Sample records for interval immediately preceding

  1. The Effects of Interval Duration on Temporal Tracking and Alternation Learning

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Ludvig, Elliot A.; Staddon, John E. R.

    2005-01-01

    On cyclic-interval reinforcement schedules, animals typically show a postreinforcement pause that is a function of the immediately preceding time interval ("temporal tracking"). Animals, however, do not track single-alternation schedules--when two different intervals are presented in strict alternation on successive trials. In this experiment,…

  2. 34 CFR 608.31 - How does the Secretary determine the amount of a grant?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... institution during the school year immediately preceding that fiscal year. Number of Pell Grant recipients at all applicant institutions during the school year immediately preceding that fiscal year. (2... year. Number of graduates of all applicant institutions during the school year immediately preceding...

  3. 34 CFR 608.31 - How does the Secretary determine the amount of a grant?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... institution during the school year immediately preceding that fiscal year. Number of Pell Grant recipients at all applicant institutions during the school year immediately preceding that fiscal year. (2... year. Number of graduates of all applicant institutions during the school year immediately preceding...

  4. 34 CFR 608.31 - How does the Secretary determine the amount of a grant?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... institution during the school year immediately preceding that fiscal year. Number of Pell Grant recipients at all applicant institutions during the school year immediately preceding that fiscal year. (2... year. Number of graduates of all applicant institutions during the school year immediately preceding...

  5. 34 CFR 608.31 - How does the Secretary determine the amount of a grant?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... institution during the school year immediately preceding that fiscal year. Number of Pell Grant recipients at all applicant institutions during the school year immediately preceding that fiscal year. (2... year. Number of graduates of all applicant institutions during the school year immediately preceding...

  6. Spontaneous pre-stimulus fluctuations in the activity of right fronto-parietal areas influence inhibitory control performance

    PubMed Central

    Chavan, Camille F.; Manuel, Aurelie L.; Mouthon, Michael; Spierer, Lucas

    2013-01-01

    Inhibitory control refers to the ability to suppress planned or ongoing cognitive or motor processes. Electrophysiological indices of inhibitory control failure have been found to manifest even before the presentation of the stimuli triggering the inhibition, suggesting that pre-stimulus brain-states modulate inhibition performance. However, previous electrophysiological investigations on the state-dependency of inhibitory control were based on averaged event-related potentials (ERPs), a method eliminating the variability in the ongoing brain activity not time-locked to the event of interest. These studies thus left unresolved whether spontaneous variations in the brain-state immediately preceding unpredictable inhibition-triggering stimuli also influence inhibitory control performance. To address this question, we applied single-trial EEG topographic analyses on the time interval immediately preceding NoGo stimuli in conditions where the responses to NoGo trials were correctly inhibited [correct rejection (CR)] vs. committed [false alarms (FAs)] during an auditory spatial Go/NoGo task. We found a specific configuration of the EEG voltage field manifesting more frequently before correctly inhibited responses to NoGo stimuli than before FAs. There was no evidence for an EEG topography occurring more frequently before FAs than before CR. The visualization of distributed electrical source estimations of the EEG topography preceding successful response inhibition suggested that it resulted from the activity of a right fronto-parietal brain network. Our results suggest that the fluctuations in the ongoing brain activity immediately preceding stimulus presentation contribute to the behavioral outcomes during an inhibitory control task. Our results further suggest that the state-dependency of sensory-cognitive processing might not only concern perceptual processes, but also high-order, top-down inhibitory control mechanisms. PMID:23761747

  7. Fixed-interval matching-to-sample: intermatching time and intermatching error runs1

    PubMed Central

    Nelson, Thomas D.

    1978-01-01

    Four pigeons were trained on a matching-to-sample task in which reinforcers followed either the first matching response (fixed interval) or the fifth matching response (tandem fixed-interval fixed-ratio) that occurred 80 seconds or longer after the last reinforcement. Relative frequency distributions of the matching-to-sample responses that concluded intermatching times and runs of mismatches (intermatching error runs) were computed for the final matching responses directly followed by grain access and also for the three matching responses immediately preceding the final match. Comparison of these two distributions showed that the fixed-interval schedule arranged for the preferential reinforcement of matches concluding relatively extended intermatching times and runs of mismatches. Differences in matching accuracy and rate during the fixed interval, compared to the tandem fixed-interval fixed-ratio, suggested that reinforcers following matches concluding various intermatching times and runs of mismatches influenced the rate and accuracy of the last few matches before grain access, but did not control rate and accuracy throughout the entire fixed-interval period. PMID:16812032

  8. Ventricular Cycle Length Characteristics Estimative of Prolonged RR Interval during Atrial Fibrillation

    PubMed Central

    CIACCIO, EDWARD J.; BIVIANO, ANGELO B.; GAMBHIR, ALOK; EINSTEIN, ANDREW J.; GARAN, HASAN

    2014-01-01

    Background When atrial fibrillation (AF) is incessant, imaging during a prolonged ventricular RR interval may improve image quality. It was hypothesized that long RR intervals could be predicted from preceding RR values. Methods From the PhysioNet database, electrocardiogram RR intervals were obtained from 74 persistent AF patients. An RR interval lengthened by at least 250 ms beyond the immediately preceding RR interval (termed T0 and T1, respectively) was considered prolonged. A two-parameter scatterplot was used to predict the occurrence of a prolonged interval T0. The scatterplot parameters were: (1) RR variability (RRv) estimated as the average second derivative from 10 previous pairs of RR differences, T13–T2, and (2) Tm–T1, the difference between Tm, the mean from T13 to T2, and T1. For each patient, scatterplots were constructed using preliminary data from the first hour. The ranges of parameters 1 and 2 were adjusted to maximize the proportion of prolonged RR intervals within range. These constraints were used for prediction of prolonged RR in test data collected during the second hour. Results The mean prolonged event was 1.0 seconds in duration. Actual prolonged events were identified with a mean positive predictive value (PPV) of 80% in the test set. PPV was >80% in 36 of 74 patients. An average of 10.8 prolonged RR intervals per 60 minutes was correctly identified. Conclusions A method was developed to predict prolonged RR intervals using two parameters and prior statistical sampling for each patient. This or similar methodology may help improve cardiac imaging in many longstanding persistent AF patients. PMID:23998759

  9. Prognostic value of human papillomavirus 16/18 genotyping in low-grade cervical lesions preceded by mildly abnormal cytology.

    PubMed

    Ye, Jing; Cheng, Bei; Cheng, Yi-Fan; Yao, Ye-Li; Xie, Xing; Lu, Wei-Guo; Cheng, Xiao-Dong

    Histological low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion/cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 1 (LSIL/CIN1) preceded by normal or mildly abnormal cytology is recommended for conservative follow-up, with no separated management. In this study, we assessed the triage value of human papillomavirus (HPV) 16/18 genotyping in 273 patients with LSIL/CIN1. HPV16/18 genotyping was performed at baseline and follow-up was at 6-monthly intervals for up to 2 years. At each follow-up, women positive for cytology or high-risk HPV (hrHPV) were referred for colposcopy. Enrollment cytology, HPV16/18 genotyping, and questionnaire-obtained factors were linked to the 2-year cumulative progression rate. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed taking into account time-to-event with Cox proportional hazard regression. The results showed that 190 cases (69.6%) regressed, 37 (13.6%) persisted, and 46 (16.8%) progressed. HPV16/18 positivity (hazard ratio (HR), 2.708; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.432-5.121; P=0.002) is significantly associated with higher 2-year cumulative progression rate. Sub-analysis by enrollment cytology and age restricted the positive association among patients preceded by mildly abnormal cytology and aged 30 years or older. Immediate treatment is a rational recommendation for the high-risk subgroup, when good compliance is not assured.

  10. Descriptive and Experimental Analyses of Potential Precursors to Problem Behavior

    PubMed Central

    Borrero, Carrie S.W; Borrero, John C

    2008-01-01

    We conducted descriptive observations of severe problem behavior for 2 individuals with autism to identify precursors to problem behavior. Several comparative probability analyses were conducted in addition to lag-sequential analyses using the descriptive data. Results of the descriptive analyses showed that the probability of the potential precursor was greater given problem behavior compared to the unconditional probability of the potential precursor. Results of the lag-sequential analyses showed a marked increase in the probability of a potential precursor in the 1-s intervals immediately preceding an instance of problem behavior, and that the probability of problem behavior was highest in the 1-s intervals immediately following an instance of the precursor. We then conducted separate functional analyses of problem behavior and the precursor to identify respective operant functions. Results of the functional analyses showed that both problem behavior and the precursor served the same operant functions. These results replicate prior experimental analyses on the relation between problem behavior and precursors and extend prior research by illustrating a quantitative method to identify precursors to more severe problem behavior. PMID:18468281

  11. Effects of strategy sequences and response-stimulus intervals on children's strategy selection and strategy execution: a study in computational estimation.

    PubMed

    Lemaire, Patrick; Brun, Fleur

    2014-07-01

    The present study investigates how children's better strategy selection and strategy execution on a given problem are influenced by which strategy was used on the immediately preceding problem and by the duration between their answer to the previous problem and current problem display. These goals are pursued in the context of an arithmetic problem solving task. Third and fifth graders were asked to select the better strategy to find estimates to two-digit addition problems like 36 + 78. On each problem, children could choose rounding-down (i.e., rounding both operands down to the closest smaller decades, like doing 40 + 60 to solve 42 + 67) or rounding-up strategies (i.e., rounding both operands up to the closest larger decades, like doing 50 + 70 to solve 42 + 67). Children were tested under a short RSI condition (i.e., the next problem was displayed 900 ms after participants' answer) or under a long RSI condition (i.e., the next problem was displayed 1,900 ms after participants' answer). Results showed that both strategy selection (e.g., children selected the better strategy more often under long RSI condition and after selecting the poorer strategy on the immediately preceding problem) and strategy execution (e.g., children executed strategy more efficiently under long RSI condition and were slower when switching strategy over two consecutive problems) were influenced by RSI and which strategy was used on the immediately preceding problem. Moreover, data showed age-related changes in effects of RSI and strategy sequence on mean percent better strategy selection and on strategy performance. The present findings have important theoretical and empirical implications for our understanding of general and specific processes involved in strategy selection, strategy execution, and strategic development.

  12. 26 CFR 48.4071-3 - Imposition of tax on tires and tubes delivered to manufacturer's retail outlet.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ... consecutive calendar months during the 2-year period immediately preceding the first day included in the... during such a 12-month period, the determination is made on the basis of the available experience of the... calendar months during the 2-year period immediately preceding the first day included in the return period...

  13. 26 CFR 48.4071-3 - Imposition of tax on tires and tubes delivered to manufacturer's retail outlet.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ... consecutive calendar months during the 2-year period immediately preceding the first day included in the... during such a 12-month period, the determination is made on the basis of the available experience of the... calendar months during the 2-year period immediately preceding the first day included in the return period...

  14. 26 CFR 48.4071-3 - Imposition of tax on tires and tubes delivered to manufacturer's retail outlet.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... consecutive calendar months during the 2-year period immediately preceding the first day included in the... during such a 12-month period, the determination is made on the basis of the available experience of the... calendar months during the 2-year period immediately preceding the first day included in the return period...

  15. 26 CFR 48.4071-3 - Imposition of tax on tires and tubes delivered to manufacturer's retail outlet.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... consecutive calendar months during the 2-year period immediately preceding the first day included in the... during such a 12-month period, the determination is made on the basis of the available experience of the... calendar months during the 2-year period immediately preceding the first day included in the return period...

  16. Emotional stress as a cause of syncope and torsade de pointes in patients with long QT syndrome.

    PubMed

    Vukmirović, Mihailo; Vukmirović, Irena Tomašević; Angelkov, Lazar; Vukmirović, Filip

    2015-02-01

    Long QT syndrome (LQTS) is a disorder of myocardial repolarization characterized by the prolongation of QT interval and high risk propensity of torsade de pointes (TdP) that can lead to syncope, cardiac arrest and sudden death. Episodes may be provoked by various stimuli depending on the type of the condition. A 25-year-old famele patient was hospitalized due to syncope that occurred immediately after her solo concert, first time in her life. The patient studied solo singing and after intensive preparations the first solo concert was organized. Electrocardiography (ECG) on admission registered frequent ventricular premature beats (VES), followed by polymorphic ventricular tachycardia--TdP that degenerated into ventricular fibrilation (VF). After immediate cardioversion magnesium and beta-blockers were administered. TdP was registered again several times preceded by VES. The corrected QT interval (QTc) was 516 msec. For secondary prevention of sudden cardiac death, a cardioverter defibrillator was implanted, and beta-blockers continued. After a 1-year follow-up there were no recurrent episodes of TdP, and measured QTc was reduced to 484 msec. Patients with syncope following intensive emotional stress should be evaluated for malignant arrhythmias in the context of LQTS.

  17. Incidence of swallowing during exercise in horses with dorsal displacement of the soft palate.

    PubMed

    Pigott, J H; Ducharme, N G; Mitchell, L M; Soderholm, L V; Cheetham, J

    2010-11-01

    The relationship between dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP) and swallowing is unclear. To quantify the relationship between DDSP and swallowing in horses at exercise. The frequency of swallowing increases immediately prior to DDSP in horses at exercise. Videoendoscopic and upper airway pressure data were collated from horses with a definitive diagnosis of DDSP at exercise. Horses with no upper airway abnormalities were matched by age, breed and sex and used as controls. Sixty-nine horses were identified with a definitive diagnosis of DDSP during the study interval. Airway pressure data were available for 42 horses. The majority of horses displaced at high exercising speeds while accelerating; a smaller number displaced during deceleration after peak speed had been reached. Horses swallowed significantly more frequently in the 1 min immediately preceding DDSP than in the control horses at equivalent speeds. DDSP at exercise results in a significant increase in tracheal expiratory pressure, a significant decrease in pharyngeal expiratory pressure and a significantly less negative pharyngeal inspiratory pressure compared to matched controls and compared to the pressures during the 1 min interval prior to DDSP. There was no significant difference between any measure of airway pressure before or after a swallow when examined at each time interval in the DDSP population. The frequency of swallowing decreases with increasing speed in normal horses. In contrast, the frequency of swallowing increases immediately prior to onset of DDSP. This is not a result of pharyngeal and tracheal pressure changes. The increased frequency of swallowing observed prior to DDSP may be related to the aetiology of the disease. © 2010 EVJ Ltd.

  18. Birth spacing, sibling rivalry and child mortality in India.

    PubMed

    Whitworth, Alison; Stephenson, Rob

    2002-12-01

    The detrimental impact of short preceding birth intervals on infant and early childhood mortality is well documented in demographic literature, although the pathways of influence within the relationship remain an area of debate. This paper examines the impact of the length of the preceding birth interval on under-two mortality in India, and examines the pathways through which short preceding birth intervals may lead to an increased risk of mortality. Three mortality periods are examined: neonatal, early post neonatal and late post-neonatal and toddler, using the 1992 Indian National Family Health Survey. A multilevel modelling approach is used to account for the hierarchical nature of the data. The determinants of infants following a short or long birth interval are also examined. The results show that short preceding birth intervals (< 18 months) are associated with an increased risk of mortality in all three age groups, and the effect is particularly marked in the early post-neonatal period. Significant interactions were found between the length of the preceding birth interval and maternal education, gender and the survival status of the previous child. The significance of these interactions varied with the age of the child. The results highlight the diluting effect that a higher level of maternal education has on the relationship between short preceding birth intervals and mortality risk. There is evidence to suggest that sibling rivalry is a pathway through which short birth intervals influence mortality, with the death of the previous sibling removing the competition for scarce resources, and resulting in lower risks of mortality than if the previous sibling was still alive. The greatest risks of an infant following a short birth interval are among those whose previous sibling died, high parities, those with young mothers, and those whose previous sibling was breastfed for a short duration. Copyright 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd.

  19. Left Atrial Size and Function in a Canine Model of Chronic Atrial Fibrillation and Heart Failure

    PubMed Central

    Goldberg, Adam; Kusunose, Kenya; Qamruddin, Salima; Rodriguez, L. Leonardo; Mazgalev, Todor N.; Griffin, Brian P.; Van Wagoner, David R.; Zhang, Youhua; Popović, Zoran B.

    2016-01-01

    Background Our aim was to assess how atrial fibrillation (AF) induction, chronicity, and RR interval irregularity affect left atrial (LA) function and size in the setting of underlying heart failure (HF), and to determine whether AF effects can be mitigated by vagal nerve stimulation (VNS). Methods HF was induced by 4-weeks of rapid ventricular pacing in 24 dogs. Subsequently, AF was induced and maintained by atrial pacing at 600 bpm. Dogs were randomized into control (n = 9) and VNS (n = 15) groups. In the VNS group, atrioventricular node fat pad stimulation (310 μs, 20 Hz, 3–7 mA) was delivered continuously for 6 months. LA volume and LA strain data were calculated from bi-weekly echocardiograms. Results RR intervals decreased with HF in both groups (p = 0.001), and decreased further during AF in control group (p = 0.014), with a non-significant increase in the VNS group during AF. LA size increased with HF (p<0.0001), with no additional increase during AF. LA strain decreased with HF (p = 0.025) and further decreased after induction of AF (p = 0.0001). LA strain decreased less (p = 0.001) in the VNS than in the control group. Beat-by-beat analysis showed a curvilinear increase of LA strain with longer preceding RR interval, (r = 0.45, p <0.0001) with LA strain 1.1% higher (p = 0.02) in the VNS-treated animals, independent of preceding RR interval duration. The curvilinear relationship between ratio of preceding and pre-preceding RR intervals, and subsequent LA strain was weaker, (r = 0.28, p = 0.001). However, VNS-treated animals again had higher LA strain (by 2.2%, p = 0.002) independently of the ratio of preceding and pre-preceding RR intervals. Conclusions In the underlying presence of pacing-induced HF, AF decreased LA strain, with little impact on LA size. LA strain depends on the preceding RR interval duration. PMID:26771573

  20. Mayo Registry for Telemetry Efficacy in Arrest Study: An Assessment of the Utility of Telemetry in Predicting Clinical Decompensation.

    PubMed

    Snipelisky, David; Ray, Jordan; Matcha, Gautam; Roy, Archana; Harris, Dana; Bosworth, Veronica; Dumitrascu, Adrian; Clark, Brooke; Vadeboncoeur, Tyler; Kusumoto, Fred; Bowman, Cammi; Burton, M Caroline

    2018-03-01

    Our study assesses the utility of telemetry in identifying decompensation in patients with documented cardiopulmonary arrest. A retrospective review of inpatients who experienced a cardiopulmonary arrest from May 1, 2008, until June 30, 2014, was performed. Telemetry records 24 hours prior to and immediately preceding cardiopulmonary arrest were reviewed. Patient subanalyses based on clinical demographics were made as well as analyses of survival comparing patients with identifiable rhythm changes in telemetry to those without. Of 242 patients included in the study, 75 (31.0%) and 110 (45.5%) experienced telemetry changes at the 24-hour and immediately preceding time periods, respectively. Of the telemetry changes, the majority were classified as nonmalignant (n = 50, 66.7% and n = 66, 55.5% at 24 hours prior and immediately preceding, respectively). There was no difference in telemetry changes between intensive care unit (ICU) and non-ICU patients and among patients stratified according to the American Heart Association telemetry indications. There was no difference in survival when comparing patients with telemetry changes immediately preceding and at 24 hours prior to an event (n = 30, 27.3% and n = 15, 20.0%) to those without telemetry changes during the same periods (n = 27, 20.5% and n = 42, 25.2%; P = .22 and .39). Telemetry has limited utility in predicting clinical decompensation in the inpatient setting.

  1. Benefit of Delayed Fertility Therapy With Preconception Weight Loss Over Immediate Therapy in Obese Women With PCOS

    PubMed Central

    Dodson, William C.; Kunselman, Allen R.; Stetter, Christy M.; Kris-Etherton, Penny M.; Williams, Nancy I.; Gnatuk, Carol L.; Estes, Stephanie J.; Allison, Kelly C.; Sarwer, David B.; Diamond, Michael P.; Schlaff, William D.; Casson, Peter R.; Christman, Gregory M.; Barnhart, Kurt T.; Bates, G. Wright; Usadi, Rebecca; Lucidi, Scott; Baker, Valerie; Zhang, Heping; Eisenberg, Esther; Coutifaris, Christos; Dokras, Anuja

    2016-01-01

    Context: In overweight/obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the relative benefit of delaying infertility treatment to lose weight vs seeking immediate treatment is unknown. Objective: We compared the results of two, multicenter, concurrent clinical trials treating infertility in women with PCOS. Design, Setting, and Participants: This was a secondary analysis of two randomized trials conducted at academic health centers studying women 18–40 years of age who were overweight/obese and infertile with PCOS. Intervention: We compared immediate treatment with clomiphene from the Pregnancy in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome II (PPCOS II) trial (N = 187) to delayed treatment with clomiphene after preconception treatment with continuous oral contraceptives, lifestyle modification (Lifestyle: including caloric restriction, antiobesity medication, behavioral modification, and exercise) or the combination of both (combined) from the Treatment of Hyperandrogenism Versus Insulin Resistance in Infertile Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (OWL PCOS) trial (N = 142). Main Outcome Measures: Live birth, pregnancy loss, and ovulation were measured. Results: In PPCOS II, after four cycles of clomiphene, the cumulative per-cycle ovulation rate was 44.7% (277/619) and the cumulative live birth rate was 10.2% (19/187), nearly identical to that after oral contraceptive pretreatment in the OWL PCOS trial (ovulation 45% [67/149] and live birth: 8.5% [4/47]). In comparison, deferred clomiphene treatment preceded by lifestyle and combined treatment in OWL PCOS offered a significantly better cumulative ovulation rate compared to immediate treatment with clomiphene. (Lifestyle: 62.0% [80/129]; risk ratio compared to PPCOS II = 1.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1–1.7; P = .003; combined: 64.3% [83/129]; risk ratio compared to PPCOS II = 1.4; 95% CI, 1.2–1.8; P < .001 and a significantly better live birth rate lifestyle: 25.0% [12/48]; risk ratio compared to PPCOS II = 2.5; 95% CI, 1.3–4.7; P = .01 and combined: 25.5% [12/47]; risk ratio compared to PPCOS II = 2.5; 95% CI, 1.3–4.8; P = .01). Conclusions: These data show the benefit of improved ovulation and live birth with delayed infertility treatment with clomiphene citrate when preceded by lifestyle modification with weight loss compared with immediate treatment. Pretreatment with oral contraceptives likely has little effect on the ovulation and live birth rate compared with immediate treatment. PMID:27172435

  2. Benefit of Delayed Fertility Therapy With Preconception Weight Loss Over Immediate Therapy in Obese Women With PCOS.

    PubMed

    Legro, Richard S; Dodson, William C; Kunselman, Allen R; Stetter, Christy M; Kris-Etherton, Penny M; Williams, Nancy I; Gnatuk, Carol L; Estes, Stephanie J; Allison, Kelly C; Sarwer, David B; Diamond, Michael P; Schlaff, William D; Casson, Peter R; Christman, Gregory M; Barnhart, Kurt T; Bates, G Wright; Usadi, Rebecca; Lucidi, Scott; Baker, Valerie; Zhang, Heping; Eisenberg, Esther; Coutifaris, Christos; Dokras, Anuja

    2016-07-01

    In overweight/obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the relative benefit of delaying infertility treatment to lose weight vs seeking immediate treatment is unknown. We compared the results of two, multicenter, concurrent clinical trials treating infertility in women with PCOS. This was a secondary analysis of two randomized trials conducted at academic health centers studying women 18-40 years of age who were overweight/obese and infertile with PCOS. We compared immediate treatment with clomiphene from the Pregnancy in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome II (PPCOS II) trial (N = 187) to delayed treatment with clomiphene after preconception treatment with continuous oral contraceptives, lifestyle modification (Lifestyle: including caloric restriction, antiobesity medication, behavioral modification, and exercise) or the combination of both (combined) from the Treatment of Hyperandrogenism Versus Insulin Resistance in Infertile Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (OWL PCOS) trial (N = 142). Live birth, pregnancy loss, and ovulation were measured. In PPCOS II, after four cycles of clomiphene, the cumulative per-cycle ovulation rate was 44.7% (277/619) and the cumulative live birth rate was 10.2% (19/187), nearly identical to that after oral contraceptive pretreatment in the OWL PCOS trial (ovulation 45% [67/149] and live birth: 8.5% [4/47]). In comparison, deferred clomiphene treatment preceded by lifestyle and combined treatment in OWL PCOS offered a significantly better cumulative ovulation rate compared to immediate treatment with clomiphene. (Lifestyle: 62.0% [80/129]; risk ratio compared to PPCOS II = 1.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1-1.7; P = .003; combined: 64.3% [83/129]; risk ratio compared to PPCOS II = 1.4; 95% CI, 1.2-1.8; P < .001 and a significantly better live birth rate lifestyle: 25.0% [12/48]; risk ratio compared to PPCOS II = 2.5; 95% CI, 1.3-4.7; P = .01 and combined: 25.5% [12/47]; risk ratio compared to PPCOS II = 2.5; 95% CI, 1.3-4.8; P = .01). These data show the benefit of improved ovulation and live birth with delayed infertility treatment with clomiphene citrate when preceded by lifestyle modification with weight loss compared with immediate treatment. Pretreatment with oral contraceptives likely has little effect on the ovulation and live birth rate compared with immediate treatment.

  3. Explaining impossible phenomena: object permanence beliefs and memory failures in adults.

    PubMed

    Subbotsky, E V

    1996-03-01

    In three experiments, adult subjects' explanations of the observed nonpermanence of a physical object and their recollections of the order of the events during the experiment were obtained and analysed. The data showed that in order to conserve their strong beliefs in object permanence subjects systematically distorted the real temporal succession of events preceding the phenomenon. The frequency of the distortions depended on the salience of the nonpermanence phenomenon ("disappearance" versus "appearance" of the physical object) and on the time interval between the events whose temporal order was reversed, but not on subjects' nationality (English versus German), gender, type of reproduction (immediate versus delayed), role in the experiment (subject versus observer), and degree of prompting in questioning.

  4. 48 CFR 1552.215-73 - General financial and organizational information.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... update all outdated information on file. (a) Contractor's Name: (b) Address (If financial records are...: Auditor: (f)(1) Work Distribution for the Last Completed Fiscal Accounting Period: Sales: Government cost... immediately preceding last completed fiscal year. Total Sales for First Preceding Fiscal Year $____ Total...

  5. 48 CFR 1552.215-73 - General financial and organizational information.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... update all outdated information on file. (a) Contractor's Name: (b) Address (If financial records are...: Auditor: (f)(1) Work Distribution for the Last Completed Fiscal Accounting Period: Sales: Government cost... immediately preceding last completed fiscal year. Total Sales for First Preceding Fiscal Year $____ Total...

  6. 48 CFR 1552.215-73 - General financial and organizational information.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... update all outdated information on file. (a) Contractor's Name: (b) Address (If financial records are...: Auditor: (f)(1) Work Distribution for the Last Completed Fiscal Accounting Period: Sales: Government cost... immediately preceding last completed fiscal year. Total Sales for First Preceding Fiscal Year $____ Total...

  7. 48 CFR 1552.215-73 - General financial and organizational information.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... update all outdated information on file. (a) Contractor's Name: (b) Address (If financial records are...: Auditor: (f)(1) Work Distribution for the Last Completed Fiscal Accounting Period: Sales: Government cost... immediately preceding last completed fiscal year. Total Sales for First Preceding Fiscal Year $____ Total...

  8. Therapist activities preceding setbacks in the assimilation process.

    PubMed

    Gabalda, Isabel Caro; Stiles, William B; Pérez Ruiz, Sergio

    2016-11-01

    This study examined the therapist activities immediately preceding assimilation setbacks in the treatment of a good-outcome client treated with linguistic therapy of evaluation (LTE). Setbacks (N = 105) were defined as decreases of one or more assimilation stages from one passage to the next dealing with the same theme. The therapist activities immediately preceding those setbacks were classified using two kinds of codes: (a) therapist interventions and (b) positions the therapist took toward the client's internal voices. Preceding setbacks to early assimilation stages, where the problem was unformulated, the therapist was more often actively listening, and the setbacks were more often attributable to pushing a theme beyond the client's working zone. Preceding setbacks to later assimilation stages, where the problem was at least formulated, the therapist was more likely to be directing clients to consider alternatives, following the LTE agenda, and setbacks were more often attributable to the client following these directives shifting attention to less assimilated (but nevertheless formulated) aspects of the problem. At least in this case, setbacks followed systematically different therapist activities depending on the problem's stage of assimilation. Possible implications for the assimilation model's account of setbacks and for practice are discussed.

  9. Dissociable neural mechanisms underlying response-based and familiarity-based conflict in working memory.

    PubMed

    Nelson, James K; Reuter-Lorenz, Patricia A; Sylvester, Ching-Yune C; Jonides, John; Smith, Edward E

    2003-09-16

    Cognitive control requires the resolution of interference among competing and potentially conflicting representations. Such conflict can emerge at different points between stimulus input and response generation, with the net effect being that of compromising performance. The goal of this article was to dissociate the neural mechanisms underlying different sources of conflict to elucidate the architecture of the neural systems that implement cognitive control. By using functional magnetic resonance imaging and a verbal working memory task (item recognition), we examined brain activity related to two kinds of conflict with comparable behavioral consequences. In a trial of our item-recognition task, participants saw four letters, followed by a retention interval, and a probe letter that did or did not match one of the letters held in working memory (positive probe and negative probe, respectively). On some trials, conflict arose solely because of the current negative probe having a high familiarity, due to its membership in the immediately preceding trial's target set. On other trials, additional conflict arose because of the current negative probe having also been a positive probe on the immediately preceding trial, producing response-level conflict. Consistent with previous work, conflict due to high familiarity was associated with left prefrontal activation, but not with anterior cingulate activation. The response-conflict condition, when compared with high-familiarity conflict trials, was associated with anterior cingulate cortex activation, but with no additional left prefrontal activation. This double dissociation points to differing contributions of specific cortical areas to cognitive control, which are based on the source of conflict.

  10. R-R interval variations influence the degree of mitral regurgitation in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease.

    PubMed

    Reimann, M J; Møller, J E; Häggström, J; Markussen, B; Holen, A E W; Falk, T; Olsen, L H

    2014-03-01

    Mitral regurgitation (MR) due to myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) is a frequent finding in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (CKCSs). Sinus arrhythmia and atrial premature complexes leading to R-R interval variations occur in dogs. The aim of the study was to evaluate whether the duration of the R-R interval immediately influences the degree of MR assessed by echocardiography in dogs. Clinical examination including echocardiography was performed in 103 privately-owned dogs: 16 control Beagles, 70 CKCSs with different degree of MR and 17 dogs of different breeds with clinical signs of congestive heart failure due to MMVD. The severity of MR was evaluated in apical four-chamber view using colour Doppler flow mapping (maximum % of the left atrium area) and colour Doppler M-mode (duration in ms). The influence of the ratio between present and preceding R-R interval on MR severity was evaluated in 10 consecutive R-R intervals using a linear mixed model for repeated measurements. MR severity was increased when a short R-R interval was followed by a long R-R interval in CKCSs with different degrees of MR (P<0.005 when adjusted for multiple testing). The relationship was not significant in control dogs with minimal MR and in dogs with severe MR and clinical signs of heart failure. In conclusion, MR severity increases in long R-R intervals when these follow a short R-R interval in CKCSs with different degrees of MR due to asymptomatic MMVD. Thus, R-R interval variations may affect the echocardiographic grading of MR in CKCSs. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  11. [Positive potentials of the human brain at different stages of preparation of a visually triggered saccade].

    PubMed

    Slavutskaia, M V; Shul'govskiĭ, V V

    2003-01-01

    The EEG of 10 right-handed subjects preceding saccades with mean values of latent periods were selected and averaged. Two standard paradigms of presentation of visual stimuli (central fixation stimulus-peripheral target succession): with a 200-ms inerstimulus interval (GAP) and successive single step (SS). During the period of central fixation, two kinds of positive potentials were observed: fast potentials of "inermediate" positivity (IP) developing 600-400 ms prior to saccade onset and fast potentials of "leading" positivity (LP), which immediately preceded the offset of the central fixation stimulus. Peak latency of the LP potentials was 300 ms prior to saccade onset in the SS paradigm and 400 ms in the GAP paradigm. These potentials were predominantly recorded in the frontal and frontosagittal cortical areas. Decrease in the latency by 30-50 ms in the GAP paradigm was associated with more pronounced positive potentials during the fixation period and absence of the initiation potential P-1' (or decrease in its amplitude). The obtained evidence suggest that the fast positive presaccadic potentials are of a complex nature related to attention, anticipation, motor preparation, decision making, saccadic initiation, and backward afferentation.

  12. The deployment of attention in short-term memory tasks: trade-offs between immediate and delayed deployment.

    PubMed

    Bunting, Michael F; Cowan, Nelson; Colflesh, Greg H

    2008-06-01

    Memory at times depends on attention, as when attention is used to encode incoming, serial verbal information. When encoding and rehearsal are difficult or when attention is divided during list presentation, more attention is needed in the time following the presentation and just preceding the response. Across 12 experimental conditions observed in several experiments, we demonstrated this by introducing a nonverbal task with three levels of effort (no task, a natural nonverbal task, or an unnatural version of the task) during a brief retention interval in a short-term digit recall task. Interference from the task during the retention interval was greater when resources were drawn away from the encoding of the stimuli by other factors, including unpredictability of the end point of the list, rapid presentation, and a secondary task during list presentation. When those conditions complicate encoding of the list, we argue, attention is needed after the list so that the contents of passive memory (i.e., postcategorical phonological storage and/or precategorical sensory memory) may be retrieved and become the focus of attention for recall.

  13. Effect of low body temperature on associative interference in conditioned taste aversion.

    PubMed

    Christianson, John P; Anderson, Mathew J; Misanin, James R; Hinderliter, Charles F

    2005-06-01

    When two novel conditioned stimuli precede an unconditioned stimulus (US), the interval between the two conditioned stimuli (CS1 and CS2) influences the magnitude of the CS-US associability of each CS. As the interval between CS1 and CS2 increases, the associability of CS1 with the US decreases due to interference by CS2 and the associability of CS2 increases, given its temporal proximity to the US. Because hypothermia has been reported to increase the interval at which conditioned taste aversions can be formed, its influence was examined on the above relationship, i.e., how interference from CS2 affects the associability of CS1 with the US. Rats received a conditioned taste aversion procedure where CS1 and CS2 were presented either one after the other or separated by an 80-min. delay. For all subjects, the US or pseudo-US was presented immediately after CS2. When hypothermia was interpolated between the two flavor stimuli that were spaced 80 min. apart, CS2-interference with the CS1-US association was greatly attenuated. We propose that hypothermia modifies internal timing mechanisms such that the externally timed 80-min. CS1-CS2 interval was perceived as much shorter for rats made hypothermic. As a result of this perceived shortened inter-CS interval, CS2 produced less interference for the CS1-US association than would be expected for such a relatively long delay between CS1 and CS2.

  14. 40 CFR 80.157 - Volumetric additive reconciliation (“VAR”), equipment calibration, and recordkeeping requirements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... preceding two months of VAR supporting documentation. (2) Except as provided in paragraph (g)(3) of this... immediately available to EPA, upon request, the preceding two months of VAR formula records and VAR supporting.... Detergent so used must be accurately and separately measured, either through the use of a separate storage...

  15. 40 CFR 80.157 - Volumetric additive reconciliation (“VAR”), equipment calibration, and recordkeeping requirements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... preceding two months of VAR supporting documentation. (2) Except as provided in paragraph (g)(3) of this... immediately available to EPA, upon request, the preceding two months of VAR formula records and VAR supporting.... Detergent so used must be accurately and separately measured, either through the use of a separate storage...

  16. 40 CFR 80.157 - Volumetric additive reconciliation (“VAR”), equipment calibration, and recordkeeping requirements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... preceding two months of VAR supporting documentation. (2) Except as provided in paragraph (g)(3) of this... immediately available to EPA, upon request, the preceding two months of VAR formula records and VAR supporting.... Detergent so used must be accurately and separately measured, either through the use of a separate storage...

  17. 40 CFR 80.157 - Volumetric additive reconciliation (“VAR”), equipment calibration, and recordkeeping requirements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... preceding two months of VAR supporting documentation. (2) Except as provided in paragraph (g)(3) of this... immediately available to EPA, upon request, the preceding two months of VAR formula records and VAR supporting.... Detergent so used must be accurately and separately measured, either through the use of a separate storage...

  18. 40 CFR 80.157 - Volumetric additive reconciliation (“VAR”), equipment calibration, and recordkeeping requirements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... preceding two months of VAR supporting documentation. (2) Except as provided in paragraph (g)(3) of this... immediately available to EPA, upon request, the preceding two months of VAR formula records and VAR supporting.... Detergent so used must be accurately and separately measured, either through the use of a separate storage...

  19. 40 CFR 98.265 - Procedures for estimating missing data.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 21 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Procedures for estimating missing data... estimating missing data. (a) For each missing value of the inorganic carbon content of phosphate rock or... immediately preceding and immediately following the missing data incident. You must document and keep records...

  20. 40 CFR 98.265 - Procedures for estimating missing data.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 22 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Procedures for estimating missing data... estimating missing data. (a) For each missing value of the inorganic carbon content of phosphate rock or... immediately preceding and immediately following the missing data incident. You must document and keep records...

  1. 40 CFR 98.265 - Procedures for estimating missing data.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 22 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Procedures for estimating missing data... estimating missing data. (a) For each missing value of the inorganic carbon content of phosphate rock or... immediately preceding and immediately following the missing data incident. You must document and keep records...

  2. 34 CFR 222.18 - What amount does the Secretary forgive?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... SECONDARY EDUCATION, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION IMPACT AID PROGRAMS General § 222.18 What amount does the... hardship), and the LEA's current expenditure closing balance for the LEA's fiscal year immediately...'s preceding fiscal year's current expenditure closing balance is more than ten percent of its TCE...

  3. Snowball Earth prevention by dissolved organic carbon remineralization.

    PubMed

    Peltier, W Richard; Liu, Yonggang; Crowley, John W

    2007-12-06

    The 'snowball Earth' hypothesis posits the occurrence of a sequence of glaciations in the Earth's history sufficiently deep that photosynthetic activity was essentially arrested. Because the time interval during which these events are believed to have occurred immediately preceded the Cambrian explosion of life, the issue as to whether such snowball states actually developed has important implications for our understanding of evolutionary biology. Here we couple an explicit model of the Neoproterozoic carbon cycle to a model of the physical climate system. We show that the drawdown of atmospheric oxygen into the ocean, as surface temperatures decline, operates so as to increase the rate of remineralization of a massive pool of dissolved organic carbon. This leads directly to an increase of atmospheric carbon dioxide, enhanced greenhouse warming of the surface of the Earth, and the prevention of a snowball state.

  4. Changes in paced signals may predict in-hospital cardiac arrest.

    PubMed

    Attin, Mina; Rosero, Spencer Z; Ding, Jimmy; Nolan, Scot; Tucker, Rebecca

    2018-01-01

    An increasing number of patients with chronic illnesses have implanted cardiac rhythm devices such as pacemakers and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs). This study was conducted to identify potentially useful predictors of in-hospital cardiac arrest (I-HCA) within paced electrocardiogram (ECG) signals from cardiovascular patients with implanted medical devices. In this retrospective study of 17 subjects, full-disclosure ECG traces prior to the time of documented I-HCA were analyzed to determine R-R intervals and QRS durations (QRSd). Ventricular paced QRSd prolongation was observed prior to I-HCA in 10/16 (63%) subjects. QRSd was significantly greater immediately preceding cardiac arrest than during each of the 8 hours prior to cardiac arrest (P < 0.05). Heart rate changes (measured using standard deviation) within 15 minutes of cardiac arrest were significantly greater in subjects with pulseless electrical activity (PEA)/asystolic arrest compared to those with cardiac arrests due to ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation (VT/VF) (10.13 vs 3.31; P  =  0.024). Significant differences over the 8 hours preceding cardiac arrest in heart rate (74 vs 86 beats/min; P  =  0.002) and QRS duration (172 ms vs 137 ms; P < 0.001) were observed between subjects with initial rhythms of VT/VF and those with initial rhythms of PEA/asystole. Patterns of diagnostic ECG features can be extracted from the telemetry data of patients with implanted medical devices prior to adverse events including I-HCA. The detection of these significant changes might have an immediate prognostic impact on the timely treatment of some patients at risk of adverse events. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  5. Long-Term Maintenance of Immediate or Delayed Extinction Is Determined by the Extinction-Test Interval

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Johnson, Justin S.; Escobar, Martha; Kimble, Whitney L.

    2010-01-01

    Short acquisition-extinction intervals (immediate extinction) can lead to either more or less spontaneous recovery than long acquisition-extinction intervals (delayed extinction). Using rat subjects, we observed less spontaneous recovery following immediate than delayed extinction (Experiment 1). However, this was the case only if a relatively…

  6. Submaximal exercise intensity modulates acute post-exercise heart rate variability.

    PubMed

    Michael, Scott; Jay, Ollie; Halaki, Mark; Graham, Kenneth; Davis, Glen M

    2016-04-01

    This study investigated whether short-term heart rate variability (HRV) can be used to differentiate between the immediate recovery periods following three different intensities of preceding exercise. 12 males cycled for 8 min at three intensities: LOW (40-45 %), MOD (75-80 %) and HIGH (90-95 %) of heart rate (HR) reserve. HRV was assessed during exercise and throughout 10-min seated recovery. 1-min HR recovery was reduced following greater exercise intensities when expressed as R-R interval (RRI, ms) (p < 0.001), but not b min(-1) (p = 0.217). During exercise, the natural logarithm of root mean square of successive differences (Ln-RMSSD) was higher during LOW (1.66 ± 0.47 ms) relative to MOD (1.14 ± 0.32 ms) and HIGH (1.30 ± 0.25 ms) (p ≤ 0.037). Similar results were observed for high-frequency spectra (Ln-HF-LOW: 2.9 ± 1.0; MOD: 1.6 ± 0.6; HIGH: 1.6 ± 0.3 ms(2), p < 0.001). By 1-min recovery, higher preceding exercise intensities resulted in lower HRV amongst all three intensities for Ln-RMSSD (LOW: 3.45 ± 0.58; MOD: 2.34 ± 0.81; HIGH: 1.66 ± 0.78 ms, p < 0.001) and Ln-HF (LOW: 6.0 ± 1.0; MOD: 4.3 ± 1.4; HIGH: 2.8 ± 1.4 ms(2), p < 0.001). Similarly, by 1-min recovery 'HR-corrected' HRV (Ln-RMSSD: RRI × 10(3)) was different amongst all three intensities (LOW: 3.64 ± 0.49; MOD: 2.90 ± 0.65; HIGH: 2.40 ± 0.67, p < 0.001). These differences were maintained throughout 10-min recovery (p ≤ 0.027). Preceding exercise intensity has a graded effect on recovery HRV measures reflecting cardiac vagal activity, even after correcting for the underlying HR. The immediate recovery following exercise is a potentially useful period to investigate autonomic activity, as multiple levels of autonomic activity can be clearly differentiated between using HRV. When investigating post-exercise HRV it is critical to account for the relative exercise intensity.

  7. Potential confounding in the association between short birth intervals and increased neonatal, infant, and child mortality

    PubMed Central

    Perin, Jamie; Walker, Neff

    2015-01-01

    Background Recent steep declines in child mortality have been attributed in part to increased use of contraceptives and the resulting change in fertility behaviour, including an increase in the time between births. Previous observational studies have documented strong associations between short birth spacing and an increase in the risk of neonatal, infant, and under-five mortality, compared to births with longer preceding birth intervals. In this analysis, we compare two methods to estimate the association between short birth intervals and mortality risk to better inform modelling efforts linking family planning and mortality in children. Objectives Our goal was to estimate the mortality risk for neonates, infants, and young children by preceding birth space using household survey data, controlling for mother-level factors and to compare the results to those from previous analyses with survey data. Design We assessed the potential for confounding when estimating the relative mortality risk by preceding birth interval and estimated mortality risk by birth interval in four categories: less than 18 months, 18–23 months, 24–35 months, and 36 months or longer. We estimated the relative risks among women who were 35 and older at the time of the survey with two methods: in a Cox proportional hazards regression adjusting for potential confounders and also by stratifying Cox regression by mother, to control for all factors that remain constant over a woman's childbearing years. We estimated the overall effects for birth spacing in a meta-analysis with random survey effects. Results We identified several factors known for their associations with neonatal, infant, and child mortality that are also associated with preceding birth interval. When estimating the effect of birth spacing on mortality, we found that regression adjustment for these factors does not substantially change the risk ratio for short birth intervals compared to an unadjusted mortality ratio. For birth intervals less than 18 months, standard regression adjustment for confounding factors estimated a risk ratio for neonatal mortality of 2.28 (95% confidence interval: 2.18–2.37). This same effect estimated within mother is 1.57 (95% confidence interval: 1.52–1.63), a decline of almost one-third in the effect on neonatal mortality. Conclusions Neonatal, infant, and child mortality are strongly and significantly related to preceding birth interval, where births within a short interval of time after the previous birth have increased mortality. Previous analyses have demonstrated this relationship on average across all births; however, women who have short spaces between births are different from women with long spaces. Among women 35 years and older where a comparison of birth spaces within mother is possible, we find a much reduced although still significant effect of short birth spaces on child mortality. PMID:26562139

  8. Potential confounding in the association between short birth intervals and increased neonatal, infant, and child mortality.

    PubMed

    Perin, Jamie; Walker, Neff

    2015-01-01

    Recent steep declines in child mortality have been attributed in part to increased use of contraceptives and the resulting change in fertility behaviour, including an increase in the time between births. Previous observational studies have documented strong associations between short birth spacing and an increase in the risk of neonatal, infant, and under-five mortality, compared to births with longer preceding birth intervals. In this analysis, we compare two methods to estimate the association between short birth intervals and mortality risk to better inform modelling efforts linking family planning and mortality in children. Our goal was to estimate the mortality risk for neonates, infants, and young children by preceding birth space using household survey data, controlling for mother-level factors and to compare the results to those from previous analyses with survey data. We assessed the potential for confounding when estimating the relative mortality risk by preceding birth interval and estimated mortality risk by birth interval in four categories: less than 18 months, 18-23 months, 24-35 months, and 36 months or longer. We estimated the relative risks among women who were 35 and older at the time of the survey with two methods: in a Cox proportional hazards regression adjusting for potential confounders and also by stratifying Cox regression by mother, to control for all factors that remain constant over a woman's childbearing years. We estimated the overall effects for birth spacing in a meta-analysis with random survey effects. We identified several factors known for their associations with neonatal, infant, and child mortality that are also associated with preceding birth interval. When estimating the effect of birth spacing on mortality, we found that regression adjustment for these factors does not substantially change the risk ratio for short birth intervals compared to an unadjusted mortality ratio. For birth intervals less than 18 months, standard regression adjustment for confounding factors estimated a risk ratio for neonatal mortality of 2.28 (95% confidence interval: 2.18-2.37). This same effect estimated within mother is 1.57 (95% confidence interval: 1.52-1.63), a decline of almost one-third in the effect on neonatal mortality. Neonatal, infant, and child mortality are strongly and significantly related to preceding birth interval, where births within a short interval of time after the previous birth have increased mortality. Previous analyses have demonstrated this relationship on average across all births; however, women who have short spaces between births are different from women with long spaces. Among women 35 years and older where a comparison of birth spaces within mother is possible, we find a much reduced although still significant effect of short birth spaces on child mortality.

  9. A detailed record of paleomagnetic field change from Searles Lake, California: 1. Long-term secular variation bounding the Gauss/Matuyama polarity reversal

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Glen, Jonathan M. G.; Liddicoat, Joseph C.; Coe, Robert S.

    1999-06-01

    More than 33 m of 2.5 Ma sediment from Searles Lake, California was studied in order to construct a record of secular variation (SV) across the Gauss/Matuyama (G/M) normal-to-reverse polarity transition. The behavior of the field preceding and following the reversal is considered here, while in a companion paper [Glen et al., this issue] the details of the transition are discussed. The record encompasses an interval of roughly 183,000 years beginning 50 kyr (9 m) before and extending more than 128 kyr (23 m) beyond the transition, while the main phase of the transition lasts for nearly 5 kyr (1 m). Because the core was rotary drilled, and declinations lost, SV was characterized by the inclination and its angular dispersion. Inclination-only statistics reveal that (1) the record displays overall higher than expected values of angular dispersion (normal S˜20°; reverse S˜19°; expected S˜15.5°), suggesting that the field proximal to transitions may be more noisy than the distal field. In addition, normal data from immediately before the transition display higher S than reverse data immediately following it, implying that the postransitional field is more stable than the pretransitional field. One of the most prominent features of this record is an excursion of the field occurring roughly 4 kyr prior to the onset of the reversal. A record of the G/M transition from Chinese loess (R. Zhu et al., submitted manuscript, 1999) displays a similar event (also occurring roughly 4 kyr before the transition). This and the fact that the event is associated with anomalously low intensities suggest that the disturbance may be global in nature. The fact that comparable features are associated with other transitions [Hartl and Tauxe, 1996; Clement, 1992] intimates that the field may commonly show signs of early instability. This precursory event is actually one of a sequence of oscillations (in inclination and intensity) preceding the transition. That these fluctuations occur at roughly 4 kyr intervals leading up to the reversal (which also appears at this same interval) strongly suggests that an oscillatory disturbance in the core, active over at least 15 kyr prior to the transition, had eventually triggered the reversal. In addition, that these waveforms are absent from the postransitional record suggests the reversal process actively rejuvenates and stabilizes the field.

  10. 40 CFR 63.3176 - What definitions apply to this subpart?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... facility which assembles automobiles or light-duty trucks, including coating facilities and processes. Bake oven air seal means an entry or entry vestibule to or an exit or exit vestibule from a bake oven which isolates the bake oven from the area immediately preceding (for an entry or entry vestibule) or immediately...

  11. 40 CFR 63.3176 - What definitions apply to this subpart?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... facility which assembles automobiles or light-duty trucks, including coating facilities and processes. Bake oven air seal means an entry or entry vestibule to or an exit or exit vestibule from a bake oven which isolates the bake oven from the area immediately preceding (for an entry or entry vestibule) or immediately...

  12. 40 CFR 63.3176 - What definitions apply to this subpart?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... facility which assembles automobiles or light-duty trucks, including coating facilities and processes. Bake oven air seal means an entry or entry vestibule to or an exit or exit vestibule from a bake oven which isolates the bake oven from the area immediately preceding (for an entry or entry vestibule) or immediately...

  13. 19 CFR 148.36 - Frequency of allowance of exemption for articles acquired abroad.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ...) 30-day period. The $800 or $1,600 exemption for articles acquired abroad will not be granted to a returning resident who has taken advantage of such exemption within the 30-day period immediately preceding... took advantage of the applicable exemption. (b) Computation of time. The 30-day period immediately...

  14. Use of pulsatile intravenous administration of gonadotropin-releasing hormone to induce fertile estrus in bitches.

    PubMed

    Cain, J L; Cain, G R; Feldman, E C; Lasley, B L; Stabenfeldt, G H

    1988-11-01

    The pulsatile IV administration of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) was evaluated as a method to induce fertile estrus in 8 anestrous Beagle bitches. Bitches received 1.25 micrograms of GnRH every 90 minutes for 11 to 13 days. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone was delivered by use of an automatic pump. Reproductive history was known for all bitches, 4 of which, on the basis of 3 or 4 preceding cycles, had an interestrous interval of 219 +/- 14 days (mean +/- SEM). Estrus induction was attempted during early anestrus in 6 bitches (ie, 148 +/- 10 days since the preceding estrus) and late anestrus in 1 bitch (ie, 260 days since the preceding estrus); another bitch had not had an estrous cycle for nearly 2 years before GnRH administration. Signs of estrus were seen within 16 days after the start of GnRH administration in the bitches with regular estrous cycles (group 1, n = 7), and within 23 days in the bitch (group 2) with prolonged anestrus. All bitches were bred, and 7 of 8 (87.5%) became pregnant, with a mean litter size of 4.5 +/- 0.75. A normal hormonal response pattern was observed in group-1 bitches--a peak increase in plasma estrogen concentration of 22.3 +/- 2 pg/ml immediately before the onset of estrus. Peak plasma progesterone concentration (17.3 +/- 3 ng/ml) was observed 1 to 14 days after the onset of diestrus in the group-1 bitches that ovulated, and adequate plasma progesterone concentration was maintained throughout gestation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

  15. Impact of PACS on dictation turnaround time and productivity.

    PubMed

    Lepanto, Luigi; Paré, Guy; Aubry, David; Robillard, Pierre; Lesage, Jacques

    2006-03-01

    This study was conducted to measure the impact of PACS on dictation turnaround time and productivity. The radiology information system (RIS) database was interrogated to calculate the time interval between image production and dictation for every exam performed during three 90-day periods (the 3 months preceding PACS implementation, the 3 months immediately following PACS deployment, and a 3-month period 1 year after PACS implementation). Data were obtained for three exam types: chest radiographs, abdominal CT, and spine MRI. The mean dictation turnaround times obtained during the different pre- and post-PACS periods were compared using analysis of variance (ANOVA). Productivity was also determined for each period and for each exam type, and was expressed as the number of studies interpreted per full-time equivalent (FTE) radiologist. In the immediate post-PACS period, dictation turnaround time decreased 20% (p < 0.001) for radiography, but increased 13% (ns) for CT and 28% (p < 0.001) for MRI. One year after PACS was implemented, dictation turnaround time decreased 45% (p < 0.001) for radiography and 36% (p < 0.001) for MRI. For CT, 1 year post-PACS, turnaround times returned to pre-PACS levels. Productivity in the immediate post-PACS period increased 3% and 38% for radiography and CT, respectively, whereas a 6% decrease was observed for MRI. One year after implementation, productivity increased 27%, 98%, and 19% in radiography, CT, and MRI, respectively. PACS benefits, namely, shortened dictation turnaround time and increased productivity, are evident 1 year after PACS implementation. In the immediate post-PACS period, results vary with the different imaging modalities.

  16. 77 FR 43892 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; BATS Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-07-26

    ... or service offered by the Member within the three months immediately preceding the date of an... conversion'' means, in an offer or agreement to sell or provide any goods or services, a provision under which a customer receives a product or service for free for an initial period and will incur an...

  17. 77 FR 26348 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; EDGA Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-05-03

    ... or service offered by the Member within the three months immediately preceding the date of an... conversion'' means, in an offer or agreement to sell or provide any goods or services, a provision under which a customer receives a product or service for free for an initial period and will incur an...

  18. 77 FR 26343 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; EDGX Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-05-03

    ... or service offered by the Member within the three months immediately preceding the date of an... conversion'' means, in an offer or agreement to sell or provide any goods or services, a provision under which a customer receives a product or service for free for an initial period and will incur an...

  19. 9 CFR 93.423 - Ruminants from Central America and the West Indies.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... they were directly shipped to the United States for a period of at least 60 days immediately preceding... from the British Virgin Islands into the United States Virgin Islands, for immediate slaughter, only... be within 14 days after the date of entry into the United States Virgin Islands; and if they are...

  20. Determinants of stillbirth among women deliveries at Amhara region, Ethiopia.

    PubMed

    Lakew, Demeke; Tesfaye, Dereje; Mekonnen, Haile

    2017-11-13

    Stillbirth is one of general medical issues that could contribute significantly to creating nations like Ethiopia. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and related factors of stillbirth among deliveries at Amhara region, Ethiopia. The study used the Ethiopian Mini Demographic and Health Survey (EMDHS) data collected from 2555 eligible Amhara region women in 2014. Bi-variable and multi-variable binary logistic regression analysis was used. The prevalence of stillbirth outcomes became 85 per 1000 (total live birth). Besides, majority of women did not attend any formal education and had no antenatal care follow up. Women whose age at first birth below 18 years were 1859(72.8%) and the mean preceding birth interval were 33.6 months. Even women who attended primary and above education were about 50% and they were less likely to have had stillbirth outcomes than those who had no education (AOR: 0.505, 95% CI 0.311-0.820) and women having higher household wealth index were less likely to have had stillbirth outcomes as it is compared to the reference category. Moreover, women having preceding birth interval above 36 months were about 89% of less likely to end up stillbirth outcomes as compared to women having preceding birth interval below 24 months (AOR: 0.109, 95% CI 0.071-8.0.168). It could be inferred that a stillbirth result is one of the general medical issues in Amhara Region. Among different factors considered in this study, age, age at first birth, wealth index, birth order number and preceding birth interval in months were found to be significantly associated factors for stillbirth. Therefore, more awareness of early birth, widening birth interval, enhancing maternal care (for aged women) and early birth order number could be recommended.

  1. Relatively speaking: contrast effects influence assessors' scores and narrative feedback.

    PubMed

    Yeates, Peter; Cardell, Jenna; Byrne, Gerard; Eva, Kevin W

    2015-09-01

    In prior research, the scores assessors assign can be biased away from the standard of preceding performances (i.e. 'contrast effects' occur). This study examines the mechanism and robustness of these findings to advance understanding of assessor cognition. We test the influence of the immediately preceding performance relative to that of a series of prior performances. Further, we examine whether assessors' narrative comments are similarly influenced by contrast effects. Clinicians (n = 61) were randomised to three groups in a blinded, Internet-based experiment. Participants viewed identical videos of good, borderline and poor performances by first-year doctors in varied orders. They provided scores and written feedback after each video. Narrative comments were blindly content-analysed to generate measures of valence and content. Variability of narrative comments and scores was compared between groups. Comparisons indicated contrast effects after a single performance. When a good performance was preceded by a poor performance, ratings were higher (mean 5.01, 95% confidence interval [CI] 4.79-5.24) than when observation of the good performance was unbiased (mean 4.36, 95% CI 4.14-4.60; p < 0.05, d = 1.3). Similarly, borderline performance was rated lower when preceded by good performance (mean 2.96, 95% CI 2.56-3.37) than when viewed without preceding bias (mean 3.55, 95% CI 3.17-3.92; p < 0.05, d = 0.7). The series of ratings participants assigned suggested that the magnitude of contrast effects is determined by an averaging of recent experiences. The valence (but not content) of narrative comments showed contrast effects similar to those found in numerical scores. These findings are consistent with research from behavioural economics and psychology that suggests judgement tends to be relative in nature. Observing that the valence of narrative comments is similarly influenced suggests these effects represent more than difficulty in translating impressions into a number. The extent to which such factors impact upon assessment in practice remains to be determined as the influence is likely to depend on context. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  2. Are Examiners' Judgments in OSCE-Style Assessments Influenced by Contrast Effects?

    PubMed

    Yeates, Peter; Moreau, Marc; Eva, Kevin

    2015-07-01

    Laboratory studies have shown that performance assessment judgments can be biased by "contrast effects." Assessors' scores become more positive, for example, when the assessed performance is preceded by relatively weak candidates. The authors queried whether this effect occurs in real, high-stakes performance assessments despite increased formality and behavioral descriptors. Data were obtained for the 2011 United Kingdom Foundational Programme clinical assessment and the 2008 University of Alberta Multiple Mini Interview. Candidate scores were compared with scores for immediately preceding candidates and progressively distant candidates. In addition, average scores for the preceding three candidates were calculated. Relationships between these variables were examined using linear regression. Negative relationships were observed between index scores and both immediately preceding and recent scores for all exam formats. Relationships were greater between index scores and the average of the three preceding scores. These effects persisted even when examiners had judged several performances, explaining up to 11% of observed variance on some occasions. These findings suggest that contrast effects do influence examiner judgments in high-stakes performance-based assessments. Although the observed effect was smaller than observed in experimentally controlled laboratory studies, this is to be expected given that real-world data lessen the strength of the intervention by virtue of less distinct differences between candidates. Although it is possible that the format of circuital exams reduces examiners' susceptibility to these influences, the finding of a persistent effect after examiners had judged several candidates suggests that the potential influence on candidate scores should not be ignored.

  3. 5 CFR 752.402 - Definitions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... means a period of employment or service immediately preceding an adverse action without a break in... nondisciplinary reasons. Grade means a level of classification under a position classification system. Indefinite...

  4. 5 CFR 752.402 - Definitions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... means a period of employment or service immediately preceding an adverse action without a break in... nondisciplinary reasons. Grade means a level of classification under a position classification system. Indefinite...

  5. 5 CFR 752.402 - Definitions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... means a period of employment or service immediately preceding an adverse action without a break in... nondisciplinary reasons. Grade means a level of classification under a position classification system. Indefinite...

  6. 5 CFR 752.402 - Definitions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... means a period of employment or service immediately preceding an adverse action without a break in... nondisciplinary reasons. Grade means a level of classification under a position classification system. Indefinite...

  7. 77 FR 43887 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; BATS Y-Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-07-26

    ... donor. A ``customer'' is any person who is or may be required to pay for goods or services through... inquire about a product or service offered by the Member within the three months immediately preceding the... conversion'' means, in an offer or agreement to sell or provide any goods or services, a provision under...

  8. 77 FR 51076 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; National Stock Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-08-23

    ... offer or agreement to sell or provide any goods or services, a provision under which a customer receives... product or service offered by the ETP Holder within the three months immediately preceding the date of an... condition of purchasing any good or service; (c) evidence the willingness of the called person to receive...

  9. Birth Spacing of Pregnant Women in Nepal: A Community-Based Study.

    PubMed

    Karkee, Rajendra; Lee, Andy H

    2016-01-01

    Optimal birth spacing has health advantages for both mother and child. In developing countries, shorter birth intervals are common and associated with social, cultural, and economic factors, as well as a lack of family planning. This study investigated the first birth interval after marriage and preceding interbirth interval in Nepal. A community-based prospective cohort study was conducted in the Kaski district of Nepal. Information on birth spacing, demographic, and obstetric characteristics was obtained from 701 pregnant women using a structured questionnaire. Logistic regression analyses were performed to ascertain factors associated with short birth spacing. About 39% of primiparous women gave their first child birth within 1 year of marriage and 23% of multiparous women had short preceding interbirth intervals (<24 months). The average birth spacing among the multiparous group was 44.9 (SD 21.8) months. Overall, short birth spacing appeared to be inversely associated with advancing maternal age. For the multiparous group, Janajati and lower caste women, and those whose newborn was female, were more likely to have short birth spacing. The preceding interbirth interval was relatively long in the Kaski district of Nepal and tended to be associated with maternal age, caste, and sex of newborn infant. Optimal birth spacing programs should target Janajati and lower caste women, along with promotion of gender equality in society.

  10. Effects of Meteorological Conditions on Reactions to Noise Exposure

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Shepherd, Kevin P. (Technical Monitor); Fields, James M.

    2004-01-01

    More than 80,000 residents' responses to transportation noise at different times of year provide the best, but imprecise, statistical estimates of the effects of season and meteorological conditions on community response to noise. Annoyance with noise is found to be slightly statistically significantly higher in the summer than in the winter in a seven-year study in the Netherlands. Analyses of 41 other surveys drawn from diverse countries, climates, and times of year find noise annoyance is increased by temperature, and may be increased by more sunshine, less precipitation, and reduced wind speeds. Meteorological conditions on the day of the interview or the immediately preceding days do not appear to have any more effect on reactions than do the conditions over the immediately preceding weeks or months.

  11. Neural Responses in Parietal and Occipital Areas in Response to Visual Events Are Modulated by Prior Multisensory Stimuli

    PubMed Central

    Innes-Brown, Hamish; Barutchu, Ayla; Crewther, David P.

    2013-01-01

    The effect of multi-modal vs uni-modal prior stimuli on the subsequent processing of a simple flash stimulus was studied in the context of the audio-visual ‘flash-beep’ illusion, in which the number of flashes a person sees is influenced by accompanying beep stimuli. EEG recordings were made while combinations of simple visual and audio-visual stimuli were presented. The experiments found that the electric field strength related to a flash stimulus was stronger when it was preceded by a multi-modal flash/beep stimulus, compared to when it was preceded by another uni-modal flash stimulus. This difference was found to be significant in two distinct timeframes – an early timeframe, from 130–160 ms, and a late timeframe, from 300–320 ms. Source localisation analysis found that the increased activity in the early interval was localised to an area centred on the inferior and superior parietal lobes, whereas the later increase was associated with stronger activity in an area centred on primary and secondary visual cortex, in the occipital lobe. The results suggest that processing of a visual stimulus can be affected by the presence of an immediately prior multisensory event. Relatively long-lasting interactions generated by the initial auditory and visual stimuli altered the processing of a subsequent visual stimulus. PMID:24391939

  12. 40 CFR 156.70 - Precautionary statements for human hazards.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... mitigate the effect. The precautionary paragraph must be immediately preceded by the appropriate signal... clothing. Wear goggles or face shield and rubber gloves when handling. Harmful or fatal if swallowed...

  13. 40 CFR 156.70 - Precautionary statements for human hazards.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... mitigate the effect. The precautionary paragraph must be immediately preceded by the appropriate signal... clothing. Wear goggles or face shield and rubber gloves when handling. Harmful or fatal if swallowed...

  14. 40 CFR 156.70 - Precautionary statements for human hazards.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... mitigate the effect. The precautionary paragraph must be immediately preceded by the appropriate signal... clothing. Wear goggles or face shield and rubber gloves when handling. Harmful or fatal if swallowed...

  15. EEG Functional Connectivity Prior to Sleepwalking: Evidence of Interplay Between Sleep and Wakefulness

    PubMed Central

    Desjardins, Marie-Ève; Carrier, Julie; Lina, Jean-Marc; Fortin, Maxime; Gosselin, Nadia; Montplaisir, Jacques

    2017-01-01

    Abstract Study Objectives: Although sleepwalking (somnambulism) affects up to 4% of adults, its pathophysiology remains poorly understood. Sleepwalking can be preceded by fluctuations in slow-wave sleep EEG signals, but the significance of these pre-episode changes remains unknown and methods based on EEG functional connectivity have yet to be used to better comprehend the disorder. Methods: We investigated the sleep EEG of 27 adult sleepwalkers (mean age: 29 ± 7.6 years) who experienced a somnambulistic episode during slow-wave sleep. The 20-second segment of sleep EEG immediately preceding each patient’s episode was compared with the 20-second segment occurring 2 minutes prior to episode onset. Results: Results from spectral analyses revealed increased delta and theta spectral power in the 20 seconds preceding the episodes’ onset as compared to the 20 seconds occurring 2 minutes before the episodes. The imaginary part of the coherence immediately prior to episode onset revealed (1) decreased delta EEG functional connectivity in parietal and occipital regions, (2) increased alpha connectivity over a fronto-parietal network, and (3) increased beta connectivity involving symmetric inter-hemispheric networks implicating frontotemporal, parietal and occipital areas. Conclusions: Taken together, these modifications in EEG functional connectivity suggest that somnambulistic episodes are preceded by brain processes characterized by the co-existence of arousal and deep sleep. PMID:28204773

  16. 27 CFR 7.23 - Brand names.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... impression or inference as to the age, origin, identity, or other characteristics of the product unless the... States for a period of at least 5 years immediately preceding August 29, 1935: Provided, That if such...

  17. 26 CFR 1.483-2 - Unstated interest.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... percentage points above the yield on 6-month Treasury bills at the mid-point of the semiannual period immediately preceding each interest payment date. Assume that the interest rate is a qualified floating rate...

  18. Reconciling findings of emotion-induced memory enhancement and impairment of preceding items

    PubMed Central

    Knight, Marisa; Mather, Mara

    2009-01-01

    A large body of work reveals that people remember emotionally arousing information better than neutral information. However, previous research reveals contradictory effects of emotional events on memory for neutral events that precede or follow them: in some studies emotionally arousing items impair memory for immediately preceding or following items and in others arousing items enhance memory for preceding items. By demonstrating both emotion-induced enhancement and impairment, Experiments 1 and 2 clarified the conditions under which these effects are likely to occur. The results suggest that emotion-induced enhancement is most likely to occur for neutral items that: (1) precede (and so are poised to predict the onset of) emotionally arousing items, (2) have high attentional weights at encoding, and (3) are tested after a delay period of a week rather than within the same experiment session. In contrast, emotion-induced impairment is most likely to occur for neutral items near the onset of emotional arousal that are overshadowed by highly activated competing items during encoding. PMID:20001121

  19. Optimal debulking targets in women with advanced stage ovarian cancer: a retrospective study of immediate versus interval debulking surgery.

