Wilson, Dustin; Xu, Changqi; Hong, Liang; Wang, Yong

2009-04-01

The objective of this study was to assess effects of some clinically related preparation procedures during tooth whitening on enamel bonding properties. Sixty-two extracted human teeth were cleaned and divided into four groups. Forty-two of the teeth were left with their natural surface intact while 20 teeth were polished to form a flat surface. Half of the tooth served as the experimental side and received one of the two whitening products: Opalescence (10% carbamide peroxide) and Crest Whitestrips (6.5% hydrogen peroxide), for 2 weeks. Post-bleaching intervals included: 1 day, 1 week, and 2 weeks. On these days, tooth (10 mm x 1.5 mm x 1.5 mm) sections were evaluated using Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and tensile bond strength tests. T-test, ANOVA test, and mixed model regression analysis were used to assess the differences. No significant difference existed between natural surface and polished surface teeth for all groups at both Day One and Week Two (P > 0.05). On Day One, both treated groups had significant lower bond strength than the control group (P = 0.002). After 2 weeks, no significant difference existed between any group (P = 0.381). SEM indicated that resin-enamel interfaces in bleached enamel exhibited more defects in granular formations when compared to the control. Raman results indicated a lower degree of polymerization (DP) of adhesive at the interface for treated teeth surfaces. In summary, pre-bleaching surface treatments such as polish or non-polish, had no effect on bond strength. Bleaching significantly decreased bond strength initially, but after 2 weeks, bleaching had no significant effect on bond strength. Storage time had significant effect on Opalescence treated enamel, but not on control and Whitestrip treated enamel. The decrease of bond strength may be related to interfacial defects and low DP due to oxygen release after bleaching.

Teaching primary prevention of Alzheimer's disease: does it make a difference?

PubMed

Clevenger, Carolyn K; Cantey, Shileah; Quinn, Mary Ellen

2010-07-01

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most feared illnesses among older adults. Although no cure exists, an emerging body of literature has outlined potentially risk-reducing behaviors. As evidence has become available on risk reduction, community organizations and advocacy groups have developed health education courses on the topic. This study examines the impact of one educational program on the audience's efficacy expectations and outcome expectations for behavior change. Participants included 53 older adults residing in a continuing care retirement community. The study used a pretest-posttest design with an experimental group (n = 33) and a control group (n = 20). Topics on weekly classes included the relationship between cardiovascular factors and AD, dietary factors implicated in AD, and mental stimulation to reduce AD risk. Class sessions consisted of lecture, discussion, and demonstration. Between-group differences were found for both efficacy (P = .016) and outcome expectations (P = .000). Within-group differences were only significant for increased outcome expectations related to literature-derived behaviors (P = .000). Future work should focus on action and prevention and on replication of the educational program's evaluation in a more diverse population.

Across the Great Divide: The Effects of Technology in Secondary Biology Classrooms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Worley, Johnny Howard, II

This study investigates the relationship between technology use and student achievement in public high school across North Carolina. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a digital divide (differences in technology utilization based on student demographics of race/ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, and municipality) exists among schools and whether those differences relate to student achievement in high school biology classrooms. The study uses North Carolina end-of-course (EOC) data for biology to analyze student demographic data and assessment results from the 2010-2011 school year from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. The data analyses use descriptive and factorial univariate statistics to determine the existence of digital divides and their effects on biology achievement. Analysis of these data described patterns of technology use to determine whether potential variances resulted in a digital divide. Specific technology uses were identified in the data and then their impact on biology achievement scores within various demographic groups was examined. Research findings revealed statistically significant variations of use within different population groups. Despite being statistically significant, the relevance of the association in the variations was minimal at best -- based on the effect scale established by Cohen (1988). Additional factorial univariate analyses were employed to determine potential relationships between technology use and student achievement. The data revealed that technology use did not influence the variation of student achievement scale scores as much as race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status. White students outperformed Hispanic students by an average of three scale score points and Black students by an average of six scale score points. Technology use alone averaged less than a one point difference in mean scale scores, and only when interacting with race, gender, and/or SES did the mean difference increase. However, this increase within the context of the biology scale score range was negligible. This study contributes to the existing body of research on the effects of technology use on student achievement and its influence within various student demographic groups and municipalities. The study also provides additional research information for effective technology utilization, implementation, and instruction in educational environments.

Variation in Antibiotic Susceptibility of Uropathogens by Age among Ambulatory Pediatric Patients

PubMed Central

Quach, Yennie; Bearden, David T.; Smith, David H.; Sharp, Susan E.; Guzman-Cottrill, Judith A.

2013-01-01

We compared uropathogen antibiotic susceptibility across age groups of ambulatory pediatric patients. For Escherichia coli (n=5,099) and other Gram-negative rods (n=626), significant differences (p<0.05) existed across age groups for ampicillin, cefazolin, and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole susceptibility. In E. coli, differences in trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole susceptibility varied from 79% in children under 2 to 88% in ages 16–18 (p<0.001) while ampicillin susceptibility varied from 30% in children under 2 to 53% in ages 2–5 (p=0.015). Uropathogen susceptibility to common urinary anti-infectives may be lower in the youngest children. Further investigation into these differences is needed to facilitate appropriate and prudent treatment of urinary tract infections. PMID:24091131

Development and implementation of Persian test of Elderly for Assessment of Cognition and Executive function (PEACE).

PubMed

Javadi, Pari Sadat Haji Seyed; Zendehbad, Azadeh; Darabi, Fatemeh; Khosravifar, Shahrzad; Noroozian, Maryam

2015-11-01

A considerable segment of the elderly population in Iran is illiterate, and it seems the existing neuropsychological screening tests are not very useful for detecting dementia in illiterate participants. The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a tool called Persian test of Elderly for Assessment of Cognition and Executive function (PEACE) for detecting dementia in both illiterate and literate participants. First, in order to design some of the cognitive aspects of the PEACE assay, we considered other prevalent neuropsychological instruments, such as the General Practitioner assessment of Cognition (GPCOG), Functional Assessment Staging (FAST), Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), and Wechsler Memory scale. The other domains of PEACE were designed according to our clinical proficiencies and the culture of the society. In the next step, the participants were classified into three distinct groups, i.e., the control group (n=33), the Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) group (n=30), and the Alzheimer's group (n=38). All of the participants in each group were divided according to their educational level, i.e., illiterate, semi-literate, and literate. We developed PEACE consisting of 14 items, each of which represents a specific cognitive function, with a maximum score of 91. The 14 items are Orientation, Praxis, Attention and Concentration, Attention and Calculation, Memory, Similarity, Abstract Thinking, General Information, Language, Judgment, Gnosis, Planning (Sequencing), Problem Solving, and Animal Naming. PEACE scores are highly correlated with those of the MMSE (r=0.78). The optimal cut-off point of PEACE chosen for diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease was 67.5 (sensitivity: 75.8%, specificity: 97.4%). The PEACE scores showed a significant difference between Participants with Alzheimer's disease and the control group (p=0.0000) and the MCI group (p=0.003). In addition, there was no significant difference between illiterate and literate participants in the Alzheimer's group. However, the PEACE scores differed significantly (p=0.0000) between illiterate and literate participants in the control group. The PEACE addresses the limitations of existing tests and is appropriate for use in countries that have high rates of illiteracy. It is a valid screening mechanism for the detection of dementia in both illiterate and literate participants.

Neuropsychological study in patients with ALL. Two different CNS prevention therapies--cranial irradiation plus IT methotrexate vs. IT methotrexate alone

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

Pavlovsky, S.; Fisman, N.; Arizaga, R.

Neurological, psychopedagogic, and psychologic long-term sequelae were evaluated in two groups of ALL patients in continuous CR for more than 2 years treated with two different CNS prophylaxis schemes. Group A, 19 patients received cranial irradiation 2400 rads plus IT MTX-DMT, and group B, 23 patients IT MTX-DMT only during induction and maintenance. All the patients were evaluated by performing neurological examination, EEG, EMG with nerve conduction velocity, CT scans, CSF studies, psychometric and psychologic studies, and neuropsychological evaluation. The most important findings were: 11 patients from group A (58%) showed abnormal CT and only one patient from group Bmore » showed CT abnormalities. The neuropsychologic evaluation (performed by L. Bender technique and Picq-Vayer scale) showed more severe impairment (grade 3-4) in eight patients from group A (42%) and none in group B (p less than 0.001). Higher incidence of abnormalities in group A suggests the existence of more severe sequelae in the patients treated with cranial irradiation plus IT MTX-DMT than with IT MTX-DMT alone.« less

Gender differences in mathematics achievement in Beijing: A meta-analysis.

PubMed

Li, Meijuan; Zhang, Yongmei; Liu, Hongyun; Hao, Yi

2017-12-19

The topic of gender differences in mathematical performance has received considerable attention in the fields of education, sociology, economics and psychology. We analysed gender differences based on data from the Beijing Assessment of Educational Quality in China. A large data set of Grade 5 and Grade 8 students who took the mathematical test from 2008 to 2013 (n = 73,318) were analysed. Meta-analysis was used in this research. The findings were as follows. (1) No gender differences in mathematical achievement exist among students in Grade 5, relatively small gender differences exist in Grade 8, females scored higher than males, and variance of male students is larger than that of females in both Grade 5 and Grade 8. (2) Except for statistics and probability, gender differences in other domains in Grade 8 are significantly higher than those in Grade 5, and female students outperform males. (3) The ratio of students of both gender in Grade 5 and Grade 8 at the 95-100% percentile level shows no significant differences. However, the ratio of male students is significantly higher than that of females at the 0-5% percentile level. (4) In Grade 5, the extent to which females outperformed males in low SES group is larger than that in higher SES groups, and in Grade 8, the magnitude of gender differences in urban schools is smaller than that in rural schools. There is a small gender difference among the 8th graders, with the male disadvantage at the bottom of the distribution. And gender differences also vary across school locations. © 2017 The British Psychological Society.

TAXONOMY OF MEDICAL DEVICES IN THE LOGIC OF HEALTH TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT.

PubMed

Henschke, Cornelia; Panteli, Dimitra; Perleth, Matthias; Busse, Reinhard

2015-01-01

The suitability of general HTA methodology for medical devices is gaining interest as a topic of scientific discourse. Given the broad range of medical devices, there might be differences between groups of devices that impact both the necessity and the methods of their assessment. Our aim is to develop a taxonomy that provides researchers and policy makers with an orientation tool on how to approach the assessment of different types of medical devices. Several classifications for medical devices based on varying rationales for different regulatory and reporting purposes were analyzed in detail to develop a comprehensive taxonomic model. The taxonomy is based on relevant aspects of existing classification schemes incorporating elements of risk and functionality. Its 9 × 6 matrix distinguishes between the diagnostic or therapeutic nature of devices and considers whether the medical device is directly used by patients, constitutes part of a specific procedure, or can be used for a variety of procedures. We considered the relevance of different device categories in regard to HTA to be considerably variable, ranging from high to low. Existing medical device classifications cannot be used for HTA as they are based on different underlying logics. The developed taxonomy combines different device classification schemes used for different purposes. It aims at providing decision makers with a tool enabling them to consider device characteristics in detail across more than one dimension. The placement of device groups in the matrix can provide decision support on the necessity of conducting a full HTA.

Gender Differences in Verbal and Visuospatial Working Memory Tasks in Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer Disease

PubMed Central

Elosúa, M. Rosa; Ciudad, María José; Contreras, María José

2017-01-01

Background/Aims To date, there are few studies on gender differences in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer disease (AD). In the present study, the existence of differences between sexes in verbal and visuospatial working memory tasks in the evolution of cognitive and pathological aging was examined. Method Ninety participants took part in this study: 30 AD, 30 MCI, and 30 healthy elderly participants (50% men and 50% women). Results There were no significant differences between men and women with AD in visuospatial tasks, whereas these differences were found within the MCI group, with the average of men achieving significantly higher results than women. In verbal tasks, there were no differences between sexes for any of the groups. Conclusion Execution in visuospatial tasks tends to depend on gender, whereas this does not occur for verbal tasks. PMID:28553312

Spreading of cooperative behaviour across interdependent groups

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jiang, Luo-Luo; Perc, Matjaž

2013-08-01

Recent empirical research has shown that links between groups reinforce individuals within groups to adopt cooperative behaviour. Moreover, links between networks may induce cascading failures, competitive percolation, or contribute to efficient transportation. Here we show that there in fact exists an intermediate fraction of links between groups that is optimal for the evolution of cooperation in the prisoner's dilemma game. We consider individual groups with regular, random, and scale-free topology, and study their different combinations to reveal that an intermediate interdependence optimally facilitates the spreading of cooperative behaviour between groups. Excessive between-group links simply unify the two groups and make them act as one, while too rare between-group links preclude a useful information flow between the two groups. Interestingly, we find that between-group links are more likely to connect two cooperators than in-group links, thus supporting the conclusion that they are of paramount importance.

"Boldness" in the domestic dog differs among breeds and breed groups.

PubMed

Starling, Melissa J; Branson, Nicholas; Thomson, Peter C; McGreevy, Paul D

2013-07-01

"Boldness" in dogs is believed to be one end of the shy-bold axis, representing a super-trait. Several personality traits fall under the influence of this super-trait. Previous studies on boldness in dogs have found differences among breeds, but grouping breeds on the basis of behavioural similarities has been elusive. This study investigated differences in the expression of boldness among dog breeds, kennel club breed groups, and sub-groups of kennel club breed groups by way of a survey on dog personality circulated among Australian dog-training clubs and internet forums and lists. Breed had a significant effect on boldness (F=1.63, numDF=111, denDF=272, p<0.001), as did breed group (F=10.66, numDF=8, denDF=772, p<0.001). Herding and gundog groups were broken into sub-groups based on historic breed purpose. Retrievers were significantly bolder than flushing and pointing breeds (Reg. Coef.=2.148; S.E.=0.593; p<0.001), and tending and loose-eyed herding breeds were bolder than heading and cattle-herding breeds (Reg. Coef.=1.744; S.E.=0.866; p=0.045 and Reg. Coef.=1.842; S.E.=0.693; p=0.0084, respectively). This study supports the existence of the shy-bold continuum in dogs. Differences in boldness among groups and sub-groups suggest that behavioural tendencies may be influenced by historical purpose regardless of whether that purpose still factors in selective breeding. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

[Retrospective analysis of correlative factors between digestive system injury and anticoagulant or antiplatelet-agents].

PubMed

Cui, Ning; Luo, Hesheng

2014-05-27

To explore the correlative factors and clinical characteristics of digestive system injury during the treatment of anticoagulant and (or) antiplatelet-agents. A total of 1 443 hospitalized patients on anticoagulant and (or) antiplatelet-agents from January 2010 to December 2013 at Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University were analyzed retrospectively. Their length of hospital stay was from 5 to 27 days. Most of them were elderly males (n = 880, 61.0%) with an average age of (62 ± 6) years. 1 138 patients (78.9%) were farmers, workers or someone without a specific occupation. During the treatment of anticoagulant/antiplatelet-agents, statistical difference existed (P = 0.01) between positively and negatively previous digestive disease groups for actively newly occurring digestive system injury (16.0% (41/256) vs 15.9% (189/1 187)). After the dosing of anticoagulant and (or) antiplatelet-agents, 57 (66.3%, 57/86) patients were complicated by hemorrhage of digestive tract, taking 62.9% (61/97) of all positive result patients for Helicobacter pylori test. Comparing preventive PPI group with no PPI group, there was no marked statistical differences (P = 2.67) for digestive system complication (including hemorrhage of digestive tract) while receiving anticoagulant and (or) antiplatelet-agents (13.9% (74/533) vs 17.1% (156/910)). During anticoagulant and/or antiplatelet-agent therapy, 185 patients (12.8%) were complicated by peptic ulcer or peptic ulcer with bleeding, 40 patients (2.8%) had erosive gastritis and 5 (0.3%) developed acute gastric mucosal lesions. And 42 of 76 patients complicated by hemorrhage of digestive tract underwent endoscopic hemostasis while 2 patients were operated. Ninety-seven patients (6.7%) died, including 61 (62.9%, 61/97) from hemorrhage of digestive tract. The remainder became cured, improved and discharged. Moreover, no significant statistical differences existed (P = 2.29) among three combination group (aspirin, clopidogrel, warfarin), two combination group (aspirin, clopidogrel), exclusive aspirin group and exclusive warfarin group in short-term (<27 d) mortality. It is necessary to clearly dictate the details of medication to the patients not highly educated. Elder, male, history of digestive system disease and Helicobacter pylori infection are possibly highly risk correlative factors for digestive system complications during anticoagulant/antiplatelet-agent therapy. The short-term protective effect of routine dose of PPI is inconspicuous. No significant correlation exists between short-term mortality and the dosage (or type) of anticoagulant/antiplatelet-agents.

Therapeutic approaches for survivors of disaster.

PubMed

Austin, L S; Godleski, L S

1999-12-01

Common psychiatric responses to disasters include depression, PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, substance-abuse disorder, and somatization disorder. These symptom complexes may arise because of the various types of trauma experienced, including terror or horror, bereavement, and disruption of lifestyle. Because different types of disaster produce different patterns of trauma, clinical response should address the special characteristics of those affected. Traumatized individuals are typically resistant to seeking treatment, so treatment must be taken to the survivors, at locations within their communities. Most helpful is to train and support mental health workers from the affected communities. Interventions in groups have been found to be effective to promote catharsis, support, and a sense of identification with the group. Special groups to be considered include children, injured victims, people with pre-existing psychiatric histories, and relief workers.

Petrogenesis of basalts from the Archean Matachewan Dike Swarm Superior Province of Canada

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nelson, Dennis O.

1987-01-01

The Matachewan Dike swarm of eastern Ontario comprises Archean age basalts that were emplaced in the greenstone, granite-greenstone, and metasedimentary terrains of the Superior Province of Canada. The basalts are Fe-rich tholeiites, characterized by the near ubiquitos presence of large, compositionally uniform, calcic plagioclase. Major and trace element whole-rock compositions, along with microprobe analyses of constituent phases, from a group of dikes from the eastern portion of the province, were evaluated to constrain petrological processes that operated during the formation and evolution of the magmas. Three compositional groupings, were identified within the dikes. One group has compositional characteristics similar to modern abyssal tholeiites and is termed morb-type. A second group, enriched in incompatible elements and light-REE enriched, is referred to as the enriched group. The third more populated group has intermediate characteristics and is termed the main group. The observation of both morb-type and enriched compositions within a single dike strongly argues for the contemporaneous existence of magmas derived through different processes. Mixing calculations suggest that two possibilities exist. The least evolved basalts lie on a mixing line between the morb-type and enriched group, suggesting mixing of magmas derived from heterogeneous mantle. Mixing of magmas derived from a depleted mantle with heterogeneous Archean crust can duplicate certain aspects of the Matachewan dike composition array.

Discriminant Analysis of Time Series in the Presence of Within-Group Spectral Variability.

PubMed

Krafty, Robert T

2016-07-01

Many studies record replicated time series epochs from different groups with the goal of using frequency domain properties to discriminate between the groups. In many applications, there exists variation in cyclical patterns from time series in the same group. Although a number of frequency domain methods for the discriminant analysis of time series have been explored, there is a dearth of models and methods that account for within-group spectral variability. This article proposes a model for groups of time series in which transfer functions are modeled as stochastic variables that can account for both between-group and within-group differences in spectra that are identified from individual replicates. An ensuing discriminant analysis of stochastic cepstra under this model is developed to obtain parsimonious measures of relative power that optimally separate groups in the presence of within-group spectral variability. The approach possess favorable properties in classifying new observations and can be consistently estimated through a simple discriminant analysis of a finite number of estimated cepstral coefficients. Benefits in accounting for within-group spectral variability are empirically illustrated in a simulation study and through an analysis of gait variability.

Effect of initial temperature changes on myocardial enzyme levels and cardiac function in acute myocardial infarction.

PubMed

Qian, Yuanyu; Liu, Jie; Ma, Jinling; Meng, Qingyi; Peng, Chaoying

2014-07-01

In the present study, the effect of initial body temperature changes on myocardial enzyme levels and cardiac function in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients was investigated. A total of 315 AMI patients were enrolled and the mean temperature was calculated based on their body temperature within 24 h of admission to hospital. The patients were divided into four groups according to their normal body temperature: Group A, <36.5°C; group B, ≥36.5°C and <37.0°C; group C, ≥37.0°C and <37.5°C and group D, ≥37.5°C. The levels of percutaneous coronary intervention, myocardial enzymes and troponin T (TNT), as well as cardiac ultrasound images, were analyzed. Statistically significant differences in the quantity of creatine kinase at 12 and 24 h following admission were identified between group A and groups C and D (P<0.01). A significant difference in TNT at 12 h following admission was observed between groups A and D (P<0.05), however, this difference was not observed with groups B and C. The difference in TNT between the groups at 24 h following admission was not statistically significant (P>0.05). Significant differences in lactate dehydrogenase at 12 and 24 h following admission were observed between groups A and D (P<0.05), however, differences were not observed with groups B and C (P>0.05). Significant differences in glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase at 12 and 24 h following admission were observed between groups A and D (P<0.05), however, differences were not observed in groups B and C (P>0.05). However, no significant differences were identified in cardiac function index between all the groups. Therefore, the results of the present study indicated that AMI patients with low initial body temperatures exhibited decreased levels of myocardial enzymes and TNT. Thus, the observation of an initially low body temperature may be used as a protective factor for AMI and may improve the existing clinical program.

Comparing and Exploring the Sensory Processing Patterns of Higher Education Students With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorder.

PubMed

Clince, Maria; Connolly, Laura; Nolan, Clodagh

2016-01-01

Research regarding sensory processing and adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is limited. This study aimed to compare sensory processing patterns of groups of higher education students with ADHD or ASD and to explore the implications of these disorders for their college life. The Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile was administered to 28 students with ADHD and 27 students with ASD. Students and professionals were interviewed. The majority of students received scores that differed from those of the general population. Students with ADHD received significantly higher scores than students with ASD in relation to sensation seeking; however, there were no other major differences. Few differences exist between the sensory processing patterns of students with ADHD and ASD; however, both groups differ significantly from the general population. Occupational therapists should consider sensory processing patterns when designing supports for these groups. Copyright © 2016 by the American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc.

Association among nocturnal enuresis, body weight and obstructive sleep apnea in children of south Italy: an observational study.

PubMed

Ferrara, Pietro; Fabrizio, Giovanna C; Franco, Daniele; Spina, Giulia; Ianniello, Francesca; Sbordone, Annamaria; Vitelli, Ottavio; Quintarelli, Fabio; Verrotti, Alberto; Saggese, Giuseppe

2016-04-14

To evaluate the rate of nocturnal enuresis (NE), body weight and obstructive sleep apnea in children 5 to 10 years of age in South Italy and the possible association among these disorders. We have administered 1.100 validated questionnaires, in Italian language, to parents and we have analyzed data with a logistic regression. Forty-two percent of children had a BMI ≥ 85th (group 1) vs 58.0% normal weight children at the same age (group 2). There is a higher number of overweight males compared to females without statistically differences. In group 1 there were a higher number of children with NE and obstructive sleep disorders and exists in some children the association among these three disorders. There are no statistically differences between two study groups for the association body weight-NE, body weight-NE-obstructive sleep disorders.

Ethnic variations in pathways into early intervention services for psychosis.

PubMed

Ghali, Sharif; Fisher, Helen L; Joyce, John; Major, Barnaby; Hobbs, Lorna; Soni, Sujata; Chisholm, Brock; Rahaman, Nikola; Papada, Peggy; Lawrence, Jo; Bloy, Sally; Marlowe, Karl; Aitchison, Katherine J; Power, Paddy; Johnson, Sonia

2013-04-01

Ethnic variations have previously been identified in the duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) and pathways into psychiatric services. These have not been examined in the context of early intervention services, which may alter these trajectories. To explore ethnic differences in the nature and duration of pathways into early intervention services. In a naturalistic cohort study, data were collected for 1024 individuals with psychotic disorders accepted for case management by eight London early intervention services. Duration of untreated psychosis was prolonged in the White British group compared with most other ethnic groups. White British individuals were more likely to make contact with their general practitioner and less likely to be seen within emergency medical services. All Black patient groups were more likely than their White British counterparts to experience involvement of criminal justice agencies. Variations continue to exist in how and when individuals from different ethnic groups access early intervention services. These may account for disparities in DUP.

Psychological profiles and emotional regulation characteristics of women engaged in risk-taking sports.

PubMed

Cazenave, Nicolas; Le Scanff, Christine; Woodman, Tim

2007-12-01

We investigated the psychological profiles and emotional regulation characteristics of women involved in risk-taking sports. The research sample (N=180) consisted of three groups of women engaged in: (1) non-risk sports (N=90); (2) risk-taking sports for leisure purposes (N=53); or (3) risk-taking sports as professionals (N=37). Each participant completed five questionnaires, the Sensation Seeking Scale, the Bem Sex Role Inventory, the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, Risk & Excitement Inventory, and the Toronto Alexithymia Scale. The results revealed significant differences between the groups' profiles. Of particular interest are the differences that exist between the profiles of Group 2 (escape profile, masculine gender identity, and high scores on sensation seeking, impulsivity, alexithymia) and Group 3 (compensation profile, androgynous gender identity, average score on sensation seeking, and low scores on impulsivity, alexithymia). We propose that the professional woman might be considered a model for preventing destructive risk-taking behaviors.

The prevalence of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and PAD risk factors among different ethnic groups in the US population.