    PubMed

    Altman, Alon D; Nelson, Gregg; Chu, Pamela; Nation, Jill; Ghatage, Prafull

    2012-06-01

    The objective of this study was to examine both overall and disease-free survival of patients with advanced stage ovarian cancer after immediate or interval debulking surgery based on residual disease. We performed a retrospective chart review at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre in Calgary, Alberta of patients with pathologically confirmed stage III or IV ovarian cancer, fallopian tube cancer, or primary peritoneal cancer between 2003 and 2007. We collected data on the dates of diagnosis, recurrence, and death; cancer stage and grade, patients' age, surgery performed, and residual disease. One hundred ninety-two patients were included in the final analysis. The optimal debulking rate with immediate surgery was 64.8%, and with interval surgery it was 85.9%. There were improved overall and disease-free survival rates for optimally debulked disease (< 1 cm) with both immediate and interval surgery (P < 0.001) compared to suboptimally debulked disease. Overall survival rates for optimally debulked disease were not significantly different in patients having immediate and interval surgery (P = 0.25). In the immediate surgery group, patients with microscopic residual disease had better disease-free survival (P = 0.015) and overall survival (P = 0.005) than patients with < 1 cm residual disease. In patients who had interval surgery, those who had microscopic residual disease had more improved disease-free survival than those with < 1 cm disease (P = 0.05), but they did not have more improved overall survival (P = 0.42). Patients with microscopic residual disease who had immediate surgery had a significantly better overall survival rate than those who had interval surgery (P = 0.034). In women with advanced stage ovarian cancer, the goal of surgery should be resection of disease to microscopic residual at the initial procedure. This results in improved overall survival than lesser degrees of resection. Further studies are required to determine optimal surgical management.

  20. Perception and the strongest sensory memory trace of multi-stable displays both form shortly after the stimulus onset.

    PubMed

    Pastukhov, Alexander

    2016-02-01

    We investigated the relation between perception and sensory memory of multi-stable structure-from-motion displays. The latter is an implicit visual memory that reflects a recent history of perceptual dominance and influences only the initial perception of multi-stable displays. First, we established the earliest time point when the direction of an illusory rotation can be reversed after the display onset (29-114 ms). Because our display manipulation did not bias perception towards a specific direction of illusory rotation but only signaled the change in motion, this means that the perceptual dominance was established no later than 29-114 ms after the stimulus onset. Second, we used orientation-selectivity of sensory memory to establish which display orientation produced the strongest memory trace and when this orientation was presented during the preceding prime interval (80-140 ms). Surprisingly, both estimates point towards the time interval immediately after the display onset, indicating that both perception and sensory memory form at approximately the same time. This suggests a tighter integration between perception and sensory memory than previously thought, warrants a reconsideration of its role in visual perception, and indicates that sensory memory could be a unique behavioral correlate of the earlier perceptual inference that can be studied post hoc.

  1. EEG Functional Connectivity Prior to Sleepwalking: Evidence of Interplay Between Sleep and Wakefulness.

    PubMed

    Desjardins, Marie-Ève; Carrier, Julie; Lina, Jean-Marc; Fortin, Maxime; Gosselin, Nadia; Montplaisir, Jacques; Zadra, Antonio

    2017-04-01

    Although sleepwalking (somnambulism) affects up to 4% of adults, its pathophysiology remains poorly understood. Sleepwalking can be preceded by fluctuations in slow-wave sleep EEG signals, but the significance of these pre-episode changes remains unknown and methods based on EEG functional connectivity have yet to be used to better comprehend the disorder. We investigated the sleep EEG of 27 adult sleepwalkers (mean age: 29 ± 7.6 years) who experienced a somnambulistic episode during slow-wave sleep. The 20-second segment of sleep EEG immediately preceding each patient's episode was compared with the 20-second segment occurring 2 minutes prior to episode onset. Results from spectral analyses revealed increased delta and theta spectral power in the 20 seconds preceding the episodes' onset as compared to the 20 seconds occurring 2 minutes before the episodes. The imaginary part of the coherence immediately prior to episode onset revealed (1) decreased delta EEG functional connectivity in parietal and occipital regions, (2) increased alpha connectivity over a fronto-parietal network, and (3) increased beta connectivity involving symmetric inter-hemispheric networks implicating frontotemporal, parietal and occipital areas. Taken together, these modifications in EEG functional connectivity suggest that somnambulistic episodes are preceded by brain processes characterized by the co-existence of arousal and deep sleep. © Sleep Research Society 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Sleep Research Society. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail journals.permissions@oup.com.

  2. Autoshaping of key pecking in pigeons with negative reinforcement.

    PubMed

    Rachlin, H

    1969-07-01

    Pigeons exposed to gradually increasing intensities of pulsing electric shock pecked a key and thereby reduced the intensity of shock to zero for 2 min. Acquisition of key pecking was brought about through an autoshaping process in which periodic brief keylight presentations immediately preceded automatic reduction of the shock. On the occasions of such automatic reduction of shock preceding the first measured key peck, little or no orientation to the key was observed. Observations of pigeons with autoshaping of positive reinforcement also revealed little evidence of orientation toward the key.

  3. Immediate and delayed recall of a small-scale spatial array.

    PubMed

    Tlauka, Michael; Donaldson, Phillip; Bonnar, Daniel

    2015-01-01

    The study examined people's spatial memory of a small-scale array of objects. Earlier work has primarily relied on short-retention intervals, and to date it is not known whether performance is affected by longer intervals between learning and recall. In the present investigation, university students studied seven target objects. Recall was tested immediately after learning and after an interval of seven days. Performance was found to be similar in the immediate and delayed conditions, and the results suggested that recall was facilitated by egocentric and intrinsic cues. The findings are discussed with reference to recent investigations that have shown task parameters can influence spatial recall.

  4. 29 CFR 548.400 - Procedures.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... represented by a collective bargaining agent, a joint application of the employer and the bargaining agent... ESTABLISHED BASIC RATES FOR COMPUTING OVERTIME PAY Interpretations Rates Authorized on Application § 548.400... immediately preceding 4-week period, he should apply to the Administrator for authorization. The application...

  5. 76 FR 67510 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; C2 Options Exchange, Incorporated; Notice of Filing and Immediate...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-11-01

    ... (``QIX'') Expirations.\\10\\ In the current situation, the Exchange merely proposes to apply the precedent... continue, under current rules, for an additional fifteen minutes until 3:15 p.m. and will not be priced on...

  6. Higher exercise intensity delays postexercise recovery of impedance-derived cardiac sympathetic activity.

    PubMed

    Michael, Scott; Jay, Ollie; Graham, Kenneth S; Davis, Glen M

    2017-08-01

    Systolic time intervals (STIs) provide noninvasive insights into cardiac sympathetic neural activity (cSNA). As the effect of exercise intensity on postexercise STI recovery is unclear, this study investigated the STI recovery profile after different exercise intensities. Eleven healthy males cycled for 8 min at 3 separate intensities: LOW (40%-45%), MOD (75%-80%), and HIGH (90%-95%) of heart-rate (HR) reserve. Bio-impedance cardiography was used to assess STIs - primarily pre-ejection period (PEP; inversely correlated with cSNA), as well as left ventricular ejection time (LVET) and PEP:LVET - during 10 min seated recovery immediately postexercise. Heart-rate variability (HRV), i.e., natural-logarithm of root mean square of successive differences (Ln-RMSSD), was calculated as an index of cardiac parasympathetic neural activity (cPNA). Higher preceding exercise intensity elicited a slower recovery of HR and Ln-RMSSD (p < 0.001), and these measures did not return to baseline by 10 min following any intensity (p ≤ 0.009). Recovery of STIs was also slower following higher intensity exercise (p ≤ 0.002). By 30 s postexercise, higher preceding intensity resulted in a lower PEP (98 ± 14 ms, 75 ± 6 ms, 66 ± 5 ms for LOW, MOD, and HIGH, respectively, p < 0.001). PEP recovered to baseline (143 ± 11 ms) by 5 min following LOW (139 ± 13 ms, p = 0.590) and by 10 min following MOD (145 ± 17 ms, p = 0.602), but was still suppressed at 10 min following HIGH (123 ± 21 ms, p = 0.012). Higher preceding exercise intensity attenuated the recovery of indices for cSNA (from STIs) and cPNA (from HRV) in a graded dose-response fashion. While exercise intensity must be considered, acute recovery may be a valuable period during which to concurrently monitor these noninvasive indices, to identify potentially abnormal cardiac autonomic responses.

  7. [Recent life events preceding suicide attempt by drug overdose].

    PubMed

    Kubiak, Małgorzata; Musikowska, Barbara; Sein Anand, Jacek

    2013-01-01

    Recent stressful life events (ASLE) are considered to be one of the factors precipitating suicidal behavior. They precede a suicide attempt in most cases and according to research occur more often during the month or week before the suicide attempt. Interpersonal events are most common. The article presents an analysis of ASLE timing and incidence of events from specific categories during the month preceding suicide attempt by drug overdose. 124 patients admitted to the hospital because of suicidal intoxication were included in the study. Data regarding ASLE were collected with the use of a structured interview. Majority of patients attempting suicide by drug overdose experience a stressful event during the month prior to the suicide attempt. Nearly 4 out of 10 study subjects experience a stressful event on the day of the attempt or on the preceding day. Most common events that occur during the month prior to the attempt and immediately before the attempt are interpersonal events and most of them are related to relationships with spouses or partners.

  8. How bike paths and lanes make a difference

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2004-06-01

    Nearly half (46%) of the driving-age adults (16 years or older) have access to a bicycle, and 54% with access used it the month immediately preceding the survey. Bicyclists riding in areas without bike paths or lanes are nearly twice as likely to fee...

  9. Massive vulvar edema in a woman with preeclampsia: a case report.

    PubMed

    Daponte, Alexandros; Skentou, Hara; Dimopoulos, Konstantinos D; Kallitsaris, Athanasios; Messinis, Ioannis E

    2007-11-01

    Massive vulvar edema in a woman with preeclampsia preceded the development of massive ascites and impending eclampsia. A 17-year-old preeclamptic, primiparous woman was admitted with preeclampsia and massive vulvar edema. Other causes were excluded. The vulvar edema increased as the blood pressure and ascites increased, and a severe headache developed. Cesarean section for increasing preclampsia was performed. In the puerperium, the blood pressure improved and vulvar edema resolved. The clinical picture of the vulvar edema correlated with the severity of the preeclampsia. The presence of vulvar edema in women with preeclampsia should indicate immediate admission to the hospital. These patients must be considered as at high risk, and close monitoring must be instituted. In our case, vulvar edema preceded massive ascites development. We assume a common development mechanism for these signs in preeclampsia, due mainly to increased capillary permeability and hypoalbuminemia. The attending physician must be prepared for immediate delivery and possible preeclampsia complications in these patients.

  10. Bridging the Faraoni and Selli oceanic anoxic events: short and repetitive dys- and anaerobic episodes during the late Hauterivian to early Aptian in the central Tethys

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Föllmi, K. B.; Bôle, M.; Jammet, N.; Froidevaux, P.; Godet, A.; Bodin, S.; Adatte, T.; Matera, V.; Fleitmann, D.; Spangenberg, J. E.

    2011-06-01

    A detailed stratigraphical and geochemical analysis was performed on the upper part of the Maiolica Formation outcropping in the Breggia (southern Switzerland) and Capriolo sections (northern Italy). In these localities, the Maiolica Formation consists of well-bedded, partly siliceous, pelagic, micritic carbonate, which lodges numerous thin, dark and organic-rich layers. Stable-isotope, phosphorus, organic-carbon and a suite of redox-sensitive trace-metal contents (RSTE: Mo, U, Co, V and As) were measured. Higher densities of organic-rich layers were identified in the uppermost Hauterivian, lower Barremian and the Barremian-Aptian boundary intervals, whereas the upper Barremian interval and the interval immediately following the Barremian-Aptian boundary interval are characterized by lower densities of organic-rich layers. TOC contents, RSTE pattern and Corg:Ptot ratios indicate that most layers were deposited under dysaerobic rather than anaerobic conditions and that latter conditions were likely restricted to short intervals in the latest Hauterivian, the early Barremian and the pre-Selli early Aptian. Correlations are possible with organic-rich intervals in central Italy (the Gorgo a Cerbara section) and the Boreal northwest German Basin, and with the facies and drowning pattern in the evolution of the Helvetic segment of the northern Tethyan carbonate platform. Our data and correlations suggest that the latest Hauterivian witnessed the progressive installation of dysaerobic conditions in the Tethys, which went along with the onset in sediment condensation, phosphogenesis and platform drowning on the northern Tethyan margin, and which culminated in the Faraoni anoxic episode. This brief episode is followed by further episodes of dysaerobic conditions in the Tethys and the northwest German Basin, which became more frequent and progressively stronger in the late early Barremian. Platform drowning persisted and did not halt before the latest early Barremian. The late Barremian witnessed diminishing frequencies and intensities in dysaerobic conditions, which went along with the progressive installation of the Urgonian carbonate platform. Near the Barremian-Aptian boundary, the increasing density in dysaerobic episodes in the Tethyan and northwest German Basins is paralleled by a change towards heterozoan carbonate production on the northern Tethyan shelf. The following return to more oxygenated conditions is correlated with the second phase of Urgonian platform growth and the period immediately preceding and corresponding to the Selli anoxic episode is characterized by renewed platform drowning and the change to heterozoan carbonate production. Changes towards more humid climate conditions were likely the cause for the repetitive installation of dys- to anaerobic conditions in the Tethyan and Boreal basins and the accompanying changes in the evolution of the carbonate platform towards heterozoan carbonate-producing ecosystems and platform drowning.

  11. Autoshaping of key pecking in pigeons with negative reinforcement1

    PubMed Central

    Rachlin, Howard

    1969-01-01

    Pigeons exposed to gradually increasing intensities of pulsing electric shock pecked a key and thereby reduced the intensity of shock to zero for 2 min. Acquisition of key pecking was brought about through an autoshaping process in which periodic brief keylight presentations immediately preceded automatic reduction of the shock. On the occasions of such automatic reduction of shock preceding the first measured key peck, little or no orientation to the key was observed. Observations of pigeons with autoshaping of positive reinforcement also revealed little evidence of orientation toward the key. ImagesFig. 3.Fig. 4. PMID:16811371

  12. Shopping Carts and Apple Tarts

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Walker, Lewis H.; Waldron, Lynn S.

    2009-01-01

    Typical of many teacher preparation programs, the preservice teachers at Lander University in Greenwood, South Carolina, engage in a number of field experiences prior to their extended student teaching. During the field experience that immediately precedes student teaching, each preservice teacher spends 50 hours working with students in a single…

  13. 78 FR 54359 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.; Notice of Filing...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-09-03

    ... (which is having at least three years prior experience within the immediately preceding six years involving securities or financial analysis) and pass the Supervisory Analyst (Series 16) qualification examination. Rather than passing the entire Supervisory Analyst qualification examination, such person may...

  14. Alterations of Vertical Jump Mechanics after a Half-Marathon Mountain Running Race

    PubMed Central

    Rousanoglou, Elissavet N.; Noutsos, Konstantinos; Pappas, Achilleas; Bogdanis, Gregory; Vagenas, Georgios; Bayios, Ioannis A.; Boudolos, Konstantinos D.

    2016-01-01

    The fatiguing effect of long-distance running has been examined in the context of a variety of parameters. However, there is scarcity of data regarding its effect on the vertical jump mechanics. The purpose of this study was to investigate the alterations of countermovement jump (CMJ) mechanics after a half-marathon mountain race. Twenty-seven runners performed CMJs before the race (Pre), immediately after the race (Post 1) and five minutes after Post 1 (Post 2). Instantaneous and ensemble-average analysis focused on jump height and, the maximum peaks and time-to-maximum peaks of: Displacement, vertical force (Fz), anterior-posterior force (Fx), Velocity and Power, in the eccentric (tECC) and concentric (tCON) phase of the jump, respectively. Repeated measures ANOVAs were used for statistical analysis (p ≤ 0.05). The jump height decrease was significant in Post 2 (-7.9%) but not in Post 1 (-4.1%). Fx and Velocity decreased significantly in both Post 1 (only in tECC) and Post 2 (both tECC and tCON). Α timing shift of the Fz peaks (earlier during tECC and later during tCON) and altered relative peak times (only in tECC) were also observed. Ensemble-average analysis revealed several time intervals of significant post-race alterations and a timing shift in the Fz-Velocity loop. An overall trend of lowered post-race jump output and mechanics was characterised by altered jump timing, restricted anterior-posterior movement and altered force-velocity relations. The specificity of mountain running fatigue to eccentric muscle work, appears to be reflected in the different time order of the post-race reductions, with the eccentric phase reductions preceding those of the concentric one. Thus, those who engage in mountain running should particularly consider downhill training to optimise eccentric muscular action. Key points The 4.1% reduction of jump height immediately after the race is not statistically significant The eccentric phase alterations of jump mechanics precede those of the concentric ones. Force-velocity alterations present a timing shift rather than a change in force or velocity magnitude. PMID:27274665

  15. Alterations of Vertical Jump Mechanics after a Half-Marathon Mountain Running Race.

    PubMed

    Rousanoglou, Elissavet N; Noutsos, Konstantinos; Pappas, Achilleas; Bogdanis, Gregory; Vagenas, Georgios; Bayios, Ioannis A; Boudolos, Konstantinos D

    2016-06-01

    The fatiguing effect of long-distance running has been examined in the context of a variety of parameters. However, there is scarcity of data regarding its effect on the vertical jump mechanics. The purpose of this study was to investigate the alterations of countermovement jump (CMJ) mechanics after a half-marathon mountain race. Twenty-seven runners performed CMJs before the race (Pre), immediately after the race (Post 1) and five minutes after Post 1 (Post 2). Instantaneous and ensemble-average analysis focused on jump height and, the maximum peaks and time-to-maximum peaks of: Displacement, vertical force (Fz), anterior-posterior force (Fx), Velocity and Power, in the eccentric (tECC) and concentric (tCON) phase of the jump, respectively. Repeated measures ANOVAs were used for statistical analysis (p ≤ 0.05). The jump height decrease was significant in Post 2 (-7.9%) but not in Post 1 (-4.1%). Fx and Velocity decreased significantly in both Post 1 (only in tECC) and Post 2 (both tECC and tCON). Α timing shift of the Fz peaks (earlier during tECC and later during tCON) and altered relative peak times (only in tECC) were also observed. Ensemble-average analysis revealed several time intervals of significant post-race alterations and a timing shift in the Fz-Velocity loop. An overall trend of lowered post-race jump output and mechanics was characterised by altered jump timing, restricted anterior-posterior movement and altered force-velocity relations. The specificity of mountain running fatigue to eccentric muscle work, appears to be reflected in the different time order of the post-race reductions, with the eccentric phase reductions preceding those of the concentric one. Thus, those who engage in mountain running should particularly consider downhill training to optimise eccentric muscular action. Key pointsThe 4.1% reduction of jump height immediately after the race is not statistically significantThe eccentric phase alterations of jump mechanics precede those of the concentric ones.Force-velocity alterations present a timing shift rather than a change in force or velocity magnitude.

  16. 38 CFR 21.4138 - Certifications and release of payments.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... more; or (B) Is the beginning of a school year that is preceded by a period of nonpayment of 30 days or.... 5113, 3680(b), 3680(g)) (f) Payment for intervals and temporary school closings. VA may authorize payment for an interval or for a temporary school closing that occurs within a certified enrollment period...

  17. 38 CFR 21.4138 - Certifications and release of payments.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... more; or (B) Is the beginning of a school year that is preceded by a period of nonpayment of 30 days or.... 5113, 3680(b), 3680(g)) (f) Payment for intervals and temporary school closings. VA may authorize payment for an interval or for a temporary school closing that occurs within a certified enrollment period...

  18. 38 CFR 21.4138 - Certifications and release of payments.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... more; or (B) Is the beginning of a school year that is preceded by a period of nonpayment of 30 days or.... 5113, 3680(b), 3680(g)) (f) Payment for intervals and temporary school closings. VA may authorize payment for an interval or for a temporary school closing that occurs within a certified enrollment period...

  19. Serial recall and presentation schedule: a micro-analysis of local distinctiveness.

    PubMed

    Lewandowsky, Stephan; Brown, Gordon D A

    2005-01-01

    According to temporal distinctiveness theories, items that are temporally isolated from their neighbours during presentation are more distinct and thus are recalled better. Event-based theories, which deny that elapsed time plays a role at encoding, explain isolation effects by assuming that temporal isolation provides extra time for rehearsal or consolidation of encoding. The two classes of theories can be differentiated by examining the symmetry of isolation effects: Event-based accounts predict that performance should be affected only by pauses following item presentation (because they allow time for rehearsal or consolidation), whereas distinctiveness predicts that items should also benefit from preceding pauses. The first experiment manipulated inter-item intervals and showed an effect of intervals following but not preceding presentation, in line with event-based accounts. The second experiment showed that the effect of following interval was abolished by articulatory suppression. The data are consistent with event-based theories but can be handled by time-based distinctiveness models if they allow for additional encoding during inter-item pauses.

  20. Paleoproterozoic snowball earth: extreme climatic and geochemical global change and its biological consequences

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Kirschvink, J. L.; Gaidos, E. J.; Bertani, L. E.; Beukes, N. J.; Gutzmer, J.; Maepa, L. N.; Steinberger, R. E.

    2000-01-01

    Geological, geophysical, and geochemical data support a theory that Earth experienced several intervals of intense, global glaciation ("snowball Earth" conditions) during Precambrian time. This snowball model predicts that postglacial, greenhouse-induced warming would lead to the deposition of banded iron formations and cap carbonates. Although global glaciation would have drastically curtailed biological productivity, melting of the oceanic ice would also have induced a cyanobacterial bloom, leading to an oxygen spike in the euphotic zone and to the oxidative precipitation of iron and manganese. A Paleoproterozoic snowball Earth at 2.4 Giga-annum before present (Ga) immediately precedes the Kalahari Manganese Field in southern Africa, suggesting that this rapid and massive change in global climate was responsible for its deposition. As large quantities of O(2) are needed to precipitate this Mn, photosystem II and oxygen radical protection mechanisms must have evolved before 2.4 Ga. This geochemical event may have triggered a compensatory evolutionary branching in the Fe/Mn superoxide dismutase enzyme, providing a Paleoproterozoic calibration point for studies of molecular evolution.

  1. 76 FR 37352 - Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-06-27

    ... collection of information. Needs and Uses: Section 315 of the Communications Act directs broadcast stations... election and the 60 days preceding a general or special election. 47 CFR 73.1942 requires broadcast... commercial advertisers that enhance the value of advertising spots and different classes of time (immediately...

  2. Intravenous Cocaine Priming Reinstates Cocaine-Induced Conditioned Place Preference

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Lombas, Andres S.; Freeman, Kevin B.; Roma, Peter G.; Riley, Anthony L.

    2007-01-01

    Separate groups of rats underwent an unbiased conditioned place preference (CPP) procedure involving alternate pairings of distinct environments with intravenous (IV) injections of cocaine (0.75 mg/kg) or saline immediately or 15 min after injection. A subsequent extinction phase consisted of exposure to both conditioning environments preceded by…

  3. 29 CFR 825.110 - Eligible employee.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... Regulations Relating to Labor (Continued) WAGE AND HOUR DIVISION, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR OTHER LAWS THE FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE ACT OF 1993 Coverage Under the Family and Medical Leave Act § 825.110 Eligible... 12-month period immediately preceding the commencement of the leave, and (3) Is employed at a...

  4. 29 CFR 825.110 - Eligible employee.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... Regulations Relating to Labor (Continued) WAGE AND HOUR DIVISION, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR OTHER LAWS THE FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE ACT OF 1993 Coverage Under the Family and Medical Leave Act § 825.110 Eligible... 12-month period immediately preceding the commencement of the leave (see § 825.801 for special hours...

  5. 29 CFR 825.110 - Eligible employee.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... Regulations Relating to Labor (Continued) WAGE AND HOUR DIVISION, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR OTHER LAWS THE FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE ACT OF 1993 Coverage Under the Family and Medical Leave Act § 825.110 Eligible... 12-month period immediately preceding the commencement of the leave, and (3) Is employed at a...

  6. 29 CFR 825.110 - Eligible employee.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... Regulations Relating to Labor (Continued) WAGE AND HOUR DIVISION, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR OTHER LAWS THE FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE ACT OF 1993 Coverage Under the Family and Medical Leave Act § 825.110 Eligible... 12-month period immediately preceding the commencement of the leave (see § 825.801 for special hours...

  7. The Nature and Significance of Surveys

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Trimble, V.

    We present here some of the ideas and questions mentioned by the panelists and other participants during the discussion that immediately preceded Ofer Lahav's concluding remarks. Official panelists were George Djorgovski, Michael Disney, Ofer Lahav, and Virginia Trimble (chair). The topics of the posters are very briefly summarized as well.

  8. Exercise Administrator Administrative Instructions for Age Classes 1, 2 & 3. Year 11, October 1979-May 1980.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Research Triangle Inst., Durham, NC.

    This manual for Exercise Administrators of the National Assessment of Educational Progress; Second Literature Third Reading Assessment, consists of administrative instructions for use immediately preceding, during and after assessment sessions in schools. Definitions of racial/ethnic categories, associated codes, and guidelines for solicting…

  9. 12 CFR 1281.13 - Special counting requirements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... were previously counted by a Bank under any current or previous housing goal within the five years immediately preceding the current performance year; (10) Purchases of mortgages where the property has not been approved for occupancy; and (11) Any combination of factors in paragraphs (b)(1) through (b)(10...

  10. 8 CFR 240.65 - Eligibility for suspension of deportation.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... States or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence. (d) Battered spouses and children. To... than 3 years immediately preceding the date the application was filed; (2) The alien has been battered... permanent resident and the child has been battered or subjected to extreme cruelty in the United States by...

  11. 8 CFR 240.65 - Eligibility for suspension of deportation.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... States or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence. (d) Battered spouses and children. To... than 3 years immediately preceding the date the application was filed; (2) The alien has been battered... permanent resident and the child has been battered or subjected to extreme cruelty in the United States by...

  12. Auditory Processing and Early Literacy Skills in a Preschool and Kindergarten Population

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Corriveau, Kathleen H.; Goswami, Usha; Thomson, Jennifer M.

    2010-01-01

    Although the relationship between auditory processing and reading-related skills has been investigated in school-age populations and in prospective studies of infants, understanding of the relationship between these variables in the period immediately preceding formal reading instruction is sparse. In this cross-sectional study, auditory…

  13. 45 CFR 1355.36 - Withholding Federal funds due to failure to achieve substantial conformity or failure to...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... DEVELOPMENT SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES THE ADMINISTRATION ON CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES, FOSTER CARE MAINTENANCE PAYMENTS, ADOPTION ASSISTANCE, AND CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES GENERAL... the immediately preceding child and family services review; (ii) The increased withholding of funds...

  14. International Student-Workers in Australia: A New Vulnerable Workforce

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Nyland, Chris; Forbes-Mewett, Helen; Marginson, Simon; Ramia, Gaby; Sawir, Erlenawati; Smith, Sharon

    2009-01-01

    In the period immediately preceding the 2007 Australian election, much attention was accorded to the impact of the nation's labour laws on vulnerable employees. This debate centred on specific groups including women, youth, migrants and workers on individual employment contracts. International students, by contrast, were ignored in the debate.…

  15. Converting from XML to HDF-EOS

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Ullman, Richard; Bane, Bob; Yang, Jingli

    2008-01-01

    A computer program recreates an HDF-EOS file from an Extensible Markup Language (XML) representation of the contents of that file. This program is one of two programs written to enable testing of the schemas described in the immediately preceding article to determine whether the schemas capture all details of HDF-EOS files.

  16. 26 CFR 1.25-2T - Amount of credit (Temporary).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... Changes in Rates During A Taxable Year § 1.25-2T Amount of credit (Temporary). (a) In general. Except as... average annual aggregate principal amount of mortgages executed during the immediately preceding 3... that the weighted average of the certificate credit rates in such mortgage credit certificate program...

  17. 7 CFR 29.74a - Producer referenda on mandatory grading.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... Section 29.74a Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE... engaged in the production of the following types of tobacco harvested in the immediately preceding crop... production of tobacco. For purposes of the referenda, persons engaged in the production of tobacco includes...

  18. Interleaved Practice Improves Mathematics Learning

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Rohrer, Doug; Dedrick, Robert F.; Stershic, Sandra

    2015-01-01

    A typical mathematics assignment consists primarily of practice problems requiring the strategy introduced in the immediately preceding lesson (e.g., a dozen problems that are solved by using the Pythagorean theorem). This means that students know which strategy is needed to solve each problem before they read the problem. In an alternative…

  19. 29 CFR 452.38 - Meeting attendance requirements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... 29 Labor 2 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Meeting attendance requirements. 452.38 Section 452.38... AND DISCLOSURE ACT OF 1959 Candidacy for Office; Reasonable Qualifications § 452.38 Meeting attendance... specified number of its regular meetings during the period immediately preceding an election, in order to...

  20. ECONOMICS DEPARTMENT PUBLICATIONS, 1960-1965: AN AUTHOR INDEX OF THE OPEN LITERATURE, WITH ABSTRACTS,

    DTIC Science & Technology

    This is an author index for RAND Economics Department publications issued between January 1, 1960 and December 31, 1965, and available in the open...As a reference aid, the names of all authors are given alphabetically in the Author List immediately preceding the Author Index .

  1. Global and local music perception in children with Williams syndrome.

    PubMed

    Deruelle, Christine; Schön, Daniele; Rondan, Cécilie; Mancini, Josette

    2005-04-25

    Musical processing can be decomposed into the appreciation of global and local elements. This global/local dissociation was investigated with the processing of contour-violated and interval-violated melodies. Performance of a group of 16 children with Williams syndrome and a group of 16 control children were compared in a same-different task. Control participants were more accurate in detecting differences in the contour-violated than in the interval-violated condition while Williams syndrome individuals performed equally well in both conditions. This finding suggests that global precedence may occur at an early perceptual stage in normally developing children. In contrast, no such global precedence is observed in the Williams syndrome population. These data are discussed in the context of atypical cognitive profiles of individuals with Williams syndrome.

  2. Determinants of Short Interbirth Interval among Reproductive Age Mothers in Arba Minch District, Ethiopia

    PubMed Central

    Hailu, Desta; Gulte, Teklemariam

    2016-01-01

    Background. One of the key strategies to reduce fertility and promote the health status of mothers and their children is adhering to optimal birth spacing. However, women still have shorter birth intervals and studies addressing their determinants were scarce. The objective of this study, therefore, was to assess determinants of birth interval among women who had at least two consecutive live births. Methods. Case control study was conducted from February to April 2014. Cases were women with short birth intervals (<3 years), whereas controls were women having history of optimal birth intervals (3 to 5 years). Bivariate and multivariable analyses were performed. Result. Having no formal education (AOR = 2.36, 95% CL: [1.23–4.52]), duration of breast feeding for less than 24 months (AOR: 66.03, 95% CI; [34.60–126]), preceding child being female (AOR: 5.73, 95% CI; [3.18–10.310]), modern contraceptive use (AOR: 2.79, 95% CI: [1.58–4.940]), and poor wealth index (AOR: 4.89, 95% CI; [1.81–13.25]) of respondents were independent predictors of short birth interval. Conclusion. In equalities in education, duration of breast feeding, sex of the preceding child, contraceptive method use, and wealth index were markers of unequal distribution of inter birth intervals. Thus, to optimize birth spacing, strategies of providing information, education and communication targeting predictor variables should be improved. PMID:27239553

  3. Mutagenesis of the three bases preceding the start codon of the beta-galactosidase mRNA and its effect on translation in Escherichia coli.

    PubMed Central

    Hui, A; Hayflick, J; Dinkelspiel, K; de Boer, H A

    1984-01-01

    The effect on the translation efficiency of various mutations in the three bases (the -1 triplet) that precede the AUG start codon of the beta-galactosidase mRNA in Escherichia coli was studied. Of the 39 mutants examined, the level of expression varies over a 20-fold range. The most favorable combinations of bases in the -1 triplet are UAU and CUU. The expression levels in the mutants with UUC, UCA or AGG as the -1 triplet are 20-fold lower than those with UAU or CUU. In general, a U residue immediately preceding the start codon is more favorable for expression than any other base; furthermore, an A residue at the -2 position enhances the translation efficiency in most instances. In both cases, however, the degree of enhancement depends on its context, i.e. the neighboring bases. Although the rules derived from this study are complex, the results show that mutations in any of the three bases preceding the start codon can strongly affect the translational efficiency of the beta-galactosidase mRNA. PMID:6425057

  4. Progression-Free and Overall Survival in ALK-Positive NSCLC Patients Treated with Sequential Crizotinib and Ceritinib.

    PubMed

    Gainor, Justin F; Tan, Daniel S W; De Pas, Tomasso; Solomon, Benjamin J; Ahmad, Aziah; Lazzari, Chiara; de Marinis, Filippo; Spitaleri, Gianluca; Schultz, Katherine; Friboulet, Luc; Yeap, Beow Y; Engelman, Jeffrey A; Shaw, Alice T

    2015-06-15

    Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) rearrangements are important therapeutic targets in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that confer sensitivity to the ALK inhibitors crizotinib and ceritinib. To determine the outcome of sequential treatment with crizotinb and ceritinib, we retrospectively evaluated a cohort of ALK-positive patients treated with both agents. We identified 73 ALK-positive NSCLC patients treated with crizotinib followed by ceritinib at four institutions. Medical records were reviewed to determine overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) on crizotinib and ceritinib. Among 73 ALK-positive patients, the median PFS (mPFS) on crizotinib was 8.2 months [95% confidence interval (CI), 7.4-10.6]. The median interval from crizotinib discontinuation to initiation of ceritinib was 25 days (range, 1-694). The mPFS on ceritinib was 7.8 months (6.5-9.1). Among 53 patients with no interval therapies between crizotinib and ceritinib, the mPFS on ceritinib was similar at 7.8 months (5.4-9.8). The median combined PFS for sequential treatment with crizotinib and ceritinib was 17.4 months (15.5-19.4). Among 23 patients who underwent post-crizotinib/pre-ceritinib biopsies, there was no difference in PFS on ceritinib between patients with or without ALK resistance mutations (mPFS 5.8 vs. 6.5 months, respectively; P = 0.510). In the overall study population, median OS was 49.4 months (35.5-63.1). Ceritinib has significant antitumor activity in ALK-positive NSCLC-even when crizotinib immediately precedes treatment with ceritinib (median combined PFS 17.0 months). Additional studies are necessary to further define the impact of specific ALK resistance mutations on duration of response to ceritinib. ©2015 American Association for Cancer Research.

  5. Attentional blink in adults with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Influence of eye movements.

    PubMed

    Armstrong, I T; Munoz, D P

    2003-09-01

    The attentional blink paradigm tests attention by overloading it: a list of stimuli is presented very rapidly one after another at the same location on a computer screen, each item overwriting the last, and participants monitor the list using two criteria [e.g. detect the target (red letter) and identify the probe (letter p)]. If the interval between the target and the probe is greater than about 500 ms, both are usually reported correctly, but, when the interval between the target and the probe is within 200-500 ms, report of the probe declines. This decline is the attentional blink, an interval of time when attention is supposedly switching from the first criterion to the second. The attentional blink paradigm should be difficult to perform correctly without vigilantly attending to the rapidly presented list. Vigilance tasks are often used to assess attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Symptoms of the disorder include hyperactivity and attentional dysfunction; however, some people with ADHD also have difficulty maintaining gaze at a fixed location. We tested 15 adults with ADHD and their age- and sex-matched controls, measuring accuracy and gaze stability during the attentional blink task. ADHD participants reported fewer targets and probes, took longer to recover from the attentional blink, made more eye movements, and made identification errors consistent with non-perception of the letter list. In contrast, errors made by control participants were consistent with guessing (i.e., report of a letter immediately preceding or succeeding the correct letter). Excessive eye movements result in poorer performance for all participants; however, error patterns confirm that the weak performance of ADHD participants may be related to gaze instability as well as to attentional dysfunction.

  6. Seawater pH at the advent of metazoan calcification

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ries, Justin; Gonzalez-Roubaud, Cécile; Douville, Eric; Montagna, Paolo

    2016-04-01

    The boron isotopic composition (δ11B) of bulk limestones provides a potentially powerful tool for reconstructing seawater pH deep into the geologic past (Kasemann et al., 2005; Paris et al., 2010; Ohnemueller et al., 2014). Here, we present δ11B of 35 calcitic limestones derived from a ca. 9 m.y. interval of the terminal Proterozoic Nama Group of southern Namibia. These units immediately precede the so-called Cambrian Radiation - the greatest diversification of metazoans in Earth history marked by the near-simultaneous advent of calcification across most animal phyla. The Nama Group represents one of the best preserved (average [Sr] = 1805 ppm; Mn/Sr < 2; δ18O > -10‰) and most continuous terminal Proterozoic limestone sequences known in the world. The carbonate units investigated here were deposited between ca. 552 and 543 Ma in a semi-divided foreland basin of the Kalahari Craton (Grotzinger and Miller, 2008). Depositional environments were shore-associated and ranged from upper shoreline/tidal flats to below-wave-base lower shoreface, and comprise calcisiltites, calcarenites, heterolithic interbeds, grainstones, and microbialites (Saylor et al., 1998; Grotzinger and Miller, 2008). The δ11B of the 35 sampled Nama Group carbonates were obtained via MC-ICP-MS. Samples were screened for contamination of the δ11B signal by clays (using [Al] as a proxy for clay content) (Paris et al., 2010) and by open-system meteoric diagenesis (δ11B-δ18O correlation). The δ11B values of the limestones ranged from 0.5 to 10.8‰ (avg. = 5.3‰), which is consistent with the previously observed increasing trend in carbonate δ11B (Paris et al., 2010) from the -6.2 to 2.7‰ values reported for Neoproterozoic cap carbonate dolostones (Kasemann et al., 2005) to the ca. 25‰ value reported for most modern marine carbonates. B/Ca ratios for the sampled limestones ranged from 3.4 to 24.0 ppm (avg. = 11.0). Assuming a seawater temperature of 25° C, a salinity of 35, a depth of 10 m, a seawater δ11B of 25‰ (based upon 380 Ma halites; Paris et al., 2010), and a boron isotope fractionation factor of 1.0272 (Klochko et al., 2006), the measured δ11B of the Nama Group carbonates suggests that seawater pH ranged from ca. 7.6 to 8.6 (avg. = 8.2) over the 9 My interval of Neoproterozoic time. Furthermore, seawater pH exhibited consistent oscillations of 0.6 to 1.0 units over relatively short timescales (200 ky to 1 my) between 552 to 545 Ma. Notably, seawater pH stabilized between 545 and 543 Ma - the 2 my interval immediately preceding the Cambrian Radiation of animal life. These results raise the possibility that it was the relative stabilization of seawater pH within carbonate shelf environments that fostered the polyphyletic advent of calcification within the animal kingdom during this remarkable period of Earth history.

  7. Intermediary Variables and Algorithm Parameters for an Electronic Algorithm for Intravenous Insulin Infusion

    PubMed Central

    Braithwaite, Susan S.; Godara, Hemant; Song, Julie; Cairns, Bruce A.; Jones, Samuel W.; Umpierrez, Guillermo E.

    2009-01-01

    Background Algorithms for intravenous insulin infusion may assign the infusion rate (IR) by a two-step process. First, the previous insulin infusion rate (IRprevious) and the rate of change of blood glucose (BG) from the previous iteration of the algorithm are used to estimate the maintenance rate (MR) of insulin infusion. Second, the insulin IR for the next iteration (IRnext) is assigned to be commensurate with the MR and the distance of the current blood glucose (BGcurrent) from target. With use of a specific set of algorithm parameter values, a family of iso-MR curves is created, each giving IR as a function of MR and BG. Method To test the feasibility of estimating MR from the IRprevious and the previous rate of change of BG, historical hyperglycemic data points were used to compute the “maintenance rate cross step next estimate” (MRcsne). Historical cases had been treated with intravenous insulin infusion using a tabular protocol that estimated MR according to column-change rules. The mean IR on historical stable intervals (MRtrue), an estimate of the biologic value of MR, was compared to MRcsne during the hyperglycemic iteration immediately preceding the stable interval. Hypothetically calculated MRcsne-dependent IRnext was compared to IRnext assigned historically. An expanded theory of an algorithm is developed mathematically. Practical recommendations for computerization are proposed. Results The MRtrue determined on each of 30 stable intervals and the MRcsne during the immediately preceding hyperglycemic iteration differed, having medians with interquartile ranges 2.7 (1.2–3.7) and 3.2 (1.5–4.6) units/h, respectively. However, these estimates of MR were strongly correlated (R2 = 0.88). During hyperglycemia at 941 time points the IRnext assigned historically and the hypothetically calculated MRcsne-dependent IRnext differed, having medians with interquartile ranges 4.0 (3.0–6.0) and 4.6 (3.0–6.8) units/h, respectively, but these paired values again were correlated (R2 = 0.87). This article describes a programmable algorithm for intravenous insulin infusion. The fundamental equation of the algorithm gives the relationship among IR; the biologic parameter MR; and two variables expressing an instantaneous rate of change of BG, one of which must be zero at any given point in time and the other positive, negative, or zero, namely the rate of change of BG from below target (rate of ascent) and the rate of change of BG from above target (rate of descent). In addition to user-definable parameters, three special algorithm parameters discoverable in nature are described: the maximum rate of the spontaneous ascent of blood glucose during nonhypoglycemia, the glucose per daily dose of insulin exogenously mediated, and the MR at given patient time points. User-assignable parameters will facilitate adaptation to different patient populations. Conclusions An algorithm is described that estimates MR prior to the attainment of euglycemia and computes MR-dependent values for IRnext. Design features address glycemic variability, promote safety with respect to hypoglycemia, and define a method for specifying glycemic targets that are allowed to differ according to patient condition. PMID:20144334

  8. 46 CFR 298.35 - Title XI Reserve Fund and Financial Agreement.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... any new enterprise or business activity not directly connected with the business of shipping or other... year in which the distribution of earnings is made there is no operating loss to the date of such... three fiscal years, or there was a one-year operating loss during the immediately preceding three fiscal...

  9. Producing Pronouns and Definite Noun Phrases: Do Speakers Use the Addressee's Discourse Model?

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Fukumura, Kumiko; van Gompel, Roger P. G.

    2012-01-01

    We report two experiments that investigated the widely held assumption that speakers use the addressee's discourse model when choosing referring expressions (e.g., Ariel, 1990; Chafe, 1994; Givon, 1983; Prince, 1985), by manipulating whether the addressee could hear the immediately preceding linguistic context. Experiment 1 showed that speakers…

  10. 21 CFR 810.14 - Cease distribution and notification or mandatory recall strategy.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... comply with the order, which FDA will fashion as appropriate for the individual circumstances of the case... mandatory recall order is to extend as follows: (A) Consumer or user level, e.g., health professionals...) Retail level, to the level immediately preceding the consumer or user level, and including any...

  11. The Migrant Child.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Reyes, Manuel C.

    A migrant child is one who has moved with his family from one school district to another during the preceding 12 months so that a parent or other immediate family member might secure employment in agricultural or fishery activity. In California, the 92,000 migrants living in 48 of the state's 58 counties include Chicanos, Mexican Americans,…

  12. Sports and Physical Education in American High Schools: Some Historical Reflections.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    O'Hanlon, Timothy P.

    Public schooling was restructured and reoriented in fundamental ways during the decades immediately preceding the First World War. Schools were engaged in the process of preparing people for specialized work roles, but reformers were also concerned that the schools inculcate common social values. A wide range of extracurricular activities was…

  13. 20 CFR 655.731 - What is the first LCA requirement, regarding wages?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ..., or other similar medium, within the 24-month period immediately preceding the filing of the employer... an agreement as authorized by section 233 of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. 433 (i.e., an agreement establishing a totalization arrangement between the social security system of the United States...

  14. 20 CFR 655.731 - What is the first LCA requirement, regarding wages?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ..., or other similar medium, within the 24-month period immediately preceding the filing of the employer... an agreement as authorized by section 233 of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. 433 (i.e., an agreement establishing a totalization arrangement between the social security system of the United States...

  15. 20 CFR 655.731 - What is the first LCA requirement, regarding wages?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ..., or other similar medium, within the 24-month period immediately preceding the filing of the employer... an agreement as authorized by section 233 of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. 433 (i.e., an agreement establishing a totalization arrangement between the social security system of the United States...

  16. 20 CFR 655.731 - What is the first LCA requirement, regarding wages?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ..., or other similar medium, within the 24-month period immediately preceding the filing of the employer... an agreement as authorized by section 233 of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. 433 (i.e., an agreement establishing a totalization arrangement between the social security system of the United States...

  17. The Ambiguous Dying Syndrome

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Bern-Klug, Mercedes

    2004-01-01

    More than one-half of the 2.4 million deaths that will occur in the United States in 2004 will be immediately preceded by a time in which the likelihood of dying can best be described as "ambiguous." Many people die without ever being considered "dying" or "at the end of life." These people may miss out on the…

  18. Precedents, Variables, and Options in Planning a U.S. Military Disengagement Strategy From Iraq

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2005-10-01

    increasing efforts at repression. Nevertheless, a modernizing, non-Islamist strongman may not constitute an immediate threat to U.S. vital interests and...internet. 55. “Iraqi Government Resigned to Partial Boycott of Elections,” The Daily Star, December 15, 2004, internet. 56. Luke Baker, “Shiite Bloc

  19. Precedents, Variables, and Options in Planning a U.S. Military Disengagement Strategy from Iraq

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2005-10-01

    efforts at repression. Nevertheless, a modernizing, non-Islamist strongman may not constitute an immediate threat to U.S. vital interests and 16 still be...December 30, 2004, internet. 55. "Iraqi Government Resigned to Partial Boycott of Elections," The Daily Star, December 15, 2004, internet. 56. Luke Baker

  20. Copulation by California condors

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Wilbur, S.R.; Borneman, J.C.

    1972-01-01

    Koford (Res. Rept. No. 3, Natl. Audubon Soc., 1953) observed sexual display among California Condors (Gymnogyps californianus) on more than 30 occasions, yet only once did he see what he thought was copulation. Some of the displays he watched were quite intricate, with considerable posturing and "male" aggression, but no such activity preceded this copulation. The birds sat several feet apart for over 1 hour, then one climbed onto the other's back, staying there 1/2 minute and flapping gently at the apparent moment of coition. Afterward they sat quietly 1/2 hour before flying away. This led Koford to state (p. 79) that "possibly in Gymnogyps copulation is not immediately preceded by display." We have records of 8 California Condor copulations, 5 of which are similar to that described above. The three other occasions began similarly, with the birds sitting quietly, but then the "male" displayed briefly before the "female" with wings half spread and head drooping forward. This elicited no apparent response, but the male immediately walked behind and mounted the female. The apparent moment of coition was accompanied by gentle wing flapping in all instances.

  1. Respiration and heart rate at the surface between dives in northern elephant seals.

    PubMed

    Le Boeuf, B J; Crocker, D E; Grayson, J; Gedamke, J; Webb, P M; Blackwell, S B; Costa, D P

    2000-11-01

    All underwater activities of diving mammals are constrained by the need for surface gas exchange. Our aim was to measure respiratory rate (fb) and heart rate (fh) at the surface between dives in free-ranging northern elephant seals Mirounga angustirostris. We recorded fb and fh acoustically in six translocated juveniles, 1.8-2. 4 years old, and three migrating adult males from the rookery at Año Nuevo, California, USA. To each seal, we attached a diving instrument to record the diving pattern, a satellite tag to track movements and location, a digital audio tape recorder or acoustic datalogger with an external hydrophone to record the sounds of respiration and fh at the surface, and a VHF transmitter to facilitate recovery. During surface intervals averaging 2.2+/-0.4 min, adult males breathed a mean of 32.7+/-5.4 times at a rate of 15. 3+/-1.8 breaths min(-)(1) (means +/- s.d., N=57). Mean fh at the surface was 84+/-3 beats min(-)(1). The fb of juveniles was 26 % faster than that of adult males, averaging 19.2+/-2.2 breaths min(-)(1) for a mean total of 41.2+/-5.0 breaths during surface intervals lasting 2.6+/-0.31 min. Mean fh at the surface was 106+/-3 beats min(-)(1). fb and fh did not change significantly over the course of surface intervals. Surface fb and fh were not clearly associated with levels of exertion, such as rapid horizontal transit or apparent foraging, or with measures of immediately previous or subsequent diving performance, such as diving duration, diving depth or swimming speed. Together, surface respiration rate and the duration of the preceding dive were significant predictors of surface interval duration. This implies that elephant seals minimize surface time spent loading oxygen depending on rates of oxygen uptake and previous depletion of stores.

  2. Late Devonian glacigenic and associated facies from the central Appalachian Basin, eastern United States

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Brezinski, D.K.; Cecil, C.B.; Skema, V.W.

    2010-01-01

    Late Devonian strata in the eastern United States are generally considered as having been deposited under warm tropical conditions. However, a stratigraphically restricted Late Devonian succession of diamictite- mudstonesandstone within the Spechty Kopf and Rockwell Formations that extends for more than 400 km along depositional strike within the central Appalachian Basin may indicate other wise. This lithologic association unconformably overlies the Catskill Formation, where a 3- to 5-m-thick interval of deformed strata occurs immediately below the diamictite strata. The diamictite facies consists of several subfacies that are interpreted to be subglacial, englacial, supraglacial meltout, and resedimented deposits. The mudstone facies that overlies the diamictite consists of subfacies of chaotically bedded, clast-poor mudstone, and laminated mudstone sub facies that represent subaqueous proximal debris flows and distal glaciolacustrine rhythmites or varvites, respectively. The pebbly sandstone facies is interpreted as proglacial braided outwash deposits that both preceded glacial advance and followed glacial retreat. Both the tectonic and depositional frameworks suggest that the facies were deposited in a terrestrial setting within the Appalachian foreland basin during a single glacial advance and retreat. Regionally, areas that were not covered by ice were subject to increased rainfall as indicated by wet-climate paleosols. River systems eroded deeper channels in response to sea-level drop during glacial advance. Marine facies to the west contain iceborne dropstone boulders preserved within contemporaneous units of the Cleveland Shale Member of the Ohio Shale.The stratigraphic interval correlative with sea-level drop, climate change, and glacigenic succession represents one of the Appalachian Basin's most prolific oil-and gas-producing intervals and is contemporaneous with a global episode of sea-level drop responsible for the deposition of the Hangenberg Shale/Sandstone of Europe. This interval records the Hangenberg biotic crisis near the Devonian-Carboniferous boundary. ?? 2009 Geological Society of America.

  3. [Primary Study on Predicting the Termination of Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation Based on a Novel RdR RR Intervals Scatter Plot].

    PubMed

    Lu, Hongwei; Zhang, Chenxi; Sun, Ying; Hao, Zhidong; Wang, Chunfang; Tian, Jiajia

    2015-08-01

    Predicting the termination of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) may provide a signal to decide whether there is a need to intervene the AF timely. We proposed a novel RdR RR intervals scatter plot in our study. The abscissa of the RdR scatter plot was set to RR intervals and the ordinate was set as the difference between successive RR intervals. The RdR scatter plot includes information of RR intervals and difference between successive RR intervals, which captures more heart rate variability (HRV) information. By RdR scatter plot analysis of one minute RR intervals for 50 segments with non-terminating AF and immediately terminating AF, it was found that the points in RdR scatter plot of non-terminating AF were more decentralized than the ones of immediately terminating AF. By dividing the RdR scatter plot into uniform grids and counting the number of non-empty grids, non-terminating AF and immediately terminating AF segments were differentiated. By utilizing 49 RR intervals, for 20 segments of learning set, 17 segments were correctly detected, and for 30 segments of test set, 20 segments were detected. While utilizing 66 RR intervals, for 18 segments of learning set, 16 segments were correctly detected, and for 28 segments of test set, 20 segments were detected. The results demonstrated that during the last one minute before the termination of paroxysmal AF, the variance of the RR intervals and the difference of the neighboring two RR intervals became smaller. The termination of paroxysmal AF could be successfully predicted by utilizing the RdR scatter plot, while the predicting accuracy should be further improved.

  4. Symbol lock detection implemented with nonoverlapping integration intervals

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Shihabi, Mazen M. (Inventor); Hinedi, Sami M. (Inventor); Shah, Biren N. (Inventor)

    1995-01-01

    A symbol lock detector is introduced for an incoming coherent digital communication signal which utilizes a subcarrier modulated with binary symbol data, d(sub k), and known symbol interval T by integrating binary values of the signal over nonoverlapping first and second intervals selected to be T/2, delaying the first integral an interval T/2, and either summing or multiplying the second integral with the first one that preceded it to form a value X(sub k). That value is then averaged over a number M of symbol intervals to produce a static value Y. A symbol lock decision can then be made when the static value Y exceeds a threshold level delta.

  5. Immediate Postsession Feeding Reduces Operant Responding in Rats

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Smethells, John R.; Fox, Andrew T.; Andrews, Jennifer J.; Reilly, Mark P.

    2012-01-01

    Three experiments investigated the effects of immediate and delayed postsession feeding on progressive-ratio and variable-interval schedule performance in rats. During Experiments 1 and 2, immediate postsession feeding decreased the breakpoint, or largest completed ratio, under progressive-ratio schedules. Experiment 3 was conducted to extend the…

  6. NSAIDs and spontaneous abortions – true effect or an indication bias?

    PubMed Central

    Daniel, Sharon; Koren, Gideon; Lunenfeld, Eitan; Levy, Amalia

    2015-01-01

    Aim The aim of the study was to characterize the extent of indication bias resulting from the excessive use of NSAIDs on the days preceding a spontaneous abortion to relieve pain. Methods We used data from a retrospective cohort study assessing the risk for spontaneous abortions following exposure to NSAIDs. Three definitions of exposure for cases of spontaneous abortions were compared, from the first day of pregnancy until the day of spontaneous abortion and until 3 and 2 days before a spontaneous abortion. Statistical analysis was performed using multivariate time programmed Cox regression. Results A sharp increase was observed in the dispensation of indomethacin, diclofenac and naproxen, and a milder increase was found in the use of ibuprofen during the week before a spontaneous abortion. Non- selective COX inhibitors in general and specifically diclofenac and indomethacin were found to be associated with spontaneous abortions when the exposure period was defined until the day of spontaneous abortion (hazard ratio (HR) 1.15, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.04, 1.28; HR 1.31, 95% CI 1.08, 1.59 and HR 3.33, 95% CI 2.09, 5.29, respectively). The effect disappears by excluding exposures occurring on the day before the spontaneous abortion for non-selective COX inhibitors and on the last week before the spontaneous abortion for indomethacin. In general, decreasing HRs were found with the exclusion of exposures occurring on the days immediately before the spontaneous abortion. Conclusions The increased use of NSAIDs during the last few days that preceded a spontaneous abortion to relieve pain associated with the miscarriage could bias studies assessing the association between exposure to NSAIDs and spontaneous abortions. PMID:25858169

  7. 26 CFR 301.7701-3 - Classification of certain business entities.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... association (S1), which wholly owns another eligible entity classified as an association (S2), which wholly... this section are filed to classify S1, S2, and S3 each as disregarded as an entity separate from its... transaction occurring on the same day immediately after the preceding transaction S1 is treated as liquidating...

  8. 19 CFR 177.12 - Modification or revocation of interpretive rulings, protest review decisions, and previous...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... were not accorded the treatment in question over the 2-year period immediately preceding the claim of... determination was responsible for the subject matter on which the determination was made; and (C) Over a 2-year..., Customs will focus on the past transactions to determine whether there was an examination of the...

  9. 47 CFR 54.1007 - Letter of credit.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... 50 largest United States banks, determined on the basis of total assets as of the end of the calendar... agency); or (ii) Any non-U.S. bank that (A) Is among the 50 largest non-U.S. banks in the world, determined on the basis of total assets as of the end of the calendar year immediately preceding the issuance...

  10. 47 CFR 54.1007 - Letter of credit.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... 50 largest United States banks, determined on the basis of total assets as of the end of the calendar... agency); or (ii) Any non-U.S. bank that (A) Is among the 50 largest non-U.S. banks in the world, determined on the basis of total assets as of the end of the calendar year immediately preceding the issuance...

  11. 47 CFR 54.1007 - Letter of credit.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... 50 largest United States banks, determined on the basis of total assets as of the end of the calendar... agency); or (ii) Any non-U.S. bank that (A) Is among the 50 largest non-U.S. banks in the world, determined on the basis of total assets as of the end of the calendar year immediately preceding the issuance...

  12. 40 CFR 63.1426 - Process vent requirements for determining organic HAP concentration, control efficiency, and...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... performance test for those control techniques in accordance with paragraph (b)(6) of this section. The design..., immediately preceding the use of the control technique. A design evaluation shall also address other vent... paragraph (f)(1)(i) of this section, the design evaluation shall document the control efficiency and address...

  13. 8 CFR 1212.3 - Application for the exercise of discretion under former section 212(c).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... grounds a new application must be filed. (e) Filing or renewal of applications before an immigration judge... filing Form I-191, Application for Advance Permission to Return to Unrelinquished Domicile. (b) Filing of... of the Act, for at least seven consecutive years immediately preceding the filing of the application...

  14. Effects of Film Modeling on the Reduction of Anxiety-Related Behaviors in Individuals Varying in Level of Previous Experience in the Stress Situation.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Melamed, Barbara G.; And Others

    1978-01-01

    Evaluated influence of film preparation on children undergoing dental sessions with respect to peer modeling v demonstration of procedures and amount of information. Children exposed to peer-model videotaped presentations immediately preceding their restorative treatment exhibited fewer disruptive behaviors and less apprehension than those…

  15. 18 CFR 382.201 - Annual charges under Parts II and III of the Federal Power Act and related statutes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... megawatt-hours of transmission of electric energy in interstate commerce of each such public utility in the... electric energy in interstate commerce in the immediately preceding reporting year of all such public... transmission of electric energy in interstate commerce, which for purposes of computing the annual charges and...

  16. QT dispersion and rate-corrected QT dispersion during electroconvulsive therapy in elderly patients.

    PubMed

    Yamaguchi, Shigeki; Nagao, Masaru; Ikeda, Tomohisa; Fukagawa, Daigo; Kimura, Yoshiyuki; Kitajima, Toshimitsu; Minami, Junichi

    2011-09-01

    Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) induces increase of QT dispersion (QTD) and the rate-corrected QTD (QTcD), which are associated with increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias and cardiovascular mortality. The effects of electrical stimulus during ECT on QTD and QTcD in elderly patients are of considerable interest. The purpose of this study was to clarify the differential effects of electrical stimulus caused by ECT on interbeat interval, QT interval, the rate-corrected QT (QTc) interval, QTD, and the QTcD under propofol anesthesia between younger and elderly patients with major depression. Twenty younger psychiatric patients (aged 30-40 years) and 20 elderly patients (aged 65-75 years) scheduled for ECT were studied under propofol anesthesia. A 12-lead electrocardiogram was monitored to measure parameters. Muscle paralysis was achieved by administering 1-mg/kg succinylcholine intravenously, and the efficacy of ECT was determined by the tourniquet technique. The mean arterial pressure in the elderly was significantly higher than that of the younger patients from immediately to 2 minutes after electrical stimulus. The interbeat interval in the elderly was significantly lower than that of the younger patients from immediately to 1 minute after electrical stimulus. There was no statistically significant difference in the QT interval between the groups. The baseline value of QTc interval was higher than the normal limits, and the QTc interval in the elderly was significantly lower than that of the younger patients from immediately to 1 minute after electrical stimulus. The baseline value of QTD was higher than the normal limits, and the QTD in the elderly was significantly higher than that of the younger patients from immediately to 7 minutes after electrical stimulus. The baseline value of QTcD was higher than the normal limits, and the QTcD in the elderly was significantly higher than that of the younger patients from immediately to 7 minutes after electrical stimulus. The QTc interval, QTD, and QTcD may be higher than the normal limits before anesthesia in patients with major depression. The QTD and QTcD in the elderly, which are associated with increased risks of ventricular arrhythmias, are higher than those of the younger patients after electrical stimulus during ECT. Electrical stimulus may induce further increased risks of cardiac events in elderly patients.

  17. Statistical Analysis of Factors Affecting Child Mortality in Pakistan.

    PubMed

    Ahmed, Zoya; Kamal, Asifa; Kamal, Asma

    2016-06-01

    Child mortality is a composite indicator reflecting economic, social, environmental, healthcare services, and their delivery situation in a country. Globally, Pakistan has the third highest burden of fetal, maternal, and child mortality. Factors affecting child mortality in Pakistan are investigated by using Binary Logistic Regression Analysis. Region, education of mother, birth order, preceding birth interval (the period between the previous child birth and the index child birth), size of child at birth, and breastfeeding and family size were found to be significantly important with child mortality in Pakistan. Child mortality decreased as level of mother's education, preceding birth interval, size of child at birth, and family size increased. Child mortality was found to be significantly higher in Balochistan as compared to other regions. Child mortality was low for low birth orders. Child survival was significantly higher for children who were breastfed as compared to those who were not.

  18. Source and seed populations for relativistic electrons: Their roles in radiation belt changes

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

    Jaynes, A. N.; Baker, D. N.; Singer, H. J.

    Strong enhancements of outer Van Allen belt electrons have been shown to have a clear dependence on solar wind speed and on the duration of southward interplanetary magnetic field. However, individual case study analyses also have demonstrated that many geomagnetic storms produce little in the way of outer belt enhancements and, in fact, may produce substantial losses of relativistic electrons. In this study, focused upon a key period in August–September 2014, we use GOES geostationary orbit electron flux data and Van Allen Probes particle and fields data to study the process of radiation belt electron acceleration. One particular interval, 13–22more » September, initiated by a short-lived geomagnetic storm and characterized by a long period of primarily northward interplanetary magnetic field (IMF), showed strong depletion of relativistic electrons (including an unprecedented observation of long-lasting depletion at geostationary orbit) while an immediately preceding, and another immediately subsequent, storm showed strong radiation belt enhancement. We demonstrate with these data that two distinct electron populations resulting from magnetospheric substorm activity are crucial elements in the ultimate acceleration of highly relativistic electrons in the outer belt: the source population (tens of keV) that give rise to VLF wave growth and the seed population (hundreds of keV) that are, in turn, accelerated through VLF wave interactions to much higher energies. ULF waves may also play a role by either inhibiting or enhancing this process through radial diffusion effects. Furthermore, if any components of the inner magnetospheric accelerator happen to be absent, the relativistic radiation belt enhancement fails to materialize.« less

  19. Source and seed populations for relativistic electrons: Their roles in radiation belt changes

    DOE PAGES

    Jaynes, A. N.; Baker, D. N.; Singer, H. J.; ...

    2015-09-09

    Strong enhancements of outer Van Allen belt electrons have been shown to have a clear dependence on solar wind speed and on the duration of southward interplanetary magnetic field. However, individual case study analyses also have demonstrated that many geomagnetic storms produce little in the way of outer belt enhancements and, in fact, may produce substantial losses of relativistic electrons. In this study, focused upon a key period in August–September 2014, we use GOES geostationary orbit electron flux data and Van Allen Probes particle and fields data to study the process of radiation belt electron acceleration. One particular interval, 13–22more » September, initiated by a short-lived geomagnetic storm and characterized by a long period of primarily northward interplanetary magnetic field (IMF), showed strong depletion of relativistic electrons (including an unprecedented observation of long-lasting depletion at geostationary orbit) while an immediately preceding, and another immediately subsequent, storm showed strong radiation belt enhancement. We demonstrate with these data that two distinct electron populations resulting from magnetospheric substorm activity are crucial elements in the ultimate acceleration of highly relativistic electrons in the outer belt: the source population (tens of keV) that give rise to VLF wave growth and the seed population (hundreds of keV) that are, in turn, accelerated through VLF wave interactions to much higher energies. ULF waves may also play a role by either inhibiting or enhancing this process through radial diffusion effects. Furthermore, if any components of the inner magnetospheric accelerator happen to be absent, the relativistic radiation belt enhancement fails to materialize.« less

  20. Interval from prostate biopsy to radical prostatectomy does not affect immediate operative outcomes for open or minimally invasive approach.

    PubMed

    Park, Bumsoo; Choo, Seol Ho; Jeon, Hwang Gyun; Jeong, Byong Chang; Seo, Seong Il; Jeon, Seong Soo; Lee, Hyun Moo; Choi, Han Yong

    2014-12-01

    Traditionally, urologists recommend an interval of at least 4 weeks after prostate biopsy before radical prostatectomy. The aim of our study was to evaluate whether the interval from prostate biopsy to radical prostatectomy affects immediate operative outcomes, with a focus on differences in surgical approach. The study population of 1,848 radical prostatectomy patients was divided into two groups according to the surgical approach: open or minimally invasive. Open group included perineal and retropubic approach, and minimally invasive group included laparoscopic and robotic approach. The cut-off of the biopsy-to-surgery interval was 4 weeks. Positive surgical margin status, operative time and estimated blood loss were evaluated as endpoint parameters. In the open group, there were significant differences in operative time and estimated blood loss between the <4-week and ≥4-week interval subgroups, but there was no difference in positive margin rate. In the minimally invasive group, there were no differences in the three outcome parameters between the two subgroups. Multivariate analysis revealed that the biopsy-to-surgery interval was not a significant factor affecting immediate operative outcomes in both open and minimally invasive groups, with the exception of the interval ≥4 weeks as a significant factor decreasing operative time in the minimally invasive group. In conclusion, performing open or minimally invasive radical prostatectomy within 4 weeks of prostate biopsy is feasible for both approaches, and is even beneficial for minimally invasive radical prostatectomy to reduce operative time.

  1. Effects of an Approach Spacing Flight Deck Tool on Pilot Eyescan

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2004-02-01

    An airborne tool has been developed based on the concept of an aircraft maintaining a time-based spacing interval from the preceding aircraft. The : Advanced Terminal Area Approach Spacing (ATAAS) tool uses Automatic : Dependent Surveillance-Broadcas...

  2. ELECTRICAL LOAD ANTICIPATOR AND RECORDER

    DOEpatents

    Werme, J.E.

    1961-09-01

    A system is described in which an indication of the prevailing energy consumption in an electrical power metering system and a projected power demand for one demand in terval is provided at selected increments of time within the demand interval. Each watt-hour meter in the system is provided with an impulse generator that generates two impulses for each revolution of the meter disc. In each demand interval, for example, one half-hour, of the metering system, the total impulses received from all of the meters are continuously totaled for each 5-minute interval and multiplied by a number from 6 to 1 depending upon which 5- minute interval the impulses were received. This value is added to the total pulses received in the intervals preceding the current 5-minute interval within the half-hour demand interval tc thereby provide an indication of the projected power demand every 5 minutes in the demand interval.

  3. Phonetically Governed Voicing Onset and Offset in Preschool Children Who Stutter

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Arenas, Richard M.; Zebrowski, Patricia M.; Moon, Jerald B.

    2012-01-01

    Phonetically governed changes in the fundamental frequency (F[subscript 0]) of vowels that immediately precede and follow voiceless stop plosives have been found to follow consistent patterns in adults and children as young as four years of age. In the present study, F[subscript 0] onset and offset patterns in 14 children who stutter (CWS) and 14…

  4. 42 CFR 23.25 - How will interest rates for loans be determined?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 42 Public Health 1 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false How will interest rates for loans be determined? 23... will interest rates for loans be determined? Interest will be charged at the Treasury Current Value of Funds (CVF) rate in effect on April 1 immediately preceding the date on which the loan is approved and...

  5. Spontaneous cell death in the semilunar ganglion during fetal and postnatal life in the ox, sheep, goat and guinea pig.

    PubMed

    Bortolami, R; Lucchi, M L; Callegari, E; De Pasquale, V; Lalatta Costerbosa, G

    1979-07-15

    A massive cell loss occurs in the semilunar ganglion. It is the result of either a casting-off of the semilunar ganglion cells into the cavernous sinus or a transformation of several cells into polyhedral cells with an epithelial-like organization, a process which immediately precedes their further degeneration.

  6. 77 FR 71644 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; NASDAQ OMX PHLX LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-12-03

    ... exercise limits for options on the iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund (``EEM'') to 500,000 contracts... exercise limits for EEM options to 500,000 contracts.\\3\\ There is precedent for establishing position...\\ \\3\\ By virtue of Rule 1002, which is not being amended by this filing, the exercise limit for EEM...

  7. 77 FR 38869 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; International Securities Exchange, LLC; Notice of Filing and...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-06-29

    ... series that are perceived as having little if any chance of expiring in-the-money. For this reason... that series immediately preceding the execution was, and for five (5) seconds prior to the execution... for at least five (5) seconds prior to the execution and (ii) at least one call option series in ABC...

  8. 26 CFR 1.861-8 - Computation of taxable income from sources within the United States and from other sources and...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ... in taxable years beginning before January 1, 1988. (7) Losses on the sale, exchange, or other disposition of property—(i) Allocation. The deduction allowed for loss recognized on the sale, exchange, or... asset or property during the taxable year or years immediately preceding the sale, exchange, or other...

  9. 26 CFR 1.861-8 - Computation of taxable income from sources within the United States and from other sources and...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ... in taxable years beginning before January 1, 1988. (7) Losses on the sale, exchange, or other disposition of property—(i) Allocation. The deduction allowed for loss recognized on the sale, exchange, or... asset or property during the taxable year or years immediately preceding the sale, exchange, or other...

  10. 26 CFR 1.861-8 - Computation of taxable income from sources within the United States and from other sources and...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ... in taxable years beginning before January 1, 1988. (7) Losses on the sale, exchange, or other disposition of property—(i) Allocation. The deduction allowed for loss recognized on the sale, exchange, or... asset or property during the taxable year or years immediately preceding the sale, exchange, or other...

  11. 26 CFR 1.861-8 - Computation of taxable income from sources within the United States and from other sources and...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... in taxable years beginning before January 1, 1988. (7) Losses on the sale, exchange, or other disposition of property—(i) Allocation. The deduction allowed for loss recognized on the sale, exchange, or... asset or property during the taxable year or years immediately preceding the sale, exchange, or other...

  12. Unconscious Congruency Priming from Unpracticed Words Is Modulated by Prime-Target Semantic Relatedness

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Ortells, Juan J.; Mari-Beffa, Paloma; Plaza-Ayllon, Vanesa

    2013-01-01

    Participants performed a 2-choice categorization task on visible word targets that were preceded by novel (unpracticed) prime words. The prime words were presented for 33 ms and followed either immediately (Experiments 1-3) or after a variable delay (Experiments 1 and 4) by a pattern mask. Both subjective and objective measures of prime visibility…

  13. 47 CFR 61.45 - Adjustments to the PCI for Local Exchange Carriers.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... change in the GDP-PI between the quarter ending six months prior to the effective date of the new annual... demand) + Z, all divided by R. PCIt = The new PCI value. PCIt −1 = the immediately preceding PCI value....5%, to the extent necessary to reduce a tariff entity's ATS charge to its Target Rate as set forth...

  14. 39 CFR 3010.21 - Calculation of annual limitation when notices of rate adjustment are 12 or more months apart.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... the Postal Service files its notice of rate adjustment and dividing the sum by 12 (Recent Average... values immediately preceding the Recent Average and dividing the sum by 12 (Base Average). Finally, the full year limitation is calculated by dividing the Recent Average by the Base Average and subtracting 1...

  15. An increased frequency of patent foramen ovale in patients with transient global amnesia. Analysis of 53 consecutive patients.

    PubMed

    Klötzsch, C; Sliwka, U; Berlit, P; Noth, J

    1996-06-01

    Alerted by the number of patients with transient global amnesia (TGA) in whom Valsalvalike activities immediately preceded the onset of TGA, we have investigated the frequency of patent foramen ovale (PFO) as the prerequisite for paradoxical embolism. Case series with comparison to a control group. Hospitalized and ambulatory patients at the neurological departments of the Alfried Krupp Hospital, Essen, Germany, and the Rheinisch-Westfälische-Technische Hochschule, Aachen, Germany. Fifty-three consecutive patients with TGA were evaluated by the 2 centers between 1988 and 1995. Using contrast transcranial Doppler sonography we have observed a PFO in 55% of the patients with TGA, compared with 27% of a control group of 100 patients. This difference was statistically significant (P < .01). Twenty-five patients with TGA (47%), 15 of them with a proven PFO, reported a precipitating activity, such as the lifting of heavy weights, immediately before the TGA occurred. In addition to other pathological mechanisms, paradoxical embolism with temporobasal ischemia could possibly play a role in the clinical syndrome of TGA. This hypothesis could explain the frequent observation of preceding Valsalvalike activities in patients with TGA.

  16. Changes in fertility patterns can improve child survival in Southeast Asia.

    PubMed

    Greenspan, A

    1993-12-01

    This analysis of 1988 Philippine Demographic Survey data provides information on the direct and indirect effects of several major determinants of childhood mortality in the Philippines. Data are compared to rates in Indonesia and Thailand. The odds of infant mortality in the Philippines are reduced by 39% by spacing children more than two years apart. This finding is significant because infant mortality rates have not declined over the past 20 years. Child survival is related to the number of children in the family, the spacing of the children, the mother's age and education, and the risks of malnutrition and infection. Directs effects on child survival are related to infant survival status of the preceding child and the length of the preceding birth interval, while key indirect or background variables are maternal age and education, birth order, and place of residence. The two-stage causation model is tested with data on 13,716 ever married women aged 15-49 years and 20,015 index children born between January 1977 and February 1987. Results in the Philippine confirm that maternal age, birth order, mortality of the previous child, and maternal education are directly related to birth interval, while mortality of the previous child, birth order, and maternal educational status are directly related to infant mortality. Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines all show similar explanatory factors that directly influence infant mortality. The survival status of the preceding child is the most important predictor in all three countries and is particularly strong in Thailand. This factor acts through the limited time interval for rejuvenation of mother's body, nutritional deficiencies, and transmission of infectious disease among siblings. The conclusion is that poor environmental conditions increase vulnerability to illness and death. There are 133% greater odds of having a short birth interval among young urban women than among older rural women. There is a 29% increase in odds for second parity births compared to third or higher order parities. Maternal education is a strong predictor of infant survival only in the Philippines and Indonesia. Adolescent pregnancy is a risk only in Indonesia. Socioeconomic factors are not as important as birth interval, birth order, and maternal education in determining survival status.

  17. Cardioventilatory coupling in preterm and term infants: effect of position and sleep state.

    PubMed

    Elder, Dawn E; Larsen, Peter D; Galletly, Duncan C; Campbell, Angela J

    2010-11-30

    This study documented the effect of position on cardioventilatory coupling (CVC), the triggering of inspiratory onset by a preceding heartbeat, in infants. Cardiorespiratory signals and corresponding oxygen saturation (SpO(2)) were downloaded from Quiet Sleep (QS) and Active Sleep (AS) in prone and supine from preterm (PT) and term (T) infants. Inspiratory onsets (I) and timing of the corresponding ECG R wave were determined and R-R and R-I intervals calculated. The RI(-1) interval (time between inspiration and the preceding R wave) dispersion was measured using proportional Shannon Entropy of the RI(-1) interval (SH(α)), to provide a quantitative measure of CVC. CVC was more frequently seen in QS in PT (p=0.002) and T (p=0.02) infants but not influenced by position (p=0.71, p=0.46). CVC correlated with SpO(2) in PT (r=-0.230, p=0.03) but not T infants (r=0.085, p=0.34). These data imply an augmentation of cardiac influence on ventilatory rhythm in infants in QS. In preterm infants CVC may have a role in supporting oxygenation. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  18. Faster Conceptual Blending Predictors on Relational Time Series

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2012-07-01

    immediately ceases to exist. For example, a percept that describes “a ball hitting the wall” becomes obsolete immediately after it occurred. An interval...percept occurred and remains true until something happens that change its state. For example, a percept that describes “a ball is in the box” is true...until the ball is removed. The interval percept has a ‘+’ indicator in the predicate as shown in Figure 1. A percept that is true is said to be

  19. Cohesive zone length of metagabbro at supershear rupture velocity

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fukuyama, Eiichi; Xu, Shiqing; Yamashita, Futoshi; Mizoguchi, Kazuo

    2016-10-01

    We investigated the shear strain field ahead of a supershear rupture. The strain array data along the sliding fault surfaces were obtained during the large-scale biaxial friction experiments at the National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Resilience. These friction experiments were done using a pair of meter-scale metagabbro rock specimens whose simulated fault area was 1.5 m × 0.1 m. A 2.6-MPa normal stress was applied with loading velocity of 0.1 mm/s. Near-fault strain was measured by 32 two-component semiconductor strain gauges installed at an interval of 50 mm and 10 mm off the fault and recorded at an interval of 1 MHz. Many stick-slip events were observed in the experiments. We chose ten unilateral rupture events that propagated with supershear rupture velocity without preceding foreshocks. Focusing on the rupture front, stress concentration was observed and sharp stress drop occurred immediately inside the ruptured area. The temporal variation of strain array data is converted to the spatial variation of strain assuming a constant rupture velocity. We picked up the peak strain and zero-crossing strain locations to measure the cohesive zone length. By compiling the stick-slip event data, the cohesive zone length is about 50 mm although it scattered among the events. We could not see any systematic variation at the location but some dependence on the rupture velocity. The cohesive zone length decreases as the rupture velocity increases, especially larger than √{2} times the shear wave velocity. This feature is consistent with the theoretical prediction.

  20. Circadian and ultradian components of hunger in human non-homeostatic meal-to-meal eating.

    PubMed

    Wuorinen, Elizabeth C; Borer, Katarina T

    2013-10-02

    A unifying physiological explanation of the urge to initiate eating is still not available as human hunger in meal-to-meal eating may not be under homeostatic control. We hypothesized that a central circadian and a gastrointestinal ultradian timing mechanism coordinate non-deprivation meal-to-meal eating. We examined hunger as a function of time of day, inter-meal (IM) energy expenditure (EE), and concentrations of proposed hunger-controlling hormones ghrelin, leptin, and insulin. In two crossover studies, 10 postmenopausal women, BMI 23-26 kg/m(2) engaged in exercise (EX) and sedentary (SED) trials. Weight maintenance meals were provided at 6h intervals with an ad libitum meal at 13 h in study 1 and 21 h snack in study 2. EE during IM intervals was measured by indirect calorimetry and included EX EE of 801 kcal in study 1, and 766-1,051 kcal in study 2. Hunger was assessed with a visual analog scale and blood was collected for hormonal determination. Hunger displayed a circadian variation with acrophase at 13 and 19 h and was unrelated to preceding EE. Hunger was suppressed by EX between 10 and 16 h and bore no relationship to either EE during preceding IM intervals or changes in leptin, insulin, and ghrelin; however leptin reflected IM energy changes and ghrelin and insulin, prandial events. During non-deprivation meal-to-meal eating, hunger appears to be under non-homeostatic central circadian control as it is unrelated to EE preceding meals or concentrations of proposed appetite-controlling hormones. Gastrointestinal meal processing appears to intermittently suppress this control and entrain an ultradian hunger pattern. © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  1. Effects of Arm Ergometry Exercise on the Reaction, Movement and Response Times of the Lower Extremities.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Israel, Richard G.

    A study determined the effects of fatigue produced in the upper extremities on the reaction time, movement time, and response time of the lower extremities in 30 male subjects, 19-25 years old. Each subject participated in a 10 trial practice session one day prior to the experiment and immediately preceding the pre-test. The pre-test consisted of…

  2. Effect of adhesive applied to the tooth-wood interface on metal-plate connections loaded in tension

    Treesearch

    Leslie H. Groom

    1991-01-01

    The structural behavior of metal-plate connections (MPCs) is affected not only by the isolated properties of the adjoining wood members and metal plate but also by the interfacial region between individual teeth and the surrounding wood. This study looked at maintaining a good interface by applying an epoxy adhesive to metal-plate teeth immediately preceding joint...

  3. "Oh" + Apology + Solution: A Practice for Managing the Concomitant Presence of a Possible Offense and a Problem-to-Be-Solved

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Pino, Marco; Pozzuoli, Loredana; Riccioni, Ilaria; Castellarin, Valentine

    2016-01-01

    In this article we examine a turn construction ("oh"+apology+solution) that speakers use to deal with the concomitant presence of a possible offense and a problem-to-be-solved in the immediately preceding interactional environment. We show that speakers collaborate in differentiating the offense aspect and the problem aspect of an…

  4. 75 FR 19439 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; Chicago Board Options Exchange, Incorporated; Notice of Proposed...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-04-14

    ... time.\\4\\ \\4\\ CBOE maintains a micro-site for GVZ options at: http://www.cboe.com/gvz . See proposed... underlying option series on a real-time basis throughout each trading day, from 8:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. (CT... cease at 3 p.m. (CT) on the business day immediately preceding the expiration date.\\8\\ Exercise will...

  5. Effects of Prenominal Adjective Ordering on Children's Latencies and Errors in an Immediate Sentence Recall Task.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Freedle, Roy; Hall, William S.

    A total of 34 children, ages 2 and a half to 6, were presented with sentences for imitation that either violated or honored a prenominal adjective ordering rule, which requires that size adjectives must precede color adjectives. Two response measures were evaluated in terms of these sentence types: latency to begin a sentence imitation and recall…

  6. Development of Advanced Active Haptic System for Musculokelelton-Exoskeleton Interactions

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2005-08-31

    magnetoencephalography system (MEG). The Cognoscope device may allow researchers to determine when a specific muscle contraction is about to take...motion before it actually occurs. In order for the limbs to move voluntarily, muscle contraction needs to occur. There are several physiologic changes...to muscle that occur immediately preceding force production. The most common way of measuring the onset of muscle contraction is via

  7. Anxiety and anger immediately prior to myocardial infarction and long-term mortality: Characteristics of high-risk patients.

    PubMed

    Smeijers, Loes; Mostofsky, Elizabeth; Tofler, Geoffrey H; Muller, James E; Kop, Willem J; Mittleman, Murray A

    2017-02-01

    Acute high levels of anger and anxiety are associated with an elevated risk of myocardial infarction (MI) in the following two hours. MIs preceded by these acute negative emotions may also have a poor long-term prognosis, but information about high-risk patients is lacking. We examined whether young age and female sex are associated with MIs that are preceded by negative emotions and whether age and sex moderate the subsequent increased mortality risk following MI preceded by negative emotions. We conducted a secondary analysis of the Determinants of Myocardial Infarction Onset Study (N=2176, mean age=60.1±12.3years, 29.2% women). Anxiety and anger immediately prior to (0-2h) MI and the day before (24-26h) MI were assessed using a structured interview. Subsequent 10-year all-cause mortality was determined using the US National Death Index. Anxiety during the 0-2h pre-MI period was associated with younger age (OR=0.98,95% CI=0.96-0.99 per year) and female sex (OR=1.50,95% CI=1.11-2.02). Anger in the 0-2h pre-MI period was also associated with younger age (OR=0.95,95% CI=0.94-0.96) but not with sex (OR=0.93,95% CI=0.67-1.28). During follow-up, 580 (26.7%) patients died. Mortality rate was higher if MI occurred immediately after high anxiety, particularly in patients ≥65years (HR=1.80,95% CI=1.28-2.54) vs. younger patients (HR=0.87,95% CI=0.55-1.40; p-interaction=0.015). Other interactions with sex or anger were not significant. Patients with high anxiety or anger levels in the critical 2-hour period prior to MI are younger than those without such emotional precipitants. In addition, pre-MI anxiety is associated with an elevated 10-year mortality risk in patients aged ≥65years. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  8. Anxiety and Anger Immediately Prior to Myocardial Infarction and Long-term Mortality: Characteristics of High-Risk Patients

    PubMed Central

    Smeijers, Loes; Mostofsky, Elizabeth; Tofler, Geoffrey H.; Muller, James E.; Kop, Willem J.; Mittleman, Murray A.

    2016-01-01

    Objective Acute high levels of anger and anxiety are associated with an elevated risk of myocardial infarction (MI) in the following two hours. MIs preceded by these acute negative emotions may also have a poor long-term prognosis, but information about high-risk patients is lacking. We examined whether young age and female sex are associated with MIs that are preceded by negative emotions and whether age and sex moderate the subsequent increased mortality risk following MI preceded by negative emotions. Methods We conducted a secondary analysis of the Determinants of Myocardial Infarction Onset Study (N=2176, mean age=60.1±12.3 years, 29.2% women). Anxiety and anger immediately prior to (0-2 hour) MI and the day before (24-26 hour) MI were assessed using a structured interview. Subsequent 10-year all-cause mortality was determined using the US National Death Index. Results Anxiety during the 0-2 hour pre-MI period was associated with younger age (OR=0.98,95%CI=0.96-0.99 per year) and female sex (OR=1.50,95%CI=1.11-2.02). Anger in the 0-2 hour pre-MI period was also associated with younger age (OR=0.95,95%CI=0.94-0.96) but not with sex (OR=0.93,95%CI=0.67-1.28). During follow-up, 580 (26.7%) patients died. Mortality rate was higher if MI occurred immediately after high anxiety, particularly in patients ≥65 years (HR=1.80,95%CI=1.28-2.54) vs. younger patients (HR=0.87,95%CI=0.55-1.40; p-interaction=0.015). Other interactions with sex or anger were not significant. Conclusions Patients with high anxiety or anger levels in the critical 2-hour period prior to MI are younger than those without such emotional precipitants. In addition, pre-MI anxiety is associated with an elevated 10-year mortality risk in patients aged ≥65 years. PMID:28107888

  9. Changes in autonomic activity preceding onset of nonsustained ventricular tachycardia

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Osaka, M.; Saitoh, H.; Sasabe, N.; Atarashi, H.; Katoh, T.; Hayakawa, H.; Cohen, R. J.

    1996-01-01

    Background: The triggering role of the autonomic nervous system in the initiation of ventricular tachycardia has not been established. To investigate the relationship between changes in autonomic activity and the occurrence of nonsustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT) we examined heart rate variability (HRV) during the 2-hour period preceding spontaneous episodes of NSVT. Twenty-four subjects were identified retrospectively as having had one episode of NSVT during 24-hour Holter ECC recording. Methods: We measured the mean interval between normal heats (meanRR), the standard deviation of the intervals between beats (SD), the percentage of counts of sequential intervals between normal beats with a change of >50 ms (%RR50), the logarithms of low- and high-frequency spectral components (lnLF, lnHF) of HRV for sequential 10-minute segments preceding NSVT. The correlation dimension (CDim) of HRV was calculated similarly for sequential 20-minute segments. We assessed the significance of the time-course change of each marker over the 120-minute period prior to NSVT onset. Results: MeanRR (P < 0.05), lnLF (P < 0.0001), lnHF (P < 0.0001), the natural logarithm of the ratio of LF to HF (ln[LF/HF]; P < 0.05), and CDim (P < 0.05) showed significant time-course changes during that period, while SD and %RR50 did not. MeanRR, lnLF, lnHF, and CDim all decreased prior to the onset of NSVT, whereas ln(LF/HF) increased. We divided the subjects into two groups: one consisting of 12 patients with coronary artery disease; and the second group of 12 patients without known coronary artery disease. Both groups showed significant changes (P < 0.05) of CDim, lnLF, and lnHF preceding the episodes of NSVT. Conclusions: Changes in the pattern of HRV prior to the onset of episodes of NSVT suggest that changes in autonomic activity may commonly play a role in the triggering of spontaneous episodes of NSVT in susceptible patients. The measured changes suggest a reduction in parasympathetic activity, perhaps in conjunction with an increase in sympathetic activity, may trigger NSVT.

  10. Autoshaping with common and distinctive stimulus elements, compact and dispersed arrays.

    PubMed

    Sperling, S E; Perkins, M E

    1979-05-01

    Four groups of pigeons were trained with a standard autoshaping procedure in which a brief fixed-duration interval always followed by a grain delivery alternated with a longer variable-duration interval never associated with grain delivery. One of two stimuli was always presented during each interval. One of them contained three black dots and a black star on a green background; the other contained four black dots on a green background. The four elements of each stimulus were arranged in a more compact array for two groups and in a more dispersed array for the other two groups. Which of the two stimuli preceded grain delivery was counterbalanced within each pair of groups. The speed of occurrence of the first autoshaped peck was not affected by whether the stimulus containing the distinctive star element preceded grain delivery, but autoshaping was faster when the stimulus arrays were compact than when they were dispersed. During 560 response-independent training trials that followed the first autoshaped peck, this pattern reversed; both discriminative control over responding and the relative frequency of pecking the stimulus that preceded grain delivery were greater for the two groups where this stimulus contained the discriminative element than for the two groups where it contained only common elements. During subsequent testing with stimuli containing only a single element each, the distinctive feature was responded to proportionately more often by the two groups for which it had been an element of the stimulus preceding grain delivery than by the two groups for which it had been an element of the stimulus complex that never was associated with grain delivery. These data add further support to the hypothesis that the initial occurrence of autoshaped responding and its subsequent maintenance are not affected by the same variables. They also suggest that automaintenance is as sensitive as response-dependent training to the presence or absence of a distinctive stimulus element among several common elements and that this sensitivity appears to be independent of the specific method used for presenting the stimuli during automaintenance.

  11. Autoshaping with common and distinctive stimulus elements, compact and dispersed arrays1

    PubMed Central

    Sperling, Sally E.; Perkins, Mark E.

    1979-01-01

    Four groups of pigeons were trained with a standard autoshaping procedure in which a brief fixed-duration interval always followed by a grain delivery alternated with a longer variable-duration interval never associated with grain delivery. One of two stimuli was always presented during each interval. One of them contained three black dots and a black star on a green background; the other contained four black dots on a green background. The four elements of each stimulus were arranged in a more compact array for two groups and in a more dispersed array for the other two groups. Which of the two stimuli preceded grain delivery was counterbalanced within each pair of groups. The speed of occurrence of the first autoshaped peck was not affected by whether the stimulus containing the distinctive star element preceded grain delivery, but autoshaping was faster when the stimulus arrays were compact than when they were dispersed. During 560 response-independent training trials that followed the first autoshaped peck, this pattern reversed; both discriminative control over responding and the relative frequency of pecking the stimulus that preceded grain delivery were greater for the two groups where this stimulus contained the discriminative element than for the two groups where it contained only common elements. During subsequent testing with stimuli containing only a single element each, the distinctive feature was responded to proportionately more often by the two groups for which it had been an element of the stimulus preceding grain delivery than by the two groups for which it had been an element of the stimulus complex that never was associated with grain delivery. These data add further support to the hypothesis that the initial occurrence of autoshaped responding and its subsequent maintenance are not affected by the same variables. They also suggest that automaintenance is as sensitive as response-dependent training to the presence or absence of a distinctive stimulus element among several common elements and that this sensitivity appears to be independent of the specific method used for presenting the stimuli during automaintenance. PMID:16812139

  12. 22 CFR 1506.5 - Demand for payment.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... total of three progressively stronger written demands at approximately 30-day intervals will normally be made, unless a response or other information indicates that additional written demands would either be unnecessary or futile. When necessary to protect the Government's interest, written demand may be preceded by...

  13. Feasibility of radiotherapy after high-dose dense chemotherapy with epirubicin, preceded by dexrazoxane, and paclitaxel for patients with high-risk Stage II-III breast cancer

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

    De Giorgi, Ugo; Giannini, Massimo; Department of Radiotherapy, Pierantoni Hospital, Forli

    Purpose: To verify the feasibility of, and quantify the risk of, pneumonitis from locoregional radiotherapy (RT) after high-dose dense chemotherapy with epirubicin and paclitaxel with peripheral blood progenitor cell support in patients with high-risk Stage II-III breast cancer. Methods and Materials: Treatment consisted of a mobilizing course of epirubicin 150 mg/m{sup 2}, preceded by dexrazoxane (Day 1), paclitaxel 175 mg/m{sup 2} (Day 2), and filgrastim; followed by three courses of epirubicin 150 mg/m{sup 2}, preceded by dexrazoxane (Day 1), paclitaxel 400 mg/m{sup 2} (Day 2), and peripheral blood progenitor cell support and filgrastim, every 16-19 days. After chemotherapy, patients weremore » treated with locoregional RT, which included the whole breast or the chest wall, axilla, and supraclavicular area. Results: Overall, 64 of 69 patients were evaluable. The interval between the end of chemotherapy and the initiation of RT was at least 1.5-2 months (mean 2). No treatment-related death was reported. After a median follow-up of 27 months from RT (range 5-77 months), neither clinically relevant radiation pneumonitis nor congestive heart failure had been reported. Minor and transitory lung and cardiac toxicities were observed. Conclusion: Sequential high doses of epirubicin, preceded by dexrazoxane, and paclitaxel did not adversely affect the tolerability of locoregional RT in breast cancer patients. The risk of pneumonitis was not affected by the use of sequential paclitaxel with an interval of at least 1.5-2 months between the end of chemotherapy and the initiation of RT. Long-term follow-up is needed to define the risk of cardiotoxicity in these patients.« less

  14. 75 FR 80097 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-12-21

    ... LLC Establishing Strike Price Intervals of $1 and Increasing Position and Exercise Limits With Respect... ``Index'') to (i) establish strike price intervals of $1.00 and (ii) increase the position and exercise... price intervals of $1.00 and (ii) increase the position and exercise limits applicable thereto. The...

  15. 75 FR 39720 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-07-12

    ..., Inc. To List Options on Trust Issued Receipts in $1 Strike Intervals July 6, 2010. Pursuant to Section... strike price intervals for options on Trust Issued Receipts. The text of the proposed rule change is... strike price intervals for options on Trust Issued Receipts (``TIRs''), including Holding Company...

  16. Shaper design in CMOS for high dynamic range

    DOEpatents

    De Geronimo, Gianluigi; Li, Shaorui

    2015-06-30

    An analog filter is presented that comprises a chain of filter stages, a feedback resistor for providing a negative feedback, and a feedback capacitor for providing a positive feedback. Each filter stage has an input node and an output node. The output node of a filter stage is connected to the input node of an immediately succeeding filter stage through a resistor. The feedback resistor has a first end connected to the output node of the last filter stage along the chain of filter stages, and a second end connected to the input node of a first preceding filter stage. The feedback capacitor has a first end connected to the output node of one of the chain of filter stages, and a second end connected to the input node of a second preceding filter stage.

  17. Orlistat and the risk of acute liver injury: self controlled case series study in UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink

    PubMed Central

    Langham, Julia; Bhaskaran, Krishnan; Brauer, Ruth; Smeeth, Liam

    2013-01-01

    Objective To measure the association between orlistat and acute liver injury. Design Self controlled case series study. Setting Population based primary care setting, United Kingdom. Participants 94 695 patients receiving orlistat and registered in the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink and linked with Hospital Episode Statistics data between 1999 and 2011. Main outcome measure Relative incidence of acute liver injury comparing periods when patients were receiving orlistat with periods of non-usage. Results Among 94 695 patients who received orlistat, 988 cases of acute liver injury were identified, with 335 confirmed as definite cases and 653 as probable cases. For all cases an increased incidence of liver injury was detected during the 90 day period before orlistat was first started, with an incidence rate ratio of 1.50 (95% confidence interval 1.10 to 2.06). The incidence remained raised during the first 30 days of treatment (2.21, 1.43 to 3.42), before returning to baseline levels with prolonged treatment. When the risk during the first 90 days of treatment was compared with the 90 days preceding first treatment, the incidence of liver injury was not increased (1.02, 0.67 to 1.56). An analysis restricted to definite cases showed no evidence of an increased risk of liver injury during treatment. Conclusion The incidence of acute liver injury was higher in the periods both immediately before and immediately after the start of orlistat treatment. This suggests that the observed increased risks of liver injury linked to the start of treatment may reflect changes in health status associated with the decision to begin treatment rather than any causal effect of the drug. PMID:23585064

  18. Oral Challenge without Skin Testing Safely Excludes Clinically Significant Delayed-Onset Penicillin Hypersensitivity.

    PubMed

    Confino-Cohen, Ronit; Rosman, Yossi; Meir-Shafrir, Keren; Stauber, Tali; Lachover-Roth, Idit; Hershko, Alon; Goldberg, Arnon

    Penicillins are the drug family most commonly associated with hypersensitivity reactions. Current guidelines recommend negative skin tests (ST) before re-administering penicillins to patients with previous nonimmediate reactions (NIR). The objective of this study was to examine whether ST are necessary before re-administering penicillin to patients with NIR. Patients with NIR to penicillins starting longer than 1 hour after last dose administration or starting any time after the first treatment day or patients with vague recollection of their reaction underwent penicillin ST. Disregarding ST results, patients were challenged with the relevant penicillins. One-tenth of the therapeutic dose followed by the full dose was administered at 1-hour interval and patients continued taking the full dose for 5 days. A total of 710 patients with alleged BL allergy were evaluated. Patients with a history of immediate reaction (52, 7.3%) or cephalosporin allergy (16, 2.2%) were excluded. Of the remaining 642 patients, 62.3% had negative ST, 5.3% positive ST, and 32.4% equivocal ST. A total of 617 (96.1%) patients were challenged. Immediate reaction was observed in 9 patients (1.5%): 1-positive ST, 7-negative ST, and 1-equivocal ST (P = .7). Late reaction to the first-day challenge occurred in 24 patients (4%). An at-home challenge was continued by 491 patients. Complete 5-day and partial challenges were well tolerated by 417 (85%) and 44 patients (8.9%), respectively, disregarding ST results. Thirty patients (6.1%) developed mild reactions to the home challenge regardless of their ST results. A 5-day oral challenge without preceding ST is safe and sufficient to exclude penicillin allergy after NIR developing during penicillin treatment. Copyright © 2017 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  19. Sex preference and third birth intervals in a traditional Indian society.

    PubMed

    Nath, D C; Land, K C

    1994-07-01

    The traditional preference for sons may be the main hindrance to India's current population policy of two children per family. In this study, the effects of various sociodemographic covariates, particularly sex preference, on the length of the third birth interval are examined for the scheduled caste population in Assam, India. Life table and hazards regression techniques are applied to retrospective sample data. The analysis shows that couples having two surviving sons are less likely to have a third child than those without a surviving son and those with only one surviving son. Age at first marriage, length of preceding birth intervals, age of mother, and household income have strong effects on the length of the third birth interval.

  20. An fMRI investigation into the effect of preceding stimuli during visual oddball tasks.

    PubMed

    Fajkus, Jiří; Mikl, Michal; Shaw, Daniel Joel; Brázdil, Milan

    2015-08-15

    This study investigates the modulatory effect of stimulus sequence on neural responses to novel stimuli. A group of 34 healthy volunteers underwent event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging while performing a three-stimulus visual oddball task, involving randomly presented frequent stimuli and two types of infrequent stimuli - targets and distractors. We developed a modified categorization of rare stimuli that incorporated the type of preceding rare stimulus, and analyzed the event-related functional data according to this sequence categorization; specifically, we explored hemodynamic response modulation associated with increasing rare-to-rare stimulus interval. For two consecutive targets, a modulation of brain function was evident throughout posterior midline and lateral temporal cortex, while responses to targets preceded by distractors were modulated in a widely distributed fronto-parietal system. As for distractors that follow targets, brain function was modulated throughout a set of posterior brain structures. For two successive distractors, however, no significant modulation was observed, which is consistent with previous studies and our primary hypothesis. The addition of the aforementioned technique extends the possibilities of conventional oddball task analysis, enabling researchers to explore the effects of the whole range of rare stimuli intervals. This methodology can be applied to study a wide range of associated cognitive mechanisms, such as decision making, expectancy and attention. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  1. Asteroid impact vs. Deccan eruptions: The origin of low magnetic susceptibility beds below the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary revisited

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Abrajevitch, Alexandra; Font, Eric; Florindo, Fabio; Roberts, Andrew P.

    2015-11-01

    The respective roles of an asteroid impact and Deccan Traps eruptions in biotic changes at the Cretaceous-Paleogene (K-Pg) boundary are still debated. In many shallow marine sediments from around the world, the K-Pg boundary is marked by a distinct clay layer that is often underlain by a several decimeter-thick low susceptibility zone. A previous study of the Gubbio section, Italy (Lowrie et al., 1990), attributed low magnetization intensity in this interval to post-depositional dissolution of ferrimagnetic minerals. Dissolution was thought to be a consequence of downward infiltration of reducing waters that resulted from rapid accumulation of organic matter produced by mass extinctions after the K-Pg event. We compare the magnetic properties of sediments from the Gubbio section with those of the Bidart section in southern France. The two sections are similar in their carbonate lithology and the presence of a boundary clay and low susceptibility zone. When compared to background Cretaceous sediments, the low susceptibility zone in both sections is marked by an absence of biogenic magnetite, a decrease in total ferrimagnetic mineral content, and a preferential loss of magnetite with respect to hematite - features that are consistent with reductive dissolution. However, unlike the Gubbio section, where the low susceptibility zone starts immediately below the boundary clay, the low susceptibility zone and the clay layer at Bidart are separated by a ∼4-cm carbonate interval that contains abundant biogenic magnetite. Such separation casts doubt on a causal link between the impact and sediment bleaching. More likely, the low susceptibility layer marks a different environmental event that preceded the impact. An episode of increased atmospheric and oceanic acidity associated with Deccan Traps volcanism that occurred well before the K-Pg impact is argued here to account for the distinct magnetic properties of the low susceptibility intervals.

  2. The effects of intravenous anesthetics on QT interval during anesthetic induction with sevoflurane.

    PubMed

    Terao, Yoshiaki; Higashijima, Ushio; Toyoda, Tomomi; Ichinomiya, Taiga; Fukusaki, Makoto; Hara, Tetsuya

    2016-12-01

    Sevoflurane is known to prolong the QT interval. This study aimed to determine the effect of the interaction between intravenous anesthetics and sevoflurane on the QT interval. The study included 48 patients who underwent lumbar spine surgery. Patients received 3 μg/kg fentanyl and were then randomly allocated to either Group T, in which they received 5 mg/kg thiamylal, or Group P, in which they received 1.5 mg/kg propofol, at 2 min after administration of fentanyl injection for anesthetic induction. Vecuronium (1.5 mg/kg) and sevoflurane (3 % inhaled concentration) were administered immediately after loss of consciousness and tracheal intubation was performed 3 min after vecuronium injection. Heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), bispectral index score (BIS), and the heart rate-corrected QT (QTc) interval on a 12-lead electrocardiogram were recorded immediately before fentanyl administration (T1), 2 min after fentanyl injection (T2), immediately before intubation (T3), and 2 min after intubation (T4). There were no significant differences between the two groups in baseline patient characteristics. BIS and MAP significantly decreased after anesthesia induction in both groups. At T3, MAP in Group T was higher than in Group P, while HR had reduced in both groups. The QTc interval was prolonged after anesthesia induction in Group T, but did not change at any time point in Group P. The QTc interval after anesthesia induction in Group T was longer than in Group P. We concluded that an injection of propofol could counteract QTc interval prolongation associated with sevoflurane anesthesia induction.

  3. 29 CFR 20.22 - Notifications.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... shall send appropriate written demands to the debtor in terms which inform the debtor of the..., a total of three progressively stronger written demands at not more than 30-day intervals will... of limitations, 28 U.S.C. 2415, from expiring), written demand may be preceded by other appropriate...

  4. Effect of Precede-Proceed Model on Preventive Behaviors for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in High-Risk Individuals.

    PubMed

    Moshki, Mahdi; Dehnoalian, Atefeh; Alami, Ali

    2017-04-01

    This study sought to assess the effect of precede-proceed model on preventive behaviors for type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) in high-risk individuals. In this semi-experimental study, 164 high-risk individuals for type 2 DM were selected and were randomly divided into two groups of intervention and control ( n = 85). Educational intervention was performed as a single session face-to-face instruction for 1.5 hr for the intervention group participants. Data were collected before (baseline) and immediately and 1 month after the intervention in the two groups. The mean score of predisposing (knowledge) factors ( p = .001), reinforcing factors ( p = .001), and enabling factors ( p = .02) were significantly different at baseline and 1 month after the intervention in the intervention group compared with the control group ( p < .05). A significant improvement occurred in the nutritional habits of high-risk participants in the intervention group at 1 month after the intervention compared with controls ( p = .001). The precede-proceed model can be effective for promoting the preventive behaviors for type 2 DM in high-risk individuals.

  5. Being Eager to Prove Oneself: U-Shaped Relationship between Competence Frustration and Intrinsic Motivation in Another Activity.

    PubMed

    Fang, Hui; He, Bin; Fu, Huijian; Meng, Liang

    2017-01-01

    Competence frustration has been consistently found to undermine one's intrinsic motivation in the same activity. However, the relationship between competence frustration in a preceding activity and one's intrinsic motivation in a subsequent one remains unclear. In order to explore this relationship, self-reported data were collected from 617 undergraduate students of a large comprehensive university in southern China, who took varied courses immediately before taking a less-demanding one. Results suggested a U-shaped relationship between students' competence frustration in a preceding course and intrinsic motivation in a subsequent one. To be specific, for students whose competence frustration reached the inflection point, a restoration process would be activated if the current course would help restore their competence. Importantly, these students' competence frustration in a preceding course was found to positively predict their intrinsic motivation level in a subsequent course. As far as we are concerned, this is the first study to reveal a potential positive effect of need frustration outside of its primary thwarting context, which complements and extends existing literatures on the dynamics between need frustration and intrinsic motivation.

  6. Eating and weight/shape criticism as a specific life-event related to bulimia nervosa: a case control study.

    PubMed

    Gonçalves, Sonia Ferreira; Machado, Bárbara César; Martins, Carla

    2014-01-01

    The present study aims to evaluate the occurrence of life events preceding the onset of eating problems in bulimia nervosa patients. A case-control design was used involving the comparison of 60 female subjects who meet DSM-IV criteria for bulimia nervosa with 60 healthy control subjects and 60 subjects with other psychiatric disorders. The RFI (Fairburn et al., 1998) subset of factors that represent exposure to life events in the 12 months immediately before the development of eating problems was used. Women with bulimia nervosa reported higher rates of major stress, criticism about eating, weight and shape and also a great number of antecedent life events during the year preceding the development of eating problems than the healthy control group. However, when compared with the general psychiatric control group only the exposure to critical comments about weight, shape, or eating emerged as a specific trigger for bulimia nervosa. Our findings support the fact that eating and shape/weight criticism in the year preceding the development of eating disturbance seems to be specifically related to bulimia nervosa.

  7. Effects of Tracked Vehicle Activity on Terrestrial Mammals, Birds, and Vegetation at Fort Knox, KY

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1979-07-01

    disturbance immediately precedes abandonment, annual herbs such as camphor weed, ragweed, foxtail, and several other species of grasses often occupy...erosion control. This perennial legume was well estab- lished over most of the open, disturbed ground. Camphor (Ambrosia bidentata), an annual weed of...stem (A. scoparious), and danthonia (Danthonia spicata). Collectively, these grasses were more important than the lespedeza or the camphor . Other

  8. Effect of high-dose nicotine patch on craving and negative affect leading up to lapse episodes.

    PubMed

    Ferguson, Stuart G; Shiffman, Saul

    2014-07-01

    Nicotine patches have been reliably demonstrated to improve smoking cessation outcomes but most users still lapse, and then relapse, during treatment. While patch has been shown to alleviate background cravings, its effects on cue-induced cravings - which have been linked to the occurrence of lapse events - are poorly understood. Here we investigate the effect of nicotine patch on the intensity of craving and negative affect experienced during the hours immediately preceding lapse episodes. Participants were 185 smokers who had quit in the context of a randomized, double-blind trial of high-dose (35 mg) nicotine patch and who lapsed at least once during the first 5 weeks of treatment. Participants used electronic diaries to monitor their smoking, affect, and craving during their cessation attempt. The data suggest that developments on the lapse day - either external events or changes in internal states - caused craving and negative affect to rise, cumulating in the lapse. Nicotine is known to lower background craving and negative affect, but the difference between patch and placebo appeared to dissipate in the hours immediately preceding lapse episodes. Understanding the process by which these symptoms "spike" prior to a lapse - and developing treatments to counter it - are worthy research endeavors.

  9. 75 FR 27608 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Arca, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-05-17

    ... Change To Establish Strike Price Intervals and Trading Hours for Options on Index Linked Securities May....4 Commentary .05 to establish strike price intervals for options on Index Linked Securities,\\3\\ and... Rule 7.1 Commentary .02 to establish strike price intervals and trading hours for options on Index...

  10. 75 FR 40011 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-07-13

    ... LLC To List Options on Trust Issued Receipts in $1 Strike Intervals July 6, 2010. Pursuant to section... strike price intervals for options on Trust Issued Receipts. The text of the proposed rule change is... establish strike price intervals for options on Trust Issued Receipts (``TIRs''), including Holding Company...

  11. RADIO RANGING DEVICE

    DOEpatents

    Bogle, R.W.

    1960-11-22

    A description is given of a super-regenerative oscillator ranging device provided with radiating and receiving means and being capable of indicating the occurrence of that distance between itself and a reflecting object which so phases the received echo of energy of a preceding emitted oscillation that the intervals between oscillations become uniform.

  12. Immediate postpartum levonorgestrel intrauterine device insertion and breast-feeding outcomes: a noninferiority randomized controlled trial.

    PubMed

    Turok, David K; Leeman, Lawrence; Sanders, Jessica N; Thaxton, Lauren; Eggebroten, Jennifer L; Yonke, Nicole; Bullock, Holly; Singh, Rameet; Gawron, Lori M; Espey, Eve

    2017-12-01

    Immediate postpartum levonorgestrel intrauterine device insertion is increasing in frequency in the United States, but few studies have investigated the effect of early placement on breast-feeding outcomes. This study examined the effect of immediate vs delayed postpartum levonorgestrel intrauterine device insertion on breast-feeding outcomes. We conducted this noninferiority randomized controlled trial at the University of Utah and the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Centers from February 2014 through March 2016. Eligible women were pregnant and planned to breast-feed, spoke English or Spanish, were aged 18-40 years, and desired a levonorgestrel intrauterine device. Enrolled women were randomized 1:1 to immediate postpartum insertion or delayed insertion at 4-12 weeks' postpartum. Prespecified exclusion criteria included delivery <37.0 weeks' gestational age, chorioamnionitis, postpartum hemorrhage, contraindications to levonorgestrel intrauterine device insertion, and medical complications of pregnancy that could affect breast-feeding. We conducted per-protocol analysis as the primary approach, as it is considered the standard for noninferiority studies; we also report the alternative intent-to-treat analysis. We powered the study for the primary outcome, breast-feeding continuation at 8 weeks, to detect a 15% noninferiority margin between groups, requiring 132 participants in each arm. The secondary study outcome, time to lactogenesis, used a validated measure, and was analyzed by survival analysis and log rank test. We followed up participants for ongoing data collection for 6 months. Only the data analysis team was blinded to the intervention. We met the enrollment target with 319 participants, but lost 34 prior to randomization and excluded an additional 26 for medical complications prior to delivery. The final analytic sample included 132 in the immediate group and 127 in the delayed group. Report of any breast-feeding at 8 weeks in the immediate group (79%; 95% confidence interval, 70-86%) was noninferior to that of the delayed group (84%; 95% confidence interval, 76-91%). The 5% difference in breast-feeding continuation at 8 weeks between the groups fell within the noninferiority margin (95% confidence interval, -5.6 to 15%). Time to lactogenesis (mean ± SD) in the immediate group, 65.3 ± 25.7 hours, was noninferior to that of the delayed group, 63.6 ± 21.6 hours. The mean difference between groups was 1.7 hours (95% confidence interval, -4.8 to 8.2 hours), noninferior by log-rank test. A total of 24 intrauterine device expulsions occurred in the immediate group compared to 2 in the delayed group (19% vs 2%, P < .001), consistent with the known higher expulsion rate with immediate vs delayed postpartum intrauterine device insertion. No intrauterine device perforations occurred in either group. Our results of noninferior breast-feeding outcomes between women with immediate and delayed postpartum levonorgestrel intrauterine device insertion suggest that immediate postpartum intrauterine device insertion is an acceptable option for women planning to breast-feed and use the levonorgestrel intrauterine device. Expulsion rates are higher with immediate postpartum levonorgestrel intrauterine device insertion compared to delayed insertion, but this disadvantage may be outweighed by the advantages of immediate initiation of contraception. Providers should offer immediate postpartum intrauterine device insertion to breast-feeding women planning to use the levonorgestrel intrauterine device. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  13. High-precision timeline for Earth’s most severe extinction

    PubMed Central

    Burgess, Seth D.; Bowring, Samuel; Shen, Shu-zhong

    2014-01-01

    The end-Permian mass extinction was the most severe loss of marine and terrestrial biota in the last 542 My. Understanding its cause and the controls on extinction/recovery dynamics depends on an accurate and precise age model. U-Pb zircon dates for five volcanic ash beds from the Global Stratotype Section and Point for the Permian-Triassic boundary at Meishan, China, define an age model for the extinction and allow exploration of the links between global environmental perturbation, carbon cycle disruption, mass extinction, and recovery at millennial timescales. The extinction occurred between 251.941 ± 0.037 and 251.880 ± 0.031 Mya, an interval of 60 ± 48 ka. Onset of a major reorganization of the carbon cycle immediately precedes the initiation of extinction and is punctuated by a sharp (3‰), short-lived negative spike in the isotopic composition of carbonate carbon. Carbon cycle volatility persists for ∼500 ka before a return to near preextinction values. Decamillenial to millennial level resolution of the mass extinction and its aftermath will permit a refined evaluation of the relative roles of rate-dependent processes contributing to the extinction, allowing insight into postextinction ecosystem expansion, and establish an accurate time point for evaluating the plausibility of trigger and kill mechanisms. PMID:24516148

  14. Transition to complete synchronization and global intermittent synchronization in an array of time-delay systems.

    PubMed

    Suresh, R; Senthilkumar, D V; Lakshmanan, M; Kurths, J

    2012-07-01

    We report the nature of transitions from the nonsynchronous to a complete synchronization (CS) state in arrays of time-delay systems, where the systems are coupled with instantaneous diffusive coupling. We demonstrate that the transition to CS occurs distinctly for different coupling configurations. In particular, for unidirectional coupling, locally (microscopically) synchronization transition occurs in a very narrow range of coupling strength but for a global one (macroscopically) it occurs sequentially in a broad range of coupling strength preceded by an intermittent synchronization. On the other hand, in the case of mutual coupling, a very large value of coupling strength is required for local synchronization and, consequently, all the local subsystems synchronize immediately for the same value of the coupling strength and, hence, globally, synchronization also occurs in a narrow range of the coupling strength. In the transition regime, we observe a type of synchronization transition where long intervals of high-quality synchronization which are interrupted at irregular times by intermittent chaotic bursts simultaneously in all the systems and which we designate as global intermittent synchronization. We also relate our synchronization transition results to the above specific types using unstable periodic orbit theory. The above studies are carried out in a well-known piecewise linear time-delay system.

  15. Lower limb ice application alters ground reaction force during gait initiation.

    PubMed

    Muniz, Thiago B; Moraes, Renato; Guirro, Rinaldo R J

    2015-01-01

    Cryotherapy is a widely used technique in physical therapy clinics and sports. However, the effects of cryotherapy on dynamic neuromuscular control are incompletely explained. To evaluate the effects of cryotherapy applied to the calf, ankle and sole of the foot in healthy young adults on ground reaction forces during gait initiation. This study evaluated the gait initiation forces, maximum propulsion, braking forces and impulses of 21 women volunteers through a force platform, which provided maximum and minimum ground reaction force values. To assess the effects of cooling, the task--gait initiation--was performed before ice application, immediately after and 30 minutes after removal of the ice pack. Ice was randomly applied on separate days to the calf, ankle and sole of the foot of the participants. It was demonstrated that ice application for 30 minutes to the sole of the foot and calf resulted in significant changes in the vertical force variables, which returned to their pre-application values 30 minutes after the removal of the ice pack. Ice application to the ankle only reduced propulsion impulse. These results suggest that although caution is necessary when performing activities that require good gait control, the application of ice to the ankle, sole of the foot or calf in 30-minute intervals may be safe even preceding such activities.

  16. High-precision timeline for Earth's most severe extinction.

    PubMed

    Burgess, Seth D; Bowring, Samuel; Shen, Shu-zhong

    2014-03-04

    The end-Permian mass extinction was the most severe loss of marine and terrestrial biota in the last 542 My. Understanding its cause and the controls on extinction/recovery dynamics depends on an accurate and precise age model. U-Pb zircon dates for five volcanic ash beds from the Global Stratotype Section and Point for the Permian-Triassic boundary at Meishan, China, define an age model for the extinction and allow exploration of the links between global environmental perturbation, carbon cycle disruption, mass extinction, and recovery at millennial timescales. The extinction occurred between 251.941 ± 0.037 and 251.880 ± 0.031 Mya, an interval of 60 ± 48 ka. Onset of a major reorganization of the carbon cycle immediately precedes the initiation of extinction and is punctuated by a sharp (3‰), short-lived negative spike in the isotopic composition of carbonate carbon. Carbon cycle volatility persists for ∼500 ka before a return to near preextinction values. Decamillenial to millennial level resolution of the mass extinction and its aftermath will permit a refined evaluation of the relative roles of rate-dependent processes contributing to the extinction, allowing insight into postextinction ecosystem expansion, and establish an accurate time point for evaluating the plausibility of trigger and kill mechanisms.

  17. Infant gaze following during parent-infant coviewing of baby videos.

    PubMed

    Demers, Lindsay B; Hanson, Katherine G; Kirkorian, Heather L; Pempek, Tiffany A; Anderson, Daniel R

    2013-01-01

    A total of 122 parent-infant dyads were observed as they watched a familiar or novel infant-directed video in a laboratory setting. Infants were between 12-15 and 18-21 months old. Infants were more likely to look toward the TV immediately following their parents' look toward the TV. This apparent social influence on infant looking at television was not solely due to the common influence of the television program on looking behavior. Moreover, infant looks that were preceded by parent looks tended to be longer in length than those that were not preceded by parent looks, suggesting that infants assign greater value to media content attended to by their parents. Thus, parental patterns of attention to television may influence early viewing behavior. © 2012 The Authors. Child Development © 2012 Society for Research in Child Development, Inc.

  18. Impact of Short Interval SMS Digital Data on Wind Vector Determination for a Severe Local Storms Area

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Peslen, C. A.

    1979-01-01

    The impact of 5 minute interval SMS-2 visible digital image data in analyzing severe local storms is examined using wind vectors derived from cloud tracking on time lapsed sequence of geosynchronous satellite images. The cloud tracking areas are located in the Central Plains, where on 6 May 1975, hail-producing thunderstorms occurred ahead of a well defined dry line. The results demonstrate that satellite-derived wind vectors and their associated divergence fields complement conventional meteorological analyses in describing the conditions preceding severe local storm development.

  19. 75 FR 35871 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-06-23

    ... PHLX, Inc. To List Options on Trust Issued Receipts in $1 Strike Intervals June 15, 2010. Pursuant to... to list options on Trust Issued Receipts in $1 strike price intervals. The text of the proposed rule...)(iv) to Rule 1012, in $1 or greater strike price intervals, where the strike price is $200 or less and...

  20. 75 FR 35113 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-06-21

    ... Stock Market LLC To List Options on Trust Issued Receipts in $1 Strike Intervals June 15, 2010. Pursuant... options on Trust Issued Receipts in $1 strike price intervals. The text of the proposed rule change is...''), as defined in Supplementary Material to Section 6 at .01(b), in $1 or greater strike price intervals...

  1. 77 FR 68177 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE MKT LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-11-15

    ... Commission has recently approved certain products to trade at $0.50 and $1 strike price intervals on CBOE... Series (``STOS'') Program that normally trade in $1 Strike Price Intervals shall be $0.50 or greater; and for classes in the STOS Program that do not normally trade in $1 Strike Price Intervals, the strike...

  2. Effects of pre- and post-insemination maternal plane of nutrition on estrus and embryo development [Abstract

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Nutritional changes immediately after insemination can result in differential embryonic development. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of a nutritional change immediately before or after AI on estrus expression, interval to estrus, and day 6 embryo recovery, developme...

  3. Dissociable effects of inter-stimulus interval and presentation duration on rapid face categorization.

    PubMed

    Retter, Talia L; Jiang, Fang; Webster, Michael A; Rossion, Bruno

    2018-04-01

    Fast periodic visual stimulation combined with electroencephalography (FPVS-EEG) has unique sensitivity and objectivity in measuring rapid visual categorization processes. It constrains image processing time by presenting stimuli rapidly through brief stimulus presentation durations and short inter-stimulus intervals. However, the selective impact of these temporal parameters on visual categorization is largely unknown. Here, we presented natural images of objects at a rate of 10 or 20 per second (10 or 20 Hz), with faces appearing once per second (1 Hz), leading to two distinct frequency-tagged EEG responses. Twelve observers were tested with three squarewave image presentation conditions: 1) with an ISI, a traditional 50% duty cycle at 10 Hz (50-ms stimulus duration separated by a 50-ms ISI); 2) removing the ISI and matching the rate, a 100% duty cycle at 10 Hz (100-ms duration with 0-ms ISI); 3) removing the ISI and matching the stimulus presentation duration, a 100% duty cycle at 20 Hz (50-ms duration with 0-ms ISI). The face categorization response was significantly decreased in the 20 Hz 100% condition. The conditions at 10 Hz showed similar face-categorization responses, peaking maximally over the right occipito-temporal (ROT) cortex. However, the onset of the 10 Hz 100% response was delayed by about 20 ms over the ROT region relative to the 10 Hz 50% condition, likely due to immediate forward-masking by preceding images. Taken together, these results help to interpret how the FPVS-EEG paradigm sets temporal constraints on visual image categorization. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  4. Effect of Treadmill Exercise and Hydrogen-rich Water Intake on Serum Oxidative and Anti-oxidative Metabolites in Serum of Thoroughbred Horses

    PubMed Central

    TSUBONE, Hirokazu; HANAFUSA, Masakazu; ENDO, Maiko; MANABE, Noboru; HIRAGA, Atsushi; OHMURA, Hajime; AIDA, Hiroko

    2013-01-01

    The present study aimed to clarify changes of oxidative stress and antioxidative functions in treadmill-exercised Thoroughbred horses (n=5, 3 to 7 years old), using recently developed techniques for measurement of serum d-ROMs for oxidative stress, and BAP for antioxidative markers. Also, the effect of nasogastric administration of hydrogen-rich water (HW) or placebo water preceding the treadmill exercise on these parameters was examined. Each horse was subjected to a maximum level of treadmill exercise in which the horses were exhausted at an average speed of 13.2 ± 0.84 m/sec. Blood samples were taken 4 times, immediately before the intake of HW or placebo water at 30 min preceding the treadmill exercise, immediately before the exercise (pre-exercise), immediately after the exercise (post-exercise) and at 30 min following the exercise. In all horses, both d-ROMs and BAP values significantly increased at post-exercise. The increase in d-ROMs tended to be lower in the HW trial, as compared to the placebo trial at pre-exercise. The increase in BAP was considerable at approximately 150% of the pre-exercise values in both the HW and placebo treatment trials. The BAP/d-ROMs ratio was significantly elevated at post-exercise in both treatment trials, while a significant elevation was also observed at pre-exercise in the HW trial. BAP, d-ROM, and the BAP/d-ROM ratio tended to decline at 30 min after the exercise, except BAP and BAP/d-ROMs in the placebo trial. These results demonstrate that the marked elevation of oxidative stress and anitioxidative functions occurred simultaneously in the intensively exercised horses, and suggest a possibility that HW has some antioxidative efficacy. PMID:24833996

  5. Effect of Treadmill Exercise and Hydrogen-rich Water Intake on Serum Oxidative and Anti-oxidative Metabolites in Serum of Thoroughbred Horses.

    PubMed

    Tsubone, Hirokazu; Hanafusa, Masakazu; Endo, Maiko; Manabe, Noboru; Hiraga, Atsushi; Ohmura, Hajime; Aida, Hiroko

    2013-01-01

    The present study aimed to clarify changes of oxidative stress and antioxidative functions in treadmill-exercised Thoroughbred horses (n=5, 3 to 7 years old), using recently developed techniques for measurement of serum d-ROMs for oxidative stress, and BAP for antioxidative markers. Also, the effect of nasogastric administration of hydrogen-rich water (HW) or placebo water preceding the treadmill exercise on these parameters was examined. Each horse was subjected to a maximum level of treadmill exercise in which the horses were exhausted at an average speed of 13.2 ± 0.84 m/sec. Blood samples were taken 4 times, immediately before the intake of HW or placebo water at 30 min preceding the treadmill exercise, immediately before the exercise (pre-exercise), immediately after the exercise (post-exercise) and at 30 min following the exercise. In all horses, both d-ROMs and BAP values significantly increased at post-exercise. The increase in d-ROMs tended to be lower in the HW trial, as compared to the placebo trial at pre-exercise. The increase in BAP was considerable at approximately 150% of the pre-exercise values in both the HW and placebo treatment trials. The BAP/d-ROMs ratio was significantly elevated at post-exercise in both treatment trials, while a significant elevation was also observed at pre-exercise in the HW trial. BAP, d-ROM, and the BAP/d-ROM ratio tended to decline at 30 min after the exercise, except BAP and BAP/d-ROMs in the placebo trial. These results demonstrate that the marked elevation of oxidative stress and anitioxidative functions occurred simultaneously in the intensively exercised horses, and suggest a possibility that HW has some antioxidative efficacy.

  6. High-Intensity Interval Exercises' Acute Impact on Heart Rate Variability: Comparison Between Whole-Body and Cycle Ergometer Protocols.

    PubMed

    Schaun, Gustavo Z; Del Vecchio, Fabrício B

    2018-01-01

    Schaun, GZ and Del Vecchio, FB. High-intensity interval exercises' acute impact on heart rate variability: comparison between whole-body and cycle ergometer protocols. J Strength Cond Res 32(1): 223-229, 2018-Study aimed to compare the effects of 2 high-intensity interval training (HIIT) protocols on heart rate variability. Twelve young adult males (23.3 ± 3.9 years, 177.8 ± 7.4 cm, 76.9 ± 12.9 kg) volunteered to participate. In a randomized cross-over design, subjects performed 2 HIIT protocols, 1 on a cycle ergometer (Tabata protocol [TBT]; eight 20-second bouts at 170% Pmax interspersed by 10-second rest) and another with whole-body calisthenic exercises (McRae protocol; eight 20-second all-out intervals interspersed by 10-second rest). Heart rate variability outcomes in the time, frequency, and nonlinear domains were assessed on 3 moments: (a) presession; (b) immediately postsession; and (c) 24 hours postsession. Results revealed that RRmean, Ln rMSSD, Ln high frequency (HF), and Ln low frequency (LF) were significantly reduced immediately postsession (p ≤ 0.001) and returned to baseline 24 h after both protocols. In addition, LF/HF ratio was reduced 24 h postsession (p ≤ 0.01) and SD2 was significantly lower immediately postsession only in TBT. Our main finding was that responses from heart rate autonomic control were similar in both protocols, despite different modes of exercise performed. Specifically, exercises resulted in a high parasympathetic inhibition immediately after session with subsequent recovery within 1 day. These results suggest that subjects were already recovered the day after and can help coaches to better program training sessions with such protocols.

  7. Choice between Single and Multiple Reinforcers in Concurrent-Chains Schedules

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Mazur, James E.

    2006-01-01

    Pigeons responded on concurrent-chains schedules with equal variable-interval schedules as initial links. One terminal link delivered a single reinforcer after a fixed delay, and the other terminal link delivered either three or five reinforcers, each preceded by a fixed delay. Some conditions included a postreinforcer delay after the single…

  8. 77 FR 68172 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Arca, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-11-15

    ... recently approved certain products to trade at $0.50 and $1 strike price intervals on CBOE within exactly... Short Term Option Series (``STOS'') Program that normally trade in $1 Strike Price Intervals shall be [[Page 68173

  9. Ablative Intravesical Chemotherapy for Small Recurrent Non-Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer: A Prospective Study.

    PubMed

    Decaestecker, Karel; Lumen, Nicolaas; Ringoir, Annelies; Oosterlinck, Willem

    2016-01-01

    The efficacy of intravesical chemotherapy in abolishing small papillary recurrences of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), the disease-free interval in responders and patients' preferences were explored. When a small (≤1 cm) papillary recurrence of a NMIBC was diagnosed, the patient could choose between immediate transurethral resection of the bladder (TURB) or four weekly intravesical instillations with mitomycin C (MMC) or epirubicin (ERC). Control cystoscopy was scheduled 2-3 weeks after the last instillation. Complete remission was defined as total disappearance of all papillary tumours and negative cytology. 25 patients with 47 recurrence episodes were recruited from February 2003 until August 2011. The median follow-up was 35 months. After exclusion of 2 patients with intolerance to the instillations, 45 study episodes could be analysed. All patients to whom this was proposed preferred the instillations over immediate TURB. Complete, partial and no response was seen in 23 (51%), 6 (13%) and 16 (36%) out of 45 episodes, respectively. The median disease-free interval after complete remission was 16 months (95% confidence interval 9-24). Small papillary recurrences of NMIBC completely disappear in about half of the cases receiving four weekly bladder instillations with MMC or ERC. This is followed by a disease-free interval. Intravesical chemotherapy was preferred by all patients over immediate TURB. © 2015 S. Karger AG, Basel.

  10. Speaking with a mirror: engagement of mirror neurons via choral speech and its derivatives induces stuttering inhibition.

    PubMed

    Kalinowski, Joseph; Saltuklaroglu, Tim

    2003-04-01

    'Choral speech', 'unison speech', or 'imitation speech' has long been known to immediately induce reflexive, spontaneous, and natural sounding fluency, even the most severe cases of stuttering. Unlike typical post-therapeutic speech, a hallmark characteristic of choral speech is the sense of 'invulnerability' to stuttering, regardless of phonetic context, situational environment, or audience size. We suggest that choral speech immediately inhibits stuttering by engaging mirror systems of neurons, innate primitive neuronal substrates that dominate the initial phases of language development due to their predisposition to reflexively imitate gestural action sequences in a fluent manner. Since mirror systems are primordial in nature, they take precedence over the much later developing stuttering pathology. We suggest that stuttering may best be ameliorated by reengaging mirror neurons via choral speech or one of its derivatives (using digital signal processing technology) to provide gestural mirrors, that are nature's way of immediately overriding the central stuttering block. Copyright 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd.

  11. A Single Bout of High-Intensity Interval Training Improves Motor Skill Retention in Individuals With Stroke.

    PubMed

    Nepveu, Jean-Francois; Thiel, Alexander; Tang, Ada; Fung, Joyce; Lundbye-Jensen, Jesper; Boyd, Lara A; Roig, Marc

    2017-08-01

    One bout of high-intensity cardiovascular exercise performed immediately after practicing a motor skill promotes changes in the neuroplasticity of the motor cortex and facilitates motor learning in nondisabled individuals. To determine if a bout of exercise performed at high intensity is sufficient to induce neuroplastic changes and improve motor skill retention in patients with chronic stroke. Twenty-two patients with different levels of motor impairment were recruited. On the first session, the effects of a maximal graded exercise test on corticospinal and intracortical excitability were assessed from the affected and unaffected primary motor cortex representational area of a hand muscle with transcranial magnetic stimulation. On the second session, participants were randomly assigned to an exercise or a nonexercise control group. Immediately after practicing a motor task, the exercise group performed 15 minutes of high-intensity interval training while the control group rested. Twenty-four hours after motor practice all participants completed a test of the motor task to assess skill retention. The graded exercise test reduced interhemispheric imbalances in GABA A -mediated short-interval intracortical inhibition but changes in other markers of excitability were not statistically significant. The group that performed high-intensity interval training showed a better retention of the motor skill. The performance of a maximal graded exercise test triggers only modest neuroplastic changes in patients with chronic stroke. However, a single bout of high-intensity interval training performed immediately after motor practice improves skill retention, which could potentially accelerate motor recovery in these individuals.

  12. Electroencephalographic slow waves prior to sleepwalking episodes.

    PubMed

    Perrault, Rosemarie; Carrier, Julie; Desautels, Alex; Montplaisir, Jacques; Zadra, Antonio

    2014-12-01

    Recent studies have suggested that the onset of sleepwalking episodes may be preceded by fluctuations in slow-wave sleep electroencephalographic characteristics. However, whether or not such fluctuations are specific to sleepwalking episodes or generalized to all sleep-wake transitions in sleepwalkers remains unknown. The goal of this study was to compare spectral power for delta (1-4 Hz) and slow delta (0.5-1 Hz) as well as slow oscillation density before the onset of somnambulistic episodes versus non-behavioral awakenings recorded from the same group of sleepwalkers. A secondary aim was to describe the time course of observed changes in slow-wave activity and slow oscillations during the 3 min immediately preceding the occurrence of somnambulistic episodes. Twelve adult sleepwalkers were investigated polysomnographically during the course of one night. Slow-wave activity and slow oscillation density were significantly greater prior to patients' somnambulistic episodes as compared with non-behavioral awakenings. However, there was no evidence for a gradual increase over the 3 min preceding the episodes. Increased slow-wave activity and slow oscillation density appear to be specific to sleepwalking episodes rather than generalized to all sleep-wake transitions in sleepwalkers. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  13. A "NIRS" death experience: a reduction in cortical oxygenation by time-resolved near-infrared spectroscopy preceding cardiac arrest.

    PubMed

    Lanks, C; Kim, C B; Rossiter, H B

    2017-09-08

    Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) has been used effectively post-cardiac-arrest to gauge adequacy of resuscitation and predict the likelihood of achieving a return of spontaneous circulation. However, preempting hemodynamic collapse is preferable to achieving ROSC through advanced cardiac life support. Minimizing "time down" without end-organ perfusion has always been a central pillar of ACLS. In many critically ill patients there is a prolonged phase of end-organ hypoperfusion preceding loss of palpable pulses and initiation of ACLS. Due to the relative infrequency of in-hospital cardiac arrest, NIRS has not previously evaluated the period immediately prior to hemodynamic collapse. Here we report a young man who suffered a pulseless electrical activity (PEA) arrest while cortical oxygenation was monitored using time-resolved near-infrared spectroscopy. The onset of cortical deoxygenation preceded the loss of palpable pulses by 15 min, suggesting that TRS-NIRS monitoring might provide a means of preempting PEA arrest. Our experience with this patient represents a promising new direction for continuous NIRS monitoring and has the potential to not only predict clinical outcomes, but affect them to the patient's benefit as well.

  14. Being Eager to Prove Oneself: U-Shaped Relationship between Competence Frustration and Intrinsic Motivation in Another Activity

    PubMed Central

    Fang, Hui; He, Bin; Fu, Huijian; Meng, Liang

    2017-01-01

    Competence frustration has been consistently found to undermine one’s intrinsic motivation in the same activity. However, the relationship between competence frustration in a preceding activity and one’s intrinsic motivation in a subsequent one remains unclear. In order to explore this relationship, self-reported data were collected from 617 undergraduate students of a large comprehensive university in southern China, who took varied courses immediately before taking a less-demanding one. Results suggested a U-shaped relationship between students’ competence frustration in a preceding course and intrinsic motivation in a subsequent one. To be specific, for students whose competence frustration reached the inflection point, a restoration process would be activated if the current course would help restore their competence. Importantly, these students’ competence frustration in a preceding course was found to positively predict their intrinsic motivation level in a subsequent course. As far as we are concerned, this is the first study to reveal a potential positive effect of need frustration outside of its primary thwarting context, which complements and extends existing literatures on the dynamics between need frustration and intrinsic motivation. PMID:29312025

  15. Sudden Death After Febrile Seizure Case Report: Cerebral Suppression Precedes Severe Bradycardia.

    PubMed

    Myers, Kenneth A; McPherson, Robyn E; Clegg, Robin; Buchhalter, Jeffrey

    2017-11-01

    A 20-month-old girl with a complex chromosomal disorder had first presentation of febrile status epilepticus and was admitted to the hospital. Two days after her initial seizure, she died suddenly and unexpectedly during a video EEG monitoring study. An advanced analysis of the physiologic changes in the hours and minutes leading up to death was undertaken. The electrocardiography over the last 19 minutes of life was reviewed, and the R-R intervals were manually measured. Heart rate variability was assessed through calculation of the SD of the R-R intervals and the root mean square of successive differences over successive 100 beat periods. Instantaneous heart rate, SD of the R-R intervals, the root mean square of successive differences, and oxygen saturation were plotted against time over the last 19 minutes of life. Diffuse cerebral suppression on EEG was observed 10 minutes before death, followed minutes later by severe bradycardia and increased heart rate variability. Although the child did not meet criteria for a diagnosis of epilepsy, the sequence of physiologic changes leading up to death suggests a pathophysiology similar to sudden unexplained death in epilepsy. A comparable pattern of diffuse cerebral suppression preceding parasympathetic overactivity has been suggested in some rare cases of adults who have experienced sudden unexplained death in epilepsy during video EEG monitoring. Copyright © 2017 by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

  16. Intranasal midazolam during presurgical epilepsy monitoring is well tolerated, delays seizure recurrence, and protects from generalized tonic-clonic seizures.