PubMed

Aponte, Judith

2012-06-01

The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003-2004 data set was utilized to examine and compare trends and differences in PAD-related risk factor variables among 5 different ethnic/racial groups. The sample included individuals 40 years and older with PAD and of the ethnic/racial groups: Mexican American, Other Hispanic, Non-Hispanic White, Non-Hispanic Black, and Other/Multiracial. Two demographic variables (age and gender) and 4 PAD-risk factors (hypertension [HTN], systolic blood pressure [SBP], and diastolic blood pressure [DBP]), dyslipidemia, high-density lipoprotein [HDL] and low-density lipoprotein [LDL], diabetes, and cigarette smoking) were examined for each group. The study design conducted was descriptive using the NHANES 2003-2004 secondary data set. Raw data were weighted. Descriptive statistics were measured, Chi-squares were compared, and Phi-coefficients were measured for association using SAS version 9.1 and SUDAAN 10.0. The group with the highest prevalence of PAD are females 40-50 years of age, and the ethnic group with PAD who have the highest risk for PAD-related risk factors are Non-Hispanic Black. Through Chi-square significant differences (P=0.00001-0.03874) between specific ethnic groups for all four PAD-related risk factors (i.e., HTN, dyslipidemia, diabetes and cigarette smoking). All of the associations between the prevalence of HTN, dyslipidemia, diabetes, or cigarette smoking and ethnicity were statistically significant (P=<0.0001). Overall differences exist among the different ethnic groups. Copyright © 2012 Society for Vascular Nursing, Inc. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

[Effects of Guilin Watermelon Frost on the mRNA expressions of basic fibroblast growth factor in patients with uterine cervical columnar ectopy].

PubMed

Qiu-Yan, Jiang; Jin-Ling, Song; Hai-Xia, Mo

2012-01-01

To study the molecular biological effects of Guilin Watermelon Frost (GWF) on the mRNA expressions of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in patients with uterine uterine cervical columnar ectopy. One hundred and sixty patients with uterine cervical columnar ectopy were assigned to two groups by the random digit table. Patients in the treatment group were treated with local spray of GWF, while those in the control group were local applied with bFGF-collagen sponge. The mRNA expressions of bFGF of the uterine tissue were detected in the two groups before and after treatment using RT-PCR. Before treatment the mRNA expression of bFGF in the uterine cervical columnar ectopy was 0.55 +/- 0.10 in the treatment group and 0.58 +/- 0.13 in the control group, without insignificant difference (P > 0.05). After treatment it significantly increased in the two groups, being 0.82 +/- 0.17 and 0.78 +/- 0.15 respectively, showing statistical difference from before treatment (P < 0.01). But no statistical difference existed between the two groups after treatment (P > 0.05). GWF showed enhancement on the mRNA expressions of bFGF in patients with uterine cervical columnar ectopy.

Yes, Kakangari is a unique chondrite. [meteoritic composition

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Davis, A. M.; Grossman, L.; Ganapathy, R.

1977-01-01

The position of the Kakangari chondrite as the representative of a new class of chondrites is considered, taking into account the results of the analysis of a 17.1-mg piece of Kakangari for 20 elements. Elemental concentration data are compared for Kakangari and other meteorite groups. Data for the most similar groups, C2, C3(V), L, and E4 chondrites are represented in a graph along with Kakangari data. It is found that pronounced differences exist between Kakangari and the other meteorite classes.

Fashion cycle dynamics in a model with endogenous discrete evolution of heterogeneous preferences

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Naimzada, A. K.; Pireddu, M.

2018-05-01

We propose a discrete-time exchange economy evolutionary model, in which two groups of agents are characterized by different preference structures. The reproduction level of a group is related to its attractiveness degree, which depends on the social visibility level, determined by the consumption choices of the agents in that group. The attractiveness of a group is initially increasing with its visibility level, but it becomes decreasing when its visibility exceeds a given threshold value, due to a congestion effect. Thanks to the combined action of the price mechanism and of the share updating rule, the model is able to reproduce the recurrent dynamic behavior typical of the fashion cycle, presenting booms and busts both in the agents' consumption choices and in the population shares. More precisely, we investigate the existence of equilibria and their stability, and we perform a qualitative bifurcation analysis on varying the parameter describing the group's heterogeneity degree. From a global viewpoint, we detect, among others, multistability phenomena in which the group coexistence is dynamic, either regular or irregular, and the fashion cycle occurs. The existence of complex dynamics is proven via the method of the turbulent maps, working with homoclinic orbits. Finally, we provide a social and economic interpretation of the main scenarios.

Differential effects on socioeconomic groups of modelling the location of mammography screening clinics using Geographic Information Systems.

PubMed

Hyndman, J C; Holman, C D

2000-06-01

To evaluate spatial access to mammography clinics and to investigate whether relocating clinics can improve global access. To determine whether any change in access is distributed equitably between different social groups. The study was undertaken in Perth, Western Australia in 1996. It was an analysis of travel distances to mammography clinics, comparing distances to the pattern of existing clinics and modelled relocated clinics. The study population was the 151,162 women aged 40-64 years resident in Perth in 1991. Overall travel distances to the existing clinics was reduced by 14% when a GIS system was used to relocate them so as to minimise the travel distance for all women. The travel distance of the most disadvantaged groups fell by 2% and by 24% for the least disadvantaged group. GIS modelling can be used to advantage to evaluate potential locations for screening clinics that improve the access for the target population, however global analysis should be supplemented by analysis of special groups to ensure that no group is disadvantaged by the proposal. If new technology is not used to evaluate the placement of health services, population travel distances may be greater than necessary, with possible impacts on attendance rates.

Exploring beliefs of the four major ethnic groups in Melbourne regarding healthcare and treatment.

PubMed

Leong, Kai'En; Weiland, Tracey J; Dent, Andrew W

2010-11-01

To explore and compare beliefs about healthcare and treatment of four ethnic groups attending a Melbourne emergency department (ED), and the corresponding perceptions held by emergency clinicians. Prospective survey of ED doctors and patients from Greek, Italian, Vietnamese and Anglo-Saxon backgrounds. Vietnamese patients were least likely to believe their ethnic group received the best available care but less likely to believe in the existence of ethnic healthcare disparities. They were most likely to have an ethnically concordant GP and preferred most strongly to raise sensitive issues with an ethnically concordant doctor. Anglo-Saxon patients placed less importance on family support and older Anglo-Saxons were less likely than other groups to turn to God for comfort. Doctors perceived the existence of ethnic healthcare disparity, which was not perceived by the ethnic groups themselves. They underestimated the extent of patient-perceived disease control, external supports for coping, or use of complementary practitioners. Doctors overestimated patient perceived importance of doctor-patient ethnic concordance for Anglo-Saxons but underestimated the importance this has for Vietnamese patients. They also underestimated importance of clinician-demonstrated cultural understanding. Beliefs about healthcare and treatment differ across the four major ethnic groups attending a Melbourne ED. Doctors' misperceptions of patients' beliefs suggest that cultural competence amongst ED doctors could be improved.

Fashion cycle dynamics in a model with endogenous discrete evolution of heterogeneous preferences.

PubMed

Naimzada, A K; Pireddu, M

2018-05-01

We propose a discrete-time exchange economy evolutionary model, in which two groups of agents are characterized by different preference structures. The reproduction level of a group is related to its attractiveness degree, which depends on the social visibility level, determined by the consumption choices of the agents in that group. The attractiveness of a group is initially increasing with its visibility level, but it becomes decreasing when its visibility exceeds a given threshold value, due to a congestion effect. Thanks to the combined action of the price mechanism and of the share updating rule, the model is able to reproduce the recurrent dynamic behavior typical of the fashion cycle, presenting booms and busts both in the agents' consumption choices and in the population shares. More precisely, we investigate the existence of equilibria and their stability, and we perform a qualitative bifurcation analysis on varying the parameter describing the group's heterogeneity degree. From a global viewpoint, we detect, among others, multistability phenomena in which the group coexistence is dynamic, either regular or irregular, and the fashion cycle occurs. The existence of complex dynamics is proven via the method of the turbulent maps, working with homoclinic orbits. Finally, we provide a social and economic interpretation of the main scenarios.

Computer-aided axiography of asymptomatic individuals with Class II/2.

PubMed

Stamm, T; Vehring, A; Ehmer, U; Bollmann, F

1998-01-01

The condylar axiographic tracings of 23 asymptomatic adult volunteers (Helkimo-index DiO) with Class II/2 axiography relationships were compared to tracings of an analogous group (DiO; n = 30) with normal occlusion. The obtained measurements were evaluated statistically and discussed with respect to possible recording errors. The open-close movement proceeded uncharacteristically, differences existed only in protrusion, mediotrusion and their combined rotation component. In Class II/2 cases an approximately 7 degrees higher angle of the condylar path inclination (CPI) was measured. The Class II/2 group rotated to a significantly higher angle in protrusive and mediotrusive movements and showed longer condylar path lengths than the control group. Another significant difference was found in the location of maximum CPI values and maximum rotation angles within the condylar path, because in no case was isolated rotation or translation of the hinge axis observed. The temporomandibular joint of Class II/2 individuals shows a wider range of motion than joints of subjects with normal occlusion. The reduced capacity of motion which was assumed to exist in a so-called hack-bite could not be backed up for Class II/2 deep bite cases. The investigated differences cannot be seen as pathomechanisms, because all participants were clinically free of dysfunction. The neuromuscular engram to overcome the overbite controls a complex spatial motion pattern which cannot be described by a simplified mechanical abstraction of motion in the sagittal plane. The temporomandibular joint with its complex pattern of movement is able to create physiological mechanisms of compensation to react to different dental and skeletal features.

The Effect of New Shower Facilities on Physical Activity Behaviors of Employees: A Quasi-experiment.

PubMed

Nehme, Eileen K; Pérez, Adriana; Ranjit, Nalini; Amick, Benjamin C; Kohl, Harold W

2017-02-01

This quasi-experimental study assessed the effects of new workplace showers on physical activity behaviors in a sample of downtown employees in Austin, TX. The study design was quasi-experimental with 2 comparison groups. Data were collected via internet-based surveys before and 4 months after shower installation at 1 worksite. Differences across study groups in the ranks of change in past-week minutes of physical activity from baseline to follow-up were assessed. Adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for reporting an increase of ≥10 min past-week physical activity and workday physical activity among those with new showers and existing showers relative to those with no showers were also assessed. No significant differences in changes in physical activity from baseline to follow-up across study groups were found. One-quarter of participants with new workplace showers and 46.9% of those with existing workplace showers at baseline reported ever using the showers. This prospective study did not find significant changes in employee physical activity 4 months after installation of worksite showers. Worksite shower users were highly active at baseline, suggesting a possible early adopter effect, with potential for diffusion. Future studies may benefit from longer exposure times and larger samples.

Characterizing decision-making and reward processing in bipolar disorder: A cluster analysis.

PubMed

Jiménez, E; Solé, B; Arias, B; Mitjans, M; Varo, C; Reinares, M; Bonnín, C M; Salagre, E; Ruíz, V; Torres, I; Tomioka, Y; Sáiz, P A; García-Portilla, M P; Burón, P; Bobes, J; Martínez-Arán, A; Torrent, C; Vieta, E; Benabarre, A

2018-05-25

The presence of abnormalities in emotional decision-making and reward processing among bipolar patients (BP) has been well rehearsed. These disturbances are not limited to acute phases and are common even during remission. In recent years, the existence of discrete cognitive profiles in this psychiatric population has been replicated. However, emotional decision making and reward processing domains have barely been studied. Therefore, our aim was to explore the existence of different profiles on the aforementioned cognitive dimensions in BP. The sample consisted of 126 euthymic BP. Main sociodemographic, clinical, functioning, and neurocognitive variables were gathered. A hierarchical-clustering technique was used to identify discrete neurocognitive profiles based on the performance in the Iowa Gambling Task. Afterward, the resulting clusters were compared using ANOVA or Chi-squared Test, as appropriate. Evidence for the existence of three different profiles was provided. Cluster 1 was mainly characterized by poor decision ability. Cluster 2 presented the lowest sensitivity to punishment. Finally, cluster 3 presented the best decision-making ability and the highest levels of punishment sensitivity. Comparison between the three clusters indicated that cluster 2 was the most functionally impaired group. The poorest outcomes in attention, executive function domains, and social cognition were also observed within the same group. In conclusion, similarly to that observed in "cold cognitive" domains, our results suggest the existence of three discrete cognitive profiles concerning emotional decision making and reward processing. Amongst all the indexes explored, low punishment sensitivity emerge as a potential correlate of poorer cognitive and functional outcomes in bipolar disorder. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. and ECNP. All rights reserved.

Treatment of W. bancrofti (Wb) in HIV/Wb Coinfections in South India

PubMed Central

Talaat, Kawsar R.; Babu, Subash; Menon, Pradeep; Kumarasamy, N.; Sharma, Jabin; Arumugam, Jeeva; Dhakshinamurthy, Kalaivani; Srinivasan, Ramalingam; Poongulali, S.; Gu, Wenjuan; Fay, Michael P.; Swaminathan, Soumya; Nutman, Thomas B.

2015-01-01

Background The disease course of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is often altered by existing or newly acquired coincident infections. Methodology/Principal Findings To assess the influence of pre-existing Wuchereria bancrofti infection on HIV progression, we performed a case-controlled treatment study of HIV positive individuals with (FIL+) or without (FIL-) W. bancrofti infection. Twenty-eight HIV+/FIL+ and 51 matched HIV+/FIL- subjects were treated with a single dose of diethylcarbamazine and albendazole (DEC/Alb) and followed for a year at regular intervals. Sixteen of the HIV+/FIL+ subjects (54%) and 28 of the HIV+/FIL- controls (57%) were on antiretroviral therapy (ART) during the study. Following treatment, no differences were noted in clinical outcomes between the 2 groups. There also was no significant difference between the groups in the HIV viral load at 12 months as a percentage of baseline viral load (HIV+/FIL+ group had on average 0.97 times the response of the HIV+/FIL- group, 95% CI 0.88, 1.07) between the groups. Furthermore, there were no significant differences found in either the change in viral load at 1, 3, or 6 months or in the change in CD4 count at 3, 6, or 12 months between the 2 groups. Conclusions/Significance We were unable to find a significant effect of W. bancrofti infection or its treatment on HIV clinical course or surrogate markers of HIV disease progression though we recognized that our study was limited by the smaller than predicted sample size and by the use of ART in half of the patients. Treatment of W. bancrofti coinfection in HIV positive subjects (as is usual in mass drug administration campaigns) did not represent an increased risk to the subjects, and should therefore be considered for PLWHA living in W. bancrofti endemic areas. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00344279 PMID:25793933

Genetic Characterization of Turkish Snake Melon (Cucumis melo L. subsp. melo flexuosus Group) Accessions Revealed by SSR Markers.

PubMed

Solmaz, Ilknur; Kacar, Yildiz Aka; Simsek, Ozhan; Sari, Nebahat

2016-08-01

Snake melon is an important cucurbit crop especially in the Southeastern and the Mediterranean region of Turkey. It is consumed as fresh or pickled. The production is mainly done with the local landraces in the country. Turkey is one of the secondary diversification centers of melon and possesses valuable genetic resources which have different morphological characteristics in case of snake melon. Genetic diversity of snake melon genotypes collected from different regions of Turkey and reference genotypes obtained from World Melon Gene Bank in Avignon-France was examined using 13 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. A total of 69 alleles were detected, with an average of 5.31 alleles per locus. The polymorphism information content of SSR markers ranged from 0.19 to 0.57 (average 0.38). Based on cluster analysis, two major groups were defined. The first major group included only one accession (61), while the rest of all accessions grouped in the second major group and separated into different sub-clusters. Based on SSR markers, cluster analysis indicated that considerably high genetic variability exists among the examined accessions; however, Turkish snake melon accessions were grouped together with the reference snake melon accessions.

Electroencephalographic coherences discriminate between children with different pedagogical evaluation.

PubMed

Marosi, E; Harmony, T; Becker, J; Reyes, A; Bernal, J; Fernández, T; Rodríguez, M; Silva, J; Guerrero, V

1995-02-01

The relationship of reading-writing ability and EEG coherences was studied in 84 subjects from two age groups 7.0-8.9 and 9-11.2 years old. All children were divided into three groups according to their performance on a pedagogical test: ped1, normal children; ped2, children with mild problems; ped3, children with reading-writing disability. The following results were obtained: in general, children showed higher coherences in groups with poor performance in the delta, theta and beta bands. In the alpha band, higher coherence values were related to better performance. The exceptions to this general pattern were rare. Group ped2 had higher coherences in delta, theta and alpha bands than ped1 and ped3, in left temporal leads. In older children the same tendency was observed, but group differences in the theta, alpha and beta bands were few. In this age range, the significant group differences were almost all interhemispheric coherences. The discriminant analysis that classified subjects by their coherence values gave very good results, fact that demonstrates, that EEG coherence is a highly sensitive measurement indicating not only the existence of a reading-writing problem, but also the degree of its severity.

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

Van Passel, Steven, E-mail: Steven.vanpassel@uhasselt.be; University of Antwerp, Department Bioscience Engineering, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp; Meul, Marijke

Sustainability assessment is needed to build sustainable farming systems. A broad range of sustainability concepts, methodologies and applications already exists. They differ in level, focus, orientation, measurement, scale, presentation and intended end-users. In this paper we illustrate that a smart combination of existing methods with different levels of application can make sustainability assessment more profound, and that it can broaden the insights of different end-user groups. An overview of sustainability assessment tools on different levels and for different end-users shows the complementarities and the opportunities of using different methods. In a case-study, a combination of the sustainable value approach (SVA)more » and MOTIFS is used to perform a sustainability evaluation of farming systems in Flanders. SVA is used to evaluate sustainability at sector level, and is especially useful to support policy makers, while MOTIFS is used to support and guide farmers towards sustainability at farm level. The combined use of the two methods with complementary goals can widen the insights of both farmers and policy makers, without losing the particularities of the different approaches. To stimulate and support further research and applications, we propose guidelines for multilevel and multi-user sustainability assessments. - Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer We give an overview of sustainability assessment tools for agricultural systems. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer SVA and MOTIFS are used to evaluate the sustainability of dairy farming in Flanders. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Combination of methods with different levels broadens the insights of different end-user groups. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer We propose guidelines for multilevel and multi-user sustainability assessments.« less

[Comparative analysis of 6 kinds of bacteria in the subgingival plaque in different types of patients with periodontal diseases].

PubMed

Ma, Ying-ying; Zhang, Tao-wen; Jiang, Yu-xi; Liu, Shu-tai

2015-10-01

To detect the existence of Aa,Pg,Tf,Cr,Ec and Pn in the subgingival plaque, and determine their relationships among different types of periodontal diseases. Dental plaques from 120 subjects were sampled, including 40 volunteers with health periodontal status(Group A) , forty patients with dental plaque-induced gingival diseases(Group B) and 40 patients with moderate or severe chronic periodontitis (Group C) . These samples were detected based on bacterial composition using the terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism of 16S rRNA genes by multiple-polymerase chain reaction. The data was analysed with SPSS 13.0 software package for Chi-square test. The detection rate of Pn, Cr and Pg had significant differences between group A and B. The detection rate of Ec, Cr, Pg, Aa and Tf had significant differences between group C and B. The detection rate of Ec, Pn, Cr, Pg, Aa and Tf had significant differences between group A and C. The rate of Ec, Pn, Cr, Pg and Tf detected in moderate or patients with moderate or severe chronic periodontitis are significantly higher than that in healthy subjects, indicating that these bacteria have certain correlation with chronic periodontitis. The rate of Ec, Cr, Pg and Tf detected in severe chronic periodontitis are significantly higher than that in dental-induced gingivitis, suggesting their close relationship with the progress of periodontal disease.

[Effect strength variation in the single group pre-post study design: a critical review].

PubMed

Maier-Riehle, B; Zwingmann, C

2000-08-01

In Germany, studies in rehabilitation research--in particular evaluation studies and examinations of quality of outcome--have so far mostly been executed according to the uncontrolled one-group pre-post design. Assessment of outcome is usually made by comparing the pre- and post-treatment means of the outcome variables. The pre-post differences are checked, and in case of significance, the results are increasingly presented in form of effect sizes. For this reason, this contribution presents different effect size indices used for the one-group pre-post design--in spite of fundamental doubts which exist in relation to that design due to its limited internal validity. The numerator concerning all effect size indices of the one-group pre-post design is defined as difference between the pre- and post-treatment means, whereas there are different possibilities and recommendations with regard to the denominator and hence the standard deviation that serves as the basis for standardizing the difference of the means. Used above all are standardization oriented towards the standard deviation of the pre-treatment scores, standardization oriented towards the pooled standard deviation of the pre- and post-treatment scores, and standardization oriented towards the standard deviation of the pre-post differences. Two examples are given to demonstrate that the different modes of calculating effect size indices in the one-group pre-post design may lead to very different outcome patterns. Additionally, it is pointed out that effect sizes from the uncontrolled one-group pre-post design generally tend to be higher than effect sizes from studies conducted with control groups. Finally, the pros and cons of the different effect size indices are discussed and recommendations are given.

Bacterial communities in Great Barrier Reef calcareous sediments: Contrasting 16S rDNA libraries from nearshore and outer shelf reefs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Uthicke, S.; McGuire, K.

2007-03-01

Bacterial communities in eight 16S rDNA clone libraries from calcareous sediments were investigated to provide an assessment of the bacterial diversity on sediments of the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) and to investigate differences due to decreased water quality. Sample effort was spread across two locations on each of four coral reefs, with two reefs located nearshore and two reefs on the outer shelf to allow robust statistical comparison of nearshore reefs (subjected to enhanced runoff) and outer shelf reefs (pristine conditions). Out of 221 non-chimeric sequences, 189 (85.5%) were unique and only one sequence occurred in more than one library. Rarefaction analyses and coverage calculations indicated that only a small fraction of the diversity was sampled. Cluster analyses and comparison to published sequences indicated that sequences retrieved belonged to the α, γ and δ subdivision of the Proteobacteria (6.8, 29.4 and 13.6% of the total, respectively), Cytophaga-Flavobacteria-Bacteroidetes (CFB) group (20.4%), Cyanobacteria (5.4%), Planctomycetaceae (7.7%), Verrucomicrobiaceae (6.8%), Acidobacteriaceae (2.7%). Analysis of Similarity (ANOSIM, based on grouping all retrieved sequences into 9 phylogenetic groups) indicated that subtle differences do exist in the community composition between nearshore and outer shelf reefs. Similarity percentage analysis (SIMPER) indicated that Acidobacteriaceae and Cyanobacteriaceae were the main contributors to the dissimilarity. A significant difference between bacteria on nearshore and outer shelf reefs also existed on the molecular level ( FST = 0.008, p = 0.007 for all samples, 0.006, p = 0.022 when repeated sequences within libraries were removed). Thus, bacterial communities on carbonate sediments investigated were highly diverse and differences in community composition may provide important leads for the search for indicator species or communities for water quality differences.

A pH dependent Raman and surface enhanced Raman spectroscopic studies of citrazinic acid aided by theoretical calculations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sarkar, Sougata; Chowdhury, Joydeep; Dutta, Soumen; Pal, Tarasankar

2016-12-01

A pH dependent normal Raman scattering (NRS) and surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectral patterns of citrazinic acid (CZA), a biologically important molecule, have been investigated. The acid, with different pKa values ( 4 and 11) for the two different functional groups (-COOH and -OH groups), shows interesting range of color changes (yellow at pH 14 and brown at pH 2) with the variation in solution pH. Thus, depending upon the pH of the medium, CZA molecule can exist in various protonated and/or deprotonated forms. Here we have prescribed the existence different possible forms of CZA at different pH (Forms ;C;, ;H; and ;Dprot; at pH 14 and Forms ;A;, ;D;, and ;P; at pH 2 respectively). The NRS spectra of these solutions and their respective SERS spectra over gold nanoparticles were recorded. The spectra clearly differ in their spectral profiles. For example the SERS spectra recorded with the CZA solution at pH 2 shows blue shift for different bands compared to its NRS window e.g. 406 to 450 cm- 1, 616 to 632 cm- 1, 1332 to 1343 cm- 1 etc. Again, the most enhanced peak at 1548 cm- 1 in NRS while in the SERS window this appears at 1580 cm- 1. Similar observation was also made for CZA at pH 14. For example, the 423 cm- 1 band in the NRS profile experience a blue shift and appears at 447 cm- 1 in the SERS spectrum as well as other bands at 850, 1067 and 1214 cm- 1 in the SERS window are markedly enhanced. It is also worth noting that the SERS spectra at the different pH also differ from each other. These spectral differences indicate the existence of various adsorptive forms of the CZA molecule depending upon the pH of the solution. Therefore based on the experimental findings we propose different possible molecular forms of CZA at different pH (acidic and alkaline) conditions. For example forms 'A', 'D' and 'P' existing in acidic pH (pH 2) and three other deprotonated forms 'C', 'H' and 'Dprot' in alkaline pH (pH 14). The DFT calculations for these prescribed model systems were also carried out to have a plausible understanding of their equilibrium geometries and the vibrational wavenumbers. An idea about the molecular orientation of the adsorbate over nanocolloidal gold substrate is also documented.

A pH dependent Raman and surface enhanced Raman spectroscopic studies of citrazinic acid aided by theoretical calculations.

PubMed

Sarkar, Sougata; Chowdhury, Joydeep; Dutta, Soumen; Pal, Tarasankar

2016-12-05

A pH dependent normal Raman scattering (NRS) and surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectral patterns of citrazinic acid (CZA), a biologically important molecule, have been investigated. The acid, with different pKa values (~4 and ~11) for the two different functional groups (-COOH and -OH groups), shows interesting range of color changes (yellow at pH~14 and brown at pH~2) with the variation in solution pH. Thus, depending upon the pH of the medium, CZA molecule can exist in various protonated and/or deprotonated forms. Here we have prescribed the existence different possible forms of CZA at different pH (Forms "C", "H" and "Dprot" at pH~14 and Forms "A", "D", and "P" at pH~2 respectively). The NRS spectra of these solutions and their respective SERS spectra over gold nanoparticles were recorded. The spectra clearly differ in their spectral profiles. For example the SERS spectra recorded with the CZA solution at pH~2 shows blue shift for different bands compared to its NRS window e.g. 406 to 450cm(-1), 616 to 632cm(-1), 1332 to 1343cm(-1) etc. Again, the most enhanced peak at ~1548cm(-1) in NRS while in the SERS window this appears at ~1580cm(-1). Similar observation was also made for CZA at pH~14. For example, the 423cm(-1) band in the NRS profile experience a blue shift and appears at ~447cm(-1) in the SERS spectrum as well as other bands at ~850, ~1067 and ~1214cm(-1) in the SERS window are markedly enhanced. It is also worth noting that the SERS spectra at the different pH also differ from each other. These spectral differences indicate the existence of various adsorptive forms of the CZA molecule depending upon the pH of the solution. Therefore based on the experimental findings we propose different possible molecular forms of CZA at different pH (acidic and alkaline) conditions. For example forms 'A', 'D' and 'P' existing in acidic pH (pH~2) and three other deprotonated forms 'C', 'H' and 'Dprot' in alkaline pH (pH~14). The DFT calculations for these prescribed model systems were also carried out to have a plausible understanding of their equilibrium geometries and the vibrational wavenumbers. An idea about the molecular orientation of the adsorbate over nanocolloidal gold substrate is also documented. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The effect of learning style on academic student success

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stackhouse, Omega N.