    PubMed

    Kay, Lara; Reif, Philipp S; Belke, Marcus; Bauer, Sebastian; Fründ, Detlef; Knake, Susanne; Rosenow, Felix; Strzelczyk, Adam

    2015-09-01

    To evaluate the tolerability and efficacy of the ictal and immediate postictal application of intranasal midazolam (in-MDZ) in adolescents and adults during video-electroencephalography (EEG) monitoring. Medical records of all patients treated with in-MDZ between 2008 and 2014 were reviewed retrospectively. For each single patient, the time span until recurrence of seizures was analyzed after an index seizure with and without in-MDZ application. To prevent potential bias, we defined the first seizure with application of in-MDZ as the in-MDZ index seizure. The control index seizure was the preceding, alternatively the next successive seizure without application of in-MDZ. In total, 75 epilepsy patients (mean age 34 ± 14.7 years; 42 male, 33 female) were treated with in-MDZ (mean dose 5.1 mg). Adverse events were observed in four patients (5.3%), and no serious adverse events occurred. The median time after EEG seizure onset before administration of in-MDZ was 2.17 min (interquartile range [IQR] 03.82; range 0.13-15.0 min). Over the next 12 h after in-MDZ, the number of seizures was significantly lower (p = 0.031). The median seizure-free interval was significantly longer following treatment with in-MDZ (5.83 h; IQR 6.83, range 0.4-23.87) than it was for those with no in-MDZ treatment (2.37 h; IQR 4.87, range 0.03-21.87; p = 0.015). Conversely, the likelihood of the patient developing a subsequent seizure was four times higher (odds ratio [OR] 4.33, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.30-14.47) in the first hour and decreased gradually after 12 h (OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.06-2.12). The occurrence of generalized tonic-clonic seizures was lower in the in-MDZ group in the 24-h observation period (OR 4.67, 95% CI 1.41-15.45; p = 0.009). Ictal and immediate postictal administration of in-MDZ was well tolerated and not associated with serious adverse events. We demonstrated a significant reduction of subsequent seizures (all seizure types) for a 12 h period and of generalized tonic-clonic seizures for 24 h following in-MDZ. Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2015 International League Against Epilepsy.

  17. Continuous/Batch Mg/MgH2/H2O-Based Hydrogen Generator

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Kindler, Andrew; Huang, Yuhong

    2010-01-01

    A proposed apparatus for generating hydrogen by means of chemical reactions of magnesium and magnesium hydride with steam would exploit the same basic principles as those discussed in the immediately preceding article, but would be designed to implement a hybrid continuous/batch mode of operation. The design concept would simplify the problem of optimizing thermal management and would help to minimize the size and weight necessary for generating a given amount of hydrogen.

  18. KSC-98pc510

    NASA Image and Video Library

    1998-04-17

    STS-90 Mission Specialist Kathryn (Kay) Hire is assisted by NASA and USA closeout crew members immediately preceding launch for the nearly 17-day Neurolab mission. Investigations during the Neurolab mission will focus on the effects of microgravity on the nervous system. Hire and six fellow crew members will shortly enter the orbiter at KSC's Launch Pad 39B, where the Space Shuttle Columbia will lift off during a launch window that opens at 2:19 p.m. EDT, April 17

  19. KSC-98pc514

    NASA Image and Video Library

    1998-04-17

    STS-90 Payload Specialist Jay Buckey, M.D., is assisted by NASA and USA closeout crew members immediately preceding launch for the nearly 17-day Neurolab mission. Investigations during the Neurolab mission will focus on the effects of microgravity on the nervous system. Buckey and six fellow crew members will shortly enter the orbiter at KSC's Launch Pad 39B, where the Space Shuttle Columbia will lift off during a launch window that opens at 2:19 p.m. EDT, April 17

  20. JPRS Report. Soviet Union, World Economy & International Relations, No. 2, February 1987.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1987-06-04

    ORGANIZATION OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION (UEO) THE WORKING CLASS P, THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD (UWC) PEOPLES OF ASIA $ AFRICA (UAA) MILITARY HISrORY JOURNAL...a guide in urgent and joint activities of peoples and states to avert a hitherto unknown disaster. An objective unity of the interests of security...point for the assertive, immediate, joint actions of peoples and states in the name of averting a disaster such as would be without precedent in the

  1. Infrared Spectroscopic Measurement of Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticle Shallow Trap State Energies

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2010-02-10

    energy from the immediately preceding pulse burst. Continuous operation of a laser directed onto a target leads to vaporization operation. In this...1988, (92), 5196-5201. 93. Wang, Y.; Herron, N., Quantum Size Effects on the Exciton Energy of Cds Clusters . Physical Review B 1990, 42 (11...Nanoparticles by Pulsed Laser Ablation: Ambient Pressure Dependence of Crystallization. Jpn. J. Appl. Phys. 2003, 42, L 479–L 481. 186. Kawasaki, K.; Despres, J

  2. Sleepwalking episodes are preceded by arousal-related activation in the cingulate motor area: EEG current density imaging.

    PubMed

    Januszko, Piotr; Niemcewicz, Szymon; Gajda, Tomasz; Wołyńczyk-Gmaj, Dorota; Piotrowska, Anna Justyna; Gmaj, Bartłomiej; Piotrowski, Tadeusz; Szelenberger, Waldemar

    2016-01-01

    To investigate local arousal fluctuations in adults who received ICSD-2 diagnosis of somnambulism. EEG neuroimaging (eLORETA) was utilized to compare current density distribution for 4s epochs immediately preceding sleepwalking episode (from -4.0 s to 0 s) to the distribution during earlier 4s epochs (from -8.0 s to -4.0 s) in 20 EEG segments from 15 patients. Comparisons between eLORETA images revealed significant (t>4.52; p<0.05) brain activations before onset of sleepwalking, with greater current density within beta 3 frequency range (24-30 Hz) in Brodmann areas 33 and 24. Sleepwalking motor events are associated with arousal-related activation of cingulate motor area. These results support the notion of blurred boundaries between wakefulness and NREM sleep in sleepwalking. Copyright © 2015 International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  3. Effect of a central redistribution of fluid volume on response to lower-body negative pressure

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Tomaselli, Clare M.; Frey, Mary A. B.; Kenney, Richard A.; Hoffler, G. Wyckliffe

    1990-01-01

    Cardiovascular responses to lower-body negative pressure (LBNP) were studied following 1 hour of 6-deg head-down tilt to determine whether a redistribution of blood volume toward the central circulation modifies the subsequent response to orthostatic stress. Responses of 12 men, ages 30-39 years, were evaluated by electrocardiography, impedance cardiography, sphygmomanometry, and measurement of calf circumference. During the LBNP that followed head-down tilt, as compared with control LBNP (no preceding head-down tilt) subjects, had smaller stroke volume and cardiac output, greater total peripheral resistance, and less calf enlargement. These differences reflect differences in the variables immediately preceding LBNP. Magnitudes of the responses from pre-LBNP to each pressure stage of the LBNP procedure did not differ between protocols. Mean and diastolic arterial pressures were slightly elevated after LBNP-control, but they fell slightly during LBNP post-tilt.

  4. Interstimulus interval as it affects temporary threshold shift in serial presentations of loud tones.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    1979-06-01

    Temporary threshold shifts were measured repeatedly during a session in order to determine effects of interstimulus interval (ISI) on the shift. The fatiguing sound was a 3-minute, 110-dB-SPL, 4,000-Hz tone. Immediately following the 3-minute stimula...

  5. The Effects of Acute High-Intensity Interval Training on Hematological Parameters in Sedentary Subjects.

    PubMed

    Belviranli, Muaz; Okudan, Nilsel; Kabak, Banu

    2017-07-19

    The objective of the study was to determine the effects of acute high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on hematological parameters in sedentary men. Ten healthy, non-smoker, and sedentary men aged between 18 and 24 years participated in the study. All subjects performed four Wingate tests with 4 min intervals between the tests. Blood samples were collected at pre-exercise, immediately after, 3 and 6 h after the fourth Wingate test. Hematological parameters were analyzed in these samples. The results showed that hematocrit percentage, hemoglobin values, red cell count, mean cell volume, platelet count, total white cell count, and counts of the white cell subgroups increased immediately after the acute HIIT and their values began to return to resting levels 3 h after exercise, and completely returned to resting levels 6 h after exercise. In conclusion, acute HIIT causes an inflammatory response in blood.

  6. Effects of anesthetic agents on in vivo axonal HCN current in normal mice.

    PubMed

    Osaki, Yusuke; Nodera, Hiroyuki; Banzrai, Chimeglkham; Endo, Sachiko; Takayasu, Hirokazu; Mori, Atsuko; Shimatani, Yoshimitsu; Kaji, Ryuji

    2015-10-01

    The objective was to study the in vivo effects of anesthetic agents on peripheral nerve excitability. Normal male mice were anesthetized by either isoflurane inhalation or a combination of medetomidine, midazolam, and butorphanol intraperitoneal injection ("triple agents"). Immediately after induction, the tail sensory nerve action potential was recorded and its excitability was monitored. Under both anesthetic protocols, there was an interval excitability change by long hyperpolarizing currents. There was greater threshold reduction approximately 30min post induction, in comparison to immediately post induction. Other excitability parameters were stable over time. Modeling suggested interval suppression of internodal H conductance or leak current. Anesthetic agents affected responses to long hyperpolarizing currents. Axonal excitability during intraoperative monitoring may be affected by anesthetic agents. Interpretation of interval excitability changes under anesthesia requires caution, especially with long hyperpolarizing currents. Copyright © 2015 International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  7. Long-term history and immediate preceding state affect EEG slow wave characteristics at NREM sleep onset in C57BL/6 mice.

    PubMed

    Cui, N; Mckillop, L E; Fisher, S P; Oliver, P L; Vyazovskiy, V V

    2014-01-01

    The dynamics of cortical activity across the 24-h day and at vigilance state transitions is regulated by an interaction between global subcortical neuromodulatory influences and local shifts in network synchrony and excitability. To address the role of long-term and immediate preceding history in local and global cortical dynamics, we investigated cortical EEG recorded from both frontal and occipital regions during an undisturbed 24-h recording in mice. As expected, at the beginning of the light period, under physiologically increased sleep pressure, EEG slow waves were more frequent and had higher amplitude and slopes, compared to the rest of the light period. Within discrete NREM sleep episodes, the incidence, amplitude and slopes of individual slow waves increased progressively after episode onset in both derivations by approximately 10-30%. Interestingly, at the beginning of NREM sleep episodes slow waves in the frontal and occipital derivations frequently occurred in isolation, as quantified by longer latencies between consecutive slow waves in the two regions. Notably, slow waves during the initial period of NREM sleep following REM sleep episodes were significantly less frequent, lower in amplitude and exhibited shallower slopes, compared to those that occurred in NREM episodes after prolonged waking. Moreover, the latencies between consecutive frontal and occipital NREM slow waves were substantially longer when they occurred directly after REM sleep compared to following consolidated wakefulness. Overall these data reveal a complex picture, where both time of day and preceding state contribute to the characteristics and dynamics of slow waves within NREM sleep. These findings suggest that NREM sleep initiates in a more "local" fashion when it occurs following REM sleep episodes as opposed to sustained waking bouts. While the mechanisms and functional significance of such a re-setting of brain state after individual REM sleep episodes remains to be investigated, we suggest that it may be an essential feature of physiological sleep regulation.

  8. Comparison of immediate complete denture, tooth and implant-supported overdenture on vertical dimension and muscle activity

    PubMed Central

    Shah, Farhan Khalid; Gebreel, Ashraf; Elshokouki, Ali hamed; Habib, Ahmed Ali

    2012-01-01

    PURPOSE To compare the changes in the occlusal vertical dimension, activity of masseter muscles and biting force after insertion of immediate denture constructed with conventional, tooth-supported and Implant-supported immediate mandibular complete denture. MATERIALS AND METHODS Patients were selected and treatment was carried out with all the three different concepts i.e, immediate denture constructed with conventional (Group A), tooth-supported (Group B) and Implant-supported (Group C) immediate mandibular complete dentures. Parameters of evaluation and comparison were occlusal vertical dimension measured by radiograph (at three different time intervals), Masseter muscle electromyographic (EMG) measurement by EMG analysis (at three different positions of jaws) and bite force measured by force transducer (at two different time intervals). The obtained data were statistically analyzed by using ANOVA-F test at 5% level of significance. If the F test was significant, Least Significant Difference test was performed to test further significant differences between variables. RESULTS Comparison between mean differences in occlusal vertical dimension for tested groups showed that it was only statistically significant at 1 year after immediate dentures insertion. Comparison between mean differences in wavelet packet coefficients of the electromyographic signals of masseter muscles for tested groups was not significant at rest position, but significant at initial contact position and maximum voluntary clench position. Comparison between mean differences in maximum biting force for tested groups was not statistically significant at 5% level of significance. CONCLUSION Immediate complete overdentures whether tooth or implant supported prosthesis is recommended than totally mucosal supported prosthesis. PMID:22737309

  9. KSC-98pc509

    NASA Image and Video Library

    1998-04-17

    KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-90 Payload Specialist James Pawelczyk, Ph.D., is assisted by NASA and United Space Alliance closeout crew members immediately preceding launch for the nearly 17-day Neurolab mission. Investigations during the Neurolab mission will focus on the effects of microgravity on the nervous system. Pawelczyk and six fellow crew members will shortly enter the orbiter at KSC's Launch Pad 39B, where the Space Shuttle Columbia will lift off during a launch window that opens at 2:19 p.m. EDT, April 17

  10. KSC-98pc511

    NASA Image and Video Library

    1998-04-17

    KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-90 Commander Richard Searfoss is assisted by NASA and USA closeout crew members immediately preceding launch for the nearly 17-day Neurolab mission. Investigations during the Neurolab mission will focus on the effects of microgravity on the nervous system. Searfoss and his six fellow crew members will shortly enter the orbiter at KSC's Launch Pad 39B, where the Space Shuttle Columbia will lift off during a launch window that opens at 2:19 p.m. EDT, April 17

  11. KSC-98pc512

    NASA Image and Video Library

    1998-04-17

    KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-90 Mission Specialist Richard Linnehan, D.V.M., is assisted by NASA and United Space Alliance closeout crew members immediately preceding launch for the nearly 17-day Neurolab mission. Investigations during the Neurolab mission will focus on the effects of microgravity on the nervous system. Linnehan and six fellow crew members will shortly enter the orbiter at KSC's Launch Pad 39B, where the Space Shuttle Columbia will lift off during a launch window that opens at 2:19 p.m. EDT, April 17

  12. KSC-98pc513

    NASA Image and Video Library

    1998-04-17

    KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-90 Pilot Scott Altman is assisted by NASA and United Space Alliance closeout crew members immediately preceding launch for the nearly 17-day Neurolab mission. Investigations during the Neurolab mission will focus on the effects of microgravity on the nervous system. Altman and six fellow crew members will shortly enter the orbiter at KSC's Launch Pad 39B, where the Space Shuttle Columbia will lift off during a launch window that opens at 2:19 p.m. EDT, April 17

  13. Late Cretaceous (Maestrichtian) Calcareous Nannoplankton Biogeography with Emphasis on Events Immediately Preceding the Cretaceous/Paleocene Boundary

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1993-02-01

    the K/P extinctions, Courtillot et al. (1986) claimed that extended intense volcanism associated with the formation of the Deccan Traps could explain...biosphere. The flood basalt volcanism of the Deccan Traps straddled the K/P boundary and lasted about 0.5 to 1 m.y. (paleomagnetic and paleontologic...data indicate that the bulk of the Deccan Traps were extruded during Chron 29R, the oldest and the youngest flood basalts were extruded during times

  14. Sympathetic Responses to Central Hypovolemia: New Insights from Microneurographic Recordings

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2012-04-26

    2005) deter- mined the temporal occurrence of events immediately preceding presyncope. During central hypovolemia induced by head -up tilt , both the...2005) observed a loss ofMSNALF andMAPLF power in LT subjects before presyncope elicited by head -up tilt , but no such loss in HT sub- jects. As in...mmHg level of LBNP, and LT if they did not complete this level (Rickards et al., 2011). As in the previous study using head -up tilt (Kamiya et al

  15. A Multiple Ranking Procedure Adapted to Discrete-Event Simulation.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1983-12-01

    stopped if 50% of the original data set has been truncated and the bias effects have still not been eliminated. Use of this limit is reinforced by the... immediately ; thus when the store opens on Monday, the order placed on the preceding Friday has already arrived. Rackorders 103 are permitted. The...INITIALIZE VARIABLES USED DURING C *****EACH PASS THROUGH THE DATA C AMAX = 0.0 CUSUM = 0.0 PMEAN = 0.0 AMIN = 0.0 PSUM = 0.0 M = 0 NEGTIV = 0 POSTIV = 0

  16. Temperature Changes During Therapeutic Ultrasound in the Precooled Human Gastrocnemius Muscle

    PubMed Central

    Rimington, Stephanie J.; Draper, David O.; Durrant, Earlene; Fellingham, Gilbert

    1994-01-01

    Therapeutic ultrasound is frequently employed as a deep heating rehabilitation modality. It is administered in one of three ways: a) ultrasound with no preceding treatment, b) ultrasound on preheated tissues, or c) ultrasound on precooled tissues. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of ultrasound treatments on the tissue temperature rise of precooled human gastrocnemius muscle. Sixteen male subjects had a 23-gauge hypodermic needle microprobe inserted 3 cm deep into the medial aspect of their anesthetized gastrocnemius muscles. Data were gathered on each subject for one of two randomly assigned treatments: a) ultrasound treatment on precooled tissue, or b) ultrasound with no preceding treatment. Each treatment consisted of ultrasound delivered topically at 1.5 watts/cm2 in a continuous mode for 10 minutes. Ultrasound was applied in an overlapping longitudinal motion at 4 cm/s, with temperature readings recorded at 30-second intervals. We discovered a difference between the two treatment methods [t(14) = 16.26, p < .0001]. Ultrasound alone increased tissue temperature an average of 2°C, whereas ultrasound preceded by 15 minutes of ice did not increase tissue temperature even to the original baseline level. We concluded that, at a depth of 3 cm, ultrasound alone provided a greater heating effect than ultrasound preceded by an ice treatment. PMID:16558295

  17. Homophonic and semantic priming of Japanese Kanji words: a time course study.

    PubMed

    Chen, Hsi-Chin; Yamauchi, Takashi; Tamaoka, Katsuo; Vaid, Jyotsna

    2007-02-01

    In an examination of the time course of activation of phonological and semantic information in processing kanji script, two lexical decision experiments were conducted with native readers of Japanese. Kanji targets were preceded at short (85-msec) and long (150-msec) intervals by homophonic, semantically related, or unrelated primes presented in kanji (Experiment 1) or by hiragana transcriptions of the kanji primes (Experiment 2). When primes were in kanji, semantic relatedness facilitated kanji target recognition at both intervals but homophonic relatedness did not. When primes were in hiragana, kanji target recognition was facilitated by homophonic relatedness at both intervals and by semantic relatedness only at the longer interval. The absence of homophonic priming of kanji targets by kanji primes challenges the universal phonology principle's claim that phonology is central to accessing meaning from print. The stimuli used in the present study may be downloaded from www.psychonomic.org/archive.

  18. DISCRIMINATION ACQUISITION IN CHILDREN WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES UNDER IMMEDIATE AND DELAYED REINFORCEMENT

    PubMed Central

    Sy, Jolene R.; Vollmer, Timothy R.

    2012-01-01

    We evaluated the discrimination acquisition of individuals with developmental disabilities under immediate and delayed reinforcement. In Experiment 1, discrimination between two alternatives was examined when reinforcement was immediate or delayed by 20 s, 30 s, or 40 s. In Experiment 2, discrimination between 2 alternatives was compared across an immediate reinforcement condition and a delayed reinforcement condition in which subjects could respond during the delay. In Experiment 3, discrimination among 4 alternatives was compared across immediate and delayed reinforcement. In Experiment 4, discrimination between 2 alternatives was examined when reinforcement was immediate and 0-s or 30-s intertrial intervals (ITI) were programmed. For most subjects, discrimination acquisition occurred under immediate reinforcement. However, for some subjects, introducing delays slowed or prevented discrimination acquisition under some conditions. Results from Experiment 4 suggest that longer ITIs cannot account for the lack of discrimination under delayed reinforcement. PMID:23322925

  19. 75 FR 51306 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; NASDAQ OMX BX, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-08-19

    ... systems capacity to handle the additional traffic associated with the listing and trading of $1 strikes... Relating to Establishing Strike Price Intervals for Options on Trust Issued Receipts, Including Holding... Rules of the Boston Options Exchange Group, LLC (``BOX'') to establish strike price intervals for...

  20. 75 FR 77925 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; NASDAQ OMX BX, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-12-14

    ... Establish Strike Price Intervals and Trading Hours for Options on Index-Linked Securities December 8, 2010... Business) of the Rules of the Boston Options Exchange Group, LLC (``BOX'') to establish strike price... proposing to establish strike price intervals and trading hours for these products. The Securities and...

  1. Patient affect experiencing following therapist interventions in short-term dynamic psychotherapy.

    PubMed

    Town, Joel M; Hardy, Gillian E; McCullough, Leigh; Stride, Chris

    2012-01-01

    The aim of this research was to examine the relationship between therapist interventions and patient affect responses in Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (STDP). The Affect Experiencing subscale from the Achievement of Therapeutic Objectives Scale (ATOS) was adapted to measure individual immediate affect experiencing (I-AES) responses in relation to therapist interventions coded within the preceding speaking turn, using the Psychotherapy Interaction Coding (PIC) system. A hierarchical linear modelling procedure was used to assess the change in affect experiencing and the relationship between affect experiencing and therapist interventions within and across segments of therapy. Process data was taken from six STDP cases; in total 24 hours of video-taped sessions were examined. Therapist interventions were found to account for a statistically significant amount of variance in immediate affect experiencing. Higher levels of immediate affect experiencing followed the therapist's use of Confrontation, Clarification and Support compared to Questions, Self-disclosure and Information interventions. Therapist Confrontation interventions that attempted to direct pressure towards either the visceral experience of affect or a patient's defences against feelings led to the highest levels of immediate affect experiencing. The type of therapist intervention accounts for a small but significant amount of the variation observed in a patient's immediate emotional arousal. Empirical findings support clinical theory in STDP that suggests strategic verbal responses promote the achievement of this specific therapeutic objective.

  2. Lower limb ice application alters ground reaction force during gait initiation

    PubMed Central

    Muniz, Thiago B.; Moraes, Renato; Guirro, Rinaldo R. J.

    2015-01-01

    BACKGROUND: Cryotherapy is a widely used technique in physical therapy clinics and sports. However, the effects of cryotherapy on dynamic neuromuscular control are incompletely explained. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of cryotherapy applied to the calf, ankle and sole of the foot in healthy young adults on ground reaction forces during gait initiation. METHOD: This study evaluated the gait initiation forces, maximum propulsion, braking forces and impulses of 21 women volunteers through a force platform, which provided maximum and minimum ground reaction force values. To assess the effects of cooling, the task - gait initiation - was performed before ice application, immediately after and 30 minutes after removal of the ice pack. Ice was randomly applied on separate days to the calf, ankle and sole of the foot of the participants. RESULTS: It was demonstrated that ice application for 30 minutes to the sole of the foot and calf resulted in significant changes in the vertical force variables, which returned to their pre-application values 30 minutes after the removal of the ice pack. Ice application to the ankle only reduced propulsion impulse. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that although caution is necessary when performing activities that require good gait control, the application of ice to the ankle, sole of the foot or calf in 30-minute intervals may be safe even preceding such activities. PMID:25993625

  3. Association of physical activity in the past year and immediately after in vitro fertilization on pregnancy.

    PubMed

    Evenson, Kelly R; Calhoun, Kathryn C; Herring, Amy H; Pritchard, David; Wen, Fang; Steiner, Anne Z

    2014-04-01

    To estimate the association of physical activity on in vitro fertilization (IVF). Prospective cohort study. Academic infertility clinic. Women (n = 121) undergoing nondonor IVF embryo transfer (fresh or frozen). The women completed a questionnaire on past year physical activity and wore an accelerometer from embryo transfer to serum pregnancy testing. Implantation, intrauterine gestation, and live birth. Based on self-reported past year physical activity, the adjusted odds of intrauterine gestation was higher among those that had higher continuous active living (odds ratio [OR] 1.96, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.09-3.50), sports/exercise (OR 1.48, CI 1.02-2.15), and total activity (OR 1.52, 95%CI 1.15-2.01) indices. After embryo transfer, women did almost no vigorous activity (median 0 min/d) as measured by the accelerometer. More of their time was spent in light activity (median 3.0 h/d) and sedentary behaviors (median 9.3 h/d). Accelerometer-measured physical activity and sedentary behavior after embryo transfer were not associated with any IVF outcome. An active lifestyle in the preceding year favorably impacted the IVF outcome. After embryo transfer, women engaged in mostly light physical activity and sedentary behaviors; therefore, the impact of vigorous physical activity on implantation could not be determined. Copyright © 2014 American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  4. Increasing Compliance of Children with Autism: Effects of Programmed Reinforcement for High-Probability Requests and Varied Inter-Instruction Intervals

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Pitts, Laura; Dymond, Simon

    2012-01-01

    Research on the high-probability (high-p) request sequence shows that compliance with low-probability (low-p) requests generally increases when preceded by a series of high-p requests. Few studies have conducted formal preference assessments to identify the consequences used for compliance, which may partly explain treatment failures, and still…

  5. Geomagnetic detection of the sectorial solar magnetic field and the historical peculiarity of minimum 23-24

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Love, Jeffrey J.; Rigler, J.

    2012-01-01

    [1] Analysis is made of the geomagnetic-activityaaindex covering solar cycle 11 to the beginning of 24, 1868–2011. Autocorrelation shows 27.0-d recurrent geomagnetic activity that is well-known to be prominent during solar-cycle minima; some minima also exhibit a smaller amount of 13.5-d recurrence. Previous work has shown that the recent solar minimum 23–24 exhibited 9.0 and 6.7-d recurrence in geomagnetic and heliospheric data, but those recurrence intervals were not prominently present during the preceding minima 21–22 and 22–23. Using annual-averages and solar-cycle averages of autocorrelations of the historicalaadata, we put these observations into a long-term perspective: none of the 12 minima preceding 23–24 exhibited prominent 9.0 and 6.7-d geomagnetic activity recurrence. We show that the detection of these recurrence intervals can be traced to an unusual combination of sectorial spherical-harmonic structure in the solar magnetic field and anomalously low sunspot number. We speculate that 9.0 and 6.7-d recurrence is related to transient large-scale, low-latitude organization of the solar dynamo, such as seen in some numerical simulations.

  6. Recommended Changes to Interval Management to Achieve Operational Implementation

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Baxley, Brian; Swieringa, Kurt; Roper, Roy; Hubbs, Clay; Goess, Paul; Shay, Richard

    2017-01-01

    A 19-day flight test of an Interval Management (IM) avionics prototype was conducted in Washington State using three aircraft to precisely achieve and maintain a spacing interval behind the preceding aircraft. NASA contracted with Boeing, Honeywell, and United Airlines to build this prototype, and then worked closely with them, the FAA, and other industry partners to test this prototype in flight. Four different IM operation types were investigated during this test in the en route, arrival, and final approach phases of flight. Many of the IM operations met or exceeded the design goals established prior to the test. However, there were issues discovered throughout the flight test, including the rate and magnitude of IM commanded speed changes and the difference between expected and actual aircraft deceleration rates.

  7. Immediate versus delayed postpartum use of levonorgestrel contraceptive implants: a randomized controlled trial in Uganda.

    PubMed

    Averbach, Sarah; Kakaire, Othman; Kayiga, Herbert; Lester, Felicia; Sokoloff, Abby; Byamugisha, Josaphat; Dehlendorf, Christine; Steinauer, Jody

    2017-11-01

    Use of long-acting, highly effective contraception has the potential to improve women's ability to avoid short interpregnancy intervals, which are associated with an increased risk of maternal morbidity and mortality, and preterm delivery. In Uganda, contraceptive implants are not routinely available during the immediate postpartum period. The purpose of this study was to compare the proportion of women using levonorgestrel contraceptive implants at 6 months after delivery in women randomized to immediate or delayed insertion. This was a randomized controlled trial among women in Kampala, Uganda. Women who desired contraceptive implants were randomly assigned to insertion of a 2-rod contraceptive implant system containing 75 mg of levonorgestrel immediately following delivery (within 5 days of delivery and before discharge from the hospital) or delayed insertion (6 weeks postpartum). The primary outcome was implant utilization at 6 months postpartum. From June to October 2015, 205 women were randomized, 103 to the immediate group and 102 to the delayed group. Ninety-three percent completed the 6 month follow-up visit. At 6 months, implant use was higher in the immediate group compared with the delayed group (97% vs 68%; P < .001), as was the use of any highly effective contraceptive (98% vs 81%; P = .001). Women in the immediate group were more satisfied with the timing of implant placement. If given the choice, 81% of women in the immediate group and 63% of women in the delayed group would choose the same timing of placement again (P = .01). There were no serious adverse events in either group. Offering women the option of initiating contraceptive implants in the immediate postpartum period has the potential to increase contraceptive utilization, decrease unwanted pregnancies, prevent short interpregnancy intervals, and help women achieve their reproductive goals. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  8. Fourth-grade children's dietary recall accuracy is influenced by retention interval (target period and interview time).

    PubMed

    Baxter, Suzanne Domel; Hardin, James W; Guinn, Caroline H; Royer, Julie A; Mackelprang, Alyssa J; Smith, Albert F

    2009-05-01

    For a 24-hour dietary recall, two possible target periods are the prior 24 hours (24 hours immediately preceding the interview time) and previous day (midnight to midnight of the day before the interview), and three possible interview times are morning, afternoon, and evening. Target period and interview time determine the retention interval (elapsed time between to-be-reported meals and the interview), which, along with intervening meals, can influence reporting accuracy. The effects of target period and interview time on children's accuracy for reporting school meals during 24-hour dietary recalls were investigated. DESIGN AND SUBJECTS/SETTING: During the 2004-2005, 2005-2006, and 2006-2007 school years in Columbia, SC, each of 374 randomly selected fourth-grade children (96% African American) was observed eating two consecutive school meals (breakfast and lunch) and interviewed to obtain a 24-hour dietary recall using one of six conditions defined by crossing two target periods with three interview times. Each condition had 62 or 64 children (half boys). Accuracy for reporting school meals was quantified by calculating rates for omissions (food items observed eaten but unreported) and intrusions (food items reported eaten but unobserved); a measure of total inaccuracy combined errors for reporting food items and amounts. For each accuracy measure, analysis of variance was conducted with target period, interview time, their interaction, sex, interviewer, and school year in the model. There was a target-period effect and a target-period by interview-time interaction on omission rates, intrusion rates, and total inaccuracy (six P values <0.004). For prior-24-hour recalls compared to previous-day recalls, and for prior-24-hour recalls in the afternoon and evening compared to previous-day recalls in the afternoon and evening, omission rates were better by one third, intrusion rates were better by one half, and total inaccuracy was better by one third. To enhance children's dietary recall accuracy, target periods and interview times that minimize the retention interval should be chosen.

  9. A Comparison of Wolf's Reconstructed Record of Annual Sunspot Number with Schwabe's Observed Record of Clusters of Spots for the Interval of 1826-1868

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Wilson, Robert M.

    1998-01-01

    Samuel Heinrich Schwabe, the discoverer of the sunspot cycle, observed the Sun routinely from Desau, Germany during the interval of 1826-1869, averaging about 290 observing days per year. His yearly counts of 'clusters of spots' (or, more correctly, the yearly number of newly appearing sunspot groups) provided a simple means for describing the overt features of the sunspot cycle (i.e., the timing and relative strengths of cycle minimum and maximum). In 1848, Rudolf Wolf, a Swiss astronomer, having become aware of Schwabe's discovery, introduced his now familiar 'relative sunspot number' and established an international cadre of observers for monitoring the future behavior of the sunspot cycle and for reconstructing its past behavior (backwards in time to 1818, based on daily sunspot number estimates). While Wolf's reconstruction is complete (without gaps) only from 1849 (hence, the beginning of the modern era), the immediately preceding interval of 1818-1848 is incomplete, being based on an average of 260 observing days per year. In this investigation, Wolf's reconstructed record of annual sunspot number is compared against Schwabe's actual observing record of yearly counts of clusters of spots. The comparison suggests that Wolf may have misplaced (by about 1-2 yr) and underestimated (by about 16 units of sunspot number) the maximum amplitude for cycle 7. If true, then, cycle 7's ascent and descent durations should measure about 5 years each instead of 7 and 3 years, respectively, the extremes of the distributions, and its maximum amplitude should measure about 96 instead of 70. This study also indicates that cycle 9's maximum amplitude is more reliably determined than cycle 8's and that both appear to be of comparable size (about 130 units of sunspot number) rather than being significantly different. Therefore, caution is urged against the indiscriminate use of the pre-modern era sunspot numbers in long-term studies of the sunspot cycle, since such use may lead to specious results.

  10. Interaction of paired cortical and peripheral nerve stimulation on human motor neurons.

    PubMed

    Poon, David E; Roy, Francois D; Gorassini, Monica A; Stein, Richard B

    2008-06-01

    This paper contrasts responses in the soleus muscle of normal human subjects to two major inputs: the tibial nerve (TN) and the corticospinal tract. Paired transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) of the motor cortex at intervals of 10-25 ms strongly facilitated the motor evoked potential (MEP) produced by the second stimulus. In contrast, paired TN stimulation produced a depression of the reflex response to the second stimulus. Direct activation of the pyramidal tract did not facilitate a second response, suggesting that the MEP facilitation observed using paired TMS occurred in the cortex. A TN stimulus also depressed a subsequent MEP. Since the TN stimulus depressed both inputs, the mechanism is probably post-synaptic, such as afterhyperpolarization of motor neurons. Presynaptic mechanisms, such as homosynaptic depression, would only affect the pathway used as a conditioning stimulus. When TN and TMS pulses were paired, the largest facilitation occurred when TMS preceded TN by about 5 ms, which is optimal for summation of the two pathways at the level of the spinal motor neurons. A later, smaller facilitation occurred when a single TN stimulus preceded TMS by 50-60 ms, an interval that allows enough time for the sensory afferent input to reach the sensory cortex and be relayed to the motor cortex. Other work indicates that repetitively pairing nerve stimuli and TMS at these intervals, known as paired associative stimulation, produces long-term increases in the MEP and may be useful in strengthening residual pathways after damage to the central nervous system.

  11. Perceived empty duration between sounds of different lengths: Possible relation with repetition and rhythmic grouping.

    PubMed

    Kuroda, Tsuyoshi; Tomimatsu, Erika; Grondin, Simon; Miyazaki, Makoto

    2016-11-01

    We investigated how perceived duration of empty time intervals would be modulated by the length of sounds marking those intervals. Three sounds were successively presented in Experiment 1. Each sound was short (S) or long (L), and the temporal position of the middle sound's onset was varied. The lengthening of each sound resulted in delayed perception of the onset; thus, the middle sound's onset had to be presented earlier in the SLS than in the LSL sequence so that participants perceived the three sounds as presented at equal interonset intervals. In Experiment 2, a short sound and a long sound were alternated repeatedly, and the relative duration of the SL interval to the LS interval was varied. This repeated sequence was perceived as consisting of equal interonset intervals when the onsets of all sounds were aligned at physically equal intervals. If the same onset delay as in the preceding experiment had occurred, participants should have perceived equality between the interonset intervals in the repeated sequence when the SL interval was physically shortened relative to the LS interval. The effects of sound length seemed to be canceled out when the presentation of intervals was repeated. Finally, the perceived duration of the interonset intervals in the repeated sequence was not influenced by whether the participant's native language was French or Japanese, or by how the repeated sequence was perceptually segmented into rhythmic groups.

  12. Effects of prompting and reinforcement of one response pattern upon imitation of a different modeled pattern

    PubMed Central

    Bondy, Andrew S.

    1982-01-01

    Twelve preschool children participated in a study of the effects of explicit training on the imitation of modeled behavior. The responses trained involved a marble-dropping pattern that differed from the modeled pattern. Training consisted of physical prompts and verbal praise during a single session. No prompts or praise were used during test periods. After operant levels of the experimental responses were measured, training either preceded or was interposed within a series of exposures to modeled behavior that differed from the trained behavior. Children who were initially exposed to a modeling session immediately imitated, whereas those children who were initially trained immediately performed the appropriate response. Children initially trained on one pattern generally continued to exhibit that pattern even after many modeling sessions. Children who first viewed the modeled response and then were exposed to explicit training of a different response reversed their response pattern from the trained response to the modeled response within a few sessions. The results suggest that under certain conditions explicit training will exert greater control over responding than immediate modeling stimuli. PMID:16812260

  13. Healthcare Provider Attitudes of Safety of Intrauterine Devices in the Postpartum Period.

    PubMed

    Rauh-Benoit, Lisa A; Tepper, Naomi K; Zapata, Lauren B; Whiteman, Maura K; Curtis, Kathryn M; Mandel, Michele G; Marchbanks, Polly A; Jamieson, Denise J

    2017-07-01

    Immediate postpartum intrauterine devices (IUDs) have been underutilized in the United States despite their known safety. Understanding how providers' attitudes contribute to underutilization is important in improving access. Our objective was to examine healthcare providers' perceptions of the safety of immediate postpartum IUDs before publication of United States contraceptive guidelines. We analyzed survey data collected from December 2009 to March 2010 from 635 office-based physicians and 1368 Title X clinic providers (overall response rate of 64.8%). Providers were asked how safe they thought copper and levonorgestrel (LNG) IUDs were in postpartum women (very safe, safe, unsafe, very unsafe, and unsure). Multivariable logistic regression was used to calculate adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for characteristics associated with considering immediate and delayed postpartum IUDs to be safe. Less than 40% of respondents considered immediate or delayed IUD insertion to be safe. Providers with <1 day of family planning training had decreased odds of considering immediate postpartum IUD insertion to be safe compared with unsafe/unsure (aOR 0.18, 95% CI 0.04-0.84 for copper IUD and aOR 0.17, 95% CI 0.04-0.81 for LNG-IUD). Providers without training in postpartum or interval copper IUD insertion had decreased odds of considering immediate postpartum copper IUD insertion (aOR 0.40, 95% CI 0.16-0.79) and delayed postpartum insertion for both IUD types to be safe (aOR 0.34, 95% CI 0.18-0.66 for copper IUD and aOR 0.41, 95% CI 0.21-0.77 for LNG-IUD). Before United States contraceptive guidelines, a majority of providers perceived immediate postpartum IUDs to be unsafe.

  14. Correction to Schlaghecken, Birak, and Maylor (2011).

    PubMed

    Schlaghecken, Friederike; Birak, Kulbir S; Maylor, Elizabeth A

    2012-06-01

    Reports an error in "Age-related deficits in low-level inhibitory motor control" by Friederike Schlaghecken, Kulbir S. Birak and Elizabeth A. Maylor (Psychology and Aging, 2011[Dec], Vol 26[4], 905-918). The authors discovered that the method proposed for individually extracting priming effects from time course analysis may lead to some spurious effects. In view of possible spurious effects from their application of time course analysis, the authors adopted an alternative strategy that retains their attempt to take an individual approach to identifying NCEs in older participants who may vary more than young participants in terms of the prime-target SOA at which NCEs initially appear. This reanalysis is presented in the erratum. (The following abstract of the original article appeared in record 2011-10375-001.) Inhibitory control functions in old age were investigated with the "masked prime" paradigm in which participants executed speeded manual choice responses to simple visual targets. These were preceded-either immediately or at some earlier time-by a backward-masked prime. Young adults produced positive compatibility effects (PCEs)-faster and more accurate responses for matching than for nonmatching prime-target pairs-when prime and target immediately followed each other, and the reverse effect (negative compatibility effect, NCE) for targets that followed the prime after a short interval. Older adults produced similar PCEs to young adults, indicating intact low-level motor activation, but failed to produce normal NCEs even with longer delays (Experiment 1), increased opportunity for prime processing (Experiment 2), and prolonged learning (Experiment 3). However, a fine-grained analysis of each individual's time course of masked priming effects revealed NCEs in the majority of older adults, of the same magnitude as those of young adults. These were significantly delayed (even more than expected on the basis of general slowing), indicating a disproportionate impairment of low-level inhibitory motor control in old age. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved).

  15. Effects of endurance training only versus same-session combined endurance and strength training on physical performance and serum hormone concentrations in recreational endurance runners.

    PubMed

    Schumann, Moritz; Mykkänen, Olli-Pekka; Doma, Kenji; Mazzolari, Raffaele; Nyman, Kai; Häkkinen, Keijo

    2015-01-01

    This study investigated the effects of endurance training only (E, n = 14) and same-session combined training, when strength training is repeatedly preceded by endurance loading (endurance and strength training (E+S), n = 13) on endurance (1000-m running time during incremental field test) and strength performance (1-repetition maximum (1RM) in dynamic leg press), basal serum hormone concentrations, and endurance loading-induced force and hormone responses in recreationally endurance-trained men. E was identical in the 2 groups and consisted of steady-state and interval running, 4-6 times per week for 24 weeks. E+S performed additional mixed-maximal and explosive-strength training (2 times per week) immediately following an incremental running session (35-45 min, 65%-85% maximal heart rate). E and E+S decreased running time at week 12 (-8% ± 5%, p = 0.001 and -7% ± 3%, p < 0.001) and 24 (-13% ± 5%, p < 0.001 and -9% ± 5%, p = 0.001). Strength performance decreased in E at week 24 (-5% ± 5%, p = 0.014) but was maintained in E+S (between-groups at week 12 and 24, p = 0.014 and 0.011, respectively). Basal serum testosterone and cortisol concentrations remained unaltered in E and E+S but testosterone/sex hormone binding globulin ratio decreased in E+S at week 12 (-19% ± 26%, p = 0.006). At week 0 and 24, endurance loading-induced acute force (-5% to -9%, p = 0.032 to 0.001) and testosterone and cortisol responses (18%-47%, p = 0.013 to p < 0.001) were similar between E and E+S. This study showed no endurance performance benefits when strength training was performed repeatedly after endurance training compared with endurance training only. This was supported by similar acute responses in force and hormonal measures immediately post-endurance loading after the training with sustained 1RM strength in E+S.

  16. Conflicts of Interest in Clinical Guidelines: Lack of Authors and Disclosures in the AAOMS White Papers.

    PubMed

    Ji, Yisi D; Lahey, Edward T

    2018-03-02

    The purpose of this study was to evaluate current state of authorship, financial disclosures, and conflicts of interest in position papers published by the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS). This is a cross-sectional review of the position papers published by the AAOMS from 2013 to 2017. Primary outcome variables include position papers published by the AAOMS. Secondary outcome variables include declaration of authorship, financial disclosures, and financial payments. The Open Payments Database for financial disclosures was reviewed for the year the position paper was published and the immediate preceding year. Ten position papers were published by the AAOMS from 2013 to 2017. Of the 10 papers, authorship was listed in 3, and none explicitly addressed the presence or absence of financial disclosures or conflicts of interest. Contributors to 3 of the 3 authored papers were found at review of the Open Payments Database to have received industry funding in the year the position paper was published and the immediate preceding year. The remuneration ranged from less than $1,000 to $554,006.02. Position papers published by the AAOMS lack standardization for authorship and statements on potential financial disclosure. The authors suggest full disclosures of authorship and authors' conflicts of interest should be stated on all position papers to provide transparency to the process. Copyright © 2018 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  17. Three-Component Commitment and Turnover: An Examination of Temporal Aspects

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Culpepper, Robert A.

    2011-01-01

    SEM (N = 182) was employed to examine implied temporal aspects of three-component commitment theory as they relate to turnover. Consistent with expectations, affective commitment predicted subsequent turnover in an immediate and relatively short interval of 4 months, but failed to do in a much longer but outlying interval of 5-12 months. Side bet…

  18. 75 FR 17820 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-04-07

    ... SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34-61812; File No. SR-Phlx-2010-49] Self-Regulatory Organizations; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change by NASDAQ OMX PHLX, Inc. To Establish $2.50 Strike Price Intervals for Options on the NASDAQ Internet Index \\SM\\ March 31, 2010. Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of...

  19. Negativization rates of IgE radioimmunoassay and basophil activation test in immediate reactions to penicillins.

    PubMed

    Fernández, T D; Torres, M J; Blanca-López, N; Rodríguez-Bada, J L; Gomez, E; Canto, G; Mayorga, C; Blanca, M

    2009-02-01

    Skin test sensitivity in patients with immediate allergy to penicillins tends to decrease over time, but no information is available concerning in vitro tests. We analysed the negativization rates of two in vitro methods that determine specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies, the basophil activation test using flow cytometry (BAT) and the radioallergosorbent test (RAST), in immediate allergic reactions to penicillins. Forty-one patients with immediate allergic reactions to amoxicillin were followed up over a 4-year period. BAT and RAST were performed at 6-month intervals. Patients were randomized into groups: Group I, skin tests carried out at regular intervals; Group II, skin tests made only at the beginning of the study. Differences were observed between RAST and BAT (P < 0.01), the latter showing earlier negativization. Considering different haptens, significant differences for the rate of negativization were only found for amoxicillin (P < 0.05). Comparisons between Groups I (n = 10) and II (n = 31) showed a tendency to become negative later in Group I with RAST. Levels of specific IgE antibodies tended to decrease over time in patients with immediate allergic reactions to amoxicillin. Conversion to negative took longer for the RAST assay, although the differences were only detected with the amoxicillin hapten. Skin testing influenced the rate of negativization of the RAST assay, contributing to maintenance of in vitro sensitivity. Because of the loss of sensitivity over time, the determination of specific IgE antibodies to penicillins in patients with immediate allergic reactions must be done as soon as possible after the reaction.

  20. Immediate Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Is Associated With Improved Short- and Long-Term Survival After Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest.

    PubMed

    Geri, Guillaume; Dumas, Florence; Bougouin, Wulfran; Varenne, Olivier; Daviaud, Fabrice; Pène, Frédéric; Lamhaut, Lionel; Chiche, Jean-Daniel; Spaulding, Christian; Mira, Jean-Paul; Empana, Jean-Philippe; Cariou, Alain

    2015-10-01

    Whether to perform or not an immediate percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is still debated. We aimed to evaluate the impact of PCI on short- and long-term survival in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients admitted after successful resuscitation. Between 2000 and 2013, all nontrauma out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients admitted in a Parisian cardiac arrest center after return of spontaneous circulation were prospectively included. The association between immediate PCI and short- and long-term mortality was analyzed using logistic regression and Cox multivariate analysis, respectively. Propensity score-matching method was used to assess the influence of PCI on short- and long-term survival. During the study period, 1722 patients (71.5% male, median age 60 [49.6, 72.2] years) were analyzed: 628 (35.6%) without coronary angiography, 615 (35.7%) with coronary angiography without PCI, and 479 (27.8%) with both. Among these groups, day 30 and year-10 survival rates were 21% and 11.9%, 35% and 29%, 43% and 38%, respectively (P<0.01 for each). PCI as compared with no coronary angiography was associated with a lower day-30 and long-term mortality (adjORcoro with PCI versus no coro 0.71, 95% confidence interval [0.54, 0.92]; P=0.02 and adjHRcoro with PCI versus no coro 0.44, 95% confidence interval [0.27, 0.71]; P<0.01, respectively). PCI remained associated with a lower risk of long-term mortality (adjHR 0.29; 95% confidence interval [0.14, 0.61]; P<0.01) in propensity score-matching analysis. Immediate PCI after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest was associated with significant reduced risk of short- and long-term mortality. These findings should suggest physicians to consider immediate coronary angiography and PCI if indicated in these patients. © 2015 American Heart Association, Inc.

  1. Rapid induction of single donor chimerism after double umbilical cord blood transplantation preceded by reduced intensity conditioning: results of the HOVON 106 phase II study

    PubMed Central

    Somers, Judith A.E.; Braakman, Eric; van der Holt, Bronno; Petersen, Eefke J.; Marijt, Erik W.A.; Huisman, Cynthia; Sintnicolaas, Kees; Oudshoorn, Machteld; Groenendijk-Sijnke, Marlies E.; Brand, Anneke; Cornelissen, Jan J.

    2014-01-01

    Double umbilical cord blood transplantation is increasingly applied in the treatment of adult patients with high-risk hematological malignancies and has been associated with improved engraftment as compared to that provided by single unit cord blood transplantation. The mechanism of improved engraftment is, however, still incompletely understood as only one unit survives. In this multicenter phase II study we evaluated engraftment, early chimerism, recovery of different cell lineages and transplant outcome in 53 patients who underwent double cord blood transplantation preceded by a reduced intensity conditioning regimen. Primary graft failure occurred in one patient. Engraftment was observed in 92% of patients with a median time to neutrophil recovery of 36 days (range, 15–102). Ultimate single donor chimerism was established in 94% of patients. Unit predominance occurred by day 11 after transplantation and early CD4+ T-cell chimerism predicted for unit survival. Total nucleated cell viability was also associated with unit survival. With a median follow up of 35 months (range, 10–51), the cumulative incidence of relapse and non-relapse mortality rate at 2 years were 39% and 19%, respectively. Progressionfree survival and overall survival rates at 2 years were 42% (95% confidence interval, 28–56) and 57% (95% confidence interval, 43–70), respectively. Double umbilical cord blood transplantation preceded by a reduced intensity conditioning regimen using cyclophosphamide/fludarabine/4 Gy total body irradiation results in a high engraftment rate with low non-relapse mortality. Moreover, prediction of unit survival by early CD4+ lymphocyte chimerism might suggest a role for CD4+ lymphocyte mediated unit-versus-unit alloreactivity. www.trialregister.nl NTR1573. PMID:25107890

  2. Human-in-the-Loop Assessment of Alternative Clearances in Interval Management Arrival Operations

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Baxley, Brian T.; Wilson, Sara R.; Swieringa, Kurt A.; Johnson, William C.; Roper, Roy D.; Hubbs, Clay E.; Goess, Paul A.; Shay, Richard F.

    2016-01-01

    Interval Management Alternative Clearances (IMAC) was a human-in-the-loop simulation experiment conducted to explore the Air Traffic Management (ATM) Technology Demonstration (ATD-1) Concept of Operations (ConOps), which combines advanced arrival scheduling, controller decision support tools, and aircraft avionics to enable multiple time deconflicted, efficient arrival streams into a high-density terminal airspace. Interval Management (IM) is designed to support the ATD-1 concept by having an "Ownship" (IM-capable) aircraft achieve or maintain a specific time or distance behind a "Target" (preceding) aircraft. The IM software uses IM clearance information and the Ownship data (route of flight, current location, and wind) entered by the flight crew, and the Target aircraft's Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast state data, to calculate the airspeed necessary for the IM-equipped aircraft to achieve or maintain the assigned spacing goal.

  3. 77 FR 7637 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Amex LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-02-13

    ... Trust 1 and United States Oil Fund at $0.50 Strike Price Intervals Where the Strike Price Is Less Than... interested persons. \\1\\ ``iShares[supreg]'' is a registered trademark of BlackRock Institutional Trust...[supreg] Silver Trust \\5\\ and United States Oil Fund at $0.50 strike price intervals where the strike...

  4. 77 FR 7634 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Arca, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-02-13

    ...] Silver Trust \\1\\ and United States Oil Fund at $0.50 Strike Price Intervals Where the Strike Price Is Less Than $75 \\1\\ ``iShares[supreg]'' is a registered trademark BlackRock Institutional Trust Company...] Silver Trust \\5\\ and United States Oil Fund at $0.50 strike price intervals where the strike price is...

  5. Nuclear power for the future: Implications of some crisis scenarios

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

    Turner, K.H.

    1996-12-31

    As energy issues have dropped from public awareness, electricity demand growth has remained low, deregulation has destabilized the utility decision process, and least-cost regulation has pointed utilities to gas-fired plants for those additions that are coming on-line, the nuclear power industry has begun to ask the question: What will cause nuclear energy to again compete as an option in new, domestic generating capacity additions? Since virtually all of today`s corporate and societal decisions are driven by short-term factors, the preceding question can be translated into: What crisis might occur that would project nuclear as the solution to an immediately perceivedmore » problem? Thus, an examination of scenarios that would project nuclear power into the country`s immediate consciousness is in order, along with an analysis of the implications for and challenges to the nuclear industry resulting therefrom. This paper undertakes such an analysis.« less

  6. Semantic activation in the absence of perceptual awareness.

    PubMed

    Ortells, Juan J; Daza, María Teresa; Fox, Elaine

    2003-11-01

    Participants performed a semantic categorization task on a target that was preceded by a prime word belonging either to the same category (20% of trials) or to a different category (80% of trials). The prime was presented for 33 msec and followed either immediately or after a delay by a pattern mask. With the immediate mask, reaction times (RTs) were shorter on related than on unrelated trials. This facilitatory priming reached significance at prime-target stimulus onset asynchronies (SOAs) of 400 msec or less and remained unaffected by task practice. With the delayed mask, RTs were longer on related than on unrelated trials. This reversed (strategic) semantic priming proved to be significant (1) only at a prime-target SOA of 400 msec or longer and (2) after the participants had some practice with the task. The present findings provide further evidence that perceiving a stimulus with and without phenomenological awareness can lead to qualitatively different behavioral consequences.

  7. Tagging radon daughters in low-energy scintillation detectors

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    McCarty, Kevin B.

    2011-12-01

    One problematic source of background in scintillator-based low-energy solar neutrino experiments such as Borexino is the presence of radon gas and its daughters. The mean lifetime of the α-emitter 214Po in the radon chain is sufficiently short, 0.24 ms, that its decay, together with that immediately preceding of 214Bi, is easily recognized as a “coincidence event.” This fact, combined with the capability of α/β pulse-shape discrimination, makes it possible to tag decays of 222Rn and its first four daughters via a likelihood-based method.

  8. An auditory cue-depreciation effect.

    PubMed

    Gibson, J M; Watkins, M J

    1991-01-01

    An experiment is reported in which subjects first heard a list of words and then tried to identify these same words from degraded utterances. Paralleling previous findings in the visual modality, the probability of identifying a given utterance was reduced when the utterance was immediately preceded by other, more degraded, utterances of the same word. A second experiment replicated this "cue-depreciation effect" and in addition found the effect to be weakened, if not eliminated, when the target word was not included in the initial list or when the test was delayed by two days.

  9. Modification of school attendance for an elementary population

    PubMed Central

    Barber, Robert M.; Kagey, J. Robert

    1977-01-01

    The staff and students of a school composed of Grades 1 through 3 participated in a program to increase school attendance. Children earned the opportunity to attend part or all of a monthly party by their attendance. Immediate feedback occurred each morning by placing stars on a classroom chart for each child present. The school's attendance during the program was compared both with attendance during preceding years and with attendance at other schools. The experimental school's attendance improved dramatically to become the best of all elementary schools in the system. PMID:16795547

  10. Precursory landforms and geologic structures of catastrophic landslides induced by typhoon Talas 2011 Japan (Invited)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chigira, M.; Matsushi, Y.; Tsou, C.

    2013-12-01

    Our experience of catastrophic landslides induced by rainstorms and earthquakes in recent years suggests that many of them are preceded by deep-seated gravitational slope deformation. Deep-seated gravitational slope deformation continues slowly and continually and some of them transform into catastrophic failures, which cause devastating damage in wide areas. Some other types, however, do not change into catastrophic failure. Deep-seated gravitational slope deformation that preceded catastrophic failures induced by typhoon Talas 2011 Japan, had been surveyed with airborne laser scanner beforehand, of which high-resolution DEMs gave us an important clue to identify which type of topographic features of gravitational slope deformation is susceptible to catastrophic failure. We found that 26 of 39 deep-seated catastrophic landslides had small scarps along the heads of future landslides. These scarps were caused by gravitational slope deformation that preceded the catastrophic failure. Although the scarps may have been enlarged by degradation, their sizes relative to the whole slopes suggest that minimal slope deformation had occurred in the period immediately before the catastrophic failure. The scarp ratio, defined as the ratio of length of a scarp to that of the whole slope both measured along the slope line, ranged from 1% to 23%. 38% of the landslides with small scarps had scarp ratios less than 4%, and a half less than 8%. This fact suggests that the gravitational slope deformation preceded catastrophic failure was relatively small and may suggest that those slopes were under critical conditions just before catastrophic failure. The above scarp ratios may be characteristic to accretional complex with undulating, anastomosing thrust faults, which were major sliding surfaces of the typhoon-induced landslides. Eleven of the remaining 13 landslides occurred in landslide scars of previous landslides or occurred as an extension of landslide scars at the lower parts of gravitationally deformed slopes. Remaining one landslide had been preceded by a linear depression at its top, and the topographic precursors of the remaining one landslide could not been specified.

  11. The effect of over-the-counter sales of the nicotine patch and nicotine gum on smoking cessation in California.

    PubMed

    Reed, Mark B; Anderson, Christy M; Vaughn, Jerry W; Burns, David M

    2005-09-01

    The Food and Drug Administration approved over-the-counter (OTC) sale of nicotine gum and nicotine patches in 1996. We used data from the 1996 California Tobacco Survey to compare the rates of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) use and smoking abstinence in California for each month during a period immediately preceding and immediately following the OTC availability of nicotine gum and patches. For smokers eligible to report a quit attempt, the proportion making a quit attempt using NRT and the proportion remaining abstinent was calculated for each of the 12 months prior to the survey interview. Multiple regression modeling of quit attempts and abstinence included a term for the number of months between the quit attempt and survey interview and dummy variables for the months before and after the OTC availability of NRT. Results showed a significant increase in the fraction of smokers using the patch (P < 0.01) and gum (P < 0.05) immediately following their availability OTC. There was also a significantly higher proportion of smokers reporting abstinence with gum use (P < 0.01) and a significant increase in reported abstinence with patch use (P < 0.01) during the period of time immediately following the availability of these products without a prescription. The results of this study suggest that removing the prescription status of NRT products resulted in an immediate increase in quit attempts and smoking abstinence with the use of nicotine gum or patches.

  12. Effect of insertion method and postinsertion time interval prior to force application on the removal torque of orthodontic miniscrews.

    PubMed

    Sharifi, Maryam; Ghassemi, Amirreza; Bayani, Shahin

    2015-01-01

    Success of orthodontic miniscrews in providing stable anchorage is dependent on their stability. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of insertion method and postinsertion time interval on the removal torque of miniscrews as an indicator of their stability. Seventy-two miniscrews (Jeil Medical) were inserted into the femoral bones of three male German Shepherd dogs and assigned to nine groups of eight miniscrews. Three insertion methods, including hand-driven, motor-driven with 5.0-Ncm insertion torque, and motor-driven with 20.0-Ncm insertion torque, were tested. Three time intervals of 0, 2, and 6 weeks between miniscrew insertion and removal were tested as well. Removal torque values were measured in newton centimeters by a removal torque tester (IMADA). Data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by the Bonferroni post hoc test at a .05 level of significance. A miniscrew survival rate of 93% was observed in this study. The highest mean value of removal torque among the three postinsertion intervals (2.4 ± 0.59 Ncm) was obtained immediately after miniscrew insertion with a statistically significant difference from the other two time intervals (P < .001). Insertion were observed in this regard (P = .46). The stability of miniscrews was not affected by the insertion method. However, of the postinsertion time intervals, the highest removal torque values were obtained immediately after insertion.

  13. A link between Late Pliensbachian organic matter preservation and the Spinatum Chronozone icehouse event

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Silva, Ricardo L.; Duarte, Luís. V.

    2014-05-01

    It is recognized today that the "greenhouse" Mesozoic Era includes several short-lived icehouse episodes. One occurred during the Spinatum Chronozone (Late Pliensbachian), which immediately preceded a 2nd-order extinction event and a major carbon cycle perturbation associated to the Early Toarcian Oceanic Anoxic Event. The Lower Jurassic hemipelagic carbonate series of the Lusitanian Basin (Portugal) mark the hinge zone between the Tethyan (Mediterranean) and Boreal (North-European) realms. Here, one of the most obvious features is the organic-rich nature of the majority of the Ibex-Margaritatus chronozones (Pliensbachian) series (Marly-limestones with organic-rich facies member of the Vale das Fontes Formation), capped by a regressive limestone unit of uppermost Margaritatus-lowermost Polymorphum (Toarcian) chronozones (Lemede Formation). The Pliensbachian organic-rich deposition (observed in several locations around the world) is coeval with a positive carbon isotopic excursion recorded in carbonates and organic substrates. For the Lusitanian Basin, evidences points toward the occurrence of brief "hot snaps" prior to the onset of the icehouse interval of Spinatum age. We demonstrate that cooling was preceded by several episodes of organic matter preservation, most likely driven by extreme warming, coupled with high oceanic productivity and stratified (thermally?) epeiric areas. These "hot snaps" allowed the rapid but short-lived expansion of Tethyan ammonites into Boreal domains. They also promoted widespread mucilage and microbial outbreaks preserved in the Lusitanian Basin as black shales, resulting in organic matter deposition and geological carbon storage. So far, the causes for these "hot snaps" remain unclear. This chain of events most likely triggered and/or amplified the Spinatum Chronozone icehouse event, which led to permafrost and/or methane gas hydrates in locations easily disturbed by the subsequent Early Toarcian warming, or/and increased volcanic activity driven by deglaciation. The authors would like to acknowledge the project PTDC/CTE-GIX/098968/2008 (FCT-Portugal and COMPETE-FEDER). Ricardo L. Silva also acknowledges ExxonMobil Canada Proprieties (on behalf of the Sable Offshore Energy Project) for financial support of through the Petroleum Geoscience Research Grant to Dalhousie University (Basin and Reservoir Lab).

  14. Interaction of inhibitory and facilitatory effects of conditioning trials on long-term memory formation

    PubMed Central

    Hosono, Shouhei; Matsumoto, Yukihisa

    2016-01-01

    Animals learn through experience and consolidate the memories into long-time storage. Conditioning parameters to induce protein synthesis-dependent long-term memory (LTM) have been the subject of extensive studies in many animals. Here we found a case in which a conditioning trial inhibits or facilitates LTM formation depending on the intervals from preceding trials. We studied the effects of conditioning parameters on LTM formation in olfactory conditioning of maxillary-palpi extension response with sucrose reward in the cockroach Periplaneta americana. We found, at first, that translation- and transcription-dependent LTM forms 1 h after training, the fastest so far reported in insects. Second, we observed that multiple-trial training with an intertrial interval (ITI) of 20 or 30 sec, often called massed training, is more effective than spaced training for LTM formation, an observation that differs from the results of most studies in other animals. Third, we found that a conditioning trial inhibits LTM formation when the intervals from preceding trials were in the range of 10–16 min. This inhibitory effect is pairing-specific and is not due to decreased motivation for learning (overtraining effect). To our knowledge, no similar inhibition of LTM formation by a conditioning trial has been reported in any animals. We propose a model to account for the effects of trial number and ITIs on LTM formation. Olfactory conditioning in cockroaches should provide pertinent materials in which to study neuronal and molecular mechanisms underlying the inhibitory and facilitatory processes for LTM formation. PMID:27918270

  15. On the role of attention for the processing of emotions in speech: sex differences revisited.

    PubMed

    Schirmer, Annett; Kotz, Sonja A; Friederici, Angela D

    2005-08-01

    In a previous cross-modal priming study [A. Schirmer, A.S. Kotz, A.D. Friederici, Sex differentiates the role of emotional prosody during word processing, Cogn. Brain Res. 14 (2002) 228-233.], we found that women integrated emotional prosody and word valence earlier than men. Both sexes showed a smaller N400 in the event-related potential to emotional words when these words were preceded by a sentence with congruous compared to incongruous emotional prosody. However, women showed this effect with a 200-ms interval between prime sentence and target word whereas men showed the effect with a 750-ms interval. The present study was designed to determine whether these sex differences prevail when attention is directed towards the emotional content of prosody and word meaning. To this end, we presented the same prime sentences and target words as in our previous study. Sentences were spoken with happy or sad prosody and followed by a congruous or incongruous emotional word or pseudoword. The interval between sentence offset and target onset was 200 ms. In addition to performing a lexical decision, participants were asked to decide whether or not a word matched the emotional prosody of the preceding sentence. The combined lexical and congruence judgment failed to reveal differences in emotional-prosodic priming between men and women. Both sexes showed smaller N400 amplitudes to emotionally congruent compared to incongruent words. This suggests that the presence of sex differences in emotional-prosodic priming depends on whether or not participants are instructed to take emotional prosody into account.

  16. Middle Palaeolithic toolstone procurement behaviors at Lusakert Cave 1, Hrazdan valley, Armenia.

    PubMed

    Frahm, Ellery; Feinberg, Joshua M; Schmidt-Magee, Beverly A; Wilkinson, Keith N; Gasparyan, Boris; Yeritsyan, Benik; Adler, Daniel S

    2016-02-01

    Strategies employed by Middle Palaeolithic hominins to acquire lithic raw materials often play key roles in assessing their movements through the landscape, relationships with neighboring groups, and cognitive abilities. It has been argued that a dependence on local resources is a widespread characteristic of the Middle Palaeolithic, but how such behaviors were manifested on the landscape remains unclear. Does an abundance of local toolstone reflect frequent encounters with different outcrops while foraging, or was a particular outcrop favored and preferentially quarried? This study examines such behaviors at a finer geospatial scale than is usually possible, allowing us to investigate hominin movements through the landscape surrounding Lusakert Cave 1 in Armenia. Using our newly developed approach to obsidian magnetic characterization, we test a series of hypotheses regarding the locations where hominins procured toolstone from a volcanic complex adjacent to the site. Our goal is to establish whether the cave's occupants procured local obsidian from preferred outcrops or quarries, secondary deposits of obsidian nodules along a river, or a variety of exposures as encountered while moving through the river valley or across the wider volcanic landscape during the course of foraging activities. As we demonstrate here, it is not the case that one particular outcrop or deposit attracted the cave occupants during the studied time intervals. Nor did they acquire obsidian at random across the landscape. Instead, our analyses support the hypothesis that these hominins collected obsidian from outcrops and exposures throughout the adjacent river valley, reflecting the spatial scale of their day-to-day foraging activities. The coincidence of such behaviors within the resource-rich river valley suggests efficient exploitation of a diverse biome during a time interval immediately preceding the Middle to Upper Palaeolithic "transition," the nature and timing of which has yet to be determined for the region. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  17. Fire, Fuel Composition and Resilience Threshold in Subalpine Ecosystem

    PubMed Central

    Blarquez, Olivier; Carcaillet, Christopher

    2010-01-01

    Background Forecasting the effects of global changes on high altitude ecosystems requires an understanding of the long-term relationships between biota and forcing factors to identify resilience thresholds. Fire is a crucial forcing factor: both fuel build-up from land-abandonment in European mountains, and more droughts linked to global warming are likely to increase fire risks. Methods To assess the vegetation response to fire on a millennium time-scale, we analyzed evidence of stand-to-local vegetation dynamics derived from sedimentary plant macroremains from two subalpine lakes. Paleobotanical reconstructions at high temporal resolution, together with a fire frequency reconstruction inferred from sedimentary charcoal, were analyzed by Superposed Epoch Analysis to model plant behavior before, during and after fire events. Principal Findings We show that fuel build-up from arolla pine (Pinus cembra) always precedes fires, which is immediately followed by a rapid increase of birch (Betula sp.), then by ericaceous species after 25–75 years, and by herbs after 50–100 years. European larch (Larix decidua), which is the natural co-dominant species of subalpine forests with Pinus cembra, is not sensitive to fire, while the abundance of Pinus cembra is altered within a 150-year period after fires. A long-term trend in vegetation dynamics is apparent, wherein species that abound later in succession are the functional drivers, loading the environment with fuel for fires. This system can only be functional if fires are mainly driven by external factors (e.g. climate), with the mean interval between fires being longer than the minimum time required to reach the late successional stage, here 150 years. Conclusion Current global warming conditions which increase drought occurrences, combined with the abandonment of land in European mountain areas, creates ideal ecological conditions for the ignition and the spread of fire. A fire return interval of less than 150 years would threaten the dominant species and might override the resilience of subalpine forests. PMID:20814580

  18. A randomized trial of the effects of antibiotic prophylaxis on epidural-related fever in labor.

    PubMed

    Sharma, Shiv K; Rogers, Beverly B; Alexander, James M; McIntire, Donald D; Leveno, Kenneth J

    2014-03-01

    It has been suggested that the development of maternal fever during epidural analgesia could be due to intrapartum infection. We investigated whether antibiotic prophylaxis before epidural placement decreases the rate of epidural-related fever. In this double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 400 healthy nulliparous women requesting epidural analgesia were randomly assigned to receive either cefoxitin 2 g or placebo immediately preceding initiation of epidural labor analgesia. Maternal tympanic temperature was measured hourly, and intrapartum fever was defined as a maternal temperature of ≥38°C. Neonates born to women with fever were evaluated for possible sepsis, and available placentas were evaluated for the presence of neutrophilic inflammation. The primary outcome was maternal fever during epidural analgesia. Thirty-eight percent of women in the cefoxitin group and 40% of women in the placebo group developed fever (P = 0.68). The risk difference (95% confidence interval) for fever ≥38°C during labor (antibiotic versus placebo) was -2.0% (-11.5 to 7.5), and for fever >39°C during labor was -1.5% (-4.7 to 1.7). Approximately half of each study group had placental neutrophilic inflammation, but administration of cefoxitin had no significant effect on any grade of neutrophilic inflammation. Fever developed significantly more often in the women with placental neutrophilic inflammation compared with those without such inflammation (73/158 vs 33/144, P < 0.001; risk difference 23% [95% confidence interval, 13.0-34.0]). There were no significant differences in any neonatal outcomes between the antibiotic and placebo study groups. Sepsis was not diagnosed in any of the infants. There were no neonatal deaths. Fever during labor epidural analgesia is associated with placental inflammation, but fever and placental inflammation were not reduced with antibiotic prophylaxis. This finding suggests that infection is unlikely to be the cause in its development.

  19. Short-term volcanic hazard assessment through Bayesian inference: retrospective application to the Pinatubo 1991 volcanic crisis

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sobradelo, Rosa; Martí, Joan

    2015-01-01

    One of the most challenging aspects of managing a volcanic crisis is the interpretation of the monitoring data, so as to anticipate to the evolution of the unrest and implement timely mitigation actions. An unrest episode may include different stages or time intervals of increasing activity that may or may not precede a volcanic eruption, depending on the causes of the unrest (magmatic, geothermal or tectonic). Therefore, one of the main goals in monitoring volcanic unrest is to forecast whether or not such increase of activity will end up with an eruption, and if this is the case, how, when, and where this eruption will take place. As an alternative method to expert elicitation for assessing and merging monitoring data and relevant past information, we present a probabilistic method to transform precursory activity into the probability of experiencing a significant variation by the next time interval (i.e. the next step in the unrest), given its preceding evolution, and by further estimating the probability of the occurrence of a particular eruptive scenario combining monitoring and past data. With the 1991 Pinatubo volcanic crisis as a reference, we have developed such a method to assess short-term volcanic hazard using Bayesian inference.

  20. The Influence of Disease Severity of Preceding Clinical Cases on Pathologists' Medical Decision Making.

    PubMed

    Frederick, Paul D; Nelson, Heidi D; Carney, Patricia A; Brunyé, Tad T; Allison, Kimberly H; Weaver, Donald L; Elmore, Joann G

    2017-01-01

    Medical decision making may be influenced by contextual factors. We evaluated whether pathologists are influenced by disease severity of recently observed cases. Pathologists independently interpreted 60 breast biopsy specimens (one slide per case; 240 total cases in the study) in a prospective randomized observational study. Pathologists interpreted the same cases in 2 phases, separated by a washout period of >6 months. Participants were not informed that the cases were identical in each phase, and the sequence was reordered randomly for each pathologist and between phases. A consensus reference diagnosis was established for each case by 3 experienced breast pathologists. Ordered logit models examined the effect the pathologists' diagnoses on the preceding case or the 5 preceding cases had on their diagnosis for the subsequent index case. Among 152 pathologists, 49 provided interpretive data in both phases I and II, 66 from only phase I, and 37 from phase II only. In phase I, pathologists were more likely to indicate a more severe diagnosis than the reference diagnosis when the preceding case was diagnosed as ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) or invasive cancer (proportional odds ratio [POR], 1.28; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.15-1.42). Results were similar when considering the preceding 5 cases and for the pathologists in phase II who interpreted the same cases in a different order compared with phase I (POR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.05-1.31). Physicians appear to be influenced by the severity of previously interpreted test cases. Understanding types and sources of diagnostic bias may lead to improved assessment of accuracy and better patient care. © The Author(s) 2016.

  1. Detecting and Characterizing Repeating Earthquake Sequences During Volcanic Eruptions

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tepp, G.; Haney, M. M.; Wech, A.

    2017-12-01

    A major challenge in volcano seismology is forecasting eruptions. Repeating earthquake sequences often precede volcanic eruptions or lava dome activity, providing an opportunity for short-term eruption forecasting. Automatic detection of these sequences can lead to timely eruption notification and aid in continuous monitoring of volcanic systems. However, repeating earthquake sequences may also occur after eruptions or along with magma intrusions that do not immediately lead to an eruption. This additional challenge requires a better understanding of the processes involved in producing these sequences to distinguish those that are precursory. Calculation of the inverse moment rate and concepts from the material failure forecast method can lead to such insights. The temporal evolution of the inverse moment rate is observed to differ for precursory and non-precursory sequences, and multiple earthquake sequences may occur concurrently. These observations suggest that sequences may occur in different locations or through different processes. We developed an automated repeating earthquake sequence detector and near real-time alarm to send alerts when an in-progress sequence is identified. Near real-time inverse moment rate measurements can further improve our ability to forecast eruptions by allowing for characterization of sequences. We apply the detector to eruptions of two Alaskan volcanoes: Bogoslof in 2016-2017 and Redoubt Volcano in 2009. The Bogoslof eruption produced almost 40 repeating earthquake sequences between its start in mid-December 2016 and early June 2017, 21 of which preceded an explosive eruption, and 2 sequences in the months before eruptive activity. Three of the sequences occurred after the implementation of the alarm in late March 2017 and successfully triggered alerts. The nearest seismometers to Bogoslof are over 45 km away, requiring a detector that can work with few stations and a relatively low signal-to-noise ratio. During the Redoubt eruption, earthquake sequences were observed in the months leading up to the eruptive activity beginning in March 2009 as well as immediately preceding 7 of the 19 explosive events. In contrast to Bogoslof, Redoubt has a local monitoring network which allows for better detection and more detailed analysis of the repeating earthquake sequences.

  2. Natural history of heartburn: a 10-year population-based study.

    PubMed

    Olafsdottir, Linda Bjork; Gudjonsson, Hallgrimur; Jonsdottir, Heidur Hrund; Thjodleifsson, Bjarni

    2011-02-07

    To study the natural history and prevalence of heartburn at a 10-year interval, and to study the effect of heartburn on various symptoms and activities. A population-based postal study was carried out. Questionnaires were mailed to the same age- and gender-stratified random sample of the Icelandic population (aged 18-75 years) in 1996 and again in 2006. Subjects were classified with heartburn if they reported heartburn in the preceding year and/or week, based on the definition of heartburn. Heartburn in the preceding year was reported in 42.8% (1996) and 44.2% (2006) of subjects, with a strong relationship between those who experienced heartburn in both years. Heartburn in the preceding week was diagnosed in 20.8%. There was a significant relationship between heartburn, dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome. Individuals with a body mass index (BMI) below or higher than normal weight were more likely to have heartburn. Heartburn caused by food or beverages was reported very often by 20.0% of subjects. Heartburn is a common and chronic condition. Subjects with a BMI below or higher than normal weight are more likely to experience heartburn. Heartburn has a great impact on daily activities, sleep and quality of life.

  3. Patient-Specific Early Seizure Detection from Scalp EEG

    PubMed Central

    Minasyan, Georgiy R.; Chatten, John B.; Chatten, Martha Jane; Harner, Richard N.

    2010-01-01

    Objective Develop a method for automatic detection of seizures prior to or immediately after clinical onset using features derived from scalp EEG. Methods This detection method is patient-specific. It uses recurrent neural networks and a variety of input features. For each patient we trained and optimized the detection algorithm for two cases: 1) during the period immediately preceding seizure onset, and 2) during the period immediately following seizure onset. Continuous scalp EEG recordings (duration 15 – 62 h, median 25 h) from 25 patients, including a total of 86 seizures, were used in this study. Results Pre-onset detection was successful in 14 of the 25 patients. For these 14 patients, all of the testing seizures were detected prior to seizure onset with a median pre-onset time of 51 sec and false positive rate was 0.06/h. Post-onset detection had 100% sensitivity, 0.023/hr false positive rate and median delay of 4 sec after onset. Conclusions The unique results of this study relate to pre-onset detection. Significance Our results suggest that reliable pre-onset seizure detection may be achievable for a significant subset of epilepsy patients without use of invasive electrodes. PMID:20461014

  4. Risk of Neurological Insult in Competitive Deep Breath-Hold Diving.

    PubMed

    Tetzlaff, Kay; Schöppenthau, Holger; Schipke, Jochen D

    2017-02-01

    It has been widely believed that tissue nitrogen uptake from the lungs during breath-hold diving would be insufficient to cause decompression stress in humans. With competitive free diving, however, diving depths have been ever increasing over the past decades. A case is presented of a competitive free-diving athlete who suffered stroke-like symptoms after surfacing from his last dive of a series of 3 deep breath-hold dives. A literature and Web search was performed to screen for similar cases of subjects with serious neurological symptoms after deep breath-hold dives. A previously healthy 31-y-old athlete experienced right-sided motor weakness and difficulty speaking immediately after surfacing from a breathhold dive to a depth of 100 m. He had performed 2 preceding breath-hold dives to that depth with surface intervals of only 15 min. The presentation of symptoms and neuroimaging findings supported a clinical diagnosis of stroke. Three more cases of neurological insults were retrieved by literature and Web search; in all cases the athletes presented with stroke-like symptoms after single breath-hold dives of depths exceeding 100 m. Two of these cases only had a short delay to recompression treatment and completely recovered from the insult. This report highlights the possibility of neurological insult, eg, stroke, due to cerebral arterial gas embolism as a consequence of decompression stress after deep breath-hold dives. Thus, stroke as a clinical presentation of cerebral arterial gas embolism should be considered another risk of extreme breath-hold diving.

  5. Assessment of the trend of degradation of arable soils on the basis of data on the rate of stratozem development obtained with the use of 137Cs as a chronomarker

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Golosov, V. N.; Ivanova, N. N.; Gusarov, A. V.; Sharifullin, A. G.

    2017-10-01

    A new approach for determining the trend of changes in the rate of degradation of arable soils is suggested. It is based on the assessment of volumes of soil material eroded from arable fields and accumulated on the bottoms of first-order valleys during two time intervals: 1954(1963)-1986 and 1986-2015. For dating of this material, 137Cs of global fallout and Chernobyl fallout are used. This approach in combination with a detailed morphometric characterization of the valley bottoms, the pathways of sediment transport from the fields, and the morphology and composition of the sediments accumulated on the bottoms makes it possible to give reliable estimates of the volumes of soil loss from tilled slopes. The benchmarks of 1963 and 1986 are related to maximum 137Cs fallout during nuclear bomb testing and immediately after the Chernobyl accident. As an example, the rates of formation of stratozems (stratified aggraded soils formed due to accumulation of eroded sediments) within the first-order catchment of the Veduga River basin (Voronezh oblast, Russia) are analyzed. The results of the study indicate that the mean annual rate of soil loss from arable fields of the catchment in 1986-2015 was at least two times lower than that in the preceding period from 1954 (the beginning of the global fallout) to 1986 (the Chernobyl accident).

  6. Clinical presentation and risk factors of serious infections in children with Down syndrome treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

    PubMed

    Ceppi, Francesco; Stephens, Derek; den Hollander, Barbara S; Krueger, Joerg; Whitlock, James; Sung, Lillian; Hitzler, Johann

    2016-11-01

    Treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in children with Down syndrome (DS) is associated with a higher incidence of life-threatening infections compared to the overall pediatric population. The objective of this study was to describe infections and identify risk factors of microbiologically documented infections at a sterile site in children with DS during chemotherapy for ALL. We conducted a single-institution retrospective review of infectious episodes encountered by patients with DS during primary treatment for ALL. Correlations between features of clinical presentation and severity of microbiologically proven infections were investigated. Among 237 suspected infectious episodes encountered by 35 patients with DS and ALL (DS-ALL), a total of 40 episodes (16.9%) had the clinical presentation of a severe infection (SI). Seventeen patients had 33 (13.9%) microbiologically proven infections from a sterile site. Fever was not part of the clinical presentation in 27% of microbiologically documented infectious episodes. The odds ratio of a microbiologically proven infection at a sterile site was significantly increased during a 7-day interval after treatment with glucocorticoids (2.18; 95% CI: 1.02-4.66; P = 0.04). Neither administration of anthracyclines in the preceding 14 days nor neutropenia correlated with infections. Serious infections in DS-ALL may present without typical signs such as fever. The immediate time period following administration of glucocorticoids is particularly associated with the risk of SIs. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  7. Level, trends and differentials of infant and child mortality in Yemen.

    PubMed

    Suchindran, C M; Adlakha, A L

    1985-12-01

    This study investigates the levels, trends and differentials of infant and child mortality in Yemen. The data used are from the 1979 Yemen Fertility Survey, part of the World Fertility Survey. Mortality rates for 4 age intervals of life are presented: neonatal, postnatal, infant and child. For the birth cohort immediately preceding the survey (1976 1978), the level of infant mortality was estimated as 157/1000 for both sexes and 163 for males and 145 for females. For the birth cohort 1971 1975, the level of child mortality was 95/1000 for both sexes, 78 for males and 112 for females. Analysis of time trends in mortality for the years from 1961 to 1978 indicated substantial declines in neonatal, postneonatal, infant and child mortality. Neonatal mortality declined by almost 33%, and postneonatal mortality by almost 43%. During 1961-1975, child mortality declined by about 39%. A persistent pattern of mortality differentials by sex was found in the data. For all birth cohorts between 1961 and 1978, male neonatal and postneonatal mortality exceeded female neonatal mortality, but male childhood mortality was less than corresponding female mortality. This pattern suggests preferential care and treatment of male offspring. Estimates of infant and child mortality showed considerable regional differences. The eastern region experienced considerably lower risk of infant and childhood mortality than other regions. Breastfeeders aged 1-5 experienced lower mortality rates than nonbreastfeeders. Multivariate analysis with a logistic regression model show the net effect of demographic and socioeconomic factors on mortality.

  8. Human hippocampal theta power indicates movement onset and distance travelled

    PubMed Central

    Bird, Chris M.; Gollwitzer, Stephanie; Rodionov, Roman; Diehl, Beate; McEvoy, Andrew W.; Walker, Matthew C.; Burgess, Neil

    2017-01-01

    Theta frequency oscillations in the 6- to 10-Hz range dominate the rodent hippocampal local field potential during translational movement, suggesting that theta encodes self-motion. Increases in theta power have also been identified in the human hippocampus during both real and virtual movement but appear as transient bursts in distinct high- and low-frequency bands, and it is not yet clear how these bursts relate to the sustained oscillation observed in rodents. Here, we examine depth electrode recordings from the temporal lobe of 13 presurgical epilepsy patients performing a self-paced spatial memory task in a virtual environment. In contrast to previous studies, we focus on movement-onset periods that incorporate both initial acceleration and an immediately preceding stationary interval associated with prominent theta oscillations in the rodent hippocampal formation. We demonstrate that movement-onset periods are associated with a significant increase in both low (2–5 Hz)- and high (6–9 Hz)-frequency theta power in the human hippocampus. Similar increases in low- and high-frequency theta power are seen across lateral temporal lobe recording sites and persist throughout the remainder of movement in both regions. In addition, we show that movement-related theta power is greater both before and during longer paths, directly implicating human hippocampal theta in the encoding of translational movement. These findings strengthen the connection between studies of theta-band activity in rodents and humans and offer additional insight into the neural mechanisms of spatial navigation. PMID:29078334

  9. Impact of Immediate Interpretation of Screening Tomosynthesis Mammography on Performance Metrics.

    PubMed

    Winkler, Nicole S; Freer, Phoebe; Anzai, Yoshimi; Hu, Nan; Stein, Matthew

    2018-05-07

    This study aimed to compare performance metrics for immediate and delayed batch interpretation of screening tomosynthesis mammograms. This HIPAA compliant study was approved by institutional review board with a waiver of consent. A retrospective analysis of screening performance metrics for tomosynthesis mammograms interpreted in 2015 when mammograms were read immediately was compared to historical controls from 2013 to 2014 when mammograms were batch interpreted after the patient had departed. A total of 5518 screening tomosynthesis mammograms (n = 1212 for batch interpretation and n = 4306 for immediate interpretation) were evaluated. The larger sample size for the latter group reflects a group practice shift to performing tomosynthesis for the majority of patients. Age, breast density, comparison examinations, and high-risk status were compared. An asymptotic proportion test and multivariable analysis were used to compare performance metrics. There was no statistically significant difference in recall or cancer detection rates for the batch interpretation group compared to immediate interpretation group with respective recall rate of 6.5% vs 5.3% = +1.2% (95% confidence interval -0.3 to 2.7%; P = .101) and cancer detection rate of 6.6 vs 7.2 per thousand = -0.6 (95% confidence interval -5.9 to 4.6; P = .825). There was no statistically significant difference in positive predictive values (PPVs) including PPV1 (screening recall), PPV2 (biopsy recommendation), or PPV 3 (biopsy performed) with batch interpretation (10.1%, 42.1%, and 40.0%, respectively) and immediate interpretation (13.6%, 39.2%, and 39.7%, respectively). After adjusting for age, breast density, high-risk status, and comparison mammogram, there was no difference in the odds of being recalled or cancer detection between the two groups. There is no statistically significant difference in interpretation performance metrics for screening tomosynthesis mammograms interpreted immediately compared to those interpreted in a delayed fashion. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Inc.

  10. Immediate Extinction Attenuates Spontaneous Recovery and Reinstatement in a Passive Avoidance Paradigm.

    PubMed

    Briggs, James F; Fava, Devin A

    2016-08-01

    Recent research suggests that extinction occurring shortly after fear conditioning attenuates spontaneous recovery and reinstatement of fear. Two experiments investigated whether immediate extinction would prevent spontaneous recovery and reinstatement of fear using a passive avoidance paradigm. In Experiment 1, naive female adult rats (N = 40) received extinction training either immediately or 24 hours (delayed) after fear conditioning. Both extinction groups showed a significant reduction in fear at a 1-day test. At a 15-day test, spontaneous recovery was observed in the delayed extinction group while the immediate extinction group continued to show significant extinction. In Experiment 2, using a naive group of adult female rats (N = 16), the extinction result was replicated in both the immediate and delayed extinction groups at the 1-day interval. Reinstatement of fear, elicited by foot-shock in a neutral environment, was observed for the delayed group but not for the immediate group. By utilizing the passive-avoidance paradigm, these experiments replicate and extend previous findings that immediate extinction attenuates spontaneous recovery and reinstatement of fear. © The Author(s) 2016.

  11. Relative paleointensity (RPI) in the latest Pleistocene (10-45 ka) and implications for the "mystery interval" in atmospheric radiocarbon production at 17 ka.

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Channell, J. E. T.; Hodell, D. A.

    2017-12-01

    Relative paleointensity (RPI) proxies have been used to improve the resolution of Quaternary stratigraphies, and have been matched to oxygen isotope stratigraphies over the last 2 Myrs. The archeomagnetic archive has been important for the Holocene RPI record, and the older Quaternary record has come largely from ODP/IODP and MD (Marion Dufresne - Calypso) marine cores. Beyond the range of archeomagnetic data, published RPI stacks have poor consistency in the 10-30 ka (latest Pleistocene) interval, possibly due to poor quality of ODP/IODP and MD cores in the upper few meters of the sedimentary sections. We report RPI data from a suite of conventional piston cores and Kasten cores from the SW Iberian margin collected during cruise JC089 of the RSS James Cook in August 2013. The age models were acquired by correlation of Ca/Ti XRF core-scanning data to L* reflectance from the Cariaco Basin that is tied to the Greenland ice-core chronology. Mean sedimentation rates are in the 10-20 cm/kyr range. The Holocene RPI record from these marine cores can be broadly correlated to the archeomagnetic RPI compilations. The preceding RPI data are characterized by a short-lived minimum at 13-15 ka, a high in RPI at 17-20 ka, preceded by a discontinuous RPI decrease to 40 ka at the time of the well-documented Laschamp geomagnetic excursion. A stack of 12 RPI records from the SW Iberian margin for the 0-45 ka interval are compared with 11 records from elsewhere, including marine and lake records from the Pacific and South Atlantic realms, chosen on the basis of mean sedimentation rates (>20 cm/kyr) and superior age models. The resulting stacks are very different to previously published RPI stacks, particularly for the 10-30 ka interval, and imply a global (dipole-field) high at 17-20 ka that has implications for the 190 ‰ drop in atmospheric 14C during the so-called "mystery interval" (17.5-14.5 ka).

  12. Resistance-based interval exercise acutely improves endothelial function in type 2 diabetes.

    PubMed

    Francois, Monique E; Durrer, Cody; Pistawka, Kevin J; Halperin, Frank A; Little, Jonathan P

    2016-11-01

    Different modes of exercise, disease, and training status can modify endothelial shear stress and result in distinct effects on endothelial function. To date, no study has examined the influence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and training status on the acute endothelial response to different modes of interval exercise (INT). We examined the effect of a single session of resistance- and cardio-based INT compared with a time-matched control on endothelial function in 12 age-matched T2D participants, 12 untrained, and 11 trained adults (aged 56 ± 7 yr). Flow-mediated dilation (%FMD) of the brachial artery was assessed at baseline and immediately, 1, and 2 h after an acute bout of cardio interval (C-INT), resistance interval (R-INT), and seated control (CTL); these interventions were randomized and separated by >2 days. C-INT involved seven 1-min cycling intervals at 85% of peak power with 1-min recovery between. R-INT involved the same pattern of seven 1-min intervals using leg resistance exercises. Endothelial function (%FMD) was improved after R-INT in all groups (Condition × Time interaction, P < 0.01), an effect that was most robust in T2D where %FMD was higher immediately (+4.0 ± 2.8%), 1 h (+2.5 ± 2.5%), and 2 h (+1.9 ± 1.9%) after R-INT compared with CTL (P < 0.01 for all). C-INT improved %FMD in T2D at 1-h postexercise (+1.6 ± 2.2%, P = 0.03) compared with CTL. In conclusion, R-INT acutely improves endothelial function throughout the 2-h postexercise period in T2D patients. The long-term impact of resistance exercise performed in an interval pattern is warranted. Copyright © 2016 the American Physiological Society.

  13. Resistance-based interval exercise acutely improves endothelial function in type 2 diabetes

    PubMed Central

    Francois, Monique E.; Durrer, Cody; Pistawka, Kevin J.; Halperin, Frank A.

    2016-01-01

    Different modes of exercise, disease, and training status can modify endothelial shear stress and result in distinct effects on endothelial function. To date, no study has examined the influence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and training status on the acute endothelial response to different modes of interval exercise (INT). We examined the effect of a single session of resistance- and cardio-based INT compared with a time-matched control on endothelial function in 12 age-matched T2D participants, 12 untrained, and 11 trained adults (aged 56 ± 7 yr). Flow-mediated dilation (%FMD) of the brachial artery was assessed at baseline and immediately, 1, and 2 h after an acute bout of cardio interval (C-INT), resistance interval (R-INT), and seated control (CTL); these interventions were randomized and separated by >2 days. C-INT involved seven 1-min cycling intervals at 85% of peak power with 1-min recovery between. R-INT involved the same pattern of seven 1-min intervals using leg resistance exercises. Endothelial function (%FMD) was improved after R-INT in all groups (Condition × Time interaction, P < 0.01), an effect that was most robust in T2D where %FMD was higher immediately (+4.0 ± 2.8%), 1 h (+2.5 ± 2.5%), and 2 h (+1.9 ± 1.9%) after R-INT compared with CTL (P < 0.01 for all). C-INT improved %FMD in T2D at 1-h postexercise (+1.6 ± 2.2%, P = 0.03) compared with CTL. In conclusion, R-INT acutely improves endothelial function throughout the 2-h postexercise period in T2D patients. The long-term impact of resistance exercise performed in an interval pattern is warranted. PMID:27638878

  14. Kinetics of fast short-term depression are matched to spike train statistics to reduce noise.

    PubMed

    Khanbabaie, Reza; Nesse, William H; Longtin, Andre; Maler, Leonard

    2010-06-01

    Short-term depression (STD) is observed at many synapses of the CNS and is important for diverse computations. We have discovered a form of fast STD (FSTD) in the synaptic responses of pyramidal cells evoked by stimulation of their electrosensory afferent fibers (P-units). The dynamics of the FSTD are matched to the mean and variance of natural P-unit discharge. FSTD exhibits switch-like behavior in that it is immediately activated with stimulus intervals near the mean interspike interval (ISI) of P-units (approximately 5 ms) and recovers immediately after stimulation with the slightly longer intervals (>7.5 ms) that also occur during P-unit natural and evoked discharge patterns. Remarkably, the magnitude of evoked excitatory postsynaptic potentials appear to depend only on the duration of the previous ISI. Our theoretical analysis suggests that FSTD can serve as a mechanism for noise reduction. Because the kinetics of depression are as fast as the natural spike statistics, this role is distinct from previously ascribed functional roles of STD in gain modulation, synchrony detection or as a temporal filter.

  15. Administration of the Phosphodiesterase Type 4 Inhibitor Rolipram into the Amygdala at a Specific Time Interval after Learning Increases Recognition Memory Persistence

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Werenicz, Aline; Christoff, Raissa R.; Blank, Martina; Jobim, Paulo F. C.; Pedroso, Thiago R.; Reolon, Gustavo K.; Schroder, Nadja; Roesler, Rafael

    2012-01-01

    Here we show that administration of the phosphodiesterase type 4 (PDE4) inhibitor rolipram into the basolateral complex of the amygdala (BLA) at a specific time interval after training enhances memory consolidation and induces memory persistence for novel object recognition (NOR) in rats. Intra-BLA infusion of rolipram immediately, 1.5 h, or 6 h…

  16. Effect of delivery season on subsequent birth interval in early 20th century in Japan

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Nonaka, K.

    1989-12-01

    Questionnaires of birth dates of family members (13 404 families in total) were analyzed in order to examine the effects of delivery season of a baby on the subsequent birth interval. Deliveries at maternal age of 20 34 years were used. In 1921 1935, the mothers who had been delivered of a baby in August October showed the shortest (30.62 months geometric mean) and those in February April the longest (34.05 months) non-last intervals, with a highly significant difference among the four delivery seasons ( P<0.001, Kruskal-Wallis test, n=5678). Although the intervals were abruptly prolonged just before the last birth, the above difference was also consistent in the last intervals. When seasonal distributions of last and non-last births were compared, last births tended to be concentrated in the summer half of a year ( P<0.05) in 1921 1935. In 1951 1965, overall geometric mean of the interval shortened to 28.44 months, and the length of intervals did not differ appreciably according to the season of preceding delivery. Deliveries in late summer (August October) in 1921 1935, therefore, were associated with increased risk of termination of reproduction, on one hand, but a lowered chance of prolongation of the subsequent interval, on the other hand. Possible environmental factors are discussed to explain this apparently paradoxical phenomenon.

  17. Program for Continued Development and Use of Ocean Acoustic/GPS Geodetic Techniques

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Spiess, Fred N.

    1997-01-01

    Under prior NASA grants our group, with collaboration from scientists at the CalTech Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL), visualized and carried out the initial development of a combined GPS and underwater acoustic (GPS/A) method for determining the location of points on the deep sea floor with accuracy relevant to studies of crustal deformation. Under an immediately preceding grant we built, installed and surveyed a set of the necessary seafloor marker precision transponders just seaward of the Cascadia Subduction Zone off British Columbia. The JPL group carried out processing of the GPS data.

  18. Peripheral Vision Horizon Display (PVHD). Corrected Copy

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    1984-01-01

    A Canadian invention, the peripheral vision horizon display (PVHD), shows promise in alleviating vertigo or disorientation in pilots flying under instrument conditions and easing the piloting task when flying in weather or other conditions requiring close attention to aircraft attitude instruments. A diversity of research and applied work was being done to investigate and validate the benefits of the PVHD during the years immediately preceding this conference. Organizers of the conference were able to assemble a group of outstanding presenters representing academic, industrial, and military. The theoretical foundation and applied use of the PVHD are discussed, and results from operational tests are presented.

  19. The fatal disease of the Byzantine Emperor Andronicus III Palaeologus (1328-1341 AD).

    PubMed Central

    Lascaratos, J; Marketos, S

    1997-01-01

    The Byzantine Emperor Andronicus III Palaeologus (1328-1341 AD) died at age 45 from a disease the nature of which is unknown. However, light is thrown on this by the texts of the Byzantine historians John Cantacuzenus (who became Emperor under the name of John VI) and Nicephorus Gregoras, both of whom belonged to the immediate entourage of the Emperor. From their descriptions of the symptoms it appears that Andronicus suffered from malaria for 20 years (1321-1341). The coma that preceded the Emperor's death was probably a cerebral manifestation of chronic malaria. Images Figure 1 PMID:9068444

  20. Influencing the future of AGU

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    McPhaden, Michael; Finn, Carol; McEntee, Chris

    2012-01-01

    Steve Jobs, visionary cofounder of Apple, Inc., once said, “Everyone here has the sense that right now is one of those moments when we are influencing the future.” This statement aptly describes AGU at this time as the Board of Directors and the Council continue to influence the future in exciting ways by advancing our strategic plan (http://www.agu.org/about/mission.shtml). Both governing bodies held meetings in San Francisco immediately preceding the 2011 AGU Fall Meeting. The agendas for both meetings, along with the key outcomes, are posted on AGU's Web site (http://www.agu.org/about/governance/).

  1. Neural predictors of purchases

    PubMed Central

    Knutson, Brian; Rick, Scott; Wimmer, G. Elliott; Prelec, Drazen; Loewenstein, George

    2007-01-01

    Microeconomic theory maintains that purchases are driven by a combination of consumer preference and price. Using event-related FMRI, we investigated how people weigh these factors to make purchasing decisions. Consistent with neuroimaging evidence suggesting that distinct circuits anticipate gain and loss, product preference activated the nucleus accumbens (NAcc), while excessive prices activated the insula and deactivated the mesial prefrontal cortex (MPFC) prior to the purchase decision. Activity from each of these regions independently predicted immediately subsequent purchases above and beyond self-report variables. These findings suggest that activation of distinct neural circuits related to anticipatory affect precedes and supports consumers’ purchasing decisions. PMID:17196537

  2. A case of hyperosmolar hyperglycaemic state with involuntary movements – diagnostic dilemma and clinical considerations

    PubMed Central

    Abd Hamid, Hanisah; Othman, Hanita; Das, Srijit

    2010-01-01

    Hyperosmolar hyperglycaemic state (HHS) is a medical emergency which needs immediate medical intervention. A 37-year-old Chinese woman with a history of hypertension attended the Emergency Department. She had a two-day history of involuntary movement, i.e. chorea of the upper limbs, preceded by a one-week history of upper respiratory tract infection. She also had polyuria and polydipsia, although she was never diagnosed as diabetic. The main aim of reporting the present case was to highlight the importance of biochemical investigations involved in the diagnosis of involuntary movements. PMID:22427779

  3. The effect of price increases on contraceptive sales in Bangladesh.

    PubMed

    Ciszewski, R L; Harvey, P D

    1994-01-01

    In April 1990, the prices of five brands of contraceptives in the Bangladesh social marketing project were increased, by an average of 60%. The impact on condom sales was immediate and severe, with sales for the following 12 months dropping by 46% from the average during the preceding 12 months. The effect on oral contraceptive sales was less dramatic: average sales in the year following the increases dropped slightly despite a previously established pattern of rapidly rising sales. There appears no reasonable combination of events other than the price increase itself to explain most of the difference.

  4. Temporal Precedence Checking for Switched Models and its Application to a Parallel Landing Protocol

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Duggirala, Parasara Sridhar; Wang, Le; Mitra, Sayan; Viswanathan, Mahesh; Munoz, Cesar A.

    2014-01-01

    This paper presents an algorithm for checking temporal precedence properties of nonlinear switched systems. This class of properties subsume bounded safety and capture requirements about visiting a sequence of predicates within given time intervals. The algorithm handles nonlinear predicates that arise from dynamics-based predictions used in alerting protocols for state-of-the-art transportation systems. It is sound and complete for nonlinear switch systems that robustly satisfy the given property. The algorithm is implemented in the Compare Execute Check Engine (C2E2) using validated simulations. As a case study, a simplified model of an alerting system for closely spaced parallel runways is considered. The proposed approach is applied to this model to check safety properties of the alerting logic for different operating conditions such as initial velocities, bank angles, aircraft longitudinal separation, and runway separation.

  5. Similar and Contrasting Response of Rifting and Transtension in the Gulf of California and Walker Lane to Preceding Arc Magmatism

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Henry, C. D.; Faulds, J. E.

    2006-12-01

    The Gulf of California (GC) and Walker Lane (WL) have undergone strikingly similar development with strike- slip faulting following initial extension. They differ significantly in the amount of Pacific-North American plate motion taken up by each: essentially all relative motion in the GC and ~25% in the WL. In both areas, ancestral arc magmatism preceded and probably focused deformation, perhaps because heating and/or hydration weakened the lithosphere. However, differences in migration of the Rivera (RTJ) and Mendocino triple junctions (MTJ) related to differences in the orientation of plate boundaries determined how strike-slip faulting developed. Abrupt southward jumps in the RTJ led to abrupt cessation of magmatism over arc lengths of as much as 1000 km and initiation of east-northeast extension within the future GC. The best known jump was at ~13 Ma, but an earlier jump occurred at ~18 Ma. Arc magmatism has been best documented in Baja California, Sonora, and Nayarit, although Baja constituted the most-trenchward fringe of the ancestral arc. New and published data indicate that Sinaloa underwent a similar history of arc magmatism. The greatest volume of the arc immediately preceding RTJ jumps was probably in mainland Mexico. Arc magmatism shut off following these jumps, extension began in the future GC, and strike-slip faulting either followed or accompanied extension in the GC. In contrast, the MTJ migrated progressively northward. New and published data indicate magmatism generally shut off coincident with this retreat, but distinct nodes or zones of magmatism, presumably unrelated to subduction, persisted or initiated after arc activity ceased. We have suggested that the WL has grown progressively northward, following the retreating arc, and that the northern WL is its youngest part. However, the timing of initiation of strike-slip faulting in most of the WL is poorly known and controversial. Testing our hypothesis requires determining initiation and magnitudes of total slip across different parts. Despite the progressive migration of the MTJ, arc magmatism ceased abruptly at the latitude of Lake Tahoe (39.2°) at about 3 Ma, and the southern end of the active Cascade arc jumped ~160 km northward to Lassen Peak (40.5°), where it remains. Geologic data indicate strike-slip faulting began between these two areas immediately following the end of arc magmatism. The southern Cascade arc is undergoing ~east-west extension, which was the case for the northern Walker Lane immediately before strike-slip faulting began. Further progression or steps in magmatism and strike-slip faulting will likely follow further northward migration of the MTJ.

  6. Effects of an Approach Spacing Flight Deck Tool on Pilot Eyescan

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Oseguera-Lohr, Rosa M.; Nadler, Eric D.

    2004-01-01

    An airborne tool has been developed based on the concept of an aircraft maintaining a time-based spacing interval from the preceding aircraft. The Advanced Terminal Area Approach Spacing (ATAAS) tool uses Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) aircraft state data to compute a speed command for the ATAAS-equipped aircraft to obtain a required time interval behind another aircraft. The tool and candidate operational procedures were tested in a high-fidelity, full mission simulator with active airline subject pilots flying an arrival scenario using three different modes for speed control. Eyetracker data showed only slight changes in instrument scan patterns, and no significant change in the amount of time spent looking out the window with ATAAS, versus standard ILS procedures.

  7. Flight Deck Interval Management Display. [Elements, Information and Annunciations Database User Guide

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Lancaster, Jeff; Dillard, Michael; Alves, Erin; Olofinboba, Olu

    2014-01-01

    The User Guide details the Access Database provided with the Flight Deck Interval Management (FIM) Display Elements, Information, & Annunciations program. The goal of this User Guide is to support ease of use and the ability to quickly retrieve and select items of interest from the Database. The Database includes FIM Concepts identified in a literature review preceding the publication of this document. Only items that are directly related to FIM (e.g., spacing indicators), which change or enable FIM (e.g., menu with control buttons), or which are affected by FIM (e.g., altitude reading) are included in the database. The guide has been expanded from previous versions to cover database structure, content, and search features with voiced explanations.

  8. A comparison of 3 antibiotic regimens for prevention of postcesarean endometritis: an historical cohort study.

    PubMed

    Ward, Erin; Duff, Patrick

    2016-06-01

    Prophylactic antibiotics are of proven value in decreasing the frequency of postcesarean endometritis. The beneficial effect of prophylaxis is enhanced when the antibiotics are administered before the surgical incision as opposed to after the clamping of the umbilical cord. However, the optimal antibiotic regimen for prophylaxis has not been established firmly. The purpose of this study was to compare 3 different antibiotic regimens for the prevention of postcesarean endometritis. This retrospective historical cohort study was conducted at the University of Florida, which is a tertiary care facility that serves a predominantly indigent patient population. In the period January 2003 to December 2007, our standard prophylactic antibiotic regimen for all women who had cesarean delivery was cefazolin (1 g) administered immediately after the baby's umbilical cord was clamped. In November 2008, we began to administer the combined regimen of cefazolin (1 g intravenously) plus azithromycin (500 mg intravenously); both were given 30-60 minutes before the skin incision. In the period of January-December 2014, we continued the dual agent regimen but based the dose of cefazolin on the patient's body mass index: 2 g intravenously if the body mass index was <30 kg/m(2) and 3 g if the body mass index was >30 kg/m(2). The surgical technique was consistent throughout all 3 time periods. Our primary endpoint was the frequency of endometritis in each time period. This diagnosis was based on fever ≥37.5°C, lower abdominal pain and tenderness, the exclusion of other localizing signs of infection, and the requirement for administration of therapeutic antibiotics. In the first year after beginning the new antibiotic regimen, we also monitored the frequency of neonatal sepsis evaluations and compared it with the frequency that was recorded during the year immediately preceding the change in antibiotic regimens. During the entire period 2003-2014, 29,633 women delivered at our institution; 6455 women (22%) had a cesarean delivery. In the period January 2003 to December 2007, 1034 women had a primary or repeat cesarean delivery. One hundred seventy women (16.4%; 95% confidence interval, 14.4-18.4%) developed endometritis. In the period November 2008 to December 2013, 4484 women had a primary or repeat cesarean delivery. Fifty-nine patients (1.3%; 95% confidence interval, 1.0-1.7%) developed endometritis (P < .0001 compared with period 1). In the year 2014, 937 women had a cesarean delivery; 22 of them (2.3%, 95% confidence interval, 1.3-3.3%) developed endometritis (P < .0001 compared with period 1 and P > .5 and <.10 compared with period 2). The frequency of evaluations for suspected neonatal sepsis in infants who were delivered to mothers who had cesarean delivery was 17.6% in the period January to December 2007 and 19.3% in the period November 2008 to November 2009 (relative risk, 1.1; 95% confidence interval, 0.7-1.9). One infant had proven sepsis in the former period; 2 infants had proven sepsis in the latter period (not significant). When administered before skin incision, the combination of cefazolin plus azithromycin was significantly more effective in the prevention of endometritis than the administration of cefazolin after cord clamping; the rate of endometritis was reduced to a very low level without increasing the rate of neonatal sepsis evaluations. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  9. Self-paced preparation for a task switch eliminates attentional inertia but not the performance switch cost.

    PubMed

    Longman, Cai S; Lavric, Aureliu; Monsell, Stephen

    2017-06-01

    The performance overhead associated with changing tasks (the "switch cost") usually diminishes when the task is specified in advance but is rarely eliminated by preparation. A popular account of the "residual" (asymptotic) switch cost is that it reflects "task-set inertia": carry-over of task-set parameters from the preceding trial(s). New evidence for a component of "task-set inertia" comes from eye-tracking, where the location associated with the previously (but no longer) relevant task is fixated preferentially over other irrelevant locations, even when preparation intervals are generous. Might such limits in overcoming task-set inertia in general, and "attentional inertia" in particular, result from suboptimal scheduling of preparation when the time available is outside one's control? In the present study, the stimulus comprised 3 digits located at the points of an invisible triangle, preceded by a central verbal cue specifying which of 3 classification tasks to perform, each consistently applied to just 1 digit location. The digits were presented only when fixation moved away from the cue, thus giving the participant control over preparation time. In contrast to our previous research with experimenter-determined preparation intervals, we found no sign of attentional inertia for the long preparation intervals. Self-paced preparation reduced but did not eliminate the performance switch cost-leaving a clear residual component in both reaction time and error rates. That the scheduling of preparation accounts for some, but not all, components of the residual switch cost, challenges existing accounts of the switch cost, even those which distinguish between preparatory and poststimulus reconfiguration processes. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2017 APA, all rights reserved).

  10. Absence of simple partial seizure in temporal lobe epilepsy: its diagnostic and prognostic significance.

    PubMed

    Inoue, Y; Mihara, T; Matsuda, K; Tottori, T; Otsubo, T; Yagi, K

    2000-02-01

    The diagnostic and prognostic significance of the absence of simple partial seizures (SPS) immediately preceding complex partial seizures (CPS) was examined in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy. The status of self-reported SPS in 193 patients with temporal lobe epilepsy who had surgical therapy more than 2 years ago was reviewed. Before surgery, 37 patients never experienced SPS before CPS (Group A), 156 patients either always or occasionally had SPS before CPS (Group B). The frequency of mesial temporal sclerosis (MTS) was lower and the age at onset of epilepsy was higher in Group A. The seizure focus was in the language-dominant temporal lobe in 73% of the cases in Group A, compared with 40% in Group B. The surgical outcome did not differ between the two groups. The findings suggest that temporal lobe seizures without preceding SPS tend to originate in the language-dominant temporal lobe that contains a pathologic etiology other than MTS, especially in the lateral temporal lobe. The surgical outcome in patients without SPS is similar to that in patients with SPS.

  11. Decomposing the interaction between retention interval and study/test practice: The role of retrievability

    PubMed Central

    Jang, Yoonhee; Wixted, John T.; Pecher, Diane; Zeelenberg, René; Huber, David E.

    2012-01-01

    Even without feedback, test practice enhances delayed performance compared to study practice, but the size of the effect is variable across studies. We investigated the benefit of testing, separating initially retrievable items from initially non-retrievable items. In two experiments, an initial test determined item retrievability. Retrievable or non-retrievable items were subsequently presented for repeated study or test practice. Collapsing across items, in Experiment 1, we obtained the typical crossover interaction between retention interval and practice type. For retrievable items, however, the crossover interaction was quantitatively different, with a small study benefit for an immediate test and a larger testing benefit after a delay. For non-retrievable items, there was a large study benefit for an immediate test, but one week later there was no difference between the study and test practice conditions. In Experiment 2, initially non-retrievable items were given additional study followed by either an immediate test or even more additional study, and one week later performance did not differ between the two conditions. These results indicate that the effect size of study/test practice is due to the relative contribution of retrievable and non-retrievable items. PMID:22304454

  12. Decomposing the interaction between retention interval and study/test practice: the role of retrievability.

    PubMed

    Jang, Yoonhee; Wixted, John T; Pecher, Diane; Zeelenberg, René; Huber, David E

    2012-01-01

    Even without feedback, test practice enhances delayed performance compared to study practice, but the size of the effect is variable across studies. We investigated the benefit of testing, separating initially retrievable items from initially nonretrievable items. In two experiments, an initial test determined item retrievability. Retrievable or nonretrievable items were subsequently presented for repeated study or test practice. Collapsing across items, in Experiment 1, we obtained the typical cross-over interaction between retention interval and practice type. For retrievable items, however, the cross-over interaction was quantitatively different, with a small study benefit for an immediate test and a larger testing benefit after a delay. For nonretrievable items, there was a large study benefit for an immediate test, but one week later there was no difference between the study and test practice conditions. In Experiment 2, initially nonretrievable items were given additional study followed by either an immediate test or even more additional study, and one week later performance did not differ between the two conditions. These results indicate that the effect size of study/test practice is due to the relative contribution of retrievable and nonretrievable items.

  13. Changes in healthcare use among individuals who move into public housing: a population-based investigation.

    PubMed

    Hinds, Aynslie M; Bechtel, Brian; Distasio, Jino; Roos, Leslie L; Lix, Lisa M

    2018-06-05

    Residence in public housing, a subsidized and managed government program, may affect health and healthcare utilization. We compared healthcare use in the year before individuals moved into public housing with usage during their first year of tenancy. We also described trends in use. We used linked population-based administrative data housed in the Population Research Data Repository at the Manitoba Centre for Health Policy. The cohort consisted of individuals who moved into public housing in 2009 and 2010. We counted the number of hospitalizations, general practitioner (GP) visits, specialist visits, emergency department visits, and prescriptions drugs dispensed in the twelve 30-day intervals (i.e., months) immediately preceding and following the public housing move-in date. Generalized linear models with generalized estimating equations tested for a period (pre/post-move-in) by month interaction. Odds ratios (ORs), incident rate ratios (IRRs), and means are reported along with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). The cohort included 1942 individuals; the majority were female (73.4%) who lived in low income areas and received government assistance (68.1%). On average, the cohort had more than four health conditions. Over the 24 30-day intervals, the percentage of the cohort that visited a GP, specialist, and an emergency department ranged between 37.0% and 43.0%, 10.0% and 14.0%, and 6.0% and 10.0%, respectively, while the percentage of the cohort hospitalized ranged from 1.0% to 5.0%. Generally, these percentages were highest in the few months before the move-in date and lowest in the few months after the move-in date. The period by month interaction was statistically significant for hospitalizations, GP visits, and prescription drug use. The average change in the odds, rate, or mean was smaller in the post-move-in period than in the pre-move-in period. Use of some healthcare services declined after people moved into public housing; however, the decrease was only observed in the first few months and utilization rebounded. Knowledge of healthcare trends before individuals move in are informative for ensuring the appropriate supports are available to new public housing residents. Further study is needed to determine if decreased healthcare utilization following a move is attributable to decreased access.

  14. The Performance of a PN Spread Spectrum Receiver Preceded by an Adaptive Interference Suppression Filter.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1982-12-01

    Sequence dj Estimate of the Desired Signal DEL Sampling Time Interval DS Direct Sequence c Sufficient Statistic E/T Signal Power Erfc Complimentary Error...Namely, a white Gaussian noise (WGN) generator was added. Also, a statistical subroutine was added in order to assess performance improvement at the...reference code and then passed through a correlation detector whose output is the sufficient 1 statistic , e . Using a threshold device and the sufficient

  15. Cerebral blood flow velocity declines before arterial pressure in patients with orthostatic vasovagal presyncope

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Dan, Dan; Hoag, Jeffrey B.; Ellenbogen, Kenneth A.; Wood, Mark A.; Eckberg, Dwain L.; Gilligan, David M.

    2002-01-01

    OBJECTIVES: We studied hemodynamic changes leading to orthostatic vasovagal presyncope to determine whether changes of cerebral artery blood flow velocity precede or follow reductions of arterial pressure. BACKGROUND: Some evidence suggests that disordered cerebral autoregulation contributes to the occurrence of orthostatic vasovagal syncope. We studied cerebral hemodynamics with transcranial Doppler recordings, and we closely examined the temporal sequence of changes of cerebral artery blood flow velocity and systemic arterial pressure in 15 patients who did or did not faint during passive 70 degrees head-up tilt. METHODS: We recorded photoplethysmographic arterial pressure, RR intervals (electrocardiogram) and middle cerebral artery blood flow velocities (mean, total, mean/RR interval; Gosling's pulsatility index; and cerebrovascular resistance [mean cerebral velocity/mean arterial pressure, MAP]). RESULTS: Eight men developed presyncope, and six men and one woman did not. Presyncopal patients reported light-headedness, diaphoresis, or a sensation of fatigue 155 s (range: 25 to 414 s) before any cerebral or systemic hemodynamic change. Average cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV) changes (defined by an iterative linear regression algorithm) began 67 s (range: 9 to 198 s) before reductions of MAP. Cerebral and systemic hemodynamic measurements remained constant in nonsyncopal patients. CONCLUSIONS: Presyncopal symptoms and CBFV changes precede arterial pressure reductions in patients with orthostatic vasovagal syncope. Therefore, changes of cerebrovascular regulation may contribute to the occurrence of vasovagal reactions.

  16. Underscreened Women Remain Overrepresented in the Pool of Cervical Cancer Cases in Spain: A Need to Rethink the Screening Interventions.

    PubMed

    Ibáñez, Raquel; Alejo, María; Combalia, Neus; Tarroch, Xavier; Autonell, Josefina; Codina, Laia; Culubret, Montserrat; Bosch, Francesc Xavier; de Sanjosé, Silvia

    2015-01-01

    Audit of women with invasive cervical cancer (CC) is critical for quality control within screening activities. We analysed the screening history in the 10 years preceding the study entry in women with and without CC during 2000-2011. 323 women with CC from six pathology departments in Catalonia (Spain) and 23,782 women with negative cytology were compared. Age, previous history of cytologies, and histological type and FIGO stage were collected from the pathology registries. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI95%). History of cytology was registered in 26.2% of CC cases and in 78% of the control women (P < 0.0001) and its frequency decreased with increasing age. Compared to women with squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma cases were significantly more likely to have a cytology within the 3-year interval preceding cancer diagnosis (OR = 2.6 CI 95%: 1.2-5.6) and to have normal cytology results in previous screenings (OR = 2.4 CI 95%: 1.2-4.5). FIGO II-IV cases were more common among older women (older than 60 years). Absence of prior screening history was extremely common among CC cases compared to controls. Organized actions to reduce underscreened women and use of highly sensitive HPV-based tests could be important to reduce CC burden.

  17. Perception without awareness: further evidence from a Stroop priming task.

    PubMed

    Daza, M Teresa; Ortells, Juan J; Fox, Elaine

    2002-11-01

    In the present research, we examined the influence of prime-target stimulus onset asynchrony (SOA) on Stroop-priming effects from masked words. Participants indicated the color of a central target, which was preceded by a 33-msec prime word followed either immediately or after a variable delay by a pattern mask. The prime word was incongruent or congruent with the target color on 75% and 25% of the trials, respectively. The words followed by an immediate mask produced reliable Stroop interference at SOAs of 300 and 400 msec but not at SOAs of 500 and 700 msec. The words followed by a delayed mask produced a reversed (i.e., facilitatory) Stroop effect, which reached significance at an SOA of 400 msec or longer, but never at the shorter 300-msec SOA. Such an differential time course of both types of Stroop priming effects provides further evidence for the existence of qualitative differences between conscious and nonconscious perceptual processes.

  18. Hyperphagia induced by sucrose: relation to circulating and CSF glucose and corticosterone and orexigenic peptides in the arcuate nucleus.

    PubMed

    Gaysinskaya, V A; Karatayev, O; Shuluk, J; Leibowitz, S F

    2011-01-01

    Sucrose-rich diets compared to starch-rich diets are known to stimulate overeating under chronic conditions. The present study in normal-weight rats established an acute "preload-to-test meal" paradigm for demonstrating sucrose-induced hyperphagia and investigating possible mechanisms that mediate this behavioral phenomenon. In this acute paradigm, the rats were first given a small (15 kcal) sucrose preload (30% sucrose) for 30 min compared to an equicaloric, starch preload (25% starch with 5% sucrose) and then allowed to freely consume a subsequent test meal of lab chow. The sucrose preload, when compared to a starch preload equal in energy density and palatability, consistently increased food intake in the subsequent test meal occurring between 60 and 120 min after the end of the preload. Measurements of hormones, metabolites and hypothalamic peptides immediately preceding this hyperphagia revealed marked differences between the sucrose vs starch groups that could contribute to the increase in food intake. Whereas the sucrose group compared to the starch group immediately after the preload (at 10 min) had elevated levels of glucose in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) along with reduced expressions of neuropeptide Y (NPY) and agouti-related protein (AgRP) in the arcuate nucleus (ARC), the subsequent effects (at 30-60 min) just preceding the test meal hyperphagia were the reverse. Along with lower levels of glucose, they included markedly elevated serum and CSF levels of corticosterone and mRNA levels of NPY and AgRP in the ARC. In addition to establishing an animal model for sucrose-induced hyperphagia, these results demonstrate peripheral and central mechanisms that may mediate this behavioral phenomenon. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  19. HYPERPHAGIA INDUCED BY SUCROSE: RELATION TO CIRCULATING AND CSF GLUCOSE AND CORTICOSTERONE AND OREXIGENIC PEPTIDES IN THE ARCUATE NUCLEUS

    PubMed Central

    Gaysinskaya, V. A.; Karatayev, O.; Shuluk, J.; Leibowitz, S. F.

    2010-01-01

    Sucrose-rich diets compared to starch-rich diets are known to stimulate overeating under chronic conditions. The present study in normal-weight rats established an acute “preload-to-test meal” paradigm for demonstrating sucrose-induced hyperphagia and investigating possible mechanisms that mediate this behavioral phenomenon. In this acute paradigm, the rats were first given a small (15 kcals) sucrose preload (30% sucrose) for 30 min compared to an equicaloric, starch preload (25% starch with 5% sucrose) and then allowed to freely consume a subsequent test meal of lab chow. The sucrose preload, when compared to a starch preload equal in energy density and palatability, consistently increased food intake in the subsequent test meal occurring between 60–120 min after the end of the preload. Measurements of hormones, metabolites and hypothalamic peptides immediately preceding this hyperphagia revealed marked differences between the sucrose vs starch groups that could contribute to the increase in food intake. Whereas the sucrose group compared to starch group immediately after the preload (at 10 min) had elevated levels of glucose in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) along with reduced expression of neuropeptide Y (NPY) and agouti-related protein (AgRP) in the arcuate nucleus (ARC), the subsequent effects (at 30–60 min) just preceding the test meal hyperphagia were the reverse. Along with lower levels of glucose, they included markedly elevated serum and CSF levels of corticosterone and mRNA levels of NPY and AgRP in the ARC. In addition to establishing an animal model for sucrose-induced hyperphagia, these results demonstrate peripheral and central mechanisms that may mediate this behavioral phenomenon. PMID:21036188

  20. Prompt Acceleration of Magnetospheric Electrons to Ultrarelativistic Energies by the 17 March 2015 Interplanetary Shock

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Kanekal, S. G.; Baker, D. N.; Fennell, J. F.; Jones, A.; Schiller, Q.; Richardson, I.G.; Li, X.; Turner, D. L.; Califf, S.; Claudepierre, S. G.; hide

    2016-01-01

    Trapped electrons in Earth's outer Van Allen radiation belt are influenced profoundly by solar phenomena such as high-speed solar wind streams, coronal mass ejections (CME), and interplanetary (IP) shocks. In particular, strong IP shocks compress the magnetosphere suddenly and result in rapid energization of electrons within minutes. It is believed that the electric fields induced by the rapid change in the geomagnetic field are responsible for the energization. During the latter part of March 2015, a CME impact led to the most powerful geomagnetic storm (minimum Dst = -223 nT at 17 March, 23 UT) observed not only during the Van Allen Probe era but also the entire preceding decade. Magnetospheric response in the outer radiation belt eventually resulted in elevated levels of energized electrons. The CME itself was preceded by a strong IP shock whose immediate effects vis-a-vis electron energization were observed by sensors on board the Van Allen Probes. The comprehensive and high-quality data from the Van Allen Probes enable the determination of the location of the electron injection, timescales, and spectral aspects of the energized electrons. The observations clearly show that ultrarelativistic electrons with energies E greater than 6 MeV were injected deep into the magnetosphere at L approximately equals 3 within about 2 min of the shock impact. However, electrons in the energy range of approximately equals 250 keV to approximately equals 900 keV showed no immediate response to the IP shock. Electric and magnetic fields resulting from the shock-driven compression complete the comprehensive set of observations that provide a full description of the near-instantaneous electron energization.

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

    PubMed

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

    2007-10-01

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

  2. Risk factors and antecedent life events in the development of anorexia nervosa: a Portuguese case-control study.

    PubMed

    Machado, Bárbara C; Gonçalves, Sónia F; Martins, Carla; Hoek, Hans W; Machado, Paulo P

    2014-07-01

    The aetiology of anorexia nervosa (AN) is considered to be multifactorial. This study aims to identify potential risk factors for AN and whether these factors are specific to AN or precede the development of psychiatric disorders in general and to identify specific life events in the 12 months immediately preceding the onset of eating disorder (ED) symptoms. A case-control design was used to compare a group of women who meet Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition criteria for AN (N = 86) with healthy controls (N = 86) and with a group of controls with other psychiatric disorders (N = 68), each group matched to the AN patients by age and parental socioeconomic status bands. Risk factors were assessed by interviewing each person with the Oxford Risk Factor Interview. Women with AN reported significantly higher rates of perfectionism, negative attitudes toward parents' shape and weight, significant concern about feeling fat and a family history of AN or bulimia nervosa. Critical comments about weight, shape or eating was the most notable event in the year preceding AN onset. Perfectionism and a family history of ED emerged as the most convergent findings in the development of AN, along with being critical toward parents' shape and weight, and feeling fat. Critical comments about appearance and eating seem to be an important precipitating factor in AN onset. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.

  3. Sequential biases on subjective judgments: Evidence from face attractiveness and ringtone agreeableness judgment.

    PubMed

    Huang, Jianrui; He, Xianyou; Ma, Xiaojin; Ren, Yian; Zhao, Tingting; Zeng, Xin; Li, Han; Chen, Yiheng

    2018-01-01

    When people make decisions about sequentially presented items in psychophysical experiments, their decisions are always biased by their preceding decisions and the preceding items, either by assimilation (shift towards the decision or item) or contrast (shift away from the decision or item). Such sequential biases also occur in naturalistic and real-world judgments such as facial attractiveness judgments. In this article, we aimed to cast light on the causes of these sequential biases. We first found significant assimilative and contrastive effects in a visual face attractiveness judgment task and an auditory ringtone agreeableness judgment task, indicating that sequential effects are not limited to the visual modality. We then found that the provision of trial-by-trial feedback of the preceding stimulus value eliminated the contrastive effect, but only weakened the assimilative effect. When participants orally reported their judgments rather than indicated them via a keyboard button press, we found a significant diminished assimilative effect, suggesting that motor response repetition strengthened the assimilation bias. Finally, we found that when visual and auditory stimuli were alternated, there was no longer a contrastive effect from the immediately previous trial, but there was an assimilative effect both from the previous trial (cross-modal) and the 2-back trial (same stimulus modality). These findings suggested that the contrastive effect results from perceptual processing, while the assimilative effect results from anchoring of the previous judgment and is strengthened by response repetition and numerical priming.

  4. High intensity interval exercise decreases IL-8 and enhances the immunomodulatory cytokine interleukin-10 in lean and overweight-obese individuals.

    PubMed

    Dorneles, Gilson P; Haddad, Desirée O; Fagundes, Viviane O; Vargas, Bruna K; Kloecker, Alana; Romão, Pedro R T; Peres, Alessandra

    2016-01-01

    To compare the effects of two interval exercises with different intensities on acute inflammatory response in lean and overweight-obese subjects. Ten lean (BMI<24.9kg/m(2)) and 12 overweight-obese (BMI 25 to <34.9kg/m(2)) males performed two conditions in randomly assigned: (1) high intensity interval exercise (HIIE) 10×60s (85-90%PMax)/75s (50%PMax); (2) moderate intensity interval exercise (MIIE) 10×60s (70-75%PMax)/60s (50%PMax), with blood collections at pre, immediately and 30min post each exercise bouts to evaluate total and differential leukocyte counts, serum creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and systemic levels of IL-1ra, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-17a and CCL2. In lean group, HIIE induced a significant increase in total leukocytes and monocyte, while MIIE session did not change the number of leukocytes. Overweight-obese group presented similar increase in leukocytes, monocytes and lymphocytes in both HIIE and MIIE sessions. At baseline, overweight-obese group showed high levels of CK, IL-8, IL-6 and CCL2 and lower concentrations of IL-10 compared to lean group. The MIIE did not alter the cytokine concentrations in both groups, independently of the time analysis. The HIIE induced significant decrease in IL-8 levels 30min post session in both the groups, and a progressive elevation in IL-10 levels immediately and 30min post in lean and overweight-obese. Regarding IL-6, overweight-obese subjects presented progressive increase either immediately and 30min after HIIE, while lean individuals presented significant increase only 30min after exercise. The acute inflammatory response to interval exercise is intensity-dependent. Although obesity influences the basal concentrations of several cytokines, only HIIE induced important alterations in IL-8 and IL-10 levels, which may have important implications in the control of chronic low-grade inflammation in obesity. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  5. Asthma exacerbations in children immediately following stressful life events: a Cox's hierarchical regression.

    PubMed

    Sandberg, S; Järvenpää, S; Penttinen, A; Paton, J Y; McCann, D C

    2004-12-01

    A recent prospective study of children with asthma employing a within subject, over time analysis using dynamic logistic regression showed that severely negative life events significantly increased the risk of an acute exacerbation during the subsequent 6 week period. The timing of the maximum risk depended on the degree of chronic psychosocial stress also present. A hierarchical Cox regression analysis was undertaken to examine whether there were any immediate effects of negative life events in children without a background of high chronic stress. Sixty children with verified chronic asthma were followed prospectively for 18 months with continuous monitoring of asthma by daily symptom diaries and peak flow measurements, accompanied by repeated interview assessments of life events. The key outcome measures were asthma exacerbations and severely negative life events. An immediate effect evident within the first 2 days following a severely negative life event increased the risk of a new asthma attack by a factor of 4.69, 95% confidence interval 2.33 to 9.44 (p<0.001) [corrected] In the period 3-10 days after a severe event there was no increased risk of an asthma attack (p = 0.5). In addition to the immediate effect, an increased risk of 1.81 (95% confidence interval 1.24 to 2.65) [corrected] was found 5-7 weeks after a severe event (p = 0.002). This is consistent with earlier findings. There was a statistically significant variation due to unobserved factors in the incidence of asthma attacks between the children. The use of statistical methods capable of investigating short time lags showed that stressful life events significantly increase the risk of a new asthma attack immediately after the event; a more delayed increase in risk was also evident 5-7 weeks later.

  6. Nocturnal Gastroesophageal Reflux Revisited by Impedance-pH Monitoring

    PubMed Central

    Blondeau, Kathleen; Mertens, Veerle; Tack, Jan; Sifrim, Daniel

    2011-01-01

    Background/Aims Impedance-pH monitoring allows detailed characterization of gastroesophageal reflux and esophageal activity associated with reflux. We assessed the characteristics of nocturnal reflux and esophageal activity preceding and following reflux. Methods Impedance-pH tracings from 11 healthy subjects and 76 patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease off acid-suppressive therapy were analyzed. Characteristics of nocturnal supine reflux, time distribution and esophageal activity seen on impedance at 2 minute intervals preceding and following reflux were described. Results Patients had more nocturnal reflux events than healthy subjects (8 [4-12] vs 2 [1-5], P = 0.002), with lower proportion of weakly acidic reflux (57% [35-78] vs 80% [60-100], P = 0.044). Nocturnal reflux was mainly liquid (80%) and reached the proximal esophagus more often in patients (6% vs 0%, P = 0.047). Acid reflux predominated in the first 2 hours (66%) and weakly acidic reflux in the last 3 hours (70%) of the night. Most nocturnal reflux was preceded by aboral flows and cleared by short lasting volume clearance. In patients, prolonged chemical clearance was associated with less esophageal activity. Conclusions Nocturnal weakly acidic reflux is as common as acid reflux in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease, and predominates later in the night. Impedance-pH can predict prolonged chemical clearance after nocturnal acid reflux. PMID:21602991

  7. Natural history of heartburn: A 10-year population-based study

    PubMed Central

    Olafsdottir, Linda Bjork; Gudjonsson, Hallgrimur; Jonsdottir, Heidur Hrund; Thjodleifsson, Bjarni

    2011-01-01

    AIM: To study the natural history and prevalence of heartburn at a 10-year interval, and to study the effect of heartburn on various symptoms and activities. METHODS: A population-based postal study was carried out. Questionnaires were mailed to the same age- and gender-stratified random sample of the Icelandic population (aged 18-75 years) in 1996 and again in 2006. Subjects were classified with heartburn if they reported heartburn in the preceding year and/or week, based on the definition of heartburn. RESULTS: Heartburn in the preceding year was reported in 42.8% (1996) and 44.2% (2006) of subjects, with a strong relationship between those who experienced heartburn in both years. Heartburn in the preceding week was diagnosed in 20.8%. There was a significant relationship between heartburn, dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome. Individuals with a body mass index (BMI) below or higher than normal weight were more likely to have heartburn. Heartburn caused by food or beverages was reported very often by 20.0% of subjects. CONCLUSION: Heartburn is a common and chronic condition. Subjects with a BMI below or higher than normal weight are more likely to experience heartburn. Heartburn has a great impact on daily activities, sleep and quality of life. PMID:21350713

  8. Changes in Body Mass Index, Leptin, and Leptin Receptor Polymorphisms and Breast Cancer Risk.

    PubMed

    Liu, Chun-Rong; Li, Qin; Hou, Can; Li, Hui; Shuai, Ping; Zhao, Min; Zhong, Xiao-Rong; Xu, Zhu-Ping; Li, Jia-Yuan

    2018-03-01

    Obesity is a strong risk factor for breast cancer. The polymorphisms of leptin (LEP) and leptin receptor (LEPR) may be associated with breast cancer by regulator of adipose tissue mass and tumor cell growth. A total of 794 cases and 805 matched controls were sequentially enrolled. Time-of-flight mass spectrometry was used to determine the LEPrs7799039, LEPRrs1137100, and LEPRrs1137101 genotypes for each participant. Associations between polymorphisms of these genes, change in body mass index (BMI), and breast cancer risk were assessed by unconditional multivariable logistic regression models. The unconditional logistic regression model showed that persistent overweight (BMI ≥24 kg/m 2 ) over the preceding 10 years was associated with increased breast cancer risk in premenopausal women (odds ratio [OR] = 1.67, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.19-2.35). No associations between LEPrs7799039, LEPRrs1137100, or LEPRrs1137101 polymorphisms alone and breast cancer risk were found. Persistent overweight over the preceding 10 years and carrying the LEPrs7799039 AA genotype together increased breast cancer risk in premenopausal women (OR adj  = 2.00, 95% CI: 1.26-3.16). Persistent overweight over the preceding 10 years and carrying the LEPRrs1137100 GG genotype increased breast cancer risk in premenopausal women (OR adj  = 1.68, 95% CI: 1.06-2.68). In premenopausal women, persistent overweight (BMI ≥24 kg/m 2 ) over the preceding 10 years increases breast cancer risk. Persistent overweight along with LEPrs7799039 AA or LEPRrs1137100 GG genotypes synergistically increase risk of breast cancer among premenopausal women.

  9. Working memory, long-term memory, and medial temporal lobe function

    PubMed Central

    Jeneson, Annette; Squire, Larry R.

    2012-01-01

    Early studies of memory-impaired patients with medial temporal lobe (MTL) damage led to the view that the hippocampus and related MTL structures are involved in the formation of long-term memory and that immediate memory and working memory are independent of these structures. This traditional idea has recently been revisited. Impaired performance in patients with MTL lesions on tasks with short retention intervals, or no retention interval, and neuroimaging findings with similar tasks have been interpreted to mean that the MTL is sometimes needed for working memory and possibly even for visual perception itself. We present a reappraisal of this interpretation. Our main conclusion is that, if the material to be learned exceeds working memory capacity, if the material is difficult to rehearse, or if attention is diverted, performance depends on long-term memory even when the retention interval is brief. This fundamental notion is better captured by the terms subspan memory and supraspan memory than by the terms short-term memory and long-term memory. We propose methods for determining when performance on short-delay tasks must depend on long-term (supraspan) memory and suggest that MTL lesions impair performance only when immediate memory and working memory are insufficient to support performance. In neuroimaging studies, MTL activity during encoding is influenced by the memory load and correlates positively with long-term retention of the material that was presented. The most parsimonious and consistent interpretation of all the data is that subspan memoranda are supported by immediate memory and working memory and are independent of the MTL. PMID:22180053

  10. New Approaches to Robust Confidence Intervals for Location: A Simulation Study.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1984-06-01

    obtain a denominator for the test statistic. Those statistics based on location estimates derived from Hampel’s redescending influence function or v...defined an influence function for a test in terms of the behavior of its P-values when the data are sampled from a model distribution modified by point...proposal could be used for interval estimation as well as hypothesis testing, the extension is immediate. Once an influence function has been defined

  11. Right ventricular systolic dysfunction and vena cava dilatation precede alteration of renal function in adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery: An observational study.