The problem addressed in this study was that little was known about the impact on student academic achievement, when grouped by learning style, in a multiple intelligence based science curriculum. The larger problem was that many students were frequently unengaged and, consequently, low achieving in their science courses. This quantitative study used an ex post facto research design to better understand the impact of student learning style on the academic success of students in a Multiple Intelligence Theory based course room. Gardner's work on Multiple Intelligence served as the conceptual framework for this study. The research question for this study asked if academic instruction that employs multiple intelligence theories has a relationship with students' academic achievement differently according to their learning style group (auditory, visual, and kinesthetic). Existing data from 85 students were placed into 1 of 3 groups: (a) Auditory, (b) Visual, or (c) Kinesthetic Learning Style) using existing data from a student inventory instrument. The independent variable was existing data from student inventories of learning style and the dependent variable was existing student scores from the Physical Science End of Course Test. Existing data were taken from students that were all taught with the same strategies in similar classroom environments. The Physical Science End of Course Test was developed with stringent measures to protect validity by the developer, McGraw-Hill. Cronbach's Alpha was conducted to determine the internal reliability coefficient of the student inventory. The impact for social change is that adding to the body of knowledge regarding student learning style and science curriculum provides valuable information for teachers, administrators, and school policy makers. This will allow teachers to better prepare to engage their students' and to prepare them for their place in society.

[Internet addiction: a different kind of addiction?].

PubMed

Dejoie, J F

2001-07-01

The concept of Internet addiction, also called Internet addictive disorder or pathological Internet use, entered the medical dictionary in 1995. More and more authors have been preoccupied with it lately, and the majority conclude that this condition, on which some people cast doubt a few years ago, well and truly exists. Several forms of Internet addiction appear to exist, categorised according to the type of misuse it is subjected to: "cybersex", "chat rooms", "net gaming", the pathological search for information or video games being the most frequent. Psychiatric disorders most usually associated with Internet addiction seem to be bipolar disorders. As a consequence, efficient drugs would be those that act as thymo-stabilisers, undoubtedly because they are also effective against those bipolar disorders. Psychotherapeutic treatments as discussion groups on the Internet or group therapies have not yet been evaluated.

Making Progress: Education and Culture in New Times.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Carlson, Dennis

The essays in this collection, although written at different times, are all part of a process of forming a democratic progressive educational policy and practice for the United States in the new historical era. Each chapter groups essays that critique some aspect of existing public school practice, explores the limitations of current reform…

Explaining Crossing DIF in Polytomous Items Using Differential Step Functioning Effects

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Penfield, Randall D.

2010-01-01

Crossing, or intersecting, differential item functioning (DIF) is a form of nonuniform DIF that exists when the sign of the between-group difference in expected item performance changes across the latent trait continuum. The presence of crossing DIF presents a problem for many statistics developed for evaluating DIF because positive and negative…

Mentoring Women and Minorities in Higher Education.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cordova, Fred; And Others

Some relevant issues concerning the mentoring of women and minorities in the realm of higher education are addressed, primarily focusing on the differences and problems that exist in assisting these two groups of professionals in achieving their career goals. The importance of mentoring and methods that can be used by a mentor in assisting the…

Exploring Donation Decisions: Beliefs and Preferences for Organ Donation in Australia

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hyde, Melissa K.; White, Katherine M.

2010-01-01

The authors explored common beliefs and preferences for posthumous and living organ donation in Australia where organ donation rates are low and little research exists. Content analysis of discussions revealed the advantage of prolonging/saving life whereas disadvantages differed according to donation context. A range of people/groups perceived to…

Inviting Families to Celebrate in the Writing Process

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hall, Anna H.; Axelrod, Ysaaca

2014-01-01

Although it is evident that advocacy for strong school and family relationships exists, many teachers and schools struggle to find ways to engage families in their classrooms. At the same time, research on families from diverse cultural and linguistic groups points to differences in perceptions of what it means to be involved, support…

Management Educators Can Bring Awareness to the Need to Plan for Succession

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lampton, Jolene A.

2011-01-01

Management educators can pick up on consultants' trends as related to succession planning in the real world. An opportunity exists for management educators to clarify some subjects in management curricula and solidify issues that are happening with groups of practitioners. Younger practitioners may need to be taught and supported differently than…

People with a Disability in Vocational Education and Training: A Statistical Compendium

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cavallaro, Toni; Foley, Paul; Saunders, John; Bowman, Kaye

2005-01-01

This statistical compendium examines, firstly, vocational education and training (VET) students with a disability as a whole group, focusing on their participation levels, achievements and outcomes from VET, and identifies gaps and/or issues with the existing data. This is followed by a section dealing with people with different types of…

The Financial Equity Debate. Pennsylvania Educational Policy Studies, Number 15.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cooley, William W.; Pomponio, Debra

Discussion of inequity in funding of Pennsylvania schools has tended to focus on differences between wealthy and poor school districts. In Pennsylvania, 180 school districts have filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the existing public school funding scheme. A study of the state's 500 school districts, grouped by market value of…

An Examination of Parents' and Preschool Workers' Perspectives on Bullying in Preschool

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cameron, David Lansing; Kovac, Velibor Bobo

2016-01-01

Parents (n = 141) and preschool workers (n = 81) completed a survey regarding their perspectives towards: (a) the existence of bullying in preschool, (b) interpretations of bullying, (c) the roles of bullies and victims, and (d) gender differences. Findings suggest that both groups largely believe that bullying occurs in preschool. Excluding…

"Being Asian American Is a Lot Different Here": Influences of Geography on Racial Identity

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chan, Jason

2017-01-01

Studies on college students' racial identities seldom focus on geographic context, despite existing research documenting its role in how racial groups construct and express racial identities. Drawing on theories of ecological systems and racial formation, I explored experiences of race and racial identity among 10 Asian American students who…

A Procedure To Detect Test Bias Present Simultaneously in Several Items.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shealy, Robin; Stout, William

A statistical procedure is presented that is designed to test for unidirectional test bias existing simultaneously in several items of an ability test, based on the assumption that test bias is incipient within the two groups' ability differences. The proposed procedure--Simultaneous Item Bias (SIB)--is based on a multidimensional item response…

A Model for Designing Peer-Initiated Activities to Promote Racial Awareness and an Appreciation of Differences.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mann, Barbara A.; Moser, Rita M.

1991-01-01

Presents a theoretical framework suggesting ways to design peer intervention programs and group existing programs. Suggests criteria for effective racial awareness programs, discussing examples of successful college prejudice activities. Notes diversity education efforts are most successful when based on a theoretical model that recognizes the…

Reducing Children's Implicit Racial Bias through Exposure to Positive Out-Group Exemplars

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gonzalez, Antonya M.; Steele, Jennifer R.; Baron, Andrew S.

2017-01-01

Studies with adults suggest that implicit preferences favoring White versus Black individuals can be reduced through exposure to positive Black exemplars. However, it remains unclear whether developmental differences exist in the capacity for these biases to be changed. This study included 369 children and examined whether their implicit racial…

Multiple-Choice Test Bias Due to Answering Strategy Variation.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Frary, Robert B.; Giles, Mary B.

This paper describes the development and investigation of a new approach to determining the existence of bias in multiple-choice test scores. Previous work in this area has concentrated almost exclusively on bias attributable to specific test items or to differences in test score distributions across racial or ethnic groups. In contrast, the…

Family Ethnicity: Strength in Diversity. Sage Focus Editions, Volume 41.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McAdoo, Harriette Pipes, Ed.

Extensive information is provided about the various cultural elements, including attitudes toward education and work, that different family groups have drawn on in order to exist in the United States today. The family ethnicities of five distinct cultures (Native American, African American, Mexican American and Spanish origin, Muslim American, and…

Differential Relationships between WISC-IV and WIAT-II Scales: An Evaluation of Potentially Moderating Child Demographics

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Konold, Timothy R.; Canivez, Gary L.

2010-01-01

Considerable debate exists regarding the accuracy of intelligence tests with members of different groups. This study investigated differential predictive validity of the "Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Fourth Edition". Participants from the WISC-IV--WIAT-II standardization linking sample (N = 550) ranged in age from 6 through…

Navigating Deep Time: Landmarks for Time from the Big Bang to the Present

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Delgado, Cesar

2013-01-01

People make sense of the world by comparing and relating new information to their existing landmarks. Each individual may have different landmarks, developed through idiosyncratic experiences. Identifying specific events that constitute landmarks for a group of learners may help instructors in gauging students' prior knowledge and in planning…

Leadership in Multiple Perpetrator Stranger Rape

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Woodhams, Jessica; Cooke, Claire; Harkins, Leigh; da Silva, Teresa

2012-01-01

Sexual offences by multiple perpetrators are more violent and involve more severe forms of sexual violation than those perpetrated by a lone offender. Often a clear leader exists within these groups. Questions have been raised as to the relative risk of reoffending and the potentially differing criminogenic needs of leaders and followers. However,…

Justice Perceptions of Union and Nonunion Employees within an Urban Technical College

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Vasquez, Marquoise D.

2013-01-01

Numerous studies exist on distributive and procedural justice among union represented or nonunion employees. However, there does not appear to be any research on the perceptions of justice from individuals who have worked in both capacities, under differing processes and procedures for each group, within the same heavily unionized organization.…

Measurements in quantitative research: how to select and report on research instruments.

PubMed

Hagan, Teresa L

2014-07-01

Measures exist to numerically represent degrees of attributes. Quantitative research is based on measurement and is conducted in a systematic, controlled manner. These measures enable researchers to perform statistical tests, analyze differences between groups, and determine the effectiveness of treatments. If something is not measurable, it cannot be tested.

Interest in Biology: A Developmental Shift Characterized Using Self-Generated Questions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Baram-Tsabari, Ayelet; Yarden, Anat

2007-01-01

Identifying students' interests in biology can play an important role in improving existing curricula to meet their needs. An analysis of 1,751 self-generated biological questions raised by children, adolescents, and adults yielded data regarding the different age groups' interests in biology. Research limitations and applications for teaching are…

Perceptions from Students and the Community about Community Colleges

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lendy, Shari J.

2009-01-01

In this study I explored the existing perceptions of community college in the western suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. Three different groups of people were interviewed in the research process including high school students, college students and citizens who lived in towns supported by a community college. Common themes of perception found within the…

Experiences of Instructors in Online Learning Environments: Identifying and Regulating Emotions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Regan, Kelley; Evmenova, Anna; Baker, Pam; Jerome, Marci Kinas; Spencer, Vicky; Lawson, Holly; Werner, Terry

2012-01-01

In an effort to expand existing research on the barriers of instructors experience in online learning environments (OLEs), a qualitative study was conducted at a large mid-Atlantic university. Six instructors teaching in different OLE formats (e.g., asynchronous, hybrid, and synchronous via videoconferencing) participated in two focus groups in…

Importance of Practices: A National Study of General and Special Early Childhood Educators.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kilgo, Jennifer L.; Johnson, Larry; Lamontagne, Maggie; Stayton, Vicky; Cook, Martha; Cooper, Carolyn

1999-01-01

A study examined the perceptions of 169 early childhood educators and 238 early childhood special educators on the importance of practices when applied to young children with and without disabilities. Findings indicate that few differences existed between the two professional groups' perceptions of the importance of these practices. (Author/CR)

Homogeneity and Heterogeneity in Education: The "Psychological Price" Argument.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yehezkel, Dar; Resh, Nura

This work explores whether a "psychological price" is indicated in the affective domain of the weaker student in abilty-mixed settings; whether this price differs for various dimensions of this domain; and whether it is related to academic achievement. Existing research in the fields of ability grouping, streaming, curriculum tracking,…

Elbow flexor and extensor muscle weakness in lateral epicondylalgia.

PubMed

Coombes, Brooke K; Bisset, Leanne; Vicenzino, Bill

2012-05-01

To evaluate whether deficits of elbow flexor and extensor muscle strength exist in lateral epicondylalgia (LE) in comparison with a healthy control population. Cross-sectional study. 150 participants with unilateral LE were compared with 54 healthy control participants. Maximal isometric elbow flexion and extension strength were measured bilaterally using a purpose-built standing frame such that gripping was avoided. The authors found significant side differences in elbow extensor (-6.54 N, 95% CI -11.43 to -1.65, p=0.008, standardised mean difference (SMD) -0.45) and flexor muscle strength (-11.26 N, 95% CI -19.59 to -2.94, p=0.009, SMD -0.46) between LE and control groups. Within the LE group, only elbow extensor muscle strength deficits between sides was significant (affected-unaffected: -2.94 N, 95% CI -5.44 to -0.44). Small significant deficits of elbow extensor and flexor muscle strength exist in the affected arm of unilateral LE in comparison with healthy controls. Notably, comparing elbow strength between the affected and unaffected sides in unilateral epicondylalgia is likely to underestimate these deficits. Trial Registration Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Register ACTRN12609000051246.

Determination of N epsilon-(carboxymethyl)lysine in foods and related systems.

PubMed

Ames, Jennifer M

2008-04-01

The sensitive and specific determination of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) is of considerable interest because these compounds have been associated with pro-oxidative and proinflammatory effects in vivo. AGEs form when carbonyl compounds, such as glucose and its oxidation products, glyoxal and methylglyoxal, react with the epsilon-amino group of lysine and the guanidino group of arginine to give structures including N epsilon-(carboxymethyl)lysine (CML), N epsilon-(carboxyethyl)lysine, and hydroimidazolones. CML is frequently used as a marker for AGEs in general. It exists in both the free or peptide-bound forms. Analysis of CML involves its extraction from the food (including protein hydrolysis to release any peptide-bound adduct) and determination by immunochemical or instrumental means. Various factors must be considered at each step of the analysis. Extraction, hydrolysis, and sample clean-up are all less straight forward for food samples, compared to plasma and tissue. The immunochemical and instrumental methods all have their advantages and disadvantages, and no perfect method exists. Currently, different procedures are being used in different laboratories, and there is an urgent need to compare, improve, and validate methods.

Novel groups and unique distribution of phage phoH genes in paddy waters in northeast China

PubMed Central

Wang, Xinzhen; Liu, Junjie; Yu, Zhenhua; Jin, Jian; Liu, Xiaobing; Wang, Guanghua

2016-01-01

Although bacteriophages are ubiquitous in various environments, their genetic diversity is primarily investigated in pelagic marine environments. Corresponding studies in terrestrial environments are few. In this study, we conducted the first survey of phage diversity in the paddy ecosystem by targeting a new viral biomarker gene, phoH. A total of 424 phoH sequences were obtained from four paddy waters generated from a pot experiment with different soils collected from open paddy fields in northeast China. The majority of phoH sequences in paddy waters were novel, with the highest identity of ≤70% with known phoH sequences. Four unique groups (Group α, Group β, Group γ and Group δ) and seven new subgroups (Group 2b, Group 3d, Group 3e, Group 6a, Group 6b, Group 6c and Group 6d) were formed exclusively with the clones from the paddy waters, suggesting novel phage phoH groups exist in the paddy ecosystem. Additionally, the distribution proportions of phoH clones in different groups varied among paddy water samples, suggesting the phage community in paddy fields is biogeographically distributed. Furthermore, non-metric multidimensional scaling analysis indicated that phage phoH assemblages in paddy waters were distinct from those in marine waters. PMID:27910929

Treatment of post-stroke dysphagia by vitalstim therapy coupled with conventional swallowing training.

PubMed

Xia, Wenguang; Zheng, Chanjuan; Lei, Qingtao; Tang, Zhouping; Hua, Qiang; Zhang, Yangpu; Zhu, Suiqiang

2011-02-01

To investigate the effects of VitalStim therapy coupled with conventional swallowing training on recovery of post-stroke dysphagia, a total of 120 patients with post-stroke dysphagia were randomly and evenly divided into three groups: conventional swallowing therapy group, VitalStim therapy group, and VitalStim therapy plus conventional swallowing therapy group. Prior to and after the treatment, signals of surface electromyography (sEMG) of swallowing muscles were detected, swallowing function was evaluated by using the Standardized Swallowing Assessment (SSA) and Videofluoroscopic Swallowing Study (VFSS) tests, and swallowing-related quality of life (SWAL-QOL) was evaluated using the SWAL-QOL questionnaire. There were significant differences in sEMG value, SSA, VFSS, and SWAL-QOL scores in each group between prior to and after treatment. After 4-week treatment, sEMG value, SSA, VFSS and SWAL-QOL scores were significantly greater in the VitalStim therapy plus conventional swallowing training group than in the conventional swallowing training group and VitalStim therapy group, but no significant difference existed between conventional swallowing therapy group and VitalStim therapy group. It was concluded that VitalStim therapy coupled with conventional swallowing training was conducive to recovery of post-stroke dysphagia.

The Chandra Source Catalog 2.0: Combining Data for Processing (or How I learned 17 different words for "group")

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hain, Roger; Allen, Christopher E.; Anderson, Craig S.; Budynkiewicz, Jamie A.; Burke, Douglas; Chen, Judy C.; Civano, Francesca Maria; D'Abrusco, Raffaele; Doe, Stephen M.; Evans, Ian N.; Evans, Janet D.; Fabbiano, Giuseppina; Gibbs, Danny G., II; Glotfelty, Kenny J.; Graessle, Dale E.; Grier, John D.; Hall, Diane M.; Harbo, Peter N.; Houck, John C.; Lauer, Jennifer L.; Laurino, Omar; Lee, Nicholas P.; Martínez-Galarza, Juan Rafael; McCollough, Michael L.; McDowell, Jonathan C.; Miller, Joseph; McLaughlin, Warren; Morgan, Douglas L.; Mossman, Amy E.; Nguyen, Dan T.; Nichols, Joy S.; Nowak, Michael A.; Paxson, Charles; Plummer, David A.; Primini, Francis Anthony; Rots, Arnold H.; Siemiginowska, Aneta; Sundheim, Beth A.; Tibbetts, Michael; Van Stone, David W.; Zografou, Panagoula

2018-01-01

The Second Chandra Source Catalog (CSC2.0) combines data at multiple stages to improve detection efficiency, enhance source region identification, and match observations of the same celestial source taken with significantly different point spread functions on Chandra's detectors. The need to group data for different reasons at different times in processing results in a hierarchy of groups to which individual sources belong. Source data are initially identified as belonging to each Chandra observation ID and number (an "obsid"). Data from each obsid whose pointings are within sixty arcseconds of each other are reprojected to the same aspect reference coordinates and grouped into stacks. Detection is performed on all data in the same stack, and individual sources are identified. Finer source position and region data are determined by further processing sources whose photons may be commingled together, grouping such sources into bundles. Individual stacks which overlap to any extent are grouped into ensembles, and all stacks in the same ensemble are later processed together to identify master sources and determine their properties.We discuss the basis for the various methods of combining data for processing and precisely define how the groups are determined. We also investigate some of the issues related to grouping data and discuss what options exist and how groups have evolved from prior releases.This work has been supported by NASA under contract NAS 8-03060 to the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory for operation of the Chandra X-ray Center.

Relationship between sociability toward humans and physiological stress in dogs.

PubMed

Shin, Yoon-Joo; Shin, Nam-Shik

2017-07-28

Sociability is an essential trait for dogs to successfully interact with humans. In this study, the relationship between sociability and physiological stress was examined. Additionally, whether differences exist between companion dogs (C group) and shelter dogs (S group) was examined. Overall, healthy 37 dogs (C group=21 and S group=16) were examined. After 5 min of walking, the dog and the owner (or the chief manager) rested freely in the experimental location for 5 min. The behavioral test with 6 categories was conducted to evaluate sociability over 4 min. The establishment of two groups (H group=dogs with high sociability; L group=dogs with low sociability) was supported by the statistical results of the behavioral tests. Saliva was collected before (P1) and after the test period (P2), and salivary cortisol levels were determined and statistically analyzed. The cortisol concentrations at P2 and the differences in concentrations between P1 and P2 (P2-P1) in the groups with high sociability were significantly lower than those in the groups with low sociability. These results may demonstrate that sociable dogs adapt more comfortably to strangers and unfamiliar situations. Meanwhile, there were significant differences in hormonal results between the C and S groups. For this reason, their sociability should be evaluated using behavioral and physiological assessments before re-adoption to ensure their successful adaptation.

Illness intrusiveness explains race-related quality-of-life differences among women with systemic lupus erythematosus.

PubMed

Devins, G M; Edworthy, S M

2000-01-01

Our objective was to investigate whether quality of life in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) differs across ethnoracial groups and to identify factors that may explain race-related differences. Self-administered questionnaire data from 335 White, 40 Black, and 30 Asian women with SLE were obtained from a multi-center database. Measures assessed illness intrusiveness, psychological well-being, depressive symptoms, musculoskeletal pain, and learned helplessness. Extent of SLE disease activity was indexed by self-reported functional-system involvement. Educational attainment was indicated by number of years in school. Principal-components analysis reduced the four psychosocial measures to a single factor score. This represented psychosocial well-being In path analysis. Psychosocial well-being differed significantly across the three groups, with Whites reporting the highest, and Blacks the lowest, levels. Path analysis indicated that illness intrusiveness accounted for this race-related difference. Although disease activity was significantly associated with psychosocial well-being, it did not differ across ethnoracial groups. Illness intrusiveness and educational attainment emerged as independent mediators of the race-related difference in psychosocial well-being. We conclude that race-related quality-of-life differences exist among women with SLE and are mediated independently by illness intrusiveness and educational attainment.

New species of Rhynchelmis (Clitellata, Lumbriculidae), with observations on the Nearctic species

USGS Publications Warehouse

Fend, S.V.; Brinkhurst, R.O.

2000-01-01

The Nearctic species of Rhynchelmis (Lumbriculidae) are distinguished frown the Palearctic group Rhynchelmis s. str. by longitudinal muscle bands that do not curl inwards. Six new species from western North America support the existence of two major groupings within the Nearctic fauna. Species in Group 1 are distinguished from other Rhvychelmis by large penial bulbs and multiple spermathecal diverticula. Within Group I, Rhynchelmis yakimorum n. sp., Rhynchelmis monsserratus n. sp., Rhynchelmis gustafsoni n. sp. and Rhynchelmis utahensis n. sp. differ from the related Rhynchelmis (=Sutroa) rostrata in having short penes and spermathecae with 2 short, lobed diverticula. R. monsserratus is distinguished by a single, median spermatheca, R. gustafsoni has closely appressed, median spermathecae and atria, and R. utahensis differs in structural details of spermathecae and male pores. Rhynchelmis gilensis n. sp. has a single, median spermatheca with unbranched diverticula and distinctive nephridia. Redescription of material from the type localities of both Sutroa alpestris and R. rostrata supports their combination. Group 2, corresponding in part to Rhynchelmoides, is distinguished from Group 1 mostly by characters that are inconsistent or appear plesiomorphic. Within Group 2, Rhynchelmis saxosa n. sp. closely resembles Rhynchehlmis alaskana, except for the absence of lateral blood vessels in posterior segments and distribution of prostates. Rhynchelmis elrodi and Rhynchelmis glandula consistently differ in presence of ventral glands and have different distributions, so their supposed synonymy is rejected.

Establishing equivalence: methodological progress in group-matching design and analysis.

PubMed

Kover, Sara T; Atwoo, Amy K

2013-01-01

This methodological review draws attention to the challenges faced by intellectual and developmental disabilities researchers in the appropriate design and analysis of group comparison studies. We provide a brief overview of matching methodologies in the field, emphasizing group-matching designs used in behavioral research on cognition and language in neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder, Fragile X syndrome, Down syndrome, and Williams syndrome. The limitations of relying on p values to establish group equivalence are discussed in the context of other existing methods: equivalence tests, propensity scores, and regression-based analyses. Our primary recommendation for advancing research on intellectual and developmental disabilities is the use of descriptive indices of adequate group matching: effect sizes (i.e., standardized mean differences) and variance ratios.

Establishing Equivalence: Methodological Progress in Group-Matching Design and Analysis

PubMed Central

Kover, Sara T.; Atwood, Amy K.

2017-01-01

This methodological review draws attention to the challenges faced by intellectual and developmental disabilities researchers in the appropriate design and analysis of group comparison studies. We provide a brief overview of matching methodologies in the field, emphasizing group-matching designs utilized in behavioral research on cognition and language in neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder, fragile X syndrome, Down syndrome, and Williams syndrome. The limitations of relying on p-values to establish group equivalence are discussed in the context of other existing methods: equivalence tests, propensity scores, and regression-based analyses. Our primary recommendation for advancing research on intellectual and developmental disabilities is the use of descriptive indices of adequate group matching: effect sizes (i.e., standardized mean differences) and variance ratios. PMID:23301899

[Effects of shadow boxing training on exercise endurance and quality of life of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease].

PubMed

Gu, Gang; Zhou, Yu-min; Wang, Da-li; Chen, Lian; Zhong, Nan-shan; Ran, Pi-xin

2012-04-10

To evaluate the effects of shadow boxing training on the exercise endurance and quality of life of Chinese patients with COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). From May 2010 to March 2011, a total of 70 COPD patients in stable phases were recruited from Liwan, Yuexiu and Haizhu districts of Guangzhou. There were 35 patients in the shadow boxing exercise group and 35 patients in the control group. And they were matched by gender and age. The patients in the shadow boxing group exercised for 3 months while those in the control group received the conventional out-hospital management only. Their demographic, medical history, smoking status, medicinal use, spirometric data, clinical COPD questionnaire (CCQ) scores, 6-minute walking distance and Borg scores were collected before and after trial. A total of 63 COPD patients (33 in shadow boxing group vs. 30 in control group) completed the study. There was an average dropout rate of 5.7% (2/35) in shadow boxing group and 14.3% (5/35) in control group. No differences existed between two groups in age (67 ± 8 vs 69 ± 9 yr), male proportion (84.8% vs 86.7%), body mass index (22.8 ± 2.6 vs 22.7 ± 3.0), usage proportion of medicine (42.4% vs 33.3%), duration of disease (4.0 ± 7.5 vs 5.5 ± 7.3), percentage of smokers (78.8% vs 80.0%), 6-minute walking distance (447 ± 94 vs 414 ± 100), CCQ total score (15.0 ± 9.4 vs 14.1 ± 8.8), CCQ symptom score (9.2 ± 5.6 vs 8.3 ± 5.0) and activity score (5.8 ± 4.5 vs 5.8 ± 4.4) at baseline (all P > 0.05). At the end of study, the 6-minute walking distance of patients had statistical differences between two groups (P < 0.01). The shadow boxing group increased by (51 ± 55) m while the control dropped by (19 ± 58) m. The total score, symptom score and activity score of clinical COPD questionnaire had statistical differences between two groups. They decreased significantly in the shadow boxing group as compared with the baseline data while there was no significant change in the control group. No statistical differences existed between two groups in the changes of forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV(1)), FEV(1)% pred, Borg score and dyspnea scales. Capable of improving the exercise endurance and life quality of COPD patients, shadow boxing exercise may become one of effective rehabilitation programs for COPD patients in stable phases in communities.

A unified framework for group independent component analysis for multi-subject fMRI data

PubMed Central

Guo, Ying; Pagnoni, Giuseppe

2008-01-01

Independent component analysis (ICA) is becoming increasingly popular for analyzing functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data. While ICA has been successfully applied to single-subject analysis, the extension of ICA to group inferences is not straightforward and remains an active topic of research. Current group ICA models, such as the GIFT (Calhoun et al., 2001) and tensor PICA (Beckmann and Smith, 2005), make different assumptions about the underlying structure of the group spatio-temporal processes and are thus estimated using algorithms tailored for the assumed structure, potentially leading to diverging results. To our knowledge, there are currently no methods for assessing the validity of different model structures in real fMRI data and selecting the most appropriate one among various choices. In this paper, we propose a unified framework for estimating and comparing group ICA models with varying spatio-temporal structures. We consider a class of group ICA models that can accommodate different group structures and include existing models, such as the GIFT and tensor PICA, as special cases. We propose a maximum likelihood (ML) approach with a modified Expectation-Maximization (EM) algorithm for the estimation of the proposed class of models. Likelihood ratio tests (LRT) are presented to compare between different group ICA models. The LRT can be used to perform model comparison and selection, to assess the goodness-of-fit of a model in a particular data set, and to test group differences in the fMRI signal time courses between subject subgroups. Simulation studies are conducted to evaluate the performance of the proposed method under varying structures of group spatio-temporal processes. We illustrate our group ICA method using data from an fMRI study that investigates changes in neural processing associated with the regular practice of Zen meditation. PMID:18650105

Do poor people sue doctors more frequently? Confronting unconscious bias and the role of cultural competency.

PubMed

McClellan, Frank M; White, Augustus A; Jimenez, Ramon L; Fahmy, Sherin

2012-05-01

There is a perception that socioeconomically disadvantaged patients tend to sue their doctors more frequently. As a result, some physicians may be reluctant to treat poor patients or treat such patients differently from other patient groups in terms of medical care provided. We (1) examined existing literature to refute the notion that poor patients are inclined to sue doctors more than other patients, (2) explored unconscious bias as an explanation as to why the perception of the poor being more litigious may exist despite evidence to the contrary, and (3) assessed the role of culturally competent awareness and knowledge in confronting physician bias. We reviewed medical and social literature to identify studies that have examined differences in litigation rates and related medical malpractice claims among socioeconomically disadvantaged patients versus other groups of patients. Contrary to popular perception, existing studies show poor patients, in fact, tend to sue physicians less often. This may be related to a relative lack of access to legal resources and the nature of the contingency fee system in medical malpractice claims. Misperceptions such as the one examined in this article that assume a relationship between patient poverty and medical malpractice litigation may arise from unconscious physician bias and other social variables. Cultural competency can be helpful in mitigating such bias, improving medical care, and addressing the risk of medical malpractice claims.

Physical fitness of overweight and underweight preschool children from southern Poland.

PubMed

Kryst, Łukasz; Woronkowicz, Agnieszka; Jankowicz-Szymańska, Agnieszka; Pociecha, Mariusz; Kowal, Małgorzata; Sobiecki, Jan; Brudecki, Janusz; Żarów, Ryszard

The main aim of this study was to assess differences in the level of physical fitness between children of preschool age with different BMI, as overweight and obesity are an increasing problem even in this age group. The study group consisted of 3,945 children aged 4 to 6 years living in southern Poland. Analysis included the results of body height and weight measurements (from which BMI was calculated) and motor skills tests: sit-and-reach test, standing broad jump and handgrip strength. Children were grouped according to the Obesity Task Force categories. Significant differences in body height were visible (i) between overweight and normal children and (ii) between overweight and underweight children. In terms of body weight and BMI, significant differences existed between all groups. With regard to fitness tests, the greatest differences were observed for handgrip strength and standing broad jump. The sit-and-reach test did not reveal any differences between the groups. The results showed that overall physical fitness was negatively correlated with relative weight; general fitness in overweight children was lower than in normal or underweight children. As it is obvious that physical activity is indispensable even for preschool children, any increase in physical activity could at least partially alleviate the problem of excessive weight and improve the general fitness of children. In the future this would reduce the incidence of diseases related to obesity and a lack of exercise.

The impact of listening with directional microphone technology on self-perceived localization disabilities and handicaps.

PubMed

Ruscetta, Melissa N; Palmer, Catherine V; Durrant, John D; Grayhack, Judith; Ryan, Carey

2007-10-01

The chief complaint of individuals with hearing impairment is difficulty hearing in noise, with directional microphones emerging as the most capable remediation. Our purpose was to determine the impact of directional microphones on localization disability and concurrent handicap. Fifty-seven individuals participated unaided and then in groups of 19, using omni-directional microphones, directional-microphones, or toggle-switch equipped amplification. The outcome measure was a localization disabilities and handicaps questionnaire. Comparisons between the unaided group versus the aided groups, and the directional-microphone groups versus the other two aided groups revealed no significant differences. None of the microphone schemes either increased or decreased self-perceived localization disability or handicap. Objective measures of localization ability are warranted and if significance is noted, clinicians should caution patients when moving in their environment. If no significant objective differences exist, in light of the subjective findings in this investigation concern over decreases in quality of life and safety with directional microphones need not be considered.

The role of overweight and obesity in urinary tract infection in children.

PubMed

Mahyar, Abolfazl; Ayazi, Parviz; Gholmohammadi, Parisa; Moshiri, Seyed Alireza; Oveisi, Sonia; Esmaeily, Shiva

2016-01-01

This study was conducted to determine the relationship between overweight/obesity and UTI in children. A comparison was made, in terms of overweight and obesity, between 135 children with UTI (case group) and 135 healthy children (control group). UTI was diagnosed through urine culture. Dimercaptosuccinic acid renal scanning (DMSA) was also used to distinguish between lower UTI and acute pyelonephritis. Overweight and obesity were determined based on standard body mass index (BMI) curves. There were 12 (8.8%) overweight and 26 (19.2%) obese children in the case group. Four (3.0%) overweight and five (3.7%) obese children were found in the control group. There was a significant difference between the two groups regarding overweight and obesity frequencies. However, no such difference existed between children with cystitis and acute pyelonephritis. This study showed a significant relationship between overweight/obesity and UTI. Therefore, overweight and obesity may play a role in the pathogenesis of UTI in children.

[Meta-analysis of laparoscopic and open repair of perforated peptic ulcer].

PubMed

Ding, Jie; Liao, Guo-qing; Zhang, Zhong-min; Pan, Yang; Li, Dong-miao; Wang, Run-hua; Xu, Kai-sheng; Yang, Xiao-fei; Yuan, Ping; Wang, Shao-yong

2011-10-01

To assess the safety and feasibility of laparoscopic and open repair of perforated peptic ulcer. Studies on comparison between laparoscopic repair(LR) and open repair(OR) of perforated peptic ulcer were collected. Data of operating time, blood loss, time to first flatus, postoperative hospital stay, postoperative complications and mortality between LR group and OR group were meta-analyzed using fixed effect model and random effect model. Nineteen studies including 1507 patients were selected for this study,including laparoscopic surgery(n=673) and open surgery(n=834). There were significant differences in blood loss, time to first flatus, postoperative hospital stay, wound infection rate and mortality between LR group and OR group. However, no significant differences existed in operative time, postoperative sepsis, pulmonary infection, abdominal abscess, and suture leakage between the two groups. Laparoscopic repair of perforated peptic ulcer is associated with improved outcomes in terms of less blood loss, quicker recovery, and lower rates of wound infection and mortality. Laparoscopic repair of perforated peptic ulcer is safe and feasible.

Learning needs assessment for registered nurses in two large acute care hospitals in Urban New Zealand.

PubMed

Dyson, Lyn; Hedgecock, Bronwyn; Tomkins, Sharon; Cooke, Gordon

2009-11-01

Ongoing education for the nursing workforce is necessary to ensure currency of knowledge in order to enable evidence based client care. The cost of education is high to the organisation and the individual, and must therefore be cost-effective, relevant and appropriate. According to research, education for nurses is not always systematically planned and developed and often relies on the interest area and assessment of the nurse educators. To survey the learning needs of clinically based registered nurses within an acute care setting. An anonymous questionnaire was used to collect the data. Two groups completed the questionnaire: all eligible registered nurses in two acute care hospitals located in urban New Zealand and their senior nurses such as clinical nurse managers, specialists and educators. The study found agreement on learning needs and also noted differing opinions between the Registered Nurses (RNs), and their senior RNs, RNs initially registered overseas and between levels of practice, on selection and ranking of learning needs. This survey identified a number of high learning needs for RNs working within acute care settings. Differences in perception of learning needs for RNs, between the nurses themselves and the Senior RNs exist, as well as among sub groups of RNs. As a result, educators and managers are encouraged to collaborate to realise the opportunity which exists for the provision of education across specialty areas and to work with the different groups and the individual to ensure unique learning needs are met.

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.

Exposure To Harmful Workplace Practices Could Account For Inequality In Life Spans Across Different Demographic Groups.

PubMed

Goh, Joel; Pfeffer, Jeffrey; Zenios, Stefanos

2015-10-01

The existence of important socioeconomic disparities in health and mortality is a well-established fact. Many pathways have been adduced to explain inequality in life spans. In this article we examine one factor that has been somewhat neglected: People with different levels of education get sorted into jobs with different degrees of exposure to workplace attributes that contribute to poor health. We used General Social Survey data to estimate differential exposures to workplace conditions, results from a meta-analysis that estimated the effect of workplace conditions on mortality, and a model that permitted us to estimate the overall effects of workplace practices on health. We conclude that 10-38 percent of the difference in life expectancy across demographic groups can be explained by the different job conditions their members experience. Project HOPE—The People-to-People Health Foundation, Inc.

Differences among incarcerated women with assaultive offenses: isolated versus patterned use of violence.

PubMed

Kubiak, Sheryl Pimlott; Kim, Woo Jong; Fedock, Gina; Bybee, Deborah

2013-08-01

A majority of the existing research on women's use of violence focuses on intimate partner violence, often excluding other types of violence for which women may be incarcerated. The current study expands this area of research by assessing between and within-group differences among a randomly selected group of incarcerated women (n = 543). Comparisons between violent and nonviolent offense types among women found few differences, but significant differences among women with an assaultive offense, based on the presence or absence of a self-reported uncaught violence, were found. Differences in women with isolated (i.e., single incident of violence perpetration through a review of formal and self-report data) and patterned uses of violence were present in relation to issues of mental health, substance abuse, criminogenic risk, and expressions of anger and personality factors. These findings have important implications for intervention as well as future research.

Short-term results of changes in existing and de novo lower urinary tract symptoms after robot-assisted laparoscopic uterosacral ligament suspension and sacrocolpopexy.

PubMed

Kurdoglu, Mertihan; Unlu, Serdar; Antonetti-Elford, Megan; Kurdoglu, Zehra; Kilic, Gokhan S

2018-03-06

This study presents short-term outcomes related to changes in existing and de novo lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), pelvic pain, and bowel function following robot-assisted laparoscopic uterosacral ligament suspension (RALUSLS) and sacrocolpopexy (RALSC). Observational data for RALUSLS (n = 23) and RALSC (n = 25) collected between August 2014 and March 2016 from a single institute (The University of Texas Medical Branch) were evaluated retrospectively. Patient characteristics, concomitant procedures, and the occurrence of lower urinary tract, pelvic pain, and bowel symptoms were compared between patients undergoing RALUSLS and RALSC. There was no significant difference in background characteristics between the 2 groups, except for parity, which was high in the RALUSLS group. In the RALUSLS group, patients experienced significant resolution of urinary urgency (P < .001) and frequency, urge and mixed incontinence, and pelvic pain (P < .05). In the RALSC group, there was significant resolution of nocturia, mixed incontinence, pelvic pain, and dyspareunia (P < .05). There was no significant difference in the occurrence of de novo symptoms in the RALUSLS and RALSC groups (P > .05), although newly appearing urinary urgency or frequency and stress or urge incontinence were more common after RALSC. Mixed incontinence and pelvic pain improved significantly in patients after RALUSLS or RALSC. In RALUSLS patients, urgency, frequency, and urge incontinence also improved, whereas additional improvement in nocturia and dyspareunia was evident only in RALSC patients. De novo LUTS developing after these procedures, especially after RALSC, necessitate careful patient consultation prior to surgery. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.

[Evaluation of accuracy of virtual occlusal definition in Angle class I molar relationship].

PubMed

Wu, L; Liu, X J; Li, Z L; Wang, X

2018-02-18

To evaluate the accuracy of virtual occlusal definition in non-Angle class I molar relationship, and to evaluate the clinical feasibility. Twenty pairs of models of orthognathic patients were included in this study. The inclusion criteria were: (1) finished with pre-surgical orthodontic treatment and (2) stable final occlusion. The exclusion criteria were: (1) existence of distorted teeth, (2) needs for segmentation, (3) defect of dentition except for orthodontic extraction ones, and (4) existence of tooth space. The tooth-extracted test group included 10 models with two premolars extracted during preoperative orthodontic treatment. Their molar relationships were not Angle class I relationship. The non-tooth-extracted test group included another 10 models without teeth extracted, therefore their molar relationships were Angle class I. To define the final occlusion in virtual environment, two steps were included: (1) The morphology data of upper and lower dentition were digitalized by surface scanner (Smart Optics/Activity 102; Model-Tray GmbH, Hamburg, Germany); (2) the virtual relationships were defined using 3Shape software. The control standard of final occlusion was manually defined using gypsum models and then digitalized by surface scanner. The final occlusion of test group and control standard were overlapped according to lower dentition morphology. Errors were evaluated by calculating the distance between the corresponding reference points of testing group and control standard locations. The overall errors for upper dentition between test group and control standard location were (0.51±0.18) mm in non-tooth-extracted test group and (0.60±0.36) mm in tooth-extracted test group. The errors were significantly different between these two test groups (P<0.05). However, in both test groups, the errors of each tooth in a single dentition does not differ from one another. There was no significant difference between errors in tooth-extracted test group and 1 mm (P>0.05); and the accuracy of non-tooth-extracted group was significantly smaller than 1 mm (P<0.05). The error of virtual occlusal definition of none class I molar relationship is higher than that of class I relationship, with an accuracy of 1 mm. However, its accuracy is still feasible for clinical application.

Effects of Oral Glucosamine Hydrochloride Administration on Plasma Free Amino Acid Concentrations in Dogs

PubMed Central

Azuma, Kazuo; Osaki, Tomohiro; Tsuka, Takeshi; Imagawa, Tomohiro; Okamoto, Yoshiharu; Takamori, Yoshimori; Minami, Saburo

2011-01-01

We examined the effects of oral glucosamine hydrochloride (GlcN), N-acetyl-d-glucosamine (GlcNAc) and d-glucose (Glc) administration on plasma total free amino acid (PFAA) concentrations in dogs. The PFAA concentrations increased in the control group and the GlcNAc group at one hour after feeding, and each amino acid concentration increased. On the other hand, in the GlcN group and the Glc group PFAA concentrations decreased at one hour after feeding. A significant decrease in amino acid concentration was observed for glutamate, glycine and alanine. Our results suggest the existence of differences in PFAA dynamics after oral administration of GlcN and GlcNAc in dogs. PMID:21673884

Controlling self-assembly of diphenylalanine peptides at high pH using heterocyclic capping groups

PubMed Central

Martin, Adam D.; Wojciechowski, Jonathan P.; Robinson, Andrew B.; Heu, Celine; Garvey, Christopher J.; Ratcliffe, Julian; Waddington, Lynne J.; Gardiner, James; Thordarson, Pall

2017-01-01

Using small angle neutron scattering (SANS), it is shown that the existence of pre-assembled structures at high pH for a capped diphenylalanine hydrogel is controlled by the selection of N-terminal heterocyclic capping group, namely indole or carbazole. At high pH, changing from a somewhat hydrophilic indole capping group to a more hydrophobic carbazole capping group results in a shift from a high proportion of monomers to self-assembled fibers or wormlike micelles. The presence of these different self-assembled structures at high pH is confirmed through NMR and circular dichroism spectroscopy, scanning probe microscopy and cryogenic transmission electron microscopy. PMID:28272523

Pain modulatory phenotypes differentiate subgroups with different clinical and experimental pain sensitivity.

PubMed

Vaegter, Henrik B; Graven-Nielsen, Thomas

2016-07-01

Pain biomarkers are warranted for individualized pain management. Based on different pain modulatory phenotypes, the objectives of this study were to explore the existence of subgroups within patients with nonmalignant chronic pain and to investigate differences in clinical pain and pain hypersensitivity between subgroups. Cuff algometry was performed on lower legs in 400 patients with chronic pain to assess pressure pain threshold, pressure pain tolerance, temporal summation of pain (TSP: increase in pain scores to 10 repeated stimulations), and conditioned pain modulation (CPM: increase in cuff pressure pain threshold during cuff pain conditioning on the contralateral leg). Heat detection and heat pain thresholds at clinical painful and nonpainful body areas were assessed. Based on TSP and CPM, 4 distinct groups were formed: group 1 (n = 85) had impaired CPM and facilitated TSP; group 2 (n = 148) had impaired CPM and normal TSP; group 3 (n = 45) had normal CPM and facilitated TSP; and group 4 (n = 122) had normal CPM and normal TSP. Group 1 showed more pain regions than the other 3 groups (P < 0.001), indicating that impaired CPM and facilitated TSP play an important role in widespread pain. Groups 1 and 2 compared with group 4 had lower heat pain threshold at nonpainful areas and lower cuff pressure pain tolerance (P < 0.02), indicating that CPM plays a role for widespread hyperalgesia. Moreover, group 1 demonstrated higher clinical pain scores than group 4 (P < 0.05). Although not different between subgroups, patients were profiled on demographics, disability, pain catastrophizing, and fear of movement. Future research should investigate interventions tailored towards these subgroups.

In vivo geometry of the kissing stent and covered endovascular reconstruction of the aortic bifurcation configurations in aortoiliac occlusive disease

PubMed Central

Ter Mors, Thijs G; Slump, Cornelis H; Geelkerken, Robert H; Holewijn, Suzanne; Reijnen, Michel MPJ

2017-01-01

Objectives Various configurations of kissing stent (KS) configurations exist and patency rates vary. In response the covered endovascular reconstruction of the aortic bifurcation configuration was designed to minimize mismatch and improve outcome. The aim of the current study is to compare geometrical mismatch of kissing stent with the covered endovascular reconstruction of the aortic bifurcation configuration in vivo. Methods Post-operative computed tomographic data and patient demographics from 11 covered endovascular reconstruction of the aortic bifurcation and 11 matched kissing stent patients were included. A free hand region of interest and ellipse fitting method were applied to determine mismatch areas and volumes. Conformation of the stents to the vessel wall was expressed using the D-ratio. Results Patients were mostly treated for Rutherford category 2 and 3 (64%) with a lesion classification of TASC C and D in 82%. Radial mismatch area and volume for the covered endovascular reconstruction of the aortic bifurcation group was significantly lower compared to the kissing stent configuration (P < 0.05). The D-ratio did not significantly differ between groups. Measurements were performed with good intra-class correlation. There were no significant differences in the post-procedural aortoiliac anatomy. Conclusions The present study shows that radial mismatch exists in vivo and that large differences in mismatch exist, in favour of the covered endovascular reconstruction of the aortic bifurcation configuration. Future research should determine if the decreased radial mismatch results in improved local flow profiles and subsequent clinical outcome. PMID:28530484

In vivo geometry of the kissing stent and covered endovascular reconstruction of the aortic bifurcation configurations in aortoiliac occlusive disease.

PubMed

Groot Jebbink, Erik; Ter Mors, Thijs G; Slump, Cornelis H; Geelkerken, Robert H; Holewijn, Suzanne; Reijnen, Michel Mpj

2017-12-01

Objectives Various configurations of kissing stent (KS) configurations exist and patency rates vary. In response the covered endovascular reconstruction of the aortic bifurcation configuration was designed to minimize mismatch and improve outcome. The aim of the current study is to compare geometrical mismatch of kissing stent with the covered endovascular reconstruction of the aortic bifurcation configuration in vivo. Methods Post-operative computed tomographic data and patient demographics from 11 covered endovascular reconstruction of the aortic bifurcation and 11 matched kissing stent patients were included. A free hand region of interest and ellipse fitting method were applied to determine mismatch areas and volumes. Conformation of the stents to the vessel wall was expressed using the D-ratio. Results Patients were mostly treated for Rutherford category 2 and 3 (64%) with a lesion classification of TASC C and D in 82%. Radial mismatch area and volume for the covered endovascular reconstruction of the aortic bifurcation group was significantly lower compared to the kissing stent configuration ( P < 0.05). The D-ratio did not significantly differ between groups. Measurements were performed with good intra-class correlation. There were no significant differences in the post-procedural aortoiliac anatomy. Conclusions The present study shows that radial mismatch exists in vivo and that large differences in mismatch exist, in favour of the covered endovascular reconstruction of the aortic bifurcation configuration. Future research should determine if the decreased radial mismatch results in improved local flow profiles and subsequent clinical outcome.

Complementation studies in Niemann-Pick disease type C indicate the existence of a second group.

PubMed Central

Steinberg, S J; Ward, C P; Fensom, A H

1994-01-01

Niemann-Pick disease type C is a clinically heterogeneous storage disorder with an unknown primary metabolic defect. We have undertaken somatic cell hybridisation experiments using skin fibroblast strains from 12 patients representing a wide clinical spectrum. Preliminary experiments using filipin staining of free cholesterol as a marker for complementation indicated the existence of one major group (group alpha) and one minor group (group beta) represented by one mutant strain. Subsequent experiments in which sphingomyelinase activity was measured as a marker for complementation using five mutant strains showing activity consistently < 40% control levels confirmed the existence of the second group. Images PMID:8071958

Cross-cultural differences in demented geropsychiatric inpatients with behavioral disturbances.

PubMed

Akpaffiong, M; Kunik, M E; Hale, D; Molinari, V; Orengo, C

1999-10-01

Cross-cultural differences in treatment and diagnosis exist in several psychiatric disorders. This study examines phenomenological and treatment differences between Caucasian and African-American patients presenting to a geropsychiatric unit for treatment of behavioral disturbances associated with dementia. One hundred and forty-one Caucasian patients were compared to 56 African-American patients consecutively admitted to a VA geropsychiatric inpatient unit. At admission, differences in behavior disturbances between the two groups were examined using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory (CMAI), Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D), Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) and the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale for Schizophrenia (PANSS). Differences in treatment were assessed by comparing medication types and doses between the two groups. Results showed that Caucasian and African-American patients with dementia and behavioral disturbances presented and responded similarly to like treatment on an inpatient geropsychiatric unit. The similarity between the two groups may be explained by the multi-ethnic make-up of the interdisciplinary treatment team and by the use of standardized scales to measure symptomatology and response. Copyright 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

40 CFR Table 3 to Subpart Ppp of... - Group 1 Storage Vessels at Existing and New Affected Sources

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 12 2012-07-01 2011-07-01 true Group 1 Storage Vessels at Existing and... Polyether Polyols Production Pt. 63, Subpt. PPP, Table 3 Table 3 to Subpart PPP of Part 63—Group 1 Storage Vessels at Existing and New Affected Sources Vessel capacity(cubic meters) Vapor Pressure a (kilopascals...

40 CFR Table 3 to Subpart Ppp of... - Group 1 Storage Vessels at Existing and New Affected Sources

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 11 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 true Group 1 Storage Vessels at Existing and... Polyether Polyols Production Pt. 63, Subpt. PPP, Table 3 Table 3 to Subpart PPP of Part 63—Group 1 Storage Vessels at Existing and New Affected Sources Vessel capacity(cubic meters) Vapor Pressure a (kilopascals...

Integrated Analysis and Visualization of Group Differences in Structural and Functional Brain Connectivity: Applications in Typical Ageing and Schizophrenia.