    PubMed

    Guinot, Pierre Grégoire; Abou-Arab, Osama; Longrois, Dan; Dupont, Herve

    2015-08-01

    Several authors have suggested that right ventricular dysfunction (RVd) may contribute to renal dysfunction in nonsurgical patients. We tested the hypothesis that RVd diagnosed immediately after cardiac surgery may be associated with subsequent development of renal dysfunction and tried to identify the possible mechanisms. A single-centre, prospective observational study. Amiens University Hospital, France. All adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery were considered eligible for participation. Patients who had undergone pulmonary or tricuspid valve surgery, repeat surgery or who underwent immediate postoperative renal replacement therapy were excluded. Data from 74 patients were analysed. Left ventricular and right ventricular function were assessed before surgery and on admission to ICU by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE): left ventricular and right ventricular ejection fractions (LVEF/RVEF), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), tricuspid annular systolic velocity (Sr(t)) and right ventricular dilatation. RVd was defined as values in the lowest quartile of at least two echocardiographic variables. Renal dysfunction was defined as an increase in serum creatinine concentration (sCr) on postoperative day 1. All right ventricular TTE variables decreased (P < 0.05) after surgery: RVEF from 50% (49 to 60) to 40% (35 to 50); TAPSE from 22.3 mm (19.4 to 25.3) to 12.2 mm (8.8 to 14.8); and Sr(t) from 15.0 cm s(-1) (12.0 to 18.0) to 8.1 cm s(-1) (6.3 to 9.2). Fourteen (19%) patients had right ventricular dilatation and RVd was present in 23 (31%) patients. Forty patients had a positive variation in sCr. In multivariate analysis, patients with RVd had an odds ratio (OR) of 12.7 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 2.6 to 63.4, P = 0.02] for development of renal dysfunction. Renal dysfunction was associated with increased central venous pressure but was not associated with cardiac index (CI). These results suggest that early postoperative RVd is associated with a subsequent increase of sCr and that the mechanism involved is congestion (vena cava dilatation/elevated CVP) rather than decreased CI.

  12. Acute HIV infection detection and immediate treatment estimated to reduce transmission by 89% among men who have sex with men in Bangkok

    PubMed Central

    Kroon, Eugène D.M.B.; Phanuphak, Nittaya; Shattock, Andrew J.; Fletcher, James L.K.; Pinyakorn, Suteeraporn; Chomchey, Nitiya; Akapirat, Siriwat; de Souza, Mark S.; Robb, Merlin L.; Kim, Jerome H.; van Griensven, Frits; Ananworanich, Jintanat; Wilson, David P.

    2017-01-01

    Abstract Introduction: Antiretroviral treatment (ART) reduces HIV transmission. Despite increased ART coverage, incidence remains high among men who have sex with men (MSM) in many places. Acute HIV infection (AHI) is characterized by high viral replication and increased infectiousness. We estimated the feasible reduction in transmission by targeting MSM with AHI for early ART. Methods: We recruited a cohort of 88 MSM with AHI in Bangkok, Thailand, who initiated ART immediately. A risk calculator based on viral load and reported behaviour, calibrated to Thai epidemiological data, was applied to estimate the number of onwards transmissions. This was compared with the expected number without early interventions. Results: Forty of the MSM were in 4th-generation AHI stages 1 and 2 (4thG stage 1, HIV nucleic acid testing (NAT)+/4thG immunoassay (IA)-/3rdG IA–; 4thG stage 2, NAT+/4thG IA+/3rdG IA–) while 48 tested positive on third-generation IA but had negative or indeterminate western blot (4thG stage 3). Mean plasma HIV RNA was 5.62 log10 copies/ml. Any condomless sex in the four months preceding the study was reported by 83.7%, but decreased to 21.2% by 24 weeks on ART. After ART, 48/88 (54.6%) attained HIV RNA <50 copies/ml by week 8, increasing to 78/87 (89.7%), and 64/66 (97%) at weeks 24 and 48, respectively. The estimated number of onwards transmissions in the first year of infection would have been 27.3 (95% credible interval: 21.7–35.3) with no intervention, 8.3 (6.4–11.2) with post-diagnosis behaviour change only, 5.9 (4.4–7.9) with viral load reduction only and 3.1 (2.4–4.3) with both. The latter was associated with an 88.7% (83.8–91.1%) reduction in transmission. Conclusions: Disproportionate HIV transmission occurs during AHI. Diagnosis of AHI with early ART initiation can substantially reduce onwards transmission. PMID:28691441

  13. Signal functions in delayed reinforcement

    PubMed Central

    Lattal, Kennon A.

    1984-01-01

    Three experiments were conducted with pigeons to examine the role of the signal in delay-of-reinforcement procedures. In the first, a blackout accompanying a period of nonreinforcement increased key-peck response rates maintained by immediate reinforcement. The effects of dissociating the blackout from the delay interval were examined in the second experiment. In three conditions, blackouts and unsignaled delays were negatively correlated or occurred randomly with respect to one another. A signaled delay and an unsignaled delay that omitted the blackouts were studied in two other conditions. All delay-of-reinforcement conditions generally produced response rates lower than those produced by immediate reinforcement. Signaled delays maintained higher response rates than did any of the various unsignaled-delay conditions, with or without dissociated blackouts. The effects of these latter conditions did not differ systematically from one another. The final experiment showed that response rates varied as a function of the frequency with which a blackout accompanied delay intervals. By eliminating a number of methodological difficulties present in previous delay-of-reinforcement experiments, these results suggest the importance of the signal in maintaining responding during delay-of-reinforcement procedures and, conversely, the importance of the delay interval in decreasing responding. PMID:16812387

  14. Tracking lexical consolidation with ERPs: Lexical and semantic-priming effects on N400 and LPC responses to newly-learned words.

    PubMed

    Bakker, Iske; Takashima, Atsuko; van Hell, Janet G; Janzen, Gabriele; McQueen, James M

    2015-12-01

    Novel words can be recalled immediately and after little exposure, but require a post-learning consolidation period to show word-like behaviour such as lexical competition. This pattern is thought to reflect a qualitative shift from episodic to lexical representations. However, several studies have reported immediate effects of meaningful novel words on semantic processing, suggesting that integration of novel word meanings may not require consolidation. The current study synthesises and extends these findings by showing a dissociation between lexical and semantic effects on the electrophysiological (N400, LPC) response to novel words. The difference in N400 amplitude between novel and existing words (a lexical effect) decreased significantly after a 24-h consolidation period, providing novel support for the hypothesis that offline consolidation aids lexicalisation. In contrast, novel words preceded by semantically related primes elicited a more positive LPC response (a semantic-priming effect) both before and after consolidation, indicating that certain semantic effects can be observed even when words have not been fully lexicalised. We propose that novel meanings immediately start to contribute to semantic processing, but that the underlying neural processes may shift from strategic to more automatic with consolidation. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  15. Breast screening: What can the interval cancer review teach us? Are we perhaps being a bit too hard on ourselves?

    PubMed

    Lekanidi, Katerina; Dilks, Phil; Suaris, Tamara; Kennett, Steffan; Purushothaman, Hema

    2017-09-01

    The aim of this study was to determine the features that make interval cancers apparent on the preceding screening mammogram and determine whether changes in the ways of performing the interval cancer review will affect the true interval cancer rate. This study was approved by the clinical governance committee. Mammograms of women diagnosed with an interval cancer were included in the study if they had been allocated to either the "suspicious signs" group or "subtle signs" group, during the historic interval cancer review. Three radiologists, individually and blinded to the site of interval cancer, reviewed the mammograms and documented the presence, site, characteristics and classification of any abnormality. Findings were compared with the appearances of the abnormality at the site of subsequent cancer development by a different breast radiologist. The chi-squared test was used in the analysis of the results, seeking associations between recall concordance and cancer mammographic or histological characteristics. 111/590 interval cancers fulfilled the study inclusion criteria. In 17% of the cases none of the readers identified the relevant abnormality on the screening mammogram. 1/3 readers identified the relevant lesion in 22% of the cases, 2/3 readers in 28% of cases and all 3 readers in 33% of cases. The commonest unanimously recalled abnormality was microcalcification and the most challenging mammographic abnormality to detect was asymmetric density. We did not find any statistically significant association between recall concordance and time to interval cancer, position of lesion in the breast, breast density or cancer grade. Even the simple step of performing an independent blinded review of interval cancers reduces the rate of interval cancers classified as missed by up to 39%. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  16. Effect of Age and Sex on the QTc Interval in Children and Adolescents With Type 1 and 2 Long-QT Syndrome.

    PubMed

    Vink, Arja S; Clur, Sally-Ann B; Geskus, Ronald B; Blank, Andreas C; De Kezel, Charlotte C A; Yoshinaga, Masao; Hofman, Nynke; Wilde, Arthur A M; Blom, Nico A

    2017-04-01

    In congenital long-QT syndrome, age, sex, and genotype have been associated with cardiac events, but their effect on the trend in QTc interval has never been established. We, therefore, aimed to assess the effect of age and sex on the QTc interval in children and adolescents with type 1 (LQT1) and type 2 (LQT2) long-QT syndrome. QTc intervals of 12-lead resting electrocardiograms were determined, and trends over time were analyzed using a linear mixed-effects model. The study included 278 patients with a median follow-up of 4 years (interquartile range, 1-9) and a median number of 6 (interquartile range, 2-10) electrocardiograms per patient. Both LQT1 and LQT2 male patients showed QTc interval shortening after the onset of puberty. In LQT2 male patients, this was preceded by a progressive QTc interval prolongation. In LQT1, after the age of 12 years, male patients had a significantly shorter QTc interval than female patients. In LQT2, during the first years of life and from 14 to 26 years, male patients had a significantly shorter QTc interval than female patients. On the contrary, between 5 and 14 years, LQT2 male patients had significantly longer QTc interval than LQT2 female patients. There is a significant effect of age and sex on the QTc interval in long-QT syndrome, with a unique pattern per genotype. The age of 12 to 14 years is an important transitional period. In the risk stratification and management of long-QT syndrome patients, clinicians should be aware of these age-, sex-, and genotype-related trends in QTc interval and especially the important role of the onset of puberty. © 2017 American Heart Association, Inc.

  17. Variable frame rate transmission - A review of methodology and application to narrow-band LPC speech coding

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Viswanathan, V. R.; Makhoul, J.; Schwartz, R. M.; Huggins, A. W. F.

    1982-04-01

    The variable frame rate (VFR) transmission methodology developed, implemented, and tested in the years 1973-1978 for efficiently transmitting linear predictive coding (LPC) vocoder parameters extracted from the input speech at a fixed frame rate is reviewed. With the VFR method, parameters are transmitted only when their values have changed sufficiently over the interval since their preceding transmission. Two distinct approaches to automatic implementation of the VFR method are discussed. The first bases the transmission decisions on comparisons between the parameter values of the present frame and the last transmitted frame. The second, which is based on a functional perceptual model of speech, compares the parameter values of all the frames that lie in the interval between the present frame and the last transmitted frame against a linear model of parameter variation over that interval. Also considered is the application of VFR transmission to the design of narrow-band LPC speech coders with average bit rates of 2000-2400 bts/s.

  18. The confidence-accuracy relationship for eyewitness identification decisions: Effects of exposure duration, retention interval, and divided attention.

    PubMed

    Palmer, Matthew A; Brewer, Neil; Weber, Nathan; Nagesh, Ambika

    2013-03-01

    Prior research points to a meaningful confidence-accuracy (CA) relationship for positive identification decisions. However, there are theoretical grounds for expecting that different aspects of the CA relationship (calibration, resolution, and over/underconfidence) might be undermined in some circumstances. This research investigated whether the CA relationship for eyewitness identification decisions is affected by three, forensically relevant variables: exposure duration, retention interval, and divided attention at encoding. In Study 1 (N = 986), a field experiment, we examined the effects of exposure duration (5 s vs. 90 s) and retention interval (immediate testing vs. a 1-week delay) on the CA relationship. In Study 2 (N = 502), we examined the effects of attention during encoding on the CA relationship by reanalyzing data from a laboratory experiment in which participants viewed a stimulus video under full or divided attention conditions and then attempted to identify two targets from separate lineups. Across both studies, all three manipulations affected identification accuracy. The central analyses concerned the CA relation for positive identification decisions. For the manipulations of exposure duration and retention interval, overconfidence was greater in the more difficult conditions (shorter exposure; delayed testing) than the easier conditions. Only the exposure duration manipulation influenced resolution (which was better for 5 s than 90 s), and only the retention interval manipulation affected calibration (which was better for immediate testing than delayed testing). In all experimental conditions, accuracy and diagnosticity increased with confidence, particularly at the upper end of the confidence scale. Implications for theory and forensic settings are discussed.

  19. Transient statistics in stabilizing periodic orbits

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Meucci, R.; Gadomski, W.; Ciofini, M.; Arecchi, F. T.

    1995-11-01

    The statistics of chaotic and periodic transient time intervals preceding the stabilization of a given periodic orbit have been experimentally studied in a CO2 laser with modulated losses, subjected to a small subharmonic perturbation. As predicted by the theory, an exponential tail has been found in the probability distribution of chaotic transients. Furthermore, a fine periodic structure in the distributions of the periodic transients, resulting from the interaction of the control signal and the local structure of the chaotic attractor, has been revealed.

  20. VizieR Online Data Catalog: Bessel (1825) calculation for geodesic measurements (Karney+, 2010)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Karney, C. F. F.; Deakin, R. E.

    2010-06-01

    The solution of the geodesic problem for an oblate ellipsoid is developed in terms of series. Tables are provided to simplify the computation. Included here are the tables that accompanied Bessel's paper (with corrections). The tables were crafted by Bessel to be minimize the labor of hand calculations. To this end, he adjusted the intervals in the tables, the number of terms included in the series, and the number of significant digits given so that the final results are accurate to about 8 places. For that reason, the most useful form of the tables is as the PDF file which provides the tables in a layout close to the original. Also provided is the LaTeX source file for the PDF file. Finally, the data has been put into a format so that it can be read easily by computer programs. All the logarithms are in base 10 (common logarithms). The characteristic and the mantissa should be read separately (indicated as x.c and x.m in the file description). Thus the first entry in the table, -4.4, should be parsed as "-4" (the characteristic) and ".4" (the mantissa); the anti-log for this entry is 10(-4+0.4)=2.5e-4. The "Delta" columns give the first difference of the preceding column, i.e., the difference of the preceding column in the next row and the preceding column in the current row. In the printed tables these are expressed as "units in the last place" and the differences are of the rounded representations in the preceding columns (to minimize interpolation errors). In table1.dat these are given scaled to a match the format used for the preceding column, as indicated by the units given for these columns. The unit log(") (in the description within square brackets [arcsec]) means the logarithm of a quantity expressed in arcseconds. (3 data files).

  1. A Decrease in Temperature and Humidity Precedes Human Rhinovirus Infections in a Cold Climate.

    PubMed

    Ikäheimo, Tiina M; Jaakkola, Kari; Jokelainen, Jari; Saukkoriipi, Annika; Roivainen, Merja; Juvonen, Raija; Vainio, Olli; Jaakkola, Jouni J K

    2016-09-02

    Both temperature and humidity may independently or jointly contribute to the risk of human rhinovirus (HRV) infections, either through altered survival and spread of viruses in the environment or due to changes in host susceptibility. This study examined the relationship between short-term variations in temperature and humidity and the risk of HRV infections in a subarctic climate. We conducted a case-crossover study among conscripts (n = 892) seeking medical attention due to respiratory symptoms during their military training and identified 147 HRV cases by real-time PCR. An average temperature, a decline in daily ambient temperature and absolute humidity (AH) during the three preceding days of the onset (hazard period) and two reference periods (a week prior and after the onset) were obtained. The average daily temperature preceding HRV infections was -9.9 ± 4.9 °C and the average AH was 2.2 ± 0.9 g/m³. An average (odds ratios (OR) 1.07 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.00-1.15)) and maximal (OR 1.08 (1.01-1.17)) change in temperature increased the risk of HRV infections by 8% per 1 °C decrease. An average (OR 1.20 (CI 1.03-1.40)) and maximal decrease (OR 1.13 (CI 0.96-1.34)) in AH increased the risk of HRV infection by 13% and 20% per 0.5 g/m³ decrease. A higher average temperature during the three preceding days was positively associated with HRV infections (OR 1.07 (CI 1.00-1.15)). A decrease rather than low temperature and humidity per se during the preceding few days increases the risk of HRV infections in a cold climate. The information is applicable to populations residing in cold climates for appropriate personal protection and prevention of adverse health effects.

  2. A Decrease in Temperature and Humidity Precedes Human Rhinovirus Infections in a Cold Climate

    PubMed Central

    Ikäheimo, Tiina M.; Jaakkola, Kari; Jokelainen, Jari; Saukkoriipi, Annika; Roivainen, Merja; Juvonen, Raija; Vainio, Olli; Jaakkola, Jouni J.K.

    2016-01-01

    Both temperature and humidity may independently or jointly contribute to the risk of human rhinovirus (HRV) infections, either through altered survival and spread of viruses in the environment or due to changes in host susceptibility. This study examined the relationship between short-term variations in temperature and humidity and the risk of HRV infections in a subarctic climate. We conducted a case-crossover study among conscripts (n = 892) seeking medical attention due to respiratory symptoms during their military training and identified 147 HRV cases by real-time PCR. An average temperature, a decline in daily ambient temperature and absolute humidity (AH) during the three preceding days of the onset (hazard period) and two reference periods (a week prior and after the onset) were obtained. The average daily temperature preceding HRV infections was −9.9 ± 4.9 °C and the average AH was 2.2 ± 0.9 g/m3. An average (odds ratios (OR) 1.07 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.00–1.15)) and maximal (OR 1.08 (1.01–1.17)) change in temperature increased the risk of HRV infections by 8% per 1 °C decrease. An average (OR 1.20 (CI 1.03–1.40)) and maximal decrease (OR 1.13 (CI 0.96–1.34)) in AH increased the risk of HRV infection by 13% and 20% per 0.5 g/m3 decrease. A higher average temperature during the three preceding days was positively associated with HRV infections (OR 1.07 (CI 1.00–1.15)). A decrease rather than low temperature and humidity per se during the preceding few days increases the risk of HRV infections in a cold climate. The information is applicable to populations residing in cold climates for appropriate personal protection and prevention of adverse health effects. PMID:27598190

  3. Demodulator for binary-phase modulated signals having a variable clock rate

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Wu, Ta Tzu (Inventor)

    1976-01-01

    Method and apparatus for demodulating binary-phase modulated signals recorded on a magnetic stripe on a card as the card is manually inserted into a card reader. Magnetic transitions are sensed as the card is read and the time interval between immediately preceeding basic transitions determines the duration of a data sampling pulse which detects the presence or absence of an intermediate transition pulse indicative of two respective logic states. The duration of the data sampling pulse is approximately 75 percent of the preceeding interval between basic transitions to permit tracking succeeding time differences in basic transition intervals of up to approximately 25 percent.

  4. Tako-tsubo-like syndrome, a case report.

    PubMed

    Patanè, Salvatore; Marte, Filippo

    2008-02-29

    Tako-tsubo-like (Japanese word for octopus-catcher) left ventricular dysfunction is an enigmatic cardiomyopathy. Typically, the patients have a history of recent stressful incidents immediately preceding onset of mild to moderate chest pain, have ST-segment elevation in leads V3 through V6, ECG changes that typically demonstrate diffuse T-wave inversions and abnormal QS-wave development, discrete wall motion abnormalities involving the lower anterior wall and apex on echocardiography or left ventriculography, and limited myocardial enzyme release without evidence for hemodynamically significant coronary arterial stenoses by angiography. We describe a case of a Tako-tsubo-like left ventricular dysfunction in a 72-year-old female Italian woman.

  5. KSC-98pc508

    NASA Image and Video Library

    1998-04-17

    KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-90 Mission Specialist Dafydd (Dave) Williams, M.D., with the Canadian Space Agency is assisted by NASA and United Space Alliance closeout crew members immediately preceding launch for the nearly 17-day Neurolab mission. Investigations during the Neurolab mission will focus on the effects of microgravity on the nervous system. Seen behind Williams also in an orange launch and re-entry suit is Mission Specialist Richard Linnehan, D.V.M. Williams and six fellow crew members will shortly enter the orbiter at KSC's Launch Pad 39B, where the Space Shuttle Columbia will lift off during a launch window that opens at 2:19 p.m. EDT, April 17

  6. Fertility -- A new trend for a global business.

    PubMed

    Farley, J U

    1969-01-01

    Cooperation between the public and private sectors in helping control population is possible. The usual public outlet for contraceptives, the clinic, is unsatisfactory for 3 reasons: coverage is sparse; there is no simple, repetitive supply activity; and more immediate medical problems take precedence. The public sector is not conversant with advertising and merchandising techniques and research which aid dissemination of both information and the product. Common marketing notions, e.g., 'trading up' may be relevant, i.e., many new aspects of oral contraceptives, IUDs, had already used conventional methods of contraception. The private sector is less sensitive to the political and religious aspects of contraception than the public sector.

  7. How to create a cardiac CT clinic.

    PubMed

    Dowe, David A

    2007-02-01

    Coronary computed tomography (CT) angiography is taking an exponentially increasing role in the diagnostic algorithm of suspected coronary artery disease. It has the immediate potential of replacing stress tests as the first study a patient receives if suspected of having coronary artery disease. In the near future, it will likely precede all elective, diagnostic cardiac catheterizations secondary to its extraordinary negative predictive value. This paper discusses the 3 building blocks of a successful cardiac CT clinic, image quality, service, and marketing. It then discusses the significant differences in establishing a cardiac CT clinic depending on if the radiologist is hospital based or private office based.

  8. "Functional" Inspiratory and Core Muscle Training Enhances Running Performance and Economy.

    PubMed

    Tong, Tomas K; McConnell, Alison K; Lin, Hua; Nie, Jinlei; Zhang, Haifeng; Wang, Jiayuan

    2016-10-01

    Tong, TK, McConnell, AK, Lin, H, Nie, J, Zhang, H, and Wang, J. "Functional" inspiratory and core muscle training enhances running performance and economy. J Strength Cond Res 30(10): 2942-2951, 2016-We compared the effects of two 6-week high-intensity interval training interventions. Under the control condition (CON), only interval training was undertaken, whereas under the intervention condition (ICT), interval training sessions were followed immediately by core training, which was combined with simultaneous inspiratory muscle training (IMT)-"functional" IMT. Sixteen recreational runners were allocated to either ICT or CON groups. Before the intervention phase, both groups undertook a 4-week program of "foundation" IMT to control for the known ergogenic effect of IMT (30 inspiratory efforts at 50% maximal static inspiratory pressure [P0] per set, 2 sets per day, 6 days per week). The subsequent 6-week interval running training phase consisted of 3-4 sessions per week. In addition, the ICT group undertook 4 inspiratory-loaded core exercises (10 repetitions per set, 2 sets per day, inspiratory load set at 50% post-IMT P0) immediately after each interval training session. The CON group received neither core training nor functional IMT. After the intervention phase, global inspiratory and core muscle functions increased in both groups (p ≤ 0.05), as evidenced by P0 and a sport-specific endurance plank test (SEPT) performance, respectively. Compared with CON, the ICT group showed larger improvements in SEPT, running economy at the speed of the onset of blood lactate accumulation, and 1-hour running performance (3.04% vs. 1.57%, p ≤ 0.05). The changes in these variables were interindividually correlated (r ≥ 0.57, n = 16, p ≤ 0.05). Such findings suggest that the addition of inspiratory-loaded core conditioning into a high-intensity interval training program augments the influence of the interval program on endurance running performance and that this may be underpinned by an improvement in running economy.

  9. Learning and Prediction of Relational Time Series

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2013-03-01

    percept that describes “a ball hits the wall” becomes false immediately after it occurs. An interval timed percept occurs at the ‘+’ percept, persist...describes “a ball is in the box” is true until the ball is removed. A timed percept indicating the beginning of an interval state has a...CALEB), FATHER(CALEB, TIMOTHY), GRANDFATHER(JOHN, SHERYL), we can induce a rule: ∀x∀y∀ z , FATHER(x,y), 15 FATHER(y, z )  GRANDFATHER(x, z ). The main

  10. Chronic Stress Impairs Prefrontal Cortex-Dependent Response Inhibition and Spatial Working Memory

    PubMed Central

    Mika, Agnieszka; Mazur, Gabriel J.; Hoffman, Ann N.; Talboom, Joshua S.; Bimonte-Nelson, Heather A.; Sanabria, Federico; Conrad, Cheryl D.

    2012-01-01

    Chronic stress leads to neurochemical and structural alterations in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) that correspond to deficits in PFC-mediated behaviors. The present study examined the effects of chronic restraint stress on response inhibition (using a response-withholding task, fixed-minimum interval schedule of reinforcement, or FMI), and working memory (using a radial arm water maze, RAWM). Adult male Sprague Dawley rats were first trained on the RAWM and subsequently trained on FMI. Following acquisition of FMI, rats were assigned to a restraint stress (6h/d/28d in wire mesh restrainers) or control condition. Immediately after chronic stress, rats were tested on FMI and subsequently on RAWM. FMI results suggest that chronic stress reduces response inhibition capacity and motivation to initiate the task on selective conditions when food reward was not obtained on the preceding trial. RAWM results suggest that chronic stress produces transient deficits in working memory without altering previously consolidated reference memory. Behavioral measures from FMI failed to correlate with metrics from RAWM except for one in which changes in FMI timing precision negatively correlated with changes in RAWM working memory errors for the controls, a finding that was not observed following chronic stress. Fisher’s r to z transformation revealed no significant differences between control and stress with correlation coefficients. These findings are the first to show that chronic stress impairs both response inhibition and working memory, two behaviors that have never been direct compared within the same animals following chronic stress, using FMI, an appetitive task, and RAWM, a non-appetitive task. PMID:22905921

  11. Joint attention enhances visual working memory.

    PubMed

    Gregory, Samantha E A; Jackson, Margaret C

    2017-02-01

    Joint attention-the mutual focus of 2 individuals on an item-speeds detection and discrimination of target information. However, what happens to that information beyond the initial perceptual episode? To fully comprehend and engage with our immediate environment also requires working memory (WM), which integrates information from second to second to create a coherent and fluid picture of our world. Yet, no research exists at present that examines how joint attention directly impacts WM. To investigate this, we created a unique paradigm that combines gaze cues with a traditional visual WM task. A central, direct gaze 'cue' face looked left or right, followed 500 ms later by 4, 6, or 8 colored squares presented on one side of the face for encoding. Crucially, the cue face either looked at the squares (valid cue) or looked away from them (invalid cue). A no shift (direct gaze) condition served as a baseline. After a blank 1,000 ms maintenance interval, participants stated whether a single test square color was present or not in the preceding display. WM accuracy was significantly greater for colors encoded in the valid versus invalid and direct conditions. Further experiments showed that an arrow cue and a low-level motion cue-both shown to reliably orient attention-did not reliably modulate WM, indicating that social cues are more powerful. This study provides the first direct evidence that sharing the focus of another individual establishes a point of reference from which information is advantageously encoded into WM. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2017 APA, all rights reserved).

  12. Radiation hepatology of the rat: The effects of the proliferation stimulus induced by subtotal hepatectomy

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

    Geraci, J.P.; Mariano, M.S.

    1994-11-01

    The effect of an 80 to 90% hepatectomy in stimulating proliferation immediately after irradiation of the liver was studied. A dose of 15 Gy was not lethal for animals with intact livers, but all animals with subtotal hepatectomies exposed to this dose died from apparent liver failure 28 to 60 days after exposure. To elucidate the mechanism for this mortality, plasma aspartate aminotransferase, retention of intravenous injected rose bengal, liver weight and liver hydroxyproline content were measured 0 to 90 days after 15 Gy irradiation of the liver to determine temporal changes in necrosis, function, mass and fibrosis, respectively, inmore » animals with either intact livers or livers with subtotal resection. Irradiation of the liver had no significant effect on these parameters in animals with intact livers. In subtotally hepatectomized animals the same radiation dose that suppressed liver mass restoration significantly increased hepatocyte necrosis within 7 days, which was followed by increased liver hydroxyproline concentration and hepatic dysfunction. This radiation-induced temporal change in hepatic dysfunction correlated with increased concentration of hydroxyproline but not with liver mass, indicating that liver fibrosis was the cause of hepatic dysfunction. Since similar sequelae are produced in intact livers after higher doses and longer intervals after irradiation, the proliferation stimulus induced by partial hepatectomy must accelerate the expression of damage and lower the radiation tolerance of the liver. However, in subtotally hepatectomized animals radiation-induced hepatocyte necrosis precedes fibrosis, whereas the reverse is normally true for animals with intact livers. 35 refs., 5 figs.« less

  13. In-Vivo Animation of Auditory-Language-Induced Gamma-Oscillations in Children with Intractable Focal Epilepsy

    PubMed Central

    Brown, Erik C.; Rothermel, Robert; Nishida, Masaaki; Juhász, Csaba; Muzik, Otto; Hoechstetter, Karsten; Sood, Sandeep; Chugani, Harry T.; Asano, Eishi

    2008-01-01

    We determined if high-frequency gamma-oscillations (50- to 150-Hz) were induced by simple auditory communication over the language network areas in children with focal epilepsy. Four children (ages: 7, 9, 10 and 16 years) with intractable left-hemispheric focal epilepsy underwent extraoperative electrocorticography (ECoG) as well as language mapping using neurostimulation and auditory-language-induced gamma-oscillations on ECoG. The audible communication was recorded concurrently and integrated with ECoG recording to allow for accurate time-lock upon ECoG analysis. In three children, who successfully completed the auditory-language task, high-frequency gamma-augmentation sequentially involved: i) the posterior superior temporal gyrus when listening to the question, ii) the posterior lateral temporal region and the posterior frontal region in the time interval between question completion and the patient’s vocalization, and iii) the pre- and post-central gyri immediately preceding and during the patient’s vocalization. The youngest child, with attention deficits, failed to cooperate during the auditory-language task, and high-frequency gamma-augmentation was noted only in the posterior superior temporal gyrus when audible questions were given. The size of language areas suggested by statistically-significant high-frequency gamma-augmentation was larger than that defined by neurostimulation. The present method can provide in-vivo imaging of electrophysiological activities over the language network areas during language processes. Further studies are warranted to determine whether recording of language-induced gamma-oscillations can supplement language mapping using neurostimulation in presurgical evaluation of children with focal epilepsy. PMID:18455440

  14. Are proton-pump inhibitors harmful for the semen quality of men in couples who are planning pregnancy?

    PubMed

    Huijgen, Nicole A; de Ridder, Maria A J; Verhamme, Katia M; Dohle, Gert R; Vanrolleghem, Ann M; Sturkenboom, Miriam C J M; Laven, Joop S E; Steegers-Theunissen, Régine P M

    2016-12-01

    To determine associations between proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) use and semen parameters in young men of couples who are planning pregnancy. Case-control study of a population-based registry. Not applicable. General practitioner patients comprising 2,473 men from couples planning pregnancy with a recorded semen analysis: 241 with a low total motile sperm count (TMSC ≤1) and 714 with TMSC >1 as matched controls. None. Exposure to PPI; PPI dosage. The study of data from between 1996 and 2013 from the Integrated Primary Care Information database in the Netherlands, which incorporates the medical records of 1.5 million patients from 720 general practitioners, found that the use of PPIs in the period between 12 and 6 months before semen analysis was associated with a threefold higher risk of low TMSC (odds ratio 2.96; 95% confidence interval 1.26-6.97) adjusted for age and other medication. Use of PPIs during the 6 months immediately before the semen analysis was not statistically significantly associated with low TMSC. The use of PPIs in the period 12 to 6 months preceding semen analysis is associated with a threefold higher risk of low TMSC, which suggests that a long-term increase in gastric pH results in a decline of sperm quality. This finding emphasizes the need for more preconceptional research and counseling on the potential effects of medication use on semen quality. Copyright © 2016 American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  15. Functional outcome from sacroiliac joint prolotherapy in patients with sacroiliac joint instability.

    PubMed

    Hoffman, Martin D; Agnish, Vikram

    2018-04-01

    Examine the effectiveness of sacroiliac (SI) joint prolotherapy for SI joint instability, and characterize the patients most likely to benefit from this treatment. Retrospective cohort study. Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient physical medicine clinic. Patients referred for low back pain and diagnosed with SI joint instability received a series of three SI joint prolotherapy injections (15% dextrose in lidocaine) at approximately a one-month interval. The outcome of those completing treatment was retrospectively examined, and characteristics were compared between those with at least a minimum clinically important improvement and those without improvement. Patients completed the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) before treatment was initiated, immediately preceding each prolotherapy injection, and at 3-4 month follow-up. Of 103 treated patients returning for post-treatment follow-up at a median of 117 days, 24 (23%) showed a minimum clinically important improvement despite a median of 2 years with low back pain and a mean (±SD) pre-intervention ODI of 54 ± 15 points. Much of the improvement was evident after the initial prolotherapy injection, and a 15-point improvement in ODI prior to the second prolotherapy injection had a sensitivity of 92% and specificity of 80% for determining which patients would improve. A satisfactory proportion of patients with symptomatic SI joint instability as an etiology of low back pain can have clinically meaningful functional gains with prolotherapy treatment. The patients who are not likely to improve with prolotherapy are generally evident by lack of improvement following the initial prolotherapy injection. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

  16. Postnatal height and adiposity gain, childhood blood pressure and prehypertension risk in an Asian birth cohort

    PubMed Central

    Aris, Izzuddin M; Bernard, Jonathan Y; Chen, Ling-Wei; Tint, Mya Thway; Lim, Wai Yee; Soh, Shu E; Saw, Seang-Mei; Shek, Lynette Pei-Chi; Godfrey, Keith M; Gluckman, Peter D; Chong, Yap-Seng; Yap, Fabian; Kramer, Michael S; Lee, Yung Seng

    2017-01-01

    Objective There have been hypotheses that early life adiposity gain may influence blood pressure (BP) later in life. We examined associations between timing of height, body mass index (BMI) and adiposity gains in early life with BP at 48 months in an Asian pregnancy-birth cohort. Methods In 719 children, velocities for height, BMI and abdominal circumference (AC) were calculated at five intervals [0-3, 3-12, 12-24, 24-36 and 36-48 months]. Triceps (TS) and subscapular skinfold (SS) velocities were calculated between 0-18, 18-36 and 36-48 months. Systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was measured at 48 months. Growth velocities at later periods were adjusted for growth velocities in preceding intervals as well as measurements at birth. Results After adjusting for confounders and child height at BP measurement, each unit z-score gain in BMI, AC, TS and SS velocities at 36-48 months were associated with 2.3 (95% CI:1.6, 3.1), 2.1 (1.3, 2.8), 1.4 (0.6, 2.2) and 1.8 (1.0, 2.6) mmHg higher SBP respectively, and 0.9 (0.4, 1.4), 0.9 (0.4, 1.3), 0.6 (0.1, 1.1) and 0.8 (0.3, 1.3) mmHg higher DBP respectively. BMI and adiposity velocities (AC, TS or SS) at various intervals in the first 36 months however, were not associated with BP. Faster BMI, AC, TS and SS velocities, but not height, at 36-48 months were associated with 0.22 (0.15, 0.29), 0.17 (0.10, 0.24), 0.11 (0.04, 0.19) and 0.15 (0.08, 0.23) units higher SBP z-score respectively, and OR=1.46 (95% CI: 1.13-1.90), 1.49 (1.17-1.92), 1.45 (1.09-1.92) and 1.43 (1.09, 1.88) times higher risk of prehypertension/hypertension respectively at 48 months. Conclusion Our results indicated that faster BMI and adiposity (AC, TS or SS) velocities only at the preceding interval before 48 months (36-48 months), but not at earlier intervals in the first 36 months, are predictive of BP and prehypertension/hypertension at 48 months. PMID:28186098

  17. Sequential Processing and the Matching-Stimulus Interval Effect in ERP Components: An Exploration of the Mechanism Using Multiple Regression

    PubMed Central

    Steiner, Genevieve Z.; Barry, Robert J.; Gonsalvez, Craig J.

    2016-01-01

    In oddball tasks, increasing the time between stimuli within a particular condition (target-to-target interval, TTI; nontarget-to-nontarget interval, NNI) systematically enhances N1, P2, and P300 event-related potential (ERP) component amplitudes. This study examined the mechanism underpinning these effects in ERP components recorded from 28 adults who completed a conventional three-tone oddball task. Bivariate correlations, partial correlations and multiple regression explored component changes due to preceding ERP component amplitudes and intervals found within the stimulus series, rather than constraining the task with experimentally constructed intervals, which has been adequately explored in prior studies. Multiple regression showed that for targets, N1 and TTI predicted N2, TTI predicted P3a and P3b, and Processing Negativity (PN), P3b, and TTI predicted reaction time. For rare nontargets, P1 predicted N1, NNI predicted N2, and N1 predicted Slow Wave (SW). Findings show that the mechanism is operating on separate stages of stimulus-processing, suggestive of either increased activation within a number of stimulus-specific pathways, or very long component generator recovery cycles. These results demonstrate the extent to which matching-stimulus intervals influence ERP component amplitudes and behavior in a three-tone oddball task, and should be taken into account when designing similar studies. PMID:27445774

  18. Sequential Processing and the Matching-Stimulus Interval Effect in ERP Components: An Exploration of the Mechanism Using Multiple Regression.

    PubMed

    Steiner, Genevieve Z; Barry, Robert J; Gonsalvez, Craig J

    2016-01-01

    In oddball tasks, increasing the time between stimuli within a particular condition (target-to-target interval, TTI; nontarget-to-nontarget interval, NNI) systematically enhances N1, P2, and P300 event-related potential (ERP) component amplitudes. This study examined the mechanism underpinning these effects in ERP components recorded from 28 adults who completed a conventional three-tone oddball task. Bivariate correlations, partial correlations and multiple regression explored component changes due to preceding ERP component amplitudes and intervals found within the stimulus series, rather than constraining the task with experimentally constructed intervals, which has been adequately explored in prior studies. Multiple regression showed that for targets, N1 and TTI predicted N2, TTI predicted P3a and P3b, and Processing Negativity (PN), P3b, and TTI predicted reaction time. For rare nontargets, P1 predicted N1, NNI predicted N2, and N1 predicted Slow Wave (SW). Findings show that the mechanism is operating on separate stages of stimulus-processing, suggestive of either increased activation within a number of stimulus-specific pathways, or very long component generator recovery cycles. These results demonstrate the extent to which matching-stimulus intervals influence ERP component amplitudes and behavior in a three-tone oddball task, and should be taken into account when designing similar studies.

  19. [Changes in heart rate variability after myocardial infarction. Value of Poincareé's diagram].

    PubMed

    Copie, X; Le Heuzey, J Y; Iliou, M C; Pousset, F; Lavergne, T; Guize, L

    1995-11-01

    The variability of the heart rate is reduced after myocardial infarction. It then progressively increases, to return to near normal values after several months. However, these changes in heart rate variability occur at the same time as slowing of the heart rate which makes interpretation difficult. Poincaré's diagram is constructed from a Holter recording plotting each RR interval against the preceding RR interval. The authors have developed a geometric approach to this diagram to evaluate parasympathetic tone for a given heart rate. By measuring the dispersion in height of the Poincaré's diagram, the authors evaluate the shor-term variability for a given RR interval. Two 24 hr Holter recordings were performed in 52 patients at one and two weeks after a myocardial infarction. The dispersion in the height of the Poincaré's diagrams was measured at the 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th and 90th percentiles of the total dispersion. The authors have shown an increase in the short-term variability of the shortest RR intervals (1th, 25th and 50th percentiles) which is not observed in the longer RR intervals (75th and 90th percentiles). In conclusion, theres is an increase in the heart rate variability at the shortest RR intervals. This suggests that the recovery of parasympathic tone after myocardial infarction occurs mainly at the fastest heart rates.

  20. Losing without Fighting - Simple Aversive Stimulation Induces Submissiveness Typical for Social Defeat via the Action of Nitric Oxide, but Only When Preceded by an Aggression Priming Stimulus

    PubMed Central

    Rillich, Jan; Stevenson, Paul A.

    2017-01-01

    Losing a fight (social defeat) induces submissiveness and behavioral depression in many animals, but the mechanisms are unclear. Here we investigate how the social defeat syndrome can be established as a result of experiencing aversive stimuli and the roles of neuromodulators in the process. While biogenic amines and nitric oxide (NO) are associated with reduced aggression in mammals and insects, their specific actions during conflict are unknown. Although the social defeat syndrome normally results from complex interactions, we could induce it in male crickets simply by applying aversive stimuli (AS) in an aggressive context. Aggressive crickets became immediately submissive and behaved like losers after experiencing two brief AS (light wind puffs to the cerci), but only when preceded by a priming stimulus (PS, stroking the antenna with another male antenna). Notably, submissiveness was not induced when the PS preceded the AS by more than 1 min, or when the PS followed the AS, or using a female antenna as the preceding stimulus. These findings suggest that any potentially detrimental stimulus can acquire the attribute of an aversive agonistic signal when experienced in an aggressive context. Crickets, it seems, need only to evaluate their net sensory impact rather than the qualities of a variety of complex agonistic signals. Selective drug treatments revealed that NO, but not serotonin, dopamine or octopamine, is necessary to establish the submissive status following pairing of the priming and aversive stimuli. Moreover, treatment with an NO donor also induced the social defeat syndrome, but only when combined with the PS. This confirms our hypothesis that aversive agonistic experiences accumulated by crickets during fighting invoke social defeat via the action of NO and illustrates that a relatively simple mechanism underlies the seemingly complex social decision to flee. The simple stimulus regime described here for inducing social defeat opens new avenues for investigating the cellular control of subordinate behavior and post-conflict depression. PMID:28381994

  1. Fixed-interval performance and self-control in children.

    PubMed Central

    Darcheville, J C; Rivière, V; Wearden, J H

    1992-01-01

    Operant responses of 16 children (mean age 6 years and 1 month) were reinforced according to different fixed-interval schedules (with interreinforcer intervals of 20, 30, or 40 s) in which the reinforcers were either 20-s or 40-s presentations of a cartoon. In another procedure, they received training on a self-control paradigm in which both reinforcer delay (0.5 s or 40 s) and reinforcer duration (20 s or 40 s of cartoons) varied, and subjects were offered a choice between various combinations of delay and duration. Individual differences in behavior under the self-control procedure were precisely mirrored by individual differences under the fixed-interval schedule. Children who chose the smaller immediate reinforcer on the self-control procedure (impulsive) produced short postreinforcement pauses and high response rates in the fixed-interval conditions, and both measures changed little with changes in fixed-interval value. Conversely, children who chose the larger delayed reinforcer in the self-control condition (the self-controlled subjects) exhibited lower response rates and long postreinforcement pauses, which changed systematically with changes in the interval, in their fixed-interval performances. PMID:1573372

  2. Food intake and appetite following school-based high-intensity interval training in 9-11-year-old children.

    PubMed

    Morris, Anna; Cramb, Robert; Dodd-Reynolds, Caroline J

    2018-02-01

    Using a randomised cross-over design, free-living lunch intake and subjective appetite were examined in 10 children (9.8 ± 0.6 years) following high-intensity interval training (HIIT) versus a control sedentary (SED) period, within a school setting. The 22-min HIIT took place during a regular PE lesson and consisted of two rounds of 4 × 30 s sprints. Foods were offered at a regular school lunch immediately following HIIT and SED and were matched between conditions. All food was covertly weighed before and after the meal. Hunger, fullness and prospective consumption were reported immediately before and after HIIT/SED, using visual analogue scales. Heart rate was higher during HIIT than SED (159.3 ± 23.1 vs. 76.9 ± 2.2 bpm, P < 0.05). Lunch energy intake was not different (P = 0.52) following HIIT, compared to SED (2.06 ± 0.35 vs. 2.09 ± 0.29 MJ, respectively). There were no significant differences in macronutrient intake or subjective appetite (P > 0.05). Results suggest that HIIT can be implemented in a PE lesson immediately before lunch, without causing a compensatory increase in food consumption.

  3. The cyclic and fractal seismic series preceding an mb 4.8 earthquake on 1980 February 14 near the Virgin Islands

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Varnes, D.J.; Bufe, C.G.

    1996-01-01

    Seismic activity in the 10 months preceding the 1980 February 14, mb 4.8 earthquake in the Virgin Islands, reported on by Frankel in 1982, consisted of four principal cycles. Each cycle began with a relatively large event or series of closely spaced events, and the duration of the cycles progressively shortened by a factor of about 3/4. Had this regular shortening of the cycles been recognized prior to the earthquake, the time of the next episode of setsmicity (the main shock) might have been closely estimated 41 days in advance. That this event could be much larger than the previous events is indicated from time-to-failure analysis of the accelerating rise in released seismic energy, using a non-linear time- and slip-predictable foreshock model. Examination of the timing of all events in the sequence shows an even higher degree of order. Rates of seismicity, measured by consecutive interevent times, when plotted on an iteration diagram of a rate versus the succeeding rate, form a triangular circulating trajectory. The trajectory becomes an ascending helix if extended in a third dimension, time. This construction reveals additional and precise relations among the time intervals between times of relatively high or relatively low rates of seismic activity, including period halving and doubling. The set of 666 time intervals between all possible pairs of the 37 recorded events appears to be a fractal; the set of time points that define the intervals has a finite, non-integer correlation dimension of 0.70. In contrast, the average correlation dimension of 50 random sequences of 37 events is significantly higher, dose to 1.0. In a similar analysis, the set of distances between pairs of epicentres has a fractal correlation dimension of 1.52. Well-defined cycles, numerous precise ratios among time intervals, and a non-random temporal fractal dimension suggest that the seismic series is not a random process, but rather the product of a deterministic dynamic system.

  4. Degassing and microlite crystallization during pre-climactic events of the 1991 eruption of Mt. Pinatubo, Philippines

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Hammer, J.E.; Cashman, K.V.; Hoblitt, R.P.; Newman, S.

    1999-01-01

    Dacite tephras produced by the 1991 pre-climactic eruptive sequence at Mt. Pinatubo display extreme heterogeneity in vesicularity, ranging in clast density from 700 to 2580 kg m-3. Observations of the 13 surge-producing blasts that preceded the climactic plinian event include radar-defined estimates of column heights and seismically defined eruptive and intra-eruptive durations. A comparison of the characteristics of erupted material, including microlite textures, chemical compositions, and H2O contents, with eruptive parameters suggests that devolatilization-induced crystallization of the magma occurred to a varying extent prior to at least nine of the explosive events. Although volatile loss progressed to the same approximate level in all of the clasts analyzed (weight percent H2O=1.26-1.73), microlite crystallization was extremely variable (0-22%). We infer that syn-eruptive volatile exsolution from magma in the conduit and intra-eruptive separation of the gas phase was facilitated by the development of permeability within magma residing in the conduit. Correlation of maximum microlite crystallinity with repose interval duration (28-262 min) suggests that crystallization occurred primarily intra-eruptively, in response to the reduction in dissolved H2O content that occurred during the preceding event. Detailed textural characterization, including determination of three-dimensional shapes and crystal size distributions (CSD), was conducted on a subset of clasts in order to determine rates of crystal nucleation and growth using repose interval as the time available for crystallization. Shape and size analysis suggests that crystallization proceeded in response to lessening degrees of feldspar supersaturation as repose interval durations increased. We thus propose that during repose intervals, a plug of highly viscous magma formed due to the collapse of vesicular magma that had exsolved volatiles during the previous explosive event. If plug thickness grew proportionally to the square root of time, and if magma pressurization increased during the eruptive sequence, the frequency of eruptive pulses may have been modulated by degassing of magma within the conduit. Dense clasts in surge deposits probably represent plug material entrained by each subsequent explosive event.

  5. The contributions of encoding, retention, and recall to the Hebb effect.

    PubMed

    Oberauer, Klaus; Meyer, Nadine

    2009-10-01

    The article reports an experiment testing whether the Hebb repetition effect-the gradual improvement of immediate serial recall when the same list is repeated several times-depends on overt recall of the repeated lists. Previous reports which suggest that recall is critical confound the recall manipulation with retention interval. The present experiment orthogonally varies retention interval (0 or 9 s) and whether the list is to be recalled after the retention interval. Hebb repetition learning is assessed in a final test phase. A repetition effect was obtained in all four experimental conditions; it was larger for recalled than non-recalled lists, whereas retention interval had no effect. The results show that encoding is sufficient to generate cumulative long-term learning, which is strengthened by recall. Rehearsal, if it takes place in the retention interval at all, does not have the same effect on long-term learning as overt recall.

  6. Parameters of 1-4 mHz (Pc5/Pi3) ULF pulsations during the intervals preceding non-triggered substorms at high geomagnetic latitudes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Nosikova, Nataliya; Yagova, Nadezda; Baddeley, Lisa; Kozyreva, Olga; Lorentzen, Dag; Pilipenko, Vyacheslav

    2017-04-01

    One of the important questions for understanding substorm generation is the possible existence of specific pre-substorm variations of plasma, particles and electromagnetic field parameters. In this case analyzing of isolated non-triggered substorms (i.e. substorms that occur under quiet geomagnetic conditions without any visible triggers in IMF or SW) gives benefits for investigation of processes of substorm preparation. It was shown in previous studies that during a few hours preceding a non-triggered isolated substorm, coherent geomagnetic and aurroral luminosity pulsations are observed. Moreover, PSD, amplitudes of geomagnetic fluctuations in Pc5/Pi3 (1-4 mHz) frequency range and some spectral parameters differ from those registered on days without substorms. In present work this sort of pulsations has been studied in details. Features of longitudinal and latitudinal profiles are presented. Possible correlation with ULF disturbances in IMF and SW as well as in the magnetotail/magnetosheath are discussed.

  7. The autophagy marker LC3 strongly predicts immediate mortality after surgical resection for hepatocellular carcinoma.

    PubMed

    Lin, Chih-Wen; Lin, Chih-Che; Lee, Po-Huang; Lo, Gin-Ho; Hsieh, Pei-Min; Koh, Kah Wee; Lee, Chih-Yuan; Chen, Yao-Li; Dai, Chia-Yen; Huang, Jee-Fu; Chuang, Wang-Long; Chen, Yaw-Sen; Yu, Ming-Lung

    2017-11-03

    The remnant liver's ability to regenerate may affect post-hepatectomy immediate mortality. The promotion of autophagy post-hepatectomy could enhance liver regeneration and reduce mortality. This study aimed to identify predictive factors of immediate mortality after surgical resection for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). A total of 535 consecutive HCC patients who had undergone their first surgical resection in Taiwan were enrolled between 2010 and 2014. Clinicopathological data and immediate mortality, defined as all cause-mortality within three months after surgery, were analyzed. The expression of autophagy proteins (LC3, Beclin-1, and p62) in adjacent non-tumor tissues was scored by immunohistochemical staining. Approximately 5% of patients had immediate mortality after surgery. The absence of LC3, hypoalbuminemia (<3.5 g/dl), high alanine aminotransferase, and major liver surgery were significantly associated with immediate mortality in univariate analyses. Multivariate logistic regression demonstrated that absence of LC3 (hazard ratio/95% confidence interval: 40.8/5.14-325) and hypoalbuminemia (2.88/1.11-7.52) were significantly associated with immediate mortality. The 3-month cumulative incidence of mortality was 12.1%, 13.0%, 21.4% and 0.4%, respectively, among patients with absence of LC3 expression, hypoalbuminemia, both, or neither of the two. In conclusion, the absence of LC3 expression in adjacent non-tumor tissues and hypoalbuminemia were strongly predictive of immediate mortality after resection for HCC.

  8. Immediate vs non-immediate loading post-extractive implants: a comparative study of implant stability quotient (ISQ)

    PubMed Central

    MILILLO, L.; FIANDACA, C.; GIANNOULIS, F.; OTTRIA, L.; LUCCHESE, A.; SILVESTRE, F.; PETRUZZI, M.

    2016-01-01

    SUMMARY Purpose This study aims to evaluate differences in implant stability between post-extractive implants vs immediately placed post-extractive implants by resonance frequency analysis (RFA). Materials and methods Patients were grouped into two different categories. In Group A 10 patients had an immediate post-extractive implant, then a provisional, acrylic resin crown was placed (immediate loading). In Group B (control group) 10 patients only had an immediate post-extractive implant. Both upper and lower premolars were chosen as post-extractive sites. Implant Stability Quotient (ISQ) was measured thanks to RFA measurements (Osstell®). Five intervals were considered: immediately after surgery (T0) and every four weeks, until five months after implant placement (T1, T2, T3, T4,T5). A statistical analysis by means of Student’s T-test (significance set at p<0.05) for independent sample was carried out in order to compare Groups A and B. Results The ISQ value between the two groups showed a statistically significant difference (p<0.02) at T1. No statistically significant difference in ISQ was assessed at T0, T2, T3, T4 and T5. Conclusions After clinical assessment it is possible to confirm that provisional and immediate prosthetic surgery in post-extraction sites with cone-shaped implants, platform-switching abutment and bioactive surface can facilitate osseointegration, reducing healing time. PMID:28042440

  9. Time-Resolved Influences of Functional DAT1 and COMT Variants on Visual Perception and Post-Processing

    PubMed Central

    Bender, Stephan; Rellum, Thomas; Freitag, Christine; Resch, Franz; Rietschel, Marcella; Treutlein, Jens; Jennen-Steinmetz, Christine; Brandeis, Daniel; Banaschewski, Tobias; Laucht, Manfred

    2012-01-01

    Background Dopamine plays an important role in orienting and the regulation of selective attention to relevant stimulus characteristics. Thus, we examined the influences of functional variants related to dopamine inactivation in the dopamine transporter (DAT1) and catechol-O-methyltransferase genes (COMT) on the time-course of visual processing in a contingent negative variation (CNV) task. Methods 64-channel EEG recordings were obtained from 195 healthy adolescents of a community-based sample during a continuous performance task (A-X version). Early and late CNV as well as preceding visual evoked potential components were assessed. Results Significant additive main effects of DAT1 and COMT on the occipito-temporal early CNV were observed. In addition, there was a trend towards an interaction between the two polymorphisms. Source analysis showed early CNV generators in the ventral visual stream and in frontal regions. There was a strong negative correlation between occipito-temporal visual post-processing and the frontal early CNV component. The early CNV time interval 500–1000 ms after the visual cue was specifically affected while the preceding visual perception stages were not influenced. Conclusions Late visual potentials allow the genomic imaging of dopamine inactivation effects on visual post-processing. The same specific time-interval has been found to be affected by DAT1 and COMT during motor post-processing but not motor preparation. We propose the hypothesis that similar dopaminergic mechanisms modulate working memory encoding in both the visual and motor and perhaps other systems. PMID:22844499

  10. Underscreened Women Remain Overrepresented in the Pool of Cervical Cancer Cases in Spain: A Need to Rethink the Screening Interventions

    PubMed Central

    Alejo, María; Combalia, Neus; Tarroch, Xavier; Autonell, Josefina; Codina, Laia; Culubret, Montserrat; Bosch, Francesc Xavier; de Sanjosé, Silvia

    2015-01-01

    Objective. Audit of women with invasive cervical cancer (CC) is critical for quality control within screening activities. We analysed the screening history in the 10 years preceding the study entry in women with and without CC during 2000–2011. Methods. 323 women with CC from six pathology departments in Catalonia (Spain) and 23,782 women with negative cytology were compared. Age, previous history of cytologies, and histological type and FIGO stage were collected from the pathology registries. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI95%). Results. History of cytology was registered in 26.2% of CC cases and in 78% of the control women (P < 0.0001) and its frequency decreased with increasing age. Compared to women with squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma cases were significantly more likely to have a cytology within the 3-year interval preceding cancer diagnosis (OR = 2.6 CI 95%: 1.2–5.6) and to have normal cytology results in previous screenings (OR = 2.4 CI 95%: 1.2–4.5). FIGO II–IV cases were more common among older women (older than 60 years). Conclusions. Absence of prior screening history was extremely common among CC cases compared to controls. Organized actions to reduce underscreened women and use of highly sensitive HPV-based tests could be important to reduce CC burden. PMID:26180804

  11. Time-resolved influences of functional DAT1 and COMT variants on visual perception and post-processing.

    PubMed

    Bender, Stephan; Rellum, Thomas; Freitag, Christine; Resch, Franz; Rietschel, Marcella; Treutlein, Jens; Jennen-Steinmetz, Christine; Brandeis, Daniel; Banaschewski, Tobias; Laucht, Manfred

    2012-01-01

    Dopamine plays an important role in orienting and the regulation of selective attention to relevant stimulus characteristics. Thus, we examined the influences of functional variants related to dopamine inactivation in the dopamine transporter (DAT1) and catechol-O-methyltransferase genes (COMT) on the time-course of visual processing in a contingent negative variation (CNV) task. 64-channel EEG recordings were obtained from 195 healthy adolescents of a community-based sample during a continuous performance task (A-X version). Early and late CNV as well as preceding visual evoked potential components were assessed. Significant additive main effects of DAT1 and COMT on the occipito-temporal early CNV were observed. In addition, there was a trend towards an interaction between the two polymorphisms. Source analysis showed early CNV generators in the ventral visual stream and in frontal regions. There was a strong negative correlation between occipito-temporal visual post-processing and the frontal early CNV component. The early CNV time interval 500-1000 ms after the visual cue was specifically affected while the preceding visual perception stages were not influenced. Late visual potentials allow the genomic imaging of dopamine inactivation effects on visual post-processing. The same specific time-interval has been found to be affected by DAT1 and COMT during motor post-processing but not motor preparation. We propose the hypothesis that similar dopaminergic mechanisms modulate working memory encoding in both the visual and motor and perhaps other systems.

  12. Electrocardiographic characteristics of atrioventricular block induced by tilt testing.

    PubMed

    Zyśko, Dorota; Gajek, Jacek; Koźluk, Edward; Mazurek, Walentyna

    2009-02-01

    The electrocardiographic (ECG) characteristics of atrioventricular (AV) block during reflex syncope may be unique due to the presence of hypervagotonia. The aim of the present study was to define the ECG characteristics of the AV block induced by neurocardiogenic reflex provoked by tilt testing (TT). A series of 31 patients with presumed vasovagal syncope and AV block provoked by TT was studied. The duration of PP and PR interval, AV block grade and type, concomitant arrhythmias, and timing of the AV block occurrence were assessed. The AV block occurred at TT termination in 26 patients, in the recovery in 4 patients, and in both periods in 1 patient. Atrioventricular block was preceded by sinus slowing, and sinus rhythm during AV block was slow and instable. Mobitz I, 2:1 second-degree AV block, and advanced second-degree AV block were recognized in 35.5, 48.4, and 67.8% of patients, respectively. Third-degree AV block was diagnosed in 41.9% of patients. Twenty-one patients had at least two AV block forms. The most prevalent concomitant arrhythmia was junctional escape rhythm (61.3%). (i) The occurrence of the AV block during neurocardiogenic reaction induced by TT is always preceded by sinus rhythm slowing and usually by PR interval prolongation. (ii) The AV block provoked by TT usually occurs at TT termination, but may occur even in the recovery period in a supine position. Sometimes the AV block may be present both at TT termination and during the recovery period.

  13. Effect of intravenous gadolinium-DTPA on diffusion-weighted imaging of brain tumors: a short temporal interval assessment.

    PubMed

    Li, Xiang; Qu, Jin-Rong; Luo, Jun-Peng; Li, Jing; Zhang, Hong-Kai; Shao, Nan-Nan; Kwok, Keith; Zhang, Shou-Ning; Li, Yan-le; Liu, Cui-Cui; Zee, Chi-Shing; Li, Hai-Liang

    2014-09-01

    To determine the effect of intravenous administration of gadolinium (Gd) contrast medium (Gd-DTPA) on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) for the evaluation of normal brain parenchyma vs. brain tumor following a short temporal interval. Forty-four DWI studies using b values of 0 and 1000 s/mm(2) were performed before, immediately after, 1 min after, 3 min after, and 5 min after the administration of Gd-DTPA on 62 separate lesions including 15 meningioma, 17 glioma and 30 metastatic lesions. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of the brain tumor lesions and normal brain tissues were measured on pre- and postcontrast images. Statistical analysis using paired t-test between precontrast and postcontrast data were obtained on three brain tumors and normal brain tissue. The SNR and CNR of brain tumors and the SNR of normal brain tissue showed no statistical differences between pre- and postcontrast (P > 0.05). The ADC values on the three cases of brain tumors demonstrated significant initial increase on the immediate time point (P < 0.01) and decrease on following the 1 min time point (P < 0.01) after contrast. Significant decrease of ADC value was still found at 3min and 5min time point in the meningioma group (P < 0.01) with gradual normalization over time. The ADC values of normal brain tissues demonstrated significant initial elevation on the immediately postcontrast DWI sequence (P < 0.01). Contrast medium can cause a slight but statistically significant change on the ADC value within a short temporal interval after the contrast administration. The effect is both time and lesion-type dependent. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  14. Mathematical evaluation of the influence of multiple factors on implant stability quotient values in clinical practice: a retrospective study

    PubMed Central

    Huang, Hairong; Wismeijer, Daniel; Shao, Xianhong; Wu, Gang

    2016-01-01

    Objectives The objective of this study is to mathematically evaluate the influence of multiple factors on implant stability quotient values in clinical practice. Patients and methods Resonance frequency analysis was performed at T1 (measured immediately at the time of implant placement) and at T2 (measured before dental restoration) in 177 patients (329 implants). Using a multivariate linear regression model, we analyzed the influence of the following eleven candidate factors: sex, age, maxillary/mandibular location, bone type, immediate/delayed implantation, bone grafting (presence or absence), insertion torque, I-/II-stage healing pattern, implant diameter, implant length, and T1–T2 time interval. Results The following factors were identified to significantly influence the implant stability quotient (ISQ) values at T1: insertion torque, bone grafting, I-/II-stage healing pattern, immediate/delayed implantation, maxillary/mandibular location, implant diameter, and sex. In contrast, the ISQ values at T2 were significantly influenced only by three factors: implant diameter, T1–T2 time interval, and insertion torque. Conclusion Among the eleven candidate factors, seven key factors were found to influence the T1-ISQ values, while only three key factors influenced the T2-ISQ values. Both T1 and T2-ISQ values were found to be influenced by implant diameter and insertion torque. T1 was influenced specifically by the sex of the patient, the location (maxillary or mandibular), the implantation mode (immediate/delayed implantation), the healing stage, and the absence or presence of bone graft materials. PMID:27785040

  15. The impact of pitch counts and days of rest on performance among major-league baseball pitchers.

    PubMed

    Bradbury, John C; Forman, Sean L

    2012-05-01

    Although the belief that overuse can harm pitchers is widespread, there exists little evidence to show that the number of pitches thrown and the days of rest affect future performance and injury among adults. The purpose of this study is to quantify the effects of pitches thrown and the days of rest on pitcher performance. We examined performances of major-league baseball starting pitchers from 1988 to 2009 using fractional polynomial multiple regression to estimate the immediate and cumulative impact of pitches thrown and the days of rest on performance, while controlling for other factors that likely affect pitcher effectiveness. Estimates indicate each pitch thrown in the preceding game increased earned run average (ERA) by 0.007 in the following game. Each pitch averaged in the preceding 5 and 10 games increased the ERA by 0.014 and 0.022, respectively. Older pitchers were more sensitive to cumulative pitching loads than younger pitchers were, but they were less affected by pitches thrown in the preceding game. Rest days were weakly associated with performance. In summary, we found that there is a negative relationship between past pitches thrown and future performance that is virtually linear. The impact of the cumulative pitching load is larger than the impact of a single game. Rest days do not appear to have a large impact on performance. This study supports the popular notion that high pitching loads can dampen future performance; however, because the effect is small, pitch-count benchmarks have limited use for maintaining performance and possibly preventing injury.

  16. Tactile Toe Agnosia and Percept of a "Missing Toe" in Healthy Humans.

    PubMed

    Cicmil, Nela; Meyer, Achim P; Stein, John F

    2016-03-01

    A disturbance of body representation is central to many neurological and psychiatric conditions, but the mechanisms by which body representations are constructed by the brain are not fully understood. We demonstrate a directional disturbance in tactile identification of the toes in healthy humans. Nineteen young adult participants underwent tactile stimulation of the digits with the eyes closed and verbally reported the identity of the stimulated digit. In the majority of individuals, responses to the second and third toes were significantly biased toward the laterally neighboring digit. The directional bias was greater for the nondominant foot and was affected by the identity of the immediately preceding stimulated toe. Unexpectedly, 9/19 participants reported the subjective experience of a "missing toe" or "missing space" during the protocol. These findings challenge current models of somatosensory localization, as they cannot be explained simply by a lack of distinct representations for toes compared with fingers, or by overt toe-finger correspondences. We present a novel theory of equal spatial representations of digit width combined with a "preceding neighbor" effect to explain the observed phenomena. The diagnostic implications for neurological disorders that involve "digit agnosia" are discussed. © The Author(s) 2015.

  17. Analysis of slow-wave activity and slow-wave oscillations prior to somnambulism.

    PubMed

    Jaar, Olivier; Pilon, Mathieu; Carrier, Julie; Montplaisir, Jacques; Zadra, Antonio

    2010-11-01

    STUDY OBJECTIVIES: several studies have investigated slow wave sleep EEG parameters, including slow-wave activity (SWA) in relation to somnambulism, but results have been both inconsistent and contradictory. The first goal of the present study was to conduct a quantitative analysis of sleepwalkers' sleep EEG by studying fluctuations in spectral power for delta (1-4 Hz) and slow delta (0.5-1 Hz) before the onset of somnambulistic episodes. A secondary aim was to detect slow-wave oscillations to examine changes in their amplitude and density prior to behavioral episodes. twenty-two adult sleepwalkers were investigated polysomnographically following 25 h of sleep deprivation. analysis of patients' sleep EEG over the 200 sec prior to the episodes' onset revealed that the episodes were not preceded by a gradual increase in spectral power for either delta or slow delta over frontal, central, or parietal leads. However, time course comparisons revealed significant changes in the density of slow-wave oscillations as well as in very slow oscillations with significant increases occurring during the final 20 sec immediately preceding episode onset. the specificity of these sleep EEG parameters for the occurrence and diagnosis of NREM parasomnias remains to be determined.

  18. Pulsatile luteinizing hormone patterns in the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle, polycystic ovarian disease (PCOD) and non-PCOD secondary amenorrhea.

    PubMed

    Burger, C W; Korsen, T; van Kessel, H; van Dop, P A; Caron, F J; Schoemaker, J

    1985-12-01

    To characterize the oscillations of plasma LH in normally cycling and amenorrheic women, three groups of women were studied: I, normal women during the follicular phase of the cycle (n = 9); II, women with polycystic ovarian disease (PCOD; n = 11); and III, women with non-PCOD secondary amenorrhea (n = 12). Blood samples were obtained at 10-min intervals for 6 h on 2 separate days. A pulse was defined as an increase in LH at least 20% over the preceding lowest value (nadir). Since LHRH release immediately follows the nadir of the LH levels, the nadir interval (NI) was used for analysis. For analysis, the results from 1 day were selected at random from each subject, and from each day, the same number of NIs also were randomly selected. When two NIs from each patient were selected, the median NI was 75 min in group I, 45 min in group II, and 45 min in group III. When three or four NIs were chosen, the median NI was 60 min in group I, 50 min in group II, and 40 min in group III. The differences between the groups were statistically significant. When three NIs were selected, the mean of the corresponding LH amplitudes was 2.8 U/liter in group I, 6.0 U/liter in group II, and 1.5 U/liter in group III. The differences between these groups were statistically significant. Thus, the NI in PCOD patients was shorter than that during the follicular phase of the cycle, but this short NI is not unique for PCOD, since the NI in non-PCOD secondary amenorrhea patients was even smaller. The LH amplitude was higher in PCOD and lower in non-PCOD secondary amenorrhea compared to that during the follicular phase of the cycle. The decrease in NI in PCOD and/or non-PCOD secondary amenorrhea vs. the NI of the follicular phase could be explained by either a higher frequency of LHRH pulses from the hypothalamus or an increased sensitivity of the pituitary leading to a greater response of the pituitary to LHRH pulses.

  19. Lack of effect of nucleus accumbens dopamine D1 receptor blockade on consumption during the first two days of operant self-administration of sweetened ethanol in adult Long-Evans rats.

    PubMed

    Doherty, James M; Gonzales, Rueben A

    2015-09-01

    The mechanisms underlying ethanol self-administration are not fully understood; however, it is clear that ethanol self-administration stimulates nucleus accumbens dopamine release in well-trained animals. During operant sweetened ethanol self-administration behavior, an adaptation in the nucleus accumbens dopamine system occurs between the first and second exposure, paralleling a dramatic increase in sweetened ethanol intake, which suggests a single exposure to sweetened ethanol may be sufficient to learn the association between sweetened ethanol cues and its reinforcing properties. In the present experiment, we test the effects of blockade of nucleus accumbens dopamine D1 receptors on operant sweetened ethanol self-administration behavior during the first 2 days of exposure. Adult male Long-Evans rats were first trained to self-administer 10% sucrose (10S) across 6 days in an appetitive and consummatory operant model (appetitive interval: 10-min pre-drinking wait period and a lever response requirement of 4; consummatory interval: 20-min access to the drinking solution). After training on 10S, the drinking solution was switched to 10% sucrose plus 10% ethanol (10S10E); control rats continued drinking 10S throughout the experiment. Bilateral nucleus accumbens microinjections of the dopamine D1 antagonist, SCH-23390 (0, 1.0, or 3.0 μg/side), immediately preceded the first two sessions of drinking 10S10E. Results show that blocking nucleus accumbens dopamine D1 receptors has little or no influence on consumption during the first 2 days of exposure to the sweetened ethanol solution or maintenance of sucrose-only drinking. Furthermore, the high dose of SCH-23390, 3.0 μg/side, reduced open-field locomotor activity. In conclusion, we found no evidence to suggest that nucleus accumbens D1 receptor activation is involved in consumption of a sweetened ethanol solution during the first 2 days of exposure or maintenance of sucrose drinking, but rather D1 receptors seem necessary for general locomotor activity that contributes to initiation of appetitive behavior. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  20. Changes in infant disposable diaper weights at selected intervals post-wetting.