PubMed

Langen, Carolyn D; White, Tonya; Ikram, M Arfan; Vernooij, Meike W; Niessen, Wiro J

2015-01-01

Structural and functional brain connectivity are increasingly used to identify and analyze group differences in studies of brain disease. This study presents methods to analyze uni- and bi-modal brain connectivity and evaluate their ability to identify differences. Novel visualizations of significantly different connections comparing multiple metrics are presented. On the global level, "bi-modal comparison plots" show the distribution of uni- and bi-modal group differences and the relationship between structure and function. Differences between brain lobes are visualized using "worm plots". Group differences in connections are examined with an existing visualization, the "connectogram". These visualizations were evaluated in two proof-of-concept studies: (1) middle-aged versus elderly subjects; and (2) patients with schizophrenia versus controls. Each included two measures derived from diffusion weighted images and two from functional magnetic resonance images. The structural measures were minimum cost path between two anatomical regions according to the "Statistical Analysis of Minimum cost path based Structural Connectivity" method and the average fractional anisotropy along the fiber. The functional measures were Pearson's correlation and partial correlation of mean regional time series. The relationship between structure and function was similar in both studies. Uni-modal group differences varied greatly between connectivity types. Group differences were identified in both studies globally, within brain lobes and between regions. In the aging study, minimum cost path was highly effective in identifying group differences on all levels; fractional anisotropy and mean correlation showed smaller differences on the brain lobe and regional levels. In the schizophrenia study, minimum cost path and fractional anisotropy showed differences on the global level and within brain lobes; mean correlation showed small differences on the lobe level. Only fractional anisotropy and mean correlation showed regional differences. The presented visualizations were helpful in comparing and evaluating connectivity measures on multiple levels in both studies.

MBMC: An Effective Markov Chain Approach for Binning Metagenomic Reads from Environmental Shotgun Sequencing Projects.

PubMed

Wang, Ying; Hu, Haiyan; Li, Xiaoman

2016-08-01

Metagenomics is a next-generation omics field currently impacting postgenomic life sciences and medicine. Binning metagenomic reads is essential for the understanding of microbial function, compositions, and interactions in given environments. Despite the existence of dozens of computational methods for metagenomic read binning, it is still very challenging to bin reads. This is especially true for reads from unknown species, from species with similar abundance, and/or from low-abundance species in environmental samples. In this study, we developed a novel taxonomy-dependent and alignment-free approach called MBMC (Metagenomic Binning by Markov Chains). Different from all existing methods, MBMC bins reads by measuring the similarity of reads to the trained Markov chains for different taxa instead of directly comparing reads with known genomic sequences. By testing on more than 24 simulated and experimental datasets with species of similar abundance, species of low abundance, and/or unknown species, we report here that MBMC reliably grouped reads from different species into separate bins. Compared with four existing approaches, we demonstrated that the performance of MBMC was comparable with existing approaches when binning reads from sequenced species, and superior to existing approaches when binning reads from unknown species. MBMC is a pivotal tool for binning metagenomic reads in the current era of Big Data and postgenomic integrative biology. The MBMC software can be freely downloaded at http://hulab.ucf.edu/research/projects/metagenomics/MBMC.html .

Comparing the profile of child patients attending dental general anaesthesia and conscious sedation services.

PubMed

Hariharan, S; Hosey, M T; Bernabe, E

2017-05-12

Aims To compare the profile of paediatric patients receiving dental treatment under general anaesthesia (GA) or conscious sedation (CS). A second aim was to explore whether there is an overlap between the two patient groups.Design This service evaluation study was based on sociodemographic and clinical data extracted from clinical records of patients attending dental appointments for GA or CS services at King's College Hospital. Sociodemographic and clinical differences between GA and CS groups were explored using logistic regression models.Results Data from 113 children (58 GA and 55 CS) were analysed. There were differences between groups in terms of age and numbers of quadrants and teeth treated, but not in terms of sex, ethnicity or deprivation scores. In the adjusted model, older children and those having more teeth treated were more likely to be in the GA than in the CS group. An overlap between the GA and CS groups was found, with 50% of children aged four to nine years having two to four teeth treated in both groups.Conclusion Age and number of teeth treated were the main characteristics associated with receiving care under GA or CS. Some overlap between children receiving dental treatment under GA or CS existed despite demographic and clinical differences between both groups.

Differences between immigrant and non-immigrant groups in the use of primary medical care; a systematic review

PubMed Central

Uiters, Ellen; Devillé, Walter; Foets, Marleen; Spreeuwenberg, Peter; Groenewegen, Peter P

2009-01-01

Background Studies on differences between immigrant and non-immigrant groups in health care utilization vary with respect to the extent and direction of differences in use. Therefore, our study aimed to provide a systematic overview of the existing research on differences in primary care utilization between immigrant groups and the majority population. Methods For this review PubMed, PsycInfo, Cinahl, Sociofile, Web of Science and Current Contents were consulted. Study selection and quality assessment was performed using a predefined protocol by 2 reviewers independently of each other. Only original, quantitative, peer-reviewed papers were taken into account. To account for this hierarchical structure, logistic multilevel analyses were performed to examine the extent to which differences are found across countries and immigrant groups. Differences in primary care use were related to study characteristics, strength of the primary care system and methodological quality. Results A total of 37 studies from 7 countries met all inclusion criteria. Remarkably, studies performed within the US more often reported a significant lower use among immigrant groups as compared to the majority population than the other countries. As studies scored higher on methodological quality, the likelihood of reporting significant differences increased. Adjustment for health status and use of culture-/language-adjusted procedures during the data collection were negatively related to reporting significant differences in the studies. Conclusion Our review underlined the need for careful design in studies of differences in health care use between immigrant groups and the majority population. The results from studies concerning differences between immigrant and the majority population in primary health care use performed within the US might be interpreted as a reflection of a weaker primary care system in the US compared to Europe and Canada. PMID:19426567

[The possibility of acute inflammatory reaction affects the development of pressure ulcers in bedridden elderly patients].

PubMed

Matsuyama, N; Takano, K; Mashiko, T; Jimbo, S; Shimetani, N; Ohtani, H

1999-11-01

To test the hypothesis that acute inflammatory reaction associates with the development of pressure ulcers in bedridden elderly patients, 40 hospitalized elderly patients suffering from bacterial pneumonia, cerebrovascular disease, and femoral bone fracture were enrolled in this study. All of them were divided into two groups with pressure ulcers (group P; 17 patients) and without one (group N; 23 patients). The blood samples were taken from them within 5 days after the patients being bedridden. Although no significant difference exist in pressure ulcer risk factors (age, gender, Braden scale, underlying diseases, blood pressure, and heart rate) between the two groups, white blood cell, plasma C-reactive protein and fibrinogen in group P increased significantly as compared with those in group N. Besides number of platelets and maximum platelet aggregation rate were significantly higher in group P than in group N. Serum albumin and hemoglobin of both groups decreased after being bedridden, especially hemoglobin in group P was significantly lower than that in group N. While the concentration of serum IL-6 did not indicate a significant difference between both the groups, serum IL-1 beta increased significantly in group P. In conclusion, we suggested that acute inflammatory reaction releasing proinflammatory cytokines affected the development of pressure ulcer in bedridden elderly patients.

Comparison of prescribing patterns between United States and Dominican Republic prescribers on short-term medical mission trips.

PubMed

Prescott, Gina M; Patzke, Ciera L; Brody, Peter M; Prescott, William A

2018-01-01

Short-term medical missions (STMMs) have increased and are viewed as a way to extend care in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Although benefits may exist, visiting teams may lack insight into using medications safely and effectively. The primary objective was to assess prescribing differences between US-based and Dominican Republic (DR) healthcare providers on STMMs in the DR. A retrospective database review between January 2013 and 2015 was conducted. Data from US and DR groups were compared for differences in diagnoses, medication classes prescribed and prescriptions per patient. The mean number of medical conditions diagnosed per patient in the DR (n=423) and US groups (n=1585) were 1.4±0.9 and 1.0±0.8, respectively. The diagnosis of infectious diseases was the same as non-communicable diseases. The DR group prescribed more medications at each patient encounter (mean 2.6 vs 2.2, respectively; p<0.001). The US group prescribed more antibiotics for respiratory infections (US 46.2% vs DR 25.0%; p=0.0001), used more metronidazole than albendazole alone for parasite infections (p=0.0022) and used more oral fluconazole for vaginal candidiasis (p<0.0001) and tinea infections (US 44.6%, DR 14.3%, respectively; p=0.0020). Although some significant prescribing differences exist between US and DR providers, many similarities were present. Visiting providers should understand the medication use system and disease burden before providing care in an LMIC. © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Lack of existing guidelines for a large group of patients in Sweden: a national survey across the acute surgical care delivery chain.

PubMed

Muntlin Athlin, Åsa; Juhlin, Claes; Jangland, Eva

2017-02-01

Evidence-informed healthcare is the fundament for practice, whereby guidelines based on the best available evidence should assist health professionals in managing patients. Patients seeking care for acute abdominal pain form a common group in acute care settings worldwide, for whom decision-making and timely treatment are of paramount importance. There is ambiguity about the existence, use and content of guidelines for patients with acute abdomen. The objective was to describe and compare guidelines and management of patients with acute abdomen in different settings across the acute care delivery chain in Sweden. A national cross-sectional design was used. Twenty-nine ambulance stations, 17 emergency departments and 33 surgical wards covering all six Swedish health regions were included, and 23 guidelines were quality appraised using the validated Appraisal of Guidelines for Research & Evaluation II tool. There is a lack of guidelines in use for the management of this large group of patients between and within different healthcare areas across the acute care delivery chain. The quality appraisal identified that several guidelines were of poor quality, especially the in-hospital ones. Further, range orders for analgesics are common in the ambulance services and the surgical wards, but are seldom present in the emergency departments. Also, education in pain management is more common in the ambulance services. These findings are noteworthy as, hypothetically, the same patient could be treated in three different ways during the same care episode. There is an urgent need to develop high-quality evidence-based clinical guidelines for this patient group, with the entire care process in focus. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

[Imaging Observation of Scalp Acupuncture on Brain Gray Matter Injury in Stroke Patients with Cerebral Infarction].

PubMed

Lang, Yi; Cui, Fang-yuan; Li, Kuang-shi; Tan, Zhong-jian; Zou, Yi-huai

2016-03-01

To study features of brain gray matter injury in cerebral infarction patients and intervention of scalp acupuncture by using voxel-based morphology. A total of 16 cerebral infarction patients were recruited in this study, and assigned to the scalp acupuncture group and the control group, 8 in each group. Another 16 healthy volunteers were recruited as a normal group. All patients received scanning of T1 structure. Images were managed using VBM8 Software package. Difference of the gray matter structure was compared among the scalp acupuncture group, the control group, and the healthy volunteers. Compared with healthy volunteers, gray matter injury of cerebral infarction patients mainly occurred in 14 brain regions such as cingulate gyrus, precuneus, cuneus, anterior central gyrus, insular lobe, and so on. They were mainly distributed in affected side. Two weeks after treatment when compared with healthy volunteers, gray matter injury of cerebral infarction patients in the scalp acupuncture group still existed in 8 brain regions such as bilateral lingual gyrus, posterior cingulate gyrus, left cuneus, right precuneus, and so on. New gray matter injury occurred in lingual gyrus and posterior cingulate gyrus. Two weeks after treatment when compared with healthy volunteers, gray matter injury of cerebral infarction patients in the control group existed in 23 brain regions: bilateral anterior cingulum, caudate nucleus, cuneate lobe, insular lobe, inferior frontal gyrus, medial frontal gyrus, precuneus, paracentral lobule, superior temporal gyrus, middle temporal gyrus, lingual gyrus, right postcentral gyrus, posterior cingulate gyrus, precentral gyrus, middle frontal gyrus, and so on. New gray matter injury still existed in 9 cerebral regions such as lingual gyrus, posterior cingulate gyrus, postcentral gyrus, and so on. Brain gray matter structure is widely injured after cerebral infarction. Brain gray matter volume gradually decreased as time went by. Combined use of scalp acupuncture might inhibit the progression of gray matter injury more effectively.

Behavior of some psychological parameters in a population of a Hg extraction plant

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

Camerino, D.; Cassitto, M.G.; Desideri, E.

1981-11-01

52 workers of a plant transforming Hg mineral were subjected to psychological investigation in order to detect behavioral alterations which might be related to Hg exposure. A group of 29 subjects living in the same area was used as the control. The test battery included reaction times, mental efficiency measures, and personality indexes for a total of 33 variables. Results were analyzed through statistical elaboration using parametric tests. Efficiency and memory measures could discriminate exposed individuals from controls; for the personality profiles, an interpretation explaining the differences observed is proposed in terms of a dynamic profile having different characteristics inmore » the different groups studied. Reference to existing literature is made to verify any possible correlation with other authors' findings.« less

[The effect of reproduction biotopes on the genetic differentiation of populations of sockeye salmon Oncorhynchus nerka].

PubMed

Brykov, V A; Poliakova, N E; Podlesnykh, A V; Golub', E V; Golub', A P; Zhdanova, O L

2005-05-01

Variation of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) was examined in nine populations from three lake-river systems of Chukotka and Kamchatka. Significant differences were found between most of the sockeye salmon samples studied. The genetic differences among populations were not high and often did not correlate with the geographical distances between them. The low population divergence is explained by a short time of existence of most of them, having been formed after the recession of the upper Pleistocene glacier. When the populations were grouped according to their spawning biotopes (river or lake), they in general appeared more genetically similar than upon their grouping by geographical location (the lake-river systems). The differences between the river and lake populations in the lake--river systems increased from north to south.

[Organization of domestic groups in the hinterlands of Lisbon: a study of different conducts].

PubMed

Da Silva, A F

1993-01-01

The author analyzes "methods of domestic organization in a hinterland area in Lisbon, [Portugal, particularly] in Oeiras, between 1730 and 1810. Results show the existence of two systems of domestic group organization: farmers and workers. The [farmers] set up a succession strategy associated with the defence of familiar heritage.... Workers consider that their organization strategy is based on both setting up new families and giving up any system of generation succession by which the principal aim is the perpetuation of the familiar heritage.... Both systems are the results of different economic and hierarchical positions in the Oeiras society." (SUMMARY IN ENG AND FRE AND SPA) excerpt

Divorce transition differences of midlife women.

PubMed

Sakraida, Teresa J

2005-01-01

Divorce transition experienced by and its influence upon midlife women's health is not fully understood. Interviews were conducted with 24 divorced women who self-classified into decider status groups: initiator (who first decided to end marriage), non-initiator (recipient of end of marriage decision), and mutual decider (shared decision to end marriage). Interpretive content analysis involving pattern coding was conducted. The divorce transition by initiators (n=8) included self-focused growth, optimism, and social support losses and opportunities, while the divorce transition by non-initiators (n=8) included being left, ruminating, vulnerability, and spiritual comfort. No profile emerged for the mutual-decider group (n=8). This study supports that differences in divorce transition exist for initiators and non-initiators.

Ethnobotanical Knowledge Is Vastly Under-Documented in Northwestern South America

PubMed Central

Cámara-Leret, Rodrigo; Paniagua-Zambrana, Narel; Balslev, Henrik; Macía, Manuel J.

2014-01-01

A main objective of ethnobotany is to document traditional knowledge about plants before it disappears. However, little is known about the coverage of past ethnobotanical studies and thus about how well the existing literature covers the overall traditional knowledge of different human groups. To bridge this gap, we investigated ethnobotanical data-collecting efforts across four countries (Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia), three ecoregions (Amazon, Andes, Chocó), and several human groups (including Amerindians, mestizos, and Afro-Americans). We used palms (Arecaceae) as our model group because of their usefulness and pervasiveness in the ethnobotanical literature. We carried out a large number of field interviews (n = 2201) to determine the coverage and quality of palm ethnobotanical data in the existing ethnobotanical literature (n = 255) published over the past 60 years. In our fieldwork in 68 communities, we collected 87,886 use reports and documented 2262 different palm uses and 140 useful palm species. We demonstrate that traditional knowledge on palm uses is vastly under-documented across ecoregions, countries, and human groups. We suggest that the use of standardized data-collecting protocols in wide-ranging ethnobotanical fieldwork is a promising approach for filling critical information gaps. Our work contributes to the Aichi Biodiversity Targets and emphasizes the need for signatory nations to the Convention on Biological Diversity to respond to these information gaps. Given our findings, we hope to stimulate the formulation of clear plans to systematically document ethnobotanical knowledge in northwestern South America and elsewhere before it vanishes. PMID:24416449

Research-Based Assessment of Students' Beliefs about Experimental Physics: When is Gender a Factor?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wilcox, Bethany R.; Lewandowski, H. J.

2016-12-01

The existence of gender differences in student performance on conceptual assessments and their responses to attitudinal assessments has been repeatedly demonstrated. This difference is often present in students' preinstruction responses and persists in their postinstruction responses. However, one area in which the presence of gender differences has not been extensively explored is undergraduate laboratory courses. For example, one of the few laboratory focused research-based assessments, the Colorado Learning Attitudes about Science Survey for Experimental Physics (E-CLASS), has not been tested for the existence of gender differences in students' responses. Here, we utilize a national data set of responses to the E-CLASS to determine if they demonstrate significant gender differences. We also investigate how these differences vary along multiple student and course demographic slices, including course level (first-year vs beyond-first-year) and major (physics vs nonphysics). We observe a gender gap in pre- and postinstruction E-CLASS scores in the aggregate data both for the overall score and for most items individually. However, for some subpopulations (e.g., beyond-first-year students) the size or even existence of the gender gap depends on another dimension (e.g., student major). We also find that for all groups the gap in postinstruction scores vanishes or is greatly reduced when controlling for preinstruction scores, course level, and student major.

Critical elements in the design of culturally appropriate interventions intended to reduce health disparities: immunization rates among Hispanic seniors in New Mexico.

PubMed

Levy, Celinda; Carter, Susan; Priloutskaya, Galina; Gallegos, Gertrude

2003-01-01

The importance of immunization in protecting seniors against influenza and pneumonia has long been recognized. Nevertheless, immunization rates among Medicare beneficiaries continue to fall short of what is both desirable and achievable. The problem is even more acute among certain racial and ethnic groups in the United States within which rates are below the rate for the country as a whole. This is true in New Mexico where 40 percent of the population is estimated to be Hispanic. As part of its work on behalf of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the New Mexico Medical Review Association (NMMRA) undertook a project aimed both at reducing the disparities that exist in immunization status between the Hispanic and non-Hispanic population in the state and attempting to increase overall rates in the state for all groups. Developing interventions to reduce disparaties in immunization rates between Hispanic seniors and the rest of the senior population requires more than a straightforward review of the literature and must take into account not only the cultural differences that exist between Hispanics and non-Hispanics but, certainly, in the case of New Mexico, it must attempt to understand the richness and diversity that exists within the Hispanic communities across the state. To do otherwise runs the risk of designing interventions that are at best ineffective and at worst culturally insensitive and potentially damaging to future efforts to improve health status. This article describes the process undertaken by NMMRA, a Medicare Quality Improvement Organization (QIO), to collect qualitative data from three culturally different groups of Hispanics in New Mexico. The data are used to design interventions that will increase immunization rates for all Hispanics in New Mexico.

Oral Flurbiprofen Spray for Posttonsillectomy Pain.

PubMed

Muderris, Togay; Gul, Fatih; Yalciner, Gokhan; Babademez, Mehmet Ali; Bercin, Sami; Kiris, Muzaffer

2016-07-01

Tonsillectomy is still one of the most common surgical procedures, but there exists no standard guideline for pain management after tonsillectomy. Our aim is to determine whether oral spray of flurbiprofen reduces pain and has an influence on other morbid outcomes following tonsillectomy. Prospective, double-blind, randomized, placebo controlled. Patients at Ataturk Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. This study was performed on 84 patients (45 in flurbiprofen group, 39 in placebo group) who underwent tonsillectomy. The patients were randomly chosen, and each used oral spray of flurbiprofen 3 times daily or placebo solution at the same regimen. Efficacy was assessed by changes in Numeric Pain Rating Scale. Data were collected at postoperative days 1, 3, 5, and 7 for pain, bleeding, and healing. Data for Mallampati scores were also collected. There were no significant difference between groups with respect to the demographic data. The flurbiprofen group had statistically significant lower pain scores at days 1, 3, 5, and 7 (P = .000, P = .002, P = .001, P = .000, respectively). On days 3 and 7, pain scores were significantly different between different Mallampati groups (P = .049, P = .015, respectively). The flurbiprofen group required less analgesic than the placebo group during the study period on days 1, 3, 5, and 7 (P = .001, P = .001, P = .03, P = .001, respectively). Healing and side effects were not significantly different between the groups. In this study, topical use of flurbiprofen may reduce posttonsillectomy pain without any evidence of additional complications. © American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery Foundation 2016.

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

Schmidt, Edward G.; Hemen, Brian; Rogalla, Danielle

We have obtained VR photometry of 282 Cepheid variable star candidates from the northern part of the All Sky Automated Survey (ASAS). These together with data from the ASAS and the Northern Sky Variability Survey (NSVS) were used to redetermine the periods of the stars. We divided the stars into four groups based on location in a plot of mean color, (V-R), versus period. Two of the groups fell within the region of the diagram containing known type II Cepheids and yielded 14 new highly probable type II Cepheids. The properties of the remaining stars in these two groups aremore » discussed but their nature remains uncertain. Unexplained differences exist between the sample of stars studied here and a previous sample drawn from the NSVS by Akerlof et al. This suggests serious biases in the identification of variables in different surveys.« less

The Effect of State Regulations on Motor Vehicle Fatalities for Younger and Older Drivers: A Review and Analysis

PubMed Central

Grabowski, David C.; Morrisey, Michael A.

2001-01-01

Policymakers have had a long-standing interest in improving the motor vehicle safety of both younger and older drivers. Although younger and older drivers share the distinction of having more crashes and fatalities per mile driven than other age groups, the problems posed by these two groups stem from different origins and manifest in different ways. A number of state-level policies and regulations may affect the number of motor vehicle crashes and fatalities in these two high-risk groups. A critical review of the existing literature in regard to the risk factors and the effects of various policy measures on motor vehicle crashes in these two high-risk populations provides direction for policymakers and high-priority areas of interest for the research community. PMID:11789116

What do doctors and nurses think about development of clinical leadership?

PubMed

Lo, David; Till, Alex; McKimm, Judy

2017-09-02

Leadership development for health-care professionals is a priority within the NHS. Training is generally targeted at individual staff groups in isolation, even though contemporary leadership thinking recognizes the benefits of collaborative leadership between different clinical disciplines. Focussing on the attitudes and perceived training needs of undergraduate and qualified medical and nursing professionals, this article highlights the similarities and differences and will help to inform the design of existing and future leadership programmes.

Activity of masticatory muscles in subjects with different orofacial pain conditions.

PubMed

Bodéré, Céline; Téa, Say Hack; Giroux-Metges, Marie Agnes; Woda, Alain

2005-07-01

The existence of a pathophysiological link between tonic muscle activity and chronic muscle pain is still being debated. The purpose of this retrospective, controlled study was to evaluate the electromyographic (EMG) activity of masticatory muscles in subjects with different orofacial pain conditions. The temporal and masseter EMG activity at rest and the masseteric reflex were recorded in two groups of patients with either myofascial pain (n=33) or neuropathic pain (n=20), one group of non-pain patients with disc derangement disorders (n=27) and one control group of healthy, asymptomatic subjects (n=32). The EMG activities of both muscles at rest were significantly higher in the pain patient groups compared to the asymptomatic control group. There was no significant difference between the disc derangement disorder group and the control group. The masseteric reflex amplitude was reduced in all patient groups when compared with the control group. In pain patient groups, the increased EMG activity at rest and the reduction of the masseteric reflex amplitude were equally distributed in the pain and non-pain sides. In addition, subjects presenting with bilateral pain showed higher EMG activity at rest than those with unilateral pain. These results suggested that the modulation of muscle activity was not the direct consequence of a peripheral nociceptive mechanism and seemed to indicate that a central mechanism was at work. The contrast between the increased EMG activity at rest and the reduction of the masseteric reflex amplitude may reflect modulations of motoneurones that differed in tonic versus phasic conditions in chronic pain patients.

Perceptions of fieldwork in occupational therapy.

PubMed

Ingwersen, Kate; Lyons, Nikki; Hitch, Danielle

2017-02-01

There are few studies in occupational therapy that compare the perceptions of supervisors and students regarding quality clinical placement programmes, and those that exist indicate substantial differences in the perceptions held by each group. This pilot study was conducted using a cross-sectional descriptive design, with a single questionnaire distributed to occupational therapy students and clinical supervisors. A total of 40 questionnaires were returned: 17 from students and 23 from clinical supervisors. Differences were found between the perceptions of occupational therapy students and clinical supervisors in response to four topics: preparation from the university for their placements; consistency across placement sites; instances of supervisors seeking feedback from students; and the burden associated with the placement-related workload for clinicians. Differences were found between the perceptions of occupational therapy students and clinical supervisors in response to four topics DISCUSSION: Different perceptions around preparation from universities and consistency across placement sites relate to the existing roles of each group: students are more aware of university preparation and clinical supervisors are more aware of organisational inconsistencies in their respective usual work environments. The discrepancy in the perceived seeking of feedback from students has also been reported in student debriefing sessions. The burdens perceived by clinical supervisors appear to be influenced by a belief that clinical education is an additional duty rather than a core role. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Biostatistics Series Module 5: Determining Sample Size

PubMed Central

Hazra, Avijit; Gogtay, Nithya

2016-01-01

Determining the appropriate sample size for a study, whatever be its type, is a fundamental aspect of biomedical research. An adequate sample ensures that the study will yield reliable information, regardless of whether the data ultimately suggests a clinically important difference between the interventions or elements being studied. The probability of Type 1 and Type 2 errors, the expected variance in the sample and the effect size are the essential determinants of sample size in interventional studies. Any method for deriving a conclusion from experimental data carries with it some risk of drawing a false conclusion. Two types of false conclusion may occur, called Type 1 and Type 2 errors, whose probabilities are denoted by the symbols σ and β. A Type 1 error occurs when one concludes that a difference exists between the groups being compared when, in reality, it does not. This is akin to a false positive result. A Type 2 error occurs when one concludes that difference does not exist when, in reality, a difference does exist, and it is equal to or larger than the effect size defined by the alternative to the null hypothesis. This may be viewed as a false negative result. When considering the risk of Type 2 error, it is more intuitive to think in terms of power of the study or (1 − β). Power denotes the probability of detecting a difference when a difference does exist between the groups being compared. Smaller α or larger power will increase sample size. Conventional acceptable values for power and α are 80% or above and 5% or below, respectively, when calculating sample size. Increasing variance in the sample tends to increase the sample size required to achieve a given power level. The effect size is the smallest clinically important difference that is sought to be detected and, rather than statistical convention, is a matter of past experience and clinical judgment. Larger samples are required if smaller differences are to be detected. Although the principles are long known, historically, sample size determination has been difficult, because of relatively complex mathematical considerations and numerous different formulas. However, of late, there has been remarkable improvement in the availability, capability, and user-friendliness of power and sample size determination software. Many can execute routines for determination of sample size and power for a wide variety of research designs and statistical tests. With the drudgery of mathematical calculation gone, researchers must now concentrate on determining appropriate sample size and achieving these targets, so that study conclusions can be accepted as meaningful. PMID:27688437

Identification of Major Histocompatibility Complex-Regulated Body Odorants by Statistical Analysis of a Comparative Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry Experiment

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

Willse, Alan R.; Belcher, Ann; Preti, George

2005-04-15

Gas chromatography (GC), combined with mass spectrometry (MS) detection, is a powerful analytical technique that can be used to separate, quantify, and identify volatile compounds in complex mixtures. This paper examines the application of GC-MS in a comparative experiment to identify volatiles that differ in concentration between two groups. A complex mixture might comprise several hundred or even thousands of volatile compounds. Because their number and location in a chromatogram generally are unknown, and because components overlap in populous chromatograms, the statistical problems offer significant challenges beyond traditional two-group screening procedures. We describe a statistical procedure to compare two-dimensional GC-MSmore » profiles between groups, which entails (1) signal processing: baseline correction and peak detection in single ion chromatograms; (2) aligning chromatograms in time; (3) normalizing differences in overall signal intensities; and (4) detecting chromatographic regions that differ between groups. Compared to existing approaches, the proposed method is robust to errors made at earlier stages of analysis, such as missed peaks or slightly misaligned chromatograms. To illustrate the method, we identify differences in GC-MS chromatograms of ether-extracted urine collected from two nearly identical inbred groups of mice, to investigate the relationship between odor and genetics of the major histocompatibility complex.« less

Differences in integrity of white matter and changes with training in spelling impaired children: a diffusion tensor imaging study

PubMed Central

Gebauer, D.; Fink, A.; Filippini, N.; Johansen-Berg, H.; Reishofer, G.; Koschutnig, K.; Kargl, R.; Purgstaller, C.; Fazekas, F.; Enzinger, C.

2013-01-01

While the functional correlates of spelling impairment have been rarely investigated, to our knowledge no study exists regarding the structural characteristics of spelling impairment and potential changes with interventions. Using diffusion tensor imaging at 3.0 T, we here therefore sought to investigate (a) differences between children with poor spelling abilities (training group and waiting group) and controls, and (b) the effects of a morpheme- based spelling intervention in children with poor spelling abilities on DTI parameters. A baseline comparison of white matter indices revealed significant differences between controls and spelling-impaired children, mainly located in the right hemisphere (superior corona radiata (SCR), posterior limb of internal capsule, superior longitudinal fasciculus). After 5 weeks of training, spelling ability improved in the training group, along with increases in fractional anisotropy and decreases of radial diffusivity in the right hemisphere compared to controls. In addition, significantly higher decreases of mean diffusivity in the right SCR for the spelling-impaired training group compared to the waiting group were observed. Our results suggest that spelling impairment is associated with differences in white-matter integrity in the right hemisphere. We also provide first indications that white matter changes occur during successful training, but this needs to be more specifically addressed in future research. PMID:22198594

Differences in integrity of white matter and changes with training in spelling impaired children: a diffusion tensor imaging study.

PubMed

Gebauer, D; Fink, A; Filippini, N; Johansen-Berg, H; Reishofer, G; Koschutnig, K; Kargl, R; Purgstaller, C; Fazekas, F; Enzinger, C

2012-07-01

While the functional correlates of spelling impairment have been rarely investigated, to our knowledge no study exists regarding the structural characteristics of spelling impairment and potential changes with interventions. Using diffusion tensor imaging at 3.0 T, we here therefore sought to investigate (a) differences between children with poor spelling abilities (training group and waiting group) and controls, and (b) the effects of a morpheme-based spelling intervention in children with poor spelling abilities on DTI parameters. A baseline comparison of white matter indices revealed significant differences between controls and spelling-impaired children, mainly located in the right hemisphere (superior corona radiata (SCR), posterior limb of internal capsule, superior longitudinal fasciculus). After 5 weeks of training, spelling ability improved in the training group, along with increases in fractional anisotropy and decreases of radial diffusivity in the right hemisphere compared to controls. In addition, significantly higher decreases of mean diffusivity in the right SCR for the spelling-impaired training group compared to the waiting group were observed. Our results suggest that spelling impairment is associated with differences in white-matter integrity in the right hemisphere. We also provide first indications that white matter changes occur during successful training, but this needs to be more specifically addressed in future research.

Impact of family language and testing language on reading performance in a bilingual educational context.

PubMed

Elosua Oliden, Paula; Mujika Lizaso, Josu

2014-01-01

When different languages co-exist in one area, or when one person speaks more than one language, the impact of language on psychological and educational assessment processes can be considerable. The aim of this work was to study the impact of testing language in a community with two official languages: Spanish and Basque. By taking the PISA 2009 Reading Comprehension Test as a basis for analysis, four linguistic groups were defined according to the language spoken at home and the test language. Psychometric equivalence between test forms and differences in results among the four language groups were analyzed. The comparison of competence means took into account the effects of the index of socioeconomic and cultural status (ISEC) and gender. One reading unit with differential item functioning was detected. The reading competence means were considerably higher in the monolingual Spanish-Spanish group. No differences were found between the language groups based on family language when the test was conducted in Basque. The study illustrates the importance of taking into account psychometric, linguistic and sociolinguistic factors in linguistically diverse assessment contexts.

Inference of median difference based on the Box-Cox model in randomized clinical trials.

PubMed

Maruo, K; Isogawa, N; Gosho, M

2015-05-10

In randomized clinical trials, many medical and biological measurements are not normally distributed and are often skewed. The Box-Cox transformation is a powerful procedure for comparing two treatment groups for skewed continuous variables in terms of a statistical test. However, it is difficult to directly estimate and interpret the location difference between the two groups on the original scale of the measurement. We propose a helpful method that infers the difference of the treatment effect on the original scale in a more easily interpretable form. We also provide statistical analysis packages that consistently include an estimate of the treatment effect, covariance adjustments, standard errors, and statistical hypothesis tests. The simulation study that focuses on randomized parallel group clinical trials with two treatment groups indicates that the performance of the proposed method is equivalent to or better than that of the existing non-parametric approaches in terms of the type-I error rate and power. We illustrate our method with cluster of differentiation 4 data in an acquired immune deficiency syndrome clinical trial. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Energy density, nutrient adequacy, and cost per serving can provide insight into food choices in the lower Mississippi Delta.

PubMed

Connell, Carol L; Zoellner, Jamie M; Yadrick, M Kathleen; Chekuri, Srinivasa C; Crook, Lashaundrea B; Bogle, Margaret L

2012-01-01

To compare differences across food groups for food cost, energy, and nutrient profiles of 100 items from a cross-sectional survey of 225 stores in 18 counties across the Lower Mississippi Delta of Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Energy, nutrient, and cost profiles for food items were calculated by using Naturally Nutrient Rich methodology and converting price per 100 g edible portion to price per serving. Foods were grouped into 6 food groups. Mean differences were compared with ANOVA. Significant differences existed by food group for each measure. Energy density was highest for fats/oils/sweets, whereas nutrient density was highest for vegetables. Price per serving was lowest for fats/oils/sweets and highest for meats. Educational messages focusing on a complete diet should consider the role of food costs and provide specific recommendations for increasing nutrient-dense foods by replacing a portion of the meat serving at meals with culturally acceptable lower-cost nutrient-dense foods. Copyright © 2012 Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Evaluation and applications of the clinically significant change method with the Violence Risk Scale-Sexual Offender version: implications for risk-change communication.

PubMed

Olver, Mark E; Beggs Christofferson, Sarah M; Wong, Stephen C P

2015-02-01

We examined the use of the clinically significant change (CSC) method with the Violence Risk Scale-Sexual Offender version (VRS-SO), and its implications for risk communication, in a combined sample of 945 treated sexual offenders from three international settings, followed up for a minimum 5 years post-release. The reliable change (RC) index was used to identify thresholds of clinically meaningful change and to create four CSC groups (already okay, recovered, improved, unchanged) based on VRS-SO dynamic scores and amount of change made. Outcome analyses demonstrated important CSC-group differences in 5-year rates of sexual and violent recidivism. However, when baseline risk was controlled via Cox regression survival analysis, the pattern and magnitude of CSC-group differences in sexual and violent recidivism changed to suggest that observed variation in recidivism base rates could be at least partly explained by pre-existing group differences in risk level. Implications for communication of risk-change information and applications to clinical practice are discussed. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Racial and Ethnic Differences in the Prevalence, Management and Outcomes in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation: A Systematic Review.

PubMed

Ugowe, Francis E; Jackson, Larry R; Thomas, Kevin L

2018-05-23

Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia in the United States (US) and is associated with increased morbidity, mortality, and healthcare expenditures. In this work, our aim was to assess for racial and ethnic differences in the epidemiology, management and outcomes of patients with AF. A search of relevant studies from January 1, 2007 to December 30, 2017 was conducted using PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science and supplemented by manual searches of the bibliographies of retrieved articles. We identified 152 studies of which 64 were subsequently included. We found underrepresented racial and ethnic groups (UREGs) have a higher prevalence of established risk factors associated with the development of AF, but an overall lower incidence and prevalence of AF compared with non-Hispanic whites (NHW). Moreover, racial and ethnic differences exist in detection, awareness and AF-associated symptoms. Non-white populations also experience decreased use of rhythm control modalities and anticoagulation for stroke prevention. Lastly, among those with AF, UREGs suffer increased morbidity and mortality relative to white groups. Racial and ethnic differences exist in the prevalence, quality of life, management and outcomes of individuals with AF; however, the mechanisms for these differences have yet to be fully elucidated. Racial and ethnic differences in AF warrant further analysis to understand the factors contributing to the differences in prevalence and management to ensure the delivery of high quality care that prevents stroke, reduces deaths and decreases expenses associated with caring for underrepresented populations with AF. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Epidemiology of cancer in ethnic groups.

PubMed Central

Muir, C. S.

1996-01-01

Substantial differences in the level and patterns of cancer have long been known to exist. Thus, breast cancer mortality in England & Wales in 1908-1912 was ten times higher than in Japan. Today the risk differential is six-fold. The major geographical differences in cancer risk throughout the world are mentioned and the significance of study of changes in cancer risk in migrant populations is emphasised. Thus, while cancer of the large bowel is still relatively uncommon in Japan, the incidence in US Japanese is currently higher than in both US Whites and Blacks. As the Japanese have not changed their genes, it is likely that the higher levels of risk in the US are due to the environment. Within Singapore there are substantial differences in the risk of cancers of the nasopharynx and oesophagus between the various Chinese dialect groups. The information available on ethnic differences in cancer risk in the UK are reviewed. Current analyses are flawed by failure to distinguish between ethnic groups coming from the same continent. The collection of data on ethnic group at the 1991 census and the recently introduced requirement that this also be collected in hospital records will permit direct calculation of incidence and replace anecdote by fact. PMID:8782793

Forensic nursing science knowledge and competency: the use of simulation.

PubMed

Drake, Stacy A; Langford, Rae; Young, Anne; Ayers, Constance

2015-01-01

Forensic nursing is a nursing specialty that provides services to a variety of patient populations who have experienced violence, including interpersonal violence, sudden or unexpected death, and motor vehicle collisions. However, many critical care nurses have received the background knowledge or practical skills required to provide the level of care required by many forensic patients. The purpose of this study was to determine whether differences in knowledge or practical competence exist between participants using 2 different learning modalities: medium fidelity simulation versus face-to-face lecture. Participants who were enrolled in an elective online forensic nursing science course were randomly assigned to an intervention or control group. The 18 intervention group participants were given three 2-hour forensic simulation sessions in the laboratory. The 17 control group participants attended 3 face-to-face lectures covering forensic science topics. All study participants also received the same forensic course content via the online Blackboard platform. No significant differences were found between the 2 groups in either knowledge or practical competency. The lack of results may have been heavily influenced by the small sample size, which resulted in insufficient power to detect possible differences.

Learner-generated drawing for phonological and orthographic dyslexic readers.

PubMed

Wang, Li-Chih; Yang, Hsien-Ming; Tasi, Hung-Ju; Chan, Shih-Yi

2013-01-01

This study presents an examination of learner-generated drawing for different reading comprehension subtypes of dyslexic students and control students. The participants were 22 phonological dyslexic students, 20 orthographic dyslexic students, 21 double-deficit dyslexic students, and 45 age-, gender-, and IQ-matched control students. The major evaluation tools included word recognition task, orthographic task, phonological awareness task, and scenery texts and questions. Comparisons of the four groups of students showed differences among phonological dyslexia, orthographic dyslexia, double-deficit dyslexia, and the chronological age control groups in pre- and posttest performance of scenery texts. Differences also existed in relevant questions and the effect of the learner-generated drawing method. The pretest performance showed problems in the dyslexic samples in reading the scenery texts and answering relevant questions. The posttest performance revealed certain differences among phonological dyslexia, orthographic dyslexia, double-deficit dyslexia, and the chronological age control group. Finally, all dyslexic groups obtained a great effect from using the learner-generated drawing, particularly orthographic dyslexia. These results suggest that the learner-generated drawing was also useful for dyslexic students, with the potential for use in the classroom for teaching text reading to dyslexic students. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Cortical Changes Across the Autism Lifespan.

PubMed

Osipowicz, Karol; Bosenbark, Danielle D; Patrick, Kristina E

2015-08-01

Although it is widely accepted that autism spectrum disorder (ASD) involves neuroanatomical abnormalities and atypical neurodevelopmental patterns, there is little consensus regarding the precise pattern of neuroanatomical differences or how these differences relate to autism symptomology. Furthermore, there is limited research related to neuroanatomical correlates of autism symptomology in individuals with ASD and the studies that do exist primarily include small samples. This study was the first to investigate gray matter (GM) changes throughout the ASD lifespan, using voxel-based morphometry to determine whether significant differences exist in the GM volumes of a large sample of individuals with ASD compared to age- and IQ-matched typical controls. We examined GM volume across the lifespan in 531 individuals diagnosed with ASD and 571 neurotypical controls, aged 7-64. We compared groups and correlated GM with age and autism severity in the ASD group. Findings suggest bilateral decreased GM volume for individuals with ASD in regions extending from the thalamus to the cerebellum, anterior medial temporal lobes, and orbitofrontal regions. Higher autism severity was associated with decreased GM volumes in prefrontal cortex, inferior parietal and temporal regions, and temporal poles. Similar relationships were found between GM volume and age. ASD diagnosis and severity were not associated with increased GM volumes in any region. © 2015 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Effects of integrated trauma treatment on outcomes in a racially/ethnically diverse sample of women in urban community-based substance abuse treatment.

PubMed

Amaro, Hortensia; Dai, Jianyu; Arévalo, Sandra; Acevedo, Andrea; Matsumoto, Atsushi; Nieves, Rita; Prado, Guillermo

2007-07-01

This study presents findings from a quasiexperimental, nonequivalent, group-design study with repeated measures that explored the effects of integrated trauma-informed services on the severity of substance abuse, mental health, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptomatology among women with histories of trauma in urban, community-based substance abuse treatment. The study also explored if the model of integrated services was equally beneficial for women of various racial/ethnic groups. Participants in the study were 342 women receiving substance abuse treatment in intervention and comparison sites. Results indicated that at 6 and 12 month follow-ups, those in the trauma-informed intervention group, in contrast to the comparison group, had significantly better outcomes in drug abstinence rates in the past 30 days as well as in mental health and PTSD symptomatology. Results also showed that, overall, integrated services were beneficial for women across the different racial/ethnic groups in substance abuse treatment, although some differences appear to exist across racial/ethnic groups in improving addiction severity and mental health and PTSD symptomatology.

Effects of Integrated Trauma Treatment on Outcomes in a Racially/Ethnically Diverse Sample of Women in Urban Community-based Substance Abuse Treatment

PubMed Central

Dai, Jianyu; Arévalo, Sandra; Acevedo, Andrea; Matsumoto, Atsushi; Nieves, Rita; Prado, Guillermo

2007-01-01

This study presents findings from a quasiexperimental, nonequivalent, group-design study with repeated measures that explored the effects of integrated trauma-informed services on the severity of substance abuse, mental health, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptomatology among women with histories of trauma in urban, community-based substance abuse treatment. The study also explored if the model of integrated services was equally beneficial for women of various racial/ethnic groups. Participants in the study were 342 women receiving substance abuse treatment in intervention and comparison sites. Results indicated that at 6 and 12 month follow-ups, those in the trauma-informed intervention group, in contrast to the comparison group, had significantly better outcomes in drug abstinence rates in the past 30 days as well as in mental health and PTSD symptomatology. Results also showed that, overall, integrated services were beneficial for women across the different racial/ethnic groups in substance abuse treatment, although some differences appear to exist across racial/ethnic groups in improving addiction severity and mental health and PTSD symptomatology. PMID:17356904

Memory functioning and mental verbs acquisition in children with specific language impairment.

PubMed

Spanoudis, George C; Natsopoulos, Demetrios

2011-01-01

Memory and language operate in synergy. Recent literature stresses the importance of memory functioning in interpreting language deficits. Two groups of 50 children each, ages 8-12 were studied. The first group included children with specific language impairment, while the participants in the second group were typically developing children. The two groups, which were matched on age, nonverbal intelligence and varied significantly in verbal ability were examined, using a test battery of four memory functioning (phonological, working and long-term memory) and five mental verb measures. The statistical analyses indicated that the two groups differed significantly in all language and memory measures; a logistic regression analysis revealed that within each main group existed nested subgroups of different developmental patterns with working and long-term memory measures as the most robust discriminate markers of classification. Language impaired children had more difficulties in the acquisition of mental verbs because they are less able to process and store phonological information in working memory and long-term lexicon. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Language ability of children with and without a history of stuttering: a longitudinal cohort study.

PubMed

Watts, Amy; Eadie, Patricia; Block, Susan; Mensah, Fiona; Reilly, Sheena

2015-02-01

This study aims to determine whether the communication and language skills of children who have a history of stuttering are different from children who do not have a history of stuttering at ages 2-5 years. This study utilizes data from the Early Language in Victoria Study (ELVS), a longitudinal study with a community sample of 1910 children recruited in Melbourne, Australia, as well as a concurrent study examining the onset and progression of stuttering. Participants with a history of stuttering (n = 181) and a control group without a history of stuttering (n = 1438) were identified according to the established protocol of these two existing studies. The stuttering group scored higher than the non-stuttering group on all of the communication and language outcomes measured. The group differences were statistically significant on four of the seven measures and these findings were maintained when potentially confounding factors were controlled for. Importantly, the children with a history of stuttering, as a group, and the control group without a history of stuttering demonstrated developmentally-appropriate early communication and language skills.

The Spanish human papillomavirus vaccine consensus group: a working model.

PubMed

Cortés-Bordoy, Javier; Martinón-Torres, Federico

2010-08-01

Successful implementation of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in each country can only be achieved from a complementary and synergistic perspective, integrating all the different points of view of the diverse related professionals. It is this context where the Spanish HPV Vaccine Consensus Group (Grupo Español de Consenso sobre la Vacuna VPH, GEC-VPH) was created. GEC-VPH philosophy, objectives and experience are reported in this article, with particular attention to the management of negative publicity and anti-vaccine groups. Initiatives as GEC-VPH--adapted to each country's particular idiosyncrasies--might help to overcome the existing barriers and to achieve wide and early implementation of HPV vaccination.

Revising and assessing explanatory models in a high school genetics class: A comparison of unsuccessful and successful performance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Johnson, Susan K.; Stewart, Jim

2002-07-01

In this paper we describe the model-revising problem-solving strategies of two groups of students (one successful, one unsuccessful) as they worked (in a genetics course we developed) to revise Mendel's simple dominance model to explain the inheritance of a trait expressed in any of four variations. The two groups described in this paper were chosen with the intent that the strategies that they employed be used to inform the design of model-based instruction. Differences were found in the groups' abilities to recognize anomalous data, use existing models as templates for revisions, and assess revised models.

The Union of the Cultures in the School: Education and Audio-Visual Communication

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gonzalez, Jose Antonio Torres

2008-01-01

The item in the environment which is going to turn this work is multiculturalism, namely, the existence of several different cultures in one nation or in the same geographical reality, which accepts diversity and tolerates the maintenance of the cultural identity of all and each of minority groups ("Advanced Teaching English Dictionary,"…

Impact of Integrated Science and English Language Arts Literacy Supplemental Instructional Intervention on Science Academic Achievement of Elementary Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Marks, Jamar Terry

2017-01-01

The purpose of this quasi-experimental, nonequivalent pretest-posttest control group design study was to determine if any differences existed in upper elementary school students' science academic achievement when instructed using an 8-week integrated science and English language arts literacy supplemental instructional intervention in conjunction…

Substance Use by Hispanic and White Non-Hispanic Pregnant Adolescents: A Preliminary Survey.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Moss, Nancy; Hensleigh, Paul A.

1988-01-01

A survey of 23 White and 58 Hispanic adolescent mothers (up to 17 years old) indicated that over 50 percent used cigarettes, marijuana, or alcohol before 12-16 weeks of pregnancy, but most substance use ceased after 12-16 weeks of pregnancy. No significant differences existed between ethnic groups in substance use. (SLD)

Different Ways of Experiencing Music-Making in Later Life: Creative Music Sessions for Older Learners in East London

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Varvarigou, Maria; Hallam, Susan; Creech, Andrea; McQueen, Hilary

2013-01-01

There has been a gradual increase in the body of literature regarding seniors' musical preferences, learning approaches, development, and creativity. This literature dispels existing myths that perceive older people as a homogeneous group, characterized by decrepitude and diminishing capacity, and with a passive contribution to society. A…

The Interaction of Attitudes toward Racial Membership and Learning Ability in School-Age Children

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nowicki, Elizabeth A.

2008-01-01

Although prejudice exists during childhood, it is unclear how attitudes toward peers of lower or higher academic ability and from one's own or a different racial group interact. This study qualifies previous research by showing that prejudice varies according to whether children are asked to evaluate peers based on academic ability, racial…

Cultural Membership and Web-Based Training: Does Everyone Really Have Equal Access to Programming?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Harris, Nicholas R.

2017-01-01

The purpose of this study was to determine if differences exist in academic performance (grade point average) in online education programs based on cultural group membership at the undergraduate and graduate levels of post-secondary education. Participants consisted of 1,800 online college students recruited from a large midwestern university with…

Stimulant Use and Sexual Risk Behaviors for HIV in Rural North Carolina

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zule, William A.; Costenbader, Elizabeth; Coomes, Curtis M.; Meyer, William J., Jr.; Riehman, Kara; Poehlman, Jon; Wechsberg, Wendee M.

2007-01-01

Context: While literature exists on sexual risks for HIV among rural populations, the specific role of stimulants in increasing these risks has primarily been studied in the context of a single drug and/or racial group. Purpose: This study explores the use of multiple stimulants and sexual risk behaviors among individuals of different races and…

Family structure and its relationship to travel

Treesearch

Christine Cornell McCreedy; Joseph T. O' Leary; Daniel Fesenmaier

1992-01-01

This paper examines the relationship between family structure and travel to further understand what differences exist between family groups. Results indicate that the absence of a husband delays travel for single mothers and that they are not as well-off as their married counterparts. We examine other travel and leisure studies to make comparisons with these data,...

Counting Girls Out: A Review of Suicide among Young Substance Misusers and Gender Difference Implications in the Evaluation of Risk

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Webb, Lucy

2009-01-01

This literature review examines the evidence of suicide risk among young female substance misusers in comparison with their male counterparts, and considers arguments that suicide risk is underestimated for this group due to the methodological difficulties presented by small cohort numbers. Existing evidence indicates significant gender…

Developing Outdoor and Adventurous Activities for Co-Existence and Reconciliation in Israel: An Anglo-German Approach

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stidder, Gary; Haasner, Adrian

2007-01-01

Conflict resolution between different social groups is an issue that has continued to gain high profile news coverage both nationally and in a global context. In this respect, it has been shown that carefully designed and managed physical activity programmes can make a small but nonetheless invaluable contribution to reconciliation and…

Chronic symptoms are common in patients with neuroborreliosis -- a questionnaire follow-up study.

PubMed

Vrethem, M; Hellblom, L; Widlund, M; Ahl, M; Danielsson, O; Ernerudh, J; Forsberg, P

2002-10-01

The existence of chronic neuroborreliosis is controversial. The aim of our study was to investigate the existence and kind of persistent symptoms in patients previously treated because of neurological symptoms as a result of neuroborreliosis. A total of 106 patients with neuroborreliosis, according to established criteria, and a control group of 123 patients with Borrelia induced erythema migrans diagnosed in a general practitioner office were studied. A questionnaire was sent to patients and controls concerning their health situation. Time from onset of neurological symptoms to the questionnaire send out was 32 months (mean) for the patients with neuroborreliosis and 33 months (mean) for the controls. Fifty per cent of the individuals in the patient group compared with 16% of the individuals in the control group showed persistent complaints after their Borrelia infection (P < 0.0001). The most significant differences between the groups were the presence of neuropsychiatric symptoms such as headache, attention problems, memory difficulties and depression. Paresthesia, pain and persistent facial palsy was also significantly more common in patients treated because of neuroborreliosis. Our study shows that persisting neurological symptoms are common after a neuroborreliosis infection. The pathological mechanisms that lay behind the development of chronic symptoms, however, are still uncertain.

[Clinical characteristics among CABG or PCI which to treat chronic kidney disease with unprotected left main coronary artery disease].