    PubMed

    Carlisle, Joan; Moore, Amanda; Cooper, Alyssa; Henderson, Terri; Mayfield, Debbie; Taylor, Randa; Thomas, Jennifer; Van Fleet, Laduska; Askanazi, David; Fineberg, Naomi; Sun, Yanhui

    2012-01-01

    Pediatric acute care nurses questioned the practice of weighing disposable infant diapers immediately after voiding. This study asked the research question, "Does volume of saline, diaper configuration, and/or size of diaper statistically effect changes in diaper weights over time?" The method was an experimental, laboratory model. Pre-set volumes of saline were added to disposable diapers that were then left folded or unfolded. Each diaper was weighed immediately post-wetting and re-weighed at hourly intervals for seven hours. Data were analyzed using a repeated measures analysis of variance (RMANOVA) with balanced data (F-test). Diaper weight changes over time were statistically significant for all time points and for all volumes regardless of diaper size; however, the changes in weight were small and without clinical significance. It is appropriate to weigh diapers at the end of eight hours without risk of altering subsequent fluid management of patients in open-air, non-humidified environments. This practice has led to more efficient use of nurses' time with fewer interruptions for patients and families.

  1. The influence of validity criteria on Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT) test-retest reliability among high school athletes.

    PubMed

    Brett, Benjamin L; Solomon, Gary S

    2017-04-01

    Research findings to date on the stability of Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT) Composite scores have been inconsistent, requiring further investigation. The use of test validity criteria across these studies also has been inconsistent. Using multiple measures of stability, we examined test-retest reliability of repeated ImPACT baseline assessments in high school athletes across various validity criteria reported in previous studies. A total of 1146 high school athletes completed baseline cognitive testing using the online ImPACT test battery at two time periods of approximately two-year intervals. No participant sustained a concussion between assessments. Five forms of validity criteria used in previous test-retest studies were applied to the data, and differences in reliability were compared. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) ranged in composite scores from .47 (95% confidence interval, CI [.38, .54]) to .83 (95% CI [.81, .85]) and showed little change across a two-year interval for all five sets of validity criteria. Regression based methods (RBMs) examining the test-retest stability demonstrated a lack of significant change in composite scores across the two-year interval for all forms of validity criteria, with no cases falling outside the expected range of 90% confidence intervals. The application of more stringent validity criteria does not alter test-retest reliability, nor does it account for some of the variation observed across previously performed studies. As such, use of the ImPACT manual validity criteria should be utilized in the determination of test validity and in the individualized approach to concussion management. Potential future efforts to improve test-retest reliability are discussed.

  2. Mere odor exposure learning in the rat neonate immediately after birth and one day later

    PubMed Central

    Miller, Stacie S.; Spear, Norman E.

    2011-01-01

    Rat pups are more resistant to retroactive associative interference 3 hrs after birth than 24 hours later (Cheslock, Sanders, & Spear, 2004). The present experiments tested the effect of age, retention interval and dam presence during the retention interval on odor-induced motor activity subsequent to mere odor exposure. Rats were exposed to an hour of odor immediately after birth or approximately one day later and tested after a given retention interval (3 hrs or 27 hrs [Exp 1]; 0, 30, 75, or 180 min [Exp. 2]). They spent the retention interval either in the presence or absence of a foster dam (Exp. 1 and 3). After the retention interval, pups were tested in a four-minute activity test including a two-minute baseline period and two minutes of odor exposure. Overall activity was scored during tape-playback. Odor-exposed pups were more active than non-exposed pups during reexposure to the odor during testing, but this was true only for P0 pups. In contrast, P1 pups without prior odor exposure were active during testing and behaviorally quieted in the presence of the odor they were previously exposed to. Though one day apart, newborn rats just hours old lack many of the experiences that a one day old has had including nursing, huddling, and being groomed. These experiences are associated with, among other stimuli, a barrage of olfactory cues (e.g., colostrum, saliva, dander, feces, and urine). P0 and P1 pups also differ in their proximity from the birthing experience and associated neurochemical changes. The age-related pattern of responding to odors based on previous odor exposure was discussed in relation to these and other possibilities. PMID:20411590

  3. Mere odor exposure learning in the rat neonate immediately after birth and 1 day later.

    PubMed

    Miller, Stacie S; Spear, Norman E

    2010-05-01

    Rat pups are more resistant to retroactive associative interference 3 hr after birth than 24 hr later [Cheslock et al. [2004] Developmental Science, 7, 581-598]. The present experiments tested the effect of age, retention interval and dam presence during the retention interval on odor-induced motor activity subsequent to mere odor exposure. Rats were exposed to an hour of odor immediately after birth or approximately 1 day later and tested after a given retention interval (3 or 27 hr [Exp 1]; 0, 30, 75, or 180 min [Exp. 2]). They spent the retention interval either in the presence or absence of a foster dam (Exp. 1 and 3). After the retention interval, pups were tested in a 4-min activity test including a 2-min baseline period and 2 min of odor exposure. Overall activity was scored during tape-playback. Odor-exposed pups were more active than nonexposed pups during reexposure to the odor during testing, but this was true only for P0 pups. In contrast, P1 pups without prior odor exposure were active during testing and behaviorally quieted in the presence of the odor they were previously exposed to. Though 1 day apart, newborn rats just hours old lack many of the experiences that a 1-day-old has had including nursing, huddling, and being groomed. These experiences are associated with, among other stimuli, a barrage of olfactory cues (e.g., colostrum, saliva, dander, feces, and urine). P0 and P1 pups also differ in their proximity from the birthing experience and associated neurochemical changes. The age-related pattern of responding to odors based on previous odor exposure was discussed in relation to these and other possibilities.

  4. Ultra-low-frequency wave power in the magnetotail lobes. I - Relation to substorm onsets and the auroral electrojet index

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Smith, R. A.; Goertz, C. K.; Harrold, B. G.; Goldstein, M. L.; Lepping, R. P.; Fitch, C. A.; Sands, M. R.

    1990-01-01

    Time-series observations of the magnetotail-lobe magnetic field have been Fourier analyzed to compute the frequency-weighted energy density Pfz in the range 1-30 mHz. Pfz is generally observed in the range 0.0001-0.01 gamma-squared Hz with a mean value of 0.0012 during substorm growth phases and 0.001 in the comparison intervals. No strong correlation of Pfz is found with the auroral electrojet index in either set of intervals, but during substorm growth phases Pfz may vary by an order of magnitude over time scales of 30 min, with a tendency for higher power levels to occur later in the growth phase. Increases in Pfz precede by about 10 min localized expansive phase activity observed in individual magnetograms.

  5. HPV-6 Molecular Variants Association With the Development of Genital Warts in Men: The HIM Study

    PubMed Central

    Flores-Díaz, Ema; Sereday, Karen A.; Ferreira, Silvaneide; Sirak, Bradley; Sobrinho, João Simão; Baggio, Maria Luiza; Galan, Lenice; Silva, Roberto C.; Lazcano-Ponce, Eduardo; Giuliano, Anna R.; Villa, Luisa L.

    2017-01-01

    Abstract Background. Human papillomavirus type 6 (HPV-6) and HPV-11 are the etiological agents of approximately 90% of genital warts (GWs). The impact of HPV-6 genetic heterogeneity on persistence and progression to GWs remains undetermined. Methods. HPV Infection in Men (HIM) Study participants who had HPV-6 genital swabs and/or GWs preceded by a viable normal genital swab were analyzed. Variants characterization was performed by polymerase chain reaction sequencing and samples classified within lineages (A, B) and sublineages (B1, B2, B3, B4, B5). Country- and age-specific analyses were conducted for individual variants; odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for the risk of GWs according to HPV-6 variants were calculated. Results. B3 variants were most prevalent. HPV-6 variants distribution differed between countries and case status. HPV-6 B1 variants prevalence was increased in GWs and genital swabs of cases compared to controls. There was difference in B1 and B3 variants detection in GW and the preceding genital swab. We observed significant association of HPV-6 B1 variants detection with GW development. Conclusions. HPV-6 B1 variants are more prevalent in genital swabs that precede GW development, and confer an increased risk for GW. Further research is warranted to understand the possible involvement of B1 variants in the progression to clinically relevant lesions. PMID:28011919

  6. Relations between emotion, memory, and attention: evidence from taboo stroop, lexical decision, and immediate memory tasks.

    PubMed

    MacKay, Donald G; Shafto, Meredith; Taylor, Jennifer K; Marian, Diane E; Abrams, Lise; Dyer, Jennifer R

    2004-04-01

    This article reports five experiments demonstrating theoretically coherent effects of emotion on memory and attention. Experiments 1-3 demonstrated three taboo Stroop effects that occur when people name the color of taboo words. One effect is longer color-naming times for taboo than for neutral words, an effect that diminishes with word repetition. The second effect is superior recall of taboo words in surprise memory tests following color naming. The third effect is better recognition memory for colors consistently associated with taboo words rather than with neutral words. None of these effects was due to retrieval factors, attentional disengagement processes, response inhibition, or strategic attention shifts. Experiments 4 and 5 demonstrated that taboo words impair immediate recall of the preceding and succeeding words in rapidly presented lists but do not impair lexical decision times. We argue that taboo words trigger specific emotional reactions that facilitate the binding of taboo word meaning to salient contextual aspects, such as occurrence in a task and font color in taboo Stroop tasks.

  7. Strongly gliding harmonic tremor during the 2009 eruption of Redoubt Volcano

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Hotovec, Alicia J.; Prejean, Stephanie G.; Vidale, John E.; Gomberg, Joan S.

    2013-01-01

    During the 2009 eruption of Redoubt Volcano, Alaska, gliding harmonic tremor occurred prominently before six nearly consecutive explosions during the second half of the eruptive sequence. The fundamental frequency repeatedly glided upward from < 1 Hz to as high as 30 Hz in less than 10 min, followed by a relative seismic quiescence of 10 to 60 s immediately prior to explosion. High frequency (5 to 20 Hz) gliding returned during the extrusive phase, and lasted for 20 min to 3 h at a time. Although harmonic tremor is not uncommon at volcanoes, tremor at such high frequencies is a rare observation. These frequencies approach or exceed the plausible upper limits of many models that have been suggested for volcanic tremor. We also analyzed the behavior of a swarm of repeating earthquakes that immediately preceded the first instance of pre-explosion gliding harmonic tremor. We find that these earthquakes share several traits with upward gliding harmonic tremor, and favor the explanation that the gliding harmonic tremor at Redoubt Volcano is created by the superposition of increasingly frequent and regular, repeating stick–slip earthquakes through the Dirac comb effect.

  8. Peace and war: trajectories of posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms before, during, and after military deployment in Afghanistan.

    PubMed

    Berntsen, Dorthe; Johannessen, Kim B; Thomsen, Yvonne D; Bertelsen, Mette; Hoyle, Rick H; Rubin, David C

    2012-12-01

    In the study reported here, we examined posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in 746 Danish soldiers measured on five occasions before, during, and after deployment to Afghanistan. Using latent class growth analysis, we identified six trajectories of change in PTSD symptoms. Two resilient trajectories had low levels across all five times, and a new-onset trajectory started low and showed a marked increase of PTSD symptoms. Three temporary-benefit trajectories, not previously described in the literature, showed decreases in PTSD symptoms during (or immediately after) deployment, followed by increases after return from deployment. Predeployment emotional problems and predeployment traumas, especially childhood adversities, were predictors for inclusion in the nonresilient trajectories, whereas deployment-related stress was not. These findings challenge standard views of PTSD in two ways. First, they show that factors other than immediately preceding stressors are critical for PTSD development, with childhood adversities being central. Second, they demonstrate that the development of PTSD symptoms shows heterogeneity, which indicates the need for multiple measurements to understand PTSD and identify people in need of treatment.

  9. Prolonged exposure to a low-dose of bisphenol A increases spontaneous motor activity in adult male rats.

    PubMed

    Nojima, Kazuo; Takata, Tomoyo; Masuno, Hiroshi

    2013-07-01

    We investigated the effects of bisphenol A (BPA), an environmental endocrine-disrupting chemical, on spontaneous motor activity in adult male rats. The rats were implanted intraperitoneally with mini-osmotic pumps containing either BPA (50 μg/kg body weight per day) in sesame oil (BPA-treated group) or sesame oil only (vehicle-treated group). Spontaneous motor activity during a 24-h period was measured over 5 days from day 9 to day 13 after implantation using an animal movement analysis system. Spontaneous motor activity during the last 2 h of the dark phase and during the first 1-h of the light phase was increased in the BPA-treated group. Total spontaneous motor activity during the 12-h light phase, but not the 12-h dark phase, was higher in the BPA-treated group than in the vehicle-treated group. These findings suggest that BPA may induce hyperactivity in adult male rats during the 12-h light phase, especially during the 2 h immediately preceding sleep-onset and 1 h immediately following sleep-onset.

  10. Vomiting and gastric electrical dysrhythmia in dogs.

    PubMed

    Ueno, T; Chen, J D Z

    2004-04-01

    The correlation between gastric myoelectrical activity (GMA) and gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea and vomiting is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to assess the association of GMA with vomiting induced by retrograde gastric electrical stimulation or duodenal balloon distention. Ten dogs were involved in this study. Vomiting was induced by retrograde gastric electrical stimulation in 6 dogs and by duodenal balloon distention in 4 dogs. Computerized spectral analysis and visual analysis were applied to detect the GMA change during various periods before and after vomiting. Gastric dysrhythmia preceded vomiting but was of brief duration. The major pattern of dysrhythmia immediately before vomiting was tachyarrhythmia and gastric slow wave was completely uncoupled before vomiting. Gastric dysrhythmia and slow wave uncoupling were also noticed immediately after vomiting but the dogs recovered quickly. The major pattern of dysrhythmia after vomiting was arrhythmia. GMA was normal during the periods other than 5 min before and during vomiting and 5 min after vomiting. Gastric dysrhythmia seems to be the cause of vomiting induced by retrograde gastric electrical stimulation or duodenal balloon distention. It is brief and characterized with tachyarrhythmia and uncoupling.

  11. Medical withdrawals from college for mental health reasons and their relation to academic performance.

    PubMed

    Meilman, P W; Manley, C; Gaylor, M S; Turco, J H

    1992-03-01

    A collaborative study among the university health service, the dean's office, and the registrar's office examined the academic performance of 77 students who took medical withdrawals for mental health reasons from Dartmouth College during a 3-year period. In 71.4% of the cases, students withdrew from a term in progress; the remainder arranged to withdraw after they had completed a term but before starting a new term. Depression was a major factor in approximately half of the withdrawals. Grade point average improved significantly after return from the withdrawal, with a large jump in individual term averages occurring between the terms immediately preceding and immediately following return. We found no significant difference between the number of students who experienced disciplinary trouble before withdrawal and those who were disciplined afterward. Students who were depressed at the time of withdrawal did not fare as well academically upon return as those students who had not been depressed. The data suggest that procedures for handling mental health withdrawals and readmission are important ways in which the campus counseling center can support the university's academic mission.

  12. Comparison of rhythmic masticatory muscle activity during non-rapid eye movement sleep in guinea pigs and humans.

    PubMed

    Kato, Takafumi; Toyota, Risa; Haraki, Shingo; Yano, Hiroyuki; Higashiyama, Makoto; Ueno, Yoshio; Yano, Hiroshi; Sato, Fumihiko; Yatani, Hirofumi; Yoshida, Atsushi

    2017-09-27

    Rhythmic masticatory muscle activity can be a normal variant of oromotor activity, which can be exaggerated in patients with sleep bruxism. However, few studies have tested the possibility in naturally sleeping animals to study the neurophysiological mechanisms of rhythmic masticatory muscle activity. This study aimed to investigate the similarity of cortical, cardiac and electromyographic manifestations of rhythmic masticatory muscle activity occurring during non-rapid eye movement sleep between guinea pigs and human subjects. Polysomnographic recordings were made in 30 freely moving guinea pigs and in eight healthy human subjects. Burst cycle length, duration and activity of rhythmic masticatory muscle activity were compared with those for chewing. The time between R-waves in the electrocardiogram (RR interval) and electroencephalogram power spectrum were calculated to assess time-course changes in cardiac and cortical activities in relation to rhythmic masticatory muscle activity. In animals, in comparison with chewing, rhythmic masticatory muscle activity had a lower burst activity, longer burst duration and longer cycle length (P < 0.05), and greater variabilities were observed (P < 0.05). Rhythmic masticatory muscle activity occurring during non-rapid eye movement sleep [median (interquartile range): 5.2 (2.6-8.9) times per h] was preceded by a transient decrease in RR intervals, and was accompanied by a transient decrease in delta elelctroencephalogram power. In humans, masseter bursts of rhythmic masticatory muscle activity were characterized by a lower activity, longer duration and longer cycle length than those of chewing (P < 0.05). Rhythmic masticatory muscle activity during non-rapid eye movement sleep [1.4 (1.18-2.11) times per h] was preceded by a transient decrease in RR intervals and an increase in cortical activity. Rhythmic masticatory muscle activity in animals had common physiological components representing transient arousal-related rhythmic jaw motor activation in comparison to human subjects. © 2017 European Sleep Research Society.

  13. 7 CFR 1980.423 - Interest rates.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... variable as long as they are legal. Interest rates will be those rates customarily charged borrowers in... and borrower. The variable interest rate may be adjusted at different intervals during the term of the... areas, whether the monetary recovery would be increased by proceeding immediately to liquidation, if...

  14. Examining the Discriminative and Strengthening Effects of Reinforcers in Concurrent Schedules

    PubMed Central

    Boutros, Nathalie; Elliffe, Douglas; Davison, Michael

    2011-01-01

    Reinforcers may increase operant responding via a response-strengthening mechanism whereby the probability of the preceding response increases, or via some discriminative process whereby the response more likely to provide subsequent reinforcement becomes, itself, more likely. We tested these two accounts. Six pigeons responded for food reinforcers in a two-alternative switching-key concurrent schedule. Within a session, equal numbers of reinforcers were arranged for responses to each alternative. Those reinforcers strictly alternated between the two alternatives in half the conditions, and were randomly allocated to the alternatives in half the conditions. We also varied, across conditions, the alternative that became available immediately after a reinforcer. Preference after a single reinforcer always favored the immediately available alternative, regardless of the local probability of a reinforcer on that alternative (0 or 1 in the strictly alternating conditions, .5 in the random conditions). Choice then reflected the local reinforcer probabilities, suggesting some discriminative properties of reinforcement. At a more extended level, successive same-alternative reinforcers from an alternative systematically shifted preference towards that alternative, regardless of which alternative was available immediately after a reinforcer. There was no similar shift when successive reinforcers came from alternating sources. These more temporally extended results may suggest a strengthening function of reinforcement, or an enhanced ability to respond appropriately to “win–stay” contingencies over “win–shift” contingencies. PMID:21909166

  15. Is sibling rivalry fatal?: siblings and mortality clustering.

    PubMed

    Kippen, Rebecca; Walters, Sarah

    2012-01-01

    Evidence drawn from nineteenth-century Belgian population registers shows that the presence of similarly aged siblings competing for resources within a household increases the probability of death for children younger than five, even when controlling for the preceding birth interval and multiple births. Furthermore, in this period of Belgian history, such mortality tended to cluster in certain families. The findings suggest the importance of segmenting the mortality of siblings younger than five by age group, of considering the presence of siblings as a time-varying covariate, and of factoring mortality clustering into analyses.

  16. Have the temperature time series a structural change after 1998?

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Werner, Rolf; Valev, Dimitare; Danov, Dimitar

    2012-07-01

    The global and hemisphere temperature GISS and Hadcrut3 time series were analysed for structural changes. We postulate the continuity of the preceding temperature function depending from the time. The slopes are calculated for a sequence of segments limited by time thresholds. We used a standard method, the restricted linear regression with dummy variables. We performed the calculations and tests for different number of thresholds. The thresholds are searched continuously in determined time intervals. The F-statistic is used to obtain the time points of the structural changes.

  17. The tarsal tunnel syndrome in children.

    PubMed

    Albrektsson, B; Rydholm, A; Rydholm, U

    1982-01-01

    There are few reports on the tarsal tunnel syndrome in children. This paper concerns 10 such children. In adults the syndrome is equally distributed among the sexes but all these children were girls. Trauma preceded the symptoms in only two cases. The symptoms differed in some aspects from those usually seen in adults. Six of the children walked with the affected foot in supination. Three of the six, and one other, used crutches at intervals. All were operated on and at follow-up nine were symptom-free and the tenth had improved.

  18. Effects of High-Intensity Interval and Moderate-Intensity Continuous Exercise on Inflammatory, Leptin, IgA, and Lipid Peroxidation Responses in Obese Males.

    PubMed

    de Souza, Daniel C; Matos, Victor A F; Dos Santos, Victor O A; Medeiros, Italo F; Marinho, Cristiane S R; Nascimento, Paulo R P; Dorneles, Gilson P; Peres, Alessandra; Müller, Carlos H; Krause, Maurício; Costa, Eduardo C; Fayh, Ana P T

    2018-01-01

    Purpose: To compare the effects of a single high-intensity interval exercise session (HIIE) with a moderate-intensity continuous exercise session (MICE) on the inflammatory profile, IgA levels, and lipid peroxidation in sedentary obese males. Methods: Ten sedentary obese men (age 28.5 ± 2.7 years; BMI 35.9 ± 4.9 kg/m 2 ; body fat 40.6 ± 2.0%) performed three experimental sessions, on separate days with 1 week wash-out period between interventions, according to a randomized order: (1) HIIE: 10 × 60 s at 90% of the HR max alternated by 60 s of active recovery; (2) MICE: 20 min at 70% of the HR max; (3) Rest-control. Blood and saliva samples were collected before, immediately after and 60 min after the end of each session in order to analyse serum levels of cytokines, IgA, and lipoperoxidation markers. Results: Leptin levels decreased immediately after HIIE ( P = 0.033) and was different from the MICE ( P = 0.025). IFN-γ levels were reduced immediately after ( P = 0.032) and 60 min after HIIE ( P = 0.003) compared to baseline, and it also increased IL-4 levels immediately after exercise ( P = 0.007) compared to resting values. MICE promoted an increase in IFN-γ levels immediately after exercise ( P = 0.025) and 60 min after exercise ( P = 0.004) in relation to baseline. Both exercise conditions increased IL-6 levels up to 60 min after exercise ( P < 0.05). The IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio decreased immediately after ( P = 0.002) and 60 min after HIIE ( P = 0.005) in relation to pre-exercise. No changes were found for IgA-S and TBARS for any of the conditions. Conclusion: A single HIIE session is able to decrease IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio, indicating an anti-inflammatory response, without alterations in the function of the mucosal immune system and lipoperoxidation. On the other hand, a brief session of MICE induced changes in the pattern of cytokines associated with increased cellular immune function.

  19. Effects of High-Intensity Interval and Moderate-Intensity Continuous Exercise on Inflammatory, Leptin, IgA, and Lipid Peroxidation Responses in Obese Males

    PubMed Central

    de Souza, Daniel C.; Matos, Victor A. F.; dos Santos, Victor O. A.; Medeiros, Italo F.; Marinho, Cristiane S. R.; Nascimento, Paulo R. P.; Dorneles, Gilson P.; Peres, Alessandra; Müller, Carlos H.; Krause, Maurício; Costa, Eduardo C.; Fayh, Ana P. T.

    2018-01-01

    Purpose: To compare the effects of a single high-intensity interval exercise session (HIIE) with a moderate-intensity continuous exercise session (MICE) on the inflammatory profile, IgA levels, and lipid peroxidation in sedentary obese males. Methods: Ten sedentary obese men (age 28.5 ± 2.7 years; BMI 35.9 ± 4.9 kg/m2; body fat 40.6 ± 2.0%) performed three experimental sessions, on separate days with 1 week wash-out period between interventions, according to a randomized order: (1) HIIE: 10 × 60 s at 90% of the HRmax alternated by 60 s of active recovery; (2) MICE: 20 min at 70% of the HRmax; (3) Rest—control. Blood and saliva samples were collected before, immediately after and 60 min after the end of each session in order to analyse serum levels of cytokines, IgA, and lipoperoxidation markers. Results: Leptin levels decreased immediately after HIIE (P = 0.033) and was different from the MICE (P = 0.025). IFN-γ levels were reduced immediately after (P = 0.032) and 60 min after HIIE (P = 0.003) compared to baseline, and it also increased IL-4 levels immediately after exercise (P = 0.007) compared to resting values. MICE promoted an increase in IFN-γ levels immediately after exercise (P = 0.025) and 60 min after exercise (P = 0.004) in relation to baseline. Both exercise conditions increased IL-6 levels up to 60 min after exercise (P < 0.05). The IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio decreased immediately after (P = 0.002) and 60 min after HIIE (P = 0.005) in relation to pre-exercise. No changes were found for IgA-S and TBARS for any of the conditions. Conclusion: A single HIIE session is able to decrease IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio, indicating an anti-inflammatory response, without alterations in the function of the mucosal immune system and lipoperoxidation. On the other hand, a brief session of MICE induced changes in the pattern of cytokines associated with increased cellular immune function. PMID:29875681

  20. Immediate loading of implants in the aesthetic zone: comparison between two placement timings.

    PubMed

    Carini, Fabrizio; Longoni, Salvatore; Pisapia, Valeria; Francesconi, Manuel; Saggese, Vito; Porcaro, Gianluca

    2014-01-01

    Implant rehabilitation delivered in accordance with the traditional protocol has proven to be highly predictable and acceptable (1). Nevertheless, the application of immediate loading on post-extraction implants, especially for aesthetic zones, has now considerably increased (2). The aim of this work is to illustrate the immediate loading of implants placed in the aesthetic zone through tapered design fixtures with microgeometry of a high degree of porosity inserted at the same time or 4-8 weeks from dental avulsion (TSA® Advance, Phibo®). A total of 15 implant fixtures of which 8 at an interval of 4-8 weeks from extraction (type 2) and the remaining according to the immediate post-extraction technique (type 1) were positioned. All implants were prosthesized within 24 hours from the placement. Definitive crowns replaced provisional restorations after 20-24 weeks. After 4 and 12 months from implant insertion, the following parameters were assessed: X-ray image, pain, mobility or suppuration, soft tissue condition and aesthetic appearance. Percentage of osseointegration was 93.75%, and 53.5% of the osseointegrated fixtures was type 2. No statistically significant difference between the mean ISQ values for implants of type 1 and 2 both in the post-operative period and after 12 months was evident, indicating that the timing of insertion did not affect the achievement of stability for the implant fixtures tested in our study. Immediate post-extraction implants showed a greater propensity for gingival recession and a peri-implant radiolucency greater than those placed at an interval of 4-8 weeks. The values obtained for the PES/WES and the subjective evaluation of the analyzed sample showed the considerable aesthetic value and the high level of satisfaction guaranteed by the implant technique illustrated. Although well-designed, high quality, randomized clinical trials are still needed as well as the requirement to establish a common, complete, and reproducible index for the evaluation of aesthetic outcome, immediate/early placement and loading of a single TSA® Advance, Phibo® may be considered a valuable and predictable option in terms of implant success as well as hard and soft tissue stability.

  1. OBSERVATIONS CONCERNING THE PRODUCTION AND EXCRETION OF CHOLESTEROL IN MAMMALS

    PubMed Central

    Byers, Sanford O.; Friedman, Meyer; Biggs, Max W.; Gunning, Barbara

    1953-01-01

    Accumulation of cholate in plasma is the immediate cause of hypercholesteremia in the rat with bile duct ligation and in the normal rat given intravenous sodium cholate. The hypercholesteremia induced by cholate administration does not appear to be dependent upon any preceding change in the rates of absorption, excretion, synthesis, or redistribution of cholesterol in the tissues of the animal. Cholate administration seems to induce hypercholesteremia by impeding the normal rate of passage of cholesterol from the plasma into the liver; this impedance is probably due to an alteration of the cholesterol-binding power of plasma proteins induced by cholate. The chemical and physiological implications of this finding are discussed. PMID:13052817

  2. PubMed Central

    McRae, Shelagh M.

    1990-01-01

    General practice and out-patient emergency records for a five-year period were reviewed for injuries and illnesses that occurred during the week of deer rifle hunting on Manitoulin Island. Of 65 hunters who were identified, most had lacerations secondary to knife injuries. There were two deaths (one shooting and one in a motor vehicle accident), and 19 persons required hospitalization. More than half of these serious accidents occurred on the weekends immediately preceding or following the hunting season. Incidence of injury or illness requiring medical attention was calculated to be 0.23% per hunter each week of the deer season. Spot checks for alcohol and improved hunter safety courses might prevent many of these injuries and illnesses. PMID:21233999

  3. A numerical study of candidate transverse fuel injector configurations in the Langley scramjet engine

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Drummond, J. P.

    1980-01-01

    A computer program has been developed that numerically solves the two-dimensional Navier-Stokes and species equations near one or more transverse hydrogen fuel injectors in a scramjet engine. The program currently computes the turbulent mixing and reaction of hydrogen fuel and air, and allows the study of separated regions of the flow immediately preceding and following the injectors. The complex shock-expansion structure produced by the injectors in this region of the engine can also be represented. Results are presented that describe the flow field near two opposing transverse fuel injectors and two opposing staged (multiple) injectors, and comparisons between the two configurations are made to assess their mixing and flameholding qualities.

  4. Moisture convergence from a combined mesoscale moisture analysis and wind field for 24 April 1975

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Negri, A. J.; Hillger, D. W.; Vonder Haar, T. H.

    1977-01-01

    Precipitable water values inferred from the Vertical Temperature Profile Radiometer data of the polar orbiting NOAA-4 satellite are used in conjunction with wind-field analyses obtained from Synchronous Meteorological Satellite visible-channel data to study the moisture convergence in the boundary layer immediately preceding a storm. This combination of data simulates the information that will be available from the Visible and Infrared Spin-Scan Radiometer on board the GOES-D satellite, which is scheduled to begin operation in the 1980s. Serviceable representations of boundary layer flow are developed through analysis of the satellite infrared cumulus velocities, although the flow representations are not exactly located in the vertical.

  5. Retention of Vaginal Breech Delivery Skills Taught in Simulation.

    PubMed

    Stone, Heather; Crane, Joan; Johnston, Kathy; Craig, Catherine

    2018-02-01

    The optimal frequency of conducting simulation training for high-acuity, low-frequency events in obstetrics and gynaecology residency programs is unknown. This study evaluated retention over time of vaginal breech delivery skills taught in simulation, by comparing junior and senior residents. In addition, the residents' subjective comfort level to perform this skill clinically was assessed. This prospective cohort study included 22 obstetrics and gynaecology residents in a Canadian residency training program. Digital recordings were completed for pre-training, immediate post-training, and delayed (10-26 weeks later) post-training intervals of a vaginal breech delivery simulation, with skill assessment by a blinded observer using a binary checklist. Residents also completed questionnaires to assess their subjective comfort level at each interval. Junior and senior residents had significant improvements in vaginal breech delivery skills from the pre-training assessment to both the immediate post-training assessment (junior, P <0.001; senior, P <0.001) and the delayed post-training assessment (P <0.001 and P = 0.001, respectively). There was a significant decline in skills between the immediate and delayed post-training sessions for junior and senior residents (P = 0.003 and P <0.001, respectively). Both junior and senior residents gained more comfort immediately after the training (P <0.001 and P <0.001, respectively), without a significant change between immediate post-training and delayed post-training comfort levels (P = 0.19 and P = 0.11, respectively). Residents retained vaginal breech delivery skills taught in simulation 10-26 weeks later, although a decline in skills occurred over this time period. Comfort level was positively affected and retained. These results will aid in determining the frequency of simulation teaching for high-acuity, low-frequency events in a residency simulation curriculum. Copyright © 2018 Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  6. Comparison of an additional early visit to routine postpartum care on initiation of long-acting reversible contraception: a randomized trial.

    PubMed

    Bernard, Caitlin; Wan, Leping; Peipert, Jeffrey F; Madden, Tessa

    2018-05-17

    To investigate whether an early 3-week postpartum visit in addition to the standard 6-week visit increases LARC initiation by 8weeks postpartum compared to the routine 6-week visit alone. We enrolled pregnant and immediate postpartum women into a prospective randomized, non-blinded trial comparing a single 6-week postpartum visit (routine care) to two visits at 3 and 6weeks postpartum (intervention), with initiation of contraception at the 3-week visit, if desired. All participants received structured contraceptive counseling. Participants completed surveys in-person at baseline and at the time of each postpartum visit. A sample size of 200 total participants was needed to detect a 2-fold difference in LARC initiation (20% vs. 40%). Between May 2016 and March 2017, 200 participants enrolled; outcome data are available for 188. The majority of LARC initiation occurred immediately postpartum (25% of the intervention arm and 27% of the routine care arm). By 8weeks postpartum,34% of participants in the intervention arm initiated LARC, compared to 41% in the routine care arm (p=.35). Overall contraceptive initiation by 8weeks was 83% and84% in the intervention and routine care arms, respectively (p=.79). There was no difference between the arms in the proportion of women who attended at least one postpartum visit (70% vs. 74%, p=.56). The addition of a 3-week postpartum visit to routine care does not increase LARC initiation by 8weeks postpartum. The majority of LARC users desired immediate rather than interval postpartum initiation. Clinicaltrials.govNCT02769676 Implications. The addition of a 3-week postpartum visit to routine care does not increase LARC or overall contraceptive initiation by 8weeks post-partum when the option of immediate postpartum placement is available. The majority of LARC users desired immediate rather than interval postpartum initiation. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Inc.

  7. Anatomy of Some Non-Heinrich Events During The Last Glacial Maximum on Laurentian Fan

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gil, I. M.; Keigwin, L. D.

    2013-12-01

    High-resolution diatom assemblage analyses coupled with oxygen and carbon isotopic records from a new 28 m piston core on Laurentian Fan reveal significant sedimentological and marine productivity changes related to variability of the nearby Laurentide Ice Sheet during the Last Glacial Maximum. Between 21.0 and 19.7 ka and between 18.8 and 18.6 ka, olive-grey clays intervals interrupt the usual glacial red-clays sedimentation. The timing of these two intervals corresponds to reported occurrence of layers low in detrital carbonate (LDC, considered as non-Heinrich events) that occurred between Heinrich Event 1 and 2. Diatoms are only abundant during those LDC - olive-grey clay intervals and suggest ice retreat (allowing light penetration necessary to diatoms). The species succession reveals also different environmental conditions. The 21.0 to 19.7 ka interval is divisible to two main periods: the first was characterized by environmental conditions dominated by ice, while the second period (starting at 20.2 ka) was warmer than the first. During the shorter 18.8 to 18.6 ka interval, conditions were even warmer than during the 20.2 to 19.7 ka sub-interval. Finally, the comparison of the interpreted oceanographic conditions with changes in Ice Rafted Debris and other records from the North Atlantic will bring a new insight into those episodes that precede the transition to deglaciation beginning ~18.2 ka on Laurentian Fan (based on δ18-O in N. pachyderma (s.)).

  8. Progression of White Matter Hyperintensities Preceded by Heterogeneous Decline of Microstructural Integrity.

    PubMed

    van Leijsen, Esther M C; Bergkamp, Mayra I; van Uden, Ingeborg W M; Ghafoorian, Mohsen; van der Holst, Helena M; Norris, David G; Platel, Bram; Tuladhar, Anil M; de Leeuw, Frank-Erik

    2018-05-03

    White matter hyperintensities (WMH) are frequently seen on neuroimaging of elderly and are associated with cognitive decline and the development of dementia. Yet, the temporal dynamics of conversion of normal-appearing white matter (NAWM) into WMH remains unknown. We examined whether and when progression of WMH was preceded by changes in fluid-attenuated inversion recovery and diffusion tensor imaging values, thereby taking into account differences between participants with mild versus severe baseline WMH. From 266 participants of the RUN DMC study (Radboud University Nijmegen Diffusion Tensor and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Cohort), we semiautomatically segmented WMH at 3 time points for 9 years. Images were registered to standard space through a subject template. We analyzed differences in baseline fluid-attenuated inversion recovery, fractional anisotropy, and mean diffusivity (MD) values and changes in MD values over time between 4 regions: (1) remaining NAWM, (2) NAWM converting into WMH in the second follow-up period, (3) NAWM converting into WMH in the first follow-up period, and (4) WMH. NAWM converting into WMH in the first or second time interval showed higher fluid-attenuated inversion recovery and MD values than remaining NAWM. MD values in NAWM converting into WMH in the first time interval were similar to MD values in WMH. When stratified by baseline WMH severity, participants with severe WMH had higher fluid-attenuated inversion recovery and MD and lower fractional anisotropy values than participants with mild WMH, in all areas including the NAWM. MD values in WMH and in NAWM that converted into WMH continuously increased over time. Impaired microstructural integrity preceded conversion into WMH and continuously declined over time, suggesting a continuous disease process of white matter integrity loss that can be detected using diffusion tensor imaging even years before WMH become visible on conventional neuroimaging. Differences in microstructural integrity between participants with mild versus severe WMH suggest heterogeneity of both NAWM and WMH, which might explain the clinical variability observed in patients with similar small vessel disease severity. © 2018 American Heart Association, Inc.

  9. Heart rate dynamics before spontaneous onset of ventricular fibrillation in patients with healed myocardial infarcts

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Makikallio, T. H.; Koistinen, J.; Jordaens, L.; Tulppo, M. P.; Wood, N.; Golosarsky, B.; Peng, C. K.; Goldberger, A. L.; Huikuri, H. V.

    1999-01-01

    The traditional methods of analyzing heart rate (HR) variability have failed to predict imminent ventricular fibrillation (VF). We sought to determine whether new methods of analyzing RR interval variability based on nonlinear dynamics and fractal analysis may help to detect subtle abnormalities in RR interval behavior before the onset of life-threatening arrhythmias. RR interval dynamics were analyzed from 24-hour Holter recordings of 15 patients who experienced VF during electrocardiographic recording. Thirty patients without spontaneous or inducible arrhythmia events served as a control group in this retrospective case control study. Conventional time- and frequency-domain measurements, the short-term fractal scaling exponent (alpha) obtained by detrended fluctuation analysis, and the slope (beta) of the power-law regression line (log power - log frequency, 10(-4)-10(-2) Hz) of RR interval dynamics were determined. The short-term correlation exponent alpha of RR intervals (0.64 +/- 0.19 vs 1.05 +/- 0.12; p <0.001) and the power-law slope beta (-1.63 +/- 0.28 vs -1.31 +/- 0.20, p <0.001) were lower in the patients before the onset of VF than in the control patients, but the SD and the low-frequency spectral components of RR intervals did not differ between the groups. The short-term scaling exponent performed better than any other measurement of HR variability in differentiating between the patients with VF and controls. Altered fractal correlation properties of HR behavior precede the spontaneous onset of VF. Dynamic analysis methods of analyzing RR intervals may help to identify abnormalities in HR behavior before VF.

  10. Antitopoisomerase antibody positivity predates nailfold capillaroscopy abnormalities in scleroderma. Postulated classification of 'prescleroderma'.

    PubMed

    Englert, H; Champion, D; Wu, J C; Giallussi, J; McGrath, M; Manolios, N

    2011-02-01

    In a patient with early topoisomerase antibody-positive scleroderma, antinuclear antibody positivity was fortuitously observed to predate nailfold capillaroscopy changes. Using this case as a template, the prediagnostic phase of the presumed multifactorial disease may be divided into 5 temporal phases--phase 1 representing conception and intrauterine environment, phase 2 representing the extrauterine environment predating environmental exposure; phase 3 representing the early post-environmental exposure interval with no detectable perturbed body status; phase 4 representing the post-environmental exposure interval characterized by autoantibody production and microvascular changes, and phase 5, the symptomatic clinical prediagnostic interval (Raynaud's, skin, musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal, cardiorespiratory) prompting scleroderma diagnosis. Temporal classification of prescleroderma aids in both the understanding and definition of scleroderma 'onset'. If altered nailfold capillaries and autoantibodies develop at comparable rates, and if the findings from this case--that autoantibody changes precede microvascular changes--are truly representative of the preclinical disease phase, then these findings argue that the evolution of the disease is from within the vessel outwards, rather than vice versa. © 2011 The Authors. Internal Medicine Journal © 2011 Royal Australasian College of Physicians.

  11. [The influence of occupational lead exposure on transmural repolarization dispersion].

    PubMed

    Zyśko, Dorota; Gajek, Jacek; Chlebda, Ewa; Mazurek, Walentyna

    2005-02-01

    The parts of QT interval: time from Q wave to the peak of T wave (QTp) representing the de- and repolarization of subepicardial layer and the time from the peak of T wave to its end (QTp-e) building the transmural dispersion of repolarization enable more exact assessment of repolarization period of the heart muscle. Occupational exposure to lead influences the electrophysiologic properties of the heart. The aim of our study was to assess the QTp and QTp-e interval in workers occupationally exposed to lead. The study was carried out in 22 copper smelters aged 41.8 +/- 8.7 years, occupationally exposed to lead. The control group consisted of 14 healthy men. In all studied subjects blood lead concentration (Pb) and the concentration of free protoporphyrins in erytrocytes were assessed. 24-hour ECG holter monitoring was done to study rhythm disturbances and the duration in lead CM5 of QT interval, QTp interval, RR interval preceding the assessed QT interval (pRR) during sleep, rest during the awake state and moderate daily activity. The QTp-e interval is the difference between the duration of QT and QTp interval. The duration of QTp and QTp-e in occupationally exposed workers and healthy persons did not differ significantly. These parameters were significantly lower in both groups during moderately physical activity comparing to the values during sleep. The QTp-e/ QTp ratio in occupationally exposed workers during night hours was significantly lower than during daily activity what was not the case in control persons. Occupational exposure to lead do not change significantly the transmural dispersion of repolarization. Occupational exposure to lead diminishes the QTp-e/QTp ratio during the night.

  12. Stimulus-to-matching-stimulus interval influences N1, P2, and P3b in an equiprobable Go/NoGo task.

    PubMed

    Steiner, Genevieve Z; Barry, Robert J; Gonsalvez, Craig J

    2014-10-01

    Previous research has shown that as the stimulus-to-matching-stimulus interval (including the target-to-target interval, TTI, and nontarget-to-nontarget interval, NNI) increases, the amplitude of the P300 ERP component increases systematically. Here, we extended previous P300 research and explored TTI and NNI effects on the various ERP components elicited in an auditory equiprobable Go/NoGo task. We also examined whether a similar mechanism was underpinning interval effects in early ERP components (e.g., N1). Thirty participants completed a specially-designed variable-ISI equiprobable task whilst their EEG activity was recorded. Component amplitudes were extracted using temporal PCA with unrestricted Varimax rotation. As expected, N1, P2, and P3b amplitudes increased as TTI and NNI increased, however, Processing Negativity (PN) and Slow Wave (SW) did not show the same systematic change with interval increments. To determine the origin of interval effects in sequential processing, a multiple regression analysis was conducted on each ERP component including stimulus type, interval, and all preceding components as predictors. These analyses showed that matching-stimulus interval predicted N1, P3b, and weakly predicted P2, but not PN or SW; SW was determined by P3b only. These results suggest that N1, P3b, and to some extent, P2, are affected by a similar temporal mechanism. However, the dissimilar pattern of results obtained for sequential ERP components indicates that matching-stimulus intervals are not affecting all aspects of stimulus processing. This argues against a global mechanism, such as a pathway-specific refractory effect, and suggests that stimulus processing is occurring in parallel pathways, some of which are not affected by temporal manipulations of matching-stimulus interval. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  13. Mood-congruent false memories persist over time.

    PubMed

    Knott, Lauren M; Thorley, Craig

    2014-01-01

    In this study, we examined the role of mood-congruency and retention interval on the false recognition of emotion laden items using the Deese/Roediger-McDermott (DRM) paradigm. Previous research has shown a mood-congruent false memory enhancement during immediate recognition tasks. The present study examined the persistence of this effect following a one-week delay. Participants were placed in a negative or neutral mood, presented with negative-emotion and neutral-emotion DRM word lists, and administered with both immediate and delayed recognition tests. Results showed that a negative mood state increased remember judgments for negative-emotion critical lures, in comparison to neutral-emotion critical lures, on both immediate and delayed testing. These findings are discussed in relation to theories of spreading activation and emotion-enhanced memory, with consideration of the applied forensic implications of such findings.

  14. Timing of Initiation of Antiretroviral Therapy in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)–Associated Tuberculous Meningitis

    PubMed Central

    Török, M. Estee; Yen, Nguyen Thi Bich; Chau, Tran Thi Hong; Mai, Nguyen Thi Hoang; Phu, Nguyen Hoan; Mai, Pham Phuong; Dung, Nguyen Thi; Van Vinh Chau, Nguyen; Bang, Nguyen Duc; Tien, Nguyen Anh; Minh, N. H.; Hien, Nguyen Quang; Thai, Phan Vuong Khac; Dong, Doan The; Anh, Do Thi Tuong; Thoa, Nguyen Thi Cam; Hai, Nguyen Ngoc; Lan, Nguyen Ngoc; Lan, Nguyen Thi Ngoc; Quy, Hoang Thi; Dung, Nguyen Huy; Hien, Tran Tinh; Chinh, Nguyen Tran; Simmons, Cameron Paul; de Jong, Menno; Wolbers, Marcel; Farrar, Jeremy James

    2015-01-01

    Background The optimal time to initiate antiretroviral therapy (ART) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)–associated tuberculous meningitis is unknown. Methods We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of immediate versus deferred ART in patients with HIV-associated tuberculous meningitis to determine whether immediate ART reduced the risk of death. Antiretroviral drugs (zidovudine, lamivudine, and efavirenz) were started either at study entry or 2 months after randomization. All patients were treated with standard antituberculosis treatment, adjunctive dexamethasone, and prophylactic co-trimoxazole and were followed up for 12 months. We conducted intention-to-treat, per-protocol, and prespecified subgroup analyses. Results A total of 253 patients were randomized, 127 in the immediate ART group and 126 in the deferred ART group; 76 and 70 patients died within 9 months in the immediate and deferred ART groups, respectively. Immediate ART was not significantly associated with 9-month mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 1.12; 95% confidence interval [CI], .81–1.55; P = .50) or the time to new AIDS events or death (HR, 1.16; 95% CI, .87–1.55; P = .31). The percentage of patients with severe (grade 3 or 4) adverse events was high in both arms (90% in the immediate ART group and 89% in the deferred ART group; P = .84), but there were significantly more grade 4 adverse events in the immediate ART arm (102 in the immediate ART group vs 87 in the deferred ART group; P = .04). Conclusions Immediate ART initiation does not improve outcome in patients presenting with HIV-associated tuberculous meningitis. There were significantly more grade 4 adverse events in the immediate ART arm, supporting delayed initiation of ART in HIV-associated tuberculous meningitis. Clinical Trials Registration ISRCTN63659091. PMID:21596680

  15. Increasing availability of illicit and prescription opioids among people who inject drugs in a Canadian setting, 2010-2014.

    PubMed

    Ho, Joel; DeBeck, Kora; Milloy, M-J; Dong, Huiru; Wood, Evan; Kerr, Thomas; Hayashi, Kanna

    2018-01-01

    Nonmedical use of prescription opioid and illicit opioid has been increasing at an alarming rate in North America over the past decade. We sought to examine the temporal trends and correlates of the availability of illicit and prescription opioids among people who inject drugs (PWID) in Vancouver, Canada. Data were derived from three prospective cohort studies of PWID in Vancouver between 2010 and 2014. In semiannual interviews, participants reported the availability of five sets of illicit and prescription opioids: (1) heroin; (2) Percocet (oxycodone/acetaminophen), Vicodin (hydrocodone/acetaminophen), or Demerol (meperidine); (3) Dilaudid (hydromorphone); (4) Morphine; (5) oxycontin/OxyNEO (controlled-release oxycodone). We defined perceived availability as immediate (e.g., available within 10 minutes) versus no availability/available after 10 minutes. The trend and correlation of immediate availability were identified by multivariable generalized estimating equations logistic regression. Among 1584 participants, of which 564 (35.6%) were female, the immediate availability of all illicit and prescribed opioids (except for oxycontin/OxyNEO) increased over time, independent of potential confounders. The Adjusted Odds Ratios of immediate availability associated with every calendar year increase were between 1.09 (95% confidence interval 1.05-1.12) (morphine and Dilaudid) and 1.13 (95% confidence interval 1.09-1.17) (Percocet/Vicodin/Demerol) (all p-values <0.05). The availability of most prescription opioids had continued to increase in recent years among our sample of PWID in Vancouver. Concurrent increases in the availability of heroin were also observed, raising concerns regarding combination of both illicit and prescription opioid use among PWID that could potentially increase the risk of overdose.

  16. Tropical shoreline ice in the late Cambrian: Implications for earth's climate between the Cambrian Explosion and the Great Ordovician Biodiversification Event

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Runkel, Anthony C.; MacKey, T.J.; Cowan, Clinton A.; Fox, David L.

    2010-01-01

    Middle to late Cambrian time (ca. 513 to 488 Ma) is characterized by an unstable plateau in biodiversity, when depauperate shelf faunas suffered repeated extinctions. This poorly understood interval separates the Cambrian Explosion from the Great Ordovician Biodiversification Event and is generally regarded as a time of sustained greenhouse conditions. We present evidence that suggests a drastically different climate during this enigmatic interval: Features indicative of meteoric ice are well preserved in late Cambrian equatorial beach deposits that correspond to one of the shelf extinction events. Thus, the middle to late Cambrian Earth was at least episodically cold and might best be considered a muted analogue to the environmental extremes that characterized the Proterozoic, even though cooling in the two periods may have occurred in response to different triggers. Such later Cambrian conditions may have significantly impacted evolution preceding the Ordovician radiation.

  17. A High-Speed Motion-Picture Study of Normal Combustion, Knock and Preignition in a Spark-Ignition Engines

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Rothrock, A M; Spencer, R C; Miller, Cearcy D

    1941-01-01

    Combustion in a spark-ignition engine was investigated by means of the NACA high-speed motion-picture cameras. This camera is operated at a speed of 40,000 photographs a second and therefore makes possible the study of changes that take place in the intervals as short as 0.000025 second. When the motion pictures are projected at the normal speed of 16 frames a second, any rate of movement shown is slowed down 2500 times. Photographs are presented of normal combustion, of combustion from preignitions, and of knock both with and without preignition. The photographs of combustion show that knock may be preceded by a period of exothermic reaction in the end zone that persists for a time interval of as much as 0.0006 second. The knock takes place in 0.00005 second or less.

  18. Effect of therapeutic Swedish massage on anxiety level and vital signs of Intensive Care Unit patients.

    PubMed

    Alves da Silva, Tatiana; Stripari Schujmann, Debora; Yamada da Silveira, Leda Tomiko; Caromano, Fátima Aparecida; Fu, Carolina

    2017-07-01

    To evaluate how Swedish massage affects the level of anxiety and vital signs of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients. Quasi-experimental study. ICU patients, 18-50 years old, cooperative, respiratory and hemodynamic stable, not under invasive mechanical ventilation. allergic to massage oil, vascular or orthopedic post-operative, skin lesions, thrombosis, fractures. A 30-min Swedish massage was applied once. arterial pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, S-STAI questionnaire. Timing of evaluation: pre-massage, immediately post-massage, 30 min post-massage. Comparison: T-test, corrected by Bonferroni method, level of significance of 5%, confidence interval of 95%. 48 patients included, 30 (62.5%) female, mean age 55.46 (15.70) years old. Mean S-STAI pre-massage: 42.51 (9.48); immediately post-massage: 29.34 (6.37); 30 min post-massage: 32.62 (8.56), p < 0.001 for all comparison. Mean vital signs achieved statistical significance between pre-massage and immediately post-massage. Swedish massage reduced anxiety of ICU patients immediately and 30 min post-massage. Vital signs were reduced immediately post-massage. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  19. Peroneus longus stretch reflex amplitude increases after ankle brace application

    PubMed Central

    Cordova, M; Ingersoll, C

    2003-01-01

    Background: The use of external ankle support is widespread throughout sports medicine. However, the application of ankle bracing to a healthy ankle over a long period has been scrutinised because of possible neuromuscular adaptations resulting in diminished dynamic support offered by the peroneus longus. Objective: To investigate the immediate and chronic effects of ankle brace application on the amplitude of peroneus longus stretch reflex. Methods: Twenty physically active college students (mean (SD) age 23.6 (1.7) years, height 168.7 (8.4) cm, and mass 69.9 (12.0) kg) who had been free from lower extremity pathology for the 12 months preceding the study served as subjects. None had been involved in a strength training or conditioning programme in the six months preceding the study. A 3 x 3 x 2 (test condition x treatment condition x time) design with repeated measures on the first and third factor was used. The peroneus longus stretch reflex (% of maximum amplitude) during sudden foot inversion was evaluated under three ankle brace conditions (control, lace up, and semi-rigid) before and after eight weeks of ankle brace use. Results: A 3 x 3 x 2 repeated measures analysis of variance showed that peroneus longus stretch reflex amplitude increased immediately after application of a lace up brace (67.1 (4.4)) compared with the semi-rigid (57.9 (4.3)) and control (59.0 (5.2)) conditions (p<0.05). Peroneus longus stretch reflex also increased after eight weeks of use of the semi-rigid brace compared with the lace up and control conditions (p<0.05). Conclusions: Initial application of a lace up style ankle brace and chronic use of a semi-rigid brace facilitates the amplitude of the peroneus longus stretch reflex. It appears that initial and long term ankle brace use does not diminish the magnitude of this stretch reflex in the healthy ankle. PMID:12782553

  20. What weighs more-low compliance with self-deferral or minor medical procedures? Explaining the high rate of hepatitis C virus window-period donations in Poland.

    PubMed

    Czerwinski, Michal; Grabarczyk, Piotr; Stepien, Malgorzata; Kubicka-Russel, Dorota; Tkaczuk, Katarzyna; Brojer, Ewa; Rosinska, Magdalena

    2017-08-01

    Since the introduction of nucleic acid testing (NAT) for routine blood donor screening, hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA-only detection rates reported from Poland have been higher than in most other European countries. To examine factors that likely contribute to these window-period donations, we conducted a case-control study among 47 recently HCV-infected blood donors (cases), who gave blood between July 2002 and June 2014, and 141 controls matched by age, sex, and donation dates. Firth-corrected, conditional logistic regression models were fitted to estimate adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Adjusted population-attributable fractions were calculated based on the distribution of exposure among the cases. On multivariate analysis, recent exposures in health care environments not routinely ascertained through predonation questionnaires were strongly associated with recently acquired HCV infection. These exposures included minor medical and dental procedures in the preceding 6 months (adjusted odds ratio, 5.77; 95 % confidence interval, 2.01-18.53). However, based on the population-attributable fraction, more important were behavioral deferrable risks that went unreported at the time of donation, such as high-risk sexual behaviors in the preceding 6 months (population-attributable fraction, 34%) or lifetime histories of drug use (population-attributable fraction, 28%). This study raises questions about the effectiveness of deferral policy in excluding high-risk individuals. In addition, it provides further evidence supporting short, temporal deferrals for small medical procedures and dental treatments in Poland. © 2017 AABB.

  1. Prenatal famine exposure and cognition at age 59 years

    PubMed Central

    Stein, Aryeh D; Jolles, Jelle; van Boxtel, Martin PJ; Blauw, Gerard-Jan; van de Bor, Margot; Lumey, LH

    2011-01-01

    Background Despite the perceived importance of early life nutrition for mental development, few studies have related gestational undernutrition to later-life cognitive functioning. We investigated the consequences of gestational exposure to the Dutch famine of 1944–45 for cognitive functioning at the age of 59 years. Methods We recruited men and women who were (i) born in birth clinics in Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Leiden, between January 1945 and March 1946, whose mothers experienced famine during or immediately preceding pregnancy (n = 354); (ii) born in the same three institutions during 1943 and 1947, whose mothers did not experience famine during this pregnancy (n = 292); or (iii) same-sex siblings of those in the first two categories (n = 311). We assessed cognitive performance at the age of 59 years by means of a comprehensive test battery. Results All cognitive functioning test scores were within normal ranges for this age group. There were no differences in cognitive performance at the age of 59 years between individuals exposed to gestational undernutrition and those without this exposure. For the general cognitive index, a summary measure across six functional domains (mean 100, standard deviation (SD) 15 points), famine exposure was associated with a decrease of 0.57 points [95% confidence interval (95% CI) −2.41 to 1.28] points. Individuals exposed to famine in gestational weeks 1–10 had a cognitive functioning index 4.36 (95% CI 8.04–0.67) points lower than those without this exposure. Within-sibling-pair analyses gave consistent results. Conclusion We found no overall association between maternal exposure to acute famine in pregnancy and cognitive performance of the offspring at the age of 59 years, but cannot rule out an association specific to early pregnancy exposure. PMID:21247885

  2. Development of Circadian Sleep Regulation in the Rat: A Longitudinal Study Under Constant Conditions.

    PubMed

    Frank, Marcos G; Ruby, Norman F; Heller, Horace Craig; Franken, Paul

    2017-03-01

    To better understand the development of sleep, we characterized the development of circadian rhythms in sleep and wakefulness in the artificially-reared, isolated rat pup using an experimental design that minimized the effects of maternal separation. Neonatal rats were reared in constant conditions (dim red light) while electroencephalographic and electromyographic signals were continuously recorded for up to 3 weeks. This time period spanned the preweaned and weaned ages. The distribution of sleep-wake states was analyzed to estimate the emergence of circadian rhythms. Overt ~24-hour rhythms in time spent awake and asleep appear by postnatal day (P)17. A marked bi-modal sleep-wake pattern was also observed, evidenced by the appearance of a pronounced ~12-hour component in the periodogram over the subsequent 3 days (P17-P21). This suggested the presence of two ~24-hour components consistent with the dual-oscillator concept. During this 3-day time window, waking bouts became longer resulting in a repartition of the duration of intervals without non-rapid-eye movement (NREM) sleep into short (<30 minutes) and longer inter-NREM sleep episodes. These longer waking bouts did not immediately result in an increase in NREM sleep delta (0.5-4.0 Hz) power, which is an index of sleep homeostasis in adult mammals. The sleep homeostatic response did not fully mature until P25. These results demonstrate that the maturation of circadian organization of sleep-wake behavior precedes the expression of mature sleep homeostasis. © Sleep Research Society 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Sleep Research Society. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail journals.permissions@oup.com.

  3. Assessment of serum antibody titers against canine distemper virus, canine adenovirus type II, and canine parvovirus in Alaskan sled dogs before and after a long-distance race.

    PubMed

    Banse, Heidi E; McKenzie, Erica C; Nelson, Stuart; Hinchcliff, Kenneth W

    2008-06-01

    To determine serum antibody titers against canine distemper virus (CDV), canine adenovirus type II (CAV-2), and canine parvovirus (CPV) in trained sled dogs prior to and after completion of a long-distance race. Prospective cohort study. 195 Alaskan sled dogs (from 18 kennels) that participated in the 2006 Iditarod Trail Race. All 1,323 dogs participating in the race had been vaccinated against the 3 viruses at 19 to 286 days prior to initial blood sample collection (obtained within the month preceding the race). Within 12 hours of race completion, blood samples were collected from 195 dogs (convenience sample) and matched with each dog's prerace sample. Serum antibody titers (90% confidence intervals [CIs]) were determined via serum neutralization assays. After racing, geometric mean titers against CDV and CPV were significantly higher (2,495 [90% CI, 321 to 16,384] and 6,323 [90% CI, 512 to 32,768], respectively) than prerace values (82 [90% CI, 11 to 362] and 166 [90% CI, 32 to 1,024], respectively). Sixty-one of 194 (31.4%) dogs had > or = 4-fold increases in anti-CPV antibody titers after racing. Prerace serum antibody titers against CDV, CPV, and CAV-2 varied significantly by sled team but were not associated with time since vaccination. Postrace increases in serum anti-CDV and anti-CPV antibody titer might reflect exposure of dogs to these agents immediately before or during racing. Dogs had no clinical signs of CDV-, CAV-2-, or CPV-associated disease; therefore, the clinical importance of these titer changes is uncertain.

  4. Effect of rater training on reliability and accuracy of mini-CEX scores: a randomized, controlled trial.

    PubMed

    Cook, David A; Dupras, Denise M; Beckman, Thomas J; Thomas, Kris G; Pankratz, V Shane

    2009-01-01

    Mini-CEX scores assess resident competence. Rater training might improve mini-CEX score interrater reliability, but evidence is lacking. Evaluate a rater training workshop using interrater reliability and accuracy. Randomized trial (immediate versus delayed workshop) and single-group pre/post study (randomized groups combined). Academic medical center. Fifty-two internal medicine clinic preceptors (31 randomized and 21 additional workshop attendees). The workshop included rater error training, performance dimension training, behavioral observation training, and frame of reference training using lecture, video, and facilitated discussion. Delayed group received no intervention until after posttest. Mini-CEX ratings at baseline (just before workshop for workshop group), and four weeks later using videotaped resident-patient encounters; mini-CEX ratings of live resident-patient encounters one year preceding and one year following the workshop; rater confidence using mini-CEX. Among 31 randomized participants, interrater reliabilities in the delayed group (baseline intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] 0.43, follow-up 0.53) and workshop group (baseline 0.40, follow-up 0.43) were not significantly different (p = 0.19). Mean ratings were similar at baseline (delayed 4.9 [95% confidence interval 4.6-5.2], workshop 4.8 [4.5-5.1]) and follow-up (delayed 5.4 [5.0-5.7], workshop 5.3 [5.0-5.6]; p = 0.88 for interaction). For the entire cohort, rater confidence (1 = not confident, 6 = very confident) improved from mean (SD) 3.8 (1.4) to 4.4 (1.0), p = 0.018. Interrater reliability for ratings of live encounters (entire cohort) was higher after the workshop (ICC 0.34) than before (ICC 0.18) but the standard error of measurement was similar for both periods. Rater training did not improve interrater reliability or accuracy of mini-CEX scores. clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT00667940

  5. Biomodulation with sequential intravenous IFN-alpha2b and 5-fluorouracil as second-line treatment in patients with advanced colorectal cancer.

    PubMed

    Pérez, J E; Lacava, J A; Domínguez, M E; Rodríguez, R; Barbieri, M R; Romero Acuña, L A; Romero Acuña, J M; Langhi, M J; Amato, S; Marrone, N; Ortiz, E H; Leone, B A; Vallejo, C T; Machiavelli, M R; Romero, A O

    1998-08-01

    A phase II trial was carried out by the Grupo Oncologico Cooperativo del Sur (G.O.C.S.) to assess the efficacy and toxicity of a biochemical modulation of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) by i.v. pretreatment with interferon (IFN)-alpha2b in patients with advanced colorectal carcinoma refractory to previous therapy with 5-FU modulated by methotrexate (MTX) or leucovorin (LV) or both. Between January 1993 and October 1995, 34 patients were entered on the study. The treatment was IFN-alpha2b 5 x 10(6)/m2 IU in a 1-h i.v. infusion, followed immediately by 5-FU 600 mg/m2 i.v. bolus injection. Courses were repeated weekly until observation of progressive disease or severe toxicity. One patient could not be assessed for response. Objective regression was observed in 2 of 33 patients (6%, 95% confidence interval, 0%-14%). No patient achieved a complete response. Two patients had partial responses (6%). No change was recorded in 14 patients (41%), and progressive disease occurred in 17 (52%). The median time to treatment failure was 3 months, and the median survival was 5 months. Toxicity was within acceptable limits. The main side effects were mucositis and diarrhea. Four episodes of grade 2 stomatitis were observed, causing dosage modifications. The most frequent toxic effects attributable to IFN-alpha2b were mild fatigue and fever. In conclusion, second-line therapy with i.v. IFN-alpha2b preceding 5-FU has shown an interesting profile of activity in a patient population with clearly unfavorable characteristics. From this perspective, further appropriately designed studies are needed to identify the greatest potential of IFN-alpha2b as a modulator of 5-FU.

  6. Chronic stress impairs prefrontal cortex-dependent response inhibition and spatial working memory.

    PubMed

    Mika, Agnieszka; Mazur, Gabriel J; Hoffman, Ann N; Talboom, Joshua S; Bimonte-Nelson, Heather A; Sanabria, Federico; Conrad, Cheryl D

    2012-10-01

    Chronic stress leads to neurochemical and structural alterations in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) that correspond to deficits in PFC-mediated behaviors. The present study examined the effects of chronic restraint stress on response inhibition (using a response-withholding task, the fixed-minimum interval schedule of reinforcement, or FMI), and working memory (using a radial arm water maze, RAWM). Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were first trained on the RAWM and subsequently trained on FMI. After acquisition of FMI, rats were assigned to a restraint stress (6h/d/28d in wire mesh restrainers) or control condition. Immediately after chronic stress, rats were tested on FMI and subsequently on RAWM. FMI results suggest that chronic stress reduces response inhibition capacity and motivation to initiate the task on selective conditions when sucrose reward was not obtained on the preceding trial. RAWM results suggest that chronic stress produces transient deficits in working memory without altering previously consolidated reference memory. Behavioral measures from FMI failed to correlate with metrics from RAWM except for one in which changes in FMI timing imprecision negatively correlated with changes in RAWM working memory errors for the controls, a finding that was not observed following chronic stress. Fisher's r-to-z transformation revealed no significant differences between control and stress groups with correlation coefficients. These findings are the first to show that chronic stress impairs both response inhibition and working memory, two behaviors that have never been directly compared within the same animals after chronic stress, using FMI, an appetitive task, and RAWM, a nonappetitive task. PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved.

  7. Prenatal famine exposure and cognition at age 59 years.

    PubMed

    de Groot, Renate Hm; Stein, Aryeh D; Jolles, Jelle; van Boxtel, Martin Pj; Blauw, Gerard-Jan; van de Bor, Margot; Lumey, Lh

    2011-04-01

    Despite the perceived importance of early life nutrition for mental development, few studies have related gestational undernutrition to later-life cognitive functioning. We investigated the consequences of gestational exposure to the Dutch famine of 1944-45 for cognitive functioning at the age of 59 years. We recruited men and women who were (i) born in birth clinics in Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Leiden, between January 1945 and March 1946, whose mothers experienced famine during or immediately preceding pregnancy (n = 354); (ii) born in the same three institutions during 1943 and 1947, whose mothers did not experience famine during this pregnancy (n = 292); or (iii) same-sex siblings of those in the first two categories (n = 311). We assessed cognitive performance at the age of 59 years by means of a comprehensive test battery. All cognitive functioning test scores were within normal ranges for this age group. There were no differences in cognitive performance at the age of 59 years between individuals exposed to gestational undernutrition and those without this exposure. For the general cognitive index, a summary measure across six functional domains (mean 100, standard deviation (SD) 15 points), famine exposure was associated with a decrease of 0.57 points [95% confidence interval (95% CI) -2.41 to 1.28] points. Individuals exposed to famine in gestational weeks 1-10 had a cognitive functioning index 4.36 (95% CI 8.04-0.67) points lower than those without this exposure. Within-sibling-pair analyses gave consistent results. We found no overall association between maternal exposure to acute famine in pregnancy and cognitive performance of the offspring at the age of 59 years, but cannot rule out an association specific to early pregnancy exposure.

  8. Comparison of human papillomavirus infection and cervical cytology in women using copper-containing and levonorgestrel-containing intrauterine devices.