PubMed

Pan, Yu; Qiu, Qi; Zhang, Yunting; Luo, Yawei; Yu, Xianpeng; He, Jiqiang; Li, Quan

2015-05-12

To explore the clinical characteristics and prognosis of patients with chronic kidney disease with unprotected left main (ULM) coronary artery disease undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). A total of 601 unprotected left main coronary artery disease patients were recruited. According to the values of endogenous creatinine clearance rate (Ccr), they were divided into three groups of <45 ml/min (n=40), 45-59 ml/min (n=96) and ≥60 ml/min (n=465). Retrospective comparisons were made for the clinical parameters and prognosis of ULM patients in different Ccr groups with different therapies. In Ccr≥60 ml/min group, the valves of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were lower in patients undergoing CABG. Patients with complete total occlusion (CTO) and complete revascularizations were much more than those undergoing PCI. In Ccr≥60 ml/min and Ccr 45-59 ml/min groups, multivessel disease was frequent in CABG-treated patients. No significant difference existed among three groups in major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular event (MACCE), overall mortality or cardiac mortality. PCI is both safe and efficacious for chronic renal insufficiency patients with ULM.

High prevalence of cranial asymmetry exists in infants with neonatal brachial plexus palsy.

PubMed

Tang, Megan; Gorbutt, Kimberly A; Peethambaran, Ammanath; Yang, Lynda; Nelson, Virginia S; Chang, Kate Wan-Chu

2016-11-30

This study aimed to: 1) evaluate the prevalence of cranial asymmetry (positional plagiocephaly) in infants with neonatal brachial plexus palsy (NBPP); 2) examine the association of patient demographics, arm function, and NBPP-related factors to positional plagiocephaly; and 3) determine percentage of spontaneous recovery from positional plagiocephaly and its association with arm function. Infants < 1 year of age with NBPP and no previous exposure to plagiocephaly cranial remolding therapy or surgical intervention were recruited for this prospective cross-sectional study. Positional plagiocephaly (diagonal difference) measurements were captured using a fiberglass circumferential mold of the cranium. Included infants were divided into 2 groups: 1) those with positional plagiocephaly at most recent evaluation (plagio group), including infants with resolved positional plagiocephaly (plagio-resolved subgroup); and 2) those who never had positional plagiocephaly (non-plagio group). Standard statistics were applied. Eighteen of 28 infants (64%) had positional plagiocephaly. Delivery type might be predictive for plagiocephaly. Infants in the non-plagio group exhibited more active range of motion than infants in the plagio group. All other factors had no significant correlations. A high prevalence of positional plagiocephaly exists among the NBPP population examined. Parents and physicians should encourage infants to use their upper extremities to change position and reduce chance of cranial asymmetry.

A common ground in clinical discussion groups: Intersubjective resonance and implicit operational theories.

PubMed

Bernardi, Ricardo

2017-10-01

Clinical discussion groups based on the Three-Level Model for Observing Patient Transformations (3-LM) enable us to reflect on the clinical common ground shared by psychoanalysts who have different theoretical frameworks. The very existence of this common ground is controversial. While analysts such as Wallerstein support it, others, like Green, think it is just a myth. In their 2005 controversy Wallerstein and Green proposed an observation procedure that might clarify this matter. This procedure bears great similarity to the one used by clinical discussion groups that apply the 3-LM. The study of numerous theoretically heterogeneous groups that use this model shows that communication is possible in crucial areas. We may thus conclude that a partial and dynamic common ground exists. At a phenomenological level, certain fragments of material produce a shared resonance that enriches clinical understanding for the whole group. Communication is also possible with regard to the conceptualization of patient changes, although some controversial issues persist at this level. Finally, at the level of theoretical explanations, divergences concerning abstract theories do not prevent a fertile interaction among 'in vivo' personal implicit theories. The latter give rise to the actual operational frameworks underlying participants' approach to clinical problems. Copyright © 2017 Institute of Psychoanalysis.

Improving Team Performance for Public Health Preparedness.

PubMed

Peck, Megan; Scullard, Mickey; Hedberg, Craig; Moilanen, Emily; Radi, Deborah; Riley, William; Bowen, Paige Anderson; Petersen-Kroeber, Cheryl; Stenberg, Louise; Olson, Debra K

2017-02-01

Between May 2010 and September 2011, the University of Minnesota School of Public Health partnered with the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) to assess the effect of exercises on team performance during public health emergency response. Participants were divided into 3 research teams exposed to various levels of intervention. Groups consisted of a control group that was given standard MDH training exercises, a didactic group exposed to team dynamics and communication training, and a treatment group that received the didactic training in addition to a post-exercise facilitated debriefing. To assess differences in team performance, teams engaged in 15 functional exercises. Differences in team performance across the 3 groups were identified, although there was no trend in team performance over time for any of the groups. Groups demonstrated fluctuation in team performance during the study period. Attitudinal surveys demonstrated an increase in workplace satisfaction and confidence in training among all groups throughout the study period. Findings from this research support that a critical link exists between training type and team performance during public health emergency response. This research supports that intentional teamwork training for emergency response workers is essential for effective public health emergency response. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2017;11:7-10).

A non-destructive selection criterion for fibre content in jute : II. Regression approach.

PubMed

Arunachalam, V; Iyer, R D

1974-01-01

An experiment with ten populations of jute, comprising varieties and mutants of the two species Corchorus olitorius and C.capsularis was conducted at two different locations with the object of evolving an effective criterion for selecting superior single plants for fibre yield. At Delhi, variation existed only between varieties as a group and mutants as a group, while at Pusa variation also existed among the mutant populations of C. capsularis.A multiple regression approach was used to find the optimum combination of characters for prediction of fibre yield. A process of successive elimination of characters based on the coefficient of determination provided by individual regression equations was employed to arrive at the optimal set of characters for predicting fibre yield. It was found that plant height, basal and mid-diameters and basal and mid-dry fibre weights would provide such an optimal set.

Comparison of shear bond strength of universal adhesives on etched and nonetched enamel.

PubMed

Beltrami, Riccardo; Chiesa, Marco; Scribante, Andrea; Allegretti, Jessica; Poggio, Claudio

2016-04-06

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of surface pretreatment with 37% phosphoric acid on the enamel bond strength of different universal adhesives. One hundred and sixty bovine permanent mandibular incisors freshly extracted were used as a substitute for human teeth. The materials tested in this study included 6 universal adhesives, and 2 self-etch adhesives as control. The teeth were assigned into 2 groups: In the first group, etching was performed using 37% phosphoric acid for 30 seconds. In the second group, no pretreatment agent was applied. After adhesive application, a nanohybrid composite resin was inserted into the enamel surface by packing the material into cylindrical-shaped plastic matrices. After storing, the specimens were placed in a universal testing machine. The normality of the data was calculated using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was applied to determine whether significant differences in debond strength values existed among the various groups. Groups with phosphoric acid pretreatment showed significantly higher shear bond strength values than groups with no enamel pretreatment (p<0.001). No significant variation in shear strength values was detected when comparing the different adhesive systems applied onto enamel after orthophosphoric acid application (p>0.05). All adhesives provide similar bond strength values when enamel pretreatment is applied even if compositions are different. Bond strength values are lower than promised by manufacturers.

Prevalence of victimization and exposure to violence in a sample of Hispanic Americans: a research note.

PubMed

Miller, Holly Ventura; Lopez, Kristina M

2015-05-01

Research on the growing U.S. Hispanic population has increased in recent years, although much of this work has examined differences between the foreign- and native-born or between Hispanics and non-Hispanics. Fewer studies have explored within-group differences (Mexican vs. Puerto Rican vs. Cuban, etc.) and none have assessed variability in the prevalence of victimization across these diverse groups. Unfortunately, the available evidence is somewhat inconclusive regarding the prevalence of victimization among Hispanics and relative to other demographic groups such as Whites and Blacks. This study first aims to provide clarification as to the prevalence of Hispanic victimization relative to non-Hispanic Whites (NHW) and non-Hispanic Blacks (NHB). Then, we assess within-group differences for the Hispanic subsample for each of the victimization measures. Using Wave IV of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health), we estimate the prevalence of various forms of criminal victimization and exposure to violence for Hispanics, NHW, and NHB. Results suggest that significant differences exist between Hispanics and both NHW and NHB. More specifically, Hispanics were less likely to report most of the victimization outcomes than either group. Significant differences in victimization were also observed between Hispanic subgroups. Generally, Mexicans and Puerto Ricans were most likely to report victimization whereas Cubans and Chicanos (with the exception of property crime) were least likely to report victimization. © The Author(s) 2014.

Does the mind map learning strategy facilitate information retrieval and critical thinking in medical students?

PubMed Central

2010-01-01

Background A learning strategy underutilized in medical education is mind mapping. Mind maps are multi-sensory tools that may help medical students organize, integrate, and retain information. Recent work suggests that using mind mapping as a note-taking strategy facilitates critical thinking. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether a relationship existed between mind mapping and critical thinking, as measured by the Health Sciences Reasoning Test (HSRT), and whether a relationship existed between mind mapping and recall of domain-based information. Methods In this quasi-experimental study, 131 first-year medical students were randomly assigned to a standard note-taking (SNT) group or mind map (MM) group during orientation. Subjects were given a demographic survey and pre-HSRT. They were then given an unfamiliar text passage, a pre-quiz based upon the passage, and a 30-minute break, during which time subjects in the MM group were given a presentation on mind mapping. After the break, subjects were given the same passage and wrote notes based on their group (SNT or MM) assignment. A post-quiz based upon the passage was administered, followed by a post-HSRT. Differences in mean pre- and post-quiz scores between groups were analyzed using independent samples t-tests, whereas differences in mean pre- and post-HSRT total scores and subscores between groups were analyzed using ANOVA. Mind map depth was assessed using the Mind Map Assessment Rubric (MMAR). Results There were no significant differences in mean scores on both the pre- and post-quizzes between note-taking groups. And, no significant differences were found between pre- and post-HSRT mean total scores and subscores. Conclusions Although mind mapping was not found to increase short-term recall of domain-based information or critical thinking compared to SNT, a brief introduction to mind mapping allowed novice MM subjects to perform similarly to SNT subjects. This demonstrates that medical students using mind maps can successfully retrieve information in the short term, and does not put them at a disadvantage compared to SNT students. Future studies should explore longitudinal effects of mind-map proficiency training on both short- and long-term information retrieval and critical thinking. PMID:20846442

The association of strategic group and organizational culture with hospital performance in China.

PubMed

Xue, Di; Zhou, Ping; Bundorf, M Kate; Huang, Jin Xin; Chang, Ji Le

2013-01-01

The policy environment in China is rapidly changing. Strategic planning may enable hospitals to respond more effectively to changes in their external environment, little evidence exists on the extent to which public hospitals in China adopt different strategies and the relationship between strategic decision-making and hospital performance. The purposes of our study were to determine the extent to which different hospitals adopt different strategies, whether strategies are associated with organizational culture and whether hospital strategies are associated with hospital performance. Presidents (or vice presidents), employees, and patients from 87 public hospitals were surveyed during 2009. Measures of strategic group were developed using cluster analysis based on the three dimensions of product position, competitive posture, and market position. Culture was measured using a tool developed by the investigators. Performance was measured based on profitability, patient satisfaction, and employee satisfaction with overall hospital development in the recent 5 years. The association of strategic group and organizational culture with hospital performance was analyzed using multivariate models. Chinese public general hospitals were classified into five strategic groups that had significant differences in product positioning, competitive posture, and market position. Hospitals of similar types based on regulation adopted different strategies. Organizational culture was not strongly associated with hospital strategic group. Although strategic group was associated with hospital profitability and patient satisfaction in the models with or without control for hospital location, these effects did not persist after controlling for organizational culture, hospital level, and hospital location. It is important for public hospitals in China to make effective strategic planning and align their organizational culture with the strategies for better execution and therefore better performance. Moreover, the method of hospital strategic grouping in the study provides a new way to analyze management issues within a strategic group and between strategic groups.

Does Day of Surgery Affect Hospital Length of Stay and Charges Following Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion?

PubMed

Hijji, Fady Y; Narain, Ankur S; Haws, Brittany E; Khechen, Benjamin; Kudaravalli, Krishna T; Yom, Kelly H; Singh, Kern

2018-06-01

Retrospective Cohort. To determine if an association exists between surgery day and length of stay or hospital costs after minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS TLIF). Length of inpatient stay after orthopedic procedures has been identified as a primary cost driver, and previous research has focused on determining risk factors for prolonged length of stay. In the arthroplasty literature, surgery performed later in the week has been identified as a predictor of increased length of stay. However, no such investigation has been performed for MIS TLIF. A surgical registry of patients undergoing MIS TLIF between 2008 and 2016 was retrospectively reviewed. Patients were grouped based on day of surgery, with groups including early surgery and late surgery. Day of surgery group was tested for an association with demographics and perioperative variables using the student t test or χ analysis. Day of surgery group was then tested for an association with direct hospital costs using multivariate linear regression. In total, 438 patients were analyzed. In total, 51.8% were in the early surgery group, and 48.2% were in the late surgery group. There were no differences in demographics between groups. There were no differences between groups with regard to operative time, intraoperative blood loss, length of stay, or discharge day. Finally, there were no differences in total hospital charges between early and late surgery groups (P=0.247). The specific day on which a MIS TLIF procedure occurs is not associated with differences in length of inpatient stay or total hospital costs. This suggests that the postoperative course after MIS TLIF procedures is not affected by the differences in hospital staffing that occurs on the weekend compared with weekdays.

Comparison of automated measurements of electrocardiographic intervals and durations by computer-based algorithms of digital electrocardiographs.

PubMed

Kligfield, Paul; Badilini, Fabio; Rowlandson, Ian; Xue, Joel; Clark, Elaine; Devine, Brian; Macfarlane, Peter; de Bie, Johan; Mortara, David; Babaeizadeh, Saeed; Gregg, Richard; Helfenbein, Eric D; Green, Cynthia L

2014-02-01

Automated measurements of electrocardiographic (ECG) intervals are widely used by clinicians for individual patient diagnosis and by investigators in population studies. We examined whether clinically significant systematic differences exist in ECG intervals measured by current generation digital electrocardiographs from different manufacturers and whether differences, if present, are dependent on the degree of abnormality of the selected ECGs. Measurements of RR interval, PR interval, QRS duration, and QT interval were made blindly by 4 major manufacturers of digital electrocardiographs used in the United States from 600 XML files of ECG tracings stored in the US FDA ECG warehouse and released for the purpose of this study by the Cardiac Safety Research Consortium. Included were 3 groups based on expected QT interval and degree of repolarization abnormality, comprising 200 ECGs each from (1) placebo or baseline study period in normal subjects during thorough QT studies, (2) peak moxifloxacin effect in otherwise normal subjects during thorough QT studies, and (3) patients with genotyped variants of congenital long QT syndrome (LQTS). Differences of means between manufacturers were generally small in the normal and moxifloxacin subjects, but in the LQTS patients, differences of means ranged from 2.0 to 14.0 ms for QRS duration and from 0.8 to 18.1 ms for the QT interval. Mean absolute differences between algorithms were similar for QRS duration and QT intervals in the normal and in the moxifloxacin subjects (mean ≤6 ms) but were significantly larger in patients with LQTS. Small but statistically significant group differences in mean interval and duration measurements and means of individual absolute differences exist among automated algorithms of widely used, current generation digital electrocardiographs. Measurement differences, including QRS duration and the QT interval, are greatest for the most abnormal ECGs. © 2014.

Global Bi-ventricular endocardial distribution of activation rate during long duration ventricular fibrillation in normal and heart failure canines.

PubMed

Luo, Qingzhi; Jin, Qi; Zhang, Ning; Han, Yanxin; Wang, Yilong; Huang, Shangwei; Lin, Changjian; Ling, Tianyou; Chen, Kang; Pan, Wenqi; Wu, Liqun

2017-04-13

The objective of this study was to detect differences in the distribution of the left and right ventricle (LV & RV) activation rate (AR) during short-duration ventricular fibrillation (SDVF, <1 min) and long-duration ventricular fibrillation VF (LDVF, >1 min) in normal and heart failure (HF) canine hearts. Ventricular fibrillation (VF) was electrically induced in six healthy dogs (control group) and six dogs with right ventricular pacing-induced congestive HF (HF group). Two 64-electrode basket catheters deployed in the LV and RV were used for global endocardium electrical mapping. The AR of VF was estimated by fast Fourier transform analysis from each electrode. In the control group, the LV was activated faster than the RV in the first 20 s, after which there was no detectable difference in the AR between them. When analyzing the distribution of the AR within the bi-ventricles at 3 min of LDVF, the posterior LV was activated fastest, while the anterior was slowest. In the HF group, a detectable AR gradient existed between the two ventricles within 3 min of VF, with the LV activating more quickly than the RV. When analyzing the distribution of the AR within the bi-ventricles at 3 min of LDVF, the septum of the LV was activated fastest, while the anterior was activated slowest. A global bi-ventricular endocardial AR gradient existed within the first 20 s of VF but disappeared in the LDVF in healthy hearts. However, the AR gradient was always observed in both SDVF and LDVF in HF hearts. The findings of this study suggest that LDVF in HF hearts can be maintained differently from normal hearts, which accordingly should lead to the development of different management strategies for LDVF resuscitation.

The existence of parenting styles in the owner-dog relationship.

PubMed

Herwijnen, Ineke R van; van der Borg, Joanne A M; Naguib, Marc; Beerda, Bonne

2018-01-01

Parents interact with children following specific styles, known to influence child development. These styles represent variations in the dimensions of demandingness and responsiveness, resulting in authoritarian, authoritative, permissive or uninvolved parenting. Given the similarities in the parent to child and owner to dog relationships, we determined the extent to which parenting styles exist in the owner to dog relationship using the existing Parenting Styles and Dimensions Questionnaire for the parent-child relationship and an adapted version for dog owners. Items on the parenting of children/dogs were rated for applicability on a five-point Likert scale by 518 Dutch dog owning parents. Principal Component Analyses grouped parenting propensities into styles, with some marked differences between the findings for children and dogs. Dog-directed items grouped into an authoritarian-correction orientated style, incorporating variation in demandingness and focussing on correcting a dog for behaviour verbally/physically, and in two styles based on authoritative items. An authoritative-intrinsic value orientated style reflected variation in mainly responsiveness and oriented on the assumed needs and emotions of the animal. A second authoritative-item based style, captured variations in demandingness and responsiveness. We labelled this style authoritative-training orientated, as it orientated on manners in teaching a dog how to behave in social situations. Thus, we defined dog-directed parenting styles and constructed a Dog-Directed Parenting Styles and Dimensions Questionnaire along the lines of the existing theoretical framework on parenting styles. We did not find a dog-directed parenting style of being permissive or uninvolved, which we attribute to a study population of devoted dog owners and our findings should be interpreted with this specific study population in mind. We found evidence of dog-directed parenting styles and provide a fundament for determining their possible impact on the different aspects of a dog's life.

Early postoperative repair status after rotator cuff repair cannot be accurately classified using questionnaires of patient function and isokinetic strength evaluation.

PubMed

Colliver, Jessica; Wang, Allan; Joss, Brendan; Ebert, Jay; Koh, Eamon; Breidahl, William; Ackland, Timothy

2016-04-01

This study investigated if patients with an intact tendon repair or partial-thickness retear early after rotator cuff repair display differences in clinical evaluations and whether early tendon healing can be predicted using these assessments. We prospectively evaluated 60 patients at 16 weeks after arthroscopic supraspinatus repair. Evaluation included the Oxford Shoulder Score, 11-item version of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand, visual analog scale for pain, 12-item Short Form Health Survey, isokinetic strength, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Independent t tests investigated clinical differences in patients based on the Sugaya MRI rotator cuff classification system (grades 1, 2, or 3). Discriminant analysis determined whether intact repairs (Sugaya grade 1) and partial-thickness retears (Sugaya grades 2 and 3) could be predicted. No differences (P < .05) existed in the clinical or strength measures. Although discriminant analysis revealed the 11-item version of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand produced a 97% true-positive rate for predicting partial thickness retears, it also produced a 90% false-positive rate whereby it incorrectly predicted a retear in 90% of patients whose repair was intact. The ability to discriminate between groups was enhanced with up to 5 variables entered; however, only 87% of the partial-retear group and 36% of the intact-repair group were correctly classified. No differences in clinical scores existed between patients stratified by the Sugaya MRI classification system at 16 weeks. An intact repair or partial-thickness retear could not be accurately predicted. Our results suggest that correct classification of healing in the early postoperative stages should involve imaging. Copyright © 2016 Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Board of Trustees. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Trends and correlates in meat consumption patterns in the US adult population

PubMed Central

Wang, Youfa; Beydoun, May A; Caballero, Benjamin; Gary, Tiffany L; Lawrence, Robert

2010-01-01

Objective Few studies have examined recent shifts in meat consumption (MC), differences among US population groups, and the influence of psychosocial–behavioural factors. Design Nationally representative data collected for US adults aged ≥18 years in the 1988–1994 and 1999–2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and the 1994–1996 Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals (CSFII) and Diet and Health Knowledge Survey (DHKS) were used. Results We found a U-shaped trend in MC, a decrease between 1988–1994 and 1994–1996, and an increase from 1994–1996 to 1999–2004. NHANES 1988–1994 and 1999–2004 indicate that MC did not change significantly, particularly for all meat, red meat, poultry and seafood. Between 1994–1996 and 1999–2004, average MC, including red meat, poultry, seafood and other meat products, increased in men. Women’s total MC decreased, mainly due to decreased red meat and other meat products, except for increased seafood. Noticeable differences existed in the changes across population groups. Black men had the largest increase in consumption of total meat, poultry and seafood; Mexican American men had the smallest increase in poultry, seafood and other meat products. In 1999–2004, ethnic differences in MC became greater in women than among women in 1994–1996. Associations between MC and energy intake changed over time. Perceived benefit of dietary quality and food label use were associated with reduced red MC. Conclusions Noticeable differences exist in the shifts in MC across population groups and surveys. MC increased in men but decreased in women in recent years. PMID:20188005

An in vitro study of the effect of different restorative materials on the reliability of a veneering porcelain.

PubMed

Anderson, Matthew R; Chung, Kwok-Hung; Flinn, Brian D; Raigrodski, Ariel J

2013-12-01

Implant-supported, porcelain veneered restorations experience a greater rate of porcelain fracture than tooth-supported restorations. For completely edentulous patients, one approach to minimizing porcelain fracture is to use acrylic resin in the mandible, although its efficacy is unknown. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliability of a veneering porcelain fatigued with different restorative materials in vitro. Fifty-nine veneering porcelain disk specimens were fabricated by layering veneering porcelain on nickel-chromium base metal alloy disks. Four groups of different indenter materials fatigued the porcelain specimens: group WC, tungsten carbide served as a control; group FC, pressed leucite glass ceramic; group NHC, nanohybrid composite resin denture tooth; and group AR, unfilled acrylic resin denture tooth. Porcelain specimens were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=14). A step-stress accelerated life-testing model was used. Use-level probability Weibull plots were generated, and the reliability of each group was estimated for a theoretical completion of 50 000 cycles at 150 N. Nanohybrid composite resin and unfilled acrylic resin denture tooth groups had higher reliability than tungsten carbide and leucite glass ceramic groups. No significant differences existed between the reliability of the tungsten carbide and leucite glass ceramic groups and the nanohybrid composite resin and acrylic resin denture tooth groups. Veneering porcelain disk specimens fatigued with the unfilled acrylic resin and nanohybrid composite resin denture tooth indenters exhibited higher reliability than the specimens fatigued with either the tungsten carbide or leucite glass ceramic indenters. All of the veneering porcelain disk specimens failed with the same mode of fracture, although the surface posttest exhibited different fracture characteristics among specimens fatigued with the 4 different materials. Copyright © 2013 Editorial Council for the Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

Preferred computer activities among individuals with dementia: a pilot study.

PubMed

Tak, Sunghee H; Zhang, Hongmei; Hong, Song Hee

2015-03-01

Computers offer new activities that are easily accessible, cognitively stimulating, and enjoyable for individuals with dementia. The current descriptive study examined preferred computer activities among nursing home residents with different severity levels of dementia. A secondary data analysis was conducted using activity observation logs from 15 study participants with dementia (severe = 115 logs, moderate = 234 logs, and mild = 124 logs) who participated in a computer activity program. Significant differences existed in preferred computer activities among groups with different severity levels of dementia. Participants with severe dementia spent significantly more time watching slide shows with music than those with both mild and moderate dementia (F [2,12] = 9.72, p = 0.003). Preference in playing games also differed significantly across the three groups. It is critical to consider individuals' interests and functional abilities when computer activities are provided for individuals with dementia. A practice guideline for tailoring computer activities is detailed. Copyright 2015, SLACK Incorporated.

Refining the ideas of "ethnic" skin.

PubMed

Torres, Vicente; Herane, Maria Isabel; Costa, Adilson; Martin, Jaime Piquero; Troielli, Patricia

2017-01-01

Skin disease occur worldwide, affecting people of all nationalities and all skin types. These diseases may have a genetic component and may manifest differently in specific population groups; however, there has been little study on this aspect. If population-based differences exist, it is reasonable to assume that understanding these differences may optimize treatment. While there is a relative paucity of information about similarities and differences in skin diseases around the world, the knowledge-base is expanding. One challenge in understanding population-based variations is posed by terminology used in the literature: including ethnic skin, Hispanic skin, Asian skin, and skin of color. As will be discussed in this article, we recommend that the first three descriptors are no longer used in dermatology because they refer to nonspecific groups of people. In contrast, "skin of color" may be used - perhaps with further refinements in the future - as a term that relates to skin biology and provides relevant information to dermatologists.

Ethnic and Gender Differences in Help Seeking for Substance Disorders among Black Americans

PubMed Central

Watkins, Daphne C.; Broman, Clifford L.; Abelson, Jamie M.; Neighbors, Harold W.

2016-01-01

This paper uses the National Survey of American Life (NSAL) to examine within group differences regarding help-seeking for substance disorders among a U.S. sample of African American and Caribbean Black men and women. We examined ethnic and gender differences in the type of providers sought for substance disorder treatment, as well as reasons for avoiding treatment. Results indicate that overall, few ethnic differences exist; however, African Americans are more likely than Caribbean Blacks to seek help from human service professionals (including a religious or spiritual advisor) and from informal sources of treatment such as self-help groups. Black men with a substance disorder were more likely to see a psychiatrist than Black women. Findings regarding reasons for avoiding treatment suggest that there may be a need to provide better education about the utility of substance disorder treatment, even before problems reach a high level of severity. PMID:27126010

A novel quantum group signature scheme without using entangled states

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Guang-Bao; Zhang, Ke-Jia

2015-07-01

In this paper, we propose a novel quantum group signature scheme. It can make the signer sign a message on behalf of the group without the help of group manager (the arbitrator), which is different from the previous schemes. In addition, a signature can be verified again when its signer disavows she has ever generated it. We analyze the validity and the security of the proposed signature scheme. Moreover, we discuss the advantages and the disadvantages of the new scheme and the existing ones. The results show that our scheme satisfies all the characteristics of a group signature and has more advantages than the previous ones. Like its classic counterpart, our scheme can be used in many application scenarios, such as e-government and e-business.

Racial and Ethnic Disparities in the VA Health Care System: A Systematic Review

PubMed Central

Freeman, Michele; Toure, Joahd; Tippens, Kimberly M.; Weeks, Christine; Ibrahim, Said

2008-01-01

Objectives To better understand the causes of racial disparities in health care, we reviewed and synthesized existing evidence related to disparities in the “equal access” Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system. Methods We systematically reviewed and synthesized evidence from studies comparing health care utilization and quality by race within the VA. Results Racial disparities in the VA exist across a wide range of clinical areas and service types. Disparities appear most prevalent for medication adherence and surgery and other invasive procedures, processes that are likely to be affected by the quantity and quality of patient–provider communication, shared decision making, and patient participation. Studies indicate a variety of likely root causes of disparities including: racial differences in patients’ medical knowledge and information sources, trust and skepticism, levels of participation in health care interactions and decisions, and social support and resources; clinician judgment/bias; the racial/cultural milieu of health care settings; and differences in the quality of care at facilities attended by different racial groups. Conclusions Existing evidence from the VA indicates several promising targets for interventions to reduce racial disparities in the quality of health care. PMID:18301951

The difference engine: a model of diversity in speeded cognition.

PubMed

Myerson, Joel; Hale, Sandra; Zheng, Yingye; Jenkins, Lisa; Widaman, Keith F

2003-06-01

A theory of diversity in speeded cognition, the difference engine, is proposed, in which information processing is represented as a series of generic computational steps. Some individuals tend to perform all of these computations relatively quickly and other individuals tend to perform them all relatively slowly, reflecting the existence of a general cognitive speed factor, but the time required for response selection and execution is assumed to be independent of cognitive speed. The difference engine correctly predicts the positively accelerated form of the relation between diversity of performance, as measured by the standard deviation for the group, and task difficulty, as indexed by the mean response time (RT) for the group. In addition, the difference engine correctly predicts approximately linear relations between the RTs of any individual and average performance for the group, with the regression lines for fast individuals having slopes less than 1.0 (and positive intercepts) and the regression lines for slow individuals having slopes greater than 1.0 (and negative intercepts). Similar predictions are made for comparisons of slow, average, and fast subgroups, regardless of whether those subgroups are formed on the basis of differences in ability, age, or health status. These predictions are consistent with evidence from studies of healthy young and older adults as well as from studies of depressed and age-matched control groups.

Storyline Visualizations of Eye Tracking of Movie Viewing

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

Balint, John T.; Arendt, Dustin L.; Blaha, Leslie M.

Storyline visualizations offer an approach that promises to capture the spatio-temporal characteristics of individual observers and simultaneously illustrate emerging group behaviors. We develop a visual analytics approach to parsing, aligning, and clustering fixation sequences from eye tracking data. Visualization of the results captures the similarities and differences across a group of observers performing a common task. We apply our storyline approach to visualize gaze patterns of people watching dynamic movie clips. Storylines mitigate some of the shortcomings of existent spatio-temporal visualization techniques and, importantly, continue to highlight individual observer behavioral dynamics.

Towards a conceptual multi-agent-based framework to simulate the spatial group decision-making process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ghavami, Seyed Morsal; Taleai, Mohammad

2017-04-01

Most spatial problems are multi-actor, multi-issue and multi-phase in nature. In addition to their intrinsic complexity, spatial problems usually involve groups of actors from different organizational and cognitive backgrounds, all of whom participate in a social structure to resolve or reduce the complexity of a given problem. Hence, it is important to study and evaluate what different aspects influence the spatial problem resolution process. Recently, multi-agent systems consisting of groups of separate agent entities all interacting with each other have been put forward as appropriate tools to use to study and resolve such problems. In this study, then in order to generate a better level of understanding regarding the spatial problem group decision-making process, a conceptual multi-agent-based framework is used that represents and specifies all the necessary concepts and entities needed to aid group decision making, based on a simulation of the group decision-making process as well as the relationships that exist among the different concepts involved. The study uses five main influencing entities as concepts in the simulation process: spatial influence, individual-level influence, group-level influence, negotiation influence and group performance measures. Further, it explains the relationship among different concepts in a descriptive rather than explanatory manner. To illustrate the proposed framework, the approval process for an urban land use master plan in Zanjan—a provincial capital in Iran—is simulated using MAS, the results highlighting the effectiveness of applying an MAS-based framework when wishing to study the group decision-making process used to resolve spatial problems.

[The development and effects of a comprehensive communication course for nursing students].

PubMed

Kim, Sunah; Park, Jung-Hwa; Lee, Hyun-Hwa

2004-06-01

The purposes of this study were to: (a) develop a comprehensive communication course combined with a group program for improving communication skills; and (b) examine the effects of the comprehensive communication course on interpersonal communication, relationship change, self-esteem, and depression in nursing students. The experimental group consisted of 82 nursing students, and the control group, 108 nursing students. Both groups each took communication courses from March to June, 2002 and 2003. A group program for improving communication skills was conducted for each 8 subgroups of the experimental group for 90 minutes once a week during the 6 weeks, while the existing communication lecture was conducted for the control group. Both groups were post-tested after the intervention for verifying the difference of variables between the two groups, and the experimental group was also pre-tested for verifying the difference between before and after the treatment. Interpersonal communication score of the post-test in the experimental group was significantly higher than in the control group and the depression score of the post-test in the experimental group was significantly lower than in the control group. Interpersonal communication, relationship change and self-esteem scores were significantly increased and the depression score was significantly decreased in experimental group after the treatment. In conclusion, the comprehensive communication course that was developed in this study had positive effects on communication skills in nursing students.

Serum aluminium levels of workers in the bauxite mines.

PubMed

de Kom, J F; Dissels, H M; van der Voet, G B; de Wolff, F A

1997-01-01

Aluminium is produced from the mineral bauxite. Occupational exposure is reported during the industrial processing of aluminium and is associated with pulmonary and neurotoxicity. However, data on exposure and toxicity of workers in the open bauxite mining industry do not exist. Therefore, a study was performed to explore aluminium exposure in employees involved in this bauxite mining process in a Surinam mine. A group of workers occupationally exposed to aluminium in an open bauxite mine were compared with a group of nonexposed wood processors. Serum aluminium was analyzed using atomic absorption spectrometry Data from the clinical chemistry of the blood and a questionnaire were used to explore determinants for aluminium exposure. No significant difference between serum aluminium in the exposed (4.4 +/- 2.0 micrograms/L, n = 27) and control group (5.1 +/- 1.5 micrograms/L, n = 27) was detected. For the serum concentration of the clinical chemical variables (calcium, citrate, and creatinine), a statistically significant difference was computed (p < or = 0.02) between the exposed and control group. All levels were slightly higher in the exposed group; no statistically significant correlations with serum aluminium were found. In this study, serum aluminium values were in the normal range, no significant difference between the groups could be detected despite long-term occupational exposure.

Characterizing cognitive heterogeneity on the schizophrenia-bipolar disorder spectrum.

PubMed

Van Rheenen, T E; Lewandowski, K E; Tan, E J; Ospina, L H; Ongur, D; Neill, E; Gurvich, C; Pantelis, C; Malhotra, A K; Rossell, S L; Burdick, K E

2017-07-01

Current group-average analysis suggests quantitative but not qualitative cognitive differences between schizophrenia (SZ) and bipolar disorder (BD). There is increasing recognition that cognitive within-group heterogeneity exists in both disorders, but it remains unclear as to whether between-group comparisons of performance in cognitive subgroups emerging from within each of these nosological categories uphold group-average findings. We addressed this by identifying cognitive subgroups in large samples of SZ and BD patients independently, and comparing their cognitive profiles. The utility of a cross-diagnostic clustering approach to understanding cognitive heterogeneity in these patients was also explored. Hierarchical clustering analyses were conducted using cognitive data from 1541 participants (SZ n = 564, BD n = 402, healthy control n = 575). Three qualitatively and quantitatively similar clusters emerged within each clinical group: a severely impaired cluster, a mild-moderately impaired cluster and a relatively intact cognitive cluster. A cross-diagnostic clustering solution also resulted in three subgroups and was superior in reducing cognitive heterogeneity compared with disorder clustering independently. Quantitative SZ-BD cognitive differences commonly seen using group averages did not hold when cognitive heterogeneity was factored into our sample. Members of each corresponding subgroup, irrespective of diagnosis, might be manifesting the outcome of differences in shared cognitive risk factors.

Neural correlates of accelerated auditory processing in children engaged in music training.

PubMed

Habibi, Assal; Cahn, B Rael; Damasio, Antonio; Damasio, Hanna

2016-10-01

Several studies comparing adult musicians and non-musicians have shown that music training is associated with brain differences. It is unknown, however, whether these differences result from lengthy musical training, from pre-existing biological traits, or from social factors favoring musicality. As part of an ongoing 5-year longitudinal study, we investigated the effects of a music training program on the auditory development of children, over the course of two years, beginning at age 6-7. The training was group-based and inspired by El-Sistema. We compared the children in the music group with two comparison groups of children of the same socio-economic background, one involved in sports training, another not involved in any systematic training. Prior to participating, children who began training in music did not differ from those in the comparison groups in any of the assessed measures. After two years, we now observe that children in the music group, but not in the two comparison groups, show an enhanced ability to detect changes in tonal environment and an accelerated maturity of auditory processing as measured by cortical auditory evoked potentials to musical notes. Our results suggest that music training may result in stimulus specific brain changes in school aged children. Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

[Characteristics of floor litter and soil arthropod community in different types ot subtropical forest in Ailao Mountain of Yunnan, Southwest China].

PubMed

Yang, Zhao; Yang, Xiao-Dong

2011-11-01

By using line transect method, an investigation was conducted on the floor litter and soil arthropod community in a mid mountain wet evergreen broad-leaved forest, a mossy dwarf forest, and a Populus bonatii forest in Ailao Mountain of Yunnan in April (dry and hot season), June (rainy season), and December (dry and cold season), 2005. In both dry and rainy seasons, the existing floor litter mass, C storage, and C/N ratio in the three forests all increased in the order of mossy dwarf forest > P. bonatii forest > evergreen broad-leaved forest, but the N storage had less difference. In the floor litter layer of the forests, Acari and Collembola were the dominant groups of soil arthropod community, while Diptera larvae, Coleoptera, ants, and Homoptera were the common groups. The Sorenson coefficients of soil arthropod community in the three forests were extremely great. No significant differences were observed in the soil arthropod density (ind x m(-2)) in the floor litter layer among the three forests, but the relative density (ind x g(-1)) of soil arthropods was higher in the evergreen broad-leaved forest and P. bonatii forest than in the mossy dwarf forest. In the three forests, the density of soil arthropods was significantly higher in dry season than in rainy season, but the Shannon diversity index had less difference. There were significant positive correlations between the existing floor litter mass and the individual density (ind x m(-2)) and dominant groups of soil arthropod communities in dry and hot season (April), but negative correlations between the existing floor litter mass and the relative density (ind x g(-1)) of soil arthropod communities and Acari in dry and cold season (December). The individual densities of Collembola and Coleoptera also had positive correlations with the N storage of the existing floor litter mass in the three forests. It was considered that the floor litter and the development of soil arthropod community in the litter layer of the subtropical forests in Ailao Mountain had a close relation with the vegetation structure of the forests, and the individual density and the diversity of the soil arthropod community were controlled by the floor litter, whereas the environmental factors such as temperature and moisture in the forests also had obvious effects on the seasonal dynamics of the individual density of the soil arthropods.

Bovine dopamine receptors DRD1, DRD4, and DRD5: genetic polymorphisms and diversities among ten cattle breeds.

PubMed

Sifuentes-Rincón, A M; Trejo-Tapia, A G; Randel, R D; Ambriz-Morales, P; Parra-Bracamonte, G M

2016-02-22

The aim of this study was to analyze the allelic frequency distribution and segregation among breeds and/or between different cattle genetic groups of four novel single nucleotide polymorphisms of the bovine DRD1 and DRD5 genes and one reported SNP from the DRD4 gene. One hundred and nine-animals from ten different cattle breeds were genotyped and allelic frequencies for each locus were estimated. There were significant differences in the allelic frequencies (P < 0.05) among breeds for the DRD1 and DRD5 markers. The allelic frequencies for markers DRD1-825A>G and DRD5-378C>T were also significantly different between groups differing in genetic background. Because differences in temperament have been reported between Bos taurus taurus and B. taurus indicus breeds and their crosses, further studies are needed to investigate if any association exists between described markers and cattle behavior traits.

Effectiveness of massage therapy as co-adjuvant treatment to exercise in osteoarthritis of the knee: a randomized control trial.

PubMed

Cortés Godoy, Virginia; Gallego Izquierdo, Tomás; Lázaro Navas, Irene; Pecos Martín, Daniel

2014-01-01

The effectiveness of exercise therapy in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee (KOA) is widely evidenced. The current study aims to compare the effectiveness of massage therapy as a co-adjuvant treatment for KOA. A blind, randomized controlled trial design was used. Eighteen women were randomly allocated to two different groups. Group A was treated with massage therapy and an exercise program, and Group B was treated with the exercise program alone. The intervention lasted for 6 weeks. Outcomes were assessed using a verbal analogue scale (VAS), the WOMAC index, and the Get-Up and Go test. Baseline, post-treatment, and 1- and 3- month follow-up data were collected. Values were considered statistically significant at a p < 0.05. The Mann-Whitney U test was applied in order to find out the differences between groups, and to verify the existence of such differences, the Friedman Test for repeated measures complemented with multiple comparisons tests was carried out. In both groups, significant differences were found in the three variables between the baseline measurement and three months after treatment, with the exception of the WOMAC variable in group B (p=0.064) No significant differences were found between both groups in the WOMAC index (p=0.508) and VAS (p=0.964) variables and the Get-Up and Go test (p=0.691). Combining exercise-based therapy with massage therapy may lead to clinical improvement in patients with KOA. The use of massage therapy combined with exercise as a treatment for gonarthrosis does not seem to have any beneficial effects.

Development and implementation of Persian test of Elderly for Assessment of Cognition and Executive function (PEACE)

PubMed Central

Javadi, Pari Sadat Haji Seyed; Zendehbad, Azadeh; Darabi, Fatemeh; Khosravifar, Shahrzad; Noroozian, Maryam

2015-01-01

Introduction A considerable segment of the elderly population in Iran is illiterate, and it seems the existing neuropsychological screening tests are not very useful for detecting dementia in illiterate participants. The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a tool called Persian test of Elderly for Assessment of Cognition and Executive function (PEACE) for detecting dementia in both illiterate and literate participants. Methods First, in order to design some of the cognitive aspects of the PEACE assay, we considered other prevalent neuropsychological instruments, such as the General Practitioner assessment of Cognition (GPCOG), Functional Assessment Staging (FAST), Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), and Wechsler Memory scale. The other domains of PEACE were designed according to our clinical proficiencies and the culture of the society. In the next step, the participants were classified into three distinct groups, i.e., the control group (n=33), the Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) group (n=30), and the Alzheimer’s group (n=38). All of the participants in each group were divided according to their educational level, i.e., illiterate, semi-literate, and literate. Results We developed PEACE consisting of 14 items, each of which represents a specific cognitive function, with a maximum score of 91. The 14 items are Orientation, Praxis, Attention and Concentration, Attention and Calculation, Memory, Similarity, Abstract Thinking, General Information, Language, Judgment, Gnosis, Planning (Sequencing), Problem Solving, and Animal Naming. PEACE scores are highly correlated with those of the MMSE (r=0.78). The optimal cut-off point of PEACE chosen for diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease was 67.5 (sensitivity: 75.8%, specificity: 97.4%). The PEACE scores showed a significant difference between Participants with Alzheimer’s disease and the control group (p=0.0000) and the MCI group (p=0.003). In addition, there was no significant difference between illiterate and literate participants in the Alzheimer’s group. However, the PEACE scores differed significantly (p=0.0000) between illiterate and literate participants in the control group. Conclusion The PEACE addresses the limitations of existing tests and is appropriate for use in countries that have high rates of illiteracy. It is a valid screening mechanism for the detection of dementia in both illiterate and literate participants. PMID:26767112

Age differences among older adults in the use of emotion regulation strategies. What happens among over 85s and centenarians?

PubMed

Etxeberria, Igone; Etxebarria, Itziar; Urdaneta, Elena; Yanguas, Jose Javier

2016-09-01

Past research on emotion regulation strategies has concluded that older adults use more passive strategies than young adults. However, we found scarce research in this field focusing on the oldest old (i.e. those aged 85 and over). The aim of this study was to analyze whether or not differences exist in the way older adults aged 85 and over (centenarians included) use emotion regulation strategies, in comparison with younger age groups (65-74 and 75-84 years old). Participants were 257 older adults from Spain, all aged between 65 and 104. The sample was divided into four age groups: 65-74; 75-84; 85-94; and 95-104 years old. Participants completed the Strategy Questionnaire after reading each of the vignettes designed to elicit feelings of either sadness or anger. The questionnaire measures four types of regulation strategies: Passive, Express, Solve and Seek. The 85-94 age group and centenarians were found to use proactive (Express, Seek) and Solve strategies less in comparison with younger age groups when regulating sadness and anger. In contrast, an increased use of Passive strategies was observed in the regulation of both emotions in the 85-94 age group. Significant differences were also found between centenarians and younger age groups in the use of Passive strategies for sadness, although not for anger. Age differences were observed in the use of emotion regulation strategies, with older age groups using proactive strategies less and passive strategies more.

[Effect of 2 pesticides indoors on the respiratory function of a Mexican population].

PubMed

Rico Méndez, F G; Ochoa Jiménez, L G; Ocaña Servín, H; Escobedo Arenas, G; Cabrera Ruiz, M A; Jacobo Avila, A

2000-01-01

The utilisation of pesticides in the large cities has been increased. Exist few studies that determine the damage in the respiratory appliance. Determined on a healthy population of Mexico City with two known products used for the control of the insecticides in household, with the main objective to determine the clinical and functional manifestations that its use implies. They were included 70 sound volunteers with residence in the City of Mexico that lived in apartments with 100 square meters of construction, tobacco negative and without previous antecedents of cardiovascular disease, without acute infectious process. They were split into 2 groups one that inhaled pesticides for combustion and the group b in electric form, In them I accomplished study espirometric to the beginning and during 3 exposed hours. The analysis by T Student. In group A was observed a meaningful difference of 0.01 in the first hour and of p < 0.028 in the second and third hours, with collateral effects as irritation eyes (74%) disnea (57%) cough (43%) and headaches (28%). Group B with a small difference of the VEF-1 in the first hour p < 0.03 and without differences on the following hours. We haven't observed secondary effects according to this group. The analysis en both group we have only differences in the first hours with p < 0.004. The exposition to pesticides our group for combustion produces a lot of clinical and functional alterations than the electric pesticides.

Contribution of different functional groups to the diet of major predatory fishes at a seagrass meadow in northeastern Japan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yamada, Katsumasa; Hori, Masakazu; Tanaka, Yoshiyuki; Hasegawa, Natsuki; Nakaoka, Masahiro

2010-01-01

We examined the variation in habitat use and diet of three dominant fish species ( Myoxocephalus brandti, Pholidapus dybowskii, and Pholis crassispina) in a seagrass meadow in the Akkeshi-ko estuary in northeastern Japan, where broad and dense Zostera marina beds exist, using a semi-quantitative census of the fishes and analyses of their stomach contents. Differences among the three fish species in the temporal variation in abundance of each age class (mainly 1- and 2-year age classes) indicated that the temporal pattern of utilization of the seagrass meadow were different among them. In the semi-quantitative dietary analysis, two prey categories, i.e., taxonomic group (order and suborder) and functional group, were used to explain the variation in prey composition with size-dependent changes. The six prey functional groups were classified based on the ecological traits of the prey, i.e., trophic level, size, and life type (habitat and behavior). Ontogenetic shifts in prey of the three fish species could be fully explained by a combination of the two prey categories, and not by the use of only one category (taxonomic or functional group). The pattern of ontogenetic shifts in prey differed among the fish species and size (age) classes. These results indicate that segregation of habitat (seagrass meadow) and prey group (taxonomic and functional group) is performed among the three species, which may contribute to their coexistence in this estuary.

Community composition of known and uncultured archaeal lineages in anaerobic or anoxic wastewater treatment sludge.

PubMed

Kuroda, Kyohei; Hatamoto, Masashi; Nakahara, Nozomi; Abe, Kenichi; Takahashi, Masanobu; Araki, Nobuo; Yamaguchi, Takashi

2015-04-01

Microbial systems are widely used to treat different types of wastewater from domestic, agricultural, and industrial sources. Community composition is an important factor in determining the successful performance of microbial treatment systems; however, a variety of uncultured and unknown lineages exist in sludge that requires identification and characterization. The present study examined the archaeal community composition in methanogenic, denitrifying, and nitrogen-/phosphate-removing wastewater treatment sludge by Archaea-specific 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis using Illumina sequencing technology. Phylotypes belonging to Euryarchaeota, including methanogens, were most abundant in all samples except for nitrogen-/phosphate-removing wastewater treatment sludge. High levels of Deep Sea Hydrothermal Vent Group 6 (DHVEG-6), WSA2, Terrestrial Miscellaneous Euryarchaeotal Group, and Miscellaneous Crenarchaeotic Group were also detected. Interestingly, DHVEG-6 was dominant in nitrogen-/phosphate-removing wastewater treatment sludge, indicating that unclear lineages of Archaea still exist in the anaerobic wastewater treatment sludges. These results reveal a previously unknown diversity of Archaea in sludge that can potentially be exploited for the development of more efficient wastewater treatment strategies.

Identifying Differences Between Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) and Non-OHV User Groups for Recreation Resource Planning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kil, Namyun; Holland, Stephen M.; Stein, Taylor V.

2012-09-01

Off-highway vehicle (OHV) riding is among the fastest growing recreational activities in the United States. However, little research exists about the central components of outcomes-focused management (OFM) as it relates to motorized recreation. Utilizing a two-activity dichotomy, OHV and non-OHV centric user groups were compared on several key concepts associated with OFM, including desired experiences, perceived and desired recreation opportunity spectrum-type settings, and intentional behaviors (i.e., place-protective behavior, spending-time intentions) toward potential changes in settings. Results indicated that the two groups were different in terms of intensity and relative rankings of their perceived experiences and settings. Although both groups preferred social bonding, stress relief, nostalgia and learning experiences, the OHV user group ranked using equipment and achieving physical fitness experiences as more important than the non-OHV group. The non-OHV user group preferred enjoying nature and solitude/tranquility experiences more strongly than the OHV user group. Further analysis found that both groups perceived settings that they recreated in to be pristine and preferred such conditions, and both groups preferred moderate levels of rules and regulations. Finally, the OHV user group was more reactive to rules and regulations, while the non-OHV user group expressed stronger intentions to protect the environmental quality of recreation areas. The results suggest that planners and managers who understand OHV user's perceptions and behaviors could provide enhanced recreation opportunities potentially providing additional beneficial outcomes for motorized and non-motorized groups in spatially different zones. Additional implications for planners and managers and future studies are discussed.

[The effect of self-determination on time perspective and child-care anxiety].

PubMed

Miyamoto, Junko

2013-06-01

This study examines the effect of self-determination on time perspectives and child-care anxiety from a viewpoint of life course. A total of 1,726 mothers with small children participated in a questionnaire survey. They were classified into four groups based on their planned life courses: mothers who work; mothers who stopped working, but plan on returning to work; mothers who don't want to work and plan to stay at home; and mothers who stopped working, but plan on returning to work when their children grow up. Child-care anxiety was classified into four categories: (a) sense of stagnation and sacrifice, (b) fatigue, (c) diffidence, (d) feeling disaffection. The results show that fulfillment associated with child-care anxiety exists for all groups and factors of child-care anxiety, and that fulfillment was influenced by differences between self-determination and self-determination desires. The effect of self-determination on time perspectives and child-care anxiety differed between groups. It is suggested that society should provide different support to mothers with small children and child-care anxiety related to their different planned life courses.

Coastal zone problems and environmental strategies to be implemented at Edremit Bay, Turkey.

PubMed

Irtem, Emel; Kabdasli, Sedat; Azbar, Nuri

2005-07-01

This case study examines the coastal zone problems focusing on the existing conflicts between tourism and commercial activities on the coasts of Edremit Bay, Turkey, and attempts to suggest solutions to these problems. Edremit Bay is a characteristic example of such a conflict in collective use of natural resources. The study area, with its 100-km-long sandy beach, naturally attracts different coastal user groups with different beneficial expectations: in terms of rest and recreation for one group and commercial gain offered in a variety of ways for another group. Significant coastal zone problems exist in the study area. Deterioration of shoreline due to tourism activities and illegal constructions, damage to the coastal ecosystem due to domestic/industrial wastewater discharges and some agricultural activities, and disordered urbanization are only a few of the many problems. The data presented here were partly derived from field study and partly collected from local state or private organizations. In this study, it is emphasized that there is a need for viable economic and environmental strategies to be designated in Edremit Bay, Turkey, in order to provide sustainable resource use. For this purpose, an integrated project together with a relevant planning chart including subprojects is also suggested. The success of a local environmental protection management project depends on active participation of all stakeholders including governmental organizations and nongovernmental organizations.