    PubMed

    Lekovich, Jovana P; Amrane, Selma; Pangasa, Misha; Pereira, Nigel; Frey, Melissa K; Varrey, Aneesha; Holcomb, Kevin

    2015-05-01

    To investigate whether there is a difference in cervical cytology and high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection clearance between levonorgestrel- and copper-containing intrauterine device (IUD) users. The electronic medical record system was searched by the appropriate procedural code for IUD insertion for all patients undergoing IUD placement during the study period (January 31, 2005 to January 31, 2012). Patients who received treatment for cervical dysplasia, had their IUDs removed, or conceived during the study period were excluded. High-risk HPV and cervical cytology results immediately preceding and after IUD placement were obtained. One hundred fifty patients had a copper-containing and 152 patients a levonorgestrel-containing IUD placed. The groups were comparable in terms of age, body mass index, duration of follow-up, and percentage of smokers. Sixty-six patients were high-risk HPV-positive before IUD insertion (30 in copper compared with 36 in the levonorgestrel IUD group, P=.4), and the groups had similar follow-up times (364.1±26.3 compared with 357.2±29.7 days, respectively, between the IUD placement and a repeat Pap test with high-risk HPV cotesting, P=.2). Of those, 21 (70%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 53.6-86.4%) cleared the infection after copper-containing IUD placement compared with 15 (42%; 95% CI 25.6-57.8%) in the levonorgestrel group (P=.04). There were only two (1.7%) new high-risk HPV infections in the copper compared with eight (6.9%) in the levonorgestrel group (P=.056). Our data suggest that levonorgestrel-containing IUD could be associated with decreased high-risk HPV infection clearance and possibly increased acquisition compared with the copper-containing IUD. II.

  9. Interdisciplinary Care Model Independently Decreases Use of Critical Care Services After Corrective Surgery for Adult Degenerative Scoliosis.

    PubMed

    Adogwa, Owoicho; Elsamadicy, Aladine A; Sergesketter, Amanda R; Ongele, Michael; Vuong, Victoria; Khalid, Syed; Moreno, Jessica; Cheng, Joseph; Karikari, Isaac O; Bagley, Carlos A

    2018-03-01

    Interdisciplinary management of elderly patients requiring spine surgery has been shown to improve short- and long-term outcomes. The aim of this study was to determine whether an interdisciplinary team approach mitigates use of intensive care unit (ICU) resources. A unique comanagement model for elderly patients undergoing lumbar fusion surgery was implemented at a major academic medical center. The Peri-operative Optimization of Senior Health Program (POSH) was launched with the aim of improving outcomes in elderly patients (>65 years old) undergoing complex lumbar spine surgery. In this model, a geriatrician evaluates elderly patients preoperatively, comanages daily throughout hospital course, and coordinates multidisciplinary rehabilitation, along with the neurosurgical team. We retrospectively reviewed the first 100 cases after the initiation of the POSH protocol and compared them with the immediately preceding 25 cases to assess the rates of ICU transfer and independent predictors of ICU admission. A total of 125 patients undergoing lumbar decompression and fusion surgery were enrolled in this pilot program. Baseline characteristics and intraoperative variables, as well as number of fusion levels and duration of surgery, were similar between both cohorts. There was a significant difference in the use of ICU services (ICU admission rates) between both cohorts, with the non-POSH cohort having a 3-fold increase compared with the POSH cohort (P < 0.0001). In a multivariate analysis, lack of an interdisciplinary comanagement team approach was an independent predictor for ICU transfers in elderly patients undergoing corrective surgery (odds ratio 8.51, 95% confidence interval 2.972-24.37, P < 0.0001). Our study suggests that an interdisciplinary comanagement model between geriatrics and neurosurgery is independently associated with reduced use of critical care services. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  10. Gene expression profiling of prostate tissue identifies chromatin regulation as a potential link between obesity and lethal prostate cancer.

    PubMed

    Ebot, Ericka M; Gerke, Travis; Labbé, David P; Sinnott, Jennifer A; Zadra, Giorgia; Rider, Jennifer R; Tyekucheva, Svitlana; Wilson, Kathryn M; Kelly, Rachel S; Shui, Irene M; Loda, Massimo; Kantoff, Philip W; Finn, Stephen; Vander Heiden, Matthew G; Brown, Myles; Giovannucci, Edward L; Mucci, Lorelei A

    2017-11-01

    Obese men are at higher risk of advanced prostate cancer and cancer-specific mortality; however, the biology underlying this association remains unclear. This study examined gene expression profiles of prostate tissue to identify biological processes differentially expressed by obesity status and lethal prostate cancer. Gene expression profiling was performed on tumor (n = 402) and adjacent normal (n = 200) prostate tissue from participants in 2 prospective cohorts who had been diagnosed with prostate cancer from 1982 to 2005. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated from the questionnaire immediately preceding cancer diagnosis. Men were followed for metastases or prostate cancer-specific death (lethal disease) through 2011. Gene Ontology biological processes differentially expressed by BMI were identified using gene set enrichment analysis. Pathway scores were computed by averaging the signal intensities of member genes. Odds ratios (ORs) for lethal prostate cancer were estimated with logistic regression. Among 402 men, 48% were healthy weight, 31% were overweight, and 21% were very overweight/obese. Fifteen gene sets were enriched in tumor tissue, but not normal tissue, of very overweight/obese men versus healthy-weight men; 5 of these were related to chromatin modification and remodeling (false-discovery rate < 0.25). Patients with high tumor expression of chromatin-related genes had worse clinical characteristics (Gleason grade > 7, 41% vs 17%; P = 2 × 10 -4 ) and an increased risk of lethal disease that was independent of grade and stage (OR, 5.26; 95% confidence interval, 2.37-12.25). This study improves our understanding of the biology of aggressive prostate cancer and identifies a potential mechanistic link between obesity and prostate cancer death that warrants further study. Cancer 2017;123:4130-4138. © 2017 American Cancer Society. © 2017 American Cancer Society.

  11. Pickup Protons: Comparisons using the Three-Dimensional MHD HHMS-PI model and Ulysses SWICS Measurements

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Intriligator, Devrie S.; Detman, Thomas; Gloecker, George; Gloeckler, Christine; Dryer, Murray; Sun, Wei; Intriligator, James; Deehr, Charles

    2012-01-01

    We report the first comparisons of pickup proton simulation results with in situ measurements of pickup protons obtained by the SWICS instrument on Ulysses. Simulations were run using the three dimensional (3D) time-dependent Hybrid Heliospheric Modeling System with Pickup Protons (HHMS-PI). HHMS-PI is an MHD solar wind model, expanded to include the basic physics of pickup protons from neutral hydrogen that drifts into the heliosphere from the local interstellar medium. We use the same model and input data developed by Detman et al. (2011) to now investigate the pickup protons. The simulated interval of 82 days in 2003 2004, includes both quiet solar wind (SW) and also the October November 2003 solar events (the Halloween 2003 solar storms). The HHMS-PI pickup proton simulations generally agree with the SWICS measurements and the HHMS-PI simulated solar wind generally agrees with SWOOPS (also on Ulysses) measurements. Many specific features in the observations are well represented by the model. We simulated twenty specific solar events associated with the Halloween 2003 storm. We give the specific values of the solar input parameters for the HHMS-PI simulations that provide the best combined agreement in the times of arrival of the solar-generated shocks at both ACE and Ulysses. We show graphical comparisons of simulated and observed parameters, and we give quantitative measures of the agreement of simulated with observed parameters. We suggest that some of the variations in the pickup proton density during the Halloween 2003 solar events may be attributed to depletion of the inflowing local interstellar medium (LISM) neutral hydrogen (H) caused by its increased conversion to pickup protons in the immediately preceding shock.

  12. Clinical value of transforaminal epidural steroid injection in lumbar radiculopathy.

    PubMed

    Leung, S M; Chau, W W; Law, S W; Fung, K Y

    2015-10-01

    To identify the diagnostic, therapeutic, and prognostic values of transforaminal epidural steroid injection as interventional rehabilitation for lumbar radiculopathy. Regional hospital, Hong Kong. A total of 232 Chinese patients with lumbar radiculopathy attributed to disc herniation or spinal stenosis received transforaminal epidural steroid injection between 1 January 2007 and 31 December 2011. Transforaminal epidural steroid injection. Patients' immediate response, response duration, proportion of patients requiring surgery, and risk factors affecting the responses to transforaminal epidural steroid injection for lumbar radiculopathy. Of the 232 patients, 218 (94.0%) had a single level of radiculopathy and 14 (6.0%) had multiple levels. L5 was the most commonly affected level. The immediate response rate to transforaminal epidural steroid injection was 80.2% in 186 patients with clinically diagnosed lumbar radiculopathy and magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbar spine suggesting nerve root compression. Of patients with single-level radiculopathy and multiple-level radiculopathy, 175 (80.3%) and 11 (78.6%) expressed an immediate response to transforaminal epidural steroid injection, respectively. The analgesic effect lasted for 1 to <3 weeks in 35 (15.1%) patients, for 3 to 12 weeks in 37 (15.9%) patients, and for more than 12 weeks in 92 (39.7%) patients. Of the 232 patients, 106 (45.7%) were offered surgery, with 65 (61.3%) undergoing operation, and with 42 (64.6%) requiring spinal fusion in addition to decompression surgery. Symptom chronicity was associated with poor immediate response to transforaminal epidural steroid injection, but not with duration of pain reduction. Poor response to transforaminal epidural steroid injection was not associated with a preceding industrial injury. The immediate response to transforaminal epidural steroid injection was approximately 80%. Transforaminal epidural steroid injection is a useful diagnostic, prognostic, and short-term therapeutic tool for lumbar radiculopathy. Although transforaminal epidural steroid injection cannot alter the need for surgery in the long term, it is a reasonably safe procedure to provide short-term pain relief and as a preoperative assessment tool.

  13. Consistently high sports/exercise activity is associated with better sleep quality, continuity and depth in midlife women: the SWAN sleep study.

    PubMed

    Kline, Christopher E; Irish, Leah A; Krafty, Robert T; Sternfeld, Barbara; Kravitz, Howard M; Buysse, Daniel J; Bromberger, Joyce T; Dugan, Sheila A; Hall, Martica H

    2013-09-01

    To examine relationships between different physical activity (PA) domains and sleep, and the influence of consistent PA on sleep, in midlife women. Cross-sectional. Community-based. 339 women in the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation Sleep Study (52.1 ± 2.1 y). None. Sleep was examined using questionnaires, diaries and in-home polysomnography (PSG). PA was assessed in three domains (Active Living, Household/Caregiving, Sports/Exercise) using the Kaiser Physical Activity Survey (KPAS) up to 4 times over 6 years preceding the sleep assessments. The association between recent PA and sleep was evaluated using KPAS scores immediately preceding the sleep assessments. The association between the historical PA pattern and sleep was examined by categorizing PA in each KPAS domain according to its pattern over the 6 years preceding sleep assessments (consistently low, inconsistent/consistently moderate, or consistently high). Greater recent Sports/Exercise activity was associated with better sleep quality (diary "restedness" [P < 0.01]), greater sleep continuity (diary sleep efficiency [SE; P = 0.02]) and depth (higher NREM delta electroencephalographic [EEG] power [P = 0.04], lower NREM beta EEG power [P < 0.05]), and lower odds of insomnia diagnosis (P < 0.05). Consistently high Sports/Exercise activity was also associated with better Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scores (P = 0.02) and higher PSG-assessed SE (P < 0.01). Few associations between sleep and Active Living or Household/Caregiving activity (either recent or historical pattern) were noted. Consistently high levels of recreational physical activity, but not lifestyle- or household-related activity, are associated with better sleep in midlife women. Increasing recreational physical activity early in midlife may protect against sleep disturbance in this population.

  14. Pedi-cap color change precedes a significant increase in heart rate during neonatal resuscitation.

    PubMed

    Blank, Doug; Rich, Wade; Leone, Tina; Garey, Donna; Finer, Neil

    2014-11-01

    Heart rate is the most important indicator of infant well-being during neonatal resuscitation. The Nellcor Pedi-Cap turns gold when exposed to exhaled gas with CO₂>15 mmHg. The aim of this study was to determine if Pedi-Cap gold color change during neonatal resuscitation precedes an increase in heart rate in babies with bradycardia receiving mask ventilation. This was a single-center retrospective review of video recordings and physiologic data of newborns with bradycardia receiving mask positive pressure ventilation during neonatal resuscitation. Subjects were included if the baby's HR<100 BPM within the first 90 s of resuscitation. The primary outcome was the change in HR prior to Pedi-Cap gold color change compared to the HR after Pedi-Cap gold color change. Forty-one newborns during the study period had HR<100 BPM and received mask positive pressure ventilation with a Pedi-Cap. The median heart rate 10s prior to Pedi-Cap gold color change was 75 BPM (IQR 62-85) and increased to 136 BPM (IQR 113-158) 30 s after gold color change (p<0.001). SpO₂ increased from 45 ± 17% prior to Pedi-Cap gold color change to 52 ± 17% 30s after gold color change (p=0.001). Colorimetric CO₂ detection during mask positive pressure ventilation in neonatal resuscitation precedes a significant increase in heart rate and SpO₂. The Pedi-Cap can be easily applied during resuscitation, requires no electricity, provides immediate feedback and may be a useful, simple tool early in resuscitation and may be especially useful in resource limited settings. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  15. Experiment Description and Results for Arrival Operations Using Interval Management with Spacing to Parallel Dependent Runways (IMSPiDR)

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Baxley, Brian T.; Murdoch, Jennifer L.; Swieringa, Kurt A.; Barmore, Bryan E.; Capron, William R.; Hubbs, Clay E.; Shay, Richard F.; Abbott, Terence S.

    2013-01-01

    The predicted increase in the number of commercial aircraft operations creates a need for improved operational efficiency. Two areas believed to offer increases in aircraft efficiency are optimized profile descents and dependent parallel runway operations. Using Flight deck Interval Management (FIM) software and procedures during these operations, flight crews can achieve by the runway threshold an interval assigned by air traffic control (ATC) behind the preceding aircraft that maximizes runway throughput while minimizing additional fuel consumption and pilot workload. This document describes an experiment where 24 pilots flew arrivals into the Dallas Fort-Worth terminal environment using one of three simulators at NASA?s Langley Research Center. Results indicate that pilots delivered their aircraft to the runway threshold within +/- 3.5 seconds of their assigned time interval, and reported low workload levels. In general, pilots found the FIM concept, procedures, speeds, and interface acceptable. Analysis of the time error and FIM speed changes as a function of arrival stream position suggest the spacing algorithm generates stable behavior while in the presence of continuous (wind) or impulse (offset) error. Concerns reported included multiple speed changes within a short time period, and an airspeed increase followed shortly by an airspeed decrease.

  16. Unstable AMOC during glacial intervals and millennial variability: The role of mean sea ice extent

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sévellec, Florian; Fedorov, Alexey V.

    2015-11-01

    A striking feature of paleoclimate records is the greater stability of the Holocene epoch relative to the preceding glacial interval, especially apparent in the North Atlantic region. In particular, strong irregular variability with an approximately 1500 yr period, known as the Dansgaard-Oeschger (D-O) events, punctuates the last glaciation, but is absent during the interglacial. Prevailing theories, modeling and data suggest that these events, seen as abrupt warming episodes in Greenland ice cores and sea surface temperature records in the North Atlantic, are linked to reorganizations of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC). In this study, using a new low-order ocean model that reproduces a realistic power spectrum of millennial variability, we explore differences in the AMOC stability between glacial and interglacial intervals of the 100 kyr glacial cycle of the Late Pleistocene (1 kyr = 1000 yr). Previous modeling studies show that the edge of sea ice in the North Atlantic shifts southward during glacial intervals, moving the region of the North Atlantic Deep Water formation and the AMOC also southward. Here we demonstrate that, by shifting the AMOC with respect to the mean atmospheric precipitation field, such a displacement makes the system unstable, which explains chaotic millennial variability during the glacials and the persistence of stable ocean conditions during the interglacials.

  17. Early post-interventional sonographic evaluation of prostatic artery embolization. A promising role for contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS).

    PubMed

    Moschouris, Hippocrates; Stamatiou, Konstantinos; Kalokairinou Motogna, Mariana; Vrakas, Spyros; Kiltenis, Michail; Kladis-Kalentzis, Konstantinos; Tsavdaroglou, Avraam; Papadogeorgopoulos, Nikolaos; Marmaridou, Kyriaki; Malagari, Katerina

    2018-05-02

    To assess the feasibility, findings and potential value of early post-interventional, contrast-enhanced ultrasonographic (CEUS) study of prostate artery embolization (PAE). Fourteen patients treated with PAE for symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia were prospectively included in the study. Sonographic evaluation of the prostate included: 1) baseline transabdominal and transrectal CEUS (ta-CEUS and tr-CEUS, respectively) 1-3 days prior to PAE; 2) early post PAE CEUS, with ta-CEUS immediately post PAE and tr-CEUS 3 days post PAE; and 3) follow-up with ta-CEUS and tr-CEUS 3 months post PAE. A brief unenhanced US study preceded each CEUS. Post-therapeutic changes in size, echogenicity and enhancement of the prostate were recorded and were correlated with clinical outcomes. PAE resulted in clinical success in 11/14 patients (78.5%). All sonographic studies were technically adequate, with the exception of ta-CEUS immediately post PAE in 2/14 (14.2%) patients. CEUS studies immediately post PAE and 3 days post PAE showed non-enhancing, welldefined infarctions of the prostate in 10/14 patients (71.4%). There was a strong correlation between ta-CEUS immediately post PAE and tr-CEUS 3 days post PAE regarding the measurements of prostatic infarctions (r =0.98, p< 0.01). The presence of infarctions on early post PAE CEUS was associated with clinical success (p=0.01) and their extent correlated with the degree of prostate shrinkage on 3-month follow-up (r=0.84, p<0.05). The 3 cases of failed PAE showed no infarctions and no prostate shrinkage. Early post-interventional CEUS of PAE is feasible and may have clinical and prognostic value.

  18. Time-dependent influence of sensorimotor set on automatic responses in perturbed stance

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Chong, R. K.; Horak, F. B.; Woollacott, M. H.; Peterson, B. W. (Principal Investigator)

    1999-01-01

    These experiments tested the hypothesis that the ability to change sensorimotor set quickly for automatic responses depends on the time interval between successive surface perturbations. Sensorimotor set refers to the influence of prior experience or context on the state of the sensorimotor system. Sensorimotor set for postural responses was influenced by first giving subjects a block of identical backward translations of the support surface, causing forward sway and automatic gastrocnemius responses. The ability to change set quickly was inferred by measuring the suppression of the stretched antagonist gastrocnemius responses to toes-up rotations causing backward sway, following the translations. Responses were examined under short (10-14 s) and long (19-24 s) inter-trial intervals in young healthy subjects. The results showed that subjects in the long-interval group changed set immediately by suppressing gastrocnemius to 51% of translation responses within the first rotation and continued to suppress them over succeeding rotations. In contrast, subjects in the short-interval group did not change set immediately, but required two or more rotations to suppress gastrocnemius responses. By the last rotation, the short-interval group suppressed gastrocnemius responses to 33%, similar to the long-interval group of 29%. Associated surface plantarflexor torque resulting from these responses showed similar results. When rotation and translation perturbations alternated, however, the short-interval group was not able to suppress gastrocnemius responses to rotations as much as the long-interval group, although they did suppress more than in the first rotation trial after a series of translations. Set for automatic responses appears to linger, from one trial to the next. Specifically, sensorimotor set is more difficult to change when surface perturbations are given in close succession, making it appear as if set has become progressively stronger. A strong set does not mean that responses become larger over consecutive trials. Rather, it is inferred by the extent of difficulty in changing a response when it is appropriate to do so. These results suggest that the ability to change sensorimotor set quickly is sensitive to whether the change is required after a long or a short series of a prior different response, which in turn depends on the time interval between successive trials. Different rate of gastrocnemius suppression to toes-up rotation of the support surface have been reported in previous studies. This may be partially explained by different inter-trial time intervals demonstrated in this study.

  19. Lightning discharges produced by wind turbines

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Montanyà, Joan; van der Velde, Oscar; Williams, Earle R.

    2014-02-01

    New observations with a 3-D Lightning Mapping Array and high-speed video are presented and discussed. The first set of observations shows that under certain thunderstorm conditions, wind turbine blades can produce electric discharges at regular intervals of 3 s in relation to its rotation, over periods of time that range from a few minutes up to hours. This periodic effect has not been observed in static towers indicating that the effect of rotation is playing a critical role. The repeated discharges can occur tens of kilometers away from electrically active thunderstorm areas and may or may not precede a fully developed upward lightning discharge from the turbine. Similar to rockets used for triggering lightning, the fast movement of the blade tip plays an important role on the initiation of the discharge. The movement of the rotor blades allows the tip to "runaway" from the generated corona charge. The second observation is an uncommon upward/downward flash triggered by a wind turbine. In that flash, a negative upward leader was initiated from a wind turbine without preceding lightning activity. The flash produced a negative cloud-to-ground stroke several kilometers from the initiation point. The third observation corresponds to a high-speed video record showing simultaneous upward positive leaders from a group of wind turbines triggered by a preceding intracloud flash. The fact that multiple leaders develop simultaneously indicates a poor shielding effect among them. All these observations provide some special features on the initiation of lightning by nonstatic and complex tall structures.

  20. Fruit and vegetable intake and smoking cessation.

    PubMed

    Poisson, T; Dallongeville, J; Evans, A; Ducimetierre, P; Amouyel, P; Yarnell, J; Bingham, A; Kee, F; Dauchet, L

    2012-11-01

    In cohort studies, fruit and vegetable (F&V) intake is associated with lower cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Former smokers often have a higher F&V intake than current smokers. If a high intake of F&V precedes smoking cessation, the latter may explain the favorable association between F&V intake and CVD among smokers. The objective was to assess whether higher F&V intake precedes smoking cessation. The study population comprised 1056 male smokers from Lille (France) and Belfast (Northern Ireland) aged 50-59 years on inclusion in 1991. At baseline, participants completed self-administered questionnaires related to smoking habits, demographic, socioeconomic factors and diet. At the 10-year follow-up, smoking habits were assessed by mailed questionnaire. After 10 years, 590 out of 1056 smokers had quit smoking (70.7% of smoker in Lille and 37.8% in Belfast). After adjusting for center, consumption of F&V was associated with quitting (odds ratio (OR) for high versus low F&V intake: 1.73; 95% confidence interval (CI): (1.22-2.45); P-trend=0.002). After further adjustment for sociodemographic factors, body mass index and medical diet, the association was still statistically significant (OR: 1.59; 95% CI (1.12-2.27); P-trend = 0.01). In a model fully adjusted for age, smoking intensity, alcohol consumption and physical activity, the association was no longer significant (P = 0.14). Higher F&V intake precedes smoking cessation. Hence, smoking cessation could affect the causal interpretation of the association between F&V and CVD in smokers.

  1. Sterilization: A Review and Update.

    PubMed

    Moss, Chailee; Isley, Michelle M

    2015-12-01

    Sterilization is a frequently used method of contraception. Female sterilization is performed 3 times more frequently than male sterilization, and it can be performed immediately postpartum or as an interval procedure. Methods include mechanical occlusion, coagulation, or tubal excision. Female sterilization can be performed using an abdominal approach, or via laparoscopy or hysteroscopy. When an abdominal approach or laparoscopy is used, sterilization occurs immediately. When hysteroscopy is used, tubal occlusion occurs over time, and additional testing is needed to confirm tubal occlusion. Comprehensive counseling about sterilization should include discussion about male sterilization (vasectomy) and long-acting reversible contraceptive methods. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  2. 77 FR 58600 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; BOX Options Exchange LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-09-21

    ... approving expansion of STO Program)[sic]. \\9\\ These include, without limitation, options, equities, futures... hedging strategies across various investment platforms (e.g. equity and ETF, index, derivatives, futures... Web site, strike prices for options on futures may be at an interval of $.05, $.10, and $.25 per...

  3. 78 FR 62771 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; BOX Options Exchange LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-10-22

    ... The Exchange proposes to amend interpretive material to Rule 5050 (Series of Options Contracts Open... Proposed Rule Change 1. Purpose The Exchange proposes to amend IM-5050-6 to Rule 5050 (Series of Options... the strike price interval setting parameters for their Short Term Option Series (``STOS'') Programs...

  4. Distributed Learning Enhances Relational Memory Consolidation

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Litman, Leib; Davachi, Lila

    2008-01-01

    It has long been known that distributed learning (DL) provides a mnemonic advantage over massed learning (ML). However, the underlying mechanisms that drive this robust mnemonic effect remain largely unknown. In two experiments, we show that DL across a 24 hr interval does not enhance immediate memory performance but instead slows the rate of…

  5. Delaying Interference Training Has Equivalent Effects in Various Pavlovian Interference Paradigms

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Powell, Elizabeth J.; Escobar, Martha; Kimble, Whitney

    2013-01-01

    Spontaneous recovery in extinction appears to be inversely related to the acquisition-to-extinction interval, but it remains unclear why this is the case. Rat subjects trained with one of three interference paradigms exhibited less spontaneous recovery of the original response after delayed than immediate interference, regardless of whether…

  6. 21 CFR 522.1884 - Prednisolone sodium succinate injection.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... inflammatory, allergic and less severe stress conditions, where immediate effect is not required, at 1 to 5... other stress conditions at intervals of 12, 24, or 48 hours, depending upon the size of the animal, the... hours and continued for 3 to 5 days if necessary. If permanent corticosteroid effect is required oral...

  7. Mathematics Practice without Feedback: A Desirable Difficulty in a Classroom Setting

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Fyfe, Emily R.; Rittle-Johnson, Bethany

    2017-01-01

    Recent research highlights the potential benefits of practice without feedback on learner's strategy knowledge. However, most prior work has been conducted in one-on-one settings with short retention intervals. We compared the effects of mathematics practice with and without correct-answer feedback on immediate and 1-week delayed performance in a…

  8. The Memory Trace Supporting Lose-Shift Responding Decays Rapidly after Reward Omission and Is Distinct from Other Learning Mechanisms in Rats.

    PubMed

    Gruber, Aaron J; Thapa, Rajat

    2016-01-01

    The propensity of animals to shift choices immediately after unexpectedly poor reinforcement outcomes is a pervasive strategy across species and tasks. We report here that the memory supporting such lose-shift responding in rats rapidly decays during the intertrial interval and persists throughout training and testing on a binary choice task, despite being a suboptimal strategy. Lose-shift responding is not positively correlated with the prevalence and temporal dependence of win-stay responding, and it is inconsistent with predictions of reinforcement learning on the task. These data provide further evidence that win-stay and lose-shift are mediated by dissociated neural mechanisms and indicate that lose-shift responding presents a potential confound for the study of choice in the many operant choice tasks with short intertrial intervals. We propose that this immediate lose-shift responding is an intrinsic feature of the brain's choice mechanisms that is engaged as a choice reflex and works in parallel with reinforcement learning and other control mechanisms to guide action selection.

  9. Terminal weaning or immediate extubation for withdrawing mechanical ventilation in critically ill patients (the ARREVE observational study).

    PubMed

    Robert, René; Le Gouge, Amélie; Kentish-Barnes, Nancy; Cottereau, Alice; Giraudeau, Bruno; Adda, Mélanie; Annane, Djillali; Audibert, Juliette; Barbier, François; Bardou, Patrick; Bourcier, Simon; Bourenne, Jeremy; Boyer, Alexandre; Brenas, François; Das, Vincent; Desachy, Arnaud; Devaquet, Jérôme; Feissel, Marc; Ganster, Frédérique; Garrouste-Orgeas, Maïté; Grillet, Guillaume; Guisset, Olivier; Hamidfar-Roy, Rebecca; Hyacinthe, Anne-Claire; Jochmans, Sebastien; Jourdain, Mercé; Lautrette, Alexandre; Lerolle, Nicolas; Lesieur, Olivier; Lion, Fabien; Mateu, Philippe; Megarbane, Bruno; Merceron, Sybille; Mercier, Emmanuelle; Messika, Jonathan; Morin-Longuet, Paul; Philippon-Jouve, Bénédicte; Quenot, Jean-Pierre; Renault, Anne; Repesse, Xavier; Rigaud, Jean-Philippe; Robin, Ségolène; Roquilly, Antoine; Seguin, Amélie; Thevenin, Didier; Tirot, Patrice; Vinatier, Isabelle; Azoulay, Elie; Reignier, Jean

    2017-12-01

    The relative merits of immediate extubation versus terminal weaning for mechanical ventilation withdrawal are controversial, particularly regarding the experience of patients and relatives. This prospective observational multicentre study (ARREVE) was done in 43 French ICUs to compare terminal weaning and immediate extubation, as chosen by the ICU team. Terminal weaning was a gradual decrease in the amount of ventilatory assistance and immediate extubation was extubation without any previous decrease in ventilatory assistance. The primary outcome was posttraumatic stress symptoms (Impact of Event Scale Revised, IES-R) in relatives 3 months after the death. Secondary outcomes were complicated grief, anxiety, and depression symptoms in relatives; comfort of patients during the dying process; and job strain in staff. We enrolled 212 (85.5%) relatives of 248 patients with terminal weaning and 190 relatives (90.5%) of 210 patients with immediate extubation. Immediate extubation was associated with airway obstruction and a higher mean Behavioural Pain Scale score compared to terminal weaning. In relatives, IES-R scores after 3 months were not significantly different between groups (31.9 ± 18.1 versus 30.5 ± 16.2, respectively; adjusted difference, -1.9; 95% confidence interval, -5.9 to 2.1; p = 0.36); neither were there any differences in complicated grief, anxiety, or depression scores. Assistant nurses had lower job strain scores in the immediate extubation group. Compared to terminal weaning, immediate extubation was not associated with differences in psychological welfare of relatives when each method constituted standard practice in the ICU where it was applied. Patients had more airway obstruction and gasps with immediate extubation. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01818895.

  10. An economic evaluation of planned immediate versus delayed birth for preterm prelabour rupture of membranes: findings from the PPROMT randomised controlled trial.

    PubMed

    Lain, S J; Roberts, C L; Bond, D M; Smith, J; Morris, J M

    2017-03-01

    This study is an economic evaluation of immediate birth compared with expectant management in women with preterm prelabour rupture of the membranes near term (PPROMT). A cost-effectiveness analysis alongside the PPROMT randomised controlled trial. Obstetric departments in 65 hospitals across 11 countries. Women with a singleton pregnancy with ruptured membranes between 34 +0 and 36 +6 weeks gestation. Women were randomly allocated to immediate birth or expectant management. Costs to the health system were identified and valued. National hospital costing data from both the UK and Australia were used. Average cost per recruit in each arm was calculated and 95% confidence intervals were estimated using bootstrap re-sampling. Averages costs during antenatal care, delivery and postnatal care, and by country were estimated. Total mean cost difference between immediate birth and expectant management arms of the trial. From 11 countries 923 women were randomised to immediate birth and 912 were randomised to expectant management. Total mean costs per recruit were £8852 for immediate birth and £8740 for expectant delivery resulting in a mean difference in costs of £112 (95% CI: -431 to 662). The expectant management arm had significantly higher antenatal costs, whereas the immediate birth arm had significantly higher delivery and neonatal costs. There was large variation between total mean costs by country. This economic evaluation found no evidence that expectant management was more or less costly than immediate birth. Outpatient management may offer opportunities for cost savings for those women with delayed delivery. For women with preterm prelabour rupture of the membranes, the relative benefits and harms of immediate and expectant management should inform counselling as costs are similar. © 2016 Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

  11. Inquiry and groups: student interactions in cooperative inquiry-based science

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Woods-McConney, Amanda; Wosnitza, Marold; Sturrock, Keryn L.

    2016-03-01

    Science education research has recommended cooperative inquiry based science in the primary science context for more than two decades but after more than 20 years, student achievement in science has not substantially improved. This study, through direct observation and analysis, investigated content-related student interactions in an authentic inquiry based primary science class setting. Thirty-one upper primary students were videotaped working in cooperative inquiry based science activities. Cooperative talk and negotiation of the science content was analysed to identify any high-level group interactions. The data show that while all groups have incidences of high-level content-related group interactions, the frequency and duration of these interactions were limited. No specific pattern of preceding events was identified and no episodes of high-level content-related group interactions were immediately preceded by the teacher's interactions with the groups. This in situ study demonstrated that even without any kind of scaffolding, specific skills in knowing how to implement cooperative inquiry based science, high-level content-related group interactions did occur very briefly. Support for teachers to develop their knowledge and skills in facilitating cooperative inquiry based science learning is warranted to ensure that high-level content-related group interactions and the associated conceptual learning are not left to chance in science classrooms.

  12. The effects of heroin administration and drug cues on impulsivity.

    PubMed

    Jones, Jermaine D; Vadhan, Nehal P; Luba, Rachel R; Comer, Sandra D

    2016-08-01

    Drug addiction is a chronic relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive drug seeking and continued use despite negative consequences. Behavioral impulsivity is a strong predictor of the initiation and maintenance of drug addiction. Preclinical data suggest that heroin may exacerbate impulsive characteristics in an individual but this has yet to be assessed in clinical samples. The current secondary data analysis sought to investigate the effects of heroin on impulsivity along with the effects of exposure to drug cues. Using the current data set, we also tentatively assessed the etiological relationship between impulsivity and heroin abuse. Sixteen heroin-dependent participants were recruited to complete Immediate Memory Task/Delayed Memory Task (IMT/DMT) and GoStop tasks following repeated heroin administration, following acute heroin administration, and following a drug cue exposure session. Four preceding days of active heroin availability, compared to four preceding days of placebo drug availability, increased impulsivity assessed using the IMT and DMT. Presentation of drug cues similarly acted to increase impulsivity assessments on all three tasks. It also appears that heavier users were more susceptible to the influence of drug cues on impulsivity. The present study represents a step toward a more comprehensive understanding of the interaction between opioid abuse and impulsivity. A better understanding of these factors could provide critical insight into the maintenance of heroin use and relapse.

  13. A clinical assessment of the effects of 10% carbamide peroxide gel on human pulp tissue.

    PubMed

    Anderson, D G; Chiego, D J; Glickman, G N; McCauley, L K

    1999-04-01

    Bleaching vital teeth with 10% carbamide peroxide gel is a routine procedure in which there has been no evidence of associated permanent pulpal damage. Synthesis of the enzyme heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is increased after exposure of eukaryotic cells to conditions of oxidative stress (including H2O2) as a defense against the damaging effects of free radicals. Dental pulps were evaluated for HO-1 (aka Heat Shock Protein 32) presence in teeth treated with 10% carbamide peroxide. Seventeen intact first premolars scheduled for orthodontic extraction were bleached for 4 h immediately preceding extraction. Fourteen additional premolars from the same individuals were not bleached. All 31 teeth were extracted, fixed, demineralized, frozen, sectioned, and immunostained with anti-HO-1 antibody using a standard ABC protocol. There was no significant difference in the presence of HO-1 between total bleached versus total unbleached teeth using the Fisher's Exact Test (p < or = 0.05). However, the histological findings could be interpreted to suggest that coronal odontoblasts and endothelial cells in the underlying pulp proper may have the potential to respond to oxidative stress by increasing the synthesis of HO-1 (HSP32). This could represent a component of an initial defensive response by specific cells in strategic locations in the pulp that precedes classical inflammatory pathways.

  14. Recall in older cancer patients: measuring memory for medical information.

    PubMed

    Jansen, Jesse; van Weert, Julia; van der Meulen, Nienke; van Dulmen, Sandra; Heeren, Thea; Bensing, Jozien

    2008-04-01

    Remembering medical treatment information may be particularly taxing for older cancer patients, but to our knowledge this ability has never been assessed in this specific age group only. Our purpose in this study was to investigate older cancer patients' recall of information after patient education preceding chemotherapy. We constructed a recall questionnaire consisting of multiple-choice questions, completion items, and open-ended questions related to information about treatment and recommendations on how to handle side effects. Immediately after a nursing consultation preceding chemotherapy treatment, 69 older patients (M = 71.8 years, SD = 4.1) completed the questionnaire. We checked recall against the actual communication in video recordings of the consultations. On average, 82.2 items were discussed during the consultations. The mean percentage of information recalled correctly was 23.2% for open-ended questions, 68.0% for completion items, and 80.2% for multiple-choice questions. Older cancer patients are confronted with a lot of information. Recall of information strongly depended on question format; especially active reproduction appeared to be poor. To improve treatment outcomes, it is important that cancer patients are able to actively retrieve knowledge about how to prevent and recognize adverse side effects and that this is checked by the health professional. We make suggestions on how to make information more memorable for older cancer patients.

  15. Vacuum Attachment for XRF Scanner

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Schramm, Harry F.; Kaiser, Bruce

    2005-01-01

    Vacuum apparatuses have been developed for increasing the range of elements that can be identified by use of x-ray fluorescent (XRF) scanners of the type mentioned in the two immediately preceding articles. As a consequence of the underlying physical principles, in the presence of air, such an XRF scanner is limited to analysis of chlorine and elements of greater atomic number. When the XRF scanner is operated in a vacuum, it extends the range of analysis to lower atomic numbers - even as far as aluminum and sodium. Hence, more elements will be available for use in XRF labeling of objects as discussed in the two preceding articles. The added benefits of the extended capabilities also have other uses for NASA. Detection of elements of low atomic number is of high interest to the aerospace community. High-strength aluminum alloys will be easily analyzed for composition. Silicon, a major contaminant in certain processes, will be detectable before the process is begun, possibly eliminating weld or adhesion problems. Exotic alloys will be evaluated for composition prior to being placed in service where lives depend on them. And in the less glamorous applications, such as bolts and fasteners, substandard products and counterfeit items will be evaluated at the receiving function and never allowed to enter the operation

  16. [Efficacy of the keyword mnemonic method in adults].

    PubMed

    Campos, Alfredo; Pérez-Fabello, María José; Camino, Estefanía

    2010-11-01

    Two experiments were used to assess the efficacy of the keyword mnemonic method in adults. In Experiment 1, immediate and delayed recall (at a one-day interval) were assessed by comparing the results obtained by a group of adults using the keyword mnemonic method in contrast to a group using the repetition method. The mean age of the sample under study was 59.35 years. Subjects were required to learn a list of 16 words translated from Latin into Spanish. Participants who used keyword mnemonics that had been devised by other experimental participants of the same characteristics, obtained significantly higher immediate and delayed recall scores than participants in the repetition method. In Experiment 2, other participants had to learn a list of 24 Latin words translated into Spanish by using the keyword mnemonic method reinforced with pictures. Immediate and delayed recall were significantly greater in the keyword mnemonic method group than in the repetition method group.

  17. Multifunctional Logic Gate Controlled by Supply Voltage

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Stoica, Adrian; Zebulum, Ricardo

    2005-01-01

    A complementary metal oxide/semiconductor (CMOS) electronic circuit functions as a NAND gate at a power-supply potential (V(sub dd)) of 3.3 V and as NOR gate for V(sub dd) = 1.8 V. In the intermediate V(sub dd) range of 1.8 to 3.3 V, this circuit performs a function intermediate between NAND and NOR with degraded noise margin. Like the circuit of the immediately preceding article, this circuit serves as a demonstration of the evolutionary approach to design of polymorphic electronics -- a technological discipline that emphasizes evolution of the design of a circuit to perform different analog and/or digital functions under different conditions. In this instance, the different conditions are different values of V(sub dd).

  18. Child slaves and freemen at the Spiritan Mission in Soyo, 1880-1885.

    PubMed

    Vos, Jelmer

    2010-01-01

    Catholic missionaries in late nineteenth- and early twentieth-century Africa more commonly than Protestants purchased slaves to build their mission stations. This article provides a micro-historical analysis of the redemption of child slaves by the Holy Ghost Fathers in Soyo, West Central Africa, in the years immediately preceding the colonial partition of Africa. It argues that the Spiritan missionaries liberated slaves for instrumental rather than humanitarian reasons. As local freemen were difficult to control, the mission depended for its growth on the import of slave children. Furthermore, since the missionaries operated on the same markets and paid the same prices for slaves as regular buyers, their purchasing practices showed a strong resemblance with ordinary slave trading.

  19. Case study of the March 24, 1976 Elton, Louisiana tornado using satellite infrared imagery, Doppler sounder, rawinsonde, and radar observations

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Hung, R. J.; Smith, R. E.

    1983-01-01

    The Elton, Louisiana tornado on March 24, 1976 has been studied using GOES digital infrared data for the growth and collapse of the cloud top, the temperature-height relationship and air mass instability from rawinsonde data, gravity waves from Doppler sounder records, and radar summaries from storm activity during the three-hour time period immediately preceding the touchdown of the tornado. In this case, the overshooting turret collapsed 30 minutes before the tornado touchdown as the eastward moving cloud reached Elton, Louisiana. Results show that the gravity waves were excited by the enhanced convection of the storm penetrating through the tropopause in the 2.5 hour time period before the tornado touched down.

  20. An international approach to Mission to Planet Earth

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Lawrence, Robert M.; Sadeh, Willy Z.; Tsygichko, Viktor N.

    1992-01-01

    The new international political constellation resulting from the disintegration of the Soviet Union opens up unique opportunities for cooperation in the space arena. Precedents since 1955 indicate a pervasive interest in mutual cooperation to use military reconnaissance and surveillance satellites for space observations to enforce treaty verification and compliance. One of the avenues that offer immediate prospects for fruitful cooperation is the incorporation of the military reconnaissance and surveillance satellite capabilities of both U.S. and Russia into the Mission to Planet Earth. Formation of a United Nations Satellite (UNSAT) fleet drawn from the American and Russian space assets is proposed. The role of UNSAT is to provide world wide monitoring of both military and enviromental activities under the umbrella of the Mission to Planet Earth.

  1. The experiments of Ramón M. Termeyer SJ on the electric eel in the River Plate region (c. 1760) and other early accounts of Electrophorus electricus.

    PubMed

    de Asúa, Miguel

    2008-01-01

    This paper focuses on Ramón M. Termeyer SJ (1737-1814?), a naturalist who experimented with the electric eel in the River Plate region during the 1760s. After going through an enumeration of the chroniclers that since the sixteenth century noticed the benumbing discharge of Electrophorus electricus, the article summarizes the work that immediately preceded Termeyer's and considers as a term of comparison the experiments on the electric eel performed by Bertrand Bajon (fl. 1751-1778) in the French Guyanne. It ends by discussing the meaning of Termeyer's 1781 and 1810 articles in the light of contemporary ideas of animal electricity.

  2. [Public access defibrillation].

    PubMed

    Katz, Eugène; Metzger, Jacques-Thierry; Sierro, Christophe; Deac, Monica; Fishman, Daniel; Girod, Grégoire; Potin, Mathieu; Niquille, Marc; Stauffer, Jean-Christoffe; Kehtari, Réza; Sénéchaud, Christophe; Garcia, Wenceslao; Rodriguez, Maria; Fromer, Martin

    2008-08-27

    Placement of automated external defibrillators (AED) in public facilities and training of the lay persons in basic life support-defibrillation (BLS-D) was recommended by the American Heart Association for the treatment of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). Immediate use of AED result in increase of survival to hospital discharge. Many observation and much less randomized trials describe clinical efficacy of this approach. However, "negative" trials have also been published and some recent data suggest that public access defibrillation (PAD) will have a minimal impact on population survival. In this article various PAD strategies were briefly reviewed. In our opinion installation of AED in public places should be based on the long-term study of local OHCA demography and preceded by widespread BLS training of lay population.

  3. Culture and its neurofunctional correlates when death is in mind.

    PubMed

    Graupmann, Verena; Peres, Isabella; Michaely, Tonia; Meindl, Thomas; Frey, Dieter; Reiser, Maximilian; Pöppel, Ernst; Fehse, Kai; Gutyrchik, Evgeny

    2013-08-26

    The human fear of death is marked by specific psychological reactions that affirm cultural belonging. Terror management theory explains this phenomenon with the symbolic immortality provided by collective meaning in culture. This coping has also been explained with the motive of maintaining a meaningful representation of the world. Here we show that neural patterns of activations corresponding to cultural worldview defense processes differed when images that affirmed participants' cultural heritage were preceded by death-related verbal primes versus verbal primes threatening meaning. Cultural content was drawn upon distinctly on a neural basis when facing death-related cognitions. The neural representation of cultural coping sheds light on the immediate mechanisms in compensating the human fear of death. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  4. Case study of the March 24, 1976 Elton, Louisiana tornado using satellite infrared imagery, doppler sounder, rawinsonde, and radar observations

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hung, R. J.; Smith, R. E.

    1983-05-01

    The Elton, Louisiana tornado on March 24, 1976 has been studied using GOES digital infrared data for the growth and collapse of the cloud top, the temperature-height relationship and air mass instability from rawinsonde data, gravity waves from Doppler sounder records, and radar summaries from storm activity during the three-hour time period immediately preceding the touchdown of the tornado. In this case, the overshooting turret collapsed 30 minutes before the tornado touchdown as the eastward moving cloud reached Elton, Louisiana. Results show that the gravity waves were excited by the enhanced convection of the storm penetrating through the tropopause in the 2.5 hour time period before the tornado touched down.

  5. Electroconvulsive therapy-induced Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome: a case report.

    PubMed

    Enomoto, Shingo; Yoshino, Aihide; Takase, Bonpei; Kuwahara, Tatsuro; Tatsuzawa, Yasutaka; Nomura, Soichiro

    2013-01-01

    Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome is characterized by premature ventricular excitation due to the presence of an abnormal accessory pathway. Electrocardiography (ECG) of patients with WPW syndrome portrays a short PR interval and a wide QRS interval with a delta wave. Herein, we report the case of a patient with schizophrenia who developed a wide QRS interval with a delta wave immediately following electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Initially, the delta wave disappeared within 2 days after ECT. However, the duration of the delta wave increased exponentially to 4 months when ECT was repeated. Although the patient's cardiocirculatory dynamics remained normal, we continued to monitor her ECG until the delta wave disappeared because WPW syndrome can lead to serious arrhythmia. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  6. How long-term memory and accentuation interact during spoken language comprehension.

    PubMed

    Li, Xiaoqing; Yang, Yufang

    2013-04-01

    Spoken language comprehension requires immediate integration of different information types, such as semantics, syntax, and prosody. Meanwhile, both the information derived from speech signals and the information retrieved from long-term memory exert their influence on language comprehension immediately. Using EEG (electroencephalogram), the present study investigated how the information retrieved from long-term memory interacts with accentuation during spoken language comprehension. Mini Chinese discourses were used as stimuli, with an interrogative or assertive context sentence preceding the target sentence. The target sentence included one critical word conveying new information. The critical word was either highly expected or lowly expected given the information retrieved from long-term memory. Moreover, the critical word was either consistently accented or inconsistently de-accented. The results revealed that for lowly expected new information, inconsistently de-accented words elicited a larger N400 and larger theta power increases (4-6 Hz) than consistently accented words. In contrast, for the highly expected new information, consistently accented words elicited a larger N400 and larger alpha power decreases (8-14 Hz) than inconsistently de-accented words. The results suggest that, during spoken language comprehension, the effect of accentuation interacted with the information retrieved from long-term memory immediately. Moreover, our results also have important consequences for our understanding of the processing nature of the N400. The N400 amplitude is not only enhanced for incorrect information (new and de-accented word) but also enhanced for correct information (new and accented words). Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  7. [Not Available].

    PubMed

    Ackerman, E

    1977-01-01

    Acceptance of birth control increased greatly among the inhabitants of Bonnieres, a French community situated on the left bank of the Seine, immediately following the 1789-1799 French Revolution. Increased acceptance of birth control was attributed to the general questioning of traditional values and beliefs which occurred during and immediately following the revolution. The revolutionary spirit allowed individuals to feel a greater sense of control over their own destiny. Prior to the revolution, Catholic teaching concerning sexual matters were followed by almost all of the inhabitants of Bonnieres. During the period 1736-1785 there was some increase in birth control acceptance, but the changes were slight compared to those which occurred following the revolution. During 1736-1785, average completed family size decreased slight from 5.8-5.6; however during 1786-1815, average completed family size was 3.9 and during the period 1816-1845, it was 2.9. An examination of changes in birth intervals suggested that during the period 1756-1785, 9.2-18.0% of the population practiced some form of birth control while 37.8-42.8% of the population practiced birth control during the period 1786-1815. An examination of age specific fertility rates further demonstrated that the major increase in birth control practice occurred immediately following the revolution. Birth control acceptance occurred despite a continuing infant mortality rate of 123-195/1000 throughout the 1700s and 1800s. Tables provided data on age specific fertility rates and on birth intervals for females in Bonnieres for 1736-1845.

  8. HIS bundle electrogram in rheumatic mitral valve disease with special reference to Bachmann's bundle block in P mitrale.

    PubMed

    Lee, Y S; Lien, W P

    1975-08-01

    HBEs were recorded from either the right or left ventricle or simultaneously from both in 26 patients with chronic rheumatic mitral stenosis alone or in association with other mild valvular lesions during the diagnostic cardiac catheterization. Eleven of the patients had auricular fibrillation. Of the remaining 15 patients with sinus mechanism and P mitrale in the surface electrocardiogram, 12 were noted to have H potential preceded the termination of P wave and gave P2H interval of negative value- so-called "Bachmann's bundle block". Among these, double atrial activities (A and A' waves) could be identified on the HBE recorded from the left ventricular endocardial surface with catheter electrodes positioned at the subarotic region in 7 patients studied. Interatrial conduction time (P1A' interval) measured in these patients was prolonged in all and ranged from 47 to 82 with an average of 66 msec. Prolongation of intraatrial (or internodal) conduction time was noted in only one patient who also had first degree A-V block and prolonged A-H interval. There was no correlation of either P1P2 or P2H interval to the degree of left atrial enlargement. The P1P2 or P2H interval also had no correlation with hemodynamic parameters. In patients with auricular fibrillation, all impulses unable to conduct to the ventricle were blocked proximal to the His bundle and concealed conduction was not observed distal to it.

  9. 5000 Meter Run Performance is not Enhanced 24 Hrs After an Intense Exercise Bout and Cold Water Immersion.

    PubMed

    Stenson, Mary C; Stenson, Matthew R; Matthews, Tracey D; Paolone, Vincent J

    2017-06-01

    Cold water immersion (CWI) is used by endurance athletes to speed recovery between exercise bouts, but little evidence is available on the effects of CWI on subsequent endurance performance. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of CWI following an acute bout of interval training on 5000 m run performance 24 hrs after interval training, perceived muscle soreness (PMS), range of motion (ROM), thigh circumference (TC), and perceived exertion (RPE). Nine endurance-trained males completed 2 trials, each consisting of an interval training session of 8 repetitions of 1200 m at a running pace equal to 75% of VO 2 peak, either a control or CWI treatment, and a timed 5000 m run 24 hrs post interval training session. CWI was performed for 12 min at 12 degrees Celsius on the legs. Recovery treatments were performed in a counterbalanced design. Run time for 5000 m was not different between the CWI and control trials (CWI = 1317.33 ± 128.33 sec, control = 1303.44 ± 105.53 sec; p = 0.48). PMS increased significantly from baseline to immediately post exercise (BL = 1.17 ± 0.22, POST = 2.81 ± 0.52; p = 0.02) and remained elevated from baseline to 24 hrs post exercise (POST24 = 2.19 ± 0.32; p = 0.02), but no difference was observed between the treatments. No differences were observed for the interaction between time and treatment for TC (λ = 0.73, p = 0.15) and ROM (λ = 0.49; p = 0.10). CWI performed immediately following an interval training exercise bout did not enhance subsequent 5000 m run performance or reduce PMS. CWI may not provide a recovery or performance advantage when athletes are accustomed to the demands of the prior exercise bout.

  10. Bacteremic complications of intravascular catheter tip colonization with Gram-negative micro-organisms in patients without preceding bacteremia.

    PubMed

    van Eck van der Sluijs, A; Oosterheert, J J; Ekkelenkamp, M B; Hoepelman, I M; Peters, Edgar J G

    2012-06-01

    Although Gram-negative micro-organisms are frequently associated with catheter-related bloodstream infections, the prognostic value and clinical implication of a positive catheter tip culture with Gram-negative micro-organisms without preceding bacteremia remains unclear. We determined the outcomes of patients with intravascular catheters colonized with these micro-organisms, without preceding positive blood cultures, and identified risk factors for the development of subsequent Gram-negative bacteremia. All patients with positive intravascular catheter tip cultures with Gram-negative micro-organisms at the University Medical Center, Utrecht, The Netherlands, between 2005 and 2009, were retrospectively studied. Patients with Gram-negative bacteremia within 48 h before catheter removal were excluded. The main outcome measure was bacteremia with Gram-negative micro-organisms. Other endpoints were length of the hospital stay, in-hospital mortality, secondary complications of Gram-negative bacteremia, and duration of intensive care admission. A total of 280 catheters from 248 patients were colonized with Gram-negative micro-organisms. Sixty-seven cases were excluded because of preceding positive blood cultures, leaving 213 catheter tips from 181 patients for analysis. In 40 (19%) cases, subsequent Gram-negative bacteremia developed. In multivariate analysis, arterial catheters were independently associated with subsequent Gram-negative bacteremia (odds ratio [OR] = 5.00, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.20-20.92), as was selective decontamination of the digestive tract (SDD) (OR = 2.47, 95% CI: 1.07-5.69). Gram-negative bacteremia in patients who received SDD was predominantly caused by cefotaxime (part of the SDD)-resistant organisms. Mortality was significantly higher in the group with subsequent Gram-negative bacteremia (35% versus 20%, OR = 2.12, 95% CI: 1.00-4.49). Patients with a catheter tip colonized with Gram-negative micro-organisms had a high chance of subsequent Gram-negative bacteremia from any cause. This may be clinically relevant, as starting antibiotic treatment pre-emptively in high-risk patients with Gram-negative micro-organisms cultured from arterial intravenous catheters may be beneficial.

  11. Elevated Serum Levels of sCD30 and IL6 and Detectable IL10 Precede Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma Diagnosis.

    PubMed

    Levin, Lynn I; Breen, Elizabeth C; Birmann, Brenda M; Batista, Julie L; Magpantay, Larry I; Li, Yuanzhang; Ambinder, Richard F; Mueller, Nancy E; Martínez-Maza, Otoniel

    2017-07-01

    Background: We investigated whether an immune system environment characterized by elevated serum levels of B-cell activation molecules was associated with the subsequent development of classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL). Methods: We measured serum levels of B-cell-stimulatory cytokines, IL6 and IL10, soluble CD30 (sCD30), and total IgE prior to cHL diagnosis in 103 cases and 206 matched controls with archived specimens in the DoD Serum Repository. Results: Prediagnosis serum sCD30 and IL6 levels had strong positive associations with risk of a cHL diagnosis 0 to 1 year prior to diagnosis [sCD30 OR = 5.5; 95% confidence interval (CI), 3.4-9.0; IL6 OR = 4.6; 95% CI, 2.9-7.5] and >1 year to 2 years pre-cHL diagnosis (sCD30 OR = 3.3; 95% CI, 1.6-6.7; IL6 OR = 2.9; 95% CI, 1.3-6.5). We observed similar, albeit not consistently significant positive associations, over 4 or more years preceding diagnosis. We did not observe a clear association with IgE levels. Of note, detectable IL10 levels were significantly associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-positive cHL cases compared with EBV-negative cases. Conclusion: In this prospective analysis, elevated sCD30 and IL6 levels and detectable IL10 preceded cHL diagnosis. Impact: The associations of these cytokines with cHL risk may reflect the production of these molecules by proliferating nascent cHL tumor cells, or by immune cells responding to their presence, prior to clinical detection. The stable elevation in cHL risk, 4 or more years prediagnosis, also suggests that a B-cell-stimulatory immune system milieu precedes, and may promote, lymphomagenesis. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 26(7); 1114-23. ©2017 AACR . ©2017 American Association for Cancer Research.

  12. Reconciling the influence of task-set switching and motor inhibition processes on stop signal after-effects.

    PubMed

    Anguera, Joaquin A; Lyman, Kyle; Zanto, Theodore P; Bollinger, Jacob; Gazzaley, Adam

    2013-01-01

    Executive response functions can be affected by preceding events, even if they are no longer associated with the current task at hand. For example, studies utilizing the stop signal task have reported slower response times to "GO" stimuli when the preceding trial involved the presentation of a "STOP" signal. However, the neural mechanisms that underlie this behavioral after-effect are unclear. To address this, behavioral and electroencephalography (EEG) measures were examined in 18 young adults (18-30 years) on "GO" trials following a previously "Successful Inhibition" trial (pSI), a previously "Failed Inhibition" trial (pFI), and a previous "GO" trial (pGO). Like previous research, slower response times were observed during both pSI and pFI trials (i.e., "GO" trials that were preceded by a successful and unsuccessful inhibition trial, respectively) compared to pGO trials (i.e., "GO" trials that were preceded by another "GO" trial). Interestingly, response time slowing was greater during pSI trials compared to pFI trials, suggesting executive control is influenced by both task set switching and persisting motor inhibition processes. Follow-up behavioral analyses indicated that these effects resulted from between-trial control adjustments rather than repetition priming effects. Analyses of inter-electrode coherence (IEC) and inter-trial coherence (ITC) indicated that both pSI and pFI trials showed greater phase synchrony during the inter-trial interval compared to pGO trials. Unlike the IEC findings, differential ITC was present within the beta and alpha frequency bands in line with the observed behavior (pSI > pFI > pGO), suggestive of more consistent phase synchrony involving motor inhibition processes during the ITI at a regional level. These findings suggest that between-trial control adjustments involved with task-set switching and motor inhibition processes influence subsequent performance, providing new insights into the dynamic nature of executive control.

  13. Development of a Home Food Safety Questionnaire Based on the PRECEDE Model: Targeting Iranian Women.

    PubMed

    Esfarjani, Fatemeh; Hosseini, Hedayat; Mohammadi-Nasrabadi, Fatemeh; Abadi, Alireza; Roustaee, Roshanak; Alikhanian, Haleh; Khalafi, Marjan; Kiaee, Mohammad Farhad; Khaksar, Ramin

    2016-12-01

    Food safety is an essential public health issue for all countries. This study was the first attempt to design and develop a home food safety questionnaire (HFSQ), in the conceptual framework of the PRECEDE (predisposing, reinforcing, and enabling constructs in educational diagnosis and evaluation) model, and to assess its validity and reliability. The HFSQ was developed by reviewing electronic databases and 12 focus group discussions with 96 women volunteers. Ten panel members reviewed the questionnaire, and the content validity ratio and content validity index were computed. Twenty women completed the HFSQ, and face validity was assessed. Women who were responsible for food handling in their households (n =320) were selected randomly from 10 health centers and completed the HFSQ based on the PRECEDE model. To examine the construct validity, a principal components factor analysis with varimax rotation was used. Internal consistency was determined with Cronbach's α. Reproducibility was checked by Kendall's τ after 4 weeks with 30 women. The developed HSFQ was considered acceptable with a content validity index of 0.88. Face validity revealed that 95% of the participants understood the questions and found them easy to answer, and 90% confirmed the appearance of the HFSQ and declared the layout acceptable. Principal component factor analysis revealed that the HFSQ could explain 33.7, 55.3, 34.8, and 60.0% of the total variance of the predisposing, reinforcing, practice, and enabling components, respectively. Cronbach's α was acceptable at 0.73. For Kendall's τ c , r = 0.89, with a 95% confidence interval of 0.85 to 0.93. The HFSQ developed based on the PRECEDE model met the standards of acceptable reliability and validity, which can be generalized to a wider population. These results can provide information for the development of effective communication strategies to promote home food safety.

  14. Alteration of Radiosensitivity of Quiescent Cell Populations in Solid Tumors Irradiated with X‐Rays Twice at Various Intervals

    PubMed Central

    Ono, Koji; Mitsumori, Michihide; Abe, Mitsuyuki

    1993-01-01

    5‐Bromo‐2′‐deoxyuridine (BUdR) was injected into SCC VII or EMT6/KU tumor‐bearing mice intraperitoneally to label all the proliferating tumor cells. First, the mice were irradiated with X‐rays at a dose of 10 Gy, followed by a dose of 0–20 Gy at 0, 12, 24 or 48 h later. During the interval, no BUdR was injected. Immediately after the second irradiation, the tumors were excised and trypsinized. The micronucleus (MN) frequency in cells without BUdR labeling was determined by means of incubation with cytochalasin‐B (a cytokinesis‐blocker) and immunoftuorescence staining for BUdR. When the tumors were not pretreated with BUdR before the first irradiation, the MN frequency in all tumor cells was determined. To determine the labeling indices of SCC VII and EMT6/KU tumors at the time of the second irradiation, each group also included mice that were continuously administered BUdR until just before the second irradiation using mini‐osmotic pumps which had been implanted subcutaneously 5 days before the first irradiation. The MN frequency of all tumor cell populations obtained immediately after the second irradiation decreased in proportion to the increase in interval time. However, in both tumor systems, the MN frequency of unlabeled cell populations, which could be regarded as quiescent cells in the tumors at the time of the first irradiation, was raised with increase in the interval time. In addition, the labeling index at the second irradiation was higher than that at the first irradiation. These findings support the occurrence of recruitment from quiescent to proliferating state during fractionated irradiation. PMID:8276718

  15. Effects of anthracycline, cyclophosphamide and taxane chemotherapy on QTc measurements in patients with breast cancer.

    PubMed

    Veronese, Pedro; Hachul, Denise Tessariol; Scanavacca, Mauricio Ibrahim; Hajjar, Ludhmila Abrahão; Wu, Tan Chen; Sacilotto, Luciana; Veronese, Carolina; Darrieux, Francisco Carlos da Costa

    2018-01-01

    Acute and subacute cardiotoxicity are characterized by prolongation of the corrected QT interval (QTc) and other measures derived from the QTc interval, such as QTc dispersion (QTdc) and transmural dispersion of repolarization (DTpTe). Although anthracyclines prolong the QTc interval, it is unclear whether breast cancer patients who undergo the ACT chemotherapy regimen of anthracycline (doxorubicin: A), cyclophosphamide (C) and taxane (T) may present with QTc, QTdc and DTpTe prolongation. Twenty-three consecutive patients with breast cancer were followed prospectively during ACT chemotherapy and were analyzed according to their QT measurements. QTc, QTdc and DTpTe measurements were determined by a 12-lead electrocardiogram (EKG) prior to chemotherapy (baseline), immediately after the first phase of anthracycline and cyclophosphamide (AC) treatment, and immediately after T treatment. Serum troponin and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels were also measured. Compared to baseline values, the QTc interval was significantly prolonged after the AC phase (439.7 ± 33.2 ms vs. 472.5 ± 36.3 ms, p = 0.001) and after T treatment (439.7 ± 33.2 ms vs. 467.9 ± 42.6 ms, p < 0.001). Troponin levels were elevated after the AC phase (23.0 pg/mL [min-max: 6.0-85.0] vs. 6.0 pg/mL [min-max: 6.0-22.0], p < 0.001) and after T treatment (25.0 pg/mL [min-max: 6.0-80.0] vs. 6.0 pg/mL [min-max: 6.0-22.0], p < 0.001) compared to baseline values. In this prospective study of patients with non-metastatic breast cancer who underwent ACT chemotherapy, significant QTc prolongation and an elevation in serum troponin levels were observed.

  16. CTNNB1-mutant colorectal carcinomas with immediate invasive growth: a model of interval cancers in Lynch syndrome.

    PubMed

    Ahadova, Aysel; von Knebel Doeberitz, Magnus; Bläker, Hendrik; Kloor, Matthias

    2016-10-01

    The implementation of regular colonoscopy programs has significantly decreased the mortality associated with colorectal cancer (CRC) in Lynch syndrome patients. However, interval CRCs in Lynch syndrome that remain undetected by colonoscopy still represent a substantial problem in the management of the syndrome. One possible reason of interval cancers could be a non-polypous pathway of cancer development. To examine the possibility of a non-polypous pathway of CRC development in Lynch syndrome, we analyzed the histological appearance of 46 Lynch syndrome-associated CRCs and compared them to 34 sporadic microsatellite unstable cancers. We observed that 25 (62.5 %) out of 40 assessable Lynch syndrome-associated carcinomas lacked evidence of polypous growth, compared to 17 (50 %) out of 34 sporadic MSI-H cancers. We detected CTNNB1 mutations in 8 (17.4 %) out of 46 Lynch syndrome-associated cancers compared to 0 out of 34 sporadic MSI-H cancers (p = 0.01). The majority of CTNNB1-mutant cancers presented with a histological appearance suggesting immediate invasive growth. Our results suggest that a distinct subgroup of CRCs in Lynch syndrome may in fact emerge from a non-polypous precursor, thus potentially explaining the phenomenon of interval cancers. Such a non-polypous precursor may be the recently described mismatch repair-deficient crypt focus, which remains invisible for the examiner during colonoscopy. This calls for considering the implementation of active, primary preventive measures in the management of Lynch syndrome. Future studies on pathogenic pathways and precursor lesions in Lynch syndrome are strongly encouraged, and the clinical efficacy of new prevention approaches should be evaluated in prospective clinical trials.

  17. In the Superior Court of Fulton County, State of Georgia.

    PubMed

    1992-01-01

    In sum, it is the decision of this Court that the hospital not deescalate Jane Doe's treatment or enforce any DNR order unless both parents agree to this final course of treatment. Scottish Rite, its physicians, staff, agents, and employees are enjoined from taking any action inconsistent with this order. This Court hopes that the ordeal suffered by all concerned in having to resort to the courts for direction will soon be alleviated by judicial precedent or legislative enactment establishing proper rules and procedures for all involved in a future dilemma such as this one. In an effort to define such rules and procedures, however, this Court hereby directs the Attorney General to appeal this Order to the Supreme Court of Georgia for immediate review, as this case involves important constitutional issues. The Clerk is directed to prepare the record in this case for immediate transmittal to the Supreme Court. This Court thanks respective counsel involved for the highly professional and dignified manner in which this case has been handled, and to the parents of Jane Doe goes this Court's admiration for their strength and courage under these most trying circumstances. Love often travels a rugged highway.

  18. Waiting for Brandon: How Readers Respond to Small Mysteries

    PubMed Central

    Gerrig, Richard J.; Love, Jessica; McKoon, Gail

    2009-01-01

    When readers experience narratives they often encounter small mysteries—questions that a text raises that are not immediately settled. In our experiments, participants read stories that introduced characters by proper names (e.g., “It’s just that Brandon hasn’t called in so long”). Resolved versions of the stories specified the functions those characters’ assumed in their narrative worlds with respect to the other characters (e.g., Brandon was identified as the speaker’s grandson); unresolved versions of the stories did not immediately provide that information. We predicted that characters whose functions were still unresolved would remain relatively accessible in the discourse representations. We tested that prediction in Experiments 1 and 2 by asking participants to indicate whether a name (e.g., Brandon) had appeared in the story. Participants responded most swiftly when the characters remained unresolved. In the latter experiments, we demonstrated that the presence of an unresolved character disrupted processing of information that followed that character’s introduction (Experiment 3) but not information that preceded that introduction (Experiment 4). These results support the general importance of providing a theoretical account of readers’ responses to narrative mysteries. PMID:20046984

  19. Changes in the Seismicity and Focal Mechanism of Small Earthquakes Prior to an MS 6.7 Earthquake in the Central Aleutian Island Arc

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Billington, Serena; Engdahl, E.R.; Price, Stephanie

    1981-01-01

    On November 4 1977, a magnitude Ms 6.7 (mb 5.7) shallow-focus thrust earthquake occurred in the vicinity of the Adak seismographic network in the central Aleutian island arc. The earthquake and its aftershock sequence occurred in an area that had not experienced a similar sequence since at least 1964. About 13 1/2 months before the main shock, the rate of occurrence of very small magnitude earthquakes increased abruptly in the immediate vicinity of the impending main shock. To search for possible variations in the focal mechanism of small events preceding the main shock, a method was developed that objectively combines first-motion data to generate composite focal-mechanism information about events occurring within a small source region. The method could not be successfully applied to the whole study area, but the results show that starting about 10 1/2 months before the November 1977 earthquake, there was a change in the mechanism of small- to moderate-sized earthquakes in the immediate vicinity of the hypocenter and possibly in other parts of the eventual aftershock zone, but not in the surrounding regions.

  20. Sperm 1: a POU-domain gene transiently expressed immediately before meiosis I in the male germ cell.

    PubMed Central

    Andersen, B; Pearse, R V; Schlegel, P N; Cichon, Z; Schonemann, M D; Bardin, C W; Rosenfeld, M G

    1993-01-01

    Members of the POU-domain gene family encode for transcriptional regulatory molecules that are important for terminal differentiation of several organ systems, including anterior pituitary, sensory neurons, and B lymphocytes. We have identified a POU-domain factor, referred to as sperm 1 (Sprm-1). This factor is most related to the transactivator Oct-3/4, which is expressed in the early embryo, primordial germ cells, and the egg. However, in contrast with Oct-3/4, rat Sprm-1 is selectively expressed during a 36- to 48-hr period immediately preceding meiosis I in male germ cells. Although the POU-domain of Sprm-1 is divergent from the POU-domains of Oct-1 and Oct-2, random-site-selection assay reveals that Sprm-1 preferentially binds to a specific variant of the classic octamer DNA-response element in which the optimal sequence differs from that preferred by Oct-1 and Pit-1. These data suggest that the Sprm-1 gene encodes a DNA-binding protein that may exert a regulatory function in meiotic events that are required for terminal differentiation of the male germ cell. Images Fig. 1 Fig. 2 Fig. 3 Fig. 4 PMID:7902581

